LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES | 3. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES Loan Origination/Risk Management The Company has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to minimize the level of risk within the loan portfolio. Diversification of the loan portfolio manages the risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions. Authority levels are established for the extension of credit to ensure consistency throughout the Company. It is necessary that policies, processes and practices implemented to control the risks of individual credit transactions and portfolio segments are sound and adhered to. The Company maintains an independent loan review department that reviews and validates the credit risk program on a continual basis. Management regularly evaluates the results of the loan reviews. The loan review process complements and reinforces the risk identification and assessment decisions made by lenders and credit personnel, as well as the Company’s policies and procedures. Commercial loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and prudently expand its business. Commercial loans are made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. The cash flows of the borrower, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. Most commercial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets such as accounts receivable or inventory and may incorporate a personal guarantee. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for the repayment of these loans may be substantially dependent on the ability of the borrower to collect amounts from its customers. Commercial credit cards are generally unsecured and are underwritten with criteria similar to commercial loans including an analysis of the borrower’s cash flow, available business capital, and overall credit-worthiness of the borrower. Asset-based loans are offered primarily in the form of revolving lines of credit to commercial borrowers that do not generally qualify for traditional bank financing. Asset-based loans are underwritten based primarily upon the value of the collateral pledged to secure the loan, rather than on the borrower’s general financial condition as traditionally reflected by cash flow, balance sheet strength, operating results, and credit bureau ratings. The Company utilizes pre-loan due diligence techniques, monitoring disciplines, and loan management practices common within the asset-based lending industry to underwrite and manage loans with these borrowers. Factoring loans provide working capital through the purchase and/or financing of accounts receivable to borrowers in the transportation industry and to commercial borrowers that do not generally qualify for traditional bank financing. Commercial real estate loans are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial loans, in addition to those of real estate loans. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Commercial real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts, and the repayment of these loans is largely dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. The Company requires an appraisal of the collateral be made at origination and on an as-needed basis, in conformity with current market conditions and regulatory requirements. The underwriting standards address both owner and non-owner occupied real estate. Construction loans are underwritten using feasibility studies, independent appraisal reviews, sensitivity analysis or absorption and lease rates and financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Construction loans are based upon estimates of costs and value associated with the complete project. Construction loans often involve the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment substantially dependent on the success of the ultimate project. Sources of repayment for these types of loans may be pre-committed permanent loans, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Company until permanent financing is obtained. These loans are closely monitored by on-site inspections and are considered to have higher risks than other real estate loans due to their repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, governmental regulation of real property, economic conditions, and the availability of long-term financing. Underwriting standards for residential real estate and home equity loans are based on the borrower’s loan-to-value percentage, collection remedies, and overall credit history. Consumer loans are underwritten based on the borrower’s repayment ability. The Company monitors delinquencies on all of its consumer loans and leases and periodically reviews the distribution of FICO scores relative to historical periods to monitor credit risk on its credit card loans. The underwriting and review practices combined with the relatively small loan amounts that are spread across many individual borrowers, minimizes risk. Consumer loans and leases that are 90 days past due or more are considered non-performing. Credit risk is a potential loss resulting from nonpayment of either the primary or secondary exposure. Credit risk is mitigated with formal risk management practices and a thorough initial credit-granting process including consistent underwriting standards and approval process. Control factors or techniques to minimize credit risk include knowing the client, understanding total exposure, analyzing the client and debtor’s financial capacity, and monitoring the client’s activities. Credit risk and portions of the portfolio risk are managed through concentration considerations, average risk ratings, and other aggregate characteristics. Loan Aging Analysis This table provides a summary of loan classes and an aging of past due loans at December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands): December 31, 2019 30-89 Days Past Due and Accruing Greater than 90 Days Past Due and Accruing Non- Accrual Loans Total Past Due Current Total Loans Commercial: Commercial $ 10,491 $ 250 $ 25,592 $ 36,333 $ 5,805,669 $ 5,842,002 Asset-based — — — — 292,231 292,231 Factoring — — — — 170,560 170,560 Commercial – credit card 760 52 24 836 181,402 182,238 Real estate: Real estate – construction 3,933 — 95 4,028 838,318 842,346 Real estate – commercial 3,365 36 24,030 27,431 4,301,293 4,328,724 Real estate – residential 485 — 2,748 3,233 930,043 933,276 Real estate – HELOC 544 — 2,798 3,342 474,809 478,151 Consumer: Consumer – credit card 1,835 1,681 803 4,319 222,423 226,742 Consumer – other 81 50 257 388 133,086 133,474 Leases — — — — 1,978 1,978 Total loans $ 21,494 $ 2,069 $ 56,347 $ 79,910 $ 13,351,812 $ 13,431,722 December 31, 2018 30-89 Days Past Due and Accruing Greater than 90 Days Past Due and Accruing Non- Accrual Loans Total Past Due Current Total Loans Commercial: Commercial $ 5,717 $ 133 $ 27,060 $ 32,910 $ 5,195,492 $ 5,228,402 Asset-based — — — — 380,738 380,738 Factoring — — — — 261,591 261,591 Commercial – credit card 490 90 — 580 165,754 166,334 Real estate: Real estate – construction — — — — 792,565 792,565 Real estate – commercial 7,385 90 11,662 19,137 3,695,143 3,714,280 Real estate – residential 246 3,750 807 4,803 702,701 707,504 Real estate – HELOC 764 — 2,776 3,540 542,181 545,721 Consumer: Consumer – credit card 2,022 1,945 648 4,615 226,367 230,982 Consumer – other 199 1 65 265 144,520 144,785 Leases — — — — 5,248 5,248 Total loans $ 16,823 $ 6,009 $ 43,018 $ 65,850 $ 12,112,300 $ 12,178,150 Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment. Non-accrual loans include troubled debt restructurings on non-accrual status. Loan delinquency for all loans is shown in the tables above at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company sold residential real estate loans with proceeds of $213.1 million, $59.1 million, and $70.5 million in the secondary market without recourse during the periods ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The Company has ceased the recognition of interest on loans with a carrying value of $56.3 million and $43.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Restructured loans totaled $19.8 million and $21.1 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Loans 90 days past due and still accruing interest amounted to $2.1 million and $6.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There was an immaterial amount of interest recognized on impaired loans during 2019, 2018, and 2017. Credit Quality Indicators As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including trends related to the risk grading of specified classes of loans, net charge-offs, non-performing loans, and general economic conditions. The Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a rating to each of its commercial, commercial real estate, and construction real estate loans. The loan rankings are summarized into the following categories: Non-watch list, Watch, Special Mention, and Substandard. Any loan not classified in one of the categories described below is considered to be a Non-watch list loan. A description of the general characteristics of the loan ranking categories is as follows: • Watch – This rating represents credit exposure that presents higher than average risk and warrants greater than routine attention by Company personnel due to conditions affecting the borrower, the Borrower’s industry or the economic environment. These conditions have resulted in some degree of uncertainty that results in higher than average credit risk. • Special Mention – This rating reflects a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or the institution’s credit position at some future date. The rating is not adversely classified and does not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification. • Substandard – This rating represents an asset inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or by the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. Loans in this category are characterized by the distinct possibility that the bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard assets, does not have to exist in individual assets classified substandard. This category may include loans where the collection of full principal is doubtful or remote. All other classes of loans are generally evaluated and monitored based on payment activity. Non-performing loans include restructured loans on non-accrual and all other non-accrual loans. This table provides an analysis of the credit risk profile of each loan class at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands): Credit Exposure Credit Risk Profile by Risk Rating Commercial Asset-based Factoring December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Non-watch list $ 5,380,205 $ 4,788,234 $ 230,526 $ 296,719 $ 127,310 $ 260,727 Watch 257,040 192,653 — — — — Special Mention 91,020 55,927 34,640 84,019 1,376 864 Substandard 113,737 191,588 27,065 — 41,874 — Total $ 5,842,002 $ 5,228,402 $ 292,231 $ 380,738 $ 170,560 $ 261,591 Real estate – construction Real estate – commercial December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Non-watch list $ 837,836 $ 792,256 $ 4,078,673 $ 3,551,537 Watch 175 204 110,530 64,998 Special Mention 307 — 28,020 32,826 Substandard 4,028 105 111,501 64,919 Total $ 842,346 $ 792,565 $ 4,328,724 $ 3,714,280 Credit Exposure Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity Commercial – credit card Real estate – residential Real estate – HELOC December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Performing $ 182,214 $ 166,334 $ 926,312 $ 706,697 $ 468,228 $ 542,945 Non-performing 24 — 6,964 807 9,923 2,776 Total $ 182,238 $ 166,334 $ 933,276 $ 707,504 $ 478,151 $ 545,721 Consumer – credit card Consumer – other Leases December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Performing $ 225,939 $ 230,334 $ 132,414 $ 144,720 $ 1,978 $ 5,248 Non-performing 803 648 1,060 65 — — Total $ 226,742 $ 230,982 $ 133,474 $ 144,785 $ 1,978 $ 5,248 Allowance for Loan Losses The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s judgment of inherent probable losses within the Company’s loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The allowance is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. Accordingly, the methodology is based on historical loss trends. The Company’s process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses is designed to account for credit deterioration as it occurs. The provision for probable loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of and trends related to non-accrual loans, past due loans, potential problem loans, criticized loans and net charge-offs or recoveries, among other factors. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic, political and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Portions of the allowance may be allocated for specific loans; however, the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. While management utilizes its best judgment and information available, the adequacy of the allowance is dependent upon a variety of factors beyond the Company’s control, including, among other things, the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio, the economy, changes in interest rates and changes in the regulatory environment. The Company’s allowance for loan losses consists of specific valuation allowances and general valuation allowances based on historical loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends, general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company. The allowances established for probable losses on specific loans are based on a regular analysis and evaluation of impaired loans. Loans are classified based on an internal risk grading process that evaluates the obligor’s ability to repay, the underlying collateral, if any, and the economic environment and industry in which the borrower operates. When a loan is considered impaired, the loan is analyzed to determine the need, if any, to specifically allocate a portion of the allowance for loan losses to the loan. Specific valuation allowances are determined by analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies, the relative risk ranking of the loan and economic conditions affecting the borrower’s industry. General valuation allowances are calculated based on the historical loss experience of specific types of loans including an evaluation of the time span and volume of the actual charge-off. The Company calculates historical loss ratios for pools of similar loans with similar characteristics based on the proportion of actual charge-offs experienced to the total population of loans in the pool. The historical loss ratios are updated based on actual charge-off experience. A valuation allowance is established for each pool of similar loans based upon the product of the historical loss ratio, time span to charge-off, and the total dollar amount of the loans in the pool. The Company’s pools of similar loans include similarly risk-graded groups of commercial loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial credit card, home equity loans, consumer real estate loans and consumer and other loans. The Company also considers a loan migration analysis for criticized loans. This analysis includes an assessment of the probability that a loan will move to a loss position based on its risk rating. The consumer credit card pool is evaluated based on delinquencies and credit scores. In addition, a portion of the allowance is determined by a review of qualitative factors by management, including concentrations of credit, current economic conditions, and loan growth. Generally, the unsecured portion of a commercial or commercial real estate loan is charged-off when, after analyzing the borrower’s financial condition, it is determined that the borrower is incapable of servicing the debt, little or no prospect for near term improvement exists, and no realistic and significant strengthening action is pending. For collateral dependent commercial or commercial real estate loans, an analysis is completed regarding the Company’s collateral position to determine if the amounts due from the borrower are in excess of the calculated current fair value of the collateral. Specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses are made for any collateral deficiency. If a collateral deficiency is ultimately deemed to be uncollectible, the amount is charged-off. Revolving commercial loans (such as commercial credit cards) which are past due 90 cumulative days are classified as a loss and charged off Generally, a consumer loan, or a portion thereof, is charged-off in accordance with regulatory guidelines which provide that such loans be charged-off when the Company becomes aware of the loss, such as from a triggering event that may include but is not limited to new information about a borrower’s intent and ability to repay the loan, bankruptcy, fraud, or death. However, the charge-off timeframe should not exceed the specified delinquency time frames, which state that closed-end retail loans (such as real estate mortgages, home equity loans and consumer installment loans) that become past due 120 cumulative days and open-end retail loans (such as home equity lines of credit and consumer credit cards) that become past due 180 cumulative days are classified as a loss and charged-off. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND RECORDED INVESTMENT IN LOANS This table provides a rollforward of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2019 Commercial Real estate Consumer Leases Total Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $ 80,888 $ 13,664 $ 9,071 $ 12 $ 103,635 Charge-offs (36,716 ) (444 ) (8,920 ) — (46,080 ) Recoveries 7,746 1,122 2,515 — 11,383 Provision 19,340 5,972 7,545 (7 ) 32,850 Ending Balance $ 71,258 $ 20,314 $ 10,211 $ 5 $ 101,788 Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment $ 271 $ 467 $ — $ — $ 738 Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment 70,987 19,847 10,211 5 101,050 Loans: Ending Balance: loans $ 6,487,031 $ 6,582,497 $ 360,216 $ 1,978 $ 13,431,722 Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment 25,769 26,047 — — 51,816 Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment 6,461,262 6,556,450 360,216 1,978 13,379,906 This table provides a rollforward of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2018 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2018 Commercial Real estate Consumer Leases Total Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $ 81,156 $ 9,312 $ 10,083 $ 53 $ 100,604 Charge-offs (64,371 ) (3,428 ) (9,744 ) — (77,543 ) Recoveries 6,753 445 2,626 — 9,824 Provision 57,350 7,335 6,106 (41 ) 70,750 Ending Balance $ 80,888 $ 13,664 $ 9,071 $ 12 $ 103,635 Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment $ 4,605 $ 106 $ — $ — $ 4,711 Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment 76,283 13,558 9,071 12 98,924 Loans: Ending Balance: loans $ 6,037,065 $ 5,760,070 $ 375,767 $ 5,248 $ 12,178,150 Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment 31,006 8,233 — — 39,239 Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment 6,006,059 5,751,837 375,767 5,248 12,138,911 This table provides a rollforward of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 201 7 (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2017 Commercial Real estate Consumer Leases Total Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance $ 71,657 $ 10,569 $ 9,311 $ 112 $ 91,649 Charge-offs (27,985 ) (992 ) (9,629 ) — (38,606 ) Recoveries 3,522 966 2,073 — 6,561 Provision 33,962 (1,231 ) 8,328 (59 ) 41,000 Ending Balance $ 81,156 $ 9,312 $ 10,083 $ 53 $ 100,604 Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment $ 6,605 $ 78 $ — $ — $ 6,683 Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment 74,551 9,234 10,083 53 93,921 Loans: Ending Balance: loans $ 5,283,617 $ 5,568,449 $ 404,480 $ 23,967 $ 11,280,513 Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment 61,820 12,956 — — 74,776 Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment 5,221,797 5,555,493 404,480 23,967 11,205,737 Impaired Loans This table provides an analysis of impaired loans by class for the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands): As of December 31, 2019 Unpaid Principal Balance Recorded Investment with No Allowance Recorded Investment with Allowance Total Recorded Investment Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Commercial: Commercial $ 32,301 $ 20,986 $ 856 $ 21,842 $ 271 $ 31,271 Asset-based 948 948 — 948 — 190 Factoring 2,979 2,979 — 2,979 — 3,917 Commercial – credit card — — — — — — Real estate: Real estate – construction 97 95 — 95 — 19 Real estate – commercial 28,258 19,314 4,928 24,242 387 19,826 Real estate – residential 1,751 1,617 93 1,710 80 846 Real estate – HELOC — — — — — — Consumer: Consumer – credit card — — — — — — Consumer – other — — — — — 70 Leases — — — — — — Total $ 66,334 $ 45,939 $ 5,877 $ 51,816 $ 738 $ 56,139 This table provides an analysis of impaired loans by class for the year ended December 31, 201 8 (in thousands): As of December 31, 2018 Unpaid Principal Balance Recorded Investment with No Allowance Recorded Investment with Allowance Total Recorded Investment Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Commercial: Commercial $ 40,402 $ 16,470 $ 14,536 $ 31,006 $ 4,605 $ 43,335 Asset-based — — — — — — Factoring — — — — — 275 Commercial – credit card — — — — — — Real estate: Real estate – construction — — — — — 55 Real estate – commercial 10,856 7,776 165 7,941 28 11,279 Real estate – residential 304 197 95 292 78 303 Real estate – HELOC — — — — — — Consumer: Consumer – credit card — — — — — — Consumer – other — — — — — — Leases — — — — — — Total $ 51,562 $ 24,443 $ 14,796 $ 39,239 $ 4,711 $ 55,247 This table provides an analysis of impaired loans by class for the year ended December 31, 2017 (in thousands): As of December 31, 2017 Unpaid Principal Balance Recorded Investment with No Allowance Recorded Investment with Allowance Total Recorded Investment Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Commercial: Commercial $ 84,749 $ 44,525 $ 16,465 $ 60,990 $ 6,299 $ 65,385 Asset-based — — — — — — Factoring 830 — 830 830 306 207 Commercial – credit card — — — — — — Real estate: Real estate – construction 108 93 — 93 — 148 Real estate – commercial 16,284 7,968 4,477 12,445 3 10,506 Real estate – residential 427 321 97 418 75 221 Real estate – HELOC — — — — — — Consumer: Consumer – credit card — — — — — — Consumer – other — — — — — 8 Leases — — — — — — Total $ 102,398 $ 52,907 $ 21,869 $ 74,776 $ 6,683 $ 76,475 Troubled Debt Restructurings A loan modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) when a concession has been granted to a debtor experiencing financial difficulties. The Company’s modifications generally include interest rate adjustments, principal reductions, and amortization and maturity date extensions. These modifications allow the debtor short-term cash relief to allow them to improve their financial condition. The Company’s restructured loans are individually evaluated for impairment and evaluated as part of the allowance for loan loss as described above in the Allowance for Loan Losses section of this note. The Company had no commitments to lend to borrowers with loan modifications classified as TDRs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company monitors loan payments on an on-going basis to determine if a loan is considered to have a payment default. Determination of payment default involves analyzing the economic For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had two commercial TDRs with aggregate pre- and post-modification loan balances of $11.5 million, and one commercial real estate TDR with a pre- and a post-modification loan balance of $3.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had three commercial TDRs with pre- and post-modification loan balance of $6.7 million, and one residential real estate TDR with a pre-modification loan balance of $93 thousand and a post-modification loan balance of $92 thousand. |