ITEM 1. BUSINESS
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “will,” “may” and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
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statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;
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statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;
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statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and
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estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.
These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Annual Report, except as required by law.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:
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our ability to implement successfully our business strategy, which includes significant loan and deposit growth;
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our ability to increase our market share in our market areas and capitalize on growth opportunities;
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our ability to implement successfully our branch network expansion strategy;
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general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected;
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competition among depository and other financial institutions;
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inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins or reduce the fair value of financial instruments;
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adverse changes in asset quality including an unanticipated credit deterioration in our loan portfolio;
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adverse changes in the securities markets which, given the significant size of our investment securities portfolio, could cause a material decline in our reported equity and/or our net income if we must record impairment charges or a decline in the fair value of our securities;
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changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees, capital requirements and the corporate tax rate;
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changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;
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changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the Securities and Exchange Commission;
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changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans;
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changes in our financial condition or results of operations that reduce capital available to pay dividends;
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changes in the financial condition or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own; and
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cyber security attacks or intrusions that could adversely impact our businesses.
Because of these and a wide variety of other risks and uncertainties, including those included in this annual report under “Item1A. Risk Factors,” our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. (“Blue Hills Bancorp” or the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation that owns 100% of the common stock of Blue Hills Bank (the “Bank”) and Blue Hills Funding Corporation. Blue Hills Bancorp was incorporated in February 2014 to become the holding company of the Bank in connection with the mutual-to-stock conversion of Hyde Park Bancorp, MHC, the Bank’s former holding company. On July 21, 2014, we completed our initial public offering of common stock in connection with the conversion, selling 27,772,500 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share for approximately $277.7 million in gross proceeds, including 2,277,345 shares sold to the Bank’s employee stock ownership plan. In addition, in connection with the conversion, we issued 694,313 shares of our common stock and contributed $57,000 in cash to the Blue Hills Bank Foundation. As of December 31, 2016, we had consolidated assets of $2.47 billion, consolidated deposits of $1.81 billion and consolidated equity of $386.9 million. Other than holding the common stock of Blue Hills Bank, Blue Hills Bancorp has not engaged in any significant business to date. In the future, we may pursue other business activities, including mergers and acquisitions, investment alternatives and diversification of operations. There are, however, no current understandings or agreements for these activities.
The executive and administrative office of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is located at 500 River Ridge Drive, Norwood, Massachusetts 02062, and its telephone number at this address is (617) 361-6900. Our website address is www.bluehillsbancorp.com. Information on our website is not and should not be considered to be a part of this annual report.
Blue Hills Bank
Blue Hills Bank was organized in 1871 and is a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank headquartered in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. We provide financial services to individuals, families, small to mid-size businesses and government and non-profit organizations online and through our eleven full-service branch offices located in Boston, Dedham, Hyde Park, Milton, Nantucket, Norwood, West Roxbury, and Westwood, Massachusetts. Our three branches in Nantucket were acquired in January 2014 (“Nantucket Bank Acquisition”), and operate under the name Nantucket Bank, a division of Blue Hills Bank. We also operate loan production offices in Boston, Cambridge, Franklin, Plymouth, Winchester, Hingham, Concord and Lowell, Massachusetts. Our primary deposit-taking market includes Norfolk, Suffolk and Nantucket Counties in Massachusetts, and our lending market is primarily based in eastern Massachusetts, however, we actively pursue opportunities across New England.
Our business consists primarily of accepting deposits from the general public, commercial businesses and government and non-profit organizations, and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings in one- to four- family residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans and investment securities. To a much lesser extent, we originate home equity loans and lines of credit, construction loans and consumer loans. We offer a full range of deposit accounts, including passbook and statement savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, commercial and regular checking accounts and IRAs. Through our bundled products, we offer reduced fees and higher interest rates on relationship accounts.
Blue Hills Bank’s main banking office is located at 1196 River Street, Hyde Park, Massachusetts 02136. Our telephone number at this address is (617) 361-6900. Our website address is www.bluehillsbank.com. Information on our website is not and should not be considered part of this annual report.
Available Information
The Company is a public company and files interim, quarterly and annual reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These respective reports are on file and a matter of public record with the Securities and Exchange Commission and may be read and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov).
Market Area
We provide financial services to individuals, families, small to middle-market businesses and government and non-profit organizations online and through our eleven full-service branch offices and through our relationship managers. Our primary deposit taking market includes Norfolk, Suffolk and Nantucket Counties in Massachusetts. Our primary lending market encompasses a broader region of eastern Massachusetts. In addition, we also make loans secured by properties and the assets of businesses located outside of our primary lending market area. These loans are typically made to businesses headquartered or operating in New England.
Due to our proximity to Boston, our market area benefits from the presence of numerous institutions of higher learning, medical care and research centers and the corporate headquarters of several financial investment companies. Eastern Massachusetts also has many high technology companies employing personnel with specialized skills. As a result, healthcare, high-tech and financial services companies constitute major sources of employment in our regional market area, as well as the colleges and universities that populate the Boston Metropolitan Statistical Area (“MSA”). These factors affect the demand for residential homes, apartments, office buildings, shopping centers, industrial warehouses and other commercial properties. Tourism also is a prominent component of our market area’s economy, as Boston annually ranks as one of the nation’s top tourist destinations.
Population and household data indicate that the market surrounding our branches is a mix of urban, suburban and island markets. Suffolk County, where the city of Boston is located, and Norfolk County are two of the largest counties in Massachusetts, with populations of approximately 793,000 and 702,000, respectively. Suffolk County experienced relatively strong demographic growth from 2010 to 2016, at 9.77%, which exceeded both the national and state growth rates of 5.31% and 4.79%, respectively. Norfolk County, a suburban market with a large commuter population, experienced moderate population growth from 2010 to 2016, of 4.7%. Nantucket County is a popular tourist destination and summer colony and thus has seasonal fluctuations in population. Nantucket County has a full-time population of approximately 11,000 residents, which expands to a population of around 100,000 during the peak of the summer vacation season. From 2010 to 2016, Nantucket County experienced population growth of 9.83%. Recent population growth trends are generally projected to moderate slightly over the next five years.
Income measures show that Suffolk County is a relatively low-income market, characterized by its urban demographic in the city of Boston. Median household income for Suffolk County falls below the state measure but exceeds the national measure. Comparatively, income measures show that Norfolk and Nantucket counties are relatively affluent markets, as the wealthiest counties in Massachusetts. In particular, Norfolk County is characterized by a high concentration of white collar professionals who work in the Boston area. Nantucket County is a prestigious vacation destination targeted towards high-income visitors, with home values among the highest in the country. Median household and per capita income measures for Norfolk and Nantucket Counties are both well above the comparable U.S. and Massachusetts income measures. Projected income growth measures for Suffolk and Norfolk Counties are somewhat above the comparable projected growth rates for the U.S. and Massachusetts, whereas Nantucket County’s projected income growth rate is somewhat lower.
The December 2016 unemployment rates for Norfolk, Suffolk and Nantucket Counties were 2.4%, 2.5% and 4.8%, respectively. Norfolk, Suffolk and Nantucket Counties, along with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the U.S., all reported lower unemployment rates for December 2016 compared to a year ago.
Competition
We face intense competition in our market area both in making loans and attracting deposits. We compete with commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies and investment banking firms. Some of our competitors have greater name recognition and market presence that benefit them in attracting business, and offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide.
Our deposit sources are primarily concentrated in the communities surrounding our full-service branch offices. As of June 30, 2016 (the latest date for which information is publicly available from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), we ranked fifteenth of 48 banks and thrift institutions with offices in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with a 1.75% market share. As of that same date, we ranked thirteenth of 44 banks and thrift institutions with offices in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, with a 0.49% market share. Also, as of that same date, we ranked first of four banks and thrift institutions with offices in Nantucket County, Massachusetts, with a 43.19% market share.
Lending Activities
Our primary lending activities are the origination of 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, other consumer loans and construction loans. Most loans are to borrowers in our core market of New England but to diversify risk we also have loans to borrowers located outside of New England.
Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio at the dates indicated. Loans held for sale, which amounted to $2.8 million, $12.9 million, $14.6 million, $765,000, and $0 at December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, are not included below.
Loan Portfolio Maturities and Yields. The following table summarizes the dollar amount of loans maturing in our portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity at December 31, 2016, but does not include scheduled payments, potential payments, or the impact of interest rate swaps. Demand loans, having no stated repayment schedule or maturity, and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less. Balances noted below do not reflect fair value adjustments, discounts or deferred costs and fees.
The following table sets forth the scheduled repayments of fixed- and adjustable-rate loans at December 31, 2016 that are contractually due after December 31, 2017.
1-4 Family Residential Mortgage Loans. At December 31, 2016, $851.2 million, or 44.1%, of our loan portfolio, consisted of 1-4 family residential mortgage loans with $47.7 million comprised of non-owner occupied properties. We offer fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans with maturities up to 30 years.
Some of the housing stock in our primary lending market area comprises two-, three- and four-unit properties, all of which are classified as 1-4 family residential mortgage loans.
Our 1-4 family residential mortgage loans that we originate or purchase are generally underwritten according to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, and we refer to loans that conform to such guidelines as “conforming loans.” We generally originate both fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgage loans in amounts up to the maximum conforming loan limits as established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. We also originate loans above the conforming limits, referred to as “jumbo loans”, which are common in our market area. We generally underwrite jumbo loans, whether originated or purchased, in a manner similar to conforming loans. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we originated $508.4 million of 1-4 family residential loans and purchased $13.0 million of 1-4 family residential loans through a correspondent. See “Lending Activities-Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales, Participations and Servicing.”
We originate our adjustable-rate 1-4 family residential mortgage loans with initial interest rate adjustment periods of three, five, seven and ten years, based on changes in a designated market index. These loans are limited to a 500 basis point initial increase in their interest rate, a 200 basis point increase in their interest rate annually after the initial adjustment, and a maximum upward adjustment of 500 to 600 basis points over the life of the loan. We determine whether a borrower qualifies for an adjustable-rate mortgage loan in conformance with the underwriting guidelines set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the secondary mortgage market. In particular, we determine whether a borrower qualifies for an adjustable-rate mortgage loan with an initial fixed-rate period of five years or less based on the ability to repay both principal and interest using an interest rate which is 2.0% above the initial interest rate, including a reasonable estimate of real estate taxes and insurance, and taking into account the maximum debt-to-income ratio stipulated in the underwriting guidelines in the secondary mortgage market. The qualification for an adjustable-rate mortgage loan with an initial fixed-rate period exceeding five years is based on the borrower’s ability to repay at the initial fixed interest rate.
We originate 1-4 family residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios up to 80% without private mortgage insurance or a state guarantee program. We originate loans with loan-to-value ratios of up to 97% with private mortgage insurance and where the borrower’s debt does not exceed 45% of the borrower’s monthly cash flow. To encourage lending to low- and moderate-income home buyers, we participate in several publicly-sponsored loan programs, including: the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency program, which provides competitive terms for loans with higher loan-to-value ratios than are available with conventional financing; the Federal Home Loan Banks Equity Builder Program, which provides closing cost and down payment assistance to income-eligible home buyers; and the Mass Housing Partnership’s One program that contains a number of attractive features for low- and moderate-income home buyers. Also, in 2016, we began participation in the governmentally sponsored Federal Housing Administration (FHA) program, which allows first-time home buyers to obtain competitive mortgage rates with low closing costs and minimal down payments.
The vast majority of the conforming fixed-rate 1-4 family residential mortgage loans we originate are sold into the secondary market, mainly to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston with servicing retained. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we received servicing fees, including credit enhancement fees, of $88,000 on mortgage loans that we serviced for third parties. At December 31, 2016, the unpaid principal balance of loans serviced for others totaled $89.7 million.
We do not offer loans that provide for negative amortization of principal, such as “Option ARM” loans, where the borrower can pay less than the interest owed on the loan, resulting in an increased principal balance during the life of the loan. Additionally, we generally do not offer “subprime loans” (loans that are made with low down-payments to borrowers with weakened credit histories typically characterized by payment delinquencies, previous charge-offs, judgments, bankruptcies, or borrowers with questionable repayment capacity as evidenced by low credit scores or high debt-burden ratios) or Alt-A loans (defined as loans having less than full documentation).
Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit. In addition to traditional 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, we offer home equity lines of credit and, to a lesser extent, home equity loans, that are secured by the borrower’s primary residence or secondary residence. Home equity loans and lines of credit are generally underwritten with the same criteria that we use to underwrite 1-4 family residential mortgage loans. We offer these products online and through our branch office network.
At December 31, 2016, we had $78.7 million in home equity lines and loans outstanding, of which 98.5% were performing in accordance with original terms. Of the loans outstanding at December 31, 2016, $13.2 million relate to a portfolio of first-lien home equity lines acquired in 2012. The portfolio consists of seasoned, first-lien home equity lines with strong credit characteristics and geographic dispersion in the United States, and is serviced by a third party.
The home equity lines of credit that we originate are revolving lines of credit, which generally have a term of 25 years, with draws available for the first ten years. Our 25-year lines of credit are interest only during the first ten years, and amortize on a fifteen-year basis thereafter. We generally originate home equity lines of credit with loan-to-value ratios of up to 80% when combined with the principal balance of the existing first mortgage loan, although loan-to-value ratios may occasionally exceed 80% on a case-by-case basis. Maximum loan-to-value ratios are determined based on an applicant’s credit score, property value, loan amount and debt-to-income ratio. Lines of credit above $500,000 require a full appraisal. Rates are adjusted monthly based on changes in a designated market index. We also originate fixed-rate home equity loans with terms up to 15 years, although in the current interest rate environment, fixed-rate loans with terms greater than five years are not a priority.
Commercial Real Estate. At December 31, 2016, $687.3 million, or 35.6%, of our loan portfolio consisted of commercial real estate loans. At December 31, 2016, the vast majority of our commercial real estate loans were secured by properties located in eastern Massachusetts. In addition, the vast majority of the commercial real estate loans in our portfolio were originated by us as lead lender, rather than loans that we have purchased or obtained through participations.
Our commercial real estate mortgage loans are primarily secured by office buildings, multi-family apartment buildings, owner-occupied businesses and industrial buildings. As of December 31, 2016, our two largest commercial real estate loan properties totaled $24.2 million and $22.4 million, which financed a hotel and office building, respectively. These loans were performing in accordance with their terms at December 31, 2016. At that date we had 19 other commercial real estate loan properties with outstanding principal balances exceeding $10.0 million.
Our commercial real estate loans generally have terms of three to ten years with adjustable, LIBOR-based, Federal Home Loan Bank Classic Advance or Wall Street Journal Prime rates of interest. These loans generally amortize on a 25 to 30-year basis, with a balloon payment due at maturity.
To facilitate qualified commercial customers’ access to fixed-rate financing, we enter into loan-level interest rate swaps. These swap agreements enable the Bank to write LIBOR-based, adjustable-rate loans, whereas customers ultimately pay a fixed interest rate. Interest rate risk associated with these transactions is controlled by entering into offsetting positions with third parties. Credit risk is minimized by limiting transactions to highly-rated counterparties and through collateral agreements. Collateral is required to be exchanged when the valuation reaches agreed upon thresholds, for certain counterparties. We generally receive fees in offering these interest rate swap agreements. As of December 31, 2016, the notional value of interest rate swaps on loans with commercial real estate loan customers amounted to $419.5 million, and we earned net fee income of $2.4 million from customer swaps in 2016.
In underwriting commercial real estate loans we consider a number of factors, which include the projected net cash flow to the loan’s debt service requirement (generally requiring a minimum of 125%), the age and condition of the collateral, a market analysis of particular assets by geographic location, the financial resources and income level of the sponsor and the sponsor’s experience in owning or managing similar properties. Commercial real estate and multi-family real estate loans are generally originated in amounts up to 75% of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property securing the loan, whichever is lower. When circumstances warrant, guarantees are obtained from commercial real estate and multi-family real estate sponsors. In addition, the sponsor’s and guarantor’s financial information on such loans is monitored on an ongoing basis by requiring periodic financial statement updates.
Commercial real estate loans generally entail greater credit risks compared to the 1-4 family residential mortgage loans we originate, as they typically involve larger loan balances concentrated with single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. In addition, the payment of loans secured by income-producing properties typically depends on the successful operation of the property, as repayment of the loan generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the property to cover operating expenses and debt service. Changes in economic conditions that are not in the control of the borrower or lender could affect the value of the collateral for the loan or the future cash flow of the property.
Construction Loans. We originate loans to established local developers to finance the construction of commercial and multi-family properties. To a lesser extent, we originate loans to local builders and individuals to finance the construction of 1-4 family residential properties. At December 31, 2016, $76.4 million, or 4.0% of our loan portfolio consisted of construction loans. Commercial construction loans totaled $56.5 million. The two largest loans outstanding amounted to $12.8 million, which was secured by a multi-family residential property and $8.0 million, which was secured by an owner-occupied ice rink. As of December 31, 2016, our commitments to fund these two commercial construction projects totaled $21.6 million. These loans were performing in accordance with their terms at December 31, 2016.
Our commercial construction loans generally call for the payment of interest only with interest rates that are tied to LIBOR. Construction loans for commercial real estate are originated with principal balances of up to $20.0 million with a loan-to-completed value ratio of 65% to 80%, depending on the type of property. Advances on construction loans are made in accordance with a schedule reflecting the cost of construction. Repayment of construction loans for income-producing properties usually is expected from permanent financing upon completion of construction. In the case of construction loans for 1-4 family residential properties, repayment normally is expected from the sale of units to individual purchasers, or in the case of individuals building their own homes, from a permanent mortgage.
Before making a commitment to fund a construction loan, we require an appraisal of the property by a licensed appraiser. The amount of funds disbursed per construction requisitions during the term of the construction loan is generally justified by a Bank-appointed construction engineer.
Construction financing generally involves greater credit risk than long-term financing on improved, tenanted investment real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the value of the property at completion of construction compared to the estimated cost (including interest) of construction and other assumptions. If the estimate of construction cost is inaccurate, we may be required to advance additional funds beyond the amount originally committed in order to protect the value of the property. Moreover, if the estimated value of the completed project is inaccurate, the borrower may hold a property with a value that is insufficient to assure full repayment of the construction loan upon the sale of the property. Construction loans also expose us to the risk that improvements will not be completed on time in accordance with specifications and projected costs. In addition, the ultimate sale or rental of the property may not occur as anticipated.
Commercial Business Loans. We originate commercial term loans and variable rate lines of credit to businesses in our primary market area. Our commercial loans are generally used for working capital purposes or for acquiring machinery and equipment. These loans are generally secured by all business assets including business equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, trademarks, and real estate, and are generally originated with maximum loan-to-value ratios of up to 80%. The commercial business loans that we offer are generally adjustable-rate loans with terms ranging from three to five years. At December 31, 2016, we had $206.2 million of commercial business loans, representing 10.7% of our total loan portfolio outstanding.
We have invested in the appropriate staff and systems as well as established our policies and procedures for commercial business lending. In the first quarter of 2016, we hired an experienced asset-based lending team to complement our existing commercial business lending capabilities. The entry into the asset-based lending sector is a key component of the Bank's growth strategy. We also participate in large loans originated by other banks with customers operating in sectors where our commercial lenders have substantial experience. As of December 31, 2016, our two largest commercial business loan relationships outstanding amounted to $13.8 million and $12.5 million, to an asset-based relationship steel and mining company and a middle market secured financing direct lender, respectively. In each case, these were participation loans syndicated by other banks and our total commitment on these loans are $27.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively, including the amounts outstanding. These loans were performing in accordance with their terms at December 31, 2016. At December 31, 2016, our two largest customer commitments were $27.0 million and $24.0 million, and were to borrowers with a steel and mining company and a wholesale supplier of energy products. In each case, these were participation arrangements syndicated by other banks and the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2016 were $13.8 million and $8.7 million, respectively. These loans were performing in accordance with their terms at December 31, 2016.
When making commercial business loans, we consider the debt service capabilities of the borrower, the projected cash flows of the business and the value of the collateral. Many of our loans are guaranteed by the principals of the borrower.
Commercial business loans generally have a greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans. Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income, and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial business loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial business loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself. Further, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business. In addition, at December 31, 2016, we had $10.0 million of unsecured, subordinated loans to financial institutions operating in New England, for which repayment is dependent on the ability of the financial institutions to generate income. We seek to minimize these risks through our underwriting standards and the experience of our lenders and credit department. The commercial lending and risk management units are responsible for the underwriting and documentation of new commercial loans, as well as the quarterly review of credit ratings of existing loans.
Consumer Loans. We offer consumer loans on a limited and selective basis. At December 31, 2016, $29.3 million, or 1.5%, of our loan portfolio, consisted of consumer loans, of which $23.8 million related to classic and collector automobile loans, and only $5.5 million related to other consumer loans.
Our portfolio of classic and collector automobile loans is the result of a 2011 initiative to increase our exposure to higher-yielding loan assets and diversify our credit portfolio, resulting in an agreement to purchase loans from a third-party originator. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, we elect to purchase loans secured by classic and collector automobiles according to a defined price schedule which varies according to the terms of the loans and the credit quality of the borrower. Our primary considerations when originating these loans are the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and the value of the underlying collateral. The average FICO score of borrowers for these loans was 746 at origination. We may finance up to the full sales price of the vehicle. In order to mitigate our risk of loss, we have a 50% loss sharing arrangement with the third-party originator of these loans. Since the commencement of the program through December 31, 2016, we have purchased approximately $67.6 million in classic and collector automobile loans and recorded $42,000 of write downs. We did not purchase any loans for this portfolio in 2016 and do not anticipate any future purchases.
Loan Originations, Purchases, Sales, Participations and Servicing. Loans that we originate are generally underwritten pursuant to our policies and procedures, which incorporate standard underwriting guidelines, including those of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in the case of residential mortgages, to the extent applicable. We originate both adjustable-rate and fixed-rate loans. Our loan origination and sales activity may be adversely affected by a rising interest rate environment that typically results in decreased loan demand and lower pricing in secondary markets.
In 2016, 97.5%, or $508.4 million, of our 1-4 family residential mortgage loan originations were generated by our loan officers or referred by branch managers and employees located in our banking offices. In the last year, we have added five additional mortgage lending offices, which have helped contribute to the $261.2 million increase in originations from 2015. In addition to our in-house originations, we also source 1-4 family residential mortgages from a federally insured correspondent that adheres to the Bank’s underwriting practices and are in compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations governing fair lending practices and mortgage origination. In 2016, we purchased $13.0 million of loans from the correspondent. As we have grown our residential mortgage capabilities, our purchases from correspondents have declined.
In recent years, in an effort to manage interest rate risk in a relatively low interest rate environment, we have sold a portion of fixed-rate 1-4 family residential mortgage loans that we originated. In 2016, we sold $128.9 million of conforming and non-conforming residential mortgage loans with servicing released to other investors. Included in the $128.9 million of residential mortgage loans sold in 2016, were $20.8 million of non-conforming portfolio loans. We intend to continue to explore the practice of selling some of our non-conforming residential mortgage loans in the future, subject to our interest rate risk appetite, mortgage loan pricing in the secondary market and the pricing of servicing rights.
We have sold mortgage loans to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston through the Mortgage Partnership Finance (“MPF”) program, which generally has required us to retain approximately 5% of credit risk, for which we were paid a credit enhancement fee. We have also sold loans to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston through a different program without retaining any credit risk. To date, we have sold $72.4 million of loans to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston through the MPF program with credit risk retention. At December 31, 2016, the credit risk retained by us on loans sold through the MPF program amounted to $3.8 million, or 5.3% of the volume of loans sold through the MPF program. Neither mortgage loans serviced for others nor the contingent liability associated with sold loans is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. There have been no contingency losses recognized on these loans to date.
We have retained the servicing on all loans sold to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and we have released the servicing on loans sold to other mortgage investors and banks seeking exposure to non-conforming loans. Loan servicing includes collecting and remitting loan payments, accounting for principal and interest, contacting delinquent borrowers, supervising foreclosures and property dispositions in the event of unremedied defaults, and making certain insurance and tax payments on behalf of the borrowers and generally administering the loans. We retain a portion of the interest paid by the borrower on the loans we service as consideration for our servicing activities.
In 2016, we had $225.5 million in commercial business and commercial real estate originations. In order to have access to larger customers and diversify risk, from time to time we will participate in portions of commercial business and commercial real estate loans with other banks. Pursuant to these loan participations, the Bank and participating lenders share ratably in cash flows and any gains or losses that may result from a borrower’s lack of compliance with contractual terms of the loan. When we are not lead lender, we always follow our customary loan underwriting and approval policies. In cases where the Bank has transferred a portion of its originated commercial loan to participating lenders, the Bank continues to service the loan as agent of the participating lenders and, as such, collects cash payments from the borrowers, remits payments (net of servicing fees, if applicable) to participating lenders and disburses required escrow funds to relevant parties. At December 31, 2016, we held $158.4 million of commercial business, commercial real estate and construction loans in our portfolio that were participation loans obtained from other lenders, and we serviced $56.0 million in loans for other lenders participating in loans originated by us.
The following table shows the loan origination, acquisition, purchase, sale and repayment activities for loans and loans held for sale, for the periods indicated.
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(1)
Includes loans acquired in the Nantucket Bank Acquisition.
(2)
Includes loan purchases and participations by the Bank in loans originated or syndicated by other financial institutions.
(3)
Includes loan sales and participations by other financial institutions in loans originated or syndicated by the Bank.
(4)
Certain amounts in the 2015 presentation have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.
Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Our lending activities follow written policies approved by our Board of Directors. The loan approval process is intended to assess the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and the value of the collateral, if any, that will secure the loan. To assess the borrower’s ability to repay, we review the borrower’s employment and credit history and information on the historical and projected income and expenses of the borrower. We require “full documentation” on all of our loan applications. We do not discriminate in our lending decisions based on a borrower’s race, religion, national origin, gender, marital status or age.
Our policies and loan approval limits are approved by our Board of Directors. Aggregate lending relationships in amounts up to $5.0 million can be approved by designated individual officers or officers acting together with specific lending approval authority. Relationships which meet or exceed underwriting standards (Risk Ratings 1-5) between $5.0 million and $30.0 million require the approval of the Management Credit Committee, and those greater than $30.0 million require the approval of the Board of Directors. Relationships above $20.0 million deemed “bankable with care” (Risk Rating 6) require the approval of the Board of Directors. Our Chief Risk Officer generally must approve loans in excess of $3.0 million.
Our Senior Credit Officer is responsible for the underwriting and documentation of new commercial loans to small business customers. Our Chief Risk Officer reviews the servicing and risk rating of all criticized loans and loans rated “bankable with care” on the watch list no less frequently than monthly. Our Senior Credit Officer reviews all construction loans and higher risk commercial business loans quarterly, and commercial real estate loans over $750,000 no less frequently than annually. We consider our Chief Risk Officer and Senior Credit Officer to be objective because they have no loan production goals and have annual performance objectives based on credit quality and credit risk management.
We require appraisals by a third party appraiser based on a comparison with current market sales for all real property securing 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, multi-family loans and commercial real estate loans, although home equity loans and lines of credit may be approved based on an Automated Valuation Model (AVM). All appraisers are independent, state-licensed or state-certified appraisers and are approved by the Board of Directors annually.
Non-Performing and Problem Assets. When a residential mortgage loan or home equity line of credit is 15 days past due, a late payment fee is generally assessed and a notice mailed to the borrower. We will attempt direct contact with the borrower to determine when payment will be made. We will send a letter when a loan is 30 days or more past due and will attempt to contact the borrower by telephone. By the 36th day of delinquency, we will attempt to contact the borrowers and inform them of loss mitigation options that may be available, providing the borrowers with written notice containing information about those loss mitigation options by the 45th day of delinquency. By the 150th day of delinquency (regardless of accrual status), unless the borrower has made arrangements to bring the loan current on its payments, we will refer the loan to legal counsel to commence foreclosure proceedings. In addition, a property appraisal is made to determine the condition and market value. The account will be monitored on a regular basis thereafter. In attempting to resolve a default on a residential mortgage loan, Blue Hills Bank complies with all applicable Massachusetts laws regarding a borrower’s right to cure.
When automobile finance loans become 10 to 15 days past due, a late fee is charged according to applicable guidelines. When the loan is 11 days past due, the customer will receive a phone call from our servicer requesting a payment. Letters are generated at 15, 25 and 34 days past due. A letter stating our intent to repossess the automobile goes to the customer 21 days prior to repossession, which is triggered at 45 days past due. Vehicles are assigned for repossession at 65 to 70 days past due; the customer has 21 days for right of redemption until the vehicle is sold. Automobile loans are placed on non-accrual status at 90 days past due and charged off at 120 days past due.
Because of the nature of the collateral securing consumer loans, we may commence collection procedures sooner for consumer loans than for residential mortgage loans or home equity lines of credit.
Small business loans that are past due five days are referred to the responsible loan officer, who will after 10 days direct efforts to bring the loan current. After 30 days past due, the loan is reviewed for placement on the Watch List, and if the loan has been downgraded to Special Mention, the Chief Risk Officer will determine whether the Senior Credit Officer will assume day-to-day management of the credit or act in an advisory role with the goal of either bringing the loan current or maximizing recovery of principal and interest. All small business loans that are 30 days or more past due are regularly monitored by the lending unit and the Senior Credit Officer and reviewed monthly or more frequently as necessary by the Chief Risk Officer.
Commercial business loans that are past due are immediately referred to the EVP of Commercial Lending, who will direct efforts to bring the loan current. After 30 days past due the loan is placed on the Watch List, and, if the loan has been downgraded to Special Mention, the Chief Risk Officer determines whether the Senior Credit Officer will assume day-to-day management, with the oversight of the Chief Risk Officer, or act in an advisory role with the goal of either bringing the loan current or maximizing our recovery of principal and interest. All commercial loans that are 30 days or more past due, regardless of risk rating, are regularly monitored by the lending unit and the Senior Credit Officer and reviewed monthly or more frequently as necessary by the Chief Risk Officer.
It is the policy of the Company to discontinue the accrual of interest on loans past due in excess of 90 days, unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection, or when in the judgment of management, the ultimate collectability of the principal or interest becomes doubtful and to reverse all interest income previously accrued. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. The interest on non-accrual loans is accounted for on the cash-basis until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due have been current for six consecutive months and future payments are reasonably assured.
Non-Performing Assets. The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, gross interest income that would have been recorded had our non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms was $1.1 million. Interest income recognized on such loans for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $751,000.
Troubled Debt Restructurings. We periodically modify loans to extend the term or make other concessions to help a borrower stay current on their loan and to avoid foreclosure. We generally do not forgive principal or interest on loans or modify the interest rates on loans to rates that are below market rates. The table below sets forth the amounts for our residential troubled debt restructurings at the dates indicated.
At December 31, 2016, we had $1.4 million of troubled debt restructurings, all of which related to residential mortgage loans, of which $138,000 were performing in accordance with their restructured terms. For the year ended December 31, 2016, gross interest income that would have been recorded had our troubled debt restructurings been performing in accordance with their original terms was $79,000. Interest income recognized on such modified loans for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $57,000.
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our loan portfolio delinquencies at the dates indicated.
(1) The commercial real estate loan included in the 60-89 days delinquent buckets above is also included in the non-accrual total.
Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired by us as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as other real estate owned. When property is acquired it is recorded at estimated fair market value at the date of foreclosure less the cost to sell, establishing a new cost basis. Estimated fair value generally represents the sales price a buyer would be willing to pay on the basis of current market conditions, including normal terms from other financial institutions. Holding costs and declines in estimated fair market value result in charges to expense after acquisition. At December 31, 2016, we had no other real estate owned.
Classification of Assets. Our policies, consistent with regulatory guidelines, provide for the classification of loans and other assets that are considered to be of lesser quality as substandard, doubtful, or loss assets. An asset is considered substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard assets include those assets characterized by the distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as doubtful have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. Assets (or portions of assets) classified as loss are those considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted. Assets that do not expose us to risk sufficient to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories, but which possess potential weaknesses that deserve our close attention, are required to be designated as special mention.
We maintain an allowance for loan losses at an amount estimated to equal all credit losses incurred in our loan portfolio that are both probable and reasonable to estimate at a balance sheet date. Our determination as to the classification of our assets and the amount of our loss allowances is subject to review by regulatory agencies, which may require that we establish additional loss allowances. We regularly review our asset portfolio to determine whether any assets require classification in accordance with applicable regulations.
The following table sets forth our amounts of classified loans, loans designated as special mention and criticized loans (classified loans and loans designated as special mention) as of the dates indicated.
At December 31, 2016, we had $8.5 million of substandard assets, of which $2.4 million were 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, $258,000 were home equity, $5.7 million were commercial real estate, $18,000 were commercial business and $37,000 were consumer. At December 31, 2016, special mention assets consisted of $31.9 million, of which $3.5 million were 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, $967,000 were home equity, $9.7 million were commercial real estate loans, $17.5 million were commercial business and $146,000 were consumer loans. Loans classified as doubtful at December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 consist primarily of 1-4 family residential mortgages.
Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing and are not included in classified loans above, but may be delinquent. These loans require an increased level of management attention, because we have serious doubts as to the ability of the borrower to comply with the present loan repayment terms and as a result such loans may be included at a later date in non-accrual loans. At December 31, 2016, we had no potential problem loans that are not discussed above under “Classification of Assets.”
Allowance for Loan Losses. We provide for loan losses based upon the consistent application of our documented allowance for loan loss methodology. All loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are provided by charges to income based on various factors which, in our judgment, deserve current recognition in estimating probable losses. We regularly review the loan portfolio, including a review of our classified assets, and make provisions for loan losses in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The allowance for loan losses is based on the size and composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency levels, loss experience, economic conditions and other factors related to the collectability of the loan portfolio. Prior to the second quarter of 2016, for portfolios for which we had insufficient prior loss experience, the FDIC national peer group losses for relevant portfolios generally over the years 2008-2016 were used. Commencing in the second quarter of 2016, the Company began to phase in its own loss history by loan type based upon the age and loss experience of the loan portfolio. While this change impacted the loss factors used for our residential real estate, home equity, commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loan portfolios, there was no material impact to the amount of the allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated regularly by management and reflects consideration of all significant factors that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. Management's evaluation is submitted on a quarterly basis to the Board for approval of the methodology and any changes in qualitative factors described below. The evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. It is the intention of management to maintain an allowance that is prudently commensurate with the growth in the loan portfolio.
The allowance consists of general, allocated and unallocated components, as further described below.
General component. The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on a combination of our own loss history and an extrapolated historical loss experience based on FDIC data for depository institutions with assets of one billion to five billion dollars for periods ranging from 2008-2016, adjusted for qualitative and environmental factors including changes to lending policies and procedures, economic and business conditions, portfolio characteristics, staff experience, problem loan trends, collateral values, concentrations and the competitive, legal and regulatory environment.
The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
Residential real estate - We do not generally originate loans with a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80 percent and do not generally grant loans that would be classified as subprime upon origination. When we do extend credit either on a first- or second-lien basis at a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80 percent, such loans are supported by either mortgage insurance or state guarantee programs. All loans in this segment are collateralized by owner-occupied 1-4 family residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The health of the regional economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality of loans in this segment.
Home equity - Loans in this segment are generally secured by first or second liens on residential real estate. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. Management evaluates each loan application based on factors including the borrower’s credit score, income, length of employment, and other factors to establish the creditworthiness of the borrower.
Commercial real estate - Loans in this segment include investment real estate and are generally secured by assignments of leases, and real estate collateral. In cases where there is a concentration of exposure to a single large tenant, underwriting standards include analysis of the tenant's ability to support lease payments over the duration of the loan. The underlying cash flows generated by the properties can be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy due to increased vacancy rates, which in turn can have an effect on credit quality in this segment. Payments on loans secured by income-producing properties often depend on the successful operation and management of properties. Management continually monitors cash flows on these loans.
Construction - Loans in this segment primarily include speculative real estate development loans for which payment is derived from sale of the property or permanent financing. Credit risk is affected by cost overruns, time to sell at an adequate price, and market conditions.
Commercial business - Loans in this segment are generally secured by business assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, real estate and intangible assets. Strict underwriting standards include considerations of the borrower’s ability to support the debt service requirements from the underlying historical and projected cash flows of the business, collateral values, the borrower’s credit history and the ultimate collectability of the debt. Economic conditions, real estate values, commodity prices, unemployment trends and other factors will affect the credit quality of loans in these segments.
Consumer - Loans in this segment primarily include classic and collector automobile loans. The classic and collector automobile loan portfolio is primarily comprised of geographically diverse loans originated by and purchased from a third party, who also provides collection services. While this portfolio generated minimal charge-offs during 2016 and 2015, the provisions during the year are based on management’s estimate of inherent losses.
Allocated component. The allocated component relates to loans that are on the watch list (non-accruing loans, partially charged off non-accruing loans and accruing adversely-rated loans) and considered impaired. Impairment is measured by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. An allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
We periodically may agree to modify the contractual terms of loans. When a loan is modified and a concession is made to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, the modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). All TDRs are initially classified as impaired.
Unallocated component. The Company has maintained an unallocated component to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. As a large portion of the Company's loan portfolio has now become seasoned, the unallocated component of the allowance for loan losses was eliminated during the fourth quarter of 2016.
We evaluate the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. While we use 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, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review the allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance based on their analysis of information available to them at the time of their examination.
The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.
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(1)
Total loans do not include deferred costs and discounts.
Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses. The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses allocated by loan category and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated. The allowance for loan losses allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular category and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories.
Investments
The objectives of the investment portfolio are: to invest funds not currently required for the Bank’s loan portfolio, cash requirements or other assets essential to our operations; to provide for capital preservation of the funds invested while generating maximum income and capital appreciation in accordance with the objectives of liquidity, quality and diversification; and to employ a percentage of assets in a manner that will balance the market, credit and duration risks of other assets.
Investment management practices are governed by our investment policy, which the Board reviews and approves at least annually. Compliance with the investment policy is monitored on a regular basis. The Bank utilizes a third party investment advisor to manage a significant portion of its investment securities portfolio pursuant to particular investment objectives established by the Bank. Management under the oversight of the Board of Directors oversees the qualification and selection of all third party investment advisors used by the Bank. The Board of Directors and Management have established internal investment guidelines, parameters and limits that any selected third party investment advisor must commit to in writing. The Bank’s Management Investment Committee, consisting of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, meet periodically to review all transaction activity in the portfolio. Day to day oversight of the investment securities portfolio and review of daily transactional activity is monitored by the Treasurer. Management, through internal review processes, reviews the compliance of the third party investment advisor with the established investment guidelines and parameters on a periodic basis and reports to the Board of Directors on such matters. The investment performance of any third party investment advisor is also subject to continuous review and testing by Management to ensure that such advisors are adhering to the investment style for which they were engaged, adhering to the established asset allocation strategy, meeting performance benchmarks established by Management, and providing best execution on transactions. Management has, on a periodic basis, engaged an independent investment consultant to assess the Bank’s investment securities activity, its related risk practices, the procedural due diligence in selecting and maintaining its investment advisors and funds and the monitoring, reporting and evaluation of third party investment advisors.
Our investment portfolio is segmented into two distinct pools, as follows:
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Fixed Income pool - Management of the fixed income pool is apportioned separately to the Bank’s Treasury function and a third party investment advisor. The primary investment objective of this pool is to maximize return while maintaining acceptable levels of risk and market value volatility.
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The internally managed portion of the pool seeks to maximize income while maintaining high quality intermediate duration as well as to provide adequate short-term liquidity to meet any cash flow demands. Permissible investments in this pool include U.S. Government Agency and Government-Sponsored Enterprise debt and mortgage-backed securities and certain money market instruments.
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The externally managed portion of the pool seeks to outperform the Barclays Intermediate Credit Index. Permissible investments in the externally managed portion of the pool include corporate debt, municipal bonds and asset-backed and commercial mortgage backed securities. Purchases of securities are limited to securities that would be characterized as investment grade at the time of purchase. Credit quality of the issuers is carefully monitored by the investment manager with continuous oversight by Management. Sales of securities are restricted to securities with an unrealized gain position unless approved in advance by Management.
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Equity pool - The primary objective of this pool is to maximize income and total return via dividends and capital appreciation, while conferring benefits of diversification and providing exposure to asset classes that are less correlated with fixed income securities, within the parameters established by the Bank with regard to risk exposure and market value volatility. As of December 31, 2016, the Bank had investments in two different global asset allocation mutual funds.
At December 31, 2016, our securities portfolio consisted of U.S. government-sponsored enterprise obligations, U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, other mortgage- and asset-backed securities, corporate debt securities, other bonds and obligations, and mutual funds. Our other mortgage- and asset-backed securities include private label commercial mortgage backed securities, SBA asset-backed securities and other asset-backed securities. We only purchase investment grade securities. The private label commercial mortgage-backed securities investments are in the senior tranches of the capital structures and are investment grade. The other asset-backed securities are also in the senior tranches of the capital structures, are investment grade, and are supported by automobile financing, equipment and commercial real estate financings. We do not own any trust preferred securities.
At December 31, 2016, we had no investments in a single company or entity that had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of our equity, except for U.S. government-sponsored enterprise securities.
At the time of purchase, we designate a security as either held to maturity or available for sale, based upon our intent and ability to hold such security until maturity. Securities available for sale are reported at market value. A periodic review and evaluation of the securities portfolios is conducted to determine if the fair value of any security has declined below its carrying value and whether such decline is other-than-temporary. For securities classified as available for sale, unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and are reported through other comprehensive income (loss). If a security is reclassified from available for sale to held to maturity, the fair value at the time of transfer becomes the security's new cost basis for which it is reported. The unrealized holding gain or loss at the transfer date continues to be reported in other comprehensive income and is amortized over the security's remaining life as an adjustment of yield in a manner similar to a premium or discount.
Generally, mortgage-backed securities are more liquid than individual mortgage loans since there is an active trading market for such securities. In addition, mortgage-backed securities may be used to collateralize our borrowings. Investments in mortgage-backed securities involve a risk that actual payments will be greater or less than the prepayment rate estimated at the time of purchase, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such interests, thereby affecting the net yield on our securities. Prepayment speeds determine whether prepayment estimates require modification that could cause amortization or accretion adjustments.
Investment Securities Portfolio. The following tables set forth the composition of our investment securities portfolio at the dates indicated.
Portfolio Maturities and Yields. The composition and maturities of the portion of the investment securities portfolio relating to debt securities at December 31, 2016 are summarized in the following table. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the impact of scheduled payments, prepayments or early redemptions that may occur.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance. Bank-owned life insurance provides us noninterest income that is non-taxable. Applicable regulations generally limit our investment in bank-owned life insurance to 25% of our Tier 1 capital plus our allowance for loan losses. At December 31, 2016, we had $32.0 million in bank-owned life insurance.
Sources of Funds
General. Deposits traditionally have been our primary source of funds for our investment and lending activities. We also borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to supplement cash flow needs, to lengthen the maturities of liabilities for interest rate risk management purposes and to manage our cost of funds. Our additional sources of funds are scheduled payments and prepayments of principal and interest on loans and investment securities, fee income and proceeds from the sales of loans and securities.
Deposits. We accept deposits primarily from customers in the communities in which our offices are located, as well as online from customers outside our office locations and from small businesses, other commercial customers and municipalities throughout our lending area. We rely on our competitive pricing and products, convenient locations, mobile and online capabilities and quality customer service to attract and retain deposits. We offer a variety of deposit accounts with a range of interest rates and terms. Our deposit accounts consist of passbook and statement savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, commercial and regular checking accounts, and IRAs. Deposit rates and terms are based primarily on current business strategies and market interest rates, liquidity requirements and our deposit growth goals. We also utilize brokered deposits and other listed deposit products as part of our funding sources to fund loan growth.
The following tables set forth the distribution of our average total deposit accounts, by account type, for the periods indicated.
The following table sets forth certificates of deposit classified by interest rate as of the dates indicated, including brokered deposits. At December 31, 2016, we had a total of $587.6 million in certificates of deposit, of which $372.5 million had remaining maturities of one year or less.
The following table sets forth, by interest rate ranges, the maturities of our certificates of deposit, including brokered deposits.
As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate amount of outstanding certificates of deposit in amounts greater than or equal to $250,000, excluding brokered deposits, was $77.6 million. The following table sets forth the maturity of those certificates as of December 31, 2016.
Borrowings. Our borrowings consist of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. At December 31, 2016, we had access to additional Federal Home Loan Bank advances of up to $532.6 million. The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our Federal Home Loan Bank advances at the dates and for the years indicated.
Expense and Tax Allocation
Blue Hills Bank has entered into an agreement with Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. to provide it with certain administrative support services, whereby Blue Hills Bank is compensated at not less than the fair market value of the services provided. In addition, Blue Hills Bank and Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. have entered into an agreement establishing a method for allocating and for reimbursing the payment of their consolidated tax liability.
Personnel
On a full time equivalent basis, we had 228 employees at December 31, 2016. Our employees are not represented by any collective bargaining group.
Subsidiary Activity
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. owns 100% of Blue Hills Bank and Blue Hills Funding Corporation, the company that financed the loan to the ESOP. Blue Hills Bank has three subsidiaries, B.H. Security Corporation ("B.H. Security"), HP Security Corporation (“HP Security”) and 1196 Corporation (“1196 Corporation”). B.H. Security and HP Security buy, sell and hold securities on their own behalf as wholly-owned subsidiaries of Blue Hills Bank, and this activity results in tax advantages in Massachusetts. At December 31, 2016, B.H. Security and HP Security had total assets of $162.2 million and $200.7 million, respectively. 1196 Corporation owns shares in Northeast Retirement Services, Inc., a company that administers pension and 401(k) plans for a number of savings banks, formerly including Blue Hills Bank, and other entities.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
General
Blue Hills Bank is a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank and is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and a registered bank holding company. Blue Hills Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or “FDIC”, and by the Depositors Insurance Fund of Massachusetts for amounts in excess of the FDIC insurance limits. Blue Hills Bank is subject to extensive regulation by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, as its chartering agency, and by the FDIC, its primary federal regulator and deposit insurer. Blue Hills Bank is required to file reports with, and is periodically examined by, the FDIC and the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks concerning its activities and financial condition and must obtain regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions, including, but not limited to, mergers with or acquisitions of other financial institutions. Blue Hills Bank is also a member of and owns stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, which is one of the twelve regional banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System.
As a registered bank holding company, Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or the “Federal Reserve Board.” Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is also subject to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws.
The regulatory and supervisory structure establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which an institution can engage and is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance funds, rather than for the protection of stockholders and creditors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies concerning the establishment of deposit insurance assessment fees, classification of assets and establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. Any change in such regulatory requirements and policies, whether by the Massachusetts legislature, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board or Congress, could have a material adverse impact on the financial condition and results of operations of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank.
Set forth below are certain material statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank. The summary is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank.
Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision
General. As a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank, Blue Hills Bank is subject to supervision, regulation and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks and to various Massachusetts statutes and regulations which govern, among other things, investment powers, lending and deposit-taking activities, borrowings, maintenance of surplus and reserve accounts, distribution of earnings and payment of dividends. In addition, Blue Hills Bank is subject to Massachusetts consumer protection and civil rights laws and regulations. The approval of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks and/or the Massachusetts Board of Bank Incorporation is required for a Massachusetts-chartered bank to establish or close branches, merge with other financial institutions, issue stock and undertake certain other activities.
Massachusetts regulations generally allow Massachusetts banks to, with appropriate regulatory approvals, engage in activities permissible for federally chartered banks or banks chartered by another state. The Commissioner also has adopted procedures reducing regulatory burdens and expense and expediting branching by well-capitalized and well-managed banks.
Recent Massachusetts banking legislation, “An Act Modernizing the Banking Laws and Enhancing the Competitiveness of State-Chartered Banks,” became effective April 2015. Among other things, the legislation attempts to better synchronize Massachusetts laws with federal requirements in the same areas, streamlines the process for an institution to engage in activities permissible for federally chartered and out of state institutions, consolidates corporate governance statutes and provides authority for the Commissioner to establish a tiered supervisory system for Massachusetts-chartered institutions based on factors such as asset size, capital level, balance sheet composition, examination rating, compliance and other factors deemed appropriate.
Dividends. A Massachusetts stock bank may declare cash dividends from net profits not more frequently than quarterly. Non-cash dividends may be declared at any time. No dividends may be declared, credited or paid if the bank’s capital stock is impaired. The approval of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks is required if the total of all dividends declared in any calendar year exceeds the total of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years. Dividends from Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. may depend, in part, upon receipt of dividends from Blue Hills Bank. The payment of dividends from Blue Hills Bank would be restricted by federal law if the payment of such dividends resulted in Blue Hills Bank failing to meet regulatory capital requirements.
Stock Repurchases. Under Massachusetts regulations, we may not repurchase shares of our common stock during the first three years following the completion of the conversion without permission from the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, except to fund tax-qualified or nontax-qualified employee stock benefit plans. Regarding repurchase programs that require approval from the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks during the three year period, each repurchase program cannot be for an amount greater than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, compelling and valid business reasons for the program must be established to the satisfaction of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks. In July 2015, we received permission from the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks to repurchase up to 5% or 1,423,340 of our outstanding shares and as announced on February 26, 2016 that program has been completed. Also on February 26, 2016 the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a second share repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company may repurchase an additional 4% or 1,119,000 of the Company's issued and outstanding shares. This program did not require permission from the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks since it was used to fund employee stock benefit plans. On September 13, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a third share repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company may repurchase an additional 5% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares, or approximately 1,345,087 shares. This plan commenced on October 21, 2106 following the completion of the second repurchase plan.
Loans to One Borrower Limitations. Massachusetts banking law grants broad lending authority. However, with certain limited exceptions, total obligations to one borrower may not exceed 20 percent of the total of the bank’s capital, surplus and undivided profits.
Investment Activities. In general, Massachusetts-chartered savings banks may invest in preferred and common stock of any corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any state provided such investments do not involve control of any corporation and do not, in the aggregate, exceed 4% of the bank’s deposits. Federal law imposes additional restrictions on Blue Hills Bank’s investment activities. See “-Federal Regulations-Business and Investment Activities”.
Regulatory Enforcement Authority. Any Massachusetts savings bank that does not operate in accordance with the regulations, policies and directives of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks may be subject to sanctions for non-compliance, including revocation of its charter. The Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks may, under certain circumstances, suspend or remove officers or directors who have violated the law, conducted the bank’s business in an unsafe or unsound manner or contrary to the depositors’ interests or been negligent in the performance of their duties. Upon finding that a bank has engaged in an unfair or deceptive act or practice, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks may issue an order to cease and desist and impose a fine on the bank concerned. The Commissioner also has authority to take possession of a bank and appoint a liquidating agent under certain conditions including an unsafe and unsound condition to transact business, the conduct of business in an unsafe or unauthorized manner, impaired capital, or violations of law or the bank’s charter. In addition, Massachusetts consumer protection and civil rights statutes applicable to Blue Hills Bank permit private individual and class action law suits and provide for the rescission of consumer transactions, including loans, and the recovery of statutory and punitive damage and attorney’s fees in the case of certain violations of those statutes.
Depositors Insurance Fund. Massachusetts-chartered savings banks, below a certain level of deposits, are required to be members of the Depositors Insurance Fund, a corporation that insures savings bank deposits in excess of federal deposit insurance coverage. The Depositors Insurance Fund is authorized to charge savings banks an annual assessment fee on deposit balances in excess of amounts insured by the FDIC. Assessment rates are based on the institution’s risk category, similar to the method currently used to determine assessments by the FDIC discussed below under “-Federal Regulations-Insurance of Deposit Accounts.”
Protection of Personal Information. Massachusetts has adopted regulatory requirements intended to protect personal information. The requirements, which became effective March 1, 2010, are similar to existing federal laws such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, discussed below under “-Federal Regulations-Privacy Regulations”, that require organizations to establish written information security programs to prevent identity theft. The Massachusetts regulation also contains technology system requirements, especially for the encryption of personal information sent over wireless or public networks or stored on portable devices.
Massachusetts has other statutes or regulations that are similar to certain of the federal provisions discussed below.
Federal Regulations
Capital Requirements. Under the FDIC’s regulations, federally insured state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System (“state non-member banks”), such as Blue Hills Bank, are required to comply with minimum leverage capital requirements. Federal regulations require federally insured depository institutions to meet several minimum capital standards: a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets ratio of 6.0%, a total capital to risk-based assets of 8%, and a Tier 1 capital to total assets leverage ratio of 4%. In addition to establishing the minimum regulatory capital requirements, the regulations limit capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to management if the institution does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The capital conservation buffer requirement is being phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increasing each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019.
In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets for purposes of calculating risk-based capital ratios, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets (e.g., recourse obligations, direct credit substitutes, residual interests) are multiplied by a risk weight factor assigned by the regulations based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. Higher levels of capital are required for asset categories believed to present greater risk. In assessing an institution’s capital adequacy, the FDIC takes into consideration, not only these numeric factors, but qualitative factors as well, and has the authority to establish higher capital requirements for individual institutions if it deems necessary.
Standards for Safety and Soundness. As required by statute, the federal banking agencies adopted final regulations and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness to implement safety and soundness standards. The guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. The guidelines address internal controls and information systems, the internal audit system, credit underwriting, loan documentation, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings, compensation, fees and benefits and, more recently, safeguarding customer information. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.
Business and Investment Activities. Under federal law, all state-chartered FDIC-insured banks, including savings banks, have been limited in their activities as principal and in their equity investments to the type and the amount authorized for national banks, notwithstanding state law. Federal law permits exceptions to these limitations. For example, certain state-chartered savings banks may, with FDIC approval, continue to exercise state authority to invest in common or preferred stocks listed on a national securities exchange and in the shares of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The maximum permissible investment is the lesser of 100% of Tier 1 capital or the maximum amount permitted by Massachusetts law. Blue Hills Bank received approval from the FDIC to retain and acquire such equity instruments up to the specified limits. Any such grandfathered authority may be terminated upon the FDIC’s determination that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk or upon the occurrence of certain events such as the savings bank’s conversion to a different charter.
The FDIC is also authorized to permit state banks to engage in state authorized activities or investments not permissible for national banks (other than non-subsidiary equity investments) if they meet all applicable capital requirements and it is determined that such activities or investments do not pose a significant risk to the FDIC insurance fund. The FDIC has adopted regulations governing the procedures for institutions seeking approval to engage in such activities or investments. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 specified that a state bank may control a subsidiary that engages in activities as principal that would only be permitted for a national bank to conduct in a “financial subsidiary,” if a bank meets specified conditions and deducts its investment in the subsidiary for regulatory capital purposes.
Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action. Federal law establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation. An institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or greater. An institution is “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 4.5% or greater. An institution is “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 4.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 4.5%. An institution is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 3.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 3.0%. An institution is considered to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%.
“Undercapitalized” banks must adhere to growth, capital distribution (including dividend) and other limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. A bank’s compliance with such a plan must be guaranteed by any company that controls the undercapitalized institution in an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s total assets when deemed undercapitalized or the amount necessary to achieve the status of adequately capitalized. If an “undercapitalized” bank fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.” “Significantly undercapitalized” banks must comply with one or more of a number of additional measures, including, but not limited to, a required sale of sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, a requirement to reduce total assets, cessation of taking deposits from correspondent banks, the dismissal of directors or officers and restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, compensation of executive officers and capital distributions by the parent holding company. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to additional measures including, subject to a narrow exception, the appointment of a receiver or conservator within 270 days after it obtains such status.
Transactions with Affiliates. Transactions between a bank (and, generally, its subsidiaries) and its related parties or affiliates are limited by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the bank. In a holding company context, the parent bank holding company and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the bank. Generally, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act limit the extent to which the bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to 10% of such institution’s capital stock and surplus and contain an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such institution’s capital stock and surplus. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and similar transactions. In addition, loans or other extensions of credit by the institution to the affiliate are required to be collateralized in accordance with specified requirements. The law also requires that affiliate transactions be on terms and conditions that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the institution, as those provided to non-affiliates.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits loans by a company to its executive officers and directors. The law contains a specific exception for loans by a depository institution to its executive officers and directors in compliance with federal banking laws, assuming such loans are also permitted under the law of the institution’s chartering state. Under such laws, a bank’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders (“insiders”), as well as entities such persons control, is restricted. The law limits both the individual and aggregate amount of loans that may be made to insiders based, in part, on the bank’s capital position and requires certain board approval procedures to be followed. Such loans are required to be made on terms substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals and not involve more than the normal risk of repayment. There is an exception for loans made pursuant to a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to all employees of the institution and does not give preference to insiders over other employees. Loans to executive officers are further limited to loans of specific types and amounts.
Enforcement. The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over insured state savings banks, including Blue Hills Bank. That enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, issue cease and desist orders and remove directors and officers. In general, enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. The FDIC also has authority under federal law to appoint a conservator or receiver for an insured bank under certain circumstances. With certain exceptions, a receiver or conservator must be appointed for an insured state non-member bank if that bank was “critically undercapitalized” on average during the calendar quarter beginning 270 days after the date on which the institution became “critically undercapitalized.”
Federal Insurance of Deposit Accounts. Deposit accounts in Blue Hills Bank are insured by the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund, generally up to a maximum of $250,000 per separately insured depositor, pursuant to changes made permanent by the Dodd-Frank Act. The FDIC assesses insured depository institutions to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund. No institution may pay a dividend if in default of its deposit insurance assessment.
Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, insured institutions of less than $10 billion of assets are assessed based on financial measures and supervisory ratings derived from statistical models that estimate the probability of a bank’s failure within three years. That represents a change, effective July 1, 2016, from the previous system of assigning institutions to risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and other factors. An institution’s assessment rate depends upon its rating and certain adjustments specified by the FDIC, with institutions deemed less risky institutions paying lower assessments.
On February 7, 2011, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC published a final rule to revise the method of assessing its deposit insurance premiums. The rule, which took effect April 1, 2011, changed the assessment base used for calculating deposit insurance assessments from deposits to total assets less tangible (Tier 1) capital. The range of assessment rates (inclusive of possible adjustments) for institutions of less than $10 billion in assets is currently 1.5 to 30 basis points of the assessment base. The current range took effect July 1, 2016 and represents a reduction in the prior range resulting from the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ration reaching 1.15% of estimated insured deposits.
In addition to FDIC assessments, the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) is authorized to impose and collect, through the FDIC, assessments for costs related to bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature in 2017 through 2019. During the calendar year ended December 31, 2016, Blue Hills Bank paid $104,500 in fees related to the FICO.
The Dodd-Frank Act increased the minimum target Deposit Insurance Fund ratio from 1.15% of estimated insured deposits to 1.35% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC must seek to achieve the 1.35% ratio by September 30, 2020. Insured institutions with assets of $10 billion or more are required to fund the increase and, effective July 1, 2016, such institutions are paying a surcharge toward that end. The Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the 1.5% maximum fund ratio, instead leaving it to the discretion of the FDIC. The FDIC has exercised that discretion by establishing a long range fund ratio of 2%.
A material increase in insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of Blue Hills Bank. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.
Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. We do not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of Blue Hills Bank’s deposit insurance.
As a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank, Blue Hills Bank is also required to be a member of the Depositors Insurance Fund, a corporation that insures savings bank deposits in excess of federal deposit insurance coverage. See “-Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision-Depositors Insurance Fund,” above.
Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), a bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community. The CRA does require the FDIC, in connection with its examination of a bank, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by such institution, including applications to establish or acquire branches and merger with other depository institutions. The CRA requires the FDIC to provide a written evaluation of an institution’s CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system. Blue Hills Bank’s latest FDIC CRA rating, dated September 28, 2015, was “Satisfactory.”
Massachusetts has its own statutory counterpart to the CRA which is also applicable to Blue Hills Bank. The Massachusetts version is generally similar to the CRA but utilizes a five-tiered descriptive rating system. The Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks is required to consider a bank’s record of performance under the Massachusetts law in considering any application by the bank to establish a branch or other deposit-taking facility, relocate an office or to merge or consolidate with or acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of any other banking institution. Blue Hills Bank’s most recent rating under Massachusetts law, dated September 28, 2015, was “Satisfactory.”
Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Board regulations require savings institutions to maintain non-interest earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily Negotiable Order of Withdrawal (NOW) and regular checking accounts). The regulations currently provide that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: a 3% reserve ratio is assessed on net transaction accounts up to and including $115.1 million; a 10% reserve ratio is applied above $115.1 million. The first $15.5 million of otherwise reservable balances are exempted from the reserve requirements. The amounts are adjusted annually. Blue Hills Bank complies with the foregoing requirements.
Federal Home Loan Bank System. Blue Hills Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of eleven regional Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Bank System provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions as well as other entities involved in home mortgage lending. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Blue Hills Bank is required to acquire and hold a specified amount of shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. As of December 31, 2016, Blue Hills Bank was in compliance with this requirement.
Other Regulations
Some interest and other charges collected or contracted by Blue Hills Bank are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates and charges. Blue Hills Bank’s operations also are subject to state and federal laws applicable to credit transactions and other operations, including, but not limited to, the:
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Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
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Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, requiring that borrowers for mortgage loans for one- to four-family residential real estate receive various disclosures, including good faith estimates of settlement costs, lender servicing and escrow account practices, and prohibiting certain practices that increase the cost of settlement services;
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Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
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Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed, or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
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Fair Credit Reporting Act, governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies; and
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Fair Debt Collection Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies.
The operations of Blue Hills Bank also are subject to the:
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Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;
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Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E promulgated thereunder, that govern automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services;
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Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act privacy statute which requires each depository institution to disclose its privacy policy, identify parties with whom certain nonpublic customer information is shared and provide customers with certain rights to “opt out” of disclosure to certain third parties; and
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Title III of The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (referred to as the “USA PATRIOT Act”), which significantly expanded the responsibilities of financial institutions, in preventing the use of the United States financial system to fund terrorist activities. Among other things, the USA PATRIOT Act and the related regulations required banks operating in the United States to develop anti-money laundering compliance programs, due diligence policies and controls to facilitate the detection and reporting of money laundering.
Holding Company Regulation
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc., as a bank holding company, is subject to examination, regulation, and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, as administered by the Federal Reserve Board. Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire all, or substantially all, of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. Prior Federal Reserve Board approval would be required for Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting securities of any bank or bank holding company if it would, directly or indirectly, own or control more than 5% of any class of voting shares of the bank or bank holding company.
A bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in, or acquiring, direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting securities of any company engaged in non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the principal activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined by regulation to be closely related to banking are: (i) making or servicing loans; (ii) performing certain data processing services; (iii) providing securities brokerage services; (iv) acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor; (v) leasing personal or real property under certain conditions; (vi) making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare; and (vii) acquiring a savings association.
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 authorizes a bank holding company that meets specified conditions, including depository institutions subsidiaries that are “well capitalized” and “well managed,” to opt to become a “financial holding company.” A “financial holding company” may engage in a broader array of financial activities than permitted a typical bank holding company. Such activities can include insurance underwriting and investment banking. Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. has not opted for “financial holding company” status up to this time.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is subject to the Federal Reserve Board’s consolidated capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies. Traditionally, those guidelines have been structured similarly to the regulatory capital requirements for the subsidiary depository institutions, but were somewhat more lenient. For example, the holding company capital requirements allowed inclusion of certain instruments in Tier 1 capital that were not includable at the institution level. The Dodd-Frank Act directed the Federal Reserve Board to issue consolidated capital requirements for depository institution holding companies that are not less stringent, both quantitatively and in terms of components of capital, than those applicable to institutions themselves. The previously discussed final rule regarding regulatory capital requirements implements the Dodd-Frank Act as to bank holding company capital standards. Consolidated regulatory capital requirements identical to those applicable to the subsidiary banks applied to bank holding companies (with greater than $1.0 billion of assets) as of January 1, 2015. As is the case with institutions themselves, the capital conservation buffer is being phased in between 2016 and 2019.
A bank holding company is generally required to give the Federal Reserve Board prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of then outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve Board order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted an exception to that approval requirement for well-capitalized bank holding companies that meet certain other conditions.
The Dodd-Frank Act codified the “source of strength” doctrine. That longstanding policy of the Federal Reserve Board requires bank holding companies to serve as a source of strength to their subsidiary depository institutions by providing capital, liquidity and other support in times of financial stress.
The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends and the repurchase of shares of common stock by bank holding companies. In general, the policy provides that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. Regulatory guidance provides for prior regulatory consultation with respect to dividends in certain circumstances such as where the company’s net income for the past four quarters, net of dividends’ previously paid over that period, is insufficient to fully fund the dividend or the company’s overall rate of earnings retention is inconsistent with the company’s capital needs and overall financial condition. The ability of a holding company to pay dividends may be restricted if a subsidiary bank becomes undercapitalized. The policy statement also provides for regulatory consultation prior to a holding company redeeming or repurchasing regulatory capital instruments when the holding company is experiencing financial weaknesses or redeeming or repurchasing common stock or perpetual preferred stock that would result in a net reduction as of the end of a quarter in the amount of such equity instruments outstanding compared with the beginning of the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurred. These regulatory policies could affect the ability of the Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. to pay dividends, repurchase shares of its stock or otherwise engage in capital distributions.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act makes depository institutions liable to the FDIC for losses suffered or anticipated by the insurance fund in connection with the default of a commonly controlled depository institution or any assistance provided by the FDIC to such an institution in danger of default. That law would have potential applicability if Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. ever held as a separate subsidiary a depository institution in addition to Blue Hills Bank.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank are affected by the monetary and fiscal policies of various agencies of the United States Government, including the Federal Reserve System. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, it is impossible for management to accurately predict future changes in monetary policy or the effect of such changes on the business or financial condition of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. or Blue Hills Bank.
The status of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. as a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act will not exempt it from certain federal and state laws and regulations applicable to corporations generally, including, without limitation, certain provisions of the federal securities laws.
Change in Control Regulations. Under the Change in Bank Control Act, no person may acquire control of a bank holding company such as Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. unless the Federal Reserve Board has been given 60 days’ prior written notice and has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer and the competitive effects of the acquisition. Control, as defined under federal law, means ownership, control of or holding irrevocable proxies representing more than 25% of any class of voting stock, control in any manner of the election of a majority of the institution’s directors, or a determination by the regulator that the acquiror has the power to direct, or directly or indirectly to exercise a controlling influence over, the management or policies of the institution. Acquisition of more than 10% of any class of a savings and loan holding company’s voting stock constitutes a rebuttable determination of control under the regulations under certain circumstances including where, as will be the case with Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc., the issuer has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, under Massachusetts Banking Law, for a period of three years following completion of a conversion to stock form, no person may directly or indirectly offer to acquire or acquire beneficial ownership of more than 10% of any class of equity security of a converting mutual savings bank without prior written approval of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks.
Massachusetts Holding Company Regulation. Under Massachusetts banking laws, a company owning or controlling two or more banking institutions, including a savings bank, is regulated as a bank holding company. Each Massachusetts bank holding company: (i) must obtain the approval of the Massachusetts Board of Bank Incorporation before engaging in certain transactions, such as the acquisition of more than 5% of the voting stock of another banking institution; (ii) must register, and file reports, with the Massachusetts Division of Banks; and (iii) is subject to examination by the Division of Banks. Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. would become a Massachusetts bank holding company if it acquires a second banking institution and holds and operates it separately from Blue Hills Bank.
Federal Securities Laws
Our common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We are subject to information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions, and other requirements under the Exchange Act.
Emerging Growth Company Status
We qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012. For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation, exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved, and an exemption from having outside auditors attest as to our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to adopt new or revised accounting standards on a delayed basis, and will be required to adopt new or revised accounting standards in the same manner as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.
We will be an emerging growth company until the earlier of: (i) December 31, 2019, (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues are $1.0 billion or more, (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities or (iv) the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year.
TAXATION
Federal Taxation
General. Blue Hills Bank and Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. are subject to federal and state income taxation in the same general manner as other corporations, with some exceptions discussed below. The following discussion of federal taxation is intended only to summarize material federal income tax matters and is not a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank.
Method of Accounting. For federal income tax purposes, Blue Hills Bank will file a consolidated tax return with Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and will report its income and expenses on the accrual method of accounting and use a tax year ending December 31st for filing their consolidated federal income tax returns.
Minimum Tax. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes an alternative minimum tax at a rate of 20% on a base of regular taxable income plus certain tax preferences, referred to as “alternative minimum taxable income.” Alternative minimum tax is payable to the extent 20 percent of alternative minimum taxable income is in excess of the regular corporate tax. Net operating losses can, in general, offset no more than 90% of alternative minimum taxable income. Certain payments of alternative minimum tax may be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years. Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank have not been subject to the alternative minimum tax and have no such amounts available for credits against regular future tax liabilities.
Net Operating Loss Carryovers. A financial institution may carry back net operating losses to the preceding two taxable years and forward to the succeeding 20 taxable years. At December 31, 2016, Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank had no net operating loss carryforward for federal income tax purposes.
Corporate Dividends. Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. will be able to exclude from its income 100% of dividends received from Blue Hills Bank as a member of the same affiliated group of corporations.
Audit of Tax Returns. Hyde Park Bancorp, MHC, Hyde Park Bancorp, Inc., Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank’s federal income tax returns, as applicable, have not been audited in the most recent three-year period.
State Taxation
For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2009, Massachusetts generally requires corporations engaged in a unitary business to calculate their income on a combined basis with corporations which are under common control. Accordingly, Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank currently file combined annual income tax returns. A corporation that qualifies, and elects to be treated for purposes of Massachusetts taxation, as a Massachusetts Security Corporation will be excluded from such a combined group.
Blue Hills Bank, under current law, files a Massachusetts combined excise tax return with its affiliates who do not qualify as security corporations. During the 2016 tax year, Blue Hills Bank was subject to an annual Massachusetts tax at a rate of 9.0% of its net income, adjusted for certain items. Massachusetts net income is defined as gross income, other than 95% of dividends received in any taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 1999 from or on account of the ownership of any class of stock if the institution owns 15% or more of the voting stock of the institution paying the dividend, less the deductions, but not the credits allowable under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended and in effect for the taxable year. The dividends must meet the qualifications under Massachusetts law. Dividends paid to affiliates participating in a combined return will be 100% excluded to the extent paid from earnings and profits of a unitary business included in the Massachusetts combined return. Deductions with respect to the following items, however, shall not be allowed except as otherwise provided: (a) dividends received, except as otherwise provided; (b) losses sustained in other taxable years; (c) taxes on or measured by income, franchise taxes measured by net income, franchise taxes for the privilege of doing business and capital stock taxes imposed by any state; or (d) the deduction allowed by section 168(k) of the Code.
A financial institution or business corporation is generally entitled to special tax treatment as a “security corporation” under Massachusetts law provided that: (a) its activities are limited to buying, selling, dealing in or holding securities on its own behalf and not as a broker; and (b) it has applied for, and received, classification as a “security corporation” by the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. A security corporation that is also a bank holding company under the Internal Revenue Code must pay a tax equal to 0.33% of its gross income. A security corporation that is not a bank holding company under the Internal Revenue Code must pay a tax equal to 1.32% of its gross income. HP Security Corporation and BH Security Corporation, wholly owned subsidiaries of Blue Hills Bank, are both qualified as a security corporation. As such, they have received security corporation classification by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; and do not conduct any activities deemed impermissible under the governing statutes and the various regulations, directives, letter rulings and administrative pronouncements issued by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
None of the state tax returns of Blue Hills Bank are currently under audit, nor have any of these tax returns been audited during the past five years.
As a Maryland business corporation, Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is required to file annual returns and pay annual fees to the State of Maryland.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The executive officers of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve at the Board’s discretion. The following table sets forth the name and position of the executive officers of Blue Hills Bancorp, and their ages as of December 31, 2016.
Name
Age
Positions Held (1)
William M. Parent
President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Hills Bank and Blue Hills Bancorp
James E. Kivlehan
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Blue Hills Bank and Blue Hills Bancorp
Thomas E. O’Leary (2)
Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking
Thomas R. Sommerfield
Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer
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(1) Positions held relate to Blue Hills Bank, except as indicated.
(2) On December 22, 2016, Thomas E. O'Leary notified the Company and the Bank, of his intention to retire from the Company and the Bank as Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking effective March 6, 2017.
Below is additional information regarding the executive officers who are not also directors. Unless otherwise stated, each executive officer has held his current position for at least the last three years.
Executive Officers Who Are Not Also Directors:
James E. Kivlehan has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Blue Hills Bank since September of 2013. In addition Mr. Kivlehan has overall responsibility for the Retail Banking business. Prior to joining Blue Hills Bank, Mr. Kivlehan was an Executive Vice President, with more than a decade of service, at Citizens Financial Group, Inc. At Citizens he held multiple executive leadership roles spanning Consumer Banking, Strategy, Business Analytics, M&A and Finance. Mr. Kivlehan is an experienced banking executive with an extensive finance background. A graduate of Babson College, he is a non-practicing CPA, a member of Financial Executives International, and a past president of the Treasurer’s Club of Boston.
Thomas E. O’Leary had been Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking at Blue Hills Bank since 2011 before his retirement effective March 6, 2017. Mr. O’Leary was responsible for the commercial banking departments and their operations. He has 40 years of banking experience split between credit and lending functions. Prior to joining Blue Hills Bank, Mr. O’Leary was Executive Vice President and Group Executive, Specialized Banking from 2002 to 2011 with Citizens Financial Group, Inc. Mr. O’Leary serves on the board of trustees of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston. Mr. O’Leary is a graduate of Boston College and attended the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University.
Thomas R. Sommerfield has been Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer at Blue Hills Bank since 2011. Mr. Sommerfield is responsible for the overall risk management of the Bank, including credit, compliance, enterprise risk and administratively internal audit. Mr. Sommerfield has more than 36 years of experience in the financial services industry, was previously a Director at Spring Street Capital and has held numerous senior lending, credit and risk management roles at CIT, GE Capital, FleetBoston and predecessors, and HSBC. Mr. Sommerfield is a graduate of Columbia College. He is the leader of the Bank’s Pan-Mass Challenge team and has served on advisory boards of educational institutions and outreach programs and is currently on the board of VETRN, a charity that funds education and provides mentoring for military veterans who are starting new local businesses.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business strategy includes the continuation of significant growth plans. If we fail to grow or fail to manage our growth effectively, our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected.
Our strategic plan includes continued asset and deposit growth and in the scale of our operations. Specifically, we intend to: increase our residential, commercial business and commercial real estate loans using the lending origination and servicing platform we have built; add additional related lending groups operating in our market area and adjacent market areas; expand our branch network through select de novo and acquisition opportunities; and increase fee income, including through the opportunistic acquisition of fee income businesses that complement our current product capabilities while improving the revenue contribution of fee income from existing customers. In addition, we may expand through acquisitions, should appropriate opportunities arise.
Since 2011, we have added employees and incurred substantial additional expenses due to the implementation of our strategic plan, including salaries and operating expenses related to updated and de novo branches, a new senior management team, new lending officers and related support staff, new third-party managers for our investment portfolio, additional expenses related to operating as a public company, as well as significant investments to improve our online and mobile capabilities for consumer and business banking, and marketing costs relating to rebranding. Many of these increased expenses are considered fixed expenses. Unless we can continue to implement our strategic plan and continue to grow our interest-earning asset base, our financial condition and results of operations will be negatively affected by these increased costs. The success of our strategic plan will require, among other things, that we continue to leverage our operating costs through increased loan and deposit market share within our current markets and through expansion into new markets, continue to increase our core funding and decrease our reliance on acquisition based pricing, and increase our fee income through increased deposit services, cash management services and mortgage banking. Our ability to continue to grow successfully will depend on several other factors that may not be within our control, including continued favorable market conditions in the communities we serve, the competitive responses from other financial institutions in our market area, and our ability to maintain high asset quality as we increase our portfolio of commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans. In addition, acquisitions of branches or other financial institutions would be subject to a number of risks, including execution, operating and integration risks. Growth through acquisition requires careful due diligence, evaluation of risks, and projections of future operations and financial conditions. Actual results may differ from expectations and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
While we believe we have the management resources, marketing platform and internal systems in place to successfully manage our growth, growth opportunities and lower cost deposit sources may not be available and we may not be successful in implementing our business strategy. It will take additional time to fully implement our business strategy, especially for our lenders to originate enough loans and for our new branches to attract enough favorably priced deposits to generate the net revenue needed to offset the associated expenses. Furthermore, we are a regulated entity and our regulators periodically review and oversee the pace and quality of our growth in assets and liabilities, offering of new products and services and geographic expansion. Regulatory authorities may encourage or require faster growing banks to slow the pace of growth and expansion if regulatory concerns develop.
Because we intend to continue to emphasize our commercial real estate and commercial business loan originations, our overall credit risk will increase.
We intend to continue to grow our commercial real estate and commercial business loan portfolio. At December 31, 2016, $687.3 million or 35.6% of our total loan portfolio consisted of commercial real estate loans (including commercial construction loans) and commercial business loans, compared to $8.6 million, or 4.2% of our total loan portfolio, at December 31, 2010. Commercial real estate and commercial business loans generally have more risk than the one- to four-family residential real estate loans that we originate. Because the repayment of commercial real estate and commercial business loans depends on the successful management and operation of the borrower’s properties or businesses, repayment of such loans can be affected by adverse conditions in the local real estate market or economy. Commercial real estate and commercial business loans may also involve relatively large loan balances to individual borrowers or groups of related borrowers.
Further, if we foreclose on a commercial real estate or construction loan, our holding period for the collateral may be longer than for one- to four-family residential mortgage loans because there are fewer potential purchasers of the collateral. Accordingly, if we make any errors in judgment in the collectability of our commercial real estate loans, any resulting charge-offs may be larger on a per loan basis than those incurred with our residential or consumer loan portfolios.
Downturns in the local real estate market or economy could adversely affect our earnings.
A downturn in the real estate market or the local economy could adversely affect the value of properties securing the loan or the revenues from the borrower’s business, thereby increasing the risk of nonperforming loans. As our commercial real estate and commercial business loan portfolios increase, the corresponding risks and potential for losses from these loans may also increase. If the Company is required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt during a period of reduced real estate values, its earnings and shareholders’ equity could be adversely affected. The declines in real estate prices in the Company’s markets also may result in increases in delinquencies and losses in its loan portfolios. Unexpected decreases in real estate prices coupled with a prolonged economic recovery and elevated levels of unemployment could drive losses beyond that which is provided for in the Company’s allowance for loan losses. In that event, the Company’s earnings could be adversely affected.
Changes in estimates of collectability of our loan portfolio, which may lead to additional provisions or charge-offs, which could hurt our earnings.
Our net loan portfolio has grown to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2016, from $203.7 million at December 31, 2010. A portion of this increase was due to increases in commercial real estate and commercial business loans through our own originations and from purchases of and participations in loans originated by other financial institutions. It is difficult to assess the future performance of the loans recently added to our portfolio because our relatively limited experience with such loans does not provide us with a significant payment history from which to judge future collectability. These loans may experience higher delinquency or charge-off levels than our historical loan portfolio experience, which could adversely affect our future performance. In 2016, we refined our allowance methodology to reflect the more seasoned nature of the portfolio, which resulted in the elimination of our unallocated reserve component. In addition, commencing in the second quarter of 2016, we began blending in our own loss history to our calculation of the allowance, where previously we relied on extrapolated FDIC data.
Our performance depends on key personnel.
Our performance depends largely on the efforts and abilities of our senior officers. Our business model depends on the experience and expertise of our senior management team and lending staff. Several of these individuals have been involved in the commercial banking business for much of their professional careers. Our performance will also depend upon our ability to attract and retain additional qualified management and banking personnel. There can be no assurances that our management team will be able to manage our operations or our expected growth or that we will be able to attract and retain additional qualified personnel as needed in the future. The loss of any officer could adversely affect us. We do not currently maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our officers.
Reduced residential mortgage activity in our market would slow our growth and negatively impact our net income.
We have experienced residential mortgage loan growth during recent years and we have increased our residential mortgage loan infrastructure, including hiring lending officers and underwriting and support personnel and opening loan production offices. Our residential mortgage operations provide a material portion of our income and are significantly affected by market interest rates. Additionally, our mortgage lending activity is affected by refinance activity. A reduction in mortgage refinance activity and a rising or higher interest rate environment may result in a decrease in residential mortgage loan originations, resulting in slower growth of our residential lending activity and, possibly, a decrease in the size of our residential loan portfolio. This could result in a decrease in interest income and a continued decrease in revenues from loan sales. In addition, our results of operations are affected by the amount of noninterest expenses associated with our expanded residential lending platform, such as salaries and commissions, employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, data processing and other operating costs. During periods of reduced residential mortgage loan demand, our results of operations would be adversely affected to the extent that we are unable to reduce expenses commensurate with the decline in mortgage loan origination activity.
Our high concentration of investment securities, may result in lower net interest margin and may create potential volatility in net income and equity.
As of December 31, 2016, our investment securities portfolio, which includes government agency, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities, mutual funds and marketable equity securities totaled $405.9 million, or 16.4% of our total assets. Approximately 50.5% of our investment securities are classified as available for sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income, which affects our reported equity. Accordingly, given the size of the investment securities portfolio and due to possible mark-to-market adjustments of that portfolio resulting from market conditions, we may experience greater volatility in the value of reported equity. Moreover, given that we actively manage our investment securities portfolio, we may sell securities, which could result in a realized loss, thereby reducing our net income. Investment securities typically have lower yields than loans. For fiscal 2016, the weighted average yield of our investment securities portfolio was 2.42% as compared to 3.50% for our loan portfolio. Accordingly, our net interest margin is lower than it would have been if a higher proportion of our interest-earning assets had been invested in loans.
In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall, (Subtopic 825-10). The amendments in this Update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Targeted improvements to generally accepted accounting principles include the requirement for equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and the elimination of the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact of the change in equity investments will depend on market conditions but if applied in 2016, would have resulted in a gain of $592,000 (pre tax) being recognized in net income versus other comprehensive income. See the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Changes in the valuation of our securities portfolio could adversely affect us.
At least quarterly, and more frequently when warranted by economic or market conditions, management evaluates all securities with a decline in fair value below the amortized cost of the investment to determine whether or not the impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary (“OTTI”). Marketable equity securities are evaluated for OTTI based on the severity and duration of the impairment and, if deemed to be other than temporary, the declines in fair value are reflected in earnings as realized losses. For impaired debt securities that are intended to be sold, or more likely than not will be required to be sold, the full amount of market decline is recognized as OTTI through earnings. Credit-related OTTI for all other impaired debt securities is recognized through earnings. Non-credit related OTTI for such debt securities is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. A decline in the market for the securities portfolio could result in impairment charges on some investment securities.
Our branch network expansion strategy may negatively affect our financial performance.
On January 18, 2014, we completed the acquisition of three branches in Nantucket. We also opened de novo branch offices in Milton, Massachusetts in 2014, in University Station in Westwood, Massachusetts in 2015, and in the Boston Seaport District in October 2016. The costs to open the Westwood, Milton and Boston Seaport District de novo branches was $2.2 million, $1.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, including the costs of construction, equipment, furnishings and technology as well as marketing and promotional expenses associated with the grand opening of the branches. Our branch expansion strategy may not generate earnings, or may not generate earnings within a reasonable period of time. Numerous factors contribute to the performance of a new or acquired branch, such as a suitable location, qualified personnel, and an effective marketing strategy. Additionally, it takes time for a new branch to generate sufficient favorably priced deposits to produce enough income, including funding loan growth generated by our organization, to offset expenses related to the branch, some of which, like salaries and occupancy expense, are considered fixed costs. At this time we have no immediate plans to open any additional de novo branches although we may continue to expand through acquisition or opening de novo branches in the future.
Changing interest rates may have a negative effect on our results of operations.
Our earnings and cash flows are dependent on our net interest income and income from our mortgage banking operations. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve Board. Changes in market interest rates could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. If interest rates increase rapidly, we may have to increase the rates we pay on our deposits, particularly our higher-cost savings and short-term time deposits and borrowed funds, more quickly than any changes in interest rates will take effect on our loans and investments, resulting in a negative effect on interest spreads and net interest income. Furthermore, our mortgage banking income varies directly with movements in interest rates, and increases in interest rates could negatively affect our ability to originate loans in the same volumes, and sell loans with attractive pricing, as we have in recent years. Increases in interest rates may also make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans.
Conversely, should market interest rates fall below current levels, our net interest margin could also be negatively affected if competitive pressures keep us from further reducing rates on our deposits, while the yields on our assets decrease more rapidly through loan prepayments and interest rate adjustments. Decreases in interest rates often result in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities, as borrowers refinance their loans to reduce borrowings costs. Under these circumstances, we are subject to reinvestment risk to the extent we are unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments in loans or other investments that have interest rates that are comparable to the interest rates on existing loans and securities.
Changes in interest rates may also decrease fee income generated from our commercial lending operations. We enter into interest rate swap agreements with some of our commercial borrowers (and mirror swap agreements with a third party) that allow the borrower to pay a fixed interest rate on loans that are originated and carried in our loan portfolio as adjustable rate loans. We receive fee income from borrowers for providing this service. Under certain interest rate scenarios, borrowers may choose not to use this service, and our related fee income will decrease. GAAP also dictates that the Company must mark these contracts to fair value over the life of each swap. As interest rates change, positive and negative credit valuation marks on these contracts are also recorded in the income statement.
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Management of Market Risk.”
A worsening of economic conditions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
During the financial crisis, there were dramatic declines in the housing market, where falling real estate values and increasing foreclosures, unemployment, and under-employment negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage loans and resulted in significant write-downs of asset values by financial institutions. Our lending business is tied, in large part, to the housing market and real estate markets in general. A return to these conditions or a general decline in economic conditions could result in more limited demand for the construction of new housing, and weakness in home pricing, and could ultimately result in increased delinquencies on our residential real estate loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and consumer loans. These conditions may also cause a further reduction in loan demand, and increases in our non-performing assets, net charge-offs and provisions for loan losses, as well as adversely affect our liquidity and the willingness of certain counterparties and customers to do business with us. Negative developments in the financial services industry and the domestic and international credit markets may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the market for and value of our loans and investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability. Moreover, declines in the stock market in general, or stock values of financial institutions and their holding companies specifically, could adversely affect our stock performance.
Financial reform legislation is expected to increase our costs of operations.
The Dodd-Frank Act has significantly changed the regulation of banks and savings institutions and affects the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies have been given significant discretion in drafting the implementing rules and regulations, many of which are not in final form. The new administration in Washington indicated they have plans for Dodd-Frank reform, however, we cannot predict the extent to how those changes will impact our business, operations or financial condition. However, compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations and policies has already resulted in changes to our business and operations, as well as additional costs, and diverted management’s time from other business activities, which adversely affects our financial condition and results of operations.
The short-term and long-term impact of the changing regulatory capital requirements and new capital rules may adversely affect our returns on equity and our ability to pay dividends or repurchase stock.
In July 2013, the FDIC and the other federal bank regulatory agencies revised their leverage and risk-based capital requirements and the method for calculating risk-weighted assets to make them consistent with agreements that were reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Among other things, the rule established a new common equity Tier 1 minimum capital requirement (4.5% of risk-weighted assets), set the leverage ratio at a uniform 4% of total assets, increased the minimum Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets requirement (from 4% to 6% of risk-weighted assets) and assigned a higher risk weight (150%) to certain exposures that are more than 90 days past due or are on nonaccrual status and to certain commercial real estate facilities that finance the acquisition, development or construction of real property. The rule limits a banking organization’s capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers if the banking organization does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets in addition to the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The final rule became effective January 1, 2015. The “capital conservation buffer” will be phased in from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2019, when the full capital conservation buffer will be effective.
The application of these more stringent capital requirements could, among other things, result in lower returns on equity, and result in regulatory actions if we were to be unable to comply with such requirements. Furthermore, the imposition of liquidity requirements in connection with the implementation of Basel III could result in our having to lengthen the term of our funding, restructure our business models, and/or increase our holdings of liquid assets.
Government responses to economic conditions may adversely affect our operations, financial condition and earnings.
We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve Board. Such regulation and supervision governs the activities in which an institution and its holding company may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and the depositors and borrowers of Blue Hills Bank rather than for holders of our common stock. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on our operations, the classification of our assets and determination of the level of our allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material impact on our operations.
Financial reform legislation has changed the bank regulatory framework, created an independent consumer protection bureau that has assumed the consumer protection responsibilities of the various federal banking agencies, and established more stringent capital standards for banks and bank holding companies. The legislation has also resulted in new regulations affecting the lending, funding, trading and investment activities of banks and bank holding companies. Bank regulatory agencies also have been responding aggressively to concerns and adverse trends identified in examinations. Ongoing uncertainty regarding the effect of new legislation and regulatory actions may adversely affect our operations by restricting our business activities, including our ability to originate or sell loans, modify loan terms, or foreclose on property securing loans. These measures are likely to increase our costs of doing business and may have a significant adverse effect on our lending activities, financial performance and operating flexibility. In addition, these risks could affect the performance and value of our loan and investment securities portfolios, which also would negatively affect our financial performance.
In addition, there have been proposals made by members of Congress and others that would reduce the amount distressed borrowers are otherwise contractually obligated to pay under their mortgage loans and limit an institution’s ability to foreclose on mortgage collateral. Were proposals such as these, or other proposals limiting our rights as a creditor, to be implemented, we could experience increased credit losses or increased expense in pursuing our remedies as a creditor.
Non-compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act, Bank Secrecy Act, or other laws and regulations could result in fines or sanctions and restrictions on conducting acquisitions or establishing new branches.
The USA PATRIOT and Bank Secrecy Acts require financial institutions to develop programs to prevent financial institutions from being used for money laundering and terrorist activities. If such activities are detected, financial institutions are obligated to file suspicious activity reports with the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. These rules require financial institutions to establish procedures for identifying and verifying the identity of customers seeking to open new financial accounts. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines or sanctions, and restrictions on conducting acquisitions or establishing new branches. During the last year, several banking institutions have received large fines for non-compliance with these laws and regulations. The policies and procedures we have adopted that are designed to assist in compliance with these laws and regulations may not be effective in preventing violations of these laws and regulations.
If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings will decrease.
We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loans and our loss and delinquency experience, and we evaluate economic conditions. If our assumptions are incorrect, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover probable incurred losses in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance. Material additions to our allowance could materially decrease our net income. Furthermore, our strategic plan envisages significant growth in lending, which will require additional provisions for loan losses and reduce our earnings in the short term. In addition, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities might have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has adopted Accounting Standard Update 2016-13, which will be effective in the first quarter of 2020. This standard, often referred to as “CECL” (reflecting a current expected credit loss model), will require companies to recognize an allowance for credit losses based on estimates of losses expected to be realized over the contractual lives of the loans. Under current U.S. GAAP, companies generally recognize credit losses only when it is probable that a loss has been incurred as of the balance sheet date. This new standard will require us to collect and review increased types and amounts of data for us to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses, and may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or expenses may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.
Concentration of loans in our primary market area may increase risk.
Our success depends primarily on general economic conditions in our market area in eastern Massachusetts. Most of our loans are to customers in this market. Accordingly, the local economic conditions in this market have a significant impact on the ability of borrowers to repay loans as well as our ability to originate new loans. As such, a weakness in real estate values in this market would also lower the value of the collateral securing loans on properties in our market. In addition, a weakening in general economic conditions caused by inflation, recession, unemployment or other factors beyond our control could negatively affect our financial results.
Strong competition for deposits and lending opportunities within our market areas, as well as competition from non-depository investment alternatives, may limit our growth and profitability.
Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense. In our market areas, we compete with commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms operating locally and elsewhere. Some of our competitors have greater name recognition and market presence that benefit them in attracting business, and offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide. In addition, larger competitors may be able to price loans and deposits more aggressively than we do, which could affect our ability to grow and to be profitable on a long-term basis. Our profitability depends upon our ability to compete successfully in our market areas. If we must raise interest rates paid on deposits or lower interest rates charged on our loans, our net interest margin and profitability could be adversely affected.
In addition, checking and savings account balances and other forms of deposits can decrease when our deposit customers perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market or other non-depository investments, as providing superior expected returns, or if our customers seek to spread their deposits over several banks to maximize FDIC insurance coverage. Furthermore, technology and other changes have made it more convenient for bank customers to transfer funds into alternative investments, including products offered by other financial institutions or non-bank service providers. Additional increases in short-term interest rates could increase transfers of deposits to higher yielding deposits. Efforts and initiatives we undertake to retain and increase deposits, including deposit pricing, can increase our costs. When bank customers move money out of bank deposits in favor of alternative investments or into higher-yielding deposits, or spread their accounts over several banks, we can lose a relatively inexpensive source of funds, thus increasing our funding costs and reducing our profitability.
Changes in the programs offered by secondary market purchasers or our ability to qualify for their programs may reduce our mortgage banking revenues, which would negatively impact our non-interest income.
We generate mortgage revenues primarily from gains on the sale of single-family mortgage loans pursuant to programs currently offered by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and non-GSE investors. These entities account for a substantial portion of the secondary market in residential mortgage loans. Any future changes in these programs, our eligibility to participate in such programs, the criteria for loans to be accepted or laws that significantly affect the activity of such entities could, in turn, materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Recent regulations could restrict our ability to originate and sell loans.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued a rule designed to clarify for lenders how they can avoid legal liability under the Dodd-Frank Act, which would hold lenders accountable for ensuring a borrower's ability to repay a mortgage. Loans that meet this "qualified mortgage" definition will be presumed to have complied with the new ability-to-repay standard. Under the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule, a "qualified mortgage" loan must not contain certain specified features, including:
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excessive upfront points and fees (those exceeding 3% of the total loan amount, less "bona fide discount points" for prime loans);
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interest-only payments;
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negative-amortization; and
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terms longer than 30 years.
Also, to qualify as a "qualified mortgage," a borrower's total monthly debt-to-income ratio may not exceed 43%. Lenders must also verify and document the income and financial resources relied upon to qualify the borrower for the loan and underwrite the loan based on a fully amortizing payment schedule and maximum interest rate during the first five years, taking into account all applicable taxes, insurance and assessments.
In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the regulatory agencies to issue regulations that require securitizers of loans to retain “not less than 5% of the credit risk for any asset that is not a qualified residential mortgage.” The regulatory agencies have issued a final rule to implement this requirement. The final rule provides that the definition of “qualified residential mortgage” includes loans that meet the definition of qualified mortgage issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for purposes of its regulations.
Furthermore, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau to adopt rules and publish forms that combine certain disclosures that consumers receive in connection with applying for and closing on certain mortgage loans under the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has implemented a final rule to implement this requirement, and the final rule was effective in October 2015.
Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risk and reducing the potential for significant losses.
Our risk management framework is designed to minimize risk and loss to us. We seek to identify, measure, monitor, report and control our exposure to risk, including strategic, credit, market, liquidity, compliance and operational risks. While we use a broad and diversified set of risk monitoring and mitigation techniques, these techniques are inherently limited because they cannot anticipate the existence or future development of currently unanticipated or unknown risks. Economic conditions and heightened legislative and regulatory scrutiny of the financial services industry, among other developments, have increased our level of risk. Accordingly, we could suffer losses as a result of our failure to properly anticipate and manage these risks.
Changes in our accounting policies or in accounting standards could materially affect how we report our financial condition and results of operations.
Our accounting policies are essential to understanding our financial condition and results of operations. Some of these policies require the use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of our assets or liabilities and financial results. Some of our accounting policies are critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective, and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain, and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. If such estimates or assumptions underlying our financial statements are incorrect, we may experience material losses.
From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission change the financial accounting and reporting standards or the interpretation of those standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. These changes are beyond our control, can be hard to predict and could materially affect how we report our financial condition and results of operations. We could also be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, which may result in our restating our prior period financial statements.
Any future action by the U.S. Congress lowering the federal corporate income tax rate and/or eliminating the federal corporate alternative minimum tax could result in the reduction of the net deferred tax asset and a corresponding charge against earnings.
The net deferred tax asset reported on our balance sheet represents the net amount of income taxes expected to be received upon the reversal of temporary differences between the bases of assets and liabilities as measured by enacted tax laws, and their bases as reported in the financial statements. As of December 31, 2016, our net deferred tax asset was computed using the federal statutory rate of 35%.
The President of the United States and members of Congress have announced plans to lower the federal corporate income tax rate from its current level of 35% and to eliminate the corporate alternative minimum tax. If these plans ultimately result in the enactment of new laws lowering the corporate income tax rate and/or eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax, our net deferred tax asset would need to be re-measured. This could result in a reduction of the deferred tax asset in the period of the law change and a corresponding charge against earnings, which could be offset by a reduction of the income tax provision in the year of enactment and future years.
Technological advances impact our business.
The banking industry is undergoing technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to improving customer services, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs provided that they produce economies of scale and deploy technology in a safe and sound manner. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in operations. Many competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or successfully market such products and services to a large enough number of customers to cover the up-front costs of implementation.
Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.
We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business including systems operated by third party vendors. For example, we rely extensively on our core processing vendor for our informational management systems. Any failure, interruption, or breach in security or operational integrity of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption, or security breach of our information systems, we cannot assure you that any such failures, interruptions, or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately rectified. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, cause us to incur costs of rectification, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Impairment of goodwill could require charges to earnings, which could result in a negative impact on our results of operations.
Goodwill arises when a business is purchased for an amount greater than the fair market value of its net assets. We recognized goodwill as an asset on our balance sheet in connection with our acquisition of three branches in Nantucket in January 2014. We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually. A significant decline in our expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the business climate, slower growth rates or other factors could result in impairment of goodwill. If we were to conclude that a future write-down of goodwill was necessary, then we would record the appropriate charge to earnings, which could be materially adverse to our results of operations and financial position.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2016, we operate from our twelve full-service banking offices, including our main office, located in Boston, Brookline, Dedham, Hyde Park, Milton, Nantucket, Norwood, West Roxbury, and Westwood Massachusetts. The net book value of our premises, land and equipment was $22.0 million at December 31, 2016.
The following table sets forth information with respect to our full service banking offices, including the expiration date of leases with respect to leased facilities.
The following table sets forth information with respect to administrative offices, including the expiration date of leases with respect to leased facilities.
The administrative offices located at 500 River Ridge Drive, Norwood, Massachusetts are Blue Hills Bancorp’s corporate headquarters and house several of our back-office functions. The administrative offices located at 9 Bayberry Court, Nantucket house our customer contact center. In addition, the premises include four condominium units that are used for employee housing. The property located at 3 Madison Court, Nantucket consists of a two-unit building used for employee housing. We rent units to certain employees in Nantucket at below-market rates in order to help attract and retain banking staff.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not involved in any material pending legal proceedings as a plaintiff or a defendant other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business. We are not involved in any legal proceedings the outcome of which we believe would be material to our financial condition or results of operations.
On December 30, 2014, a former employee filed a complaint in U.S. Federal District Court of Massachusetts, claiming wrongful termination following a whistleblower claim. This complaint alleged violations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the False Claims Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The former employee has since withdrawn his claim under the FMLA, but continues to seek alleged damages with interest of foregone compensation, including bonuses and employee benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney’s fees and litigation expenses in unspecified amounts. Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank believe the allegations in this complaint to be completely without merit and are defending this action in the Federal District Court.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information and Holders
The Company’s shares of common stock are traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “BHBK”. The approximate number of shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock as of February 27, 2017 was 3,007.
The Company's stock commenced trading on July 22, 2014. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the intra-day high and low sales prices per share of common stock as reported by NASDAQ. The Company declared its first dividend in the third quarter of 2015. See “Dividends” below.
Dividends
The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to declare dividends on our shares of common stock, subject to statutory and regulatory requirements. In determining whether to pay a cash dividend and the amount of such cash dividend, the Board of Directors takes into account a number of factors, including capital requirements, our consolidated financial condition and results of operations, tax considerations, statutory and regulatory limitations and general economic conditions. No assurances can be given that any dividends will be paid or that, if paid, will not be reduced or eliminated in the future. Special cash dividends, stock dividends or returns of capital, to the extent permitted by applicable law, may be paid in addition to, or in lieu of, regular cash dividends. Blue Hills Bancorp will file a consolidated tax return with Blue Hills Bank. Accordingly, it is anticipated that any cash distributions made by us to our stockholders would be treated as cash dividends and not as a non-taxable return of capital for federal and state tax purposes.
The Federal Reserve Board has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends by bank holding companies. In general, the policy provides that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board has established requirements with respect to the maintenance of appropriate levels of capital by registered bank holding companies. These regulatory policies and requirements could affect the ability of the Blue Hills Bancorp to pay dividends. See “Regulation and Supervision-Holding Company Regulation.”
Pursuant to its articles of incorporation, Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is authorized to issue preferred stock. If Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. issues preferred stock, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of our shares of common stock with respect to the payment of dividends. Initially, dividends Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc can declare and pay will depend upon the net proceeds retained from the stock offering and the earnings received from the investment of those proceeds. In the future, dividends will depend in large part upon receipt of dividends from Blue Hills Bank, because Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc expects to have limited sources of income other than dividends from Blue Hills Bank, and interest payments received in connection with the loan to the employee stock ownership plan (which was funded through Blue Hills Funding Corporation, a subsidiary formed solely to make the loan to the employee stock ownership plan). We have no preferred stock outstanding and currently have no plans to issue preferred stock in the future.
Massachusetts banking law and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations impose limitations on capital distributions by savings institutions. See “Regulation and Supervision-Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision-Dividends.”
Any payment of dividends by Blue Hills Bank to Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc that would be deemed to be drawn out of Blue Hills Bank’s bad debt reserves, if any, would require a payment of taxes at the then-current tax rate by Blue Hills Bank on the amount of earnings deemed to be removed from the reserves for such distribution. See “Regulation and Supervision-Federal Regulation-Capital Distributions.” Blue Hills Bank does not intend to make any distribution to us that would create such a federal tax liability. See “Taxation-Federal Taxation” and “-State Taxation.”
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities
Not Applicable.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
Set forth below is information as of December 31, 2016 with respect to compensation plans (other than our employee stock ownership plan) under which equity securities of the Registrant are authorized for issuance. Additional information regarding stock-based compensation plans is presented in Note 11 - Stock Based Compensation in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data located elsewhere in this report.
(1) Reflects weighted average price of stock options only
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchases
The following table sets forth information with respect to any purchases made by or on behalf of the Company during the indicated periods under the repurchase plans. The timing of the purchases will depend on certain factors, including but not limited to, market conditions and prices, available funds, and alternative uses of capital. The stock repurchase program may be carried out through open-market purchases, block trades, negotiated private transactions or pursuant to a trading plan adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Stock Performance Graph
The Company’s shares of common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Global Market on July 22, 2014. Accordingly, no comparative stock performance information is available prior to this date. The performance graph below compares the Company’s cumulative shareholder return on its common stock since the inception of trading on July 22, 2014 to the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 index of small capitalization companies and the SNL Thrift Composite comprising thrifts with total assets of $1.0 billion to $5.0 billion. The initial offering price of the Company's shares was $10.00 per share, however the graph below depicts the cumulative return on the stock since inception of trading at $12.38 per share on July 22, 2014. Total shareholder return is measured by dividing total dividends (assuming dividend reinvestment) for the measurement period plus share price change for the period from the share price at the beginning of the measurement period. The return is based on an initial investment of $100.00.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The information at December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is derived in part from, and should be read together with, the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The information at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is derived in part from audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For the below stated performance ratios, interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent (FTE) basis using a federal statutory tax rate of 35% for the year ended December 31, 2016. A statutory rate of 34% was used for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. No tax equivalent adjustments were made for the year ended December 31, 2012.
The following table sets forth selected financial data and other data for the Company.
_______________________
(1)
The average interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the period.
(2)
The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period on a fully taxable-equivalent (FTE) basis for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. No tax equivalent adjustments were made for the year ended December 31, 2012.
(3)
The efficiency ratio represents noninterest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and noninterest income, including gains on securities available for sale, net.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The objective of this section is to help readers understand our views on our results of operations and financial condition. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements that appear elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Overview
Our results of operations depend primarily on net interest and dividend income from our investments in loans and investment securities. Net interest and dividend income is the difference between (1) the interest and dividend income we earn on our interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans, investment securities (including debt securities and marketable equity securities) and other interest-earning assets, and (2) the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits (including NOW accounts, regular savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit and brokered deposits), and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances.
Our results of operations also are affected by the provision for loan losses, noninterest income and noninterest expense. Noninterest income currently consists primarily of deposit account fees, interchange and ATM fees, mortgage banking revenue, loan level derivative income, gains or losses on the sale of investment securities, income derived from bank-owned life insurance, and other income sources. Noninterest expense currently consists primarily of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expenses, data processing, professional fees, advertising expenses, FDIC insurance premiums, and other operating expenses. Our results of operations also may be affected significantly by general and local economic and competitive conditions, changes in market interest rates, governmental policies and actions of regulatory authorities.
In mid-2010, our Board of Directors hired William M. Parent as the new Chief Executive Officer and President and approved a change in our strategic direction designed to transform our Bank into a full-service community bank with a full complement of retail and commercial loan and deposit products. In addition to hiring a new Chief Executive Officer, the implementation of our change in strategic direction also involved the hiring of a new senior management team with experience in the areas of operations which the Bank planned to expand, including officers and personnel with commercial real estate and commercial business lending and underwriting experience, as well as marketing and risk management personnel. Many members of the new management team have significant employment and advisory experience with larger commercial banking institutions. In addition to the new executive management team, other personnel have been hired to effect the change in strategic direction, which has increased the size of our operations and infrastructure. Our employee base has more than doubled from the end of 2010 to 228 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2016.
Since 2010, we have changed our strategic direction to diversify our operations, assets, and funding base. The change in strategic direction emphasized increasing our residential lending capabilities while building commercial real estate and commercial business lending platforms and offering deposit products and services that would attract and retain commercial and municipal customers in addition to consumers. The new strategic direction also emphasized improving our technology infrastructure and developing competitive retail and commercial customer delivery channels, including remote deposit capture and Internet and mobile banking.
As a result, we have significantly increased our loan and deposit product lines, the overall size of our operations and the diversification of our asset base, including a significant increase in residential, commercial real estate and commercial business lending activity. From December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2016, our assets have grown $1.5 billion, or 154.4%, and net loans have grown $1.6 billion, or 591.7%. During this period, our commercial real estate, commercial business and construction loans have grown to $969.9 million at December 31, 2016 from $9.3 million at December 31, 2011. The 1-4 family residential mortgage portfolio stood at $851.2 million at December 31, 2016, up $587.0 million, or 222.2%, from December 31, 2011. While the loan portfolio has grown significantly over the past five years, the investment securities portfolio declined $141.6 million, or 25.9%, to $405.9 million at December 31, 2016 from $547.5 million at December 31, 2011. Investment securities represented 16.4% of total assets at December 31, 2016 compared to 56.4% at December 31, 2011. From December 31, 2011 to December 31, 2016, our deposits have grown $1.1 billion, or 139.1%, to $1.8 billion. Core deposits (consisting of customer savings, money market, NOW and demand deposit accounts) have grown $798.6 million, or 216.4%,. to $1.2 billion, while certificates of deposits and brokered deposits have increased $253.6 million, or 65.5% to $641.0 million.
Below is a summary of 2016 highlights:
•
Loans grew 25% to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2016 from the end of 2015 as the Company continued to execute on its balance sheet diversification strategy through an expansion of the residential mortgage, commercial real estate and commercial business loan portfolios.
•
The Company continued to expand its mortgage banking capabilities, including opening new Massachusetts offices in Franklin, Cambridge, and Winchester during 2016. In addition, new offices will be opened in Concord and Hingham during the first quarter of 2017. Mortgage banking income grew to $2.5 million in 2016 from $282,000 in 2015 as mortgage originations totaled $539 million in 2016, approximately double the amount of originations in 2015. In 2016, 98% of mortgage originations were in-house compared to 87% in 2015.
•
Commercial loan originations (real estate and non-real estate combined) were $359 million in 2016, up $28 million, or 8%, from $331 million in 2015. The commercial banking business added an asset-based lending team during the year which contributed to the loan growth. In addition, during the fourth quarter the Company upgraded to a new cash management system for commercial customers and conversion of customers to the new platform should be completed in the first quarter of 2017.
•
The Company opened a new branch in the Seaport District of Boston in October, and by the end of 2016 the branch had taken in $30 million of deposits. The previous two branches opened by the Company also continued to have success in 2016. At the end of 2016, the Milton branch, which was opened in the fourth quarter of 2014, had $59 million in deposits, while the Westwood branch, which was opened in the fourth quarter of 2015, had $91 million in deposits. The Brookline branch closed in the first quarter of 2017 as the Company focuses its resources on growing market share and deepening customer relationships at its other locations. Overall, total deposits increased 26% during 2016 while customer deposits were up 18%.
•
A new Business Banking team was added to expand the Company's small business customer base, including capitalizing on the attractive location of the new Seaport branch.
•
The Government Banking division added to the growth in deposits during the course of the year, as municipal deposits more than doubled during 2016 to $104 million at December 31, 2016.
•
The Company grew its quarterly dividend from $0.02 per share in the first quarter, to $0.03 per share in the subsequent 2016 quarters, and $0.05 per share in the first quarter of 2017, an increase of 150%.
•
In late February 2016, the Company announced the completion of its first stock repurchase program and the adoption of a second program. The second program was completed in October and a third program began upon completion of the second program. As of December 31, 2016, a total of 2,637,640 shares have been repurchased under these programs at an average price of $14.20 per share for a total cost of $37.4 million.
•
In October, the Company relocated to a new headquarters building at 500 River Ridge in Norwood to accommodate the additional space needed due to the Company's expansion over the past few years.
•
The Company and its foundations made donations in excess of $1 million in each of the last three years to various non-profits reflecting the Company's active involvement in the communities it serves. Most of the donations were made through the Blue Hills Bank charitable foundations which support non-profits in the fields of education and the arts, health and human services, affordable housing, financial literacy, and community services.
Critical Accounting Policies
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that involve significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that the most critical accounting policies upon which our financial condition and results of operations depend, and which involve the most complex subjective decisions or assessments, are the following:
Allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is based on the size and the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency levels, loss experience, economic conditions and other factors related to the collectability of the loan portfolio. Prior to the second quarter of 2016, the Company had insufficient prior loss experience for its portfolios and utilized the national peer group losses for relevant portfolios dating back to 2008 were used. Commencing in the second quarter of 2016, the Company began to phase in its own loss history by loan type based upon the age and loss experience of the loan portfolio. While this change impacted the loss factors used for our residential real estate, home equity, commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loan portfolios, there was no material impact to the amount of the allowance for loan losses. Loss experience is updated at least quarterly with consideration given to unique circumstances in the portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated regularly by management and reflects consideration of all significant factors that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. The evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. It is the intention of management to maintain an allowance that is prudently commensurate with the growth in the loan portfolio. The allowance consists of general, allocated and unallocated components, as further described below.
General component. The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on a combination of the Company's own history and an extrapolated historical loss experience based on FDIC data for depository institutions with assets of one billion to five billion dollars dating back to 2008 adjusted for qualitative and environmental factors including changes to lending policies and procedures, economic and business conditions, portfolio characteristics, staff experience, problem loan trends, collateral values, concentrations and the competitive, legal and regulatory environment.
Allocated component. The allocated component relates to loans that are on the watch list (non-accruing loans, partially charged-off non-accruing loans and accruing adversely-rated loans) and considered impaired. Impairment is measured by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. An allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Management reviews all loan types for individual impairment. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
We periodically may agree to modify the contractual terms of loans. When a loan is modified and a concession is made to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, the modification is considered TDR. All TDRs are initially classified as impaired.
Unallocated component. The Company previously maintained an unallocated component to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflected the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. With the maturing nature of the Company's loan portfolios, the unallocated component of the allowance for loan losses was eliminated during the fourth quarter of 2016.
Income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted accordingly through the provision for income taxes. A valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets is established when, in the judgment of management, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company reverses previously established reserves when evidence exists that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize such benefits. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2016 and 2015
Total Assets. Total assets increased $355.3 million to $2.5 billion at December 31, 2016 from $2.1 billion at December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to an increase in loans of $389.6 million, or 25.6%.
Loans. Net loans increased by $389.6 million, or 25.6%, to $1.9 billion at December 31, 2016 from $1.5 billion at December 31, 2015. Most of the increase in loans during 2016 was mainly due to loans originated by the Company. The Company continues to execute on its strategy to increase lending, particularly through an expansion of the residential mortgage, commercial real estate and commercial business loan portfolios. By category, the growth was driven by 1-4 family residential loans, which increased $251.2 million, or 41.9%, commercial real estate loans, which increased $126.1 million, or 22.5%, and commercial business loans, which increased $23.6 million, or 12.9%.
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses was $18.8 million, or 0.97% of loans, at December 31, 2016 compared to $17.1 million, or 1.11% of loans, at December 31, 2015. The decline in the allowance for loan losses as a
percentage of total loans from December 31, 2015 reflects a change in loan mix and the Company beginning the process of migrating from using historical loss rates from national FDIC data to using its own historical losses. As part of this migration, at December 31, 2016, the Company no longer maintained an unallocated component of the allowance for loan losses. At December 31, 2015, the unallocated component was 2.5% of the total allowance for loan losses.
Securities. The combination of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity were $405.9 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $431.8 million at December 31, 2015. The decline of $26.0 million, or 6.0%, from the end of 2015 was mainly due to lower levels of corporate and municipal bonds, mortgage-backed securities and mutual funds.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents declined by $2.8 million, or 8.4%, to $30.5 million at December 31, 2016 from $33.3 million at December 31, 2015.
Bank-Owned Life Insurance. The Company's investment in bank-owned life insurance changed only slightly during the year and at December 31, 2016, the investment was $32.0 million, compared to $31.6 million at December 31, 2015. The growth was due to current period earnings on the policies, partially offset by death benefit proceeds.
Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangible. Goodwill and core deposit intangible assets totaled $10.6 million at December 31, 2016 compared to $11.8 million at December 31, 2015. The balance at each date relates to the January 2014 Nantucket Bank acquisition and is a combination of the core deposit intangible associated with the deposit liabilities assumed and the goodwill resulting from the transaction. The decline from the end of 2015 was due solely to amortization of the core deposit intangible.
Premises and Equipment. Premises and equipment was $22.0 million at December 31, 2016, up $2.0 million, or 10.1%, from $20.0 million at December 31, 2015. The increase in 2016 was mainly due to higher leasehold improvements and furniture and fixtures due, in part, to the opening of new locations.
Deposits. Deposits increased by $374.8 million, or 26.1%, to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2016 from $1.4 billion at December 31, 2015. By category, the more significant increases were seen in money market deposits, which were up $205.2 million, brokered certificates of deposits, which were up $111.0 million, and NOW and demand deposits, which were up $43.4 million. Deposit growth from the end of 2015 was helped by the new branch in the Seaport district of Boston that was opened in the fourth quarter of 2016 and further growth in deposits from the Westwood branch that was opened in the fourth quarter of 2015 as well as the Milton branch that was opened in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Borrowings. Total borrowings declined to $251.0 million at December 31, 2016 from $260.0 million at December 31, 2015. Short-term borrowings of $146.0 million at December 31, 2016 and $205.0 million at December 31, 2015 consisted of advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Long-term borrowings of $105.0 million at December 31, 2016 and $55.0 million at December 31, 2015 consisted of fixed-rate advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. The balance of long-term borrowings at December 31, 2016 had maturities ranging from 2017 through 2021.
Equity. Total equity declined $11.9 million, or 3.0%, to $386.9 million at December 31, 2016 from $398.8 million at December 31, 2015. The decline from the end of 2015 reflects $24.4 million of share repurchases and the payment of common stock dividends, at a cost of $2.7 million, partially offset by 2016 earnings, as net income for the year was $8.7 million.
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
General. The Company reported net income of $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $1.4 million, or 19.7%, from net income of $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Average Balances and Yields
The following table sets forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances, but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense. Interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent (FTE) basis using a federal statutory tax rate of 35% for the year ended December 31, 2016. A statutory rate of 34% was used for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
_____________________
(Footnotes on following page).
______________________
(1)
Includes Federal Home Loan Bank stock and short-term investments.
(2)
Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)
Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)
Net interest margin represents net interest and dividend income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest and dividend income for the fiscal years indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately, based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
Net Interest and Dividend Income. Net interest and dividend income increased $7.4 million, or 14.9%, to $57.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $49.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Net interest margin declined 16 basis points to 2.66% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 2.82% for the year ended December 31, 2015. On a fully tax equivalent (FTE) basis, net interest and dividend income increased $7.4 million, or 14.8%, to $57.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. On a fully tax equivalent (FTE) basis, net interest margin declined 15 basis points to 2.68% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to 2.83% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The growth in net interest and dividend income from 2015 was mainly due to an increase of $377.3 million, or 21.4%, in average earning assets. The Company has a nominal asset sensitive interest rate risk position and net interest revenue and margin also benefited from rate hikes announced by the Federal Reserve in both December 2015 and December 2016. Partially offsetting the improvement was a $2.7 million decline in mutual fund dividends to $961,000 in 2016 from $3.6 million in 2015. In addition, the cost of interest-bearing deposits increased to 0.75% in 2016 from 0.66% in 2015 due, in part, to promotional rate programs and there was a decline in the acquisition accounting accretion related to the January 2014 Nantucket Bank acquisition to $512,000 in 2016 from $933,000 in 2015.
Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income increased $11.2 million, or 19.3%, to $69.5 million in 2016 from $58.3 million in 2015. The increase was primarily due to a $13.6 million, or 30.0%, increase in interest on loans to $59.0 million, partially offset by a $2.5 million, or 60.8%, decline in dividends caused by a $2.7 million drop in dividends from mutual funds. The $13.6 million increase in interest on loans was primarily due to a $396.0 million, or 30.6%, increase in the average balance of loans to $1.69 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, partially offset by a 2 basis point decrease in the average yield on loans to 3.50%. The increase in the average balance of loans mainly reflects growth in the residential mortgage, commercial real estate, construction, and commercial business portfolios. The yield on loans decreased due to a lower contribution from acquisition accounting accretion related to the loans obtained in the Nantucket Bank acquisition, partially offset from the repricing of floating rate loans from rate hikes announced by the Federal Reserve in both December 2015 and December 2016.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $3.8 million, or 43.8%, to $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Interest expense on deposits increased $3.0 million, or 39.3%, to $10.5 million in 2016 from $7.5 million in 2015. The growth was due to a $270.2 million, or 23.8%, increase in average interest-bearing deposits to $1.41 billion in 2016 from $1.14 billion in 2015 as average money market deposits were up $181.7 million and average certificates of deposits were up $94.5 million. In addition, the yield on interest bearing deposits increased 9 basis points from 2015 to 0.75% in 2016. Interest expense on borrowings increased $871,000, or 71.6%, to $2.1 million in 2016 from $1.2 million in 2015. The average balance of borrowings grew $102.5 million, or 69.9%, to $249.2 million in 2016 from $146.7 million in 2015 while the yield in 2016 of 0.84% was up just one basis point from 2015.
Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses was $4.9 million in 2016 compared to $4.1 million in 2015. The provision in both periods reflects management’s assessment of the risks inherent in the loan portfolio. In addition, the provisions in both periods were impacted by loan growth and loan mix, while the 2016 provision was impacted by the Company starting to migrate from the use of historical loss rates based on national FDIC data to loss rates based on the Company's own experience. The increase in the provision from 2015 also reflects a higher provision for commercial business loans due primarily to the recording of a $3.2 million provision in 2016 on loans to one commercial customer. This was partially offset by a lower provision on commercial real estate loans due, in part, to the reversal in 2016 of specific reserves of approximately $400,000, originally established in 2015, against loans secured by one income property. Net charge-offs in 2016 were $3.2 million. Excluding net charge-offs related to the aforementioned commercial customer, net charge-offs would have been $32,000 compared to net recoveries of $39,000 in 2015.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income increased $3.4 million, or 39.7%, from 2015 to $12.1 million in 2016. The increase was mainly driven by mortgage banking revenue which rose to $2.5 million in 2016 from $282,000 in 2015 due to a higher level of loan sales. In addition, miscellaneous income increased $1.1 million, or 247.9%, from 2015 to $1.6 million in 2016 due, in part, to credit valuation marks on commercial loan customer back-to-back interest rate swap contracts where customers opt to convert their loans from floating to fixed rate via the rate swaps. In addition, 2016 included $506,000 of bank-owned life insurance death benefit gains compared to none in 2015. These improvements were partially offset by a $688,000, or 35.0%, decline in realized securities gains.
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $7.7 million, or 17.4%, to $51.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $44.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase from 2015 was mainly due to higher salaries and benefits expense, which were up $6.3 million, or 27.8%, to $28.9 million in 2016 and higher occupancy and equipment expense, which was up $1.1 million, or 17.6%, to $7.4 million in 2016. The increase in salaries and benefits expense was due in part to equity grants made under the Equity Incentive Plan that was approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2015 Annual Shareholders Meeting. A full year of expense was recorded on these grants in 2016 compared to three months in 2015. Salaries and benefits expense was also impacted by merit and promotional increases. The remaining increase in salaries and benefits expense, as well as the increase in occupancy and equipment expense mainly reflects growth initiatives, including the opening of new branches in the Seaport District of Boston and in Westwood, the opening of new loan production offices, and the relocation of the Company's headquarters to a new location in Norwood.
Income Tax Provision. The Company recorded a tax provision of $3.8 million in 2016 on pre-tax income of $12.5 million for an effective tax rate of 30.5%. In 2015, the Company recorded a tax provision of $2.8 million on pre-tax income of $10.1 million for an effective tax rate of 28.2%. The major drivers in the increase in tax rate from 2015 related to an increase in state taxes as well as an increase in permanent differences for equity incentives. See Note 8 for rate reconciliations for both years.
Comparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
General. The Company reported net income of $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to a net loss of $183,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014. The 2014 results included the following items:
•
A pre-tax expense of $7.0 million related to the Company's funding of a new charitable foundation at the time of the mutual to stock conversion that was completed on July 21, 2014.
•
A pre-tax pension curtailment gain of $1.3 million related to the Company's decision to freeze its defined benefit pension plan as of October 31, 2014.
•
A pre-tax expense of $950,000 related to the January 2014 Nantucket Bank acquisition.
•
A pre-tax expense of $869,000 related to the Company's mutual to stock conversion.
•
A pre-tax gain of $182,000 related to death benefits received on bank-owned life insurance.
Excluding these items, net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $4.6 million.
Net Interest and Dividend Income. Net interest and dividend income on a fully tax equivalent (FTE) basis increased $7.1 million, or 16.7%, to $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $42.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Net interest margin improved 2 basis points to 2.83% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 2.81% for the year ended December 31, 2014. The growth in net interest and dividend income from 2014 was mainly due to an increase of $235.7 million, or 15.5%, in average earning assets. Net interest and dividend income as well as net interest margin were helped by a 20 basis point improvement in the yield on average securities as the Company repositioned its debt securities portfolio during 2015. These improvements were partially offset by a 16 basis point decline in loan yield and a 9 basis point increase in the cost of interest bearing liabilities. Part of the decrease in loan yield is due to the acquisition accounting accretion related to the January 2014 Nantucket Bank acquisition declined to $933,000 in 2015 from $1.3 million in 2014.
Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income on an FTE basis increased $8.9 million, or 18.1%, to $58.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $49.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to a $8.0 million, or 21.2%, increase in interest on loans to $45.5 million and a $1.0 million, or 8.2%, increase in interest and dividends on securities that was mainly related to a repositioning of the debt securities portfolio.
The $8.0 million increase in interest on loans was primarily due to a $270.8 million, or 26.5%, increase in the average balance of loans to $1.29 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, partially offset by a 16 basis point decrease in the average yield on loans to 3.52%. The increase in the average balance of loans mainly reflects growth in the commercial real estate, residential mortgage and commercial business portfolios. The yield on loans decreased due to the lower interest rate environment, the higher contribution of short-term LIBOR-based commercial loans, competitive pricing pressures, and a lower
contribution from acquisition accounting accretion related to the loans obtained in the Nantucket Bank acquisition.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $1.8 million, or 26.8%, to $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Interest expense on deposits was responsible for the vast majority of the increase as interest expense on borrowings grew just $69,000, or 6.0%. The $1.8 million increase in interest expense on interest-bearing deposits was due to a 10 basis point increase in the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits to 0.66% for the year ended December 31, 2015 due, in part, to promotional rate pricing. In addition, the average balance of interest bearing deposits increased $110.8 million, or 10.8%, to $1.14 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015. This was mainly due to increases in the average balances of money market deposits and certificates of deposit of $125.7 million and $24.0 million, respectively, partially offset by a decline of $41.6 million in the average balance for regular savings.
Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses was $4.1 million in 2015 compared to $3.4 million in 2014. The provision in both periods reflects management’s assessment of the risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The increase in the provision from 2014 reflects growth in the loan portfolio during 2015 as well as the establishment of specific reserves of $404,000, mostly against loans secured by one income property. Net recoveries in 2015 were $39,000 compared to net charge-offs of $79,000 in 2014.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income declined $928,000, or 9.7%, from 2014 to $8.7 million in 2015. The decline was mainly driven by the absence of a $1.3 million pension curtailment gain recognized in 2014, a $502,000, or 64.0%, decline in mortgage banking income reflecting the absence of 2014 gains on the bulk sale of jumbo residential mortgage loans, and a $854,000, or 30.4%, drop in realized securities gains. These declines were partially offset by a $1.5 million, or 221.2%, increase in loan level derivative income from higher fees associated with conversions of commercial loans from floating to fixed rate.
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense declined $5.3 million, or 10.8%, to $44.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $49.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Noninterest expense in 2014 included a $7.0 million expense related to the Company's funding of a new charitable foundation that was set up at the time of the July 2014 mutual-to-stock conversion, $950,000 of one-time costs associated with the January 2014 Nantucket Bank acquisition, and $869,000 of one-time costs related to the Company's mutual-to-stock conversion. Excluding these items, noninterest expense increased $3.5 million, or 8.6%, from 2014 mainly reflecting growth initiatives, including the opening of new branches in Milton and Westwood and a loan production office in Plymouth, merit and promotional salary increases, and a charge of $1.1 million related to the Equity Incentive Plan that was approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2015 Annual Shareholders Meeting held on September 3, 2015. Under the Plan, the Company granted 983,175 restricted stock awards and 2,434,000 stock options subject to vesting provisions.
Income Tax Provision. The Company recorded a tax provision of $2.8 million in 2015 on pre-tax income of $10.1 million. In 2014, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $622,000 on a pre-tax loss of $805,000. The tax benefit in 2014 was due to our tax preference items in relation to pre-tax loss.
Management of Market Risk
General.
Market risk is the risk that the market value or estimated fair value of our assets, liabilities, and derivative financial instruments will decline as a result of changes in interest rates or financial market volatility, or that our net income will be significantly reduced by interest rate changes.
Our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk because, as a financial institution, the majority of our assets and liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Therefore, a principal part of our operations is to manage interest rate risk and limit the exposure of our financial condition and results of operations to changes in market interest rates. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) is responsible for evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for determining the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the policy and guidelines approved by our Board of Directors.
Net Interest Income Analysis.
Income simulation is the primary tool for measuring the interest rate risk inherent in our balance sheet at a given point in time by showing the effect on net interest income, over specified time horizons, under a range of interest rate ramp and shock scenarios. These simulations take into account repricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of individual products. These estimates require us to make certain assumptions including loan and mortgage-related investment prepayment speeds, reinvestment rates, and deposit maturities and decay rates. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, we cannot precisely predict the impact of changes in interest rates on our net interest income. Although the net interest income table below provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such estimates are not intended to, and do not, provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income and will differ from actual results. The ALCO reviews the methodology utilized for calculating interest rate risk exposure and may periodically adopt modifications to this methodology. Simulation results are reviewed by the ALCO to determine whether the exposure resulting from changes in market interest rates remains within established tolerance levels and develops appropriate strategies to manage this exposure.
As of December 31, 2016, net interest income simulation indicated that our exposure to changing interest rates was within our internal guidelines. The following table presents the estimated impact of interest rate ramps on our estimated net interest income over the period indicated:
_______________________
(1)
The calculated change in net interest income assumes a gradual parallel shift across the yield curve over a one-year period.
The table above indicates that at December 31, 2016, in the event of a 100 and 200 basis point increase in interest rates over a one-year period, assuming a gradual parallel shift across the yield curve over such period, we would experience a 0.24% and 0.39% increase, respectively, in net interest income. At the same date, in the event of a 100 basis point decrease in interest rates over a one-year period, assuming a gradual parallel shift across the yield curve over such period, we would experience a 0.12% increase in net interest income.
Economic Value of Equity Analysis.
We also analyze the sensitivity of our financial condition to changes in interest rates through our economic value of equity model. This analysis measures the difference between predicted changes in the present value of our assets and predicted changes in the present value of our liabilities assuming various changes in current interest rates. Our economic value of equity analysis as of December 31, 2016 indicated that, in the event of an instantaneous 100 and 200 basis point increase in interest rates, we would experience an estimated 5.2% and 11.2% decrease, respectively, in the economic value of our equity. At the same date, our analysis indicated that, in the event of an instantaneous 100 basis point decrease in interest rates, we would experience an estimated 0.9% decrease in the economic value of our equity. The impact on our economic value of equity under all scenarios discussed above is within policy guidelines. The estimates of changes in the economic value of our equity require us to make certain assumptions including loan and mortgage-related investment prepayment speeds, reinvestment rates, and deposit maturities and decay rates. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, we cannot precisely predict the impact of changes in interest rates on the economic value of our equity. Although our economic value of equity analysis provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such estimates are not intended to, and do not, provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on the economic value of our equity and will differ from actual results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is a financial institution’s capacity to readily meet its current and future financial obligations. It is further defined as the ability to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers, as well as to opportunities for earnings enhancements. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is deposits. At December 31, 2016, the Company had $1.5 billion of deposits (excluding brokered deposits), which represents 61.1% of total assets. Other sources of liquidity include cash flows from loan repayments and the securities portfolios and discretionary use of wholesale funds, including Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”) borrowings and brokered deposits. Wholesale funds are used to diversify our funding mix and to support asset growth when profitable lending and investment opportunities exist. Securities designated as available for sale may also be sold in response to short-term or long-term liquidity needs.
We have a detailed liquidity funding policy and a contingency funding plan that outlines a comprehensive management response to unexpected demands for liquidity. Management employs stress testing methodology to estimate needs for contingent funding that could result from unexpected outflows of funds in excess of ordinary course of business. To supplement its liquidity, Blue Hills Bank has established collateralized borrowing capacity with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and also maintains additional collateralized borrowing capacity with the FHLBB. At December 31, 2016, we had $251.0 million of FHLBB advances outstanding. At that date, we had the ability to borrow up to an additional $532.6 million from the FHLBB. At December 31, 2016, we had $42.0 million in available unsecured federal funds lines with correspondent banks, which could be drawn upon as needed. There were no amounts outstanding under these lines of credit at December 31, 2016.
Liquidity management is monitored by the ALCO, which is responsible for establishing and monitoring liquidity targets as well as strategies to meet these targets. Liquidity remained well within target ranges established by the ALCO during 2016. Management believes our sources of funding will meet anticipated funding needs.
Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The level of these assets is dependent on our operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At December 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaled $30.5 million.
Our cash flows are derived from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our primary investing activities are originating loans and purchasing securities. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $817.7 million and $570.7 million of loan originations, respectively. We also bought $98.3 million and $150.2 million of loans in 2016 and 2015, respectively and are active in buying and selling securities. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we purchased $76.5 million of available for sale securities and received proceeds from the sale of securities totaling $97.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2015, those amounts were $153.2 million and $99.5 million, respectively.
Financing activities consist primarily of activity in deposit accounts and borrowings. We experienced net increases in deposits of $374.8 million and $221.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Included in the net deposit increases are a $122.5 million increase in brokered deposits for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to a $96.4 million increase for the year ended December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2016, brokered deposits totaled $300.9 million compared to $178.3 million at December 31, 2015. Deposit flows are affected by the overall level of interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by us and our local competitors, and by other factors. We experienced a net decrease in borrowings of $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to a net increase of $185.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
At December 31, 2016, we had $51.6 million in loan commitments outstanding. In addition to commitments to originate loans, we had $238.8 million in unused lines of credit to borrowers and letters of credit and $96.2 million in undisbursed construction loans. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2016 totaled $372.5 million or 20.6%, of total deposits. Excluding brokered deposits, certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2016 totaled $24.4 million, or 1.3%, of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we may be required to seek other sources of funds, including loan and securities sales, brokered deposits, and Federal Home Loan Bank advances. While management believes that we have adequate liquidity to meet our commitments and to fund the Bank’s lending and investment activities, the availability of these funding sources are subject to broad economic conditions and could be restricted in the future. Such restrictions would impact our immediate liquidity and/or additional liquidity needs.
Blue Hills Bancorp is a separate legal entity from the Bank and must provide for its own liquidity. In addition to its operating expenses, Blue Hills Bancorp is responsible for paying dividends declared to its shareholders. Blue Hills Bancorp may continue to repurchase shares of its common stock in the future. Blue Hills Bancorp's primary sources of funds are the net proceeds it retained from the stock offering, interest and dividends on securities and dividends received from the Bank. The amount of dividends that the Bank may declare and pay to Blue Hills Bancorp in any calendar year, without prior regulatory approval, cannot exceed net income for that year to date plus retained net income (as defined) for the preceding two calendar years. Blue Hills Bancorp believes that such restriction will not have an impact on Blue Hills Bancorp's ability to meet its ongoing cash obligations. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, Blue Hills Bancorp had cash and cash equivalents of $66.3 million and $101.0 million, respectively.
We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2016, we exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and are considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines (see Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
Commitments. We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The contract amount of these instruments reflects the extent of involvement we have in these particular classes of financial instruments. We use the same credit policies in making commitments as we do for on-balance sheet instruments. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. 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. Commitments and unadvanced funds on lines-of-credit generally have fixed expiration dates and may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. In addition, from time to time we enter into commitments to sell mortgage loans that we originate. For additional information, see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Contractual Obligations. We are obligated to make future payments according to various contracts. The following table presents the expected future payments of the contractual obligations aggregated by obligation type at December 31, 2016.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of the impact of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
Our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration of changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on performance than the effects of inflation.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Information regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk appears under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” under the caption “Asset/Liability Management”.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Wolf & Company, P.C.
Boston, Massachusetts
March 8, 2017
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
_______________________
(1)
Amounts are included in gains on sales and calls of securities, net and net impairment losses, in noninterest income in the consolidated statements of operations. Income tax expense associated with the reclassification adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $431,000, $691,000 and $940,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016, included in net gains on sales and calls of securities, amounting to $1.3 million, in net income, was $45,000 related to a gain on a called security classified as held to maturity.
(2)
Amounts are included in interest income on securities in the consolidated statements of operations. Income tax expense associated with the amortization amount for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $83,000 and $35,000, respectively.
(3)
Amounts are included in salaries and employee benefits, in noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Income tax expense (benefit) associated with the reclassification adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $(97,000), $(37,000) and $24,000, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
(continued)
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(concluded)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
BLUE HILLS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBISDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION
Conversion
Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation formed in February 2014 for the purpose of becoming the holding company for Blue Hills Bank (the “Bank”) concurrent with the conversion of Hyde Park Bancorp, MHC from the mutual holding company to the stock holding company form of organization on July 21, 2014. In connection with the conversion, the Bank became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the Company sold 27,772,500 shares of its common stock, at $10.00 per share, for gross offering proceeds of approximately $277.7 million, including the sale of 2,277,345 shares to the employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”). The purchase of common stock by the ESOP was financed by a loan from Blue Hills Funding Corporation ("the Funding Corporation"), a subsidiary of the Company. Upon the completion of the conversion, Hyde Park Bancorp, MHC and the Bank’s former Massachusetts chartered mid-tier holding company, Hyde Park Bancorp, Inc., ceased to exist.
In connection with the plan of conversion, the Company established the Blue Hills Bank Foundation (the “Foundation”). The Foundation was funded with $7.0 million, including 694,313 shares of the Company’s common stock and $57,000 in cash, which was recorded as an expense by the Company in July 2014.
At the time of conversion, the Company substantially restricted retained earnings by establishing a liquidation account and the Bank established a parallel liquidation account. The liquidation accounts amounted to $61.0 million and $80.7 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are maintained for the benefit of eligible deposit account holders who continue to maintain their accounts at the Bank after the conversion. The liquidation accounts will be reduced annually to the extent that eligible account holders have reduced their qualifying deposits. Subsequent increases will not restore an eligible account holder’s interest in the liquidation accounts. In the event of a complete liquidation of the Bank, each account holder will be entitled to receive a distribution from the liquidation accounts as described in the Plan of Conversion. Neither the Company nor the Bank may declare or pay a cash dividend on its common stock if such dividend would cause its regulatory capital to be reduced below the amount required to maintain its respective liquidation account.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Blue Hills Funding Corporation and the Bank, the principal operating entity and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, B.H. Security Corporation and HP Security Corporation, which are Massachusetts security corporations, and 1196 Corporation, which holds stock in a company that administers pension and 401(k) plans for a number of savings banks. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Prior to the the establishment of the Foundation in 2014, the Company established Blue Hills Bank Charitable Foundation, (the "Charitable Foundation"), a not-for-profit organization, to provide charitable contributions within the Company’s surrounding communities. Neither the Foundation or Charitable Foundation are subsidiaries of the Company.
Business
The Company provides a variety of financial services to individuals and businesses online and through its offices in Boston, Brookline (closed in February of 2017), Cambridge, Concord, Dedham, Franklin, Hingham, Hyde Park, Lowell, Milton, Nantucket, Norwood, Plymouth, West Roxbury, Westwood, and Winchester Massachusetts. Its primary deposit products are checking, savings, money market and term certificate accounts and its primary lending products are residential mortgage loans, home equity loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans and consumer loans.
Use of estimates
In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the realizability of deferred tax assets.
Cash and cash equivalents
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, balances due from banks, and short-term investments comprised of federal funds sold, money-market mutual funds, and interest-bearing deposits, all of which mature within ninety days. The Company normally maintains balances on deposit with other financial institutions in excess of the federally insured limit.
Restrictions on cash and due from banks
The Company is required to maintain average balances on hand or with the Federal Reserve Bank ( the “FRB”). At December 31, 2016 there was no reserve requirement. At December 31, 2015 the reserve requirement was $4.0 million.
Fair value hierarchy
The Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.
Level 1 - Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Valuation is based on observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets and liabilities.
Level 3 - Valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those whose value is determined using unobservable inputs to pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Securities
Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held-to-maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held-to-maturity, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as “available-for-sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income.
Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
At least quarterly, and more frequently when warranted by economic or market conditions, management evaluates all securities with a decline in fair value below the amortized cost of the investment to determine whether or not the impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary ('OTTI"). OTTI is required to be recognized if: (1) the Company intends to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) for debt securities, the present value of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. For all impaired debt securities that the Company intends to sell, or more likely than not will be required to sell, the full amount of the depreciation is recognized as OTTI through earnings. Credit-related OTTI for all other impaired debt securities is recognized through earnings. Non-credit related OTTI for such debt securities is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Marketable equity securities are evaluated for OTTI based on the severity and duration of the impairment and, if deemed to be other than temporary, the declines in fair value are reflected in earnings as realized losses.
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
The Company, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (the "FHLBB") system, is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the FHLBB. Based on the redemption provisions of the FHLBB, the stock has no quoted market value and is carried at cost. At its discretion, the FHLBB may declare dividends on the stock. The Company reviews its investment for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost basis in the FHLBB stock. As of December 31, 2016, no impairment has been recognized.
Loans held for sale
Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income.
Loans
The Company has historically granted mortgage and consumer loans to its customers and a substantial portion of the loan portfolio consists of mortgage loans in communities including and near the locations of its banking offices. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in these areas.
The Company’s loan portfolio includes 1-4 family residential real estate, home equity, commercial real estate, construction, commercial business, and consumer segments.
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for the allowance for loan losses, charge-offs, deferred origination fees and costs, and discounts on purchased loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Deferred loan origination fees/costs and discounts on purchased loans are recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.
It is the policy of the Company to discontinue the accrual of interest on loans past due in excess of 90 days, unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection, or when in the judgment of management, the ultimate collectability of the principal or interest becomes doubtful and to reverse all interest previously accrued against interest income. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. The interest on non-accrual loans is accounted for on the cash-basis until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due have been current for six consecutive months and future payments are reasonably assured.
Allowance for loan losses
The allowance for loan losses is based on the size and the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquency levels, loss experience, economic conditions and other factors related to the collectability of the loan portfolio. Prior to the second quarter of 2016, for portfolios for which the Company had insufficient prior loss experience, a national peer group losses of depository institutions with assets between one and five billion dollars for relevant portfolios dating back to 2008 were used. Commencing in the second quarter of 2016, the Company began to phase in its own loss history by loan type based upon the age and loss experience of the loan portfolio. While this change impacted the loss factors used for our residential real estate, home equity, commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loan portfolios, there was no material impact to the amount of the allowance for loan losses. Loss experience is updated at least quarterly with consideration given to unique circumstances in the portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated regularly by management and reflects consideration of all significant factors that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio. The evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. It is the intention of management to maintain an allowance that is prudently commensurate with the growth in the loan portfolio.
The allowance consists of general, allocated and unallocated components, as further described below.
General component
The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on a combination of the Company's own history and an extrapolated historical loss experience based on FDIC data for depository institutions with assets of one billion to five billion dollars dating back to 2008, adjusted for qualitative and environmental factors including changes to lending policies and procedures, economic and business conditions, portfolio characteristics, staff experience, problem loan trends, collateral values, concentrations and the competitive, legal and regulatory environment.
The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
Residential real estate - The Company does not generally originate loans with a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80 percent and does not generally grant loans that would be classified as subprime upon origination. When the Company does extend credit either on a first- or second-lien basis at a loan-to-value ratio greater than 80 percent, such loans are supported by either mortgage insurance or state guarantee programs. All loans in this segment are collateralized by owner-occupied, 1-4 family residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The health of the national economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, will have an effect on the credit quality of loans in this segment.
Home equity - Loans in this segment are generally secured by first or second liens on residential real estate. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The Company evaluates each loan application based on factors including the borrower’s credit score, income, length of employment, and other factors to establish the creditworthiness of the borrower.
Commercial real estate - Loans in this segment include investment real estate and are generally secured by assignments of leases, real estate collateral and owner-occupied properties. In cases where there is a concentration of exposure to a single large tenant, underwriting standards include analysis of the tenant’s ability to support lease payments over the duration of the loan. The underlying cash flows generated by the properties may be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy due to increased vacancy rates, which in turn, can have an effect on the credit quality in this segment. Payments on loans secured by income-producing properties often depend on the successful operation and management of the properties. Management continually monitors the cash flows of these loans.
Construction - Loans in this segment primarily include real estate development loans for which payment is derived from permanent financing or sale of the property. Credit risk is affected by cost overruns, time to sell at an adequate price, and market conditions.
Commercial business - Loans in this segment are generally secured by business assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, real estate and intangible assets. Strict underwriting standards include considerations of the borrower’s ability to support the debt service requirements from the underlying historical and projected cash flows of the business, collateral values, the borrower’s credit history and the ultimate collectability of the debt. Economic conditions, real estate values, commodity prices, unemployment trends and other factors will affect the credit quality of loans in these segments.
Consumer - Loans in this segment primarily include used classic and collector automobile loans. A significant portion of the used automobile loan portfolio is comprised of geographically diverse loans originated by and purchased from a third party, who also provides collection services.
Allocated component
The allocated component relates to loans that are on the watch list (partially charged-off loans, non-accruing loans and accruing adversely-rated loans) and considered impaired. Impairment is measured by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. An allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Management reviews all loan types for individual impairment. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
The Company periodically may agree to modify the contractual terms of loans. When a loan is modified and a concession is made to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, the modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). All TDRs are initially classified as impaired and generally remain impaired for the remaining life of the loan. The impaired classification may be removed if the borrower demonstrates compliance with the modified terms and the restructuring agreement specifies an interest rate equal to that which would be provided to a borrower with similar credit at the time of restructuring.
Unallocated component
The Company previously maintained an unallocated component to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflected the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. As a large portion of the Company's loan portfolios is now seasoned, the unallocated component of the allowance for loan losses was eliminated during the fourth quarter of 2016.
Premises and equipment
Land is carried at cost. Buildings, leasehold improvements and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the expected terms of the leases, if shorter. Expected terms include lease option periods to the extent that the exercise of such options is reasonably assured.
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets
Goodwill is the price paid in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired and is not amortized. Goodwill at December 31, 2016 and 2015 relates to the acquisition of Nantucket Bank. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually, or more often if warranted, using a combined qualitative and quantitative impairment approach. The initial qualitative approach assesses whether the existence of events or circumstances led to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than carrying value, the two-step quantitative impairment test is performed. Step one of the quantitative impairment test compares book value to the fair value of the reporting unit. If test one is failed, a more detailed analysis is performed, which involves measuring the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in step one, over the aggregate fair value of the individual assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination.
Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the core deposit intangible acquired in the acquisition of Nantucket Bank, which has an estimated life of approximately 5.5 years. Identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.
The core deposit intangible is being amortized using the sum of the years' digits method over its estimated life. Information related to the core deposit intangible, including the estimated annual amortization expense, is summarized below:
Bank-owned life insurance
Bank-owned life insurance policies are reflected on the consolidated balance sheets at cash surrender value. Changes in cash surrender value are reflected in noninterest income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Non-marketable investments
The aggregate carrying amount of all cost and equity method investments included in other assets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 is $10.2 million and $8.7 million, respectively. The fair values of these investments are not readily available and are not evaluated for impairment unless there are identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investments. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company was contractually committed under these non-marketable investments to make additional capital contributions of $8.9 million and $8.4 million, respectively.
Interest rate swap agreements
For asset/liability management purposes, the Company periodically uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge various exposures or to modify interest rate characteristics of various balance sheet accounts. All interest rate swap agreements are recorded at fair value. Depending upon the intended use for the interest rate swap at inception, the Company designates the derivative as either an economic hedge of an asset or liability or a hedging instrument subject to the hedge accounting provisions. If the interest rate swap is not designated in a hedge relationship, gains or losses reflecting changes in fair value are recorded in earnings.
Certain interest rate swap contracts are utilized to help commercial loan borrowers manage their interest rate risk. The interest rate swap contracts with commercial loan borrowers allow the borrowers to convert floating rate loan payments to fixed rate payments. When the Company enters into an interest rate swap contract with a commercial loan borrower, the Company concurrently enters into a matching interest rate swap with a correspondent bank counterparty in order to minimize interest rate risk to the Company. These interest rate derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. These derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting. As such, all changes in fair value of these derivative instruments are included in miscellaneous income. The Company pays and receives fees for entering into these contracts. The net fees are recognized in loan level derivative income when received.
Derivative Loan Commitments
Mortgage loan commitments are referred to as derivative loan commitments if the loan that will result from exercise of the commitment will be held for sale upon funding. Loan commitments that are derivatives are recognized at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet in other assets and other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded in mortgage banking income.
Forward Loan Sale Commitments
To protect against the price risk inherent in derivative loan commitments, the Company enters into forward loan sale commitments to mitigate the risk of potential decreases in the values of loans that would result from the exercise of the derivative loan commitments. Forward loan sale commitments are recognized at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet in other assets or other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded in mortgage banking income. The Company estimates the fair value of its forward loan sale commitments based on changes in the fair value of underlying mortgage loans.
Transfers of financial assets
Transfers of an entire financial asset, a group of entire financial assets, or a participating interest in an entire financial asset are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
During the normal course of business, the Company may transfer a portion of a financial asset, for example, a participation loan. In order to be eligible for sales treatment, the transfered portion of the loan must meet the criteria of a participating interest. If it does not meet the criteria of a participating interest, the transfer must be accounted for as a secured borrowing. In order to meet the criteria for a participating interest, all cash flows from the loan must be divided proportionately, the rights of each loan holder must have the same priority, the loan holders must have no recourse to the transferor other than standard representations and warranties and no loan holder has the right to pledge or exchange the entire loan.
Retirement plan
The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plan using an actuarial model that allocates pension costs over the service period of employees in the plan. The Company accounts for the over-funded or under-funded status of its defined benefit plan as an asset or liability on its consolidated balance sheets and recognizes changes in the funded status that are not reflected in net periodic pension cost as other comprehensive income or loss. The Company amended its defined benefit pension plan in 2013 freezing the plan to new participants and subsequently amended the plan and froze it for all participants effective October 31, 2014.
Earnings per common share
Basic earnings per share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Unallocated ESOP shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations. Dividend rights on unvested options/awards are forfeitable; therefore unvested awards/options are not considered outstanding in the computation of basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards and are determined using the treasury stock method.
Advertising costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Stock-based Compensation Plans
The Company measures and recognizes compensation cost relating to stock-based payment transactions based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. Stock-based compensation is recognized over the period the employee is required to provide services for the award. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted. For an award with a performance and/or service condition that affects vesting, the performance and/or service condition is not considered in determining the award’s fair value on the grant date. Performance and service conditions considered in estimating the quantity of awards that will vest (i.e., the pre-vesting forfeiture assumption). Compensation cost reflects the number of awards that are expected to vest and is adjusted to reflect those awards that do ultimately vest.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Compensation expense for the ESOP is recorded at an amount equal to the shares allocated by the ESOP multiplied by the average fair market value of the shares during the period. The Company recognizes compensation expense ratably over the year based upon the Company’s estimate of the number of shares expected to be allocated by the ESOP. Unearned compensation applicable to the ESOP is reflected as a reduction of stockholders' equity on the consolidated balance sheet. The difference between the average fair market value and the cost of the shares allocated by the ESOP is recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital.
Income taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted accordingly through the provision for income taxes. The Company exercises significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax assets and liabilities. These judgments require the Company to make projections of future taxable income. These judgments and estimates, which are inherently subjective, are reviewed periodically as regulatory and business factors change. A valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets is established when, in the judgment of management, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more likely than not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. There was no reserve for uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2016 or 2015. The Company records interest and penalties as part of income tax expense.
Income tax benefits related to stock compensation in excess of grant date fair value less any proceeds on exercise are recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital upon vesting or exercising and delivery of the stock. Any income tax effects related to stock compensation that are less than grant date fair value less any proceeds on exercise would be recognized as a reduction of additional paid-in capital to the extent of previously recognized income tax benefits and then through income tax expense for the remaining amount.
Comprehensive Income
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.
Reclassification
Certain amounts in the 2015 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation.
NOTE 2 - RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES
In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall, (Subtopic 825-10). The amendments in this Update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Targeted improvements to generally accepted accounting principles include the requirement for equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and the elimination of the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact of the change in equity investments will depend on market conditions but if applied in 2016, would have resulted in a gain of $592,000 (pre tax) being recognized in net income versus other comprehensive income. See the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This Update is intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions and the key provision impacting the Company is the requirement for a lessee to record a right-to-use asset and a liability representing the obligation to make lease payments for long-term operating leases. The Update will be effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the impact to the consolidated financial statements of adopting this Update. Future lease commitments as of December 31, 2016 were $24.8 million.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to reduce the complexity of certain aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. As a result of this ASU, changes applicable to all entities include:
Minimum statutory withholding requirements - One of the previous requirements for an award to qualify for equity classification is that an entity cannot partially settle the award in cash in excess of the employer’s minimum statutory withholding requirements. The determination of employees’ minimum statutory withholding amount has been difficult for some entities. Under the ASU, the threshold to qualify for equity classification would permit withholding up to the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdictions. Also, the ASU provides that cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes would be classified as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows.
Accounting for forfeitures - Under the new guidance, entities are permitted to make an accounting policy election for the impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share based payment awards. Forfeitures can be estimated, as required today, or recognized when they occur. Estimates of forfeitures will still be required in certain circumstances, such as at the time of modification of an award or issuance of a replacement award in a business combination. If elected, the change to recognize forfeitures when they occur needs to be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings.
Accounting for income taxes - Currently, excess tax benefits are recognized in additional paid-in capital. Tax deficiencies are recognized either as an offset to accumulated excess tax benefits, if any, or in the income statement. Per the ASU, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies would be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. An entity also would recognize excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. Further, excess tax benefits would not be separated from other income tax cash flows and thus would be classified along with other cash flows as an operating activity.
The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any organization in any interim or annual period. The impact to the consolidated financial statements upon adopting this Update is not expected to be material.
On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which removes the thresholds that companies apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, receivables, and held-to-maturity debt securities. Under current U.S. GAAP, companies generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The revised guidance will remove previously established recognition thresholds based on probability, and will require companies to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the net amount that the company expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. ASU 2016-13 also amends the credit loss measurement guidance for available-for-sale debt securities and will require that credit losses be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The ASU is effective for public business entities fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is currently evaluating the impact to the consolidated financial statements of adopting this Update.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The amendments in this Update require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The impact to the consolidated financial statements upon adopting this Update is not expected to be material.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The amendments in this Update require that in the statement of cash flows, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact to the consolidated financial statements upon adopting this Update is not expected to be material.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 Goodwill Simplifications, which simplifies how all entities assess goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. As amended, the goodwill impairment test will consist of one step comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The impact to the consolidated financial statements upon adopting this Update is not expected to be material.
NOTE 3 - SECURITIES
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available for sale and held to maturity, with gross unrealized gains and losses, follow:
During the third quarter of 2015, approximately $196.3 million of securities available-for-sale, with net unrealized gains of $666,000, were reclassified to held-to-maturity designation. Held-to-maturity investments are investments that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. If a security is reclassified from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, the fair value at the time of transfer becomes the security's new cost basis. The unrealized holding gain at the transfer date continues to be reported in accumulated other comprehensive income and is amortized over the security's remaining life as an adjustment of yield in a manner similar to a premium or discount. At December 31, 2016, there are $337,000 of net holding gains remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2016 follow. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because the issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, proceeds from sales of securities available for sale amounted to $97.8 million, $99.5 million and $362.9 million, respectively. Gross realized gains amounted to $2.3 million, $2.0 million and $4.5 million, respectively, and gross realized losses amounted to $981,000, $56,000 and $1.7 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, government-sponsored enterprise obligations with an amortized cost of $27.3 million and $46.2 million, respectively, and a fair value of $27.0 million and $46.0 million, respectively, were pledged to secure borrowings. See Note 7.
The Company continually reviews investment securities for the existence of OTTI, taking into consideration current market conditions, the extent and nature of changes in fair value, issuer rating changes and trends, the credit worthiness of the obligor of the security, volatility of earnings, current analysts’ evaluations, the Company’s intent to sell the security, or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery, as well as other qualitative factors. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment.
Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, follows:
At December 31, 2016, several debt securities have unrealized losses with aggregate depreciation of 2% from the Company’s amortized cost basis. The unrealized losses were primarily caused by interest rate fluctuations. It is expected that none of these securities would be settled at a price less than the par value of the investment. Because the decline in market value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not to credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell the securities and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these securities to be other than temporarily impaired at December 31, 2016.
At December 31, 2016, three mutual funds have aggregate unrealized losses of $2.5 million; 6% of the Company’s cost basis. No issues have been identified that cause management to believe the declines in market value are other than temporary and the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value.
NOTE 4 - LOANS AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
A summary of the balances of loans follows:
The Company has sold residential mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market, some of which are sold with limited recourse. The Company has retained the servicing responsibility on a portion of the loans sold and receives fees for the services provided. The unpaid principal balances of mortgage loans serviced for others were $89.7 million and $39.8 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The maximum contingent liability associated with loans sold with recourse is $3.8 million at December 31, 2016. Neither mortgage loans serviced for others nor the contingent liability associated with sold loans is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. There have been no contingency losses recognized on these loans to date.
In 2016 and 2015, the Company transferred a portion of its originated commercial real estate, commercial business and construction loans to participating lenders. The amounts transferred have been accounted for as sales and are therefore not included on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company and participating lenders share ratably in cash flows and any gains or losses that may result from a borrower’s lack of compliance with contractual terms of the loan. The Company continues to service the loans on behalf of the participating lenders and, as such, collects cash payments from the borrowers, remits payments (net of servicing fees) to participating lenders and disburses required escrow funds to relevant parties. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company was servicing loans for participants aggregating $56.0 million and $30.6 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, 1-4 family residential loans in the amount of $759.9 million and $508.5 million, respectively, and commercial real estate loans in the amount of $293.1 million and $133.2 million, respectively, were pledged to secure borrowings. See Note 7.
Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 follows:
Additional information pertaining to the allocation of the allowance for loan losses to loan segments at December 31, 2016 and 2015, follows:
The following is a summary of past due and non-accrual loans, by loan segment, at December 31, 2016 and 2015:
There were no loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans by loan segment at the dates indicated:
The following tables set forth information regarding average balances and interest income recognized (all on a cash basis) on impaired loans, by segment, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014:
No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.
There were no material troubled debt restructurings recorded during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Credit Quality Information
The Company utilizes a ten-grade internal loan rating system for all loans as follows:
Loans rated 1 - 6 are considered "acceptable" rated loans that are performing as agreed, and generally require only routine supervision.
Loans rated 7 are considered “special mention.” These loans are starting to show signs of potential weakness and are being closely monitored by management.
Loans rated 8 are considered “substandard.” Generally, a loan is considered substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligors and/or the collateral pledged. There is a distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the weakness is not corrected. Generally, all loans 90 days delinquent are rated 8.
Loans rated 9 are considered “doubtful.” Serious problems exist to the point where a partial loss of principal is likely. Weakness is so pronounced that on the basis of current information, conditions and values, collection in full is highly improbable.
Loans rated 10 are considered "loss" and the credit extended to the customer is considered uncollectible or of such little value that it does not warrant consideration as an active asset.
The Company assigns a 6 risk-rating to otherwise performing, satisfactorily collateralized consumer and residential loans where the Company becomes aware of deterioration in a FICO score or other indication of potential inability to service the debt. The Company assigns risk ratings of 7-10 to residential or consumer loans that have a well-defined weakness that may jeopardize the collection of the contractual principal and interest, are contractually past due 90 days or more or legal action has commenced against the borrower. All other residential mortgage and consumer loans have no risk rating.
On an annual basis, or more often if needed, the Company formally reviews the ratings on all commercial and construction loans. At least annually, the Company engages an independent third party to review a significant portion of loans within these segments. Management uses the results of these reviews as part of its annual review process. Management primarily utilizes delinquency reports, the watch list and other loan reports to monitor credit quality of other loan segments.
The following tables present the Company’s loans by risk rating at December 31, 2016 and 2015:
NOTE 5 - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of the cost and accumulated depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment follows:
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 amounted to $2.0 million, $1.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
NOTE 6 - DEPOSITS
A summary of deposit balances, by type, is as follows:
At December 31, 2016, the scheduled maturities of certificate accounts, including brokered certificates of deposits, are as follows:
NOTE 7 - BORROWINGS
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances
FHLBB advances with an original maturity of less than one year amounted to $146.0 million and $205.0 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, with a weighted average rate of 0.76% and 0.41%, respectively. The Company also had, at both December 31, 2016 and 2015, a $7.7 million line of credit with the FHLBB with an interest rate that adjusts daily. No advances were outstanding on this line at December 31, 2016 or 2015. All borrowings from the FHLBB are secured by a blanket security agreement on qualified collateral, principally residential and commercial mortgage loans, as well as certain U.S. government-sponsored enterprise securities. See Notes 3 and 4.
Long-term debt consists of the following FHLBB advances:
Other lines-of-credit
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had $42 million and $39 million, respectively, in available unsecured federal funds lines with correspondent banks, which could be drawn upon, as needed. There were no amounts outstanding at December 31, 2016 or 2015.
NOTE 8- INCOME TAXES
Allocation of federal and state income taxes between current and deferred portions is as follows:
The reasons for the differences between the statutory federal income tax provision and the actual tax provision (benefit) are summarized as follows:
The components of the net deferred tax asset are as follows:
The tax effects of each item that give rise to deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
A summary of the change in the net deferred tax asset (liability) is as follows:
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, management maintained a valuation reserve in the amount of $1.8 million and $2.0 million, respectively, primarily related to state deferred tax assets, for which it was more likely than not that a tax benefit could not be realized due to positive evidence supporting future state profitability. Management reviews projections of state taxable income periodically to determine if circumstances have changed to warrant a reduction in the valuation reserve.
A summary of the change in valuation reserve is as follows:
At December 31, 2016, the Company allocated tax expense between the components of the consolidated statements of operations as required by the intraperiod allocation rules.
The federal income tax reserve for loan losses at the Company’s base year amounted to $1.3 million. If any portion of the reserve is used for purposes other than to absorb loan losses, approximately 150% of the amount actually used (limited to the amount of the reserve) would be subject to taxation in the year in which used. As the Company intends to use the reserve to only absorb loan losses, a deferred income tax liability of $514,000 has not been provided.
The Company’s income tax returns are subject to review and examination by federal and state taxing authorities. The Company is currently open to audit under the applicable statutes of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities for the years ended December 31, 2013 through 2016.
Management periodically evaluates the sustainability of tax positions taken. Whenever management estimates the probability of sustaining a tax position is at least more likely than not, the tax position is deemed warranted and is recognized at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized as income tax expense. In the year ended December 31, 2016, $22,000 of interest and penalties were paid. No interest or penalties were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
NOTE 9 - EQUITY
Minimum regulatory capital requirements
The Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.
Federal banking regulations include minimum capital ratios as displayed in the following table. Additionally, community banking institutions must maintain a capital conservation buffer of common equity Tier 1 capital in an amount greater than 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets to avoid being subject to limitations on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses. The capital conservation buffer is being phased in over three years, beginning on January 1, 2016, with an initial phase-in of 0.625%. Also, certain deductions from and adjustments to regulatory capital is being phased in over several years. Management believes that the Company will remain characterized as “well capitalized” throughout the phase-in periods.
As of December 31, 2016, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum ratios as set forth in the following table. There are no conditions or events since the notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category. Management believes, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, that the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. The Company’s and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are also presented in the following table.
Preferred stock
On September 22, 2011, Hyde Park Bancorp, Inc. issued and sold 18,724 shares of senior non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, Series A (“Series A Preferred”), with a liquidation value of $1,000 per share to the U.S. Treasury as part of the Small Business Lending Fund Program (“SBLF”) for an aggregate purchase price of $18.7 million. On July 11, 2014, the Company redeemed the $18.7 million of Series A Preferred Stock issued to the U.S. Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund (“SBLF”) preferred stock program. The redemption was completed with a payment to the U.S. Treasury of $18.7 million plus accrued dividends.
As part of the conversion (see Note 1), the Board of Directors of the Company authorized 50,000,000 shares, zero par value of Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2016, there were no shares issued or outstanding.
Restrictions on dividends, loans and advances
Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid and loans or advances made by the Bank to the Company. The total amount of dividends which may be paid in any calendar year cannot exceed the Bank’s net income for the current year, plus the Bank’s net income retained for the two previous years, without regulatory approval. Loans or advances are limited to 10 percent of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus on a secured basis.
At December 31, 2016, the Bank's retained earnings available for the payment of dividends was $148.0 million. Accordingly, $154.2 million of the Company's equity in the net assets of the Bank was restricted at December 31, 2016. Funds available for loans or advances by the Bank to the Company amounted to $30.1 million.
In addition, dividends paid by the Bank to the Company would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable capital requirements.
The payment of dividends by the Company is subject to Maryland law. The Company can pay dividends on its common stock if, after giving effect to such distribution, (i) it would be able to pay its indebtedness as the indebtedness comes due in the usual course of business and (ii) its total assets exceed the sum of its liabilities and the amount needed, if Blue Hills Bancorp were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of any holders of capital stock who have a preference in the event of dissolution; provided, however, that even if the Company's assets are less than the amount necessary to satisfy the requirement set forth in (ii) above, the Company may make a distribution from: (A) the Company's net earnings for the fiscal year in which the distribution is made; (B) the Company's net earnings for the preceding fiscal year; or (C) the sum of the Company's net earnings for the preceding eight fiscal quarters. The holders of common stock of the Company will be entitled to receive and share equally in dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available. If the Company issues shares of preferred stock, the holders thereof may have a priority over the holders of the common stock with respect to dividends.
NOTE 10 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Pension plan
The Company has historically provided basic and supplemental pension benefits for eligible employees through the Savings Banks Employees Retirement Association’s (“SBERA”) Pension Plan (the “Plan”). Each employee reaching the age of 21 and having completed at least 1000 hours of service in any one twelve-month period, beginning with such employee’s date of employment, was automatically enrolled in the Plan. The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plan using an actuarial model that allocates pension costs over the service period of employees in the plan. The Company accounts for the over-funded or under-funded status of its defined benefit plan as an asset or liability on its consolidated balance sheets and recognizes changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur as other comprehensive income or loss. The Company amended its defined benefit pension plan in 2013 by freezing the plan to new participants and subsequently amended the plan and froze it for all participants effective October 31, 2014. Accumulated benefits for participants earned through the end of October 2014 will remain secured by the Plan assets. Information pertaining to the Plan is as follows:
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation was as follows:
The components of net periodic pension benefit are as follows:
The assumptions used to determine net periodic pension benefit are as follows:
The Company has selected its assumption with respect to the expected long-term rate of return based on prevailing yields on high-quality, fixed-income investments increased by a premium for equity return expectations.
SBERA offers a common and collective trust as the underlying investment structure for pension plans participating in SBERA. The target allocation mix for the common and collective trust portfolio calls for an equity-based investment range from 40% to 64% of total portfolio assets. The remainder of the portfolio is allocated to fixed income from 15% to 25% and other investments including global asset allocation and hedge funds from 25% to 41%. The Trustees of SBERA, through the Investment Committee, select investment managers for the common and collective trust portfolio. A professional investment advisory firm is retained by the Investment Committee to provide allocation analysis, performance measurement and to assist with manager searches. The overall investment objective is to diversify equity investments across a spectrum of investment types to limit risks from large market swings.
The fair value of major categories of the Company’s pension plan assets are summarized below:
(a) In accordance with FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, certain investments that were measured at net asset value per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value hierarchy above was received from SBERA, the plan administrator. The Plan assets measured at fair value in Level 1 are based on quoted market prices in an active exchange market. Plan assets measured at fair value in Level 2 are based on pricing models that consider standard input factors such as observable market data, benchmark yields, interest rate volatilities, broker/dealer quotes, credit spreads and new issue data. Plan assets measured at fair value in Level 3 are based on unobservable inputs, which include the SBERA’s assumptions and the best information available under the circumstance.
Estimated future benefit payments, assuming employees retire at age 65 and take normal distribution payments, are as follows:
The Company contributed $1.1 million to the Plan in January 2017. No further contributions are anticipated during 2017.
401(k) Plan
The Company has a 401(k) Plan whereby each employee having completed at least three months of service beginning with their date of employment, automatically becomes a participant in the 401(k) Plan. Employees may contribute a portion of their compensation subject to certain limits based on Federal tax laws. Effective December 15, 2013, the Company enhanced its
401(k) Plan to include a 3% guaranteed non-elective contribution and a 2% elective contribution based on the financial performance of the Company. Effective January 1, 2015, the Company amended the 401(k) Plan to incorporate an overall 4% contribution that matches 100% of an employee’s first 3% of deferral and 50% of the next 2% deferral. In 2014, the Bank provided a 3% contribution. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 expenses related to the plan were $784,000, $610,000, and $465,000, respectively. Prior to 2014, the Company did not contribute to the 401(k) plan.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
The Company entered into agreements with various executives and Board members which provided for a fixed dollar amount to be contributed each year to the participant’s supplemental executive retirement account. All benefits under these agreements became fully vested after five years of service, however during 2013 these agreements were terminated and all vesting was accelerated. No further awards have or will be granted under these agreements. The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan was terminated in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, whereby benefits could not be distributed for 12 months following the plan’s termination but were required to be distributed in full no later than 24 months following the plan’s termination. To allow participants the opportunity to use their account balances within the plan to purchase Blue Hills Bancorp common stock in the stock offering prior to the date the account was distributed, the plan was amended prior to its termination. All participants elected to invest in employer stock and all participant balances were distributed in Blue Hills Bancorp common stock in December 2015. In connection with the distributions, 27,956 shares were redeemed by the Company for tax withholding.
Short-term Incentive Compensation Plan
All employees meeting specified service requirements are eligible to participate in the discretionary Short-term Incentive Compensation Plan. The purpose of the plan is to motivate and reward employees for achieving strategic objectives through a goals program. The Company recorded expenses of $2.5 million, $2.3 million, and $3.0 million for achievement of the 2016, 2015 and 2014 goals, respectively.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
The Company maintains the ESOP to provide eligible employees the opportunity to own Company stock. This plan is a tax-qualified retirement plan for the benefit of Company employees. In connection with the conversion (See Note 1), the Company contributed funds to the Funding Corporation to enable it to grant a loan to the ESOP for the purchase of 2,277,345 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $10.00 per share. Principal and interest is payable annually over 30 years at a rate per annum equal to the Prime Rate (3.75% at December 31, 2016). Loan payments are principally funded by cash contributions from the Company. The loan is secured by the shares purchased, which are held in a suspense account for allocation among participants as the loan is repaid. The balance of the ESOP loan at December 31, 2016 was $21.0 million. Contributions are allocated to eligible participants on the basis of compensation, subject to federal tax limits. The number of shares committed to be released per year is 75,912 through 2043.
The fair value of unallocated shares was $38.4 million and $32.5 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Total compensation expense recognized in connection with the ESOP amounted to $1.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and $993,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014.
NOTE 11 - STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
Under the Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Equity Plan"), the Company may grant options, restricted stock, restricted units or performance awards to its directors, officers and employees. Both incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options may be granted under the Equity Plan, with the total number of shares reserved for options equaling 2,846,681. The exercise price of each option equals the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant and the maximum term of each option is ten years. The total number of shares reserved for restricted stock or restricted units equaling 1,138,673. Options and awards vest ratably over five years.
Expense related to options and restricted stock granted to employees is recognized in salaries and employee benefits within noninterest expense and expense related to options and restricted stock granted to directors is recognized as directors' fees within noninterest expense.
The Company has standard form agreements used for stock option and restricted stock awards and generally provide that: (1) any unvested options or unvested restricted stock vest upon a Change in Control; and, that (2) any stock options which vest pursuant to a Change in Control, which is an event described in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, will be cashed out at the difference between the acquisition price and the exercise price of the stock option.
Stock Options
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
•
Volatility is based on peer group volatility because the Company does not have a sufficient trading history.
•
Expected life represents the period of time that the option is expected to be outstanding, taking into account the contractual term, and the vesting period.
•
Expected dividend yield is based on the Company's history and expectation of dividend payouts.
•
The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for a period equivalent to the expected life of the option.
The Company made the following awards of options to purchase shares of common stock in 2016 and 2015:
A summary of the status of the Company's stock option grants for the year ended December 31, 2016 is presented in the table below:
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, stock-based compensation expense applicable to the stock options was $2.1 million and $473,000, respectively. The recognized tax benefit related to this expense was $502,000 and $112,000, respectively. There was no stock-based compensation expense related to stock options for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Restricted Stock
Shares issued upon vesting may be either authorized but unissued shares or reacquired shares held by the Company. Any shares not issued because vesting requirements are not met will again be available for issuance under the plan. The fair market value of shares awarded, based on the market price at the date of grant, is recorded as unearned compensation and amortized over the applicable vesting period. There are 40,000 performance based awards outstanding as of December 31, 2016.
The following table presents the activity in non-vested stock awards under the Equity Plan for the year ended December 31, 2016:
For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, stock-based compensation expense applicable to restricted stock awards was $2.8 million and $651,000, respectively. The recognized tax benefit related to this expense was $987,000 and $228,000, respectively. There was no expense related to restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2014.
NOTE 12 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share consisted of the following components for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Options for 2,486,000 and 2,434,000 shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, as the weighted average exercise prices of the stock options exceeded the weighted average market price for the periods presented.
NOTE 13 -COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, there are outstanding commitments and contingencies which are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Loan commitments
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The contract amount of these instruments reflects the extent of involvement the Company has in these particular classes of financial instruments. The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk consist of:
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. Commitments and unadvanced funds on lines-of-credit generally have fixed expiration dates and may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. These financial instruments are primarily secured by mortgage liens on real estate.
Operating lease commitments
Pursuant to the terms of noncancelable lease agreements in effect at December 31, 2016, pertaining to premises, future minimum rent commitments are as follows:
Rent expense for years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 amounted to $2.2 million, $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Certain leases contain renewal options for up to 30 years. The cost of such options is not included above.
Other Commitments
Effective January 1, 2014, the Bank entered into an agreement for the naming rights of a Boston waterfront music venue. The agreement spans a ten-year period, with an opt-out option at the end of year seven, where the Bank paid $390,000 during the first year with 5% annual increases in subsequent years. Total expenses related to the agreement were $430,000, $410,000 and $390,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Employment and change in control agreements
The Company has entered into an employment agreement with its President and Chief Executive Officer that generally provides for a specified minimum annual compensation and the continuation of certain benefits currently received. Employment may be terminated for cause, as defined, or an aggregate cash severance payment that will be determined based on timing of any other future change in control. The agreement has an initial term of three years, with automatic one-year extensions on the anniversary date of the agreement. The Company has also entered into change in control agreements with certain members of management, including the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Commercial Lending, and the Company's Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and others, which provide for the continuation of base salaries for specified periods of time in the event of involuntary termination without cause or termination for good reason in the event of a change in control. In March 2015, the Company revised the change in control agreement with its Chief Financial Officer to be a severance and change in control agreement so that it provided a benefit on an involuntary termination without cause (including resignation for good reason), whether or not the termination occurred in connection with or after a change in control.
Contingencies
The Company is involved in various litigation and other legal claims that arise in the normal course of business. On December 30, 2014, a former employee filed a complaint in U.S. Federal District Court of Massachusetts, claiming wrongful termination following a whistleblower claim. This complaint alleged violations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the False Claims Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA"). The former employee has since withdrawn his claim under the FMLA, but continues to seek alleged damages with interest of foregone compensation, including bonuses and employee benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney’s fees and litigation expenses in unspecified amounts. Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Blue Hills Bank believe the allegations in this complaint to be completely without merit and are defending this action in the Federal District Court. In the opinion of management, these matters will have no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 14 - ON BALANCE SHEET DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company is party to derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and to meet the needs of commercial customers. These financial instruments have been limited to loan level interest rate swap agreements, which are entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards. These transactions involve both credit and market risk. The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments, and the value of the derivatives are based. Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures. The fair value of the derivative instruments is reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as other assets or other liabilities as appropriate. Changes in the fair value of these agreements are recorded in miscellaneous income in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company did not have any fair value hedges or cash flow hedges at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The table below presents information about derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments at December 31, 2016 and 2015.
The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to these agreements. The Company controls the credit risk of its financial contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures, and does not expect any counterparties to fail their obligations. The Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its counterparties.
Other contracts represent risk participation agreements on commercial loan level interest rate swap agreements. The Company has entered into risk participation agreements with the correspondent institutions to share in any interest rate swap gains or losses incurred as a result of the commercial loan customers’ termination of a loan level interest rate swap agreement prior to maturity. The Company records these risk participation agreements at fair value.
Mortgage Banking Derivatives
The Company enters into commitments to fund residential mortgage loans at specified rates and times in the future, with the intention that loans will subsequently be sold in the secondary market. Mortgage loan commitments are referred to as derivative loan commitments if the loan that will result from exercise of the commitment will be held for sale upon funding. These commitments are recognized at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet in other assets and other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded in mortgage banking income in the consolidated statement of operations.
Outstanding loan commitments expose the Company to the risk that the price of the loans arising from exercise of the loan commitment might change from inception of the rate lock to funding of the loan due to changes in mortgage interest rates. If interest rates increase, the value of these loan commitments decreases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, the value of these loan commitments increases. The notional amount of mortgage loan commitments as of December 31, 2016 was $6.8 million. The fair value of such commitments at December 31, 2016 included gains of $111,000 included in other assets, and losses of $3,000 included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
To protect against the price risk inherent in derivative loan commitments, the Company utilizes “best efforts” forward loan sale commitments to mitigate the risk of potential decreases in the values of loans that would result from the exercise of the derivative loan commitments.
With a “best efforts” contract, the Company commits to deliver an individual mortgage loan of a specified principal amount and quality to an investor if the loan to the underlying borrower closes. Generally, the price the investor will pay the seller for an individual loan is specified prior to the loan being funded (e.g., on the same day the lender commits to lend funds to a potential borrower).
The Company expects that these forward sale commitments will experience changes in fair value opposite to the change in fair value of derivative loan commitments. The notional amount of forward loan sale commitments at December 31, 2016 was $9.5 million. The fair value of such commitments December 31, 2016 included gains of $15,000 included in other assets and losses of $74,000 included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
NOTE 15 - FAIR VALUE MEASURMENTS
Determination of fair value
The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various assets and liabilities. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the assets and liabilities.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts of cash and due from banks and short-term investments approximate fair value.
Securities available for sale: All fair value measurements are obtained from a third-party pricing service and are not adjusted by management. The securities measured at fair value in Level 1 are based on quoted market prices in an active exchange market. These securities include U.S. Treasury obligations and marketable equity securities. All other securities are measured at fair value in Level 2 based on pricing models that consider standard input factors such as observable market data, benchmark yields, interest rate volatilities, broker/dealer quotes, credit spreads and new issue data.
Federal Home Loan Bank stock: The carrying value of Federal Home Loan Bank stock approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the Federal Home Loan Bank.
Loans held for sale: Fair values are based on commitments in effect from investors or prevailing market prices.
Loans: Fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Fair values for non-performing loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses or underlying collateral values, where applicable.
Accrued interest receivable: The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates fair value.
Deposits: The fair values for non-certificate accounts are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). Fair values for certificate accounts are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies market interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.
Borrowings: The fair values of borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the current incremental borrowing rates in the market for similar types of borrowing arrangements.
Interest rate swap agreements and risk participation agreements: The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are based on a valuation model that uses primarily observable inputs, such as benchmark yield curves and interest rates and also include the value associated with counterparty credit risk.
Forward loan sale commitments and derivative loan commitments: Fair values of forward loan sale commitments and derivative loan commitments are based on fair values of the underlying mortgage loans and, for derivative loan commitments, fair values also include the value of servicing, deferred origination fees/costs and the probability of such commitments being exercised. Significant judgment and estimation is required in determining these fair value measurements.
Off-balance sheet instruments: Fair values for off-balance sheet lending commitments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing. The estimated fair value of off-balance sheet financial instruments at December 31, 2016 and 2015, was immaterial since fees charged are not material.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis
The Company may also be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. There are no liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The following table summarizes the fair value hierarchy applicable to assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
The following table summarizes the total losses on assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Gains and losses applicable to impaired loans are based on the appraised value of the underlying collateral, discounted as necessary due to management’s estimates of changes in market conditions. The losses applicable to impaired loans are not recorded as a direct adjustment to current earnings or comprehensive income, but rather as a component in determining the overall adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Adjustments to the estimated fair value of impaired loans may result in increases or decreases to the provision for loan losses.
Summary of fair values of financial instruments
The estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows. Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are exempt from disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented herein do not represent the underlying fair value of the Company.
NOTE 16 - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenues, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities are reported as a separate component of equity on the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, included in stockholders' equity, are as follows:
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component follows:
Actuarial gains of $358,000, included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2016, are expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost, included in salaries and employee benefits expense, during the year ending December 31, 2017.
NOTE 17 - CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY
Financial information pertaining only to Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is as follows:
NOTE 18 - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 19 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On December 5, 2016, Community Bank Systems, Inc. (“CBU”) announced an agreement to acquire Northeast Retirement Services, Inc. (“NRS”). After receiving necessary stockholder and regulatory approvals, CBU completed the acquisition of NRS on February 3, 2017. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, 1196 Corporation ("1196 Corp."), owned 5,000 shares of NRS stock and for each share of NRS share,1196 Corp. received $319.04 in cash and 14.876 shares of CBU common stock. The Company recorded a gain of approximately $5.9 million in February 2017. Cash and stock valued at approximately $653,000 is being held in escrow for approximately one year on behalf of the Company, at which time any remaining escrow funds will be recorded as income by the Company.
On February 17, 2017, the Company sold $42.4 million in global asset allocation equity mutual funds as a result of noted overall improvement in the equity markets. Specifically, the mutual funds had appreciated steadily from an unrealized loss position of $2.5 million at December 31, 2016 to an unrealized loss position of $1.1 million at the time of sale, with the net asset values at a one-year high. Accordingly, management decided to sell the mutual funds and realized the loss of $1.1 million.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflects the transactions and disposition of the assets of the Company;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).
Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information in Blue Hills Bancorp’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions “Proposals to be Voted on by Stockholders-Proposal 1-Election of Directors,” “Other Information Relating to Directors and Executive Officers-Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and “Corporate Governance-Code of Ethics,” "-Procedures to be Followed by Stockholders,” “-Committees of the Board of Directors,” "-Audit Committee” and “-Audit Report,” is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information in Blue Hills Bancorp’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation” and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information in Blue Hills Bancorp’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption “Stock Ownership” is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information in Blue Hills Bancorp’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions “Transactions with Certain Related Persons” and "Corporate Governance-Director Independence” is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information in Blue Hills Bancorp’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions “Proposal II-Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-Audit Fees” and “-Pre-Approval of Services by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K.
(A)
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(B)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015
(C)
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(D)
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(E)
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
(F)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,2016, 2015 and 2014
(G)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules -None.
(a)(3) Exhibits
+ Compensatory arrangements.
ITEM 16.
FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BLUE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: March 8, 2017
By:
/s/ William M. Parent
William M. Parent
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Representative)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.