risks involved in the foregoing and managing our business . additional factors that may affect our results are discussed in this annual report on form 10-k under “ item 1a , risk factors ” and elsewhere in this report or in other filings with the sec . these risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements . you should read such statements carefully . critical accounting policies our accounting and reporting policies are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the united states of america ( “ gaap ” ) and conform to general practices within the banking industry . accounting policies considered critical to our financial results include the allowance for loan losses , accounting for business combinations , accounting for goodwill , trade names and other intangible assets , accounting for deferred income taxes and the recognition of interest income . for additional information on our significant accounting policies see note 1 . “ basis of financial statement presentation and summary of significant accounting policies ” in the notes to consolidated financial statements . allowance for loan losses . the methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered by us to be a critical accounting policy due to the high degree of judgment involved , the subjectivity of the assumptions utilized and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the allowance for loan losses considered necessary . we evaluate our loans at least quarterly , including a review of their risk components and their carrying value , and the allowance is adjusted accordingly . while management uses the best information available to make evaluations , future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the information used in making the evaluations . in addition , as an integral part of their examination process , our regulatory agencies periodically review the allowance for loan losses . such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination . see note 1 . “ basis of financial statement presentation and summary of significant accounting policies ” in the notes to consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the risk components . we consistently review the risk components to identify any changes in trends . business combinations . we account for business combinations under the purchase method of accounting . the application of this method of accounting requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in order to properly allocate purchase price consideration between assets that are amortized , accreted or depreciated from those that are recorded as goodwill . our estimates of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based upon assumptions that we believe to be reasonable , and whenever necessary , include assistance from independent third-party appraisal and valuation firms . goodwill , trade names and other intangible assets . we account for goodwill , trade names and other intangible assets in accordance with gaap , which , in general , requires that goodwill and trade names not be amortized , but rather that they be tested for impairment at least annually . we assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not ( i.e . , a likelihood of more than 50 percent ) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount . in evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount , we assess relevant events and circumstances ( e.g . , macroeconomic 26 conditions , industry and market considerations , overall financial performance and other relevant company-specific events ) . if , after assessing the totality of events or circumstances such as those described above , we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount , then the first and second steps of the goodwill impairment test are unnecessary . testing for impairment of goodwill , trade names and other intangible assets is performed annually and involves the identification of reporting units and the estimation of fair values . the estimation of fair values involves a high degree of judgment and subjectivity in the assumptions used . changes in the local and national economy , the federal and state legislative and regulatory environments for financial institutions , the stock market , interest rates and other external factors ( such as natural disasters or significant world events ) may occur from time to time , often with great unpredictability , and may materially impact the fair value of publicly traded financial institutions and could result in an impairment charge at a future date . we also use judgment in the valuation of other intangible assets . a core deposit base intangible asset has been recorded for core deposits ( defined as checking , money market and savings deposits ) that were acquired in acquisitions . the core deposit base intangible asset has been recorded using the assumption that the acquired deposits provide a more favorable source of funding than more expensive wholesale borrowings . an intangible asset has been recorded for the present value of the difference between the expected interest to be incurred on these deposits and interest expense that would be expected if these deposits were replaced by wholesale borrowings , over the expected lives of the core deposits . if we find these deposits have a shorter life than was estimated , we will write down the asset by expensing the amount that is impaired . deferred income taxes . we use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes . story_separator_special_tag this was mainly the result of an increase of $ 463,168 in the average balance of securities . in connection with the hvb merger , we acquired $ 713,842 of securities on june 30 , 2015 , which on average contributed $ 356,921 of the increase for calendar 2015. the tax equivalent yield on securities was 2.69 % in calendar 2015 compared to 2.73 % in fiscal 2014 . the decrease in tax equivalent yield on securities in calendar 2015 was mainly the result of the cash flows from existing securities being reinvested at lower interest rates due to the low interest rate environment . the proportion of tax exempt securities was 19.2 % of average securities in calendar 2015 compared to 19.0 % in fiscal 2014 . we expect to further increase the percentage of tax exempt securities to average securities in 2016. average deposits increased $ 2,217,405 in calendar 2015 and were $ 7,139,335 compared to $ 4,921,930 for fiscal 2014 . average interest bearing deposits increased $ 1,464,699 in calendar 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 . average non-interest bearing deposits increased $ 752,706 and were $ 2,332,814 for calendar 2015 compared to $ 1,580,108 for fiscal 2014. the growth in average deposits was due to the hvb merger and organic growth mainly generated by our commercial banking teams . the average cost of interest bearing deposits was 0.36 % in calendar 2015 compared to 0.27 % in fiscal 2014 . average borrowings increased $ 173,113 to $ 987,522 in calendar 2015 compared to $ 814,409 in fiscal 2014 . the increase in average borrowings in calendar 2015 was mainly utilized to fund growth in loans and other earning assets . the average cost of borrowings was 1.97 % for calendar 2015 compared to 2.45 % in fiscal 2014 . the decline in the average cost of borrowings between the periods was mainly due to an increase in short-term fhlb borrowings as a percentage of total average borrowings . three months ended december 31 , 2014 compared to three months ended december 31 , 2013 tax equivalent net interest income increased $ 14,743 to $ 61,783 for the transition period compared to $ 47,040 for the 2013 transition period . the increase was the result of an increase in average balances due to the provident merger and organic growth generated by our commercial banking teams . the average volume of interest earning assets increased $ 1,421,679 , or 27.3 % , for the transition period relative to the 2013 transition period as a full three months of legacy sterling operations was included in the transition period vs. only two months in the 2013 transition period . the tax equivalent net interest margin increased 12 basis points to 3.70 % for the quarter from 3.58 % in the 2013 transition period . the increase in net interest margin was due to an increase in the yield on interest earning assets , which was 4.17 % in the transition period compared to 4.10 % in the 2013 transition period , and a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities to 0.67 % for the transition period compared to 0.73 % for 2013 transition period . the average balance of loans outstanding increased $ 1,239,886 in the transition period compared to 2013 transition period . approximately $ 550,000 of the growth in loans was due to the provident merger and approximately $ 690,000 represented organic growth generated by our commercial banking teams . loans accounted for 71.7 % of average interest earning assets in the transition period compared to 67.5 % in the 2013 transition period . the average yield on loans was 4.74 % in the transition period compared to 4.88 % in the 2013 transition period . tax equivalent interest income on securities increased $ 1,597 , to $ 11,825 in the transition period compared to $ 10,228 for the 2013 transition period . this was mainly the result of an increase of approximately $ 139,955 in the average balance of securities . in connection with the provident merger , we acquired $ 607,911 of securities on october 31 , 2013 , a portion of which were sold after the closing date as these securities did not meet our investment portfolio strategy and guidelines . the tax equivalent yield on securities was 2.73 % in the transition period compared to 2.57 % in the 2013 transition period . the higher tax equivalent yield on securities in the 33 transition period was mainly due to the proportion of tax exempt securities which comprised 21.3 % of average securities in the transition period compared to 15.8 % in the 2013 transition period . average deposits increased $ 990,569 in the transition period and were $ 5,342,787 compared to $ 4,352,218 for the 2013 transition period . average interest bearing deposits increased $ 725,850 in the transition period compared to the 2013 transition period . the increase was mainly due to the timing of the provident merger in the 2013 transition period and organic growth generated by our commercial banking teams . average non-interest bearing deposits increased $ 264,719 and were $ 1,626,341 for the transition period compared to $ 1,361,622 for the 2013 transition period . the average cost of interest bearing deposits was 0.30 % in the transition period compared to 0.24 % in the 2013 transition period . average borrowings increased $ 193,174 to $ 902,299 in the transition period compared to $ 709,125 in the 2013 transition period . the increase in average borrowings was mainly utilized to fund loan growth . the average cost of borrowings was 2.21 % for the transition period compared to 2.80 % in the 2013 transition period . the decline in the average cost of borrowings between the periods was mainly due to an increase in short-term fhlb borrowings as a percentage of total average borrowings . fiscal year ended september 30 , 2014 compared to fiscal year ended september 30

liquidity and capital resources capital . at december 31 , 2015 , stockholders ' equity totaled $ 1,665,073 compared to $ 975,200 at december 31 , 2014 and $ 961,138 at september 30 , 2014 . the factors that contributed to the change in stockholders ' equity for the periods is presented in the following table : replace_table_token_37_th in connection with the provident merger , on october 31 , 2013 , we issued 39,057,968 common shares at the closing price of $ 11.72 per share , which resulted in a $ 457,752 increase in stockholders ' equity at september 30 , 2014 . the increase in stockholders ' equity for calendar 2015 was mainly due to the following three items : ( i ) the acquisition of hudson valley on june 30 , 2015 , in which we issued 38,525,154 common shares at the june 29 , 2015 closing price of $ 14.63 which increased stockholders ' equity by $ 563,613 ; ( ii ) the february 11 , 2015 common equity raise , in which we issued 6,900,000 common shares and received proceeds , net of costs of issuance of $ 85,059 ; and ( iii ) net income of $ 66,114 . these were partially offset by dividends of $ 30,384 . the accumulated other comprehensive loss ( “ aoci ” ) component of stockholders ' equity totaled a net , after-tax unrealized loss of $ 12,124 at december 31 , 2015 compared to a net , after-tax unrealized loss of $ 10,251 at december 31 , 2014 and $ 11,459 at september 30 , 2014 . the decline in calendar 2015 was the result of a $ 7,484 decrease in the net after-tax value of securities due to changes in market interest rates and was partially offset by an increase in aoci attributed to the estimated fair value of retirement plan obligations of $ 5,611 , which was mainly due to the pension plan termination .


 Write a concise suspicious activity report of the following text delimited by triple backquotes. Return your response as a formal report which covers the key points highlighting the location,dates,entity names and account holder information in chronological order of the text.
     ```liquidity and capital resources capital . at december 31 , 2015 , stockholders ' equity totaled $ 1,665,073 compared to $ 975,200 at december 31 , 2014 and $ 961,138 at september 30 , 2014 . the factors that contributed to the change in stockholders ' equity for the periods is presented in the following table : replace_table_token_37_th in connection with the provident merger , on october 31 , 2013 , we issued 39,057,968 common shares at the closing price of $ 11.72 per share , which resulted in a $ 457,752 increase in stockholders ' equity at september 30 , 2014 . the increase in stockholders ' equity for calendar 2015 was mainly due to the following three items : ( i ) the acquisition of hudson valley on june 30 , 2015 , in which we issued 38,525,154 common shares at the june 29 , 2015 closing price of $ 14.63 which increased stockholders ' equity by $ 563,613 ; ( ii ) the february 11 , 2015 common equity raise , in which we issued 6,900,000 common shares and received proceeds , net of costs of issuance of $ 85,059 ; and ( iii ) net income of $ 66,114 . these were partially offset by dividends of $ 30,384 . the accumulated other comprehensive loss ( “ aoci ” ) component of stockholders ' equity totaled a net , after-tax unrealized loss of $ 12,124 at december 31 , 2015 compared to a net , after-tax unrealized loss of $ 10,251 at december 31 , 2014 and $ 11,459 at september 30 , 2014 . the decline in calendar 2015 was the result of a $ 7,484 decrease in the net after-tax value of securities due to changes in market interest rates and was partially offset by an increase in aoci attributed to the estimated fair value of retirement plan obligations of $ 5,611 , which was mainly due to the pension plan termination .
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 Suspicious Activity Report : risks involved in the foregoing and managing our business . additional factors that may affect our results are discussed in this annual report on form 10-k under “ item 1a , risk factors ” and elsewhere in this report or in other filings with the sec . these risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements . you should read such statements carefully . critical accounting policies our accounting and reporting policies are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the united states of america ( “ gaap ” ) and conform to general practices within the banking industry . accounting policies considered critical to our financial results include the allowance for loan losses , accounting for business combinations , accounting for goodwill , trade names and other intangible assets , accounting for deferred income taxes and the recognition of interest income . for additional information on our significant accounting policies see note 1 . “ basis of financial statement presentation and summary of significant accounting policies ” in the notes to consolidated financial statements . allowance for loan losses . the methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered by us to be a critical accounting policy due to the high degree of judgment involved , the subjectivity of the assumptions utilized and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the allowance for loan losses considered necessary . we evaluate our loans at least quarterly , including a review of their risk components and their carrying value , and the allowance is adjusted accordingly . while management uses the best information available to make evaluations , future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the information used in making the evaluations . in addition , as an integral part of their examination process , our regulatory agencies periodically review the allowance for loan losses . such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination . see note 1 . “ basis of financial statement presentation and summary of significant accounting policies ” in the notes to consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the risk components . we consistently review the risk components to identify any changes in trends . business combinations . we account for business combinations under the purchase method of accounting . the application of this method of accounting requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in order to properly allocate purchase price consideration between assets that are amortized , accreted or depreciated from those that are recorded as goodwill . our estimates of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based upon assumptions that we believe to be reasonable , and whenever necessary , include assistance from independent third-party appraisal and valuation firms . goodwill , trade names and other intangible assets . we account for goodwill , trade names and other intangible assets in accordance with gaap , which , in general , requires that goodwill and trade names not be amortized , but rather that they be tested for impairment at least annually . we assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not ( i.e . , a likelihood of more than 50 percent ) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount . in evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount , we assess relevant events and circumstances ( e.g . , macroeconomic 26 conditions , industry and market considerations , overall financial performance and other relevant company-specific events ) . if , after assessing the totality of events or circumstances such as those described above , we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount , then the first and second steps of the goodwill impairment test are unnecessary . testing for impairment of goodwill , trade names and other intangible assets is performed annually and involves the identification of reporting units and the estimation of fair values . the estimation of fair values involves a high degree of judgment and subjectivity in the assumptions used . changes in the local and national economy , the federal and state legislative and regulatory environments for financial institutions , the stock market , interest rates and other external factors ( such as natural disasters or significant world events ) may occur from time to time , often with great unpredictability , and may materially impact the fair value of publicly traded financial institutions and could result in an impairment charge at a future date . we also use judgment in the valuation of other intangible assets . a core deposit base intangible asset has been recorded for core deposits ( defined as checking , money market and savings deposits ) that were acquired in acquisitions . the core deposit base intangible asset has been recorded using the assumption that the acquired deposits provide a more favorable source of funding than more expensive wholesale borrowings . an intangible asset has been recorded for the present value of the difference between the expected interest to be incurred on these deposits and interest expense that would be expected if these deposits were replaced by wholesale borrowings , over the expected lives of the core deposits . if we find these deposits have a shorter life than was estimated , we will write down the asset by expensing the amount that is impaired . deferred income taxes . we use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes . story_separator_special_tag this was mainly the result of an increase of $ 463,168 in the average balance of securities . in connection with the hvb merger , we acquired $ 713,842 of securities on june 30 , 2015 , which on average contributed $ 356,921 of the increase for calendar 2015. the tax equivalent yield on securities was 2.69 % in calendar 2015 compared to 2.73 % in fiscal 2014 . the decrease in tax equivalent yield on securities in calendar 2015 was mainly the result of the cash flows from existing securities being reinvested at lower interest rates due to the low interest rate environment . the proportion of tax exempt securities was 19.2 % of average securities in calendar 2015 compared to 19.0 % in fiscal 2014 . we expect to further increase the percentage of tax exempt securities to average securities in 2016. average deposits increased $ 2,217,405 in calendar 2015 and were $ 7,139,335 compared to $ 4,921,930 for fiscal 2014 . average interest bearing deposits increased $ 1,464,699 in calendar 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 . average non-interest bearing deposits increased $ 752,706 and were $ 2,332,814 for calendar 2015 compared to $ 1,580,108 for fiscal 2014. the growth in average deposits was due to the hvb merger and organic growth mainly generated by our commercial banking teams . the average cost of interest bearing deposits was 0.36 % in calendar 2015 compared to 0.27 % in fiscal 2014 . average borrowings increased $ 173,113 to $ 987,522 in calendar 2015 compared to $ 814,409 in fiscal 2014 . the increase in average borrowings in calendar 2015 was mainly utilized to fund growth in loans and other earning assets . the average cost of borrowings was 1.97 % for calendar 2015 compared to 2.45 % in fiscal 2014 . the decline in the average cost of borrowings between the periods was mainly due to an increase in short-term fhlb borrowings as a percentage of total average borrowings . three months ended december 31 , 2014 compared to three months ended december 31 , 2013 tax equivalent net interest income increased $ 14,743 to $ 61,783 for the transition period compared to $ 47,040 for the 2013 transition period . the increase was the result of an increase in average balances due to the provident merger and organic growth generated by our commercial banking teams . the average volume of interest earning assets increased $ 1,421,679 , or 27.3 % , for the transition period relative to the 2013 transition period as a full three months of legacy sterling operations was included in the transition period vs. only two months in the 2013 transition period . the tax equivalent net interest margin increased 12 basis points to 3.70 % for the quarter from 3.58 % in the 2013 transition period . the increase in net interest margin was due to an increase in the yield on interest earning assets , which was 4.17 % in the transition period compared to 4.10 % in the 2013 transition period , and a decrease in the cost of interest bearing liabilities to 0.67 % for the transition period compared to 0.73 % for 2013 transition period . the average balance of loans outstanding increased $ 1,239,886 in the transition period compared to 2013 transition period . approximately $ 550,000 of the growth in loans was due to the provident merger and approximately $ 690,000 represented organic growth generated by our commercial banking teams . loans accounted for 71.7 % of average interest earning assets in the transition period compared to 67.5 % in the 2013 transition period . the average yield on loans was 4.74 % in the transition period compared to 4.88 % in the 2013 transition period . tax equivalent interest income on securities increased $ 1,597 , to $ 11,825 in the transition period compared to $ 10,228 for the 2013 transition period . this was mainly the result of an increase of approximately $ 139,955 in the average balance of securities . in connection with the provident merger , we acquired $ 607,911 of securities on october 31 , 2013 , a portion of which were sold after the closing date as these securities did not meet our investment portfolio strategy and guidelines . the tax equivalent yield on securities was 2.73 % in the transition period compared to 2.57 % in the 2013 transition period . the higher tax equivalent yield on securities in the 33 transition period was mainly due to the proportion of tax exempt securities which comprised 21.3 % of average securities in the transition period compared to 15.8 % in the 2013 transition period . average deposits increased $ 990,569 in the transition period and were $ 5,342,787 compared to $ 4,352,218 for the 2013 transition period . average interest bearing deposits increased $ 725,850 in the transition period compared to the 2013 transition period . the increase was mainly due to the timing of the provident merger in the 2013 transition period and organic growth generated by our commercial banking teams . average non-interest bearing deposits increased $ 264,719 and were $ 1,626,341 for the transition period compared to $ 1,361,622 for the 2013 transition period . the average cost of interest bearing deposits was 0.30 % in the transition period compared to 0.24 % in the 2013 transition period . average borrowings increased $ 193,174 to $ 902,299 in the transition period compared to $ 709,125 in the 2013 transition period . the increase in average borrowings was mainly utilized to fund loan growth . the average cost of borrowings was 2.21 % for the transition period compared to 2.80 % in the 2013 transition period . the decline in the average cost of borrowings between the periods was mainly due to an increase in short-term fhlb borrowings as a percentage of total average borrowings . fiscal year ended september 30 , 2014 compared to fiscal year ended september 30

