UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 20172018

or

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________.

 

Commission file number: 001-09383

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

CALIFORNIA94-2156203
(State or Other Jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)Identification Number)No.)

 

1108 FIFTH AVENUE, SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA 94901

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (707) 863-6000

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes ☒No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes ☒No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ☒Accelerated filer ☐Non-accelerated filer ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company ☐Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes ☐No ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

Title of ClassShares outstanding as of April 25, 201726, 2018
  
Common Stock,
26,626,524
No Par Value26,298,078

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page
Forward Looking Statements3

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
Item 1Financial Statements4
 
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements9
Item 2Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2829
Item 3Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk4749
Item 4Controls and Procedures4750
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1Legal Proceedings4850
Item 1ARisk Factors4850
Item 2Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds4850
Item 3Defaults upon Senior Securities4951
Item 4Mine Safety Disclosures4951
Item 5Other Information4951
Item 6Exhibits4951
Signatures5052
Exhibit Index5153
Exhibit 31.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)5254
Exhibit 31.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)5355
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer Required by 18 U.S.C. Section 13505456
Exhibit 32.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer Required by 18 U.S.C. Section 13505557

 

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements about Westamerica Bancorporation (the “Company”) for which it claims the protection of the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, future credit quality and performance, the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses, loan growth or reduction, mitigation of risk in the Company’s loan and investment securities portfolios, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans, objectives and expectations of the Company or its management or board of directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", “estimates”, "intends", "targeted", "projected", “forecast”, "continue", "remain", "will", "should", "may" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on Management’s current knowledge and belief and include information concerning the Company’s possible or assumed future financial condition and results of operations. A number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s ability to predict or control, could cause future results to differ materially from those contemplated. These factors include but are not limited to (1) the length and severity of difficulties in the global, national and California economies and the effects of government efforts to address those difficulties; (2) liquidity levels in capital markets; (3) fluctuations in asset prices including, but not limited to stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities; (4) the effect of acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; (5) economic uncertainty created by terrorist threats and attacks on the United States, the actions taken in response, and the uncertain effect of these events on the national and regional economies; (6) changes in the interest rate environment; (7) changes in the regulatory environment; (8) competitive pressure in the banking industry; (9) operational risks including a failure or breach in data processing or security systems or those of third party vendors and other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks or fraud; (10) volatility of interest rate sensitive loans, deposits and investments; (11) asset/liability management risks and liquidity risks; (12) the effect of natural disasters, including earthquakes, fire, flood, drought, and other disasters, on the uninsured value of the Company’s assets and of loan collateral, the financial condition of debtors and issuers of investment securities, the economic conditions affecting the Company’s market place, and commodities and asset values; (13) changes in the securities markets and (14) the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings. However, the reader should not consider the above-mentioned factors to be a complete set of all potential risks or uncertainties.

 

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in this Report to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date forward looking statements are made, except as may be required by law. The reader is directed to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, for further discussion of factors which could affect the Company's business and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made in this report.

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1Financial Statements

 

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

 

 At March 31, At December 31,
 At March 31,
2017
 At December 31,
2016
 2018 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Assets:Assets:          
Cash and due from banks $546,815  $462,271  $555,607  $575,002 
Investment securities available for sale  1,893,309   1,890,758 
Investment securities held to maturity, with fair values of: $1,296,738 at March 31, 2017 and $1,340,741 at December 31, 2016  1,298,414   1,346,312 
Equity securities  1,764   1,800 
Debt securities available for sale  2,351,970   2,191,707 
Debt securities held to maturity, with fair values of: $1,098,895 at March 31, 2018 and $1,155,342 at December 31, 2017  1,114,287   1,158,864 
Loans  1,351,090   1,352,711   1,228,584   1,287,982 
Allowance for loan losses  (24,919)  (25,954)  (23,081)  (23,009)
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses  1,326,171   1,326,757   1,205,503   1,264,973 
Other real estate owned  2,136   3,095   1,376   1,426 
Premises and equipment, net  36,025   36,566   35,790   35,301 
Identifiable intangibles, net  6,127   6,927   3,280   3,850 
Goodwill  121,673   121,673   121,673   121,673 
Other assets  165,277   171,724   159,786   158,450 
Total Assets $5,395,947  $5,366,083  $5,551,036  $5,513,046 
                
Liabilities:                
Noninterest-bearing deposits $2,046,390  $2,089,443  $2,179,157  $2,197,526 
Interest-bearing deposits  2,651,583   2,615,298   2,688,710   2,630,087 
Total deposits  4,697,973   4,704,741   4,867,867   4,827,613 
Short-term borrowed funds  73,611   59,078   65,356   58,471 
Other liabilities  39,475   40,897   35,730   36,723 
Total Liabilities  4,811,059   4,804,716   4,968,953   4,922,807 
                
Contingencies (Note 10)                
                
Shareholders' Equity:                
Common stock (no par value), authorized - 150,000 shares Issued and outstanding: 26,283 at March 31, 2017 and 25,907 at December 31, 2016  422,670   404,606 
Common stock (no par value), authorized - 150,000 shares Issued and outstanding: 26,591 at March 31, 2018 and 26,425 at December 31, 2017  439,817   431,734 
Deferred compensation  1,533   1,533   1,533   1,533 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (9,443)  (10,074)  (43,452)  (16,832)
Retained earnings  170,128   165,302   184,185   173,804 
Total Shareholders' Equity  584,888   561,367   582,083   590,239 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $5,395,947  $5,366,083  $5,551,036  $5,513,046 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

-4-- 4 -

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)

 

 For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 For the
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
 (In thousands,
except per share data)
 (In thousands,
except per share data)
Interest and Fee Income:                
Loans $15,780  $18,353  $14,697  $15,780 
Investment securities available for sale  10,249   7,967 
Investment securities held to maturity  7,295   7,327 
Equity securities  85   74 
Debt securities available for sale  13,551   10,175 
Debt securities held to maturity  6,174   7,295 
Total Interest and Fee Income  33,324   33,647   34,507   33,324 
Interest Expense:                
Deposits  469   543   450   469 
Short-term borrowed funds  11   9   9   11 
Total Interest Expense  480   552   459   480 
Net Interest and Fee Income  32,844   33,095   34,048   32,844 
Provision for Loan Losses  -   -   -   - 
Net Interest and Fee Income After Provision For Loan Losses  32,844   33,095   34,048   32,844 
Noninterest Income:                
Service charges on deposit accounts  4,923   5,248   4,752   4,923 
Merchant processing services  1,875   1,529   2,420   1,875 
Debit card fees  1,481   1,516   1,605   1,481 
Trust fees  702   661   743   702 
ATM processing fees  664   575 
Other service fees  650   629   631   650 
ATM processing fees  575   658 
Financial services commissions  195   156   114   195 
Equity securities losses  (36)  - 
Other noninterest income  1,256   1,332   1,062   1,256 
Total Noninterest Income  11,657   11,729   11,955   11,657 
Noninterest Expense:                
Salaries and related benefits  13,070   13,117   13,351   13,070 
Occupancy  3,633   3,398 
Occupancy and equipment  4,691   4,887 
Outsourced data processing services  2,139   2,130   2,340   2,139 
Furniture and equipment  1,254   1,213 
Professional fees  785   611 
Amortization of identifiable intangibles  800   905   570   800 
Professional fees  611   732 
Courier service  421   545   463   421 
Other real estate owned  (40)  111 
Other noninterest expense  2,727   3,707   2,014   2,687 
Total Noninterest Expense  24,615   25,858   24,214   24,615 
Income Before Income Taxes  19,886   18,966   21,789   19,886 
Provision for income taxes  4,837   4,740   4,283   4,837 
Net Income $15,049  $14,226  $17,506  $15,049 
                
Average Common Shares Outstanding  26,171   25,445   26,532   26,171 
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding  26,329   25,468   26,665   26,329 
Per Common Share Data:                
Basic earnings $0.58  $0.56  $0.66  $0.58 
Diluted earnings  0.57   0.56   0.66   0.57 
Dividends paid  0.39   0.39   0.40   0.39 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

-5-- 5 -

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(unaudited)

 

 For the Three Months Ended
 For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 March 31,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Net income $15,049  $14,226  $17,506  $15,049 
Other comprehensive income:        
Increase in net unrealized gains on securities available for sale  1,074   10,241 
Deferred tax expense  (452)  (4,306)
Increase in net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of tax  622   5,935 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:        
Changes in net unrealized gains on debt securities available for sale  (32,846)  1,074 
Deferred tax benefit (expense)  9,709   (452)
Changes in net unrealized gains on debt securities available for sale, net of tax  (23,137)  622 
Post-retirement benefit transition obligation amortization  15   15   -   15 
Deferred tax expense  (6)  (6)  -   (6)
Post-retirement benefit transition obligation amortization, net of tax  9   9   -   9 
Total other comprehensive income  631   5,944 
Total comprehensive income $15,680  $20,170 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income  (23,137)  631 
Total comprehensive (loss) income $(5,631) $15,680 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

-6-- 6 -

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(unaudited)

 

 Common
Shares
Outstanding
 Common
Stock
 Deferred
Compensation
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Retained
Earnings
 Total       Accumulated    
 (In thousands) Common     Other    
             Shares Common Deferred Comprehensive Retained  
Balance, December 31, 2015  25,528  $378,858  $2,578  $675  $150,094  $532,205 
Net income for the period                  14,226   14,226 
Other comprehensive income              5,944       5,944 
Exercise of stock options  40   1,717               1,717 
Tax benefit decrease upon exercise and expiration of stock options      (181)              (181)
Restricted stock activity      1,045   (1,045)          - 
Stock based compensation      390               390 
Stock awarded to employees  -   15               15 
Retirement of common stock  (130)  (1,951)          (3,473)  (5,424)
Dividends                  (9,919)  (9,919)
Balance, March 31, 2016  25,438  $379,893  $1,533  $6,619  $150,928  $538,973 
 Outstanding Stock Compensation (Loss) Income Earnings Total
 (In thousands)
                                    
Balance, December 31, 2016  25,907  $404,606  $1,533  $(10,074) $165,302  $561,367   25,907  $404,606  $1,533  $(10,074) $165,302  $561,367 
Net income for the period                  15,049   15,049                   15,049   15,049 
Other comprehensive income              631       631               631       631 
Exercise of stock options  376   17,593               17,593   376   17,593               17,593 
Stock based compensation      456               456       456               456 
Stock awarded to employees  -   15               15   -   15               15 
Dividends                  (10,223)  (10,223)                  (10,223)  (10,223)
Balance, March 31, 2017  26,283  $422,670  $1,533  $(9,443) $170,128  $584,888   26,283  $422,670  $1,533  $(9,443) $170,128  $584,888 
                        
Balance, December 31, 2017  26,425  $431,734  $1,533  $(16,832) $173,804  $590,239 
Cumulative effect of equity securities losses reclassified              142   (142)  - 
Adjusted Balance, January 1, 2018  26,425   431,734   1,533   (16,690)  173,662   590,239 
Reclass stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act              (3,625)  3,625   - 
Net income for the period                  17,506   17,506 
Other comprehensive loss              (23,137)      (23,137)
Exercise of stock options  166   7,534               7,534 
Stock based compensation      525               525 
Stock awarded to employees  -   24               24 
Dividends                  (10,608)  (10,608)
Balance, March 31, 2018  26,591  $439,817  $1,533  $(43,452) $184,185  $582,083 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

 For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Operating Activities:               ��
Net income $15,049  $14,226  $17,506  $15,049 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization/accretion  5,754   4,065   1,643   5,754 
Net amortization of deferred net loan cost (fees)  26   (54)
Net amortization of deferred net loan (fees) cost  (40)  26 
Decrease in interest income receivable  1,744   1,379   1,019   1,744 
Life insurance premiums paid  (126)  (126)  (203)  (126)
Increase in income taxes payable  2,896   3,424   4,302   2,896 
Decrease in deferred tax asset  1,441   115 
Tax benefit decrease upon exercise and expiration of stock options  -   181 
Decrease (increase) in other assets  895   (5,476)
(Increase) decrease in deferred tax asset  (20)  1,441 
Decrease in other assets  2,676   895 
Stock option compensation expense  456   390   525   456 
Increase in interest expense payable  8   25   15   8 
Decrease in other liabilities  (2,864)  (4)  (984)  (2,864)
Writedown/loss on sale of premises and equipment  50   5 
Equity securities losses  36   - 
Writedown of premises and equipment  1   50 
Net gain on sale of foreclosed assets  (55)  (58)  -   (55)
Writedown of foreclosed assets  -   126 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities  25,274   18,218   26,476   25,274 
                
Investing Activities:                
Net repayments of loans  1,526   61,070   59,959   1,526 
Net receipts under FDIC(1) indemnification agreements  129   5,189   -   129 
Purchases of investment securities available for sale  (51,297)  (152,128)
Proceeds from sale/maturity/calls of securities available for sale  47,600   166,023 
Purchases of investment securities held to maturity  -   (56,182)
Proceeds from maturity/calls of securities held to maturity  45,640   33,531 
Purchases of debt securities available for sale  (279,327)  (51,297)
Proceeds from sale/maturity/calls of debt securities available for sale  86,218   47,600 
Proceeds from maturity/calls of debt securities held to maturity  44,577   45,640 
Purchases of premises and equipment  (501)  (283)  (1,413)  (501)
Proceeds from sale of FRB(2) stock  24   -   -   24 
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets  1,014   975   50   1,014 
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities  44,135   58,195 
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities  (89,936)  44,135 
                
Financing Activities:                
Net change in deposits  (6,768)  (23,909)  40,254   (6,768)
Net change in short-term borrowings  14,533   (577)  6,885   14,533 
Exercise of stock options/issuance of shares  17,593   1,717   7,534   17,593 
Tax benefit decrease upon exercise and expiration of stock options  -   (181)
Retirement of common stock  -   (5,424)
Common stock dividends paid  (10,223)  (9,919)  (10,608)  (10,223)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities  15,135   (38,293)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities  44,065   15,135 
Net Change In Cash and Due from Banks  84,544   38,120   (19,395)  84,544 
Cash and Due from Banks at Beginning of Period  462,271   433,044   575,002   462,271 
Cash and Due from Banks at End of Period $546,815  $471,164  $555,607  $546,815 
                
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:                
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:                
Loan collateral transferred to other real estate owned $-  $217  $-  $- 
Securities purchases pending settlement  -   44,580   -   - 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow activities:                
Interest paid for the period  504   526   444   504 
Income tax payments for the period  500   1,200   -   500 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

(1) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC")Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC")
(2)Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB")

(2) Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB")

 

-8-- 8 -

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and follow general practices within the banking industry. The results of operations reflect interim adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature and which, in the opinion of Management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The interim results for the three months ended March 31, 20172018 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as well as other information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.

Note 2: Accounting Policies

 

The most significant accounting policies followed by the Company are presented in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. These policies, along with the disclosures presented in the other financial statement notes and in this discussion, provide information on how significant assets and liabilities are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions, and estimates underlying those amounts, Management has identified the allowance for loan losses accounting to be the accounting area requiring the most subjective or complex judgments,it is reasonably possible conditions could change materially affecting results of operations and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available. A discussion of the factors affecting accounting for the allowance for loan losses is included in the “Provision for Loan Losses,” “Loan Portfolio Credit Risk” and “Allowance for Loan Losses” discussion below. Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.financial conditions.

 

Application of these principles requires the Company to make certain estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Certain accounting policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried on the financial statements at fair value warrants an impairment writedown or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event. Carrying assets and liabilities at fair value inherently results in more financial statement volatility. The fair values and the information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are based either on quoted market prices or are provided by other third-party sources, when available.

 

Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company adopted the following new accounting guidance:

FASB ASU 2016-09,Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,Revenue (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers, was issued March 30, 2016.May 2014. The provisionsASU specifies a standardized approach for revenue recognition across industries and transactions. The ASU also requires additional disclosures. The scope of the new standard changes several aspectsASU does not include revenue streams covered by other ASU topics; thus, Topic 606 does not apply to revenue related to financial instruments, guarantees and leases, such as the Company’s net interest income.

Approximately 73% of our revenue, including all of our net interest income and a portion of our noninterest income, is out of scope of the accountingguidance. The contracts that are in scope of the guidance are primarily related to service charges and fees on deposit accounts, merchant processing fees, debit card fees, ATM processing fees, trust fees and other service charges, commissions and fees. We have completed analyzing the individual contracts in scope and determined our revenue recognition practices within the scope of the ASU as described below did not change in any material regard upon adoption of the ASU.

- 9 -

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts: The Company earns fees from its deposit customers for share-basedtransaction-based, account maintenance, and overdraft services. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM use fees, stop payment awardcharges, statement rendering, and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account balance.

Merchant Processing Services and Debit Card Fees: The Company earns interchange fees from cardholder transactions including: (1) Accountingconducted through the payment networks. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and Cash Flow Classificationare recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.

Trust Fees: The Company earns trust fees from its contracts with customers to manage assets for Excess Tax Benefits, (2) Forfeitures,investment or custody services. These fees are primarily earned over time as the Company provides the contracted monthly or quarterly services and (3) Tax Withholding Requirements and Cash Flow Classification. are generally assessed based on a tiered scale of the market value of assets under management (AUM) at month-end. Other related services provided, which are based on a fixed fee schedule, are recognized when the services are rendered.

Gains/Losses on Sales of OREO: The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. The Company does not finance the sale of OREO.

The Company adopted the ASU provisions effectiveon January 1, 2017, which has the potential to create volatility in the book tax provision at the time nonqualified stock options are exercised or expire. During the first quarter 2017, 376 thousand shares were issued due to the exercise of nonqualified stock options resulting in a tax deduction exceeding related share based compensation by $1.6 million. First quarter 2017 income tax provision2018 and no cumulative adjustment was $671 thousand lower than would have been under accounting standards prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur.

Recently Issued Accounting Standardsrequired.

 

FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU)ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, was issued January 2016. The ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Most notably, the ASU changes the income statement impact of equity investments held by the Company and the requirement for the Company to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.purposes (Note 9).

 

-9-

The Company will bewas required to adopt the ASU provisions on January 1, 2018. Management is evaluating2018, and for those equity securities with readily determinable fair values, the Company elected the retrospective transition approach with a cumulative effect adjustment to the balance sheet and for those equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values, the Company elected the prospective transition approach. The impact thatof the ASU will haveadoption of this accounting standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.statements will be subject to the price volatility of the equity investments. As a result of implementing the ASU provisions, effective January 1, 2018, the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $142 thousand.

 

FASB ASU 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, was issued February 2018. The ASU eliminates the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by allowing a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Company early adopted the provisions of the ASU effective January 1, 2018, by reclassifying the Company’s $3,625 thousand stranded tax effect.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU)

FASB ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), was issued February 25, 2016. The provisions of the new standard require lessees to recognize most leases on-balance sheet, increasing reported assets and liabilities. Lessor accounting remains substantially similar to current U.S. GAAP.


The Company will be required to adopt the ASU provisions January 1, 2019, utilizingand plans to elect the modified retrospective transition approach. Management is evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on the Company’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2017, the Company leased 58 of its operating facilities; the remaining minimum lease payments were $17.5 million. The Company does not expect a material change in noninterest expenses upon adoption of the new standard.

 

FASB ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, was issued on June 16, 2016. The ASU significantly changes estimates for credit losses related to financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other contracts. For estimating credit losses, the FASB is replacing the incurred loss model with the current expected credit loss (CECL) model, which will accelerate recognition of credit losses. Additionally, credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities available-for-sale will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses under the new standard. The Company will also be required to provide additional disclosures related to the financial assets within the scope of the new standard.

 

- 10 -

The Company will be required to adopt the ASU provisions on January 1, 2020. Management is evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The ultimate adjustment to the allowance for loan losses will be accomplished through an offsetting after-tax adjustment to shareholders’ equity. Economic conditions and the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio at the time of adoption will influence the extent of the adopting accounting adjustment.

 

FASB ASU 2017-08, Receivables – Non-Refundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, was issued March 2017. The ASU will shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity.

 

The Company will be required to adopt the ASU provisions on January 1, 2019. Management is evaluating the impact the ASU will have on the Company’s financial statements.

FASB ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, was issued August 2017. The ASU will expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The ASU also provides for a one-time reclassification of prepayable assets from held-to-maturity (HTM) to available for sale (AFS) regardless of derivative use.

The Company will be required to adopt the ASU provisions January 1, 2019. The Company does not currently engage in trading activities or use derivative instruments to control interest rate risk, even though such activities may be permitted with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. However, the Company is currently evaluating the prepayable assets in the HTM portfolio to determine if a one-time reclassification of prepayable assets from HTM to the AFS will occur upon implementation.

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- 11 -

 

Note 3: Investment Securities

Effective January 1, 2018, upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, equity securities included in the Company’s available for sale portfolio of $1,800 thousand were reclassified to equity securities. The reclassification of equity securities resulted in recording a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $142 thousand, net of tax.

At March 31, 2018, the market value of equity securities was $1,764 thousand. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized gross unrealized holding losses of $36 thousand in earnings.

 

An analysis of the amortized cost grossand fair value by major categories of debt securities available for sale, which are carried at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses accumulated in(losses) reported on an after-tax basis as a component of cumulative other comprehensive income, and fair value of the available for sale investmentdebt securities portfolioheld to maturity, which are carried at amortized cost, follows:

 

 Investment Securities Available for Sale
At March 31, 2017
   Gross Gross  
 Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
 Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
 (In thousands) Cost Gains Losses Value
At March 31, 2018 (In thousands)
Debt securities available for sale        
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities $141,595  $33  $(2,691) $138,937  $122,291  $1  $(4,345) $117,947 
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (MBS)  742,713   825   (21,334)  722,204   879,824   500   (32,684)  847,640 
Non-agency residential MBS  196   -   -   196   138   1   -   139 
Non-agency commercial MBS  1,955   -   (16)  1,939 
Agency commercial MBS  2,229   -   (39)  2,190 
Securities of U.S. Government entities  1,526   -   (6)  1,520 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  176,739   5,425   (3,293)  178,871   181,386   2,910   (3,661)  180,635 
Asset-backed securities  355   -   -   355 
FHLMC(1) and FNMA(2) stock  749   8,651   -   9,400 
Corporate securities  843,249   2,037   (6,150)  839,136   1,226,267   523   (24,891)  1,201,899 
Other securities  2,005   456   (190)  2,271 
Total debt securities available for sale  2,413,661   3,935   (65,626)  2,351,970 
Debt securities held to maturity                
Agency residential MBS  520,105   325   (16,728)  503,702 
Non-agency residential MBS  4,179   77   -   4,256 
Agency commercial MBS  1,902   -   (9)  1,893 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  588,101   4,419   (3,476)  589,044 
Total debt securities held to maturity  1,114,287   4,821   (20,213)  1,098,895 
Total $1,909,556  $17,427  $(33,674) $1,893,309  $3,527,948  $8,756  $(85,839) $3,450,865 

 

(1) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

(2) Federal National Mortgage Association[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

-10-- 12 -

An analysis of the amortized cost, gross unrecognized gains and losses, and fair value of the held to maturity investment securities portfolio follows:

  Investment Securities Held to Maturity
At March 31, 2017
  Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrecognized
Gains
 Gross
Unrecognized
Losses
 Fair
Value
  (In thousands)
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities $538  $-  $-  $538 
Agency residential MBS  634,958   1,007   (9,093)  626,872 
Non-agency residential MBS  5,103   62   -   5,165 
Agency commercial MBS  9,258   4   (123)  9,139 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  648,557   8,503   (2,036)  655,024 
Total $1,298,414  $9,576  $(11,252) $1,296,738 

An analysis of the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses accumulated in other comprehensive income, and fair value of the available for sale investment securities portfolio follows:

  Investment Securities Available for Sale
At December 31, 2016
  Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 Fair
Value
  (In thousands)
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities $141,599  $35  $(2,974) $138,660 
Agency residential MBS  711,623   921   (21,045)  691,499 
Non-agency residential MBS  272   -   (1)  271 
Non-agency commercial MBS  2,041   -   (16)  2,025 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  182,230   5,107   (3,926)  183,411 
Asset-backed securities  696   -   (1)  695 
FHLMC(1) and FNMA(2) stock  749   10,120   -   10,869 
Corporate securities  866,835   1,690   (7,668)  860,857 
Other securities  2,034   621   (184)  2,471 
Total $1,908,079  $18,494  $(35,815) $1,890,758 

(1) Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

(2) Federal National Mortgage Association

An analysis of the amortized cost, gross unrecognized gains and losses, and fair value of the held to maturity investment securities portfolio follows:

  Investment Securities Held to Maturity
At December 31, 2016
  Amortized
Cost
 Gross
Unrecognized
Gains
 Gross
Unrecognized
Losses
 Fair
Value
  (In thousands)
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities $581  $1  $-  $582 
Agency residential MBS  668,235   1,122   (8,602)  660,755 
Non-agency residential MBS  5,370   76   -   5,446 
Agency commercial MBS  9,332   11   (143)  9,200 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  662,794   6,031   (4,067)  664,758 
Total $1,346,312  $7,241  $(12,812) $1,340,741 

 

-11-
    Gross Gross  
  Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
  Cost Gains Losses Value
At December 31, 2017 (In thousands)
Debt securities available for sale                
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities $122,285  $1  $(2,967) $119,319 
Agency residential MBS  787,679   522   (20,495)  767,706 
Non-agency residential MBS  153   1   -   154 
Agency commercial MBS  2,244   -   (25)  2,219 
Securities of U.S. Government entities  1,612   -   (22)  1,590 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  182,907   3,796   (1,482)  185,221 
Corporate securities  1,123,671   1,104   (9,277)  1,115,498 
Total debt securities available for sale  2,220,551   5,424   (34,268)  2,191,707 
Debt securities held to maturity                
Agency residential MBS  545,883   606   (9,850)  536,639 
Non-agency residential MBS  4,462   70   -   4,532 
Agency commercial MBS  9,041   -   (66)  8,975 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  599,478   7,736   (2,018)  605,196 
Total debt securities held to maturity  1,158,864   8,412   (11,934)  1,155,342 
Total $3,379,415  $13,836  $(46,202) $3,347,049 

 

The amortized cost and fair value of investmentdebt securities by contractual maturity are shown in the following table s at the dates indicated:

 

 At March 31, 2018
 Debt Securities Available Debt Securities Held
 At March 31, 2017 for Sale to Maturity
 Securities Available
for Sale
 Securities Held
to Maturity
 Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Cost Value Cost Value
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Maturity in years:                                
1 year or less $200,403  $200,533  $21,359  $22,112  $164,450  $162,099  $67,865  $68,636 
Over 1 to 5 years  687,340   683,836   296,478   298,933   1,098,360   1,075,777   248,126   247,858 
Over 5 to 10 years  226,589   228,155   303,309   306,228   225,690   223,481   269,159   269,527 
Over 10 years  47,606   44,775   27,949   28,289   42,970   40,644   2,951   3,023 
Subtotal  1,161,938   1,157,299   649,095   655,562   1,531,470   1,502,001   588,101   589,044 
MBS  744,864   724,339   649,319   641,176   882,191   849,969   526,186   509,851 
Other securities  2,754   11,671   -   - 
Total $1,909,556  $1,893,309  $1,298,414  $1,296,738  $2,413,661  $2,351,970  $1,114,287  $1,098,895 

 

 At December 31, 2017
 Debt Securities Available Debt Securities Held
 At December 31, 2016 for Sale to Maturity
 Securities Available
for Sale
 Securities Held
to Maturity
 Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Amortized
Cost
 Fair
Value
 Cost Value Cost Value
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Maturity in years:                                
1 year or less $154,693  $154,835  $14,961  $15,639  $193,337  $193,385  $50,295  $51,105 
Over 1 to 5 years  750,834   745,219   292,024   292,062   1,031,807   1,023,047   269,050   269,471 
Over 5 to 10 years  238,077   239,153   318,580   319,587   159,266   160,042   277,170   281,546 
Over 10 years  47,756   44,416   37,810   38,052   46,065   45,154   2,963   3,074 
Subtotal  1,191,360   1,183,623   663,375   665,340   1,430,475   1,421,628   599,478   605,196 
MBS  713,936   693,795   682,937   675,401   790,076   770,079   559,386   550,146 
Other securities  2,783   13,340   -   - 
Total $1,908,079  $1,890,758  $1,346,312  $1,340,741  $2,220,551  $2,191,707  $1,158,864  $1,155,342 

- 13 -

 

Expected maturities of mortgage-related securities can differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. In addition, such factors as prepayments and interest rates may affect the yield on the carrying value of mortgage-related securities. At March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had no high-risk collateralized mortgage obligations as defined by regulatory guidelines.

 

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-12-

An analysis of the gross unrealized losses of the debt securities available for sale investment securities portfolio follows:

 

 Debt Securities Available for Sale
 Investment Securities Available for Sale
At March 31, 2017
 At March 31, 2018
 No. of Less than 12 months No. of 12 months or longer No. of Total No. of Less than 12 months No. of 12 months or longer No. of Total
 Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized
 Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses
 ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities  9  $120,654  $(2,691)  -  $-  $-   9  $120,654  $(2,691)  2  $1,977  $(12)  8  $115,889  $(4,333)  10  $117,866  $(4,345)
Agency residential MBS  26   564,037   (16,571)  28   117,356   (4,763)  54   681,393   (21,334)  11   280,804   (6,163)  52   492,453   (26,521)  63   773,257   (32,684)
Non-agency residential MBS  1   177   -   -   -   -   1   177   - 
Non-agency commercial MBS  2   1,189   (9)  1   750   (7)  3   1,939   (16)
Agency commercial MBS  2   2,190   (39)  -   -   -   2   2,190   (39)
Securities of U.S. Government entities  -   -   -   3   1,520   (6)  3   1,520   (6)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  42   55,505   (3,272)  4   1,653   (21)  46   57,158   (3,293)  57   31,091   (636)  35   49,993   (3,025)  92   81,084   (3,661)
Corporate securities  48   360,788   (5,201)  25   88,217   (949)  73   449,005   (6,150)  82   781,714   (16,548)  34   258,551   (8,343)  116   1,040,265   (24,891)
Other securities  -   -   -   1   1,810   (190)  1   1,810   (190)
Total  128  $1,102,350  $(27,744)  59  $209,786  $(5,930)  187  $1,312,136  $(33,674)  154  $1,097,776  $(23,398)  132  $918,406  $(42,228)  286  $2,016,182  $(65,626)

 

An analysis of gross unrecognized losses of the debt securities held to maturity investment securities portfolio follows:

 

 Debt Securities Held to Maturity
 Investment Securities Held to Maturity
At March 31, 2017
 At March 31, 2018
 No. of Less than 12 months No. of 12 months or longer No. of Total No. of Less than 12 months No. of 12 months or longer No. of Total
 Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized
 Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses
 ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Agency residential MBS  66  $551,095  $(8,789)  3  $11,465  $(304)  69  $562,560  $(9,093)  23  $33,919  $(578)  67  $451,597  $(16,150)  90  $485,516  $(16,728)
Agency commercial MBS  -   -   -   1   7,175   (123)  1   7,175   (123)  1   1,893   (9)  -   -   -   1   1,893   (9)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  137   128,434   (1,668)  13   12,905   (368)  150   141,339   (2,036)  266   257,849   (1,557)  58   57,422   (1,919)  324   315,271   (3,476)
Total  203  $679,529  $(10,457)  17  $31,545  $(795)  220  $711,074  $(11,252)  290  $293,661  $(2,144)  125  $509,019  $(18,069)  415  $802,680  $(20,213)

 

The unrealized losses on the Company’s investmentdebt securities were caused by market conditions for these types of investments, particularly changes in risk-free interest rates. The Company evaluates debt securities on a quarterly basis including changes in security ratings issued by rating agencies, changes in the financial condition of the issuer, and, for mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, delinquency and loss information with respect to the underlying collateral, changes in the levels of subordination for the Company’s particular position within the repayment structure and remaining credit enhancement as compared to expected credit losses of the security. Substantially all of these securities continue to be investment grade rated by a major rating agency. In addition to monitoring credit rating agency evaluations, Management performs its own evaluations regarding the credit worthiness of the issuer or the securitized assets underlying asset backed securities.

 

The Company does not intend to sell any investmentsdebt securities and has concluded that it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell the investmentsdebt securities prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis. Therefore, the Company does not consider these investmentsdebt securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2017.2018.

 

The fair values of the investmentdebt securities could decline in the future if the general economy deteriorates, inflation increases, credit ratings decline, the issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, or the liquidity for debt securities declines. As a result, other than temporary impairments may occur in the future.

 

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $774,283  thousand of investmentthe Company had debt securities were pledged to secure public deposits and short-term borrowed funds. Asfunds of December 31, 2016, $768,845$696,058  thousand of investment securities were pledged to secure public deposits and short-term borrowed funds.$715,774 thousand, respectively.

 

-13-- 14 -

An analysis of gross unrealized losses  of investmentdebt securities available for sale follows:

 

 Debt Securities Available for Sale
 Investment Securities Available for Sale
At December 31, 2016
 At December 31, 2017
 No. of Less than 12 months No. of 12 months or longer No. of Total No. of Less than 12 months No. of 12 months or longer No. of Total
 Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized Investment   Unrealized
 Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses
 ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities  8  $117,227  $(2,974)  -  $-  $-   8  $117,227  $(2,974)  1  $996  $(2)  8  $117,252  $(2,965)  9  $118,248  $(2,967)
Agency residential MBS  21   524,269   (16,494)  28   122,901   (4,551)  49   647,170   (21,045)  7   238,554   (1,501)  51   516,711   (18,994)  58   755,265   (20,495)
Non-agency residential MBS  2   246   (1)  -   -   -   2   246   (1)  1   1   -   -   -   -   1   1   - 
Non-agency commercial MBS  2   1,253   (9)  1   772   (7)  3   2,025   (16)
Agency commercial MBS  2   2,219   (25)  -   -   -   2   2,219   (25)
Securities of U.S. Government entities  -   -   -   3   1,590   (22)  3   1,590   (22)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  43   57,989   (3,905)  3   1,117   (21)  46   59,106   (3,926)  50   21,453   (228)  35   52,071   (1,254)  85   73,524   (1,482)
Asset-backed securities  -   -   -   1   695   (1)  1   695   (1)
Corporate securities  53   385,175   (6,551)  27   96,145   (1,117)  80   481,320   (7,668)  64   571,112   (4,047)  38   282,924   (5,230)  102   854,036   (9,277)
Other securities  -   -   -   1   1,816   (184)  1   1,816   (184)
Total  129  $1,086,159  $(29,934)  61  $223,446  $(5,881)  190  $1,309,605  $(35,815)  125  $834,335  $(5,803)  135  $970,548  $(28,465)  260  $1,804,883  $(34,268)

 

An analysis of gross unrecognized losses of investmentthe debt securities held to maturity portfolio follows:

 

 Debt Securities Held to Maturity
 Investment Securities Held to Maturity
At December 31, 2016
 At December 31, 2017
 No. of Less than 12 months No. of 12 months or longer No. of Total No. of Less than 12 months No. of 12 months or longer No. of Total
 Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized Investment   Unrecognized
 Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses Positions Fair Value Losses
 ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Agency residential MBS  66  $569,876  $(8,285)  3  $10,480  $(317)  69  $580,356  $(8,602)  15  $30,218  $(201)  65  $479,775  $(9,649)  80  $509,993  $(9,850)
Agency commercial MBS  -   -   -   1   7,214   (143)  1   7,214   (143)  1   1,913   (4)  1   7,062   (62)  2   8,975   (66)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  295   272,496   (3,710)  12   13,126   (357)  307   285,622   (4,067)  146   131,032   (553)  59   58,979   (1,465)  205   190,011   (2,018)
Total  361  $842,372  $(11,995)  16  $30,820  $(817)  377  $873,192  $(12,812)  162  $163,163  $(758)  125  $545,816  $(11,176)  287  $708,979  $(11,934)

 

The following table provides information about the amount of interest income earned on investment securities which is fully taxable and which is exempt from regular federal income tax:

 

 For the Three Months

 
 
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 Ended March 31,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
        
Taxable $12,147  $9,674  $14,935  $12,147 
Tax-exempt from regular federal income tax  5,397   5,620   4,875   5,397 
Total interest income from investment securities $17,544  $15,294  $19,810  $17,544 

 

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-14-- 15 -

Note 4: Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

A summary of the major categories of loans outstanding is shown in the following tablestable at the dates indicated.

 

 At March 31, At December 31,
 At March 31, 2017 At December 31, 2016 2018 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Commercial $354,500  $354,697  $306,978  $335,996 
Commercial Real Estate  565,604   542,171   553,318   568,584 
Construction  1,880   2,555   2,941   5,649 
Residential Real Estate  79,481   87,724   59,484   65,183 
Consumer Installment & Other  349,625   365,564   305,863   312,570 
Total $1,351,090  $1,352,711  $1,228,584  $1,287,982 

Total loans outstanding reported above include loans purchased loansfrom the FDIC of $113,207 $75,476 thousand and $121,210$83,478 thousand at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. Purchased loansLoans purchased from the FDIC were separately reported in prior periods and have been reclassified into their respective categories in the current presentation.

 

Changes in the accretable yield for purchased loans were as follows:

 

 For the For the
 Three Months Ended Year Ended
 For the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 For the
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Accretable yield: (In thousands) (In thousands)
Balance at the beginning of the period $1,237  $1,259  $738  $1,237 
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference  871   3,912   313   1,852 
Accretion  (970)  (3,934)  (452)  (2,351)
Balance at the end of the period $1,138  $1,237  $599  $738 
                
Accretion $(970) $(3,934) $(452) $(2,351)
Change in FDIC indemnification  189   1,053   1   192 
(Increase) in interest income $(781) $(2,881) $(451) $(2,159)

 

The following summarizes activity in the allowance for loan losses:

 

 Allowance for Loan Losses
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
         Consumer    
 Allowance for Loan Losses
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
   Commercial   Residential Installment    
 Commercial Commercial
Real Estate
 Construction Residential
Real Estate
 Consumer
Installment
and Other
 Unallocated Total Commercial Real Estate Construction Real Estate and Other Unallocated Total
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:                                                        
Balance at beginning of period $8,327  $3,330  $152  $1,330  $7,980  $4,835  $25,954  $7,746  $3,849  $335  $995  $6,418  $3,666  $23,009 
Additions:                                                        
Provision (reversal)  209   182   (40)  (116)  106   (341)  - 
(Reversal) provision  (17)  (25)  (160)  (87)  37   252   - 
Deductions:                                                        
Chargeoffs  (103)  -   -   -   (1,739)  -   (1,842)  (41)  -   -   -   (1,365)  -   (1,406)
Recoveries  160   10   -   -   637   -   807   829   -   -   -   649   -   1,478 
Net loan recoveries (losses)  57   10   -   -   (1,102)  -   (1,035)  788   -   -   -   (716)  -   72 
Total allowance for loan losses $8,593  $3,522  $112  $1,214  $6,984  $4,494  $24,919  $8,517  $3,824  $175  $908  $5,739  $3,918  $23,081 

  Allowance for Loan Losses
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
          Consumer    
    Commercial   Residential Installment    
  Commercial Real Estate Construction Real Estate and Other Unallocated Total
  (In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:                            
Balance at beginning of period $8,327  $3,330  $152  $1,330  $7,980  $4,835  $25,954 
Additions:                            
Provision (reversal)  209   182   (40)  (116)  106   (341)  - 
Deductions:                            
Chargeoffs  (103)  -   -   -   (1,739)  -   (1,842)
Recoveries  160   10   -   -   637   -   807 
Net loan recoveries (losses)  57   10   -   -   (1,102)  -   (1,035)
Total allowance for loan losses $8,593  $3,522  $112  $1,214  $6,984  $4,494  $24,919 

 

  Allowance for Loan Losses
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
  Commercial Commercial
Real Estate
 Construction Residential
Real Estate
 Consumer
Installment
and Other
 Unallocated Total
  (In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:                            
Balance at beginning of period $9,559  $4,212  $235  $1,801  $8,001  $5,963  $29,771 
Additions:                            
Provision (reversal)  38   10   (48)  (94)  124   (30)  - 
Deductions:                            
Chargeoffs  (1,171)  -   -   -   (1,006)  -   (2,177)
Recoveries  1,421   15   -   -   457   -   1,893 
Net loan recoveries (losses)  250   15   -   -   (549)  -   (284)
Total allowance for loan losses $9,847  $4,237  $187  $1,707  $7,576  $5,933  $29,487 

 

-15-- 16 -

The allowance for loan losses and recorded investment in loans evaluated for impairment were as follows:

 

 Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans Evaluated for Impairment

 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans Evaluated for Impairment
At March 31, 2017
 At March 31, 2018
 Commercial Commercial Real Estate Construction Residential Real Estate Consumer Installment and Other Unallocated Total Commercial Commercial
Real Estate
 Construction Residential
Real Estate
 Consumer
Installment and
Other
 Unallocated Total
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:                                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment $4,991  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $4,991  $4,777  $214  $-  $-  $-  $-  $4,991 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  3,602   3,522   112   1,214   6,984   4,494   19,928   3,740   3,610   175   908   5,739   3,918   18,090 
Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $8,593  $3,522  $112  $1,214  $6,984  $4,494  $24,919  $8,517  $3,824  $175  $908  $5,739  $3,918  $23,081 
Carrying value of loans:                                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment $11,128  $15,243  $-  $217  $-  $-  $26,588  $10,513  $11,393  $-  $206  $-  $-  $22,112 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  343,345   549,838   1,880   79,264   349,303   -   1,323,630   296,432   541,327   2,941   59,278   305,705   -   1,205,683 
Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration  27   523   -   -   322   -   872   33   598   -   -   158   -   789 
Total $354,500  $565,604  $1,880  $79,481  $349,625  $-  $1,351,090  $306,978  $553,318  $2,941  $59,484  $305,863  $-  $1,228,584 

 

 Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans Evaluated for Impairment
 Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans Evaluated for Impairment
At December 31, 2016
 At December 31, 2017
 Commercial Commercial Real Estate Construction Residential Real Estate Consumer Installment and Other Unallocated Total Commercial Commercial
Real Estate
 Construction Residential
Real Estate
 Consumer
Installment and
Other
 Unallocated Total
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:                                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment $5,048  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $5,048  $4,814  $171  $-  $-  $-  $-  $4,985 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  3,279   3,330   152   1,330   7,980   4,835   20,906   2,932   3,678   335   995   6,418   3,666   18,024 
Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $8,327  $3,330  $152  $1,330  $7,980  $4,835  $25,954  $7,746  $3,849  $335  $995  $6,418  $3,666  $23,009 
Carrying value of loans:                                                        
Individually evaluated for impairment $11,174  $12,706  $-  $835  $-  $-  $24,715  $10,675  $14,234  $-  $208  $-  $-  $25,117 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  343,494   528,957   2,555   86,889   365,236   -   1,327,131   325,291   553,769   5,649   64,975   312,406   -   1,262,090 
Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration  29   508   -   -   328   -   865   30   581   -   -   164   -   775 
Total $354,697  $542,171  $2,555  $87,724  $365,564  $-  $1,352,711  $335,996  $568,584  $5,649  $65,183  $312,570  $-  $1,287,982 

 

The Bank’s customers are small businesses, professionals and consumers. Given the scale of these borrowers, corporate credit rating agencies do not evaluate the borrowers’ financial condition. The Bank maintains a Loan Review Department which reports directly to Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The Loan Review Department performs independent evaluations of loans and assignsvalidates management assigned credit risk grades toon evaluated loans using grading standards employed by bank regulatory agencies. Loans judged to carry lower-risk attributes are assigned a “pass” grade, with a minimal likelihood of loss. Loans judged to carry higher-risk attributes are referred to as “classified loans,” and are further disaggregated, with increasing expectations for loss recognition, as “substandard,” “doubtful,” and “loss.” Loan Review Department evaluations occur every calendar quarter. If the Bank becomes aware of deterioration in a borrower’s performance or financial condition between Loan Review Department examinations, assigned risk grades are re-evaluated promptly. Credit risk grades assigned by management and validated by the Loan Review Department are subject to review by the Bank’s regulatory authorities during regulatory examinations.

 

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-16-- 17 -

The following summarizes the credit risk profile by internally assigned grade:

 

 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
At March 31, 2017
 At March 31, 2018
 Commercial Commercial Real Estate Construction Residential Real Estate Consumer Installment and Other Total Commercial Commercial
Real Estate
 Construction Residential
Real Estate
 Consumer
Installment and
Other
 Total
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Grade:                                    
Pass $339,296  $538,750  $1,880  $79,481  $346,864  $1,306,271  $283,666  $547,740  $2,941  $59,202  $303,836  $1,197,385 
Substandard  15,204   25,558   -   -   2,447   43,209   23,312   5,578   -   282   1,523   30,695 
Doubtful  -   1,296   -   -   -   1,296   -   -   -   -   177   177 
Loss  -   -   -   -   314   314   -   -   -   -   327   327 
Total $354,500  $565,604  $1,880  $79,481  $349,625  $1,351,090  $306,978  $553,318  $2,941  $59,484  $305,863  $1,228,584 

 

(1)Credit risk profile reflects internally assigned grade of purchased covered loans without regard to FDIC indemnification.

 

 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
 Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
At December 31, 2016
 At December 31, 2017
 Commercial Commercial Real Estate Construction Residential Real Estate Consumer Installment and Other Total Commercial Commercial
Real Estate
 Construction Residential
Real Estate
 Consumer
Installment and
Other
 Total
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Grade:                                    
Pass $340,973  $515,045  $2,555  $84,384  $362,597  $1,305,554  $324,185  $548,853  $5,649  $62,253  $310,429  $1,251,369 
Substandard  13,724   25,830   -   3,340   2,477   45,371   11,811   19,731   -   2,930   1,370   35,842 
Doubtful  -   1,296   -   -   10   1,306   -   -   -   -   1   1 
Loss  -   -   -   -   480   480   -   -   -   -   770   770 
Total $354,697  $542,171  $2,555  $87,724  $365,564  $1,352,711  $335,996  $568,584  $5,649  $65,183  $312,570  $1,287,982 

 

(1)Credit risk profile reflects internally assigned grade of purchased covered loans without regard to FDIC indemnification.

 

The following tables summarize loans by delinquency and nonaccrual status:

 

 Summary of Loans by Delinquency and Nonaccrual Status
 Summary of Loans by Delinquency and Nonaccrual Status
At March 31, 2017
 At March 31, 2018
 Current and Accruing 30-59 Days Past Due and Accruing 60-89 Days Past Due and Accruing Past Due 90 Days or More and Accruing Nonaccrual Total Loans Current and
Accruing
 30-59 Days
Past Due and
Accruing
 60-89 Days
Past Due and
Accruing
 Past Due 90
Days or More
and Accruing
 Nonaccrual Total Loans
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Commercial $351,417  $1,979  $1,072  $-  $32  $354,500  $306,396  $227  $84  $-  $271  $306,978 
Commercial real estate  553,637   4,922   605   -   6,440   565,604   544,476   2,809   360   -   5,673   553,318 
Construction  1,880   -   -   -   -   1,880   2,941   -   -   -   -   2,941 
Residential real estate  78,182   1,299   -   -   -   79,481   59,184   300   -   -   -   59,484 
Consumer installment and other  345,600   2,764   693   373   195   349,625   302,214   2,667   531   255   196   305,863 
Total $1,330,716  $10,964  $2,370  $373  $6,667  $1,351,090  $1,215,211  $6,003  $975  $255  $6,140  $1,228,584 

 

 Summary of Loans by Delinquency and Nonaccrual Status
 Summary of Loans by Delinquency and Nonaccrual Status
At December 31, 2016
 At December 31, 2017
 Current and Accruing 30-59 Days Past Due and Accruing 60-89 Days Past Due and Accruing Past Due 90 Days or More and Accruing Nonaccrual Total Loans Current and
Accruing
 30-59 Days
Past Due and
Accruing
 60-89 Days
Past Due and
Accruing
 Past Due 90
Days or More
and Accruing
 Nonaccrual Total Loans
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Commercial $353,497  $966  $40  $-  $194  $354,697  $334,908  $627  $164  $-  $297  $335,996 
Commercial real estate  533,377   1,460   445   -   6,889   542,171   561,883   1,143   125   -   5,433   568,584 
Construction  2,329   226   -   -   -   2,555   5,649   -   -   -   -   5,649 
Residential real estate  86,098   528   37   -   1,061   87,724   65,183   -   -   -   -   65,183 
Consumer installment and other  360,549   3,288   989   497   241   365,564   307,445   3,321   1,077   531   196   312,570 
Total $1,335,850  $6,468  $1,511  $497  $8,385  $1,352,711  $1,275,068  $5,091  $1,366  $531  $5,926  $1,287,982 

 

-17-

There were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were on nonaccrual status at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.

- 18 -

 

The following summarizes impaired loans:

 

 Impaired Loans
At March 31, 2017
 Impaired Loans
 Recorded
Investment
 Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 Related
Allowance
 At March 31, At December 31,
 (In thousands) 2018 2017
Impaired loans with no related allowance recorded:            
   Unpaid     Unpaid  
 Recorded Principal Related Recorded Principal Related
 Investment Balance Allowance Investment Balance Allowance
 (In thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:                        
Commercial $1,080  $1,148  $-  $1,183  $1,227  $-  $1,212  $1,271  $- 
Commercial real estate  15,766   17,788   -   9,766   11,752   -   13,169   14,985   - 
Construction  -   -   - 
Residential real estate  217   247   -   206   237   -   208   239   - 
Consumer installment and other  517   623   -   354   461   -   360   466   - 
Total with no related allowance recorded  11,509   13,677   -   14,949   16,961   - 
                                    
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded:            
With an allowance recorded:                        
Commercial  10,106   10,115   4,991   9,634   9,634   4,777   9,764   9,764   4,814 
Commercial real estate  -   -   -   2,784   2,787   214   1,790   1,792   171 
Construction  -   -   - 
Residential real estate  -   -   - 
Consumer installment and other  -   -   - 
            
Total:            
Commercial $11,186  $11,263  $4,991 
Commercial real estate  15,766   17,788   - 
Construction  -   -   - 
Residential real estate  217   247   - 
Consumer installment and other  517   623   - 
Total with an allowance recorded  12,418   12,421   4,991   11,554   11,556   4,985 
Total $23,927  $26,098  $4,991  $26,503  $28,517  $4,985 

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-18-

  Impaired Loans
At December 31, 2016
  Recorded
Investment
 Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 Related
Allowance
  (In thousands)
Impaired loans with no related allowance recorded:            
Commercial $1,234  $1,303  $- 
Commercial real estate  13,233   15,610   - 
Construction  -   -   - 
Residential real estate  1,279   1,309   - 
Consumer installment and other  569   675   - 
             
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded:            
Commercial  10,163   10,172   5,048 
Commercial real estate  -   -   - 
Construction  -   -   - 
Residential real estate  -   -   - 
Consumer installment and other  -   -   - 
             
Total:            
Commercial $11,397  $11,475  $5,048 
Commercial real estate  13,233   15,610   - 
Construction  -   -   - 
Residential real estate  1,279   1,309   - 
Consumer installment and other  569   675   - 

 

Impaired loans include troubled debt restructured loans. Impaired loans at March 31, 2017,2018, included $12,403$9,550 thousand of restructured loans, $5,172$4,110 thousand of which were on nonaccrual status. Impaired loans include troubled debt restructured loans. Impaired loans at December 31, 2016,2017, included $12,381$12,081 thousand of restructured loans, $5,302$4,285 thousand of which were on nonaccrual status.

 

 Impaired Loans
 For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 2018 2017
 Impaired Loans
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 Average Recognized Average Recognized
 2017 2016 Recorded Interest Recorded Interest
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 Recognized
Interest
Income
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 Recognized
Interest
Income
 Investment Income Investment Income
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Commercial $11,292  $118  $13,410  $133  $10,897  $175  $11,292  $118 
Commercial real estate  14,500   237   20,849   159   13,755   215   14,500   237 
Construction  -   -   271   -   -   -   -   - 
Residential real estate  748   4   810   4   207   4   748   4 
Consumer installment and other  543   7   347   6   357   3   543   7 
Total $27,083  $366  $35,687  $302  $25,216  $397  $27,083  $366 

The following tables provide information on troubled debt restructurings:

  Troubled Debt Restructurings
  At March 31, 2018
        Period-End
        Individual
  Number of Pre-Modification Period-End Impairment
  Contracts Carrying Value Carrying Value Allowance
  ($ in thousands)
Commercial  7  $2,393  $1,043  $39 
Commercial real estate  9   9,537   8,301   - 
Residential real estate  1   241   206   - 
Total  17  $12,171  $9,550  $39 

 

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-19-

 

The following table provides information on troubled debt restructurings:

 

  Troubled Debt Restructurings
At March 31, 2017
  Number of
Contracts
 Pre-Modification
Carrying Value
 Period-End
Carrying Value
 Period-End
Individual
Impairment
Allowance
  ($ in thousands)
Commercial  8  $2,768  $1,468  $107 
Commercial real estate  11   11,576   10,718   - 
Residential real estate  1   241   217   - 
Total  20  $14,585  $12,403  $107 
- 19 -

  Troubled Debt Restructurings
  At December 31, 2017
        Period-End
        Individual
  Number of Pre-Modification Period-End Impairment
  Contracts Carrying Value Carrying Value Allowance
  ($ in thousands)
Commercial  7  $2,393  $1,085  $43 
Commercial real estate  10   11,528   10,788   - 
Residential real estate  1   241   208   - 
Total  18  $14,162  $12,081  $43 

 

  Troubled Debt Restructurings
At December 31, 2016
  Number of
Contracts
 Pre-Modification
Carrying Value
 Period-End
Carrying Value
 Period-End
Individual
Impairment
Allowance
  ($ in thousands)
Commercial  7  $2,719  $1,489  $113 
Commercial real estate  10   11,257   10,673   - 
Residential real estate  1   241   219   - 
Total  18  $14,217  $12,381  $113 

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company did not modify any loans that were considered troubled debt restructurings. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company modified two loans with a carrying value of $273 thousand that were considered troubled debt restructurings. The two concessions granted in the first quarterthree months ended March 31, 2017 consisted of modifications of payment terms to extend the maturity date to allow for deferred principal repayment and under-market terms. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company modified three loans with a carrying value of $4,757 thousand that were considered troubled debt restructurings. The concessions granted in the first quarter 2016 consisted of two modifications of payment terms to extend the maturity date to allow for deferred principal repayment and under-market terms and one court order requiring under-market terms. There were no chargeoffs related to troubled debt restructurings made during the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and March 31, 2016.2017. During the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016,2017, no troubled debt restructured loans defaulted within 12 months of the modification date. A troubled debt restructuring is considered to be in default when payments are ninety days or more past due.

 

There were no loans restricted due to collateral requirements at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.

 

There were no loans held for sale at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.

 

At March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the Company held total other real estate owned (OREO) of $2,136$1,376 thousand net of reserve of $1,685$1,905 thousand and $3,095$1,426 thousand net of reserve of $1,816$1,905 thousand, respectively, of which $-0-$-0-  thousand was foreclosed residential real estate properties or covered OREO at both dates.dates, respectively. The amount of consumer mortgage loans outstanding secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process was $-0-$196 thousand at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.

Note 5: Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Under the California Financial Code, credit extended to any one person owing to a commercial bank at any one time shall not exceed the following limitations: (a) unsecured loans shall not exceed 15 percent of the sum of the shareholders' equity, allowance for loan losses, capital notes, and debentures of the bank, or (b) secured and unsecured loans in all shall not exceed 25 percent of the sum of the shareholders' equity, allowance for loan losses, capital notes, and debentures of the bank. At March 31, 2017,2018, Westamerica Bank did not have credit extended to any one entity exceeding these limits. At March 31, 2017,2018, Westamerica Bank had 3936 lending relationships each with aggregate loansamounts exceeding $5 million. The Company has significant credit arrangements that are secured by real estate collateral. In addition to real estate loans outstanding as disclosed in Note 4, the Company had loan commitments related to real estate loans of $60,831$48,623 thousand and $57,721$53,874 thousand at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. The Company requires collateral on all real estate loans with loan-to-value ratios at origination generally no greater than 75% on commercial real estate loans and no greater than 80% on residential real estate loans. At March 31, 2017,2018, Westamerica Bank held corporate bonds in 5072 issuing entities that exceeded $5 million for each issuer.

 

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-20-- 20 -

Note 6: Other Assets

 

Other assets consisted of the following:

 

 At March 31, 2017 At December 31, 2016 At March 31, At December 31,
 (In thousands) 2018 2017
Cost method equity investments:        
 (In thousands)
Equity securities without readily determinable fair values:        
Federal Reserve Bank stock (1) $14,045  $14,069  $14,069  $14,069 
Other investments  201   201   158   158 
Total cost method equity investments  14,246   14,270 
Total equity securities without readily determinable fair values  14,227   14,227 
Life insurance cash surrender value  52,177   51,535   54,742   54,101 
Net deferred tax asset  53,518   55,417   42,842   33,112 
Limited partnership investments  12,141   12,591   9,519   10,119 
Interest receivable  19,745   21,489   22,538   23,557 
Prepaid assets  4,997   4,825   4,532   4,906 
Other assets  8,453   11,597   11,386   18,428 
Total other assets $165,277  $171,724  $159,786  $158,450 

 

(1)A bank applying for membership in the Federal Reserve System is required to subscribe to stock in the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) in its district in a sum equal to six percent of the bank’s paid-up capital stock and surplus. One-half of the amount of the bank's subscription shall be paid to the FRB and the remaining half will be subject to call when deemed necessary by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

The Company invests in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credits. At March 31, 2017,2018, this investment totaled $12,141$9,519 thousand and $2,299$2,299  thousand of this amount represents outstanding equity capital commitments that are included in other liabilities. At December 31, 2016,2017, this investment totaled $12,591$10,119 thousand and $2,299  thousand of this amount represented outstanding equity capital commitments. At March 31, 2017,2018, the $2,299 thousand of outstanding equity capital commitments are expected to be paid as follows, $722 thousand in 2020, $131 thousand in 2023, $90 thousand in 2024 and $1,356 thousand in 2025 or thereafter.

 

The amounts recognized in net income for these investments include:

 

 For the Three Months Ended
 For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 March 31,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Investment loss included in pre-tax income $450  $675  $600  $450 
Tax credits recognized in provision for income taxes  463   598   336   463 

 

Note 7: Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

 

The Company has recorded goodwill and other identifiable intangibles associated with purchase business combinations. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment at least annually. The Company did not recognize impairment during the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and year ended December 31, 2016.2017. Identifiable intangibles are amortized to their estimated residual values over their expected useful lives. Such lives and residual values are also periodically reassessed to determine if any amortization period adjustments are indicated. During the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and year ended December 31, 2016,2017 no such adjustments were recorded.

 

-21-

The carrying values of goodwill were:

 

  At March 31, 2017 At December 31, 2016
  (In thousands)
Goodwill $121,673  $121,673 
  At March 31, 2018 At December 31, 2017
  (In thousands)
Goodwill $121,673  $121,673 

- 21 -

 

The gross carrying amount of identifiable intangible assets and accumulated amortization was:

 

 At March 31, At December 31,
 2018 2017
 Gross   Gross  
 At March 31, 2017 At December 31, 2016 Carrying Accumulated Carrying Accumulated
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization
 Amount Amortization Amount Amortization
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Core Deposit Intangibles $56,808  $(50,827) $56,808  $(50,074) $56,808  $(53,528) $56,808  $(52,987)
Merchant Draft Processing Intangible  10,300   (10,154)  10,300   (10,107)  10,300   (10,300)  10,300   (10,271)
Total Identifiable Intangible Assets $67,108  $(60,981) $67,108  $(60,181) $67,108  $(63,828) $67,108  $(63,258)

 

As of March 31, 2017,2018, the current period and estimated future amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets was:

 

  Core
Deposit
Intangibles
 Merchant
Draft
Processing
Intangible
 Total
  (In thousands)
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2017 (actual) $753  $47  $800 
Estimate for the remainder of year ending December 31, 2017  2,160   117   2,277 
Estimate for year ending December 31, 2018  1,892   29   1,921 
2019  538   -   538 
2020  287   -   287 
2021  269   -   269 
2022  252   -   252 
    Merchant  
  Core Draft  
  Deposit Processing  
  Intangibles Intangible Total
  (In thousands)
For the Three Months ended March 31, 2018 (actual) $541  $29  $570 
Estimate for the remainder of year ending December 31, 2018  1,351   -   1,351 
Estimate for year ending December 31, 2019  538   -   538 
2020  287   -   287 
2021  269   -   269 
2022  252   -   252 
2023  236   -   236 

 

Note 8: Deposits and Borrowed Funds

 

The following table provides additional detail regarding deposits.

 

 Deposits
 Deposits At March 31, At December 31,
 At March 31, 2017 At December 31, 2016 2018 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Noninterest-bearing $2,046,390  $2,089,443  $2,179,157  $2,197,526 
Interest-bearing:                
Transaction  905,588   865,701   924,081   904,245 
Savings  1,494,854   1,493,427   1,540,192   1,494,024 
Time deposits less than $100 thousand  129,889   133,712   114,301   117,848 
Time deposits $100 thousand through $250 thousand  83,636   84,925   74,436   76,578 
Time deposits more than $250 thousand  37,616   37,533   35,700   37,392 
Total deposits $4,697,973  $4,704,741  $4,867,867  $4,827,613 

 

Demand deposit overdrafts of $806$788  thousand and $2,679$2,786  thousand were included as loan balances at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. Interest expense for aggregate time deposits with individual account balances in excess of $100 thousand was $97 thousand in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and $106 thousand in the first quarter 2017 and $137 thousand in the first quarter 2016.three months ended March 31, 2017.

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-22-- 22 -

The following table provides additional detail regarding short-term borrowed funds.

 

 Repurchase Agreements (Sweep)
Accounted for as Secured Borrowings
 Repurchase Agreements (Sweep)
Accounted for as Secured Borrowings
 Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
 Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
Overnight and Continuous
 Overnight and Continuous
 At March 31, 2017 At December 31, 2016 At March 31, 2018 At December 31, 2017
Repurchase agreements: (In thousands) (In thousands)
Collateral securing borrowings:                
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities $74,205  $74,031  $73,165  $74,173 
Agency residential MBS  62,217   63,277   64,266   58,251 
Corporate securities  90,598   90,554   104,210   105,113 
Total collateral carrying value $227,020  $227,862  $241,641  $237,537 
Total short-term borrowed funds $73,611  $59,078  $65,356  $58,471 

 

Note 9: Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. AvailableEquity securities and available for sale investmentdebt securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as other real estate owned, impaired loans, certain loans held for investment, investmentdebt securities held to maturity, and other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the lower-of-cost or fair-value accounting of individual assets.

 

In accordance with the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure topic of the Codification, the Company bases its fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market or most advantageous market for an asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date under current market conditions. A fair value measurement reflects all of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique, the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset, and the risk of nonperformance.

 

The Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. When the valuation assumptions used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability are categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the asset or liability is categorized in its entirety within the lowest level of the hierarchy. These levels are:

 

Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 1 includes U.S. Treasury and equity securities, which are traded by dealers or brokers in active markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. Level 2 includes mutual funds, federal agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate securities, asset-backed securities, and municipal bonds.

 

Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

 

The Company relies on independent vendor pricing services to measure fair value for investmentequity securities, debt securities available for sale and investmentdebt securities held to maturity. The Company employs three pricing services. To validate the pricing of these vendors, the Company compares vendors’ pricing for each of the securities for consistency; significant pricing differences, if any, are evaluated using all available independent quotes with the quote most closely affectingreflecting the market generally used as the fair value estimate. In addition, the Company conducts “other than temporary impairment (OTTI)” analysis on a quarterly basis; debt securities selected for OTTI analysis include all debt securities at a market price below 95 percent of par value. As with any valuation technique used to estimate fair value, changes in underlying assumptions used could significantly affect the results of current and future values. Accordingly, these fair value estimates may not be realized in an actual sale of the securities.

 

-23-- 23 -

The Company regularly reviews the valuation techniques and assumptions used by its vendors and determines which valuation techniques are utilized based on observable market inputs for the type of securities being measured. The Company uses the information to determine the placement in the fair value hierarchy as level 1, 2 or 3. When the Company changes its valuation assumptions for measuring financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value, either due to changes in current market conditions or other factors, or reevaluates the valuation techniques and assumptions used by its vendors, it may need to transfer those assets or liabilities to another level in the hierarchy based on the new information. The Company recognizes these transfers at the end of the reporting period that the transfers occur. For the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and year ended December 31, 2016,2017, there were no transfers in to or out of levels 1, 2 or 3.

 

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

The tables below present assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis on the dates indicated.

 

 At March 31, 2017 At March 31, 2018
 Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 Fair Value Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Equity securities                
Mutual funds $1,764  $-  $1,764  $- 
Total equity securities  1,764   -   1,764   - 
Debt securities available for sale                
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities $138,937  $-  $138,937  $-   117,947   -   117,947   - 
Agency residential MBS  722,204   -   722,204   -   847,640   -   847,640   - 
Non-agency residential MBS  196   -   196   -   139   -   139   - 
Non-agency commercial MBS  1,939   -   1,939   - 
Agency commercial MBS  2,190   -   2,190   - 
Securities of U.S. Government entities  1,520   -   1,520   - 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  178,871   -   178,871   -   180,635   -   180,635   - 
Asset-backed securities  355   -   355   - 
FHLMC and FNMA stock  9,400   12   9,388   - 
Corporate securities  839,136   -   839,136   -   1,201,899   -   1,201,899   - 
Other securities  2,271   461   1,810   - 
Total securities available for sale $1,893,309  $473  $1,892,836  $- 
Total debt securities available for sale  2,351,970   -   2,351,970   - 
Total $2,353,734  $-  $2,353,734  $- 

 

 At December 31, 2016 At December 31, 2017
 Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 Fair Value Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Equity securities                
Mutual funds $1,800  $-  $1,800  $- 
Total equity securities  1,800   -   1,800   - 
Debt securities available for sale                
Securities of U.S. Government sponsored entities $138,660  $-  $138,660  $-   119,319   -   119,319   - 
Agency residential MBS  691,499   -   691,499   -   767,706   -   767,706   - 
Non-agency residential MBS  271   -   271   -   154   -   154   - 
Non-agency commercial MBS  2,025   -   2,025   - 
Agency commercial MBS  2,219   -   2,219   - 
Securities of U.S. Government entities  1,590   -   1,590   - 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  183,411   -   183,411   -   185,221   -   185,221   - 
Asset-backed securities  695   -   695   - 
FHLMC and FNMA stock  10,869   17   10,852   - 
Corporate securities  860,857   -   860,857   -   1,115,498   -   1,115,498   - 
Other securities  2,471   656   1,815   - 
Total securities available for sale $1,890,758  $673  $1,890,085  $- 
Total debt securities available for sale  2,191,707   -   2,191,707   - 
Total $2,193,507  $-  $2,193,507  $- 

 

-24-- 24 -

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

 

The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower-of-costlower of cost or fair-valuefair value accounting of individual assets. For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were recorded in the balance sheet at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the following table providestables provide the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the carrying value of the related assets at period end.

 

         For the
         For the
Three Months Ended
         Three Months Ended
 At March 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 At March 31, 2018 March 31, 2018
 Carrying Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Losses Carrying Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Losses
 (In thousands) (In thousands)  
Other real estate owned $2,136  $-  $-  $2,136  $-  $1,376  $-  $-  $1,376  $- 
Impaired loans  9,400   -   -   9,400   - 
Impaired loans:                    
Commercial  4,857   -   -   4,857   - 
Commercial real estate  6,680   -   -   6,680   - 
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis $11,536  $-  $-  $11,536  $-  $12,913  $-  $-  $12,913  $- 

 

         For the
         For the
Year Ended
         Year Ended
 At December 31, 2016 December 31, 2016 At December 31, 2017 December 31, 2017
 Carrying Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Losses Carrying Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Losses
 (In thousands)   (In thousands)  
Other real estate owned $3,095  $-  $-  $3,095  $(705) $1,426  $-  $-  $1,426  $(219)
Impaired loans  9,525   -   -   9,525   - 
Impaired loans:                    
Commercial  4,950   -   -   4,950   - 
Commercial real estate  5,904   -   -   5,904   - 
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis $12,620  $-  $-  $12,620  $(705) $12,280  $-  $-  $12,280  $(219)

 

Level 3 – Valuation is based upon present value of expected future cash flows, independent market prices, estimated liquidation values of loan collateral or appraised value of the collateral as determined by third-party independent appraisers, less 10% for selling costs, generally. Level 3 includes other real estate owned that has been measured at fair value upon transfer to foreclosed assets and impaired loans collateralized by real property and other business asset collateral where a specific reserve has been established or a chargeoff has been recorded. Losses on other real estate owned represent losses recognized in earnings during the period subsequent to its initial classification as foreclosed assets. The unobservable inputs and qualitative information about the unobservable inputs are not presented due toas the unavailability from third party evaluators.inputs were not developed by the Company.

 

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company for estimating fair value of financial instruments not recorded at fair value in the balance sheet. The Company implemented the provisions of ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, effective January 1, 2018. The provisions require the Company to use the “exit price notion” when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.

 

Cash and Due from Banks Cash and due from banks represent U.S. dollar denominated coin and currency, deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank and correspondent banks, and amounts being settled with other banks to complete the processing of customers’ daily transactions. Collectively, the Federal Reserve Bank and financial institutions operate in a market in which cash and due from banks transactions are processed continuously in significant daily volumes honoring the face value of the U.S. dollar.

 

InvestmentDebt Securities Held to Maturity The fair values of investmentdebt securities were estimated using quoted prices as described above for Level 2 valuation.

 

Loans Loans are valued using the exit price notion. The Company uses a net present value of cash flows methodology that seeks to incorporate interest rate, credit, liquidity and prepayment risks in the fair market value estimation. Inputs to calculation include market rates for similarly offered products, market interest rate projections, credit spreads and prepayment assumptions.

- 25 -

Prior to adoption of ASU 2016-01, loans were separated into two groups for valuation. Variable rate loans, except for those described below, which reprice frequently with changes in market rates were valued using historical cost. Fixed rate loans and variable rate loans that have reached their minimum contractual interest rates were valued by discounting the future cash flows expected to be received from the loans using current interest rates charged on loans with similar characteristics. Additionally, the allowance for loan losses of $24,919 thousand at March 31, 2017 and $25,954$23,009 thousand at December 31, 20162017 was applied against the estimated fair values to recognize estimated future defaults of contractual cash flows. The Company does not consider these values to be a liquidation price for the loans.

 

-25-

Deposit Liabilities Deposits with no stated maturity such as checking accounts, savings accounts and money market accounts can be readily converted to cash or used to settle transactions at face value through the broad financial system operated by the Federal Reserve BankBanks and financial institutions. The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair values of time deposits were estimated by using net present value of cash flows methodology that seeks to incorporate interest rate, credit, liquidity and prepayment risks in the fair market value estimation. Inputs to calculation include market rates for similarly offered products, market interest rate projections, credit spreads and prepayment assumptions. The resulting cash flows are compared against alternative funding sources.

Prior to adoption of ASU 2016-01, the fair value of time deposits were estimated by discounting estimated future contractual cash flows using current market rates for financial instruments with similar characteristics.

 

Short-Term Borrowed Funds The carrying amount of securities sold under agreement to repurchase and other short-term borrowed funds approximate fair value due to the relatively short period of time between their origination and their expected realization.

 

The tabletables below isare a summary of fair value estimates for financial instruments and the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurements are categorized, excluding financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The values assigned do not necessarily represent amounts which ultimately may be realized for assets or paid to settle liabilities. In addition, these values do not give effect to adjustments to fair value which may occur when financial instruments are sold or settled in larger quantities. The carrying amounts in the following tabletables are recorded in the balance sheet under the indicated captions.

 

The Company has not included assets and liabilities that are not financial instruments, such as goodwill, long-term relationships with deposit, merchant processing and trust customers, other purchased intangibles, premises and equipment, deferred taxes and other assets and liabilities. The total estimated fair values do not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company.

 

 At March 31, 2017 At March 31, 2018
 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2 )
 Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3 )
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated Fair
Value
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2 )
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3 )
Financial Assets: (In thousands) (In thousands)
Cash and due from banks $546,815  $546,815  $546,815  $-  $-  $555,607  $555,607  $555,607  $-  $- 
Investment securities held to maturity  1,298,414   1,296,738   -   1,296,738   - 
Debt securities held to maturity  1,114,287   1,098,895   -   1,098,895   - 
Loans  1,326,171   1,332,148   -   -   1,332,148   1,205,503   1,244,670   -   -   1,244,670 
                                        
Financial Liabilities:                                        
Deposits $4,697,973   4,695,676  $-  $4,446,832   248,844  $4,867,867  $4,864,792  $-  $4,643,430  $221,362 
Short-term borrowed funds  73,611   73,611   -   73,611   -   65,356   65,356   -   65,356   - 

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- 26 -

 

 At December 31, 2016 At December 31, 2017
 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2 )
 Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3 )
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated Fair
Value
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2 )
 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3 )
Financial Assets: (In thousands) (In thousands)
Cash and due from banks $462,271  $462,271  $462,271  $-  $-  $575,002  $575,002  $575,002  $-  $- 
Investment securities held to maturity  1,346,312   1,340,741   -   1,340,741   - 
Debt securities held to maturity  1,158,864   1,155,342   -   1,155,342   - 
Loans  1,326,757   1,337,774   -   -   1,337,774   1,264,973   1,257,811   -   -   1,257,811 
                                        
Financial Liabilities:                                        
Deposits $4,704,741  $4,702,797  $-  $4,448,571  $254,226  $4,827,613  $4,824,586  $-  $4,595,795  $228,791 
Short-term borrowed funds  59,078   59,078   -   59,078   -   58,471   58,471   -   58,471   - 

 

The majority of the Company’s standby letters of credit and other commitments to extend credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans. No premium or discount was ascribed to these commitments because virtually all funding would be at current market rates.

-26-

 

Note 10: Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

 

Loan commitments are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future funding requirements. Loan commitments are subject to the Company’s normal credit policies and collateral requirements. Unfunded loan commitments were $305,544$282,428 thousand and $304,508$272,646 thousand at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. Standby letters of credit commit the Company to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. Standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support customers’ short-term financing requirements and must meet the Company’s normal credit policies and collateral requirements. Financial and performance standby letters of credit outstanding totaled $19,762$3,849 thousand and $21,732$19,263 thousand at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively. The Company also had no commitments outstanding for commercial and similar letters of credit of $-0- thousand at March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017. The Company had a reserve for unfunded commitments of $2,308$2,308 thousand at March 31, 20172018 and $2,408$2,308 thousand at December 31, 2016,2017, included in other liabilities.

 

Due to the nature of its business, the Company is subject to various threatened or filed legal cases. Based on the advice of legal counsel, the Company does not expect such cases will have a material, adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations. Legal liabilities are accrued when obligations become probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

The Company has determined that it will be obligated to provide refunds of revenue recognized in prior years to some customers. The Company estimates the probable amount of these obligations will be $5,542 thousand and has accrued a liability for such amount; the estimated liability is subject to revision.

 

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Note 11: Earnings Per Common Share

 

The table below shows earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share. Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the impact of common stock equivalents.

 

 For the Three Months Ended

 
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 March 31,
 2017 2016 2018 2017
 (In thousands, except per share data) (In thousands, except per share data)
Net income (numerator) $15,049  $14,226  $17,506  $15,049 
Basic earnings per common share                
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (denominator)  26,171   25,445   26,532   26,171 
Basic earnings per common share $0.58  $0.56  $0.66  $0.58 
Diluted earnings per common share                
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic  26,171   25,445   26,532   26,171 
Add common stock equivalents for options  158   23   133   158 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (denominator)  26,329   25,468   26,665   26,329 
Diluted earnings per common share $0.57  $0.56  $0.66  $0.57 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 20172018 and 2016,2017, options to purchase 299491 thousand and 1,297299 thousand shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding but not included in the computation of diluted net income per share because the option exercise price exceeded the fair value of the stock such that their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

 

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

 

 For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
 March 31, March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2016 2018 2017 2017
 (In thousands, except per share data) (In thousands, except per share data)
Net Interest and Fee Income (FTE)(1) $36,030  $36,447  $35,959  $35,467  $36,030  $36,644 
Provision for Loan Losses  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Noninterest Income  11,657   11,729   11,545 
Noninterest Income:            
Securities (Losses) Gains  (36)  -   7,955 
Other Noninterest Income  11,991   11,657   12,345 
Total Noninterest Income  11,955   11,657   20,300 
Noninterest Expense  24,615   25,858   24,577   24,214   24,615   30,167 
Income Before Income Taxes (FTE)(1)  23,072   22,318   22,927   23,208   23,072   26,777 
Provision for Income Taxes (FTE)(1)  8,023   8,092   8,474   5,702   8,023   22,617 
Net Income $15,049  $14,226  $14,453  $17,506  $15,049  $4,160 
                        
Average Common Shares Outstanding  26,171   25,445   25,773   26,532   26,171   26,384 
Average Diluted Common Shares Outstanding  26,329   25,468   25,925   26,665   26,329   26,538 
Common Shares Outstanding at Period End  26,283   25,438   25,907   26,591   26,283   26,425 
                        
Per Common Share:                        
Basic Earnings $0.58  $0.56  $0.56  $0.66  $0.58  $0.16 
Diluted Earnings  0.57   0.56   0.56   0.66   0.57   0.16 
Book Value Per Common Share $22.25  $21.19  $21.67  $21.89  $22.25  $22.34 
                        
Financial Ratios:                        
Return On Assets  1.13%  1.11%  1.07%  1.28%  1.13%  0.30%
Return On Common Equity  10.48%  10.85%  10.30%  11.57%  10.48%  2.70%
Net Interest Margin (FTE)(1)  3.14%  3.34%  3.15%  3.02%  3.14%  3.12%
Net Loan Losses to Average Loans  0.31%  0.08%  0.12%
Net Loan (Recoveries) Losses to Average Loans  (0.02)%  0.31%  0.19%
Efficiency Ratio(2)  51.6%  53.7%  51.7%  51.1%  51.6%  53.0%
                        
Average Balances:                        
Assets $5,395,783  $5,174,804  $5,370,412  $5,564,705  $5,395,783  $5,534,700 
Earning Assets  4,620,001   4,381,423   4,561,619   4,723,213   4,620,001   4,682,897 
Loans  1,355,250   1,500,616   1,356,350   1,243,750   1,355,250   1,285,748 
Deposits  4,692,746   4,537,548   4,702,129   4,828,352   4,692,746   4,811,035 
Shareholders' Equity  582,384   527,177   558,057   613,860   582,384   610,200 
                        
Period End Balances:                        
Assets $5,395,947  $5,199,868  $5,366,083  $5,551,036  $5,395,947  $5,513,046 
Earning Assets  4,542,813   4,417,305   4,589,781   4,696,605   4,542,813   4,640,353 
Loans  1,351,090   1,473,196   1,352,711   1,228,584   1,351,090   1,287,982 
Deposits  4,697,973   4,516,750   4,704,741   4,867,867   4,697,973   4,827,613 
Shareholders' Equity  584,888   538,973   561,367   582,083   584,888   590,239 
                        
Capital Ratios at Period End:                        
Total Risk Based Capital  16.91%  13.51%  15.95%  16.53%  16.91%  16.17%
Tangible Equity to Tangible Assets  8.68%  8.04%  8.26%  8.42%  8.68%  8.63%
                        
Dividends Paid Per Common Share $0.39  $0.39  $0.39  $0.40  $0.39  $0.40 
Common Dividend Payout Ratio  68%  70%  70%  61%  68%  250%

 

The above financial summary has been derived from the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with those statements, notes and the other information included elsewhere herein. Percentages under the heading "Financial Ratios" are annualized with the exception of the efficiency ratio.

 

(1)Yields on securities and certain loans have been adjusted upward to an FTE basis in order to reflect the effect of income which is exempt from federal income taxation at the current statutory tax rate.

(2)The efficiency ratio is defined as noninterest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income on an FTE basis andnoninterest income).

 


-28-- 29 -

Financial Overview

 

Westamerica Bancorporation and subsidiaries’ (the Company”) principal source of revenue is net interest and loan fee income, which represents interest and fees earned on loans and investment securities (“earning assets”) reduced by interest paid on deposits and other borrowings (“interest-bearing liabilities”). Market interest rates declined considerably following the recession of 2008 and 2009. Interest rates remained historically low through 2016 as the Federal Open Market Committee’s (“FOMC”) monetary policy was highly accommodative. During this period, Management avoided originating long-dated, low-yielding loans given the potential impact of such assets on forward earning potential; as a result, loans declined and investment securities increased. The changing composition of the earning assets and low market interest rates has pressured the net interest margin to lower levels. The FOMC’s first post-recession increase in the federal funds rate occurred in December 2015, although longer-term rates declined. The FOMC’s second and third post-recession increases in the federal funds rate occurred inbetween December 2016 and March 2017, and2018, although longer-term rates have not increased as well. The recent increase in rates has resulted in competitive loan yields, which are more appealing fromby a profitability perspective, in Management’s opinion. Total average loan volumes were stable duringsimilar magnitude. Net interest income was $34.0 million for the first quarter 2018, compared with $33.7 million for the fourth quarter 2017 and $32.8 million for the first quarter 2017. The increase in net interest income is due to higher asset yields and higher levels of average earning assets.

 

The funding source of the Company’s earning assets is primarily customer deposits. The Company’s long-term strategy includes maximizing checking and savings deposits as these types of deposits are lower-cost and less sensitive to changes in interest rates compared to time deposits. The first quarter 20172018 average volume of checking and savings deposits was 95 percent of average total deposits.

 

Credit quality improved during the first quarter 2017remained strong with nonperforming assets declining $3 million to $9totaling $8 million at March 31, 2017.2018 and net loan loss recoveries of $72 thousand for the first quarter 2018. The Company did not recognize a provision for loan losses in the first quarter 2017.

The Company’s long-term strategy also includes controlling operating costs, or “noninterest expense.” Noninterest expense of $24.6 million for the first quarter 2017 was $1.3 million lower than the comparable first quarter 2016.2018.

 

The Company presents its net interest margin and net interest income on aan FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate. Management believes the FTE basis is valuable to the reader because the Company’s loan and investment securities portfolios contain a relatively large portion of municipal loans and securities that are federally tax exempt. The Company’s tax exempt loans and securities composition may not be similar to that of other banks, therefore in order to reflect the impact of the federally tax exempt loans and securities on the net interest margin and net interest income for comparability with other banks, the Company presents its net interest margin and net interest income on aan FTE basis. Yields on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted upward to reflect the effect of income exempt from federal income taxation at the federal statutory tax rate of 35% for 2017. Due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Act”), the federal tax rate became 21% for 2018; as such, the upward adjustment to reflect the effect of income exempt from federal taxation is lower in 2018.

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies (see Note 1, (“Summary“Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”)Policies,” to Financial Statements in the Company’s 20162017 Form 10-K) are fundamental to understanding the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The Company adopted the FASB ASU 2016-09,Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting effective January 1, 2017.

 

The Company reported first quarter 20172018 net income of $17.5 million or $0.66 diluted earnings per common share. First quarter 2018 results compare to net income of $15.0 million or $0.57 diluted earnings per common share. First quarter 2017 results reflect the Company’s prospective adoption of ASU 2016-09; first quarter 2017 diluted earnings per common share measured $0.02 higher than would have been measured under accounting standards applied in 2016. First quarter 2017 results compare to net income of $14.2 million or $0.56 diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter 20162017 and $14.5$4.2 million or $0.56$0.16 diluted earnings per common share for the fourth quarter 2016.2017. Fourth quarter 2017 results include adjustments to asset values triggered by enactment of the Act, recognition of a loss contingency, and securities gains which collectively reduced EPS $0.42.

 

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-29-- 30 -

Net Income

 

Following is a summary of the components of net income for the periods indicated:

 

 For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
 March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2016 2018 2017 2017
 (In thousands, except per share data) (In thousands, except per share data)
Net interest and loan fee income $34,048  $32,844  $33,733 
FTE adjustment  1,419   3,186   2,911 
Net interest and loan fee income (FTE) $36,030  $36,447  $35,959   35,467   36,030   36,644 
Provision for loan losses  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Noninterest income  11,657   11,729   11,545   11,955   11,657   20,300 
Noninterest expense  24,615   25,858   24,577   24,214   24,615   30,167 
Income before taxes (FTE)  23,072   22,318   22,927   23,208   23,072   26,777 
Income tax provision (FTE)  8,023   8,092   8,474   5,702   8,023   22,617 
Net income $15,049  $14,226  $14,453  $17,506  $15,049  $4,160 
                        
Average diluted common shares  26,329   25,468   25,925   26,665   26,329   26,538 
Diluted earnings per common share $0.57  $0.56  $0.56  $0.66  $0.57  $0.16 
                        
Average total assets $5,395,783  $5,174,804  $5,370,412  $5,564,705  $5,395,783  $5,534,700 
Net income to average total assets (annualized)  1.13%  1.11%  1.07%  1.28%  1.13%  0.30%
Net income to average common shareholders' equity (annualized)  10.48%  10.85%  10.30%  11.57%  10.48%  2.70%

 

Net income for the first quarter of 20172018 was $823 thousand$2.5 million more than the same quarter of 2016.2017. Net interest and loan fee income increased $1.2 million in the first quarter 2018 compared with first quarter 2017 mostly attributable to higher average balances of investments and higher yield on earning assets as market interest rates rose. The increase was offset by lower average balances of loans. Net interest and loan fee income (FTE) decreasedin the first quarter 2018 included a lower FTE adjustment than in the first quarter 2017 compared with first quarter 2016 mostly attributabledue to lower average balancesthe reduced federal corporate tax as a result of loans and lower yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by higher average balancesenactment of investments and lower average balances of higher-costing time deposits.the Act. The provision for loan losses remained zero, reflecting Management's evaluation of losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Noninterest expense decreased mostly due to reductions in professional fees, courier costs, postage, correspondent service charges, OREO expense, insurance premiums, limited partnership operating losses and intangible amortization. The effectivebook tax rate decreased to 34.8% inprovision for the first quarter 2018 was $4.3 million compared with $4.8 million for the first quarter 2017, from 36.3% inrepresenting effective tax rates of 19.7% and 24.3%, respectively. The book tax provisions for the first quarter 2016 primarily due to2018 and the adoptionfirst quarter 2017 include tax benefits of ASU 2016-09.$451 thousand and $671 thousand, respectively, for tax deductions from the exercise of employee stock options which exceed related compensation expenses recognized in the financial statements; these benefits reduced the effective tax rate by 2.0% and 3.4%, respectively.

 

Comparing the first quarter of 20172018 with the fourth quarter of 2016,2017, net income increased $596$13.3 million. Net interest and loan fee income increased $315 thousand in the first quarter 2018 compared with fourth quarter 2017 mostly attributable to higher average balances of investments and higher yield on earning assets as market interest rates rose. The increase was offset by lower average balances of loans. Net interest and loan fee income (FTE) in the first quarter 2018 included a lower FTE adjustment than in the fourth quarter 2017 due to lower incomethe reduced federal corporate tax provision (FTE) and higher noninterest income.as a result of enactment of the Act. The provision for loan losses remained zero, reflecting Management's evaluation of losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Noninterest income increased primarilyin the first quarter 2018 was $8.3 million lower than in the fourth quarter 2017 due to higher merchantgains on sale of securities of $8.0 million in the fourth quarter 2017. Noninterest expense decreased $6.0 million primarily because the fourth quarter 2017 included a $5.5 million loss contingency accrual and a $625 thousand impairment charge on tax credit card fees.investments. The book tax provision for the first quarter 2018 was $4.3 million compared with $19.7 million for the fourth quarter 2017, representing effective tax rates of 19.7% and 82.6%, respectively. The book tax provision for the fourth quarter 2017 includes a $12.3 million charge resulting from re-measurement of the Company’s net deferred tax asset triggered by enactment of the Act.

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- 31 -

 

Net Interest and Loan Fee Income (FTE)

 

Following is a summary of the components of net interest and loan fee income (FTE) for the periods indicated:

 

 For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
 March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2016 2018 2017 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Interest and loan fee income $33,324  $33,647  $33,209  $34,507  $33,324  $34,204 
Interest expense  480   552   500   459   480   471 
Net interest and loan fee income  34,048   32,844   33,733 
FTE adjustment  3,186   3,352   3,250   1,419   3,186   2,911 
Net interest and loan fee income (FTE) $36,030  $36,447  $35,959  $35,467  $36,030  $36,644 
                        
Average earning assets $4,620,001  $4,381,423  $4,561,619  $4,723,213  $4,620,001  $4,682,897 
Net interest margin (FTE) (annualized)  3.14%  3.34%  3.15%  3.02%  3.14%  3.12%

 

Net interest and loan fee income (FTE) decreased duringincreased $1.2 million in the first quarter 2018 compared with the first quarter 2017, by $417 thousand from the same period in 2016, mainly due to higher average balances of investments (up $215 million) and higher yield on earning assets (up 0.04%), partially offset by lower average balances of loans (down $145$111 million) andThe FTE adjustment was lower yield on interest-earning assets, partially offset by higher average balancesin the first quarter 2018 compared with the first quarter 2017 due to the reduced federal corporate tax rate as a result of investments (up $384 million) and lower average balancesenactment of higher-costing time deposits (down $30 million).the Act.

 

-30-

Comparing the first quarter 20172018 with the fourth quarter 2016,2017, net interest and loan fee income (FTE) increased $71$315 thousand due to higher average balances of investments (up $59$82 million) and higher yield on those investmentsinterest earning assets (up 0.01%0.03%), offset by lower net yield onaverage balances of loans (down 0.04%).$42 million) The FTE adjustment was lower in the first quarter 2018 compared with the fourth quarter 2017 due to the reduced federal corporate tax rate as a result of enactment of the Act.

 

Yields on interest-earning assets declined due to relatively lowincreased in the first quarter 2018 as market interest rates prevailing in the market.rose. The annualized net interest margin (FTE) was 3.02% in the first quarter 2018 compared with 3.14% in the first quarter 2017 compared with 3.34%and 3.12% in the fourth quarter 2017. The first quarter net interest margin (FTE) was lower than in the first quarter 20162017 and 3.15% in the fourth quarter 2016. The volume of older-dated higher-yielding loans declined2017 due to principal maturities and paydowns. The Company, in anticipationthe reduced federal corporate tax rate as a result of rising interest rates, has been purchasing shorter-duration investment securities with lower yields than longer-duration securities to increase liquidity. The Company’s high levelsenactment of liquidity will provide an opportunity to invest in higher yielding assets assuming market interest rates increase to levels higher than yields on maturing securities and security paydowns.the Act.

 

The Company has been replacing higher-costCompany’s funding sources with low-cost deposits and interest expense has declined to offset some ofcosts were 0.04% in the decline in interest income.first quarter 2018, unchanged from the first quarter 2017. Average balances of time deposits declined $30$25 million from the first quarter 20162017 to first quarter 20172018 while lower-cost checking and savings deposits grew 4% in the same period. Average balances of checking and saving deposits accounted for 94.6%95.3% of average total deposits in the first quarter 20172018 compared with 93.7%94.6% in the first quarter 20162017 and 94.5%95.1% in the fourth quarter 2016.2017; checking and savings deposits are less sensitive to rising interest rates than time deposits.

 

Net Interest Margin (FTE)

 

The following summarizes the components of the Company's net interest margin for the periods indicated (percentages are annualized.):

 

 For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
 March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2016 2018 2017 2017
            
Yield on earning assets  2.94%  2.90%  2.91%
Impact of FTE adjustment  0.12%  0.28%  0.25%
Yield on earning assets (FTE)  3.18%  3.39%  3.19%  3.06%  3.18%  3.16%
Rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities  0.07%  0.09%  0.07%  0.07%  0.07%  0.07%
Net interest spread (FTE)  3.11%  3.30%  3.12%  2.99%  3.11%  3.09%
Impact of noninterest-bearing funds  0.03%  0.04%  0.03%  0.03%  0.03%  0.03%
Net interest margin (FTE)  3.14%  3.34%  3.15%  3.02%  3.14%  3.12%

 

During

- 32 -

The FOMC increased the federal funds rate between December 2016 and throughMarch 2018. In the first quarter 2018 yield on earning assets increased with rising market interest rates. The net interest spread and net interest margin stated on an FTE basis are lower in the first quarter 2018 compared with the first quarter 2017 and the net interest margin (FTE) was affected by historically low market interest rates. The changing compositionfourth quarter 2017 because the FTE adjustment to reflect the effect of interest-earning assets and low market rates has pressured the net interest margin.income exempt from federal taxation is lower in 2018 compared with 2017. Rates on interest-bearing liabilities were kept low by reducing the volume of higher-cost time deposits and increasing balances of checking and savings deposits, which earn relatively low interest rates and are less volatile than time deposits during periods of rising market interest rates.

 

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-31-- 33 -

Summary of Average Balances, Yields/Rates and Interest Differential

 

The following tables present information regarding the consolidated average assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity, the amounts of interest income earned from average interest earning assets and the resulting yields, and the amounts of interest expense incurred on average interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting rates. Average loan balances include nonperforming loans. Interest income includes reversal of previously accrued interest on loans placed on non-accrual status during the period and proceeds from loans on nonaccrual status only to the extent cash payments have been received and applied as interest income and accretion of purchased loan discounts. Yields, rates and interest margins are annualized. Yields on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted upward to reflect the effect of income exempt from federal income taxation at the currentfederal statutory tax rate. Yields, ratesrate of 35 percent for 2017. Due to the Tax Cuts and interest margins are annualized.Jobs Act of 2017, the federal tax rate became 21 percent for 2018; as such, the upward adjustment to reflect the effect of income exempt from federal taxation is lower in 2018.

 

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity and Yields, Rates & Interest Margin

 

 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
   Interest     Interest  
 Average Income/ Yields/ Average Income/ Yields/
 Balance Expense Rates Balance Expense Rates
 ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Assets            
Investment securities:                        
Taxable $2,433,669  $12,147   2.00% $2,709,643  $14,935   2.20%
Tax-exempt (1)  831,082   8,294   3.99%  769,820   6,169   3.21%
Total investments (1)  3,264,751   20,441   2.50%  3,479,463   21,104   2.43%
Loans:                        
Taxable  1,290,093   15,243   4.79%  1,184,715   14,223   4.87%
Tax-exempt (1)  65,157   826   5.14%  59,035   599   4.11%
Total loans (1)  1,355,250   16,069   4.81%  1,243,750   14,822   4.83%
Total Interest-earning assets (1)  4,620,001   36,510   3.18%  4,723,213   35,926   3.06%
Other assets  775,782           841,492         
Total assets $5,395,783          $5,564,705         
                        
Liabilities and shareholders' equity                        
Noninterest-bearing demand $2,056,858  $-   -% $2,156,626  $-   -%
Savings and interest-bearing transaction  2,382,348   280   0.05%  2,443,561   282   0.05%
Time less than $100,000  141,400   83   0.24%  125,020   71   0.23%
Time $100,000 or more  112,140   106   0.38%  103,145   97   0.38%
Total interest-bearing deposits  2,635,888   469   0.07%  2,671,726   450   0.07%
Short-term borrowed funds  68,584   11   0.06%  62,501   9   0.06%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  2,704,472   480   0.07%  2,734,227   459   0.07%
Other liabilities  52,069           59,992         
Shareholders' equity  582,384           613,860         
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $5,395,783          $5,564,705         
Net interest spread (1) (2)          3.11%          2.99%
Net interest and fee income and interest margin (1) (3)     $36,030   3.14%     $35,467   3.02%

 

(1)Amounts calculated on an FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.
(2)Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)Net interest margin is computed by calculating the difference between interest income and expense, divided by the average balance of interest-earning assets. The net interest margin is greater than the net interest spread due to the benefit of noninterest-bearing demand deposits.


-32-- 34 -

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity and Yields, Rates & Interest Margin

 

 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
   Interest     Interest  
 Average Income/ Yields/ Average Income/ Yields/
 Balance Expense Rates Balance Expense Rates
 ($ in thousands) ($ in thousands)
Assets            
Investment securities:                        
Taxable $2,046,547  $9,674   1.89% $2,433,669  $12,147   2.00%
Tax-exempt (1)  834,260   8,636   4.14%  831,082   8,294   3.99%
Total investments (1)  2,880,807   18,310   2.54%  3,264,751   20,441   2.50%
Loans:                        
Taxable  1,429,106   17,726   4.99%  1,290,093   15,243   4.79%
Tax-exempt (1)  71,510   963   5.41%  65,157   826   5.14%
Total loans (1)  1,500,616   18,689   5.01%  1,355,250   16,069   4.81%
Total Interest-earning assets (1)  4,381,423   36,999   3.39%  4,620,001   36,510   3.18%
Other assets  793,381           775,782         
Total assets $5,174,804          $5,395,783         
                        
Liabilities and shareholders' equity                        
Noninterest-bearing demand $1,993,986  $-   -% $2,056,858  $-   -%
Savings and interest-bearing transaction  2,259,681   293   0.05%  2,382,348   280   0.05%
Time less than $100,000  160,190   113   0.28%  141,400   83   0.24%
Time $100,000 or more  123,691   137   0.44%  112,140   106   0.38%
Total interest-bearing deposits  2,543,562   543   0.09%  2,635,888   469   0.07%
Short-term borrowed funds  57,846   9   0.07%  68,584   11   0.06%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  2,601,408   552   0.09%  2,704,472   480   0.07%
Other liabilities  52,233           52,069         
Shareholders' equity  527,177           582,384         
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $5,174,804          $5,395,783         
Net interest spread (1) (2)          3.30%          3.11%
Net interest and fee income and interest margin (1) (3)     $36,447   3.34%     $36,030   3.14%

 

(1)Amounts calculated on an FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.
(2)Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)Net interest margin is computed by calculating the difference between interest income and expense, divided by the average balance of interest-earning assets. The net interest margin is greater than the net interest spread due to the benefit of noninterest-bearing demand deposits.

 

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Distribution of Assets, Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity and Yields, Rates & Interest Margin

 

  For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2016
    Interest  
  Average Income/ Yields/
  Balance Expense Rates
  ($ in thousands)
Assets      
Investment securities:            
Taxable $2,351,530  $11,462   1.95%
Tax-exempt (1)  853,739   8,471   3.97%
Total investments (1)  3,205,269   19,933   2.49%
Loans:            
Taxable  1,290,372   15,693   4.84%
Tax-exempt (1)  65,978   833   5.02%
Total loans (1)  1,356,350   16,526   4.85%
Total interest-earning assets (1)  4,561,619   36,459   3.19%
Other assets  808,793         
Total assets $5,370,412         
             
Liabilities and shareholders' equity            
Deposits:            
Noninterest-bearing demand $2,077,213  $-   -%
Savings and interest-bearing transaction  2,364,695   288   0.05%
Time less than $100,000  146,440   90   0.24%
Time $100,000 or more  113,781   113   0.40%
Total interest-bearing deposits  2,624,916   491   0.07%
Short-term borrowed funds  56,669   9   0.06%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  2,681,585   500   0.07%
Other liabilities  53,557         
Shareholders' equity  558,057         
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $5,370,412         
Net interest spread (1) (2)          3.12%
Net interest and fee income and interest margin (1) (3)     $35,959   3.15%

 

  For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
    Interest  
  Average Income/ Yields/
  Balance Expense Rates
  ($ in thousands)
Assets      
Investment securities:            
Taxable $2,612,669  $13,861   2.12%
Tax-exempt (1)  784,480   7,583   3.87%
Total investments (1)  3,397,149   21,444   2.52%
Loans:            
Taxable  1,225,020   14,923   4.83%
Tax-exempt (1)  60,728   748   4.89%
Total loans (1)  1,285,748   15,671   4.84%
Total interest-earning assets (1)  4,682,897   37,115   3.16%
Other assets  851,803         
Total assets $5,534,700         
             
Liabilities and shareholders' equity            
Deposits:            
Noninterest-bearing demand $2,172,678  $-   -%
Savings and interest-bearing transaction  2,401,694   285   0.05%
Time less than $100,000  129,917   75   0.23%
Time $100,000 or more  106,746   101   0.38%
Total interest-bearing deposits  2,638,357   461   0.07%
Short-term borrowed funds  62,833   10   0.06%
Total interest-bearing liabilities  2,701,190   471   0.07%
Other liabilities  50,632         
Shareholders' equity  610,200         
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $5,534,700         
Net interest spread (1) (2)          3.09%
Net interest and fee income and interest margin (1) (3)     $36,644   3.12%

(1)Amounts calculated on an FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.
(2)Net interest spread represents the average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)Net interest margin is computed by calculating the difference between interest income and expense, divided by the average balance of interest-earning assets. The net interest margin is greater than the net interest spread due to the benefit of noninterest-bearing demand deposits.

 

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-34-- 36 -

Summary of Changes in Interest Income and Expense due to Changes in Average Asset & Liability Balances and Yields Earned & Rates Paid

 

The following tables set forth a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense due to changes in average assets and liability balances (volume) and changes in average interest yields/rates for the periods indicated. Changes not solely attributable to volume or yields/rates have been allocated in proportion to the respective volume and yield/rate components.

 

Summary of Changes in Interest Income and Expense

 

  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
  Compared with
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
  Volume Yield/Rate Total
  (In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in interest and loan fee income:            
Investment securities:            
Taxable $1,830  $643  $2,473 
Tax-exempt (1)  (33)  (309)  (342)
Total investments (1)  1,797   334   2,131 
Loans:            
Taxable  (1,697)  (786)  (2,483)
Tax-exempt (1)  (84)  (53)  (137)
Total loans (1)  (1,781)  (839)  (2,620)
Total increase (decrease) in interest and loan fee income (1)  16   (505)  (489)
Increase (decrease) in interest expense:            
Deposits:            
Savings and interest-bearing transaction  16   (29)  (13)
Time less than $100,000  (13)  (17)  (30)
Time $100,000 or more  (13)  (18)  (31)
Total interest-bearing deposits  (10)  (64)  (74)
Short-term borrowed funds  3   (1)  2 
Total decrease in interest expense  (7)  (65)  (72)
Increase (decrease) in net interest and loan fee income (1) $23  $(440) $(417)

(1)Amounts calculated on an FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
  Compared with
  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
  Volume Yield/Rate Total
  (In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in interest and loan fee income:            
Investment securities:            
Taxable $1,377  $1,411  $2,788 
Tax-exempt (1)  (611)  (1,514)  (2,125)
Total investments (1)  766   (103)  663 
Loans:            
Taxable  (1,245)  225   (1,020)
Tax-exempt (1)  (78)  (149)  (227)
Total loans (1)  (1,323)  76   (1,247)
Total decrease in interest and loan fee income(1)  (557)  (27)  (584)
Increase (decrease) in interest expense:            
Deposits:            
Savings and interest-bearing transaction  7   (5)  2 
Time less than $100,000  (10)  (2)  (12)
Time $100,000 or more  (9)  -   (9)
Total interest-bearing deposits  (12)  (7)  (19)
Short-term borrowed funds  (1)  (1)  (2)
Total decrease in interest expense  (13)  (8)  (21)
Decrease in net interest and loan fee income (1) $(544) $(19) $(563)

 

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-35-

Summary of Changes in Interest Income and Expense

  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
  Compared with
  For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2016
  Volume Yield/Rate Total
  (In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in interest and loan fee income:            
Investment securities:            
Taxable $400  $285  $685 
Tax-exempt (1)  (225)  48   (177)
Total investments (1)  175   333   508 
Loans:            
Taxable  (10)  (440)  (450)
Tax-exempt (1)  (16)  9   (7)
Total loans (1)  (26)  (431)  (457)
Total increase (decrease) in interest and loan fee income (1)  149   (98)  51 
Increase (decrease) in interest expense:            
Deposits:            
Savings and interest-bearing transaction  0   (8)  (8)
Time less than $100,000  (4)  (3)  (7)
Time $100,000 or more  (2)  (5)  (7)
Total interest-bearing deposits  (6)  (16)  (22)
Short-term borrowed funds  2   -   2 
Total decrease in interest expense  (4)  (16)  (20)
Increase (decrease) in net interest and loan fee income (1) $153  $(82) $71 

(1)Amounts calculated on an FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.

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- 37 -

Summary of Changes in Interest Income and Expense

  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
  Compared with
  For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
  Volume Yield/Rate Total
  (In thousands)
Increase (decrease) in interest and loan fee income:            
Investment securities:            
Taxable $515  $559  $1,074 
Tax-exempt (1)  (142)  (1,272)  (1,414)
Total investments (1)  373   (713)  (340)
Loans:            
Taxable  (751)  51   (700)
Tax-exempt (1)  (23)  (126)  (149)
Total loans (1)  (774)  (75)  (849)
Total decrease in interest and loan fee income (1)  (401)  (788)  (1,189)
(Decrease) increase in interest expense:            
Deposits:            
Savings and interest-bearing transaction  -   (3)  (3)
Time less than $100,000  (4)  -   (4)
Time $100,000 or more  (5)  1   (4)
Total interest-bearing deposits  (9)  (2)  (11)
Short-term borrowed funds  -   (1)  (1)
Total decrease in interest expense  (9)  (3)  (12)
Decrease in net interest and loan fee income (1) $(392) $(785) $(1,177)

(1)Amounts calculated on an FTE basis using the current statutory federal tax rate.

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

The Company manages credit costs by consistently enforcing conservative underwriting and administration procedures and aggressively pursuing collection efforts with debtors experiencing financial difficulties. The provision for loan losses reflects Management's assessment of credit risk in the loan portfolio during each of the periods presented.

 

The Company provided no provision for loan losses in the first quarter of 20172018 and the first and fourth quarters of 2016. Management’s evaluation of credit quality includes originated and purchased loans.2017. Classified loans declined $26.8$13.6 million (which included nonperforming loans of $6.7 million) during the period from March 31, 20162017 to March 31, 2017.2018. This development was reflected in Management’s evaluation of credit quality, the level of the provision for loan losses, and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2017. Management’s evaluation of credit quality includes originated and purchased loans. The2018. At March 31, 2018, the Company recorded purchased loans at estimated fair value upon the acquisition dates. Such estimated fair values were recognized for individual loans, although small balance homogenous loans were pooled for valuation purposes. The valuation discounts recorded for purchased loans included Management’s assessment of the risk of principal loss under economic and borrower conditions prevailing on the dates of purchase. The purchased County Bank loans secured by single-familyhad $7.1 million in residential real estate secured loans which are “covered” throughindemnified from loss by the FDIC up to eighty percent of principal; the indemnification expires February 6, 2019 by loss-sharing agreements the Company entered with the FDIC which mitigates losses during the term of the agreements. Any deterioration in estimated value related to principal loss subsequent to the acquisition dates requires additional loss recognition through a provision for loan losses. No assurance can be given future provisions for loan losses related to purchased loans will not be necessary. For further information regarding credit risk, the FDIC loss-sharing agreements, net credit losses and the allowance for loan losses, see the “Loan Portfolio Credit Risk” and “Allowance for Loan Losses” sections of this Report.

 

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-36-- 38 -

Noninterest Income

 

The following table summarizes the components of noninterest income for the periods indicated.

 

 For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
 March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2016 2018 2017 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
            
Service charges on deposit accounts $4,923  $5,248  $5,064  $4,752  $4,923  $4,756 
Merchant processing services  1,875   1,529   1,678   2,420   1,875   2,346 
Debit card fees  1,481   1,516   1,566   1,605   1,481   1,569 
Trust fees  702   661   682   743   702   739 
ATM processing fees  664   575   696 
Other service fees  650   629   620   631   650   620 
ATM processing fees  575   658   551 
Financial services commissions  195   156   157   114   195   155 
Equity securities (losses) gains  (36)  -   7,955 
Other noninterest income  1,256   1,332   1,227   1,062   1,256   1,464 
Total $11,657  $11,729  $11,545  $11,955  $11,657  $20,300 

 

Noninterest income for the first quarter 2017 declined2018 increased by $72$298 thousand from the same period in 2016. Service charges on deposits decreased $325 thousand due to declines in fees charged on overdrawn and insufficient funds accounts (down $259 thousand) and lower fees on analyzed accounts (down $95 thousand).2017. Merchant processing services fees increased $346$545 thousand primarily due to successful sales efforts and higher transaction volumes. Debit card fees increased $124 thousand mostly due to increased transaction volumes. Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $171 thousand due to lower fees for overdrafts and checking accounts.

 

In the first quarter 2017,2018, noninterest income increased $112 thousanddecreased $8.3 million compared with the fourth quarter 2016 mostly due to a $197 thousand increase2017 primarily because the fourth quarter 2017 included $8.0 million in merchant processing services fees primarily due to the improved margin mixgains on sale of transaction volumes. Service charges on deposits decreased $141 thousand due to declines in fees charged on overdrawn and insufficient funds accounts (down $181 thousand) and lower fees on analyzed accounts (down $48 thousand), partially offset by fee increases and collection of annual IRA account fees.equity securities.

 

Noninterest Expense

 

The following table summarizes the components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated.

 

 For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
 March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2016 2018 2017 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
            
Salaries and related benefits $13,070  $13,117  $12,439  $13,351  $13,070  $12,652 
Occupancy  3,633   3,398   3,570 
Occupancy and equipment  4,691   4,887   4,860 
Outsourced data processing services  2,139   2,130   2,131   2,340   2,139   2,325 
Furniture and equipment  1,254   1,213   1,290 
Professional fees  785   611   627 
Amortization of identifiable intangibles  800   905   863   570   800   755 
Professional fees  611   732   797 
Courier service  421   545   494   463   421   423 
Other real estate owned  (40)  111   7 
Loss contingency  -   -   5,542 
Impairment of tax credit investments  -   -   625 
Other noninterest expense  2,727   3,707   2,986   2,014   2,687   2,358 
Total $24,615  $25,858  $24,577  $24,214  $24,615  $30,167 

 

Noninterest expense decreased $1.3 million$401 thousand in the first quarter 20172018 compared with the same period in 2016 mostly due to reductions in professional fees, courier costs, OREO expense, intangible amortization and other noninterest expense. Other noninterest expense decreased $980 thousand primarily due to decreases in insurance premiums, correspondent bank service charges, limited partnership operating losses, postage and amortization of intangibles.2017. Amortization of intangibles decreased $105$230 thousand as assets are amortized on a declining balance method. Professional feesOther noninterest expense decreased $121$673 thousand primarily due to decreases in correspondent bank service charges and operational losses, partially offset by an increase in operating losses on limited partnership investments. Salaries and related benefits increased $281 thousand primarily due to higher employee benefit costs. Outsourced data processing services expense increased $201 thousand due to lower legal fees associated with nonperforming assets. Expenses of other real estate owned decreased inadditional processing services.

In the first quarter 2018, noninterest expense decreased $6.0 million compared with the fourth quarter 2017 primarily because the fourth quarter 2017 included a $5.5 million loss contingency and a $625 thousand impairment charge on tax credit investments. Amortization of intangibles decreased $185 thousand as assets are amortized on a declining balance method. Other noninterest expense decreased $344 thousand primarily due to gains on sale of disposition of foreclosed assetsdecreases in correspondent bank service charges. Salaries and because first quarter 2016 included net writedowns. Occupancy expenserelated benefits increased $235$699 thousand primarily due to higher maintenance and utilityemployee benefit costs.

 

-37-- 39 -

In the first quarter 2017, noninterest expense increased $38 thousand compared with the fourth quarter 2016. Salaries and related benefits increased $631 thousand primarily due to seasonally higher payroll taxes. Professional fees decreased $186 thousand due to lower legal fees. Other noninterest expense decreased $259 thousand primarily due to lower correspondent bank service charges.

 

Provision for Income Tax

 

The Company’s first quarter 20172018 income tax provision (FTE) was $8.0 million. Effective January 1,$4.3 million compared with $19.7 million for the fourth quarter 2017 the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 which has the potential to create volatility in the book tax provision at the time nonqualified stock options are exercised or expire. Duringand $4.8 million for the first quarter 2017, 376representing effective tax rates of 19.7%, 82.6% and 24.3%, respectively. The book tax provisions for the first quarter 2018 and the first quarter 2017 include tax benefits of $451 thousand shares were issuedand $671 thousand, respectively, for tax deductions from the exercise of employee stock options which exceed related compensation expenses recognized in the financial statements; these benefits reduced the effective tax rate by 2.0% and 3.4%, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the first quarter 2018 reflects a reduction in the federal corporate tax rate due to the exercise of nonqualified stock options resulting in aAct. The book tax deduction exceeding related share based compensation by $1.6 million. Firstprovision for the fourth quarter 2017 incomeincludes a charge of $12.3 million resulting from re-measurement of the Company’s net deferred tax provision was $671 thousand lower than would have been under accounting standards prior toasset triggered by enactment of the adoption of ASU 2016-09. First quarter 2017 income tax provision (FTE) compared with $8.1 million and $8.5 million for the first and fourth quarters 2016, respectively. The current quarter provision represents an effective tax rate (FTE) of 34.8%, compared with 36.3% and 37.0% for the first and fourth quarters 2016, respectively. The first quarter 2017 effective tax rate (FTE) would have been 37.7% under accounting rules applied in 2016.Act.

 

Investment Portfolio

 

The Company maintains an investment securities portfolio consisting of securities issued by U.S. Government sponsored entities, agency and non-agency mortgage backed securities, state and political subdivisions, corporations, and asset-backed and other securities. Investment securities are held in safekeeping by an independent custodian.

 

Management has increased the investment securities portfolio in response to deposit growth and loan volume declines. The carrying value of the Company’s investment securities portfolio was $3.2$3.5 billion as ofat March 31, 20172018 and $3.4 billion at December 31, 2016.2017.

 

Management continually evaluates the Company’s investment securities portfolio in response to established asset/liability management objectives, changing market conditions that could affect profitability, liquidity, and the level of interest rate risk to which the Company is exposed. These evaluations may cause Management to change the level of funds the Company deploys into investment securities and change the composition of the Company’s investment securities portfolio. In 2016 Management reducedthe first quarter 2018 corporate securities increased in order to improve yields without extending the duration of U.S. Government sponsored entities to reduce call optionality and increased agency residential MBS to develop more reliable cash flows.the bond portfolio.

 

As ofAt March 31, 2017,2018, substantially all of the Company’s investment securities continue to be investment grade rated by one or more major rating agencies. In addition to monitoring credit rating agency evaluations, Management performs its own evaluations regarding the credit worthiness of the issuer or the securitized assets underlying asset-backed securities. The Company’s procedures for evaluating investments in securities are in accordance with guidance issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, “Investing in Securities without Reliance on Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Agencies” (SR 12-15) and other regulatory guidance. Credit ratings are considered in our analysis only as a guide to the historical default rate associated with similarly-rated bonds. There have been no significant differences in our internal analyses compared with the ratings assigned by the third party credit rating agencies.

 

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The following table summarizes total corporate securities by the industry sector in which the issuing companies operate:

  At March 31, At December 31,
  2018 2017
  Market value As a percent of
total corporate
securities
 Market value As a percent of
total corporate
securities
  ($ in thousands)
Basic materials $34,445   3% $35,219   3%
Communications  49,814   4%  50,763   5%
Consumer, cyclical  22,513   2%  12,592   1%
Consumer, non-cyclical  160,164   13%  133,476   12%
Financial  488,173   41%  525,932   47%
Industrial  165,052   14%  129,989   12%
Technology  109,670   9%  71,708   6%
Utilities  172,068   14%  155,819   14%
Total corporate securities $1,201,899   100% $1,115,498   100%

The following tables summarize the total general obligation and revenue bonds issued by states and political subdivisions held in the Company’s investment securities portfolios as of the dates indicated, identifying the state in which the issuing government municipality or agency operates.

 

At March 31, 2017,2018, the Company’s investment securities portfolios included securities issued by 687635 state and local government municipalities and agencies located within 44 states with a fair value of $833.9 million. states. None of the Company’s investment securities were issued by Puerto Rican government entities. The largest exposure to any one municipality or agency was $10.1$9.8 million (fair value) represented by nine general obligation bonds.

 

  At March 31, 2017
  Amortized Fair
  Cost Value
  (In thousands)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:    
General obligation bonds:        
California $102,125  $104,225 
Texas  68,829   68,944 
New Jersey  40,024   40,346 
Minnesota  30,703   30,947 
Pennsylvania  29,690   29,888 
Other (36 states)  277,881   278,999 
Total general obligation bonds $549,252  $553,349 
         
Revenue bonds:        
California $46,448  $47,514 
Kentucky  22,811   23,062 
Iowa  18,068   18,309 
Pennsylvania  16,067   16,179 
Colorado  15,553   15,739 
Washington  13,557   14,179 
Other (29 states)  143,540   145,564 
Total revenue bonds $276,044  $280,546 
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions $825,296  $833,895 

  At March 31, 2018
  Amortized Fair
  Cost Value
  (In thousands)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:    
General obligation bonds:        
California $105,741  $106,722 
Texas  63,630   63,202 
New Jersey  38,023   37,999 
Minnesota  29,819   29,831 
Other (36 states)  287,885   286,822 
Total general obligation bonds $525,098  $524,576 
         
Revenue bonds:        
California $38,822  $39,314 
Kentucky  20,806   20,808 
Iowa  17,287   17,184 
Colorado  14,936   14,924 
Washington  13,084   13,411 
Indiana  12,890   12,884 
Other (29 states)  126,564   126,578 
Total revenue bonds $244,389  $245,103 
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions $769,487  $769,679 

 

At December 31, 2016,2017, the Company’s investment securities portfolios included securities issued by 698647 state and local government municipalities and agencies located within 44 states with a fair value of $848.2 million.states. None of the Company’s investment securities were issued by Puerto Rican government entities. The largest exposure to any one municipality or agency was $10.0 million (fair value) represented by nine general obligation bonds.

 

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  At December 31, 2016
  Amortized Fair
  Cost Value
  (In thousands)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:    
General obligation bonds:        
California $105,129  $106,391 
Texas  69,017   68,671 
New Jersey  40,111   40,102 
Pennsylvania  37,384   37,543 
Minnesota  32,946   32,847 
Other (36 states)  280,488   279,571 
Total general obligation bonds $565,075  $565,125 
         
Revenue bonds:        
California $47,415  $48,429 
Kentucky  22,854   22,902 
Pennsylvania  18,568   18,683 
Iowa  18,086   18,302 
Colorado  15,574   15,674 
Other (30 states)  157,452   159,054 
Total revenue bonds $279,949  $283,044 
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions $845,024  $848,169 

  At December 31, 2017
  Amortized Fair
  Cost Value
  (In thousands)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:    
General obligation bonds:        
California $104,330  $106,311 
Texas  66,636   66,699 
New Jersey  39,387   39,612 
Minnesota  30,485   30,707 
Other (36 states)  292,102   294,779 
Total general obligation bonds $532,940  $538,108 
         
Revenue bonds:        
California $38,838  $39,660 
Kentucky  21,731   21,958 
Iowa  17,304   17,287 
Colorado  14,956   15,086 
Washington  13,506   13,963 
Indiana  12,914   13,054 
Other (29 states)  130,196   131,301 
Total revenue bonds $249,445  $252,309 
Total obligations of states and political subdivisions $782,385  $790,417 

 

At March 31, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the revenue bonds in the Company’s investment securities portfolios were issued by state and local government municipalities and agencies to fund public services such as water utility, sewer utility, recreational and school facilities, and general public and economic improvements. The revenue bonds were payable from 2322 revenue sources.sources at March 31, 2018 and at December 31, 2017. The revenue sources that represent 5% or more individually of the total revenue bonds are summarized in the following tables.

 

 At March 31, 2017 At March 31, 2018
 Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
 Cost Value Cost Value
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Revenue bonds by revenue source:                
Water $55,334  $57,043  $50,680  $51,374 
Sales tax  30,212   30,497 
Sewer  35,455   36,187   28,696   28,965 
Sales tax  31,119   31,951 
Lease (renewal)  24,208   24,411   19,090   19,097 
College & University  17,806   17,808   17,179   16,938 
Other (18 sources)  112,122   113,146 
Other (17 sources)  98,532   98,232 
Total revenue bonds by revenue source $276,044  $280,546  $244,389  $245,103 

 

 At December 31, 2016 At December 31, 2017
 Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
 Cost Value Cost Value
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Revenue bonds by revenue source:                
Water $55,401  $56,826  $50,737  $51,854 
Sewer  37,996   38,497   30,427   31,030 
Sales tax  31,146   31,835   30,233   30,777 
Lease (renewal)  24,242   24,235   20,007   20,235 
College & University  17,856   17,762   17,230   17,087 
Other (18 sources)  113,308   113,889 
Other (17 sources)  100,811   101,326 
Total revenue bonds by revenue source $279,949  $283,044  $249,445  $252,309 

 

See Note 3 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the investment securities.

 

-40-- 42 -

Loan Portfolio Credit Risk

 

The Company extends loans to commercial and consumer customers which expose the Company to the risk borrowers will default, causing loan losses. The Company’s lending activities are exposed to various qualitative risks. All loan segments are exposed to risks inherent in the economy and market conditions. Significant risk characteristics related to the commercial loan segment include the borrowers’ business performance and financial condition, and the value of collateral for secured loans. Significant risk characteristics related to the commercial real estate segment include the borrowers’ business performance and the value of properties collateralizing the loans. Significant risk characteristics related to the construction loan segment include the borrowers’ performance in successfully developing the real estate into the intended purpose and the value of the property collateralizing the loans. Significant risk characteristics related to the residential real estate segment include the borrowers’ financial wherewithal to service the mortgages and the value of the property collateralizing the loans. Significant risk characteristics related to the consumer loan segment include the financial condition of the borrowers and the value of collateral securing the loans.

 

The preparation of the financial statements requires Management to estimate the amount of losses inherent in the loan portfolio and establish an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is establishedmaintained by assessing or reversing a provision for loan losses againstthrough the Company’s earnings. In estimating credit losses, Management must exercise judgment in evaluating information deemed relevant, such as financial information regarding individual borrowers, overall credit loss experience, the amount of past due, nonperforming and classified loans, recommendations of regulatory authorities, prevailing economic conditions and other information. The amount of ultimate losses on the loan portfolio can vary from the estimated amounts. Management follows a systematic methodology to estimate loss potential in an effort to reduce the differences between estimated and actual losses.

 

The Company closely monitors the markets in which it conducts its lending operations and follows a strategy to control exposure to loans with high credit risk. The Bank’s organization structure separates the functions of business development and loan underwriting; Management believes this segregation of duties avoids inherent conflicts of combining business development and loan approval functions. In measuring and managing credit risk, the Company adheres to the following practices.

 

·The Bank maintains a Loan Review Department which reports directly to the Board of Directors. The Loan Review Department performs independent evaluations of loans and assigns credit risk grades to evaluated loans using grading standards employed by bank regulatory agencies. Those loans judged to carry higher risk attributes are referred to as “classified loans.” Classified loans receive elevated management attention to maximize collection.
The Bank maintains a Loan Review Department which reports directly to the audit committee of the Board of Directors. The Loan Review Department performs independent evaluations of loans to challenge the credit risk grades assigned by Management using grading standards employed by bank regulatory agencies. Those loans judged to carry higher risk attributes are referred to as “classified loans.” Classified loans receive elevated Management attention to maximize collection.

 

·The Bank maintains two loan administration offices whose sole responsibility is to manage and collect classified loans.
The Bank maintains two loan administration offices whose sole responsibility is to manage and collect classified loans.

 

Classified loans with higher levels of credit risk are further designated as “nonaccrual loans.” Management places classified loans on nonaccrual status when full collection of contractual interest and principal payments is in doubt. Uncollected interest previously accrued on loans placed on nonaccrual status is reversed as a charge against interest income. The Company does not accrue interest income on loans following placement on nonaccrual status. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied to reduce the carrying amount of the loan unless the carrying amount is well secured by loan collateral. “Nonperforming assets” include nonaccrual loans, loans 90 or more days past due and still accruing, and repossessed loan collateral (commonly referred to as “Other Real Estate Owned”).

 

  At March 31, At December 31,
  2017 2016 2016
  (In thousands)
       
Nonperforming nonaccrual loans $2,382  $15,806  $3,956 
Performing nonaccrual loans  4,285   1,921   4,429 
Total nonaccrual loans  6,667   17,727   8,385 
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due  373   260   497 
Total nonperforming loans  7,040   17,987   8,882 
Other real estate owned  2,136   8,438   3,095 
Total nonperforming assets $9,176  $26,425  $11,977 

 

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-41-- 43 -

Nonperforming Assets          

  At March 31, At December 31,
  2018 2017 2017
  (In thousands)
       
Nonperforming nonaccrual loans $2,030  $2,382  $1,641 
Performing nonaccrual loans  4,110   4,285   4,285 
Total nonaccrual loans  6,140   6,667   5,926 
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due  255   373   531 
Total nonperforming loans  6,395   7,040   6,457 
Other real estate owned  1,376   2,136   1,426 
Total nonperforming assets $7,771  $9,176  $7,883 

Nonperforming assets have declined during 20162017 and the first quarter 20172018 due to payoffs, chargeoffs and chargeoffs.sale of Other Real Estate Owned. At March 31, 2017, 2018, one loan secured by commercial real estate with a balance of $4.3$4.1 million was on nonaccrual status. The remaining sevensix nonaccrual loans held at March 31, 20172018 had an average carrying value of $340$338 thousand and the largest carrying value was $1.3$1.0 million.

 

Management believes the overall credit quality of the loan portfolio is reasonably stable; however, classified and nonperforming assets could fluctuate from period to period. The performance of any individual loan can be affected by external factors such as the interest rate environment, economic conditions, and collateral values or factors particular to the borrower. No assurance can be given that additional increases in nonaccrual and delinquent loans will not occur in the future.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

The Company’s allowance for loan losses represents Management’s estimate of loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio. In evaluating credit risk for loans, Management measures loss potential of the carrying value of loans. As described above, payments received on nonaccrual loans may be applied against the principal balance of the loans until such time as full collection of the remaining recorded balance is expected.

 

The following table summarizes the allowance for loan losses, chargeoffs and recoveries of the Company for the periods indicated:

 

 For the Three Months Ended For the Three Months Ended
 March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,
 2017 2016 2016 2018 2017 2017
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses            
Balance, beginning of period $25,954  $29,771  $26,359  $23,009  $25,954  $23,628 
Provision for loan losses  -   -   - 
Provision for unfunded commitments  -   -   - 
Provision (reversal) for loan losses  -   -   - 
Loans charged off                        
Commercial  (103)  (1,171)  -   (41)  (103)  - 
Commercial real estate  -   -   - 
Consumer installment and other  (1,739)  (1,006)  (1,180)  (1,365)  (1,739)  (1,174)
Total chargeoffs  (1,842)  (2,177)  (1,180)  (1,406)  (1,842)  (1,174)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off                        
Commercial  160   1,421   325   829   160   136 
Commercial real estate  10   15   15   -   10   - 
Construction  -   -   - 
Consumer installment and other  637   457   435   649   637   419 
Total recoveries  807   1,893   775   1,478   807   555 
Net loan losses  (1,035)  (284)  (405)
Net loan recoveries (losses)  72   (1,035)  (619)
Balance, end of period $24,919  $29,487  $25,954  $23,081  $24,919  $23,009 
                        
Net loan losses as a percentage of            
average total loans (annualized)  0.31%  0.08%  0.12%
Net loan (recoveries) losses as a percentage of average total loans (annualized)  (0.02)%  0.31%  0.19%

 

The Company's allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered appropriate to provide for losses that can be estimated based upon specific and general conditions. These include conditions unique to individual borrowers, as well as overall loan loss experience, the amount of past due, nonperforming and classified loans, recommendations of regulatory authorities, prevailing economic conditions and other factors. A portion of the allowance is individually allocated to impaired loans whose full collectability of principal is uncertain. Such allocations are determined by Management based on loan-by-loan analyses. The Company evaluates for impairment all loans with outstanding principal balances in excess of $500 thousand which are classified or on nonaccrual status and all “troubled debt restructured” loans. The remainder of the loan portfolio is collectively evaluated for impairment based in part on quantitative analyses of historical loan loss experience of loan portfolio segments to determine standard loss rates for each segment. The loss rate for each loan portfolio segment reflects both the historical loss experience during a look-back period and thea loss emergence period. Liquidating purchased consumer installment loans are evaluated separately by applying historical loss rates to forecasted liquidating principal balances to initially measure losses inherent in this portfolio segment. The loss rates are applied to segmented loan balances to allocate the allowance to the segments of the loan portfolio.

 

-42-- 44 -

The remainder of the allowance is considered to be unallocated. The unallocated allowance is established to provide for probable losses that have been incurred as of the reporting date but not reflected in the allocated allowance. The unallocated allowance addresses additional qualitative factors consistent with Management's analysis of the level of risks inherent in the loan portfolio, which are related to the risks of the Company's general lending activity. Included in the unallocated allowance is the risk of losses that are attributable to national or local economic or industry trends which have occurred but have not yet been recognized in loan chargeoff history (external factors). The primary external factor evaluated by the Company and the judgmental amount of unallocated reserve assigned by Management as of March 31, 20172018 is economic and business conditions $1.1$0.7 million. Also included in the unallocated allowance is the risk of losses attributable to general attributes of the Company's loan portfolio and credit administration (internal factors). The internal factors evaluated by the Company and the judgmental amount of unallocated reserve assigned by Management are: loan review system $1.1$1.0 million, adequacy of lending Management and staff $0.9$0.9 million and concentrations of credit $1.3$1.3 million.

 

 Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
         Consumer             Consumer    
   Commercial   Residential Installment       Commercial   Residential Installment    
 Commercial Real Estate Construction Real Estate and Other Unallocated Total Commercial Real Estate Construction Real Estate and Other Unallocated Total
 (In thousands) (In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:                                                        
Balance at beginning of period $8,327  $3,330  $152  $1,330  $7,980  $4,835  $25,954  $7,746  $3,849  $335  $995  $6,418  $3,666  $23,009 
Additions:                                                        
Provision (reversal)  209   182   (40)  (116)  106   (341)  - 
(Reversal) provision  (17)  (25)  (160)  (87)  37   252   - 
Deductions:                                                        
Chargeoffs  (103)  -   -   -   (1,739)  -   (1,842)  (41)  -   -   -   (1,365)  -   (1,406)
Recoveries  160   10   -   -   637   -   807   829   -   -   -   649   -   1,478 
Net loan recoveries (losses)  57   10   -   -   (1,102)  -   (1,035)  788   -   -   -   (716)  -   72 
Total allowance for loan losses $8,593  $3,522  $112  $1,214  $6,984  $4,494  $24,919  $8,517  $3,824  $175  $908  $5,739  $3,918  $23,081 

 

  Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans Evaluated for Impairment
  At March 31, 2017
  Commercial Commercial Real Estate Construction Residential Real Estate Consumer Installment and Other Unallocated Total
  (In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:                            
Individually evaluated for impairment $4,991  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $4,991 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  3,602   3,522   112   1,214   6,984   4,494   19,928 
Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $8,593  $3,522  $112  $1,214  $6,984  $4,494  $24,919 
Carrying value of loans:                            
Individually evaluated for impairment $11,128  $15,243  $-  $217  $-  $-  $26,588 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  343,345   549,838   1,880   79,264   349,303   -   1,323,630 
Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration  27   523   -   -   322   -   872 
Total $354,500  $565,604  $1,880  $79,481  $349,625  $-  $1,351,090 

  Allowance for Loan Losses and Recorded Investment in Loans Evaluated for Impairment
  At March 31, 2018
  Commercial Commercial Real Estate Construction Residential Real Estate Consumer Installment and Other Unallocated Total
  (In thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:                            
Individually evaluated for impairment $4,777  $214  $-  $-  $-  $-  $4,991 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  3,740   3,610   175   908   5,739   3,918   18,090 
Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $8,517  $3,824  $175  $908  $5,739  $3,918  $23,081 
Carrying value of loans:                            
Individually evaluated for impairment $10,513  $11,393  $-  $206  $-  $-  $22,112 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  296,432   541,327   2,941   59,278   305,705   -   1,205,683 
Purchased loans with evidence of credit deterioration  33   598   -   -   158   -   789 
Total $306,978  $553,318  $2,941  $59,484  $305,863  $-  $1,228,584 

 

The portion of the allowance for loan losses ascribed to loan segments declined from March 31, 20162017 to March 31, 20172018 due to declines in classified loans, delinquent loans, and the overall loan portfolio. The decline in the unallocated portion was due to improved economic conditions within the Company’s geographic markets and credit quality metrics.

 

Management considers the $24.9$23.1 million allowance for loan losses to be adequate as a reserve against loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of March 31, 2017.2018.

 

See Note 4 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for additional information related to the loan portfolio, loan portfolio credit risk, and allowance for loan losses.

- 45 -

 

Asset/Liability and Market Risk Management

 

Asset/liability management involves the evaluation, monitoring and management of interest rate risk, market risk, liquidity and funding. The fundamental objective of the Company's management of assets and liabilities is to maximize its economic value while maintaining adequate liquidity and a conservative level of interest rate risk.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Interest rate risk is a significant market risk affecting the Company. Many factors affect the Company’s exposure to interest rates, such as general economic and financial conditions, customer preferences, historical pricing relationships, and re-pricing characteristics of financial instruments. Assets and liabilities may mature or re-price at different times. Assets and liabilities may re-price at the same time but by different amounts. Short-term and long-term market interest rates may change by different amounts. The timing and amount of cash flows of various assets or liabilities may shorten or lengthen as interest rates change. In addition, the changing levels of interest rates may have an impact on loan demand, demand for various deposit products, credit losses, and other elements of earnings such as account analysis fees on commercial deposit accounts and correspondent bank service charges.

 

-43-

The Company’s earnings are affected not only by general economic conditions, but also by the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve BoardOpen Market Committee (the “FRB”“FOMC”). The monetary policies of the FRBFOMC can influence the overall growth of loans, investment securities, and deposits and the level of interest rates earned on assets and paid for liabilities. The nature and impact of future changes in monetary policies are generally not predictable.

 

Management expects a high level of uncertainty in regard to interest rate levels in the immediate term, and Management’s most likely earnings forecast for the twelve months ending March 31, 20182019 assumes market interest rates will gradually rise, with short-term rates rising more than long-term rates.

 

In adjusting the Company's asset/liability position, Management attempts to manage interest rate risk while enhancing the net interest margin and net interest income. At times, depending on expected increases or decreases in general interest rates, the relationship between long and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, Management may adjust the Company's interest rate risk position in order to manage its net interest margin and net interest income.position. The Company's results of operations and net portfolio values remain subject to changes in interest rates and to fluctuations in the difference between long and short-term interest rates.

 

The Company’s asset and liability position was “neutral” to slightly “asset sensitive” at March 31, 2017,2018, depending on the interest rate assumptions applied to the simulation model employed by Management to measure interest rate risk. An “asset sensitive” position results in a slightly larger change in interest income than in interest expense resulting from application of assumed interest rate changes. Simulation estimates depend on, and will change with, the size and mix of the actual and projected balance sheet at the time of each simulation. Management continues to monitor the interest rate environment as well as economic conditions and other factors it deems relevant in managing the Company's exposure to interest rate risk.

 

The Company does not currently engage in trading activities or use derivative instruments to control interest rate risk, even though such activities may be permitted with the approval of the Company's Board of Directors.

 

Market Risk - Equity Markets

 

Equity price risk can affect the Company. As an example, any preferred or common stock holdings, as permitted by banking regulations, can fluctuate in value. Management regularly assesses the extent and duration of any declines in market value, the causes of such declines, the likelihood of a recovery in market value, and its intent to hold securities until a recovery in value occurs. Declines in value of preferred or common stock holdings that are deemed “other than temporary” could result in loss recognition in the Company's income statement.

 

Fluctuations in the Company's common stock price can impact the Company's financial results in several ways. First, the Company has regularly repurchased and retired its common stock; the market price paid to retire the Company's common stock affects the level of the Company's shareholders' equity, cash flows and shares outstanding. Second, the Company's common stock price impacts the number of dilutive equivalent shares used to compute diluted earnings per share. Third, fluctuations in the Company's common stock price can motivate holders of options to purchase Company common stock through the exercise of such options thereby increasing the number of shares outstanding and potentially adding volatility to the book tax provision. Finally, the amount of compensation expense associated with share based compensation fluctuates with changes in and the volatility of the Company's common stock price.

 

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Market Risk - Other

 

Market values of loan collateral can directly impact the level of loan chargeoffs and the provision for loan losses. The financial condition and liquidity of debtors issuing bonds and debtors whose mortgages or other obligations are securitized can directly impact the credit quality of the Company’s investment securities portfolio requiring the Company to recognize other than temporary impairment charges. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange risk, are not significant in the normal course of the Company's business activities.

 

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Liquidity and Funding

 

The objective of liquidity management is to manage cash flow and liquidity reserves so that they are adequate to fund the Company's operations and meet obligations and other commitments on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. The Company achieves this objective through the selection of asset and liability maturity mixes that it believes best meet its needs. The Company's liquidity position is enhanced by its ability to raise additional funds as needed in the wholesale markets.

 

In recent years, the Company's deposit base has provided the majority of the Company's funding requirements. This relatively stable and low-cost source of funds, along with shareholders' equity, provided 98 percent of funding for average total assets in the first quarter 20172018 and in 2016.2017. The stability of the Company’s funding from customer deposits is in part reliant on the confidence clients have in the Company. The Company places a very high priority in maintaining this confidence through conservative credit and capital management practices and by maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity reserves.

 

Liquidity is further provided by assets such as balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank, investment securities, and amortizing loans. The Company's investment securities portfolio provides a substantial secondary liquidity reserve. The Company held $3.2$3.5 billion in total investment securities at March 31, 2017.2018. Under certain deposit, borrowing and other arrangements, the Company must hold and pledge investment securities as collateral. At March 31, 2017,2018, such collateral requirements totaled approximately $774$696 million.

 

Liquidity risk can result from the mismatching of asset and liability cash flows, or from disruptions in the financial markets. The Company performs liquidity stress tests on a periodic basis to evaluate the sustainability of its liquidity. Under the stress testing, the Company assumes outflows of funds increase beyond expected levels. Measurement of such heightened outflows considers the composition of the Company’s deposit base, including any concentration of deposits, non-deposit funding such as short-term borrowings, and unfunded lending commitments. The Company evaluates its stock of highly liquid assets to meet the assumed higher levels of outflows. Highly liquid assets include cash and amounts due from other banks from daily transaction settlements, reduced by branch cash needs and Federal Reserve Bank reserve requirements, and investment securities based on regulatory risk-weighting guidelines. Based on the results of the most recent liquidity stress test, Management is satisfied with the liquidity condition of the Bank and the Company. However, no assurance can be given the Bank or Company will not experience a period of reduced liquidity.

 

Management will monitorcontinually monitors the Company’s cash levels throughout 2017.levels. Loan demand from credit worthy borrowers will be dictated by economic and competitive conditions. The Company aggressively solicits non-interest bearing demand deposits and money market checking deposits, which are the least sensitive to changes in interest rates. The growth of these deposit balances is subject to heightened competition, the success of the Company's sales efforts, delivery of superior customer service, new regulations and market conditions. The Company does not aggressively solicit higher-costing time deposits; as a result, Management anticipates such deposits will decline. Changes in interest rates, most notably rising interest rates, could impact deposit volumes. Depending on economic conditions, interest rate levels, liquidity management and a variety of other conditions, deposit growth may be used to fund loans or purchase investment securities. However, due to possible volatility in economic conditions, competition and political uncertainty, loan demand and levels of customer deposits are not certain. Shareholder dividends are expected to continue subject to the Board's discretion and continuing evaluation of capital levels, earnings, asset quality and other factors.

 

Westamerica Bancorporation ("Parent Company") is a separate entity apart from Westamerica Bank (“Bank”) and must provide for its own liquidity. In addition to its operating expenses, the Parent Company is responsible for the payment of dividends declared for its shareholders, and interest and principal on any outstanding debt. The Parent Company currently has no debt. Substantially all of the Parent Company's revenues are obtained from subsidiary dividends and service fees.

 

The Bank’s dividends paid to the Parent Company, proceeds from the exercise of stock options, and Parent Company cash balances provided adequate cash for the Parent Company to pay shareholder dividends of $10$11 million in the first quarter 20172018 and $40$41 million in 2016,2017, and retire common stock in the amount of $-0- million$-0- in the first quarter 20172018 and $6 million$314 thousand in 2016.2017. Payment of dividends to the Parent Company by the Bank is limited under California and Federal laws. The Company believes these regulatory dividend restrictions will not have an impact on the Parent Company's ability to meet its ongoing cash obligations.

 

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Capital Resources

 

The Company has historically generated high levels of earnings, which provide a means of accumulating capital. The Company's net income as a percentage of average shareholders' equity (“return on equity” or “ROE”) has been 10.5%11.6% in the first quarter 20172018 and 10.9%8.4% in 2016.2017. The Company also raises capital as employees exercise stock options. Capital raised through the exercise of stock options was $18$8 million in the first quarter 20172018 and $24$25 million in 2016.2017.

 

The Company paid common dividends totaling $10$11 million in the first quarter 20172018 and $40$41 million in 2016,2017, which represent dividends per common share of $0.39$0.40 and $1.56,$1.57, respectively. The Company's earnings have historically exceeded dividends paid to shareholders. The amount of earnings in excess of dividends provides the Company resources to finance growth and maintain appropriate levels of shareholders' equity. In the absence of profitable growth opportunities, the Company has at times repurchased and retired its common stock as another means to return earnings to shareholders. The Company repurchased and retired -0- shares in the first quarter 20172018 and 1376 thousand shares valued at $6 million$314 thousand in 2016.2017.

 

The Company's primary capital resource is shareholders' equity, which was $585$582 million at March 31, 20172018 compared with $561$590 million at December 31, 2016.2017. The Company's ratio of equity to total assets was 10.84%10.49% at March 31, 20172018 and 10.46%10.71% at December 31, 2016.2017.

 

The Company performs capital stress tests on a periodic basis to evaluate the sustainability of its capital. Under the stress testing, the Company assumes various scenarios such as deteriorating economic and operating conditions, unanticipated asset devaluations, and significant operational lapses. The Company measures the impact of these scenarios on its earnings and capital. Based on the results of the most recent stress tests, Management is satisfied with the capital condition of the Bank and the Company. However, no assurance can be given the Bank or Company will not experience a period of reduced earnings or a reduction in capital from unanticipated events and circumstances.

 

Capital to Risk-Adjusted Assets

 

On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board approved a final rule that implements changes to the regulatory capital framework for all banking organizations. The rule’s provisions which most affected the regulatory capital requirements of the Company and the Bank:

 

·Introduced a new “Common Equity Tier 1” capital measurement,
·Established higher minimum levels of capital,
·Introduced a “capital conservation buffer,”
·Increased the risk-weighting of certain assets, and
·Established limits on the amount of deferred tax assets with any excess treated as a deduction from Tier 1 capital.
Introduced a new “Common Equity Tier 1” capital measurement,
Established higher minimum levels of capital,
Introduced a “capital conservation buffer,”
Increased the risk-weighting of certain assets, and
Established limits on the amount of deferred tax assets with any excess treated as a deduction from Tier 1 capital.

 

Under the final rule, a banking organization that is not subject to the “advanced approaches rule” may make a one-time election not to include most elements of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, including net-of-tax unrealized gains and losses on available for sale investment securities, in regulatory capital. Neither the Company nor the Bank is subject to the “advanced approaches rule” and both made the election not to include most elements of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in regulatory capital.

 

Banking organizations that are not subject to the “advanced approaches rule” began complying with the final rule on January 1, 2015; on such date, the Company and the Bank became subject to the revised definitions of regulatory capital, the new minimum regulatory capital ratios, and various regulatory capital adjustments and deductions according to transition provisions and timelines. All banking organizations began calculating standardized total risk-weighted assets on January 1, 2015. The transition period for the capital conservation buffer for all banking organizations began on January 1, 2016 and will end January 1, 2019. Any bank subject to the rule which is unable to maintain its “capital conservation buffer” will be restricted in the payment of discretionary executive compensation and shareholder distributions, such as dividends and share repurchases.

 

The final rule did not supersede provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA) requiring federal banking agencies to take prompt corrective action (PCA) to resolve problems of insured depository institutions. The final rule revised the PCA thresholds to incorporate the higher minimum levels of capital, including the “common equity tier 1” ratio.

 

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The capital ratios for the Company and the Bank under the new capital framework are presented in the tabletables below, on the dates indicated.

 

         To Be         To Be
     Required for Well-capitalized     Required for Well-capitalized
     Capital Adequacy Purposes Under Prompt     Capital Adequacy Purposes Under Prompt
 At March 31, 2017 Effective Effective Corrective Action At March 31, 2018 Effective Effective Corrective Action
 Company Bank January 1, 2017 January 1, 2019 Regulations (Bank) Company Bank January 1, 2018 January 1, 2019 Regulations (Bank)
                    
Common Equity Tier I Capital  15.85%  11.97%  5.75%(1)  7.00%(2)  6.50%  15.72%  12.97%  6.375%(1)  7.00%(2)  6.50%
Tier I Capital  15.85%  11.97%  7.25%(1)  8.50%(2)  8.00%  15.72%  12.97%  7.875%(1)  8.50%(2)  8.00%
Total Capital  16.91%  13.24%  9.25%(1)  10.50%(2)  10.00%  16.53%  13.98%  9.875%(1)  10.50%(2)  10.00%
Leverage Ratio  8.84%  6.64%  4.00%  4.00%  5.00%  9.12%  7.48%  4.000%  4.00%  5.00%

(1) Includes 1.25% capital conservation buffer.

(2)
(1)Includes 1.875% capital conservation buffer.
(2)Includes 2.5% capital conservation buffer.

 

         To Be         To Be
     Required for Well-capitalized     Required for Well-capitalized
     Capital Adequacy Purposes Under Prompt     Capital Adequacy Purposes Under Prompt
 At December 31, 2016 Effective Effective Corrective Action At December 31, 2017 Effective Effective Corrective Action
 Company Bank January 1, 2016 January 1, 2019 Regulations (Bank) Company Bank January 1, 2017 January 1, 2019 Regulations (Bank)
                    
Common Equity Tier I Capital  14.85%  11.70%  5.125%(3)  7.00%(4)  6.50%  15.36%  12.50%  5.75%(3)  7.00%(4)  6.50%
Tier I Capital  14.85%  11.70%  6.625%(3)  8.50%(4)  8.00%  15.36%  12.50%  7.25%(3)  8.50%(4)  8.00%
Total Capital  15.95%  13.02%  8.625%(3)  10.50%(4)  10.00%  16.17%  13.52%  9.25%(3)  10.50%(4)  10.00%
Leverage Ratio  8.46%  6.63%  4.000%  4.00%  5.00%  8.86%  7.16%  4.00%  4.00%  5.00%

(3) Includes 0.625% capital conservation buffer.

(4) Includes 2.5% capital conservation buffer.

(3)Includes 1.25% capital conservation buffer.
(4)Includes 2.5% capital conservation buffer.

 

The Company and the Bank routinely project capital levels by analyzing forecasted earnings, credit quality, securities valuations, shareholder dividends, asset volumes, share repurchase activity, stock option exercise proceeds, and other factors. Based on current capital projections, the Company and the Bank expect to maintain regulatory capital levels exceeding the highest effective regulatory standard and pay quarterly dividends to shareholders. No assurance can be given that changes in capital management plans will not occur.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company does not currently engage in trading activities or use derivative instruments to control interest rate risk, even though such activities may be permitted with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Credit risk and interest rate risk are the most significant market risks affecting the Company, and equity price risk can also affect the Company’s financial results. These risks are described in the preceding sections regarding “Loan Portfolio Credit Risk,” and “Asset/Liability and Market Risk Management.” Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk, are not significant in the normal course of the Company’s business activities.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of March 31, 2017.2018.

 

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Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required and that such information is communicated to the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The evaluation did not identify any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 20172018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any material pending legal proceeding, nor is their property the subject of any material pending legal proceeding, other than ordinary routine legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. None of these proceedings is expected to have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s business, financial position or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

The Company’s Form 10-K as of December 31, 20162017 includes detailed disclosure about the risks faced by the Company’s business; such risks have not materially changed since the Form 10-K was filed.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(a) Previously reported on Form 8-K.

(b) None

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Westamerica Bancorporation or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 20172018 (in thousands, except per share data).

 

  20172018
Period (a) Total Number of
shares Purchased
 (b) Average Price Paid
per Share
 (c) Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 (d) Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
  (In thousands, except price paid)
January 1 through January 31  -  $-   -   1,750 
February 1 through February 28  -   -   -   1,750 
March 1 through March 31  -   -   -   1,750 
Total  -  $-   -   1,750 

 

The Company repurchases shares of its common stock in the open market on a discretionary basis to optimize the Company’s use of equity capital and enhance shareholder value and with the intention of lessening the dilutive impact of issuing new shares under stock option plans, and other ongoing requirements.

 

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No shares were repurchased during the period from January 1, 20172018 through March 31, 2017.2018. A program approved by the Board of Directors on July 28, 2016 authorized27, 2017 authorizes the purchase of up to 1,750 thousand shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time prior to September 1, 2017.2018.

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Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

(a) Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security HoldersNone

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Item 5.07 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2017.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The exhibit list required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Exhibit Index filed with this report.

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereuntothereunto duly authorized.

 

WESTAMERICA BANCORPORATION

(Registrant)

 

 

 

/s/ JOHN "ROBERT" THORSON

/s/ JOHN "ROBERT" THORSON                                        

John "Robert" Thorson

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(ChiefPrincipal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer)

 

Date: May 5, 2017

4, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit 31.1: Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

 

Exhibit 31.2: Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

 

Exhibit 32.1: Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 32.2: Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Exhibit 101: Pursuant to Rule 405101.INS: XBRL Instance Document

Exhibit 101.SCH: XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

Exhibit 101.CAL: XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.DEF: XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.LAB: XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.PRE: XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

[The remainder of Regulation S-T, the following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2017, is formatted in XBRL interactive data files: (i) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016; and (vi) Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.this page intentionally left blank]

 

 

 

 

 

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