Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relates to the Corporation, a financial holding company registered under the BHCA and corporation incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Management's Discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other financial information presented in this report.
OVERVIEW
The Corporation is a financial holding company, which, through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, provides a full range of retail and commercial financial services in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia.
The Corporation generates the majority of its revenue through net interest income, or the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Growth in net interest income is dependent upon balance sheet growth and maintaining or increasing the net interest margin, which is FTE net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. The Corporation also generates revenue through fees earned on the various services and products offered to its customers and through gains on sales of assets, such as loans, investments and properties. Offsetting these revenue sources are provisions for credit losses on loans and OBS credit risks, non-interest expenses and income taxes.
The following table presents a summary of the Corporation's earnings and selected performance ratios:
(dollars in thousands, except per share)
Operating return on average assets(1) 1.16 % 1.05 % 0.73 %
Non-performing assets to total assets 0.66 % 0.60 % 0.58 %
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans 0.04 % 0.07 % 0.05 %
(1)Ratio represents a financial measure derived by methods other than GAAP. See reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure under the "Supplemental Reporting of Non-GAAP Based Financial Measures" section of Management's Discussion.
(2)Presented on a FTE basis using a 21% Federal tax rate and statutory interest expense disallowances. See also the "Net Interest Income" section of Management's Discussion.
Federal Funds Rate
After maintaining the target range for the Fed Funds Rate at 0.00% to 0.25% from March 16, 2020, as COVID-19 weighed on global economic activity, through March 16, 2022, the FOMC increased the target range eight times to address elevated levels of inflation, placing the target range for the Fed Funds Rate at 4.50% - 4.75% as of February 1, 2023.
Business Combinations
On July 1, 2022, the Corporation completed the acquisition of Prudential Bancorp. Prudential Bancorp was merged with and into the Corporation, and Prudential Bancorp's wholly owned subsidiary, Prudential Bank, became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation. The Corporation merged Prudential Bank with and into Fulton Bank on November 5, 2022. Results of the operations of the acquired entity are included in the Corporation's consolidated financial statements beginning on the acquisition date, July 1, 2022.
In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, each share of Prudential Bancorp's common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger was converted into the right to receive the Merger
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Consideration. In the aggregate, approximately 80% of the Merger Consideration consisted of the Corporation's common stock with the remaining approximately 20% payable in cash. The receipt of the Corporation’s common stock in the Merger is expected to qualify as a tax-free exchange for Prudential Bancorp shareholders. The acquisition of Prudential Bancorp was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting, and accordingly, the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and consideration transferred were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the Merger. The $16.3 million excess of the fair value of the Merger Consideration of $119.1 million over the fair value of assets acquired of $102.8 million was recorded as goodwill and is not amortizable or deductible for tax purposes.
COVID-19 Pandemic
The CARES Act was enacted in March 2020 and, among other provisions, authorized the SBA to guarantee loans under the PPP for small businesses that met eligibility requirements in order to keep their workers on the payroll and fund specified operating expenses. Subsequent legislation extended the authority of the SBA to guaranty loans under the PPP through August 8, 2020. In December 2020, the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act reauthorized the SBA to guarantee loans under the PPP through March 31, 2021, and the PPP Extension Act of 2021 extended that authorization through June 30, 2021 for applications received by the SBA prior to June 1, 2021. From the inception of the PPP through December 31, 2022, the Corporation funded a total of approximately $2.7 billion of loans under the PPP.
Financial Highlights
Following is a summary of the financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2022:
•Net Income Available to Common Shareholders and Net Income Per Share - Net income available to common shareholders was $276.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a $11.5 million increase compared to $265.2 million for the same period in 2021.
Diluted operating net income available to common shareholders, per share was $1.76for the year ended December 31, 2022, a $0.14 increase compared to the same period in 2021.
•Net Interest Income - Net interest income was $781.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $117.9 million, or 17.8%, compared to the same period in 2021. The increase was driven by higher interest rates and higher average loan balances.
◦Net Interest Margin- For the year ended December 31, 2022, net interest margin increased to 3.27%, or 49 bps compared to 2021, driven by a 54 bps increase in yield on net loans and a 8 bps increase in yield on investment securities, partially offset by a 10 bps increase on cost of funds.
◦Loan Growth- Average net loans grew by $0.5 billion, or 2.8%, in comparison to 2021. Included in average net loans were PPP loans that had an average balance of $0.1 billion, a decrease of $1.0 billion from 2021. The increase in average net loans was largely driven by increases in average residential mortgage loans, average commercial mortgage loans, average commercial and industrial loans, excluding PPP loans, average consumer loans, and average real estate construction loans of $760.5 million, $374.1 million, $194.6 million, $112.9 million, and $100.2 million, respectively, partially offset by a $1.0 billion decline in PPP loans due to the repayment of these loans upon forgiveness by the SBA.
◦Deposit Decrease - Average deposits decreased $269.4 million, or 1.2%, in comparison to 2021. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in average interest-bearing demand deposits and average time deposits of $385.5 million and $321.6 million, respectively, partially offset by increases in average noninterest-bearing demand deposits and average savings and money market deposits of $311.2 million and $151.2 million, respectively.
•Asset Quality - Non-performing assets increased $23.8 million, or 15.4%, as of December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, and were 0.66% and 0.60% of total assets as of the end of those periods, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, net charge-offs to average loans outstanding were 0.04% and 0.07%, respectively. The provision for credit losses was $28.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to a negative provision of $14.6 million for the same period of 2021. Included in the December 31, 2022 provision for credit losses was the CECL Day 1 Provision of $8.0 million for the acquired Prudential Bancorp loan portfolio.
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•Non-Interest Income - Non-interest income, excluding investment securities gains, for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased $13.1 million, or 5.4%, in comparison to 2021. The decrease in non-interest income, excluding investment securities gains, was primarily due to decreases of $19.4 million in mortgage banking income and $5.8 million in other income, primarily due to a decline in income from equity method investments, partially offset by increases of $7.1 million in commercial banking income, $4.0 million in consumer banking fees and $1.0 million in wealth management revenues.
•Non-Interest Expense- Total non-interest expense, excluding merger-related expenses of $10.3 million, increased $5.6 million, or 0.9%, to $623.4 million in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase was largely driven by increases in salaries and employee benefits expense of$27.7 million, data processing and software expense of $3.8 million, other outside services of $3.0 million, net occupancy expense of $2.4 million, and FDIC insurance expense of $1.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in debt extinguishment expense of $33.2 million.
•Income Taxes - Income tax expense for 2022 resulted in an ETR of 17.3%, in comparison to 17.6% for 2021. The ETR is generally lower than the federal statutory rate of 21% due to tax-exempt interest income earned on loans, investments in tax-free municipal securities and TCIs.
Supplemental Reporting of Non-GAAP Based Financial Measures
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains supplemental financial information, as detailed below, which has been derived by methods other than GAAP. The Corporation has presented these non-GAAP financial measures because it believes that these measures provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in the Corporation's results of operations and financial condition. Presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is consistent with how the Corporation evaluates its performance internally, and these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the Corporation's industry. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to GAAP measures, are also useful to investors to evaluate the Corporation's results. Investors should recognize that the Corporation's presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures might not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for GAAP basis measures, and the Corporation strongly encourages a review of its consolidated financial statements in their entirety.
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Following are reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure as of and for the year ended December 31:
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Operating net income available to common shareholders
Plus: Core deposit intangible amortization 1,029 — —
Plus: Merger-related expenses 10,328 — —
Plus: CECL Day 1 Provision expense 7,954 — —
Less: Tax impact of adjustments (4,055) — —
Operating return on average assets
Plus: Core deposit intangible amortization 1,029 — —
Plus: Merger-related expenses 10,328 — —
Plus: CECL Day 1 Provision expense 7,954 — —
Less: Tax impact of adjustments (4,055) — —
Operating return on average assets 1.16 % 1.05 % 0.73 %
Return on average common shareholders' equity (tangible)
Plus: Merger-related expenses 10,328 — —
Plus: CECL Day 1 Provision expense 7,954 — —
Less: Tax impact of adjustments (4,203) (127) (112)
Return on average common shareholders' equity (tangible) 16.08 % 13.58 % 9.66 %
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(dollars in thousands)
Efficiency ratio
Less: Amortization of tax credit investments (2,783) (6,187) (6,126)
Less: Merger-related expenses (10,328) — —
Less: Debt extinguishment costs — (33,249) (2,878)
Less: Investment securities losses (gains), net 27 (33,516) (3,053)
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of those accounting policies that the Corporation considers to be most important to the presentation of its financial condition and results of operations, because they require management's most difficult judgments as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. See additional information regarding these critical accounting policies in "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Allowance for Credit Losses - ACL is based on estimated losses over the remaining expected life of loans. Management's determination of the appropriateness of the reserve is based on periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio, lending-related commitments, current and forecasted economic factors and other relevant factors.
In determining the ACL, the Corporation uses three inputs in the model estimate. These inputs are PD, which estimates the likelihood that a borrower will be unable to meet its debt obligations; LGD, which estimates the share of an asset that is lost if a borrower defaults; and EAD, which estimates the gross exposure under a facility upon default. The PD models were developed based on historical default data. Both internal and external variables are evaluated in the process. The main internal variables are risk rating or delinquency history, and the external variables are economic variables obtained from third-party provided forecasts. Management applies risk-rating transition matrices to pools of loans and lending-related commitments with similar risk characteristics to determine default probabilities, utilizes economic forecasts, applies modeled LGD results to associated EAD and incorporates modeled overlays and qualitative adjustments to estimate ACL. As such, the calculation of the ACL is inherently subjective and requires management to exercise significant judgment.
The ACL is estimated over a reasonable and supportable forecast period based on the projected performance of specific economic variables that statistically correlate with PD rates. As economic variables revert to long-term averages through the forecast process, externally developed long-term economic forecasts are used to establish the impacts of the economic scenario, reversion, and long-term averages in the development of losses over the expected life of the assets being modeled. The ACL is highly sensitive to the economic forecasts used to develop the reserve. Due to the high level of uncertainty regarding significant assumptions, the Corporation has evaluated a range of economic scenarios, including more and less severe economic deteriorations.
The ACL includes qualitative adjustments, as appropriate, intended to capture the impact of uncertainties not reflected in the quantitative models. Qualitative adjustments include and consider changes in national, regional and local economic and business conditions, an assessment of the lending environment, including underwriting standards and other factors affecting credit quality.
The ACL for loans was $269.4 million and $249.0 million on December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.The increase of $20.4 million was primarily a result of increased loan growth and changes to the macroeconomic outlook.
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The Corporation performs loan loss sensitivity analysis on a quarterly basis to determine the impact of varying economic conditions based on Moody's model projections. Our sensitivity analysis does not represent management's view of expected credit losses at the balance sheet date. One scenario identified includes a slowdown in near-term economic growth. This scenario resulted in a hypothetical increase to the ACL of approximately $18.7 million.
For further discussion of the methodology used in the determination of the ACL, refer to Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Income Taxes – Income tax expense is based upon income before taxes, adjusted for the effect of certain tax-exempt income, non-deductible expenses and credits. In addition, certain items of income and expense are reported in different periods for financial reporting and tax return purposes. The tax effects of these temporary differences are recognized currently in the deferred income tax provision or benefit. DTAs or deferred tax liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using the applicable enacted marginal tax rate.
The Corporation must also evaluate the likelihood that DTAs will be recovered through future taxable income. If any such assets are determined to be more likely than not unrecoverable, then a valuation allowance must be recognized. The assessment of the carrying value of DTAs is based on certain assumptions, the changes of which could have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial statements.
On a periodic basis, the Corporation evaluates its income tax expense based on tax laws, regulations and financial reporting considerations and records adjustments as appropriate. Recognition and measurement of tax positions is based upon management's evaluations of current taxing authorities' examinations of the Corporation's tax returns, recent positions taken by the taxing authorities on similar transactions and the overall tax environment.
Income tax expense was $60.0 million and $58.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a description of accounting standards recently issued, but not yet adopted by the Corporation, see "Recently Issued Accounting Standards," in "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the most significant component of the Corporation's net income. The Corporation manages the risk associated with changes in interest rates through the techniques described within Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk." The following table provides a comparative average balance sheet and net interest income analysis for 2022 compared to 2021 and 2020. Interest income and yields are presented on an FTE basis using a 21% federal tax rate as well as statutory interest expense disallowances. The discussion following this table is based on these tax-equivalent amounts.
(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Interest-earning assets:
Noninterest-earning assets:
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
(1) Average balances include non-performing loans.
(2) Average balances include amortized historical cost for AFS securities; the related unrealized holding gains (losses) are included in other assets.
(3) ACL - loans relates to the ACL specifically for net loans and does not include the reserve for OBS credit exposures, which is included in other liabilities.
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Comparison of 2022 to 2021
The following table summarizes the changes in FTE interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in average balances (volumes) and changes in yields and rates:
2022 vs. 2021 Increase (decrease) due to change in
Volume Yield/Rate Net
(dollars in thousands)
Interest income on:
Interest expense on:
(1) Average balance includes non-performing loans.
Compared to 2021, FTE total interest income for 2022 increased $144.1 million, or 19.6%, primarily due to an increase of $113.2 million attributable to changes in yield, of which $102.7 million related to net loans. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased 59 bps in 2022 compared to 2021.
In 2022, interest expense increased $23.5 million compared to 2021, primarily driven by increases in rate on interest-bearing liabilities resulting in a $25.4 million increase in interest expense. The increase in interest expense attributable to rate was primarily driven by the increases in savings and money market deposits, borrowings, demand deposits and brokered deposits.
Average loans and average FTE yields, by type, are summarized in the following table:
Increase (Decrease) in Balance
Balance Yield Balance Yield $ %
(dollars in thousands)
(1) Includes average PPP loans of $0.1 billion and $1.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(2) Consists of overdrafts and net origination fees and costs.
Average loans increased $525.0 million, or 2.8%, compared to 2021. The increase was largely driven by increases in average residential mortgage loans,average commercial mortgage loans, average consumer loans and average construction loans of
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$760.5 million, $374.1 million,$112.9 million and $100.2 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases in average commercial and industrial loans of $822.7 million primarily due to the repayment of PPP loans upon forgiveness by the SBA.
Average investment securities increased $691.4 million, or 18.8%, in comparison to 2021, which contributed a $16.8 million increase in FTE interest income. The yield on investment securities increased 8 bps in comparison to 2021, resulting in a $3.0 million increase in FTE interest income.
Yield on other interest-earning assets increased 71 bps in comparison to 2021, contributing $6.8 million to FTE interest income, partially offset by a decrease in the average balance of other interest-earning assets of $1.2 billion, contributing a $3.3 million decrease to FTE interest income.
Average deposits and interest rates, by type, are summarized in the following table:
Increase (Decrease) in Balance
Balance Rate Balance Rate $ %
(dollars in thousands)
The cost of interest-bearing deposits increased 10 bps, to 0.31%, from 0.21% in 2021, due to an increase in rates. The rate on total demand deposits and savings and money market deposits increased to 0.13%, compared to 0.04% for 2021. Average interest-bearing demand deposits and average time deposits decreased $385.5 million and $321.6 million, respectively, during 2022. Average noninterest-bearing demand deposits and average savings and money market deposits increased $311.2 million and $151.2 million, respectively, during 2022 compared to 2021.
Average borrowings and interest rates, by type, are summarized in the following table:
Increase (Decrease) inBalance
Balance Rate Balance Rate $ %
(dollars in thousands)
Borrowings:
(1) Includes repurchase agreements, short-term promissory notes and capital leases.
Total average borrowings increased $60.4 million, or 4.7%, and the total borrowings rate increased 60 bps, to 2.89%, compared to 2021. Borrowings increased primarily as a result of the decrease in deposits. Short-term Federal funds purchased and Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $91.1 million and $67.6 million, respectively. Senior debt and subordinated debt decreased $93.0 million primarily due to the $65.0 million repayment of senior notes on March 16, 2022 and the redemption of $17.0 million of TruPS in September 2022. See Note 10 "Borrowings" of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.
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Non-Interest Income and Expense
Non-Interest Income
The following table presents the components of non-interest income:
Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial banking:
Consumer banking:
Mortgage banking:
Excluding net investment securities gains, non-interest income decreased $13.1 million, or 5.4%, in 2022, as compared to 2021. The primary contributors to this net decrease were as follows:
•Mortgage banking income decreased $19.4 million, or 57.7%, compared to 2021, mainly due to reduced gains on sales of mortgage loans.
•Other non-interest income decreased $5.8 million, or 28.1%, compared to 2021, primarily due to a decline in income from equity method investments.
•Total commercial banking income increased $7.1 million, or 10.3%, compared to 2021, driven mainly by increases in commercial customer swap fees reflected in capital markets, cash management fees and merchant and card revenues.
•Total consumer banking income increased $4.0 million, or 8.7%, compared to 2021, driven primarily by increases in overdraft fees and card income.
•Investment securities gains decreased $33.5 million, primarily due to the sale of Visa Shares, as part of the balance sheet restructuring undertaken in 2021.
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Non-Interest Expense
The following table presents the components of non-interest expense:
Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)
Non-interest expense increased $15.9 million, or 2.6% compared to 2021. Non-interest expense, excluding merger-related expenses of $10.3 million, was $623.4 million, an increase of $5.6 million, or 0.9% compared to non-interest expenses of $617.8 million in 2021. Excluding merger-related expenses, the increase in non-interest expense compared to 2021 was primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits of $27.7 million, attributable to higher employee base salaries of $20.2 million and deferred loan origination expense of $14.3 million, partially offset by lower commissions expense of $8.8 million. Increases in data processing and software expenses, other outside services and net occupancy expense in 2022 of $3.8 million, $3.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, also contributed to the increase in non-interest expenses compared to 2021. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $33.2 million in debt extinguishment expense in 2021.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2022 was $60.0 million, a $1.3 million increase compared to 2021. The ETR was 17.3% in 2022 compared to 17.6% in 2021. The increase in income tax expense resulted primarily from higher income before income taxes. The ETR is generally lower than the federal statutory rate of 21% due to tax-exempt interest income earned on loans, investments in tax-free municipal securities and TCIs that generate tax credits under various federal programs.
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Comparison of 2021 to 2020
The following table summarizes the changes in FTE interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in average balances (volumes) and changes in yields and rates:
2021 vs. 2020 Increase (decrease) due to change in
Volume Yield/Rate Net
(dollars in thousands)
Interest income on:
Interest expense on:
(1) Average balance includes non-performing loans.
Note: Changes which are partially attributable to both volume and rate are allocated to the volume and rate components presented above based on the percentage of the direct changes that are attributable to each component.
FTE net interest income increased $34.5 million, or 5.4%, to $676.0 million in 2021. Net interest margin decreased 8 bps to 2.78% in 2021 from 2.86% in 2020. As summarized above, FTE interest income decreased $53.6 million as the result of a 34 bps decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets, and increased $34.1 million as the result of a $1.9 billion, or 8.4%, increase in average interest-earning assets, primarily in investments and loans. The yield on the loan portfolio decreased 17 bps, to 3.46%, largely due to decreases in the Fed Funds Rate in 2020 and corresponding decreases to loan index rates. At that time all variable and certain adjustable rate loans repriced to lower rates as a result of these interest rate decreases, and yields on new loan originations were lower than the yield on the loan portfolio. Adjustable rate loans reprice on dates specified in the loan agreements, which may be later than the date the Fed Funds Rate and related loan index rates increase or decrease. Therefore, the benefit of increases or the reverse effect of decreases in index rates on adjustable rate loans may not be fully realized until future periods.
Interest expense decreased $54.0 million, with a 34 bps decrease in the rate on average interest-bearing liabilities contributing $30.6 million to this decrease. In addition, a shift into lower-cost demand deposits and savings and money market deposits, which increased $1.5 billion collectively, combined with a decrease in higher-cost time deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings of $1.4 billion, were the primary drivers for the $23.4 million reduction in interest expense in 2021 compared to 2020.
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Average loans and average FTE yields, by type, are summarized in the following table:
Increase (Decrease) in Balance
Balance Yield Balance Yield $ %
(dollars in thousands)
(1) Includes average PPP loans of $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2) Consists of overdrafts and net origination fees and costs.
Average loans increased $357.4 million, or 2.0%, which contributed $12.9 million to the increase in FTE interest income. The increase was driven largely by growth in residential mortgage loans and commercial mortgage loans, partially offset by a decrease in commercial and industrial loans, primarily due to a decrease in PPP loans. The yield on average loans decreased 17 bps resulting in a decrease in FTE interest income of $31.2 million.
Average investment securities increased $665.8 million, or 22.1%, in comparison to 2020, which contributed a $19.1 million increase in FTE interest income, offset by a decrease of 47 bps in yield on average investment securities, resulting in a $17.5 million decrease in FTE interest income. Average other interest-earning assets increased $894.2 million, contributing $2.9 million to FTE interest income. The yield on other interest-earning assets decreased 31 bps in comparison to 2020, as a result of the Fed Funds Rate decrease during 2020, resulting in a $4.7 million decrease in FTE interest income.
Average deposits and interest rates, by type, are summarized in the following table:
Increase (Decrease) in Balance
Balance Rate Balance Rate $ %
(dollars in thousands)
The cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased 30 bps to 0.21% from 0.51% in 2020, resulting in a $34.4 million decrease in interest expense compared to 2020. These rates do not include the impact of non-interest bearing deposits, which lowered cost of total deposits to 0.14% and 0.36% in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in deposit cost was primarily the result of reductions in deposit rates resulting from decreases in the Fed Funds Rate. The majority of the deposit rates are discretionary, with the exception of indexed municipal deposit balances. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased $826.6 million, or 6.0%, in comparison to 2020.
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Average borrowings and interest rates, by type, are summarized in the following table:
Balance Rate Balance Rate $ %
(dollars in thousands)
Borrowings:
(1) Includes repurchase agreements, short-term promissory notes and capital leases.
Total average borrowings in 2021 decreased $766.9 million, or 37.1%, due to a balance sheet restructuring, while the total borrowings rate increased 18 bps to 2.29% compared to 2020. Average Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $430.9 million, or 77.3%, and average other borrowings decreased $231.8 million or 31.1% compared to 2020.
Non-Interest Income
The following table presents the components of non-interest income:
Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial banking:
Consumer banking:
Mortgage banking:
Excluding net investment securities gains, non-interest income increased $13.9 million, or 6.1%, in 2021 compared to 2020.
Total commercial banking income in 2021 decreased $1.6 million, or 2.3%, compared to 2020, driven mainly by a decrease in commercial customer swap fees reflected in capital markets.
Total consumer banking increased $3.9 million, or 9.5%, compared to 2020, driven primarily by higher card fee income.
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Wealth management revenues increased $12.7 million, or 21.6%, resulting primarily from an increase in client asset levels and improved overall market performance.
Mortgage banking income decreased $8.7 million, or 20.6%, mainly due to reduced gains on sales of mortgage loans, partially offset by an increase in mortgage servicing income.
Investment securities gains increased $30.5 million, primarily due to the sale of Visa Shares as part of the balance sheet restructuring undertaken in 2021.
Non-Interest Expense
The following table presents the components of non-interest expense:
Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)
Non-interest expense increased $38.4 million, or 6.6% in 2021. Non-interest expense, excluding debt extinguishment costs of $33.2 million, was $584.6 million, an increase of $21.3 million, or 3.8%, compared to non-interest expenses of $563.2 million in 2020, which excludes expenses associated with cost savings initiatives of $16.2 million. Excluding the net decrease in severance costs of $5.9 million, the increase in non-interest expense over 2020 was primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits of $10.6 million, attributable to a $12.7 million increase in incentive compensation and bonuses. Also contributing to the increase in non-interest expense in 2021 were $8.4 million in data processing and software and $2.8 million in other outside services expense, partially offset by a $3.2 million decrease in professional fees.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2021 was $58.7 million, a $34.6 million increase compared to 2020. The ETR was 17.6% in 2021, as compared to 12.0% in 2020. The increase in income tax expense and the ETR resulted primarily from higher income before income taxes. The ETR is generally lower than the federal statutory rate of 21% due to tax-exempt interest income earned on loans, investments in tax-free municipal securities and TCIs that generate tax credits under various federal programs.
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FINANCIAL CONDITION
The table below presents condensed consolidated ending balance sheets.
December 31 Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)
Assets
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Investment Securities
The following table presents the carrying amount of investment securities as of December 31:
(dollars in thousands)
Available for Sale
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities 1,008 —
Auction rate securities — 74,667
Held to Maturity
Total AFS securities decreased $540.6 million, or 17.0%, to $2,646.8 million at December 31, 2022, primarily due to decreases in commercial mortgage backed securities, state and municipal securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and auction rate
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securities of $418.6 million, $83.0 million, $75.3 million and $74.7 million, respectively, partially offset by an increase in U.S. Government securities of $90.9 million.
Total HTM securities increased $340.9 million, or 34.8%, due to increases in commercial mortgage-backed securities and residential mortgage-backed securities of $288.5 million and $52.4 million, respectively.
Loans
The following table presents ending loans outstanding, by type, as of the dates shown, and the changes in balances for the most recent year:
December 31
(dollars in thousands)
(1) Includes PPP loans totaling $20.4 million, $301.3 million and $1,581.7 million as of December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Net loans increased $1,954.2 million, or 10.7%, as of December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021, primarily due to increases in residential mortgage loans, commercial mortgage loans, commercial and industrial loans and consumer loans of $890.5 million, $414.8 million, $269.2 million and $234.5 million, respectively.
The Corporation does not have a significant concentration of credit risk with any single borrower, industry or geographic location within its footprint. As of December 31, 2022, approximately $9.0 billion, or 44.1%, of the loan portfolio was comprised of commercial mortgage loans and construction loans. The Corporation's policies limit the maximum total lending commitment to an individual borrower to $100.0 million as of December 31, 2022. In addition, the Corporation has established lower total lending limits for certain types of lending commitments and lower total lending limits based on the Corporation's internal risk rating of an individual borrower at the time the lending commitment is approved.
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The following table summarizes the industry concentrations within the commercial mortgage and the commercial and industrial loan portfolios (excluding PPP loans) as of December 31:
Manufacturing 6.8 5.1
Other services (3) 4.7 5.0
Hospitality and food services 3.6 3.7
Wholesale trade 3.1 2.8
Educational services 2.8 2.7
Arts, entertainment and recreation 2.0 2.3
Professional, scientific and technical services 1.8 1.8
Transportation and warehousing 1.3 1.3
Public administration 1.2 1.5
Administrative and Support 1.1 0.6
Finance and Insurance 0.9 1.4
(1) Includes commercial loans to borrowers engaged in the business of: renting, leasing or managing real estate for others; selling and/or buying real estate for others; and appraising real estate.
(2) Includes commercial loans to borrowers engaged in the construction industry.
(3) Excludes public administration.
The following table presents the changes in non-accrual loans for the years ended December 31:
(dollars in thousands)
Transfers to OREO — — — — (274) — (274)
Non-accrual loans increased $0.8 million, or 0.5%, in 2022. Non-accrual loans as a percentage of net loans decreased to 0.71% at December 31, 2022, compared to 0.78% at December 31, 2021.
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The following table presents non-performing assets as of the dates shown:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
(1) The amount of interest income on non-accrual loans that was recognized in 2022 was approximately $2.2 million.
(2) Accrual of interest is generally discontinued when a loan becomes 90 days past due. In certain cases a loan may be placed on non-accrual status prior to being 90 days delinquent if there is an indication that the borrower is having difficulty making payments or the Corporation believes it is probable that all amounts will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the agreement. When interest accruals are discontinued, unpaid interest previously credited to income is reversed. Non-accrual loans may be restored to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest has been paid currently for six consecutive months or the loan is considered to be adequately secured and in the process of collection. Certain loans, primarily adequately collateralized residential mortgage loans, may continue to accrue interest after reaching 90 days past due.
(3) Excluded from non-performing assets as of December 31, 2022, were $29.6 million of loans modified under TDRs. These loans continue to accrue interest and are, therefore, not included in non-accrual loans.
(4) Excludes $6.0 million of residential mortgage properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process as of December 31, 2022.
The following table presents non-performing loans, by type, as of the dates shown:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Non-performing loans to total loans 0.85 % 0.83 % 0.78 %
The following table presents TDRs as of the dates shown:
December 31,
(dollars in thousands)
Consumer — 5 —
(1) Included within non-accrual loans in the preceding table.
The decrease in TDRs in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in non-accrual TDRs.
The decrease in TDRs in 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans, and commercial and industrial loans, partially offset by an increase in non-accrual TDRs.
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Total TDRs modified during 2022 and still outstanding as of December 31, 2022, were $1.6 million. Of these loans, $0.7 million, or 40.5%, had a payment default during 2022, which the Corporation defines as a single missed scheduled payment subsequent to modification. TDRs modified during 2021 and still outstanding as of December 31, 2021 totaled $33.5 million. Of these loans, $15.5 million, or 46.4%, had a payment default during 2021, which the Corporation defines as a single missed scheduled payment, subsequent to modification.
The following table summarizes OREO, by property type, as of December 31:
(dollars in thousands)
As noted under the heading "Critical Accounting Policies" within Management's Discussion, the Corporation's ability to identify potential problem loans in a timely manner is key to maintaining an adequate ACL. For commercial loans, commercial mortgage loans and construction loans to commercial borrowers, an internal risk rating process is used to monitor credit quality. For a complete description of the Corporation's risk ratings, refer to the "Allowance for Credit Losses" section within "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." The evaluation of credit risk for residential mortgages, home equity loans, construction loans to individuals, consumer loans and equipment lease financing is based on aggregate payment history through the monitoring of delinquency levels and trends.
Total internally risk rated loans were $13.2 billion and $12.4 billion as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The following table presents criticized and classified loans, or those with internal risk ratings of special mention (1) or substandard or lower (2) for commercial mortgage loans, commercial and industrial loans and construction loans to commercial borrowers, by class segment, as of December 31:
(dollars in thousands)
(1) Considered "criticized" loans by banking regulators
(2) Considered "classified" loans by banking regulators
(3) Excludes construction - other
As of December 31, 2022, total loans with risk ratings of special mention decreased by $126.6 million, or 21.5%, and total loans with a risk rating of substandard or lower decreased by $199.5 million, or 40.7%, resulting in an overall decrease in total criticized loans of $326.0 million, or 30.2%, compared to 2021.
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The following table presents, by class segment, a summary of delinquency status and rates, as a percentage of total
loans that do not have internal risk ratings as of December 31:
Delinquent(1) Non-performing(2) Total
$ % $ % $ % $ % $ % $ %
(dollars in thousands)
(1) Includes all accruing loans 30 days to 89 days past due.
(2) Includes all accruing loans 90 days or more past due and all non-accrual loans and leases.
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Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses
The Corporation accounts for the credit risk associated with lending activities through the ACL and the provision for credit losses.
A summary of the Corporation's activity in ACL - loans is shown below:
(dollars in thousands)
CECL Day 1 provision expense 7,954 — —
Initial purchased credit deteriorated loans 1,135 — —
Impact of adopting CECL on January 1, 2020 — — 45,724
Loans charged off:
Consumer and real estate - home equity (4,412) (3,309) (4,593)
Real estate – residential mortgage (66) (1,290) (620)
Real estate – construction — (39) (17)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
Real estate – residential mortgage 425 375 491
Equipment lease financing and other 759 953 605
Provision for OBS credit exposures $ 1,411 $ 160 $ (840)
Selected Asset Quality Ratios %:
Net charge-offs to average loans 0.04 % 0.07 % 0.05 %
Non-performing assets(2) to total assets 0.66 0.60 0.58
Non-accrual loans to total net loans 0.71 0.78 0.72
ACL - loans to non-performing loans 157 164 189
(1) Reserve for OBS credit exposures is recorded within other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. See "Note 5 - Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." additional information.
(2) Includes accruing loans past due 90 days or more.
Excluding the CECL Day 1 Provision of $8.0 million for the acquired Prudential Bancorp loan portfolio, the provision for credit losses increased $33.4 million in comparison to 2021. The increase in the provision for credit losses was primarily driven by loan growth and changes to the macroeconomic outlook. See "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information.
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The following table summarizes the allocation of the ACL - loans:
(dollars in thousands)
(1) Ending loan balances as a % of total loans for the years presented.
Management believes that the $269.4 million ACL - loans as of December 31, 2022, was sufficient to cover expected losses in the loan portfolio. See additional disclosures in "Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," and "Note 5 - Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses," in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data;" and "Critical Accounting Policies" above.
Other Assets
Other assets increased $252.2 million, or 25.1%, to $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to increases in deferred Federal income taxes, cash surrender value of life insurance and equity method investments of $117.8 million, $92.2 million and $15.2 million, respectively.
Deposits and Borrowings
The following table presents ending deposits, by type, as of December 31:
Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)
Compared to 2021, total deposits decreased by $924.0 million, or 4.3%, primarily due to decreases in interest-bearing demand deposits, noninterest-bearing demand deposits and time deposits of $408.6 million, $364.6 million and $138.3 million, respectively.
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The following table presents ending borrowings, by type, as of December 31:
Increase (Decrease)
(dollars in thousands)
(1)Includes short-term promissory notes.
Total borrowings increased $1,833.1 million in 2022 compared to 2021, as a result of increases in FHLB advances of $1,250.0 million, customer repurchases of $472.9 million presented in other borrowings and Federal funds purchased of $191.0 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in senior debt and subordinated debt of $80.8 million.
The increase in total borrowings during 2022 is reflective of the decrease in total deposit funding and the increase in net loans.
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities increased $355.9 million, or 76.5%, to $821.0 million as of December 31, 2022, primarily as the result of a $360.8 million increase in derivative related liabilities.
Shareholders' Equity
Total shareholders' equity decreased $132.9 million, or 4.9%, to $2,579.8 million, or 9.6% of total assets, as of December 31, 2022. The decrease was due primarily to an increase in accumulated comprehensive loss of $412.9 million, partially offset by increases of $168.4 million from retained earnings and $87.9 million from treasury stock, primarily driven by the reissuance of treasury shares in connection with the Merger. See "Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for details of accumulated comprehensive loss.
The Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary bank, Fulton Bank, are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by the FRB and OCC. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain actions by these regulators that could have a material effect on the Corporation's financial statements. The regulations require that banks and bank holding companies maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total, Tier I and Common Equity Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined in the regulations), and Tier I capital to average assets (as defined in the regulations).
The following table summarizes the Corporation's capital ratios in comparison to regulatory requirements at December 31:
Total Risk-Based Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) 13.6% 14.1% 8.0% 10.5%
Tier I Risk-Based Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) 10.9% 10.9% 6.0% 8.5%
Common Equity Tier I (to Risk-Weighted Assets) 10.0% 9.9% 4.5% 7.0%
Tier I Leverage Capital (to Average Assets) 9.5% 8.6% 4.0% 4.0%
In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board approved the Basel III Rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations and implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's December 2010 framework for strengthening international capital standards. The Basel III Rules substantially revised the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and depository institutions.
The Basel III Rules require the Corporation and Fulton Bank to:
•Meet a minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.50% of risk-weighted assets and a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.00% of risk-weighted assets;
•Continue to require a minimum Total capital ratio of 8.00% of risk-weighted assets and a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 4.00% of average assets; and
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•Comply with a revised definition of capital to improve the ability of regulatory capital instruments to absorb losses as a result of which certain non-qualifying capital instruments, including cumulative preferred stock and TruPS, will be excluded as a component of Tier 1 capital for institutions of the Corporation's size.
As of January 1, 2019, the Corporation and Fulton Bank were also required to maintain a "capital conservation buffer" of 2.50% above the minimum risk-based capital requirements, which must be maintained to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments.
The Basel III Rules use a standardized approach for risk weightings that expand the risk-weightings for assets and off-balance sheet exposures from the previous 0%, 20%, 50% and 100% categories to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets and off-balance sheet exposures, resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset categories.
As of December 31, 2022, Fulton Bank was well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action based on its capital ratio calculations. To be categorized as well capitalized, Fulton Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, Common Equity Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table above. There are no conditions or events since December 31, 2022 that management believes have changed Fulton Bank's categories. See "Note 12 - Regulatory Matters," in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Corporation has various financial obligations that require future cash payments. These obligations include payments for liabilities recorded on the Corporation's consolidated balance sheets as well as contractual obligations for purchased services.
Contractual purchase obligations to third parties that were fixed and determinable of $93 million and $96 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, include information technology, telecommunication and data processing outsourcing contracts.
The Corporation is a party to financial instruments with OBS risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk that are not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the financial or performance obligation of a customer to a third party. Commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to facilitate foreign or domestic trade transactions for customers. Commitments and standby and commercial letters of credit do not necessarily represent future cash needs, as they may expire without being drawn.
The following table presents the Corporation's commitments to extend credit and letters of credit as of December 31, 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Commercial and industrial $ 4,832,858
Real estate - commercial mortgage and real estate - construction 1,972,505
Total commitments to extend credit $ 8,695,621
Standby letters of credit $ 260,829
Commercial letters of credit 49,288
Total letters of credit $ 310,117
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risk is the exposure to economic loss that arises from changes in the values of certain financial instruments. The types of market risk exposures generally faced by financial institutions include interest rate risk, equity market price risk, debt security market price risk, foreign currency price risk and commodity price risk. Due to the nature of its operations, foreign currency price risk and commodity price risk are not significant to the Corporation.
Interest Rate Risk, Asset/Liability Management and Liquidity
Interest rate risk creates exposure in two primary areas. First, changes in rates have an impact on the Corporation's liquidity position and could affect its ability to meet obligations and continue to grow. Second, movements in interest rates can create fluctuations in the Corporation's net interest income and changes in the economic value of its equity.
The Corporation employs various management techniques to minimize its exposure to interest rate risk. The Corporation's ALCO is responsible for reviewing the interest rate sensitivity and liquidity positions of the Corporation, approving asset and liability management policies, and overseeing the formulation and implementation of strategies regarding balance sheet positions.
The Corporation uses two complementary methods to measure and manage interest rate risk. They are simulation of net interest income and estimates of economic value of equity. Using these measurements in tandem provides a reasonably comprehensive summary of the magnitude of the Corporation's interest rate risk, level of risk as time evolves, and exposure to changes in interest rates.
Simulation of net interest income is performed for the next 12-month period. A variety of interest rate scenarios are used to measure the effects of sudden and gradual movements upward and downward in the yield curve. These results are compared to the results obtained in a flat or unchanged interest rate scenario. Simulation of net interest income is used primarily to measure the Corporation's short-term earnings exposure to rate movements. The Corporation's policy limits the potential exposure of net interest income, in a non-parallel instantaneous shock, to 10% of the base case net interest income for a 100 bps shock in interest rates, 15% for a 200 bps shock, 20% for a 300 bps shock and 25% for a 400 bps shock. A "shock" is an immediate upward or downward movement of interest rates. The shocks do not take into account changes in customer behavior that could result in changes to mix and/or volumes in the balance sheet, nor does it take into account the potential effects of competition on the pricing of deposits and loans over the forward 12-month period.
Contractual maturities and repricing opportunities of loans are incorporated in the simulation model as are prepayment assumptions, maturity data and call options within the investment portfolio. Assumptions based on past experience are incorporated into the model for non-maturity deposit accounts. The assumptions used are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure future net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from the model's simulated results due to timing, amount and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies.
The following table summarizes the expected impact of abrupt interest rate changes, i.e. a non-parallel instantaneous shock, on net interest income as of December 31, 2022 (due to the current level of interest rates, the 300 basis point downward shock scenario is not shown):
(1) These results include the effect of implicit and explicit interest rate floors that limit further reduction in interest rates.
Economic value of equity estimates the discounted present value of asset and liability cash flows. Discount rates are based upon market prices for like assets and liabilities. Abrupt changes or "shocks" in interest rates, both upward and downward, are used
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to determine the comparative effect of such interest rate movements relative to the unchanged environment. This measurement tool is used primarily to evaluate the longer-term repricing risks and options in the Corporation's balance sheet. The Corporation's policy limits the economic value of equity that may be at risk, in a non-parallel instantaneous shock, to 10% of the base case economic value of equity for a 100 bps shock in interest rates, 20% for a 200 bps shock, 30% for a 300 bps shock and 40% for a 400 bps shock. As of December 31, 2022, the Corporation was within economic value of equity policy limits for every 100 bps shock.
Interest Rate Derivatives
The Corporation enters into interest rate derivatives with certain qualifying commercial loan customers to meet their interest rate risk management needs. The Corporation simultaneously enters into interest rate derivatives with dealer counterparties, with identical notional amounts and terms. The net result of these interest rate derivatives is that the customer pays a fixed rate of interest and the Corporation receives a floating rate. These interest rate derivatives are derivative financial instruments, and the gross fair values are recorded in other assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, with changes in fair value during the period recorded in other non-interest expense on the consolidated statements of income.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Corporation's objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to reduce volatility in net interest income and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Corporation primarily uses interest rate derivatives as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The Corporation enters into interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing floating rate loans. These hedge contracts involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Corporation making floating-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in AOCI and subsequently reclassified into interest income in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income as interest payments are made on the Corporation's variable-rate liabilities.
In January 2023, the Corporation terminated interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges with a combined notional amount of $1.0 billion. As the hedged transaction continues to be probable, the unrealized losses that have been recorded in AOCI will be recognized as reduction to interest income when the previously forecasted hedged item affects earnings in future periods.
Liquidity
The Corporation must maintain a sufficient level of liquid assets to meet the cash needs of its customers, who, as depositors, may want to withdraw funds or who, as borrowers, need credit availability. Liquidity is provided on a continuous basis through scheduled and unscheduled principal and interest payments on investments and outstanding loans and through the availability of deposits and borrowings. The Corporation also maintains secondary sources that provide liquidity on a secured and unsecured basis to meet short- and long-term needs.
The Corporation maintains liquidity sources in the form of interest-bearing deposits and customer funding (short-term promissory notes). The Corporation can access additional liquidity from these sources, if necessary, by increasing the rates of interest paid on those instruments. The positive impact to liquidity resulting from paying higher interest rates could have a detrimental impact on the net interest margin and net interest income if rates on interest-earning assets do not experience a proportionate increase. Borrowing availability with the FHLB and the FRB, along with federal funds lines at various correspondent banks, provides the Corporation with additional liquidity.
Fulton Bank is a member of the FHLB and has access to FHLB overnight and term credit facilities. As of December 31, 2022,
the Bank had total borrowing capacity of approximately $7.7 billion with $3.1 billion of advances and letters of credit outstanding, for a remaining available borrowing capacity of approximately $4.6 billion. Advances from the FHLB, when utilized, are secured by qualifying commercial real estate and residential mortgage loans, investments and other assets.
As of December 31, 2022, the Corporation had aggregate availability under federal funds lines of $2.3 billion, with $0.2 billion of outstanding borrowings against that amount. A combination of commercial real estate loans, commercial loans, consumer loans and securities are pledged to the FRB of Philadelphia to provide access to FRB discount window borrowings. As of
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December 31, 2022, the Corporation had $1.3 billion of collateralized borrowing availability at the discount window, and no outstanding borrowings.
The Corporation has commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. As of December 31, 2022, the balance of commitments to extend credit was $8,695.6 million and total letters of credit were $310.1 million.
Liquidity must also be managed at the Corporation's parent company level. For safety and soundness reasons, banking regulations limit the amount of cash that can be transferred from subsidiary banks to the parent company in the form of loans and dividends. Generally, these limitations are based on the subsidiary banks' regulatory capital levels and their net income. See "Note 12 - Regulatory Matters - Dividend and Loan Limitations" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information concerning limitations on the dividends that may be paid to the Corporation, and loans that may be granted to the Corporation. Management continues to monitor the liquidity and capital needs of the parent company and will implement appropriate strategies, as necessary, to remain adequately capitalized and to meet its cash needs.
The Corporation's sources and uses of funds were discussed in general terms in the "Net Interest Income" section of Management's Discussion and Analysis. The consolidated statements of cash flows provide additional information. The Corporation's operating activities during 2022 generated $598.3 million of cash, mainly due to net income of $287.0 million and an increase in other liabilities presented in other changes, net. Cash used in investing activities was $1,539.1 million, primarily due to $1,407.3 million net increase in loans. Net cash used in financing activities was $15.9 million, due primarily to the decreases in deposits and dividend payments, partially offset by an increase in borrowings.
The following table presents the expected maturities of government and corporate AFS investment securities, at estimated fair value, as of December 31, 2022 and the weighted average yields on such securities (calculated based on historical cost):
Maturing
Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield
Available for sale (dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government sponsored agency securities — — 1,008 — — — — —
(1) Weighted average yields on tax-exempt securities have been computed on a FTE basis assuming a federal tax rate of 21% and statutory interest expense disallowances.
The Corporation's investment portfolio consists mainly of state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations have stated maturities that may differ from actual maturities due to borrowers' ability to prepay obligations. Cash flows from such investments are dependent upon the performance of the underlying mortgage loans and are generally influenced by the level of interest rates. As rates increase, cash flows generally decrease as prepayments on the underlying mortgage loans decrease. As rates decrease, cash flows generally increase as prepayments increase.
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The following table presents AFS mortgage-backed investment securities, at estimated fair value, and HTM mortgage-backed investment securities, at amortized cost, as of December 31, 2022, without stated maturities, including the weighted average yields and estimated weighted average lives based on prepayment speeds on such securities:
Weighted
Amount Yield Average Life
(dollars in thousands) (in years)
Available for sale
Held to maturity
Residential mortgage-backed securities $ 457,325 2.00 % 8.9
The following table presents the contractual maturities of fixed rate loans and loan types subject to changes in interest rates as of December 31, 2022:
One Yearor Less OneThroughFive Years More ThanFive Years Total
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial:
Real estate – mortgage(1):
Real estate – construction:
Consumer, lease financing and other:
(1) Includes commercial and residential mortgages and home equity loans.
Contractual maturities of time deposits as of December 31, 2022 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year
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Contractual maturities of outstanding uninsured time deposits included in the table above, as of December 31, 2022, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Three months or less $ 54,013
Over three through six months 24,351
Over six through twelve months 61,441
Total uninsured deposits were estimated to be $7.0 billion at December 31, 2022 compared with $7.8 billion at December 31, 2021.
Debt Security Market Price Risk
Debt security market price risk is the risk that changes in the values of debt securities, unrelated to interest rate changes, could have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Corporation. The Corporation's debt security investments consist primarily of U.S. government sponsored agency issued mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, state and municipal securities and corporate debt securities. All of the Corporation's investments in mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations have principal payments that are guaranteed by U.S. government sponsored agencies.
State and Municipal Securities
As of December 31, 2022, the Corporation owned securities issued by various states and municipalities with a total fair value of $1.1 billion. Uncertainty with respect to the financial strength of state and municipal bond insurers places emphasis on the underlying strength of issuers. Pressure on local tax revenues of issuers due to adverse economic conditions could have an adverse impact on the underlying credit quality of issuers. The Corporation evaluates existing and potential holdings primarily based on the underlying creditworthiness of the issuing state or municipality and then, to a lesser extent, on any credit enhancement. State and municipal securities can be supported by the general obligation of the issuing state or municipality, allowing the securities to be repaid by any means available to the issuing state or municipality. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 100% of state and municipal securities were supported by the general obligation of corresponding states or municipalities. Approximately 74% of these securities were school district issuances, which are also supported by the states of the issuing municipalities.
Auction Rate Securities
During 2022, the Corporation sold its investments in ARCs. The fair values of the ARCs in 2021 were derived using significant unobservable inputs based on an expected cash flows model. The expected cash flows model produced fair values which assumed a return to market liquidity sometime within the next five years. All of the loans underlying the ARCs had principal payments which were guaranteed by the federal government.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except per-share data)
December 31,
ASSETS
Investment securities:
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased 191,000 —
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 1,250,000 —
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (385,476) 27,411
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per-share data)
Interest Income
Interest Expense
Non-Interest Income
Investment securities gains (losses), net (27) 33,516 3,053
Non-Interest Expense
Merger-related expenses 10,328 — —
PER SHARE:
Net income available to common shareholders (basic) $ 1.69 $ 1.63 $ 1.08
Net income available to common shareholders (diluted) 1.67 1.62 1.08
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands)
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on AFS investment securities:
Unrealized (losses) gains on interest rate derivatives used in cash flow hedges:
Defined benefit pension plan and postretirement benefits:
Unrecognized pension and postretirement income (cost) 644 7,144 (2,532)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Shares Amount Shares Amount RetainedEarnings TreasuryStock Total
Stock-based compensation awards 7,529 7,529
Other comprehensive income (loss) (37,680) (37,680)
Stock-based compensation awards 8,402 8,402
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(1) The Corporation adopted ASU 2016-13 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments on January 1, 2020. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment 30,201 28,802 28,803
Investment securities losses (gains), net 27 (33,516) (3,053)
Loss (gain) on sales of mortgage loans held for sale (8,816) (24,379) (53,599)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Sale of Visa Shares — 33,962 —
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from senior debt and subordinated debt — — 375,000
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock — — 192,878
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Supplemental Schedule of Certain Noncash Activities:
Transfer of AFS securities to HTM securities $ 479,008 $ 376,165 $ —
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business: The Corporation is a financial holding company that provides a full range of banking and financial services to businesses and consumers through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Fulton Bank. In addition, the Parent Company owns the following non-bank subsidiaries: Fulton Financial Realty Company, Central Pennsylvania Financial Corp., FFC Penn Square, Inc., Fulton Community Partner, LLC, and Fulton Insurance Services Group, Inc. Collectively, the Parent Company and its subsidiaries are referred to as the Corporation.
The Corporation's primary sources of revenue are interest income on loans, investment securities and other interest-earning assets and fee income earned on its products and services. Its expenses consist of interest expense on deposits and borrowed funds, provision for credit losses, other operating expenses and income taxes. The Corporation's primary competition is other financial services providers operating in its region. Competitors also include financial services providers located outside the Corporation's geographic market as a result of the growth in electronic delivery channels. The Corporation is subject to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by such regulatory agencies.
The Corporation offers, through its banking subsidiary, a full range of retail and commercial banking services in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. Industry diversity is the key to the economic well-being of these markets, and the Corporation is not dependent upon any single customer or industry.
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP and include the accounts of the Parent Company and all wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosed amount of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Corporation evaluates subsequent events through the date of the filing of this report with the SEC.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash: Cash and cash equivalents consists of cash and due from banks and interest bearing deposits with other banks, which includes restricted cash. Restricted cash comprises cash balances required to be maintained with the FRB, based on customer transaction deposit account levels, and cash balances provided as collateral on derivative contracts and other contracts. See Note 3, "Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents" for additional information.
FRB and FHLBStock: The Bank is a member of the FRB and FHLB and is required by federal law to hold stock in these institutions according to predetermined formulas. These restricted investments are carried at cost on the consolidated balance sheets and are periodically evaluated for impairment.
Investments: Debt securities are classified as HTM at the time of purchase when the Corporation has both the intent and ability to hold these investments until they mature. Such debt securities are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective yield method. The Corporation does not engage in trading activities; however, since the investment portfolio serves as a source of liquidity, most debt securities are classified as AFS. AFS securities are carried at estimated fair value with the related unrealized holding gains and losses reported in shareholders' equity as a component of OCI, net of tax. Realized securities gains and losses are computed using the specific identification method and are recorded on a trade date basis.
HTM Debt Securities:Expected credit losses on HTM debt securities would be recorded in the ACL on HTM debt securities. As of December 31, 2022, no HTM debt securities required an ACL as these investments consist solely of Agency guaranteed residential mortgage-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
AFS Debt Securities: The Bank's AFS debt securities are investment grade. In evaluating credit losses on debt securities, management considers factors such as the credit quality of the investment counterparty, the credit rating of the security, and the delinquency history of the security. As of December 31, 2022, no AFS debt securities required an ACL.
Fair Value Option: The Corporation has elected to measure mortgage loans held for sale at fair value. Derivative financial instruments related to mortgage banking activities are also recorded at fair value, as detailed under the heading "Derivative Financial Instruments," below. The Corporation determines fair value for its mortgage loans held for sale based on the price that secondary market investors would pay for loans with similar characteristics, including interest rate and term, as of the date fair value is measured. Changes in fair values during the period are recorded as components of mortgage banking income on the
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consolidated statements of income. Interest income earned on mortgage loans held for sale is classified in interest income on the consolidated statements of income.
Loans: Loans are stated at their principal amount outstanding, except for mortgage loans held for sale, which are carried at fair value. Interest income on loans is accrued as earned.
In general, loans are placed on non-accrual status once they become 90 days delinquent as to principal or interest. In certain cases a loan may be placed on non-accrual status prior to being 90 days delinquent if there is an indication that the borrower is having difficulty making payments, or the Corporation believes it is probable that all amounts will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When interest accruals are discontinued, unpaid interest previously credited to income is reversed. Non-accrual loans may be restored to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest has been paid currently for six consecutive months or the loan is considered secured and in the process of collection. The Corporation generally applies payments received on non-accruing loans to principal until such time as the principal is paid off, after which time any payments received are recognized as interest income. If the Corporation believes that all amounts outstanding on a non-accrual loan will ultimately be collected, payments received subsequent to its classification as a non-accrual loan are allocated between interest income and principal.
A loan that is 90 days delinquent may continue to accrue interest if the loan is both adequately secured and is in the process of collection. Past due status is determined based on contractual due dates for loan payments. An adequately secured loan is one that has collateral with a supported fair value that is sufficient to discharge the debt, and/or has an enforceable guarantee from a financially responsible party. A loan is considered to be in the process of collection if collection is proceeding through legal action or through other activities that are reasonably expected to result in repayment of the debt or restoration to current status in the near future.
Loans deemed to be a loss are written off through a charge against the ACL. Closed-end consumer loans are generally charged- off when they become 120 days past due (180 days for open-end consumer loans) if they are not adequately secured by real
estate. All other loans are evaluated for possible charge-off when it is probable that the balance will not be collected, based on the ability of the borrower to pay and the value of the underlying collateral, if any. Principal recoveries of loans previously charged-off are recorded as increases to the ACL.
Loan Origination Fees and Costs: Loan origination fees and the related direct origination costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to interest income using the effective yield method. For mortgage loans sold, net loan origination fees and costs are included in the gain or loss on sale of the related loan, as components of mortgage banking.
Troubled Debt Restructurings: Loans are accounted for and reported as TDRs when, for economic or legal reasons, the Corporation grants a concession to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty that it would not otherwise consider. Concessions, whether negotiated or imposed by bankruptcy, granted under a TDR typically involve a temporary deferral of scheduled loan payments, an extension of a loan's stated maturity date or a reduction in the interest rate. Non-accrual TDRs can be restored to accrual status if principal and interest payments, under the modified terms, are current for six consecutive months after modification.
On March 27, 2020 the CARES Act was signed into law. The CARES Act includes an option for financial institutions to suspend the requirements of GAAP for certain loan modifications that would otherwise be categorized as a TDR. Certain conditions were required to be met with respect to the loan modification including that the modification is related to COVID-19 and the modified loan was not more than 30 days past due on December 31, 2019. On December 27, 2020, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law and this Act extended the relief for TDR treatment until January 1, 2022, when it expired. The Corporation applied the option under the CARES act for all loan modifications that qualified.
Allowance for Credit Losses:
CECL
The Corporation follows ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The measurement of expected credit losses under CECL is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and HTM debt securities. It also applies to OBS credit exposures, such as loan commitments, standby letters of credit, financial guarantees, and other similar instruments, and net investments in leases recognized by a lessor in accordance with ASC Topic 842.
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The Corporation has elected to exclude accrued interest receivable from the measurement of its ACL. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any outstanding accrued interest is reversed against interest income.
Loans: The ACL is an estimate of the expected losses to be realized over the life of the loans in the portfolio. The ACL is determined for two distinct categories of loans: 1) loans evaluated collectively for expected credit losses and 2) loans evaluated individually for expected credit losses.
Loans Evaluated Collectively: Loans evaluated collectively for expected credit losses include loans on accrual status and loans initially evaluated individually, but determined not to have enhanced credit risk characteristics. This category includes loans on non-accrual status where the total commitment amount is less than $1 million. The ACL is estimated by applying a PD and LGD to the EAD at the loan level. In order to determine the PD, LGD, and EAD calculation inputs:
•Loans are aggregated into pools based on similar risk characteristics.
•The PD and LGD rates are determined by historical credit loss experience for each pool of loans.
•The loan segment PD rates are estimated using six econometric regression models that use the Corporation's historical credit loss experience and incorporate reasonable and supportable economic forecasts for various macroeconomic variables that are statistically correlated with expected loss behavior in the loan segment.
•The reasonable and supportable forecast for each macroeconomic variable is sourced from an external third party and is applied over the contractual term of the Corporation's loan portfolio. The Corporation's economic forecast considers the general health of the economy, the interest rate environment, real estate pricing and market risk.
•A single baseline forecast scenario is used for each macroeconomic variable.
•The loan segment lifetime LGD rates are estimated using a loss rate approach based on the Corporation's historical charge-off experience and the balance at the time of loan default.
•The LGD rates are adjusted for the Corporation's recovery experience.
•To calculate the EAD, the Corporation estimates contractual cash flows over the remaining life of each loan. Certain cash flow assumptions are established for each loan using maturity date, amortization schedule and interest rate. In addition, a prepayment rate is used in determining the EAD estimate.
Loans Evaluated Individually: Loans evaluated individually for expected credit losses include loans on non-accrual status where the commitment amount equals or exceeds $1.0 million. The required ACL for such loans is determined using either the present value of expected future cash flows, observable market price or the fair value of collateral.
Loans evaluated individually may have specific allocations of the ACL assigned if the measured value of the loan using one of the noted techniques is less than its current carrying value. For loans measured using the fair value of collateral, if the analysis determines that sufficient collateral value would be available for repayment of the debt, then no allocations would be assigned to those loans. Collateral could be in the form of real estate or business assets, such as accounts receivable or inventory, in the case of commercial and industrial loans. Commercial and industrial loans may also be secured by real estate.
For loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through appraisals performed by third-party appraisers, discounted to arrive at expected net sale proceeds. For collateral dependent loans, estimated real estate fair values are also net of estimated selling costs. When a real estate secured loan is impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including: the age of the most recent appraisal; the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal; the condition of the property; the Corporation's experience and knowledge of the real estate market; the purpose of the loan; market factors; payment status; the strength of any guarantors; and the existence and age of other indications of value such as broker price opinions, among others. The Corporation generally obtains updated appraisals performed by third-party appraisers for impaired loans secured predominantly by real estate every 12 months.
When updated appraisals are not obtained for loans secured by real estate, fair values are estimated based on the original appraisal values, as long as the original appraisal indicated an acceptable loan-to-value position and there has not been a significant deterioration in the collateral value since the original appraisal was performed.
For loans with principal balances greater than or equal to $1.0 million secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable or inventory, estimated fair values are determined based on borrower financial statements, inventory listings, accounts receivable agings or borrowing base certificates. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets. Liquidation or collection discounts are applied to these assets based upon existing loan evaluation policies.
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Management regularly reviews loans in the portfolio to assess credit quality indicators and to determine appropriate loan classification. For commercial loans, commercial mortgages and construction loans to commercial borrowers, an internal risk rating process is used. The Corporation believes that internal risk ratings are the most relevant credit quality indicator for these types of loans. The migration of loans through the various internal risk rating categories is a significant component of the ACL methodology for these loans, which bases the PD on this migration. Assigning risk ratings involves judgment. Risk ratings may be changed based on ongoing monitoring procedures, or if specific loan review assessments identify a deterioration or an improvement in the loan.
The following is a summary of the Corporation's internal risk rating categories:
•Pass: These loans do not currently pose undue credit risk and can range from the highest to average quality, depending on the degree of potential risk.
•Special Mention: These loans have a heightened credit risk, but not to the point of justifying a classification of Substandard. Loans in this category are currently acceptable but, are nevertheless potentially weak.
•Substandard or Lower: These loans are inadequately protected by current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower. There exists a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the normal repayment of the debt.
The allocation of the ACL is reviewed to evaluate its appropriateness in relation to the overall risk profile of the loan portfolio. The Corporation considers risk factors such as: local and national economic conditions; trends in delinquencies and non-accrual loans; the diversity of borrower industry types; and the composition of the portfolio by loan type.
Qualitative and Other Adjustments to ACL: In addition to the quantitative credit loss estimates for loans evaluated collectively, qualitative factors that may not be fully captured in the quantitative results are also evaluated. These qualitative factors include changes in lending policy, the nature and volume of the portfolio, overall business conditions in the economy, credit concentrations, specific industry risks, model imprecision and legal and regulatory requirements. Qualitative adjustments are judgmental and are based on management's knowledge of the portfolio and the markets in which the Corporation operates. Qualitative adjustments are evaluated and approved on a quarterly basis. Additionally, the ACL includes other allowance categories that are not directly incorporated in the quantitative results. These categories include but are not limited to loans-in-process, trade acceptances and overdrafts.
OBS Credit Exposures:The reserve for OBS credit exposures is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets, and represents management's estimate of expected losses in its unfunded loan commitments and other OBS credit exposures. The reserve for OBS credit exposures specific to unfunded commitments is determined by estimating future draws and applying the expected loss rates on those draws. Future draws are based on historical averages of utilization rates (i.e., the likelihood of draws taken). The reserve for OBS credit exposures is increased or decreased by charges or reductions to expense, through the provision for credit losses.
Premises and Equipment: Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The provision for depreciation and amortization is generally computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which are a maximum of 50 years for buildings and improvements, 8 years for furniture and 5 years for equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life or the non-cancelable lease term.
Premises and equipment acquired in a business combination are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently carried at cost less depreciation and amortization. See Note 6, "Premises and Equipment" for additional information.
OREO: Assets acquired in settlement of mortgage loan indebtedness are recorded as OREO and are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, initially at the lower of the estimated fair value of the asset, less estimated selling costs, or the carrying amount of the loan. Costs to maintain the assets and subsequent gains and losses on sales are included in other non-interest expense on the consolidated statements of income.
MSRs: The estimated fair value of MSRs related to residential mortgage loans sold and serviced by the Corporation is recorded as an asset upon the sale of such loans. MSRs are amortized as a reduction to mortgage servicing income, included as a component of mortgage banking income on the consolidated statements of income, over the estimated lives of the underlying loans.
MSRs are stratified and evaluated for impairment by comparing each stratum's carrying amount to its estimated fair value. Fair values are determined through a discounted cash flows valuation completed by a third-party valuation expert. Significant inputs to the valuation include expected net servicing income, the discount rate and the expected lives of the underlying loans. Expected life is based on the contractual terms of the loans, as adjusted for prepayment projections. To the extent the amortized
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cost of the MSRs exceeds their estimated fair value, a valuation allowance is established through a charge against servicing income. If subsequent valuations indicate that impairment no longer exists, the valuation allowance is reduced through an increase to servicing income. See Note 8, "Mortgage Servicing Rights" for additional information.
Derivative Financial Instruments: The Corporation manages its exposure to certain interest rate and foreign currency risks through the use of derivatives. Certain of the Corporation's outstanding derivative contracts are designated as hedges, and none are entered into for speculative purposes. The Corporation enters into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even if hedge accounting does not apply or the Corporation elects not to apply hedge accounting.
The Corporation records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Corporation has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. The Corporation does not have any derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges where hedge accounting is applied, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income. For derivatives where hedge accounting does not apply, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings as components of non-interest income or non-interest expense on the consolidated statements of income.
Derivative contracts create counterparty credit risk with both the Corporation's customers and with institutional derivative counterparties. The Corporation manages counterparty credit risk through its credit approval processes, monitoring procedures and obtaining adequate collateral, when the Corporation determines it is appropriate to do so and in accordance with counterparty contracts.
For each of the derivatives, gross derivative assets and liabilities are recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. Related gains and losses on these derivative instruments are recorded in other changes, net on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Mortgage Banking Derivatives
In connection with its mortgage banking activities, the Corporation enters into commitments to originate certain fixed-rate residential mortgage loans for customers, also referred to as interest rate locks. In addition, the Corporation enters into forward commitments for the future sales or purchases of mortgage-backed securities to or from third-party counterparties to hedge the effect of changes in interest rates on the values of both the interest rate locks and mortgage loans held for sale. Forward sales commitments may also be in the form of commitments to sell individual mortgage loans at a fixed price at a future date. The amount necessary to settle each interest rate lock is based on the price that secondary market investors would pay for loans with similar characteristics, including interest rate and term, as of the date fair value is measured.
Interest Rate Derivatives - Non-Designated Hedges
The Corporation enters into interest rate derivatives with certain qualifying commercial loan customers to meet their interest rate risk management needs. The Corporation simultaneously enters into interest rate derivatives with dealer counterparties, with identical notional amounts and terms. The net result of these interest rate derivatives is that the customer pays a fixed rate of interest and the Corporation receives a floating rate. As the interest rate derivatives associated with this program do not meet hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings.
The Corporation's existing credit derivatives result from participation in interest rate derivatives provided by external lenders as part of loan participation arrangements and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Corporation's assets or liabilities.
The Corporation is required to clear all eligible interest rate derivative contracts with a clearing agent and is subject to the regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
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Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Corporation's objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to reduce volatility in net interest income and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Corporation primarily uses interest rate derivatives as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The Corporation enters into interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing floating rate loans.
For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in AOCI and subsequently reclassified into interest income in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest income as interest payments are made on the Corporation's variable-rate loans.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Corporation enters into foreign exchange contracts to accommodate the needs of its customers. Foreign exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell foreign currency on a specific date at a contractual price. The Corporation limits its foreign exchange exposure with customers by entering into contracts with institutional counterparties to mitigate its foreign exchange risk. The Corporation also holds certain amounts of Foreign Currency Nostro Accounts. The Corporation limits the total overnight net foreign currency open positions, which is defined as an aggregate of all outstanding contracts, to $500,000. See "Note 11 - Derivative Financial Instruments" for additional information.
Balance Sheet Offsetting: Certain financial assets and liabilities may be eligible for offset on the consolidated balance sheets because they are subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The Corporation has elected to net its financial assets and liabilities designated as cash flow hedges when offsetting is permitted. The Corporation has elected not to offset the remaining assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on the consolidated financial statements.
The Corporation is a party to interest rate derivatives with financial institution counterparties and customers. Under these agreements, the Corporation has the right to net-settle multiple contracts with the same counterparty in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract. Cash collateral is posted by the party with a net liability position in accordance with contract thresholds and can be used to settle the fair value of the interest rate derivatives in the event of default. A daily settlement occurs through a clearing agent for changes in the fair value of centrally cleared derivatives. Not all of the derivatives are required to be cleared through a daily clearing agent. As a result, the total fair values of interest rate derivative assets and derivative liabilities recognized on the consolidated balance sheets are not equal and offsetting.
The Corporation is also a party to foreign exchange contracts with financial institution counterparties under which the Corporation has the right to net-settle multiple contracts with the same counterparty in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract. As with interest rate derivatives, cash collateral is posted by the party with a net liability position in accordance with contract thresholds and can be used to settle the fair value of the foreign exchange contracts in the event of default.
For additional information on balance sheet offsetting, see "Note 11 - Derivative Financial Instruments."
Income Taxes: The Corporation utilizes the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, DTAs and deferred tax liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the values of the assets and liabilities as reflected in the financial statements and their related tax basis using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recovered or settled. As changes in tax law or rates are enacted, DTAs and deferred tax liabilities are adjusted through income tax expense. In assessing the realizability of DTAs, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the DTAs will not be realized. The ultimate realization of DTAs is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and tax planning strategies which will create taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the amount of taxes paid in available carryback years, projected future taxable income, and, if necessary, tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A valuation allowance is provided against DTAs unless it is more likely than not that such DTAs will be realized.
ASC Topic 740, "Income Taxes" creates a single model to address uncertainty in tax positions, and clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in an enterprise's financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits is included in other liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets.
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See Note 13, "Income Taxes" for additional information.
Stock-Based Compensation: The Corporation grants equity awards to employees, consisting of stock options, restricted stock, RSUs and PSUs under its Employee Equity Plan. In addition, employees may purchase stock under the Corporation's ESPP.
The Corporation also grants equity awards to non-employee members of its board of directors and subsidiary bank board of directors under the Directors' Plan. Under the Directors' Plan, the Corporation can grant equity awards to non-employee holding company and subsidiary bank directors in the form of stock options, restricted stock, RSUs or common stock. Recent grants of equity awards under the Directors' Plan have been limited to RSUs.
Equity awards issued under the Employee Equity Plan are generally granted annually and become fully vested over or after a three-year vesting period. The vesting period for non-performance-based awards represents the period during which employees are required to provide service in exchange for such awards. Equity awards under the Directors' Plan are generally granted annually and become fully vested after a one-year vesting period. Certain events, as defined in the Employee Equity Plan and the Directors' Plan, result in the acceleration of the vesting of equity awards. Restricted stock, RSUs and PSUs earn dividends during the vesting period, which are forfeitable if the awards do not vest.
The fair value of stock options, restricted stock and RSUs granted to employees or directors is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period for such awards. Compensation expense for PSUs is also recognized over the vesting period, however, compensation expense for PSUs may vary based on the expectations for actual performance relative to defined performance measures.
The fair value of restricted stock, RSUs and a majority of PSUs are based on the trading price of the Corporation's stock on the date of grant. The fair value of certain PSUs are estimated through the use of the Monte Carlo valuation methodology as of the date of grant. See Note 16, "Stock-Based Compensation Plans" for additional information. The Corporation has not issued stock options since 2014 and accordingly, there is no compensation expense for this instrument.
Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information: The Corporation does not have any operating segments which require disclosure of additional information.
Financial Guarantees: Financial guarantees, which consist primarily of standby and commercial letters of credit, are accounted for by recognizing a liability equal to the fair value of the guarantees and crediting the liability to income over the term of the guarantee. Fair value is estimated based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements with similar terms.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets: The Corporation accounts for its acquisitions using the purchase accounting method. Purchase accounting requires that all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including certain intangible assets that must be recognized, be recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Any purchase price exceeding the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.
Goodwill is not amortized to expense, but is evaluated for impairment at least annually. Write-downs of the balance, if necessary as a result of the impairment test, are charged to expense in the period in which goodwill is determined to be impaired. The Corporation performs its annual assessment of goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of each year. If certain events occur which indicate goodwill might be impaired between annual assessments, goodwill would be evaluated when such events occur.
Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated lives. Some intangible assets have indefinite lives and are, therefore, not amortized. All intangible assets must be evaluated for impairment if certain events occur. Any impairment write-downs are recognized as non-interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. See "Note 7 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets," for additional information.
VIEs: ASC Topic 810 provides guidance on when to consolidate certain VIEs in the financial statements of the Corporation. VIEs are entities in which equity investors do not have a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance activities without additional financial support from other parties. VIEs are assessed for consolidation under ASC Topic 810 when the Corporation holds variable interests in these entities. The Corporation consolidates VIEs when it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is determined to be the party that has the power to make decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that in either case could potentially be significant to the VIE.
The Corporation makes investments in certain community development projects, the majority of which generate tax credits under various federal programs, including TCIs. These investments are made throughout the Corporation's market area as a
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means of supporting the communities it serves. The Corporation typically acts as a limited partner or member of a limited liability company in its TCIs and does not exert control over the operating or financial policies of the partnership or limited liability company. Tax credits earned are subject to recapture by federal taxing authorities based upon compliance requirements to be met at the project level.
Because the Corporation owns 100% of the equity interests in its NMTC, these investments were consolidated based on ASC Topic 810 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021. Investments in affordable housing projects were not consolidated based on management's assessment of the provisions of ASC Topic 810.
TCIs are tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of the investment will not be realized. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the current carrying value exceeds its aggregated remaining value of the tax benefits of the investment. There were no impairment losses recognized for the Corporation's TCIs in 2022, 2021 or 2020. For additional information, see "Note 13 - Income Taxes."
Fair Value Measurements: Assets and liabilities are categorized in a fair value hierarchy for the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value using the following three categories (from highest to lowest priority):
•Level 1 - Inputs that represent quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
•Level 2 - Inputs that represent quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, or quoted prices for identical instruments in non-active markets. Also included are valuation techniques whose inputs are derived principally from observable market data other than quoted prices, such as interest rates or other market-corroborated means.
•Level 3 - Inputs that are largely unobservable, as little or no market data exists for the instrument being valued.
The Corporation has categorized all assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis into the above three levels. See "Note 20 - Fair Value Measurements" for additional information.
Revenue Recognition: The sources of revenue for the Corporation are interest income from loans, leases and investments and non-interest income. Non-interest income is earned from various banking and financial services that the Corporation offers through its subsidiaries. Revenue is recognized as earned based on contractual terms, as transactions occur, or as services are provided. Following is further detail of the various types of revenue the Corporation earns and when it is recognized:
Interest income: Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis according to loan and lease agreements, investment securities contracts or other written contracts.
Wealth management services: Consists of income from trust commissions, brokerage, money market and insurance commissions. Trust commissions consists of advisory fees that are based on market values of clients' managed portfolios and transaction fees for fiduciary services performed, both of which are recognized when earned. Brokerage income includes advisory fees which are recognized when earned on a monthly basis and transaction fees that are recognized when transactions occur. Money market income is based on the balances held in trust accounts and is recognized monthly. Insurance commissions are earned and recognized when policies are originated. Currently, no investment management and trust service income is based on performance or investment results.
Commercial and consumer banking income: Consists of cash management, overdraft, non-sufficient fund fees and other service charges on deposit accounts as well as branch fees, ATM fees, debit and credit card income and merchant services fees. Also included are letter of credit fees, foreign exchange income and interest rate derivative fees. Revenue is primarily transactional and recognized when earned at the time the transactions occur.
Mortgage banking income: Consists of gains or losses on the sale of residential mortgage loans and mortgage loan servicing income.
Other Income: Includes gains on sales of SBA loans, cash surrender value of life insurance, and other miscellaneous income.