Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation:

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company and the following direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Holding Company: the Bank, FPFC, FSC, and Properties. FPFC is a real estate investment trust formed to hold a portion of the Bank’s mortgage loans to facilitate access to capital markets. FSC was formed to market insurance products and mutual funds. Properties is currently used to hold title to real estate owned acquired via foreclosure. Amounts held in a rabbi trust for certain non-qualified deferred compensation plans are included in the consolidated financial statements. All intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation. The Holding Company currently has

three

unconsolidated subsidiaries in the form of wholly-owned statutory business trusts, which were formed to issue guaranteed capital debentures (“capital securities”). See Note

“Borrowed Funds,” for additional information regarding these trusts.

When necessary, certain reclassifications were made to prior-year amounts to conform to the current-year presentation. The presentation of other interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended

December

31,

2014,

excludes prepayment penalties on borrowings incurred from the extinguishment of debt to conform to the presentation for the year ended

December

31,

2016.

These penalties are reflected in non-interest expense.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to change in the near term are used in connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, the review of the need for a valuation allowance of the Company’s deferred tax assets, the fair value of financial instruments including the evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on securities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

For the purpose of reporting cash flows, the Company defines cash and due from banks, overnight interest-earning deposits and federal funds sold with original maturities of

days or less as cash and cash equivalents. At

December

31,

2016

and

2015,

the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled

$35.9

million and

$42.4

million, respectively. Included in cash and cash equivalents at those dates were

$27.2

million and

$23.0

million in interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions, primarily due from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB-NY”). The Bank is required to maintain cash reserves equal to a percentage of certain deposits. The reserve requirement is included in cash and cash equivalents and totaled

$10.1

million and

$9.9

million at

December

31,

2016

and

2015,

respectively.

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Debt and Equity Securities:

Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when management intends to hold the securities until maturity. Securities are classified as available for sale when management intends to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time or when the securities

may

be utilized for tactical asset/liability purposes and

may

be sold from time to time to effectively manage interest rate exposure and resultant prepayment risk and liquidity needs. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted, respectively, using the level-yield method. Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are determined using the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses (other than unrealized losses considered other-than-temporary which are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income) on securities available for sale are excluded from earnings and reported as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers

(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 issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Other-than-temporary impairment losses for debt securities are measured using a discounted cash flow model. Other-than-temporary impairment losses for equity securities are measured using quoted market prices, when available, or, when market quotes are not available due to an illiquid market, we use an impairment model from a

third

party or quotes from investment brokers. See Note

“Debt and Equity Securities,” for additional information regarding other-than-temporary impairment for debt and equity securities.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill:

Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite life and is tested annually, or when certain conditions are met, for impairment. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the goodwill amount, no further evaluation is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the goodwill amount, further evaluation would be required to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to the goodwill amount and determine if impairment is required.

In performing the goodwill impairment testing, the Company has identified a single reporting unit. The Company performed the qualitative assessment in reviewing the carrying value of goodwill as of

December

31,

2016,

2015

and

2014,

concluding that there was

goodwill impairment. At

December

31,

2016

and

2015,

the carrying amount of goodwill totaled

$16.1

million. The identification of additional reporting units, the use of other valuation techniques and/or changes to input assumptions used in the analysis could result in materially different evaluations of goodwill impairment.

Finance, Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Loans:

Loans are reported at their principal outstanding balance net of any unearned income, charge-offs, deferred loan fees and costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Interest on loans is recognized on the accrual basis. The accrual of income on loans is generally discontinued when certain factors, such as contractual delinquency of

days or more, indicate reasonable doubt as to the timely collectability of such income. Uncollected interest previously recognized on non-accrual loans is reversed from interest income at the time the loan is placed on non-accrual status. A non-accrual loan can be returned to accrual status when contractual delinquency returns to less than

days delinquent. Subsequent cash payments received on non-accrual loans that do not bring the loan to less than

days delinquent are recorded on a cash basis. Subsequent cash payments can also be applied

first

as a reduction of principal until all principal is recovered and then subsequently to interest, if in management’s opinion, it is evident that recovery of all principal due is unlikely to occur. Loan fees and certain loan origination costs are deferred and amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the loans using the level-yield method. Prepayment penalties received on loans which pay in full prior to their scheduled maturity are included in interest income in the period they are collected.

The Bank

may

purchase loans to supplement originations. Loan purchases are evaluated at the time of purchase to determine the appropriate accounting treatment. Performing loans purchased at a premium/discount are recorded at the purchase price with the premium/discount being amortized/accreted into interest income over the life of the loan. All loans purchased during the years ended

December

31,

2016

and

2015

were performing loans at the time of purchase and therefore were not considered impaired when purchased.

Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Loan Losses:

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at an amount which in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is based on evaluation of the collectability of loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available. An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management's estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the various components of the loan portfolio and other factors, including historical loan loss experience (which is updated quarterly), current economic conditions, delinquency and non-accrual trends, classified loan levels, risk in the portfolio and volumes and trends in loan types, recent trends in charge-offs, changes in underwriting standards, experience, ability and depth of the Company’s lenders, collection policies and experience, internal loan review function and other external factors. The Company segregated the loans into

two

portfolios based on the loans year of origination. One portfolio was reviewed for loans originated after

December

31,

2009

and a

second

portfolio for loans originated prior to

January

2010.

Our decision to segregate the portfolio based upon origination dates was based on changes made in our underwriting standards during

2009.

By the end of

2009,

all loans were being underwritten based on revised and tightened underwriting standards. Loans originated prior to

2010

have a higher delinquency rate and loss history. Each of the years in the portfolio for loans originated prior to

2010

has a similar delinquency rate. The determination of the amount of the allowance for loan losses includes estimates that are susceptible to significant changes due to changes in appraisal values of collateral, national and local economic conditions and other factors. We review our loan portfolio by separate categories with similar risk and collateral characteristics. Impaired loans are segregated and reviewed separately. The Company’s Board of Directors reviews and approves management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.

The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Increases and decreases in the allowance for loan losses other than charge-offs and recoveries are included in the provision for loan losses. When a loan or a portion of a loan is determined to be uncollectible, the portion deemed uncollectible is charged against the allowance for loan losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance for loan losses.

The Company recognizes a loan as non-performing when the borrower has demonstrated the inability to bring the loan current, or due to other circumstances which, in management’s opinion, indicate the borrower will be unable to bring the loan current within a reasonable time. All loans classified as non-performing, which includes all loans past due

days or more, are classified as non-accrual unless there is, in our opinion, compelling evidence the borrower will bring the loan current in the immediate future. Appraisals are obtained and/or updated internal evaluations are prepared as soon as practical, but before the loan becomes

days delinquent. The loan balances of collateral dependent impaired loans are compared to the property’s updated fair value. The Company considers fair value of collateral dependent loans to be

85%

of the appraised or internally estimated value of the property, except for taxi medallion loans. The fair value of the underlying collateral of taxi medallion loans is the most recent reported transaction. The balance which exceeds fair value is generally charged-off. Management reviews the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis, and records as a provision or benefit for the amount deemed appropriate, after considering items such as, current year charge-offs, charge-off trends, new loan production, current balance by particular loan categories, and delinquent loans by particular loan categories.

A loan is considered impaired when, based upon current information, the Company believes it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, in accordance with the original terms of the loan. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or at the loan’s observable market price or, as a practical expedient, the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Interest income on impaired loans is recorded on the cash basis. The Company’s management considers all non-accrual loans impaired.

The Company reviews each impaired loan on an individual basis to determine if either a charge-off or a valuation allowance needs to be allocated to the loan. The Company does not charge-off or allocate a valuation allowance to loans for which management has concluded the current value of the underlying collateral will allow for recovery of the loan balance either through the sale of the loan or by foreclosure and sale of the property.

The Company evaluates the underlying collateral through a

third

party appraisal, or when a

third

party appraisal is not available, the Company will use an internal evaluation. The internal evaluations are prepared using an income approach or a sales approach. The income approach is used for income producing properties and uses current revenues less operating expenses to determine the net cash flow of the property. Once the net cash flow is determined, the value of the property is calculated using an appropriate capitalization rate for the property. The sales approach uses comparable sales prices in the market. When an internal evaluation is used, we place greater reliance on the income approach to value the collateral.

In preparing internal evaluations of property values, the Company seeks to obtain current data on the subject property from various sources, including:

(1)

the borrower;

(2)

copies of existing leases;

(3)

local real estate brokers and appraisers;

(4)

public records (such as real estate taxes and water and sewer charges);

(5)

comparable sales and rental data in the market;

(6)

an inspection of the property and

(7)

interviews with

tenants.

These internal evaluations primarily focus on the income approach and comparable sales data to value the property.

As of

December

31,

2016,

we utilized recent

third

party appraisals of the collateral to measure impairment for

$43.3

million, or

87.5%,

of collateral dependent impaired loans, and used internal evaluations of the property’s value for

$6.2

million, or

12.5%,

of collateral dependent impaired loans.

The Company

may

restructure a loan to enable a borrower experiencing financial difficulties to continue making payments when it is deemed to be in the Company’s best long-term interest. This restructure

may

include reducing the interest rate or amount of the monthly payment for a specified period of time, after which the interest rate and repayment terms revert to the original terms of the loan. We classify these loans as Troubled Debt Restructured (“TDR”).

These restructurings have not included a reduction of principal balance. The Company believes that restructuring these loans in this manner will allow certain borrowers to become and remain current on their loans. All loans classified as TDR are considered impaired, however TDR loans which have been current for

six

consecutive months at the time they are restructured as TDR remain on accrual status and are not included as part of non-performing loans. Loans which were delinquent at the time they are restructured as a TDR are placed on non-accrual status and reported as non-performing loans until they have made timely payments for

six

consecutive months. Loans that are restructured as TDR but are not performing in accordance with the restructured terms are placed on non-accrual status and reported as non-performing loans.

The allocation of a portion of the allowance for loan losses for a performing TDR loan is based upon the present value of the future expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective rate, or for a non-performing TDR which is collateral dependent, the fair value of the collateral. At

December

31,

2016,

there were

commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were modified to a TDR. The modification of loans to a TDR did not have a significant effect on our operating results, nor did it require a significant allocation of the allowance for loan losses.

Finance, Loan and Lease Receivables, Held-for-sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Loans Held for Sale:

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. At

December

31,

2016

and

2015,

there were

loans classified as held for sale.

Bank Owned Life Insurance, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Bank Owned Life Insurance:

Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) represents life insurance on the lives of certain current and past employees who have provided positive consent allowing the Bank to be the beneficiary of such policies. BOLI is carried in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at its cash surrender value. Increases in the cash value of the policies, as well as proceeds received, are recorded in other non-interest income, and are not subject to income taxes.

Real Estate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Real Estate Owned:

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) consists of property acquired through foreclosure. These properties are carried at fair value, less estimated selling costs. The fair value is based on appraised value through a current appraisal, or at times through an internal review, additionally adjusted by the estimated costs to sell the property. This determination is made on an individual asset basis. If the fair value of a property is less than the carrying amount, the difference is recognized as a valuation allowance. Further decreases to the estimated value will be charged directly to expense.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Bank Premises and Equipment:

Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost, less depreciation accumulated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets

years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases or the lives of the assets, whichever is shorter. Maintenance, repairs and minor improvements are charged to non-interest expense in the period incurred.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock:

The FHLB-NY has assigned to the Bank a mandated membership stock ownership requirement, based on its asset size. In addition, for all borrowing activity, the Bank is required to purchase shares of FHLB-NY non-marketable capital stock at par. Such shares are redeemed by FHLB-NY at par with reductions in the Bank’s borrowing levels. The Bank carries its investment in FHLB-NY stock at historical cost. The Company periodically reviews its FHLB-NY stock to determine if impairment exists. At

December

31,

2016,

the Company considered among other things the earnings performance, credit rating and asset quality of the FHLB-NY. Based on this review, the Company did not consider the value of our investment in FHLB-NY stock to be impaired at

December

31,

2016.

Repurchase and Resale Agreements Policy [Policy Text Block]

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase:

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are accounted for as collateralized financing and are carried at amounts at which the securities will be subsequently reacquired as specified in the respective agreements. Interest incurred under these agreements is included in other interest expense. During

2016,

the Company repaid all outstanding securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes:

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities. A deferred tax liability is recognized on all taxable temporary differences and a deferred tax asset is recognized on all deductible temporary differences and operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce the potential deferred tax asset if it is “more likely than not” that all or some portion of that potential deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company must also take into account changes in tax laws or rates when valuing the deferred income tax amounts it carries on its Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock Compensation Plans:

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation using a fair-value-based measurement method for share-based payment transactions with employees and directors. The Company measures the cost of employee and directors services received in exchange for an award of an equity instrument based on the grant date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which the employee and directors are required to provide services in exchange for the award. The requisite service period is usually the vesting period.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Benefit Plans:

The Company sponsors a qualified pension,

401(k),

and profit sharing plan for its employees. The Company also sponsors postretirement health care and life insurance benefits plans for its employees, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for officers who have achieved the level of at least senior vice president, and a non-qualified pension plan for its outside directors.

The Company recognizes the funded status of a benefit plan – measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation – in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, with the unrecognized credits and charges recognized, net of taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. These credits or charges arose as a result of gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arose during prior periods but were not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

Treasury Stock, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Treasury Stock:

The Company records treasury stock at cost. Treasury stock is reissued at average cost.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivatives:

Derivatives are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. The Company records derivatives on a gross basis in “Other assets” and “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The accounting for changes in value of a derivative depends on whether or not the transaction has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges are reported and measured at fair value through earnings.

To qualify for hedge accounting, a derivative must be highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure being hedged. In addition, for a derivative to be designated as a hedge, the risk management objective and strategy must be documented. Hedge documentation must identify the derivative hedging instrument, the asset or liability or forecasted transaction and type of risk to be hedged, and how the effectiveness of the derivative is assessed prospectively and retrospectively. The extent to which a derivative has been, and is expected to continue to be, effective at offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item must be assessed and documented at least quarterly. Any hedge ineffectiveness must be reported in current-period earnings. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective at hedging the designated exposure, hedge accounting is discontinued.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale arising during the period, adjustments to net periodic pension costs and reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses on securities available for sale and OTTI charges included in net income.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segment Reporting:

Management views the Company as operating as a single unit, a community bank. Therefore, segment information is not provided.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Expense:

Costs associated with advertising are expensed as incurred. The Company recorded advertising expenses of

$2.4

million,

$2.1

million and

$1.8

million for the years ended

December

31,

2016,

2015

and

2014,

respectively.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings per Common Share:

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the total weighted average number of common shares outstanding, which includes unvested participating securities. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and as such are included in the calculation of earnings per share. The Company’s unvested restricted stock unit awards are considered participating securities. Therefore, weighted average common shares outstanding used for computing basic earnings per common share includes common shares outstanding plus unvested restricted stock unit awards. The computation of diluted earnings per share includes the additional dilutive effect of stock options outstanding and other common stock equivalents during the period. Common stock equivalents that are anti-dilutive are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share. The numerator for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share is net income available to common shareholders. The shares held in the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust are not included in shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per common share.

Earnings per common share have been computed based on the following, for the years ended

December

31:

	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Net income, as reported	$	64,916		$	46,209		$	44,239
Divided by:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		28,957			29,106			29,788
Weighted average common stock equivalents		13			20			29
Total weighted average common shares outstanding and common stock equivalents		28,970			29,126			29,817

Basic earnings per common share	$	2.24		$	1.59		$	1.49
Diluted earnings per common share	$	2.24		$	1.59		$	1.48
Dividend Payout ratio		30.4	%		40.3	%		40.3	%

There were

options that were anti-dilutive for the years ended

December

31,

2016,

2015

and

2014.