Note 6 - Debt and Equity Securities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]

6. Debt and Equity Securities

The Company’s investments in equity securities that have readily determinable fair values and all investments in debt securities are classified in one of the following three categories and accounted for accordingly: (1) trading securities, (2) securities available for sale and (3) securities held-to-maturity.

The Company did not hold any trading securities or securities held-to-maturity during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value.

The following table summarizes the Company’s portfolio of securities available for sale at December 31, 2014:

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Corporate	$	90,719	$	91,273	$	1,268	$	714
Municipals		145,864		148,896		3,093		61
Mutual funds		21,118		21,118		-		-
Other		7,098		7,090		-		8
Total other securities		264,799		268,377		4,361		783
REMIC and CMO		504,207		505,768		6,188		4,627
GNMA		13,862		14,159		421		124
FNMA		169,956		170,367		2,128		1,717
FHLMC		14,505		14,639		142		8
Total mortgage-backed securities		702,530		704,933		8,879		6,476
Total securities available for sale	$	967,329	$	973,310	$	13,240	$	7,259

Mortgage-backed securities shown in the table above include three private issue collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”) that are collateralized by commercial real estate mortgages with an amortized cost and market value of $12.4 million at December 31, 2014.

The following table shows the Company’s available for sale securities with gross unrealized losses and their fair value, aggregated by category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2014.

	Total				Less than 12 months				12 months or more
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Corporate	$	39,287	$	714	$	9,573	$	428	$	29,714	$	286
Municipals		8,810		61		3,546		11		5,264		50
Other		292		8		-		-		292		8
Total other securities		48,389		783		13,119		439		35,270		344
REMIC and CMO		216,190		4,627		77,382		399		138,808		4,228
GNMA		8,358		124		-		-		8,358		124
FNMA		95,148		1,717		-		-		95,148		1,717
FHLMC		6,773		8		6,773		8		-		-
Total mortgage-backed securities		326,469		6,476		84,155		407		242,314		6,069
Total securities available for sale	$	374,858	$	7,259	$	97,274	$	846	$	277,584	$	6,413

OTTI losses on impaired securities must be fully recognized in earnings if an investor has the intent to sell the debt security or if it is more likely than not that the investor will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost. However, even if an investor does not expect to sell a debt security, the investor must evaluate the expected cash flows to be received and determine if a credit loss has occurred. In the event that a credit loss has occurred, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss is recognized in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amounts relating to factors other than credit losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) within Stockholders’ Equity.

The Company reviewed each investment that had an unrealized loss at December 31, 2014. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an investment is less than its amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses on available for sale securities, that are deemed to be temporary, are recorded in AOCI, net of tax.  Unrealized losses that are considered to be other-than-temporary are split between credit related and noncredit related impairments, with the credit related impairment being recorded as a charge against earnings and the noncredit related impairment being recorded in AOCI, net of tax.

Corporate Securities:

The unrealized losses in Corporate securities at December 31, 2014 consist of losses on five Corporate securities. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities’ amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

Municipal Securities:

The unrealized losses in Municipal securities at December 31, 2014, consist of losses on three municipal securities. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities’ amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

Other Securities:

The unrealized losses in Other Securities at December 31, 2014, consist of losses on one single issuer trust preferred security. The unrealized losses on this security were caused by market interest volatility, a significant widening of credit spreads across markets for these securities and illiquidity and uncertainty in the financial markets. This security is currently rated below investment grade. It is not anticipated that this security would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. This security is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell this security and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell this security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the security. Therefore, the Company did not consider this investment to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, three pooled trust preferred securities for which OTTI charges were recorded in previous periods, were sold for proceeds totaling $11.1 million, recording a net loss on sale of $2.3 million.

REMIC and CMO:

The unrealized losses in Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) and Collateralized Mortgage Obligation (“CMO”) securities at December 31, 2014 consist of seven issues from the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), 14 issues from the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), eight issues from Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) and one private issue.

The unrealized losses on the REMIC and CMO securities issued by FHLMC, FNMA, GNMA and the private issuer were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities is performing according to its terms, and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities’ amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements, and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the securities.  Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

Credit related impairment for mortgage-backed securities are determined for each security by estimating losses based on the following set of assumptions: (1) delinquency and foreclosure levels; (2) projected losses at various loss severity levels; and (3) credit enhancement and coverage. Based on these reviews, no OTTI charge was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company recorded credit related OTTI charges totaling $1.4 million on four private issue CMOs during the year ended December 31, 2013 and $0.8 million on five private issue CMOs during the year ended December 31, 2012.

The private issue CMOs which incurred the above credit related OTTI charges were sold during the year ended December 31, 2013 for proceeds of $18.3 million realizing a loss on sale of $1.7 million.

GNMA:

The unrealized losses in GNMA securities at December 31, 2014 consist of losses on one security. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that this security would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. This security is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell this security and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the security. Therefore, the Company did not consider this security to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

FNMA:

The unrealized losses in FNMA securities at December 31, 2014 consist of losses on 13 securities. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities’ amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes will cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

FHMLC:

The unrealized losses in FHMLC securities at December 31, 2014 consist of losses on one security. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that this security would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. This security is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell this security and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the security. Therefore, the Company did not consider this security to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

The following table represents the activity related to the credit loss component recognized in earnings on debt securities held by the Company for which a portion of OTTI was recognized in AOCI for the periods indicated:

	For the years ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Beginning balance	$	3,738		$	6,178		$	6,922
Recognition of actual losses		-			(842	)		(1,271	)
OTTI charges due to credit loss recorded in earnings		-			1,419			776
Securities sold during the period		(3,738	)		(3,017	)		(249	)
Ending balance	$	-		$	3,738		$	6,178

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s securities, classified as available for sale at December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	23,513	$	23,516
Due after one year through five years		35,802		37,050
Due after five years through ten years		68,620		68,097
Due after ten years		136,864		139,714
Total other securities		264,799		268,377
Mortgage-backed securities		702,530		704,933
Total securities available for sale	$	967,329	$	973,310

The following table represents the gross gains and gross losses realized from the sale of securities available for sale for the periods indicated:

	For the years ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(In thousands)
Gross gains from the sale of securities	$	5,247		$	5,222		$	154
Gross losses from the sale of securities		(2,372	)		(2,201	)		(107	)
Net gains from the sale of securities	$	2,875		$	3,021		$	47

The following table summarizes the Company’s portfolio of securities available for sale at December 31, 2013:

	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Corporate	$	100,362	$	101,711	$	2,316	$	967
Municipals		127,967		123,423		93		4,637
Mutual funds		21,565		21,565		-		-
Other		18,160		14,935		-		3,225
Total other securities		268,054		261,634		2,409		8,829
REMIC and CMO		494,984		489,670		6,516		11,830
GNMA		38,974		40,874		2,325		425
FNMA		217,615		212,322		2,233		7,526
FHLMC		13,297		13,290		226		233
Total mortgage-backed securities		764,870		756,156		11,300		20,014
Total securities available for sale	$	1,032,924	$	1,017,790	$	13,709	$	28,843

Mortgage-backed securities shown in the table above include two private issue collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”) that are collateralized by commercial real estate mortgages with an amortized cost and market value of $13.9 million at December 31, 2013.

The following table shows the Company’s available for sale securities with gross unrealized losses and their fair value, aggregated by category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2013.

	Total				Less than 12 months				12 months or more
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Corporate	$	39,033	$	967	$	39,033	$	967	$	-	$	-
Municipals		100,875		4,637		95,958		4,187		4,917		450
Other		6,337		3,225		-		-		6,337		3,225
Total other securities		146,245		8,829		134,991		5,154		11,254		3,675
REMIC and CMO		298,165		11,830		279,743		10,650		18,422		1,180
GNMA		9,213		425		9,213		425		-		-
FNMA		139,999		7,526		131,248		6,654		8,751		872
FHLMC		7,478		233		7,478		233		-		-
Total mortgage-backed securities		454,855		20,014		427,682		17,962		27,173		2,052
Total securities available for sale	$	601,100	$	28,843	$	562,673	$	23,116	$	38,427	$	5,727

Corporate:

The unrealized losses in Corporate securities at December 31, 2013 consisted of losses on four Corporate securities. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It was not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that was less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities was performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, would continue to perform according to its terms. The Company did not have the intent to sell these securities and it was more likely than not the Company would not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities’ amortized cost basis. This conclusion was based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believed would cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2013.

Municipal Securities:

The unrealized losses in Municipal securities at December 31, 2013, consisted of losses on 33 municipal securities. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It was not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that was less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities was performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, would continue to perform according to its terms. The Company did not have the intent to sell these securities and it was more likely than not the Company would not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities amortized cost basis. This conclusion was based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believed would cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2013.

Other Securities:

The unrealized losses in Other Securities at December 31, 2013, consisted of losses on one single issuer trust preferred security and two pooled trust preferred securities. The unrealized losses on such securities were caused by market interest volatility, a significant widening of credit spreads across markets for these securities and illiquidity and uncertainty in the financial markets. These securities were rated below investment grade. The pooled trust preferred securities did not have collateral that was subordinate to the classes the Company own. The Company’s management evaluated these securities using an impairment model, through an independent third party, that was applied to debt securities. In estimating OTTI losses, management considered: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost; (2) the current interest rate environment; (3) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, if applicable; and (4) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Additionally, management reviewed the financial condition of each individual issuer within the pooled trust preferred securities. All of the issuers of the underlying collateral of the pooled trust preferred securities we reviewed are banks.

For each bank, our review included the following performance items of the banks:

Ratio of tangible equity to assets

Tier 1 Risk Weighted Capital

Net interest margin

Efficiency ratio for most recent two quarters

Return on average assets for most recent two quarters

Texas Ratio (ratio of non-performing assets plus assets past due over 90 days divided by tangible equity plus the reserve for loan losses)

Credit ratings (where applicable)

Capital issuances within the past year (where applicable)

Ability to complete Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) assisted acquisitions (where applicable)

Based on the review of the above factors, we concluded that:

All of the performing issuers in our pools were well capitalized banks, and did not appear likely to be closed by their regulators.

All of the performing issuers in our pools would continue as a going concern and would not default on their securities.

In order to estimate potential future defaults and deferrals, we segregated the performing underlying issuers by their Texas Ratio. We then reviewed performing issuers with Texas Ratios in excess of 50%. The Texas Ratio is a key indicator of the health of the institution and the likelihood of failure. This ratio compares the problem assets of the institution to the institution’s available capital and reserves to absorb losses that are likely to occur in these assets. There was one issuer in our pooled trust preferred securities which had a Texas Ratio in excess of 50%. We assigned a 25% default rate to this issuer. All other issuers in our pooled trust preferred securities had a Texas Ratio below 50%.  We assigned a zero percent default rate to these issuers. Our analysis also assumed that issuers currently deferring would default with no recovery, and issuers that have defaulted will have no recovery.

We had an independent third party prepare a discounted cash flow analysis for each of these pooled trust preferred securities based on the assumptions discussed above. Other significant assumptions were: (1) two issuers totaling $26.7 million would prepay in the first quarter of 2014; (2) two issuers totaling $21.5 million would prepay in the second quarter of 2015; (3) senior classes would not call the debt on their portions; and (4) use of the forward London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) curve. The cash flows were discounted at the effective rate for each security.

The Company also owned a pooled trust preferred security that was carried under the fair value option, where the unrealized losses are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income – Net gain (loss) from fair value adjustments.

It was not anticipated at the time that the one single issuer trust preferred security and the two pooled trust preferred securities would be settled at a price that was less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities was performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management based on the review performed at December 31, 2013, would continue to perform according to its terms. The Company did not have the intent to sell these securities and it was more likely than not the Company would not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities’ amortized cost basis. This conclusion was based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believed would cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider the one single issuer trust preferred security and the two pooled trust preferred securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2013.