Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
At December 31, 2020, the Bank conducted its business through its branch office and headquarters located in Toms River, New Jersey, its administrative office located in Red Bank, New Jersey, an administrative office located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and 61 additional branch offices and six deposit production facilities located throughout central and southern New Jersey, and the greater metropolitan area of New York City. The Bank also operated commercial loan production offices in New York City, the greater Philadelphia area and in Atlantic and Mercer Counties in New Jersey.
Item 3.
Item 3.Legal Proceedings
The Company and the Bank are not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business. Such other routine legal proceedings in the aggregate are believed by management to be immaterial to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Item 4.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information for Common Stock
OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol OCFC. As of February 22, 2021, there were 2,810 common stockholders of record.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph shows a comparison of total stockholder return on OceanFirst Financial Corp.’s common stock, based on the market price of the Company’s common stock with the cumulative total return of companies in the Nasdaq Composite Index, the SNL Thrift Index and the SNL Bank Index for the period December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2020. The graph may not be indicative of possible future performance of the Company’s common stock. Cumulative return assumes the reinvestment of dividends and is expressed in dollars based on an initial investment of $100.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid an annual cash dividend of $0.68 per share.
On December 18, 2019, the Company announced the authorization by the Board of Directors to repurchase up to an additional 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, or 2.5 million shares. On February 28, 2020, the Company suspended its repurchase activity in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has subsequently determined to recommence repurchases under its existing stock repurchase plan in February 2021. At December 31, 2020, there were 2,019,145 shares available for repurchase under the Company’s stock repurchase program. The Company did not repurchase shares of its common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2020.
Item 6.
Item 6.Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated financial and other data of the Company set forth below is derived in part from, and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Notes thereto presented elsewhere in this Annual Report.
(continued)
(1)With the exception of end of year ratios, all ratios are based on average daily balances.
(2)Performance ratios for 2020 includes net gain on equity investments, gain on sale of PPP loans, FHLB advance prepayment fees, merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, and Two River and Country Bank opening credit loss expense under the CECL model of $14.3 million with an after tax cost of $11.0 million. Performance ratios for 2019 include merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, non-recurring professional fees, compensation expense due to the retirement of an executive officer, and the reduction in income tax expense from the revaluation of state deferred tax assets as a result of a change in the New Jersey tax code of $20.6 million with an after tax cost of $16.3 million. Performance ratios for 2018 include merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, and an income tax benefit related to Tax Reform of $28.2 million with an after tax cost of $22.2 million. Performance ratios for 2017 include merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, and additional income tax expense related to Tax Reform of $18.1 million with an after tax cost of $13.5 million. Performance ratios for 2016 include merger related expenses and the Federal Home Loan Bank advance prepayment fee totaling $16.7 million with an after tax cost of $11.9 million.
(3)Tangible stockholders’ equity and tangible assets exclude intangible assets relating to goodwill and core deposit intangible. Tangible common equity excludes goodwill, core deposit intangible and preferred equity.
(4)The 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.
(5)The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.
(6)Efficiency ratio represents the ratio of operating expenses to the aggregate of other income and net interest income.
(7)Total loans receivable excludes loans held-for-sale.
(8)Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans and real estate acquired through foreclosure. Non-performing loans consist of all loans 90 days or more past due and other loans in the process of foreclosure. It is the Company’s policy to cease accruing interest on all such loans and to reverse previously accrued interest.
(9)The loans acquired from Two River, Country Bank, Capital Bank, Sun, Ocean Shore, Cape, and Colonial American were recorded at fair value. The net credit mark on these loans, not reflected in the allowance for credit losses, was $28.0 million, $30.3 million, $31.6 million, $17.5 million and $26.0 million at December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Item 7.
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
OceanFirst Financial Corp. has been the holding company for OceanFirst Bank since it acquired the stock of the Bank upon the Bank’s Conversion.
The Company conducts business primarily through its ownership of the Bank which, at December 31, 2020, operated its branch office and headquarters in Toms River, New Jersey, its administrative office located in Red Bank, New Jersey, an administrative office located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and 61 additional branch offices and six deposit production facilities located throughout central and southern New Jersey, and the greater metropolitan area of New York City. The Bank also operated commercial loan production offices in New York City, the greater Philadelphia area and in Atlantic and Mercer Counties in New Jersey.
The Company’s results of operations are primarily dependent on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on the Company’s interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest expense on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. The Company also generates non-interest income such as income from bankcard services, trust and asset management products and services, deposit account services, bank owned life insurance, commercial loan swap income, and other fees. The Company’s operating expenses primarily consist of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy and equipment, marketing, Federal deposit insurance and regulatory assessments, data processing, check card processing, professional fees and other general and administrative expenses. The Company’s results of operations are also significantly affected by competition, general economic conditions including levels of unemployment and real estate values as well as changes in market interest rates, government policies and actions of regulatory agencies.
Impact of COVID-19
On March 16, 2020, the Company announced a series of actions intended to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on customers, employees and communities. The Company offers its Borrower Relief Programs to address the needs of customers who were current on their loan payments as of either December 31, 2019 or the date of the modification. In addition, in keeping with regulatory guidance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act, these loans are not considered troubled debt restructured (“TDR”) loans at December 31, 2020 and will not be reported as past due during the deferral period.
On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 was signed into law, which contains provisions that could directly impact financial institutions. The act extends the PPP, which was originally established under the CARES Act, and provides the Company the ability to continue its Borrower Relief Program. In keeping with regulatory guidance under the CARES Act, these loan deferrals are not considered TDR loans at December 31, 2020 and will not be reported as past due during the deferral period.
The Commercial Borrower Relief Program includes: (1) public accommodation businesses, such as restaurants/caterers, and certain retail establishments, that are forced to close, which are eligible for full deferral of loan payments (principal and interest) for 90 days and immediate working capital facilities up to $200,000; (2) public accommodation businesses that are reducing services in response to the pandemic (such as reducing capacity, transitioning to take-out only, etc.), which are eligible to make interest-only payments and defer principal payments for 90 days, and immediate working capital facilities up to $100,000; and (3) additional relief programs, including but not limited to extension of initial forbearance periods, may be available to the Bank’s commercial borrowers on an individualized basis, depending on the borrower’s circumstances.
The Consumer Borrower Relief Program includes deferral of residential mortgage or consumer loan payments (principal and interest) for 90 days upon request. To be eligible, the borrower must have experienced a financial hardship related to COVID-19. Borrowers may apply for a second 90-day deferral period for hardships related to COVID-19. Subsequent deferral requests may be available on an individualized basis, depending on the borrower’s circumstances. At December 31, 2020, COVID-19 related loans under full forbearance have been substantially resolved.
Further, due to conditions caused by COVID-19, appraisals ordered in the current environment may not be indicative of the underlying loan collateral value. As such, the Company may require multiple valuation approaches (sales comparison approach, income approach, cost approach), as applicable. The Company assesses the individual facts and circumstances of COVID-19 related loan downgrades and, if a new appraisal is not necessary, an additional discount may be applied to an existing appraisal.
The Company also accepted and processed applications for loans under the PPP. The Company disbursed $504 million and recorded deferred processing fees of $17.7 million. The Company sold $298.1 million of these loans on October 29, 2020, recognizing a gain of $5.1 million. At December 31, 2020, $95.4 million in PPP loans and $2.0 million in deferred fees remained on the balance sheet.
In addition, COVID-19 could cause a goodwill impairment test where a triggering event has occurred, and under certain circumstances may result in an impairment charge recorded in that period. Such a charge would not impact the Company’s tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets ratio of 8.79% or regulatory capital. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2020. As part of this test, a quantitative assessment was performed to estimate the fair value of the Company by utilizing a weighted discounted cash flow method, guideline public company method and transaction method. The results of the evaluation concluded that the fair value of the Company exceeded the carrying value, and therefore goodwill impairment did not exist as of the test date. At December 31, 2020, the Company performed a qualitative assessment to ensure no events or circumstances had occurred subsequent to August 31, 2020 that would impact goodwill. The Company determined based on the December 31, 2020 qualitative evaluation, no triggering events occurred and therefore no impairment existed.
The full impact of COVID-19 is unknown and rapidly evolving. It is impacting the Company’s operations and financial results, as well as those of the Bank’s customers. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized an elevated credit loss expense of $59.4 million and an increase in operating expense of $4.5 million, each related to COVID-19.
For further discussion, refer to Risk Factors - Risk Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Acquisitions
On January 1, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of Two River which added $1.1 billion to assets, $940.1 million to loans, and $941.8 million to deposits. Two River’s results of operations are included in the consolidated results for the period beginning on January 1, 2020.
On January 1, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of Country Bank which added $793.7 million to assets, $618.4 million to loans, $652.7 million to deposits. Country Bank’s results of operations are included in the consolidated results for the period beginning on January 1, 2020.
On January 31, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of Capital Bank which added $494.4 million to assets, $307.3 million to loans, and $449.0 million to deposits. Capital Bank’s results of operations are included in the consolidated results for the period beginning on February 1, 2019.
On January 31, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Sun which added $2.0 billion to assets, $1.5 billion to loans, and $1.6 billion to deposits. Sun’s results of operations are included in the consolidated results for the period beginning on February 1, 2018.
These transactions have enhanced the Bank’s position as the premier community banking franchise in central and southern New Jersey, and metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City and they have grown business lines, expanded the geographic footprint and improved financial performance. The Company will continue to evaluate potential acquisition opportunities to further create stockholder value.
Strategy
The Company operates as a full-service community bank delivering commercial and consumer financing solutions, deposit services and wealth management products and services throughout New Jersey and the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City. The Bank is the largest and oldest community-based financial institution headquartered in Ocean County, New Jersey. The Bank competes with larger, out-of-market financial service providers through its local and digital focus and the delivery of superior service. The Bank also competes with smaller in-market financial service providers by offering a broad array of products and services and by having an ability to extend larger credits.
The Company’s strategy has been to grow profitability while limiting exposure to credit, interest rate and operational risks. To accomplish these objectives, the Bank has sought to (1) grow commercial loans through the offering of commercial lending services to local businesses; (2) grow core deposits (defined as all deposits other than time deposits) through product offerings appealing to a broadened customer base; and (3) increase non-interest income by expanding the menu of fee-based products and services and investing additional resources in these product lines. The growth in these areas has occurred both organically and through acquisitions.
The Company will focus on prudent growth to create value for stockholders, which may include opportunistic acquisitions. The Company will also continue to build additional operational infrastructure and invest in key personnel in response to growth and changing business conditions.
Growing Commercial Loans
With industry consolidation eliminating most locally-headquartered competitors, the Company fills a void for locally-delivered commercial loan and deposit services. The Bank has strategically and steadily added experienced commercial lenders in various New Jersey counties as well as teams in New York City and the greater Philadelphia area. At December 31, 2020, commercial loans (which include multi-family and commercial real estate loans, commercial construction loans and commercial and industrial loans) represented 65.5% of the Bank’s total loans, as compared to 48.5% at December 31, 2015. Commercial loan products entail a higher degree of credit risk than is involved in residential real estate lending activity. As a consequence, management continues to employ a well-defined credit policy focusing on quality underwriting and close management and Board monitoring. See Risk Factors - The Bank’s emphasis on commercial lending may expose the Bank to increased lending risks.
Increasing Core Deposits
The Bank seeks to increase core deposits (all deposits excluding time deposits) in its primary market area by improving market penetration. Core account development has benefited from Bank efforts to attract business deposits in conjunction with its commercial lending operations and from an expanded mix of retail core account products. As a result of these efforts the Bank’s core deposits ratio was 85.4% and the loans to deposits ratio was 82.3% at December 31, 2020.
Enhancing Non-Interest Income
Management continues to diversify the Bank’s product lines and expand related resources in order to enhance non-interest income. The Bank is focused on growth opportunities in areas such as derivative contracts, trust and asset management, digital product offerings, and equity investments in non-bank finance companies.
The Bank also offers investment products for sale through its retail branch network. In 2018, the Bank replaced its third-party broker/dealer investment sales program with a hybrid robo-advisor product offered by the Bank’s partner, Nest Egg, a registered investment adviser. Nest Egg is an investment platform that helps define and reach financial goals by providing access to high quality and cost-effective investments. It includes web-based tools as well as access to personal financial advisors via telephone, chat, or video. At December 31, 2020, the Company had an ownership interest of less than 20% in NestEgg and a seat on the Board of Directors. The Company’s minority interest in Nest Egg does not require separate entity reporting.
On January 29, 2021, the Company made a minority, non-controlling equity investment in Auxilior Capital Partners (“Auxilior”) and received a seat on the Auxilior Board of Directors. Auxilior was formed in 2020 as a nationwide specialty commercial equipment finance company focused on five key business verticals: construction and infrastructure, transportation and logistics, franchise finance, healthcare, and bank outsourcing. In addition to origination, underwriting, asset management, and customer service functions within each industry vertical, Auxilior can syndicate full loans as well as participations to banks, funds, and other third-party buyers of assets.
Branch Rationalization and Service Delivery
Management continues to evaluate the Bank’s branch network for consolidation opportunities. The Bank consolidated 13 branches in 2020, following the consolidation of eight and 17 branches in 2019 and 2018, respectively, bringing the total number of branches consolidated to 57 over the past five years. In addition to branch consolidation, the Bank is adapting to the industry wide trend of declining branch activity by transitioning to a universal banker staffing model, with a smaller branch staff handling sales and service transactions, as well as increasing the marketing of products that feature digital and mobile services. In certain locations, routine transactions are handled through Video Teller Machines, an advanced technology with live team members in a remote location performing transactions for multiple Video Teller Machines. The Bank is also investing in multiple digital services to enhance the customer experience and improve security. At December 31, 2020, all of the branch staff were trained as Certified Digital Bankers to better support customers use and adoption of digital services.
Capital Management
In addition to the objectives described above, the Company actively manages its capital position to improve return on tangible equity. The Company has, over the past few years, implemented or announced, five stock repurchase programs. The most recent plan to repurchase up to 5% of outstanding common stock was announced on December 18, 2019 to repurchase up to an additional 2.5 million shares. The Company suspended its repurchase activity on February 28, 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently determined to recommence repurchases under its existing stock repurchase plan in February 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 648,851 shares of its common stock under these repurchase programs. At December 31, 2020, 2,019,145 shares remain available for repurchase.
In May 2020, the Company raised $55.7 million of 7.0% fixed-to-floating rate non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, with a par value of $0.01 and a liquidation price of $1,000 per share. The proceeds were retained to strengthen capital and balance sheet liquidity entering the economic downturn.
Summary
Highlights of the Company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:
Total assets increased to $11.45 billion at December 31, 2020, from $8.25 billion at December 31, 2019. Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, increased by $1.50 billion at December 31, 2020, as compared to December 31, 2019, while deposits increased $3.10 billion over the same period. The increases were primarily the result of the Two River and Country Bank acquisitions and $1.51 billion of organic deposit growth.
Net income available to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $61.2 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $88.6 million, or $1.75 per diluted share for the prior year. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflects net gain on equity investments, gain on sale of PPP loans, FHLB advance prepayment fees, branch consolidation expenses, merger related expenses, and Two River and Country Bank opening credit loss expense under the CECL model. These items decreased net income, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2020 by $11.0 million. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 included merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, non-recurring professional fees, compensation expense due to the retirement of an executive officer, and reduction in income tax expense from the revaluation of state deferred tax assets as a result of a change in the New Jersey tax code, of $16.3 million, net of tax. These items reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.18 and $0.32, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Annual results for 2020 were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through higher credit losses, net interest margin compression and increased operating expenses.
The Company remains well-capitalized with a tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets ratio of 8.79% at December 31, 2020.
Critical Accounting Policies
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 contains a summary of significant accounting policies. Various elements of these accounting policies, by their nature, are subject to estimation techniques, valuation assumptions and other subjective assessments. Certain assets are carried in the consolidated statements of financial condition at estimated fair value or the lower of cost or estimated fair value. Policies with respect to the methodology used to determine the allowance for credit losses and judgments regarding securities are the most critical accounting policies because they are important to the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These judgments and policies involve a higher degree of complexity and require management to make difficult and subjective judgments which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. The use of different judgments, assumptions and estimates could result in material differences in the results of operations or financial condition. These critical accounting policies and their application are reviewed periodically, and at least annually, with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326). This ASU significantly changed the Company’s allowance for credit losses accounting policy that existed at December 31, 2019. ASU 2016-13 is the most critical accounting policy in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2020.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Under the CECL model, the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on financial assets is a valuation allowance estimated at each balance sheet date in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) that is deducted from the financial assets’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the financial assets. The CECL model also applies to certain off-balance sheet credit exposures.
The Company estimates the ACL on loans based on the underlying assets’ amortized cost basis, which is the amount at which the financing receivable is originated or acquired, adjusted for applicable accretion or amortization of premium, discount, net deferred fees or costs, collection of cash, and charge-offs. In the event that collection of principal becomes uncertain, the Company has policies in place to write-off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income in a timely manner. Therefore, the Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis and therefore excludes it from the measurement of the ACL. For loans under forbearance as a result of COVID-19, the Company made a policy election to include the accrued interest receivable related to such loans in the amortized cost basis and therefore includes it in the measurement of the ACL. Accrued interest receivable at December 31, 2020 was $35.3 million, of which $8.0 million related to forbearance loans.
Expected credit losses are reflected in the ACL through a charge to credit loss expense. The Company’s estimate of the ACL reflects credit losses currently expected over the remaining contractual life of the assets. When the Company deems all or a portion of a financial asset to be uncollectible the appropriate amount is written off and the ACL is reduced by the same amount. The Company applies judgment to determine when a financial asset is deemed uncollectible. When available information confirms that specific financial assets, or portions thereof, are uncollectible, these amounts are charged-off against the ACL. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL when received.
The Company measures the ACL of financial assets on a collective portfolio segment basis when the financial assets share similar risk characteristics. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments of financial assets with similar risk characteristics for measuring expected credit losses: commercial and industrial, commercial real estate - owner occupied, commercial real estate - investor (including commercial real estate - construction and land), residential real estate, consumer (including student loans) and held-to-maturity (“HTM”) debt securities. The Company further segments the commercial loan portfolios by risk rating, and the residential and consumer loan portfolios by delinquency. The HTM portfolio is segmented by rating category.
The Company’s methodology to measure the ACL incorporates both quantitative and qualitative information to assess lifetime expected credit losses at the portfolio segment level. The quantitative component includes the calculation of loss rates using an open pool method. Under this method, the Company calculates a loss rate based on historical loan level loss experience for portfolio segments with similar risk characteristics. The historical loss rate is adjusted for select macroeconomic variables that consider both historical trends as well as forecasted trends for a single economic scenario. The adjusted loss rate is calculated for an eight quarter forecast period then reverts to the historical loss rate on a straight-line basis over four quarters. The adjusted loss rate is then applied to the exposure at default on an undiscounted basis. The Company differentiates its loss-rate method for HTM debt securities by looking to publicly available historical default and recovery statistics based on the attributes of issuer type, rating category and time to maturity. The Company measures expected credit losses of these financial assets by applying loss rates to the amortized cost basis of each asset taking into consideration amortization, prepayment and default assumptions.
The Company considers qualitative adjustments to expected credit loss estimates for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. Qualitative factor adjustments may increase or decrease management’s estimate of expected credit losses. Adjustments will not be made for information that has already been considered and included in the quantitative allowance. Qualitative loss factors are based on management's judgment of company, market, industry or business specific data, changes in loan composition, performance trends, regulatory changes, uncertainty of macroeconomic forecasts, and other asset specific risk characteristics.
Collateral Dependent Financial Assets
For collateral dependent financial assets where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable and where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. Fair value is generally calculated based on the value of the underlying collateral less an appraisal discount and the estimated cost to sell. Due to conditions caused by COVID-19, appraisals ordered in the current environment may not be indicative of the underlying loan collateral value. As such, the Company may require multiple valuation approaches (sales comparison approach, income approach, cost approach), as applicable. The Company assesses the individual facts and circumstances of COVID-19-related loan downgrades and, if a new appraisal is not necessary, an additional discount may be applied to an existing appraisal.
Troubled Debt Restructured Loans
A loan that has been modified or renewed is considered a TDR when two conditions are met: (1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and (2) concessions are made for the borrower's benefit that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower or transaction with similar credit risk characteristics. So long as they share similar risk characteristics, TDRs may be collectively evaluated and included in the Company’s existing portfolio segments to measure the ACL, unless the TDR is collateral dependent. Loans modified in accordance with the CARES Act are not considered TDRs.
Loan Commitments and Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
Financial assets include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
The Company records an allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures through a charge to credit loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by portfolio segment at each balance sheet date under the CECL model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration management’s assumption of the likelihood that funding will occur, and is included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Acquired Loans
Acquired loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers various factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing, and a discount rate reflecting the Company’s assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates. Certain acquired loans are grouped together according to similar risk characteristics and are aggregated when applying various valuation techniques. These cash flow evaluations are subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
Prior to January 1, 2020, loans acquired in a business combination that had evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it was probable, at acquisition, that the Company would be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable were considered purchased credit impaired (“PCI”). PCI loans were individually evaluated and recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition with no initial valuation allowance based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considered various factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing, and a discount rate reflecting the Company’s assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates.
Beginning on January 1, 2020, loans acquired in a business combination that have experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are considered PCD loans. The Company evaluated acquired loans for deterioration in credit quality based on any of, but not limited to, the following: (1) non-accrual status; (2) troubled debt restructured designation; (3) risk ratings of special mention, substandard or doubtful; (4) watchlist credits; and (5) delinquency status, including loans that were current on acquisition date, but had been previously delinquent. At the acquisition date, an estimate of expected credit losses was made for groups of PCD loans with similar risk characteristics and individual PCD loans without similar risk characteristics. This initial allowance for credit losses is allocated to individual PCD loans and added to the purchase price or acquisition date fair values to establish the initial amortized cost basis of the PCD loans. As the initial allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price, there is no credit loss expense recognized upon acquisition of a PCD loan. Any difference between the unpaid principal balance of PCD loans and the amortized cost basis is considered to relate to noncredit factors and results in a discount or premium. Discounts and premiums are recognized through interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loans. All loans considered to be PCI prior to January 1, 2020 were converted to PCD on that date. The transition adjustment for the PCI loans to PCD loans resulted in a reclassification of $3.2 million from the specific credit fair value adjustment to the allowance for credit losses on loans.
For acquired loans not deemed PCD at acquisition, the differences between the initial fair value and the unpaid principal balance are recognized as interest income on a level-yield basis over the lives of the related loans. At the acquisition date, an initial allowance for expected credit losses is estimated and recorded as credit loss expense.
The subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for all acquired loans is the same as the subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for originated loans.
Analysis of Net Interest Income
Net interest income represents the difference between income on interest-earning assets and expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income depends upon the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rate earned or paid on them.
The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Company for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. The yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown except where noted otherwise. Average balances are derived from average daily balances. The yields and costs include fees which are considered adjustments to yields.
(1)Amounts represent debt and equity securities, including FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock, and are recorded at average amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses.
(2)Amount is net of deferred loan costs and fees, undisbursed loan funds, discounts and premiums and estimated loss allowances, and includes loans held-for-sale and non-performing loans.
(3)Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
Rate Volume Analysis
The following table presents the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected the Company’s interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to: (i) changes attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate); (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume); and (iii) the net change. The changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume and the changes due to rate.
(1)Amounts represent debt and equity securities, including FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock, and are recorded at average amortized cost, net of allowance for credit losses.
(2)Amount is net of deferred loan costs and fees, undisbursed loan funds, discounts and premiums and estimated loss allowances, and includes loans held-for-sale and non-performing loans.
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
Total assets increased by $3.20 billion to $11.45 billion at December 31, 2020, from $8.25 billion at December 31, 2019, primarily as a result of the acquisitions of Two River and Country Bank, which added $2.03 billion to total assets. Cash and due from banks increased by $1.15 billion to $1.27 billion at December 31, 2020, from $120.5 million at December 31, 2019, due to increased deposits, the Company’s decision to build liquidity during the economic downturn, the cash received from the issuance of subordinated notes and non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock as described below, and the cash received from loan sales throughout the year. Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, increased by $1.50 billion, to $7.70 billion at December 31, 2020, from $6.21 billion at December 31, 2019, primarily due to acquired loans from Two River and Country Bank of $1.56 billion. As part of the acquisitions of Two River and Country Bank, the Company’s goodwill balance increased to $500.3 million at December 31, 2020, from $374.6 million at December 31, 2019 and core deposit intangibles increased to
$23.7 million, from $15.6 million. Other assets increased by $39.4 million to $209.0 million at December 31, 2020, from $169.5 million at December 31, 2019, primarily due to an increase in swap positions.
Deposits increased by $3.10 billion, to $9.43 billion at December 31, 2020, from $6.33 billion at December 31, 2019, primarily due to acquired deposits from Two River and Country Bank of $1.59 billion and organic deposit growth of $1.51 billion. The loan-to-deposit ratio at December 31, 2020 was 82.3%, as compared to 98.2% at December 31, 2019. The Company utilized the excess liquidity to prepay all FHLB advances in the fourth quarter of 2020, bringing the balance to $0 at December 31, 2020 from $519.3 million at December 31, 2019. The increase in other borrowings of $138.7 million, to $235.5 million at December 31, 2020, from $96.8 million at December 31, 2019, primarily resulted from the May 2020 issuance of $125.0 million in subordinated notes at an initial rate of 5.25% and a stated maturity of May 15, 2030. Other liabilities increased by $92.7 million to $155.3 million at December 31, 2020, from $62.6 million at December 31, 2019, primarily due to an increase in swap positions.
Stockholders’ equity increased to $1.48 billion at December 31, 2020, as compared to $1.15 billion at December 31, 2019. The acquisitions of Two River and Country Bank added $261.4 million to stockholders’ equity. During the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company raised $55.7 million from the issuance of 7.0% fixed-to-floating rate non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, with a par value of $0.01 and a liquidation price of $1,000 per share. Under the Company’s stock repurchase program, there were 2,019,145 shares available for repurchase at December 31, 2020. The Company suspended its repurchase activity on February 28, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has subsequently determined to recommence repurchases under its existing stock repurchase plan in February 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 648,851 shares under the repurchase program at a weighted average cost of $22.83.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019
General
Net income available to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $61.2 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $88.6 million, or $1.75 per diluted share for the prior year. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflects net gain on equity investments, gain on sale of PPP loans, FHLB advance prepayment fees, merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, and Two River and Country Bank opening credit loss expense under the CECL model. These items decreased net income, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2020 by $11.0 million. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 included merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, non-recurring professional fees, compensation expense due to the retirement of an executive officer, and reduction in income tax expense from the revaluation of state deferred tax assets as a result of a change in the New Jersey tax code, of $16.3 million, net of tax. The annual results were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through higher credit losses, net interest margin compression and increased operating expenses.
Interest Income
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020, increased to $379.6 million, as compared to $308.8 million in the prior year. Average interest-earning assets increased $2.82 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the prior year. The average for the year ended December 31, 2020 was favorably impacted by $1.75 billion of interest-earning assets acquired from Two River and Country Bank. Average loans receivable, net, increased by $2.15 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to the prior year. The increase attributable to the acquisitions of Two River and Country Bank was $1.55 billion and the increase related to PPP loans was $227.5 million. The yield on average interest-earning assets decreased to 3.84% for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to 4.36% for the prior year.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2020, was $66.7 million, as compared to $52.8 million in the prior year, due to an increase in average-interest bearing liabilities of $2.07 billion, primarily related to the acquisitions of Two River and Country Bank and organic deposit growth. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to 0.88% from 0.96% in the prior year. The total cost of deposits (including non-interest bearing deposits) was 0.55% for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to 0.61% for the prior year.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2020 increased to $313.0 million, as compared to $256.0 million for the prior year, reflecting an increase in interest-earning assets partly offset by a reduction in net interest margin. The net interest margin decreased to 3.16% for the year ended December 31, 2020, from 3.62% for the prior year. The compression in net interest margin was primarily due to the lower interest rate environment, the origination of low-yielding PPP loans, and the excess balance sheet liquidity which the Company strategically accumulated entering the economic downturn.
Provision for Credit Losses
For the year ended December 31, 2020, credit loss expense was $59.4 million, as compared to $1.6 million for the prior year. Credit loss expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was significantly influenced by economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as estimates of how those conditions may impact the Company’s borrowers, and the decision to sell higher risk commercial loans in the third quarter of 2020. Net loan charge-offs were $18.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to net loan charge-offs of $1.4 million in the prior year. The year ended December 31, 2020 included $14.6 million of charge-offs related to the sale of higher risk commercial loans and $3.3 million of charge-offs related to the sale of under-performing residential and consumer loans. Non-performing loans totaled $36.4 million at December 31, 2020, as compared to $17.8 million at December 31, 2019. At December 31, 2020, the Company’s allowance for credit losses for loans was 0.78% of total loans, as compared to 0.27% at December 31, 2019. These ratios exclude existing fair value credit marks of $28.0 million at December 31, 2020 and $30.3 million at December 31, 2019 on loans acquired from Two River, Country Bank, Capital Bank, Sun, Ocean Shore, Cape, and Colonial American. The allowance for credit losses for loans as a percent of total non-performing loans was 166.8% at December 31, 2020, as compared to 94.4% at December 31, 2019.
Other Income
For the year ended December 31, 2020, other income increased to $73.9 million, as compared to $42.2 million in the prior year. Other income for the year ended December 31, 2020 included $21.2 million of net gain on equity investments, $5.1 million of net gain on sale of PPP loans, and $2.8 million due to the acquisitions of Two River and Country Bank. The remaining increase in other income was due to increases in commercial loan swap income of $2.8 million, net gain on sales of loans of $2.5 million, net gain on real estate operations of $981,000, and bankcard services of $577,000, partly offset by a decrease in fees and service charges of $4.4 million. The waiver of certain fees during the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to suppress deposit fees income for the remainder of the public health crisis.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased to $246.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to $189.1 million in the prior year. Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 included $37.8 million of merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, and FHLB advance prepayment fee as compared to $22.8 million of merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, non-recurring professional fees, and compensation expense due to the retirement of an executive officer in the prior year. The remaining change in operating expenses over the prior year was primarily due to the acquisitions of Two River and Country Bank, which added $29.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The remaining increase in operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits expense of $7.6 million, operating expenses attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic of $4.5 million, professional fees of $3.6 million, and federal deposit insurance expense of $2.0 million, partly offset by decreases in equipment expense of $1.8 million, occupancy expense of $1.6 million, and check card processing of $680,000.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $17.7 million, as compared to $18.8 million for the prior year. The effective tax was 21.9% for the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to 17.5% for the prior year. The higher effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 was due to the adverse impact of a New Jersey tax code change and a higher allocation of taxable income to New York due to the acquisition of Country Bank. The lower tax rate in the prior year period was also due to the reduction in income tax expense of $2.2 million from the revaluation of state deferred tax assets as a result of the change in New Jersey tax code. Excluding the impact of the New Jersey tax code change, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 19.6%.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018
General
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $88.6 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, as compared to $71.9 million, or $1.51 per diluted share, for the corresponding prior year period. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 included merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, non-recurring professional fees, compensation expense due to the retirement of an executive officer, and reduction in income tax expense from the revaluation of state deferred tax assets as a result of a change in the New Jersey tax code, which decreased net income, net of tax benefit, by $16.3 million. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 included merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, and reduction of income tax expense from the revaluation of deferred tax assets as a result of the Tax Reform, which decreased net income, net of tax benefit, by $22.2 million for the year. Excluding these items, net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased over the prior year period.
Interest Income
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased to $308.8 million, as compared to $276.7 million, in the prior year. Average interest-earning assets increased $595.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to the prior year. The average for the year ended December 31, 2019 was favorably impacted by $341.9 million of interest-earning assets acquired from Capital Bank. Average loans receivable, net, increased by $612.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily due to organic loan growth, as well as the acquisition of Capital Bank, which contributed $250.3 million to average loans receivable, net. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased to 4.36% for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 4.27% for the prior year.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $52.8 million, as compared to $36.2 million in the prior year, due to an increase in average-interest bearing liabilities of $320.3 million, primarily related to the acquisition of Capital Bank. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities increased to 0.96% from 0.70% in the prior year. The total cost of deposits (including non-interest bearing deposits) was 0.61% for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 0.39% in the prior year.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased to $256.0 million, as compared to $240.5 million for the prior year, reflecting an increase in interest-earning assets. The net interest margin decreased to 3.62% for the year ended December 31, 2019, from 3.71% for the prior year. The decrease in net interest margin was primarily due to the increase in the cost of average interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by the increase in the yield on interest-earning assets.
Provision for Loan Losses
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the provision for loan losses was $1.6 million, as compared to $3.5 million for the prior year. Net loan charge-offs were $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to net loan charge-offs of $2.6 million in the prior year. Non-performing loans totaled $17.8 million at December 31, 2019, as compared to $17.4 million at December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2019, the Company’s allowance for loan losses was 0.27% of total loans, as compared to 0.30% at December 31, 2018. These ratios exclude existing fair value credit marks of $30.3 million at December 31, 2019 and $31.6 million at December 31, 2018 on loans acquired from Capital Bank, Sun, Ocean Shore, Cape, and Colonial American. These loans were acquired at fair value with no related allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total non-performing loans was 94.4% at December 31, 2019, as compared to 95.2% at December 31, 2018.
Other Income
For the year ended December 31, 2019, other income increased to $42.2 million, as compared to $34.8 million in the prior year. The increase from the prior year was primarily due to an increase in derivative fee income of $4.6 million, a decrease in the loss
from real estate operations of $3.5 million and the impact of the Capital Bank acquisition, which added $1.5 million to other income for the year ended December 31, 2019. These increases to other income were partially offset by decreases in fees and service charges of $1.3 million, rental income of $810,000 received primarily for January and February 2018 on the Company’s executive office, and decrease in the gain on sales of loans of $653,000, mostly related to the sale of one non-performing commercial loan relationship during the first quarter of 2018.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased to $189.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $186.3 million in the prior year. Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 included $22.8 million of merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, non-recurring professional fees, and compensation expense due to the retirement of an executive officer as compared to $30.1 million of merger related and branch consolidation expenses in the prior year. Excluding the impact of merger related expenses, branch consolidation expenses, non-recurring professional fees, and compensation expense due to the retirement of an executive officer, the change in operating expenses over the prior year was primarily due to the Capital Bank acquisition, which added $6.3 million in expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019. The remaining increase in operating expenses, for the year ended December 31, 2019 from the prior year period was primarily due to increases in professional fees of $2.3 million, check card processing of $1.6 million, compensation and employee benefits expense of $1.3 million, and data processing of $1.0 million, partially offset by decreases in FDIC expense of $1.6 million, and occupancy of $1.1 million.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $18.8 million, as compared to $13.6 million for the prior year. The effective tax was 17.5% for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 15.9% for the prior year. The
2019 period included the reduction in income tax expense of $2.2 million from the revaluation of state deferred tax assets as a result of a change in the New Jersey tax code. Excluding the impact of the New Jersey tax code change, the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 19.6%. The lower effective tax rate in the prior year period was primarily due to Tax Reform which required the Company to revalue its deferred tax asset, resulting in a tax benefit of $1.9 million, for the year ended December 31, 2018. The remaining variance was due to larger tax benefits from employee stock option exercises in the prior year period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, FHLB advances and other borrowings, including subordinated debt, and, to a lesser extent, investment maturities and proceeds from the sale of loans. While scheduled amortization of loans is a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by interest rates, economic conditions and competition. The Company has other sources of liquidity if a need for additional funds arises, including various lines of credit at multiple banks.
At December 31, 2020, the Bank had no outstanding overnight borrowings from the FHLB, compared to $270.0 million of outstanding overnight borrowings at December 31, 2019. The Bank utilizes overnight borrowings from time-to-time to fund short-term liquidity needs. FHLB advances, including overnight borrowings, totaled $0 at December 31, 2020, a decrease from $519.3 million at December 31, 2019.
The Company’s cash needs for the year ended December 31, 2020 were primarily satisfied by the increase in deposits, net proceeds from the issuance of subordinated notes and preferred stock, principal payments on mortgage-backed securities, proceeds from maturities and calls of debt investment securities, proceeds from sales of loans, and acquired cash from acquisitions. The cash was principally utilized for repayment of FHLB advances, loan originations, the repayment of short-term borrowings, and the purchase of debt and equity securities. The Company’s cash needs for the year ended December 31, 2019 were primarily satisfied by principal payments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, proceeds from maturities and calls of debt securities, increased deposits, increased borrowings and acquired cash from Capital Bank. The cash was principally utilized for loan originations, the purchase of loans receivable, the purchase of debt securities, and cash to fund the Two River acquisition.
In the normal course of business, the Bank routinely enters into various off-balance-sheet commitments, primarily relating to the origination and sale of loans. At December 31, 2020, outstanding commitments to originate loans totaled $367.8 million and outstanding unused lines of credit totaled $1.04 billion, of which $668.1 million were commitments to commercial borrowers and $372.2 million were commitments to consumer borrowers and residential construction borrowers. The Bank expects to have sufficient funds available to meet current commitments in the normal course of business.
Time deposits scheduled to mature in one year or less totaled $973.4 million at December 31, 2020. Based upon historical experience, management is optimistic about its ability to retain a significant portion of its renewing time deposits.
The Company has a detailed contingency funding plan and comprehensive reporting of funding trends on a monthly and quarterly basis which are reviewed by management. Management also monitors cash on a daily basis to determine the liquidity needs of the Bank. Additionally, management performs multiple liquidity stress test scenarios on a quarterly basis. The Bank continues to maintain significant liquidity under all stress scenarios. In response to COVID-19, management identified additional sources of contingent liquidity, including expanded borrowing capacity with the FHLB, the Federal Reserve and existing correspondent bank relationships. In addition, in May 2020, the Company issued $125.0 million of subordinated notes at an initial rate of 5.25% and a stated maturity of May 15, 2030. The Company also issued $55.9 million of 7.0% fixed-to-floating rate non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock. The proceeds were retained to strengthen balance sheet liquidity entering the economic downturn.
Under the Company’s stock repurchase programs, shares of OceanFirst Financial Corp. common stock may be purchased in the open market and through other privately-negotiated transactions, from time-to-time, depending on market conditions. The repurchased shares are held as treasury stock for general corporate purposes. The Company suspended its repurchase activity on February 28, 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequently determined to recommence repurchases under its existing stock repurchase plan in February 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 648,851 shares of common stock at a total cost of $14.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 1.1 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $26.1 million. At December 31, 2020, there were 2.0 million shares available to be repurchased under the stock repurchase programs.
Cash dividends on common stock declared and paid during the year ended December 31, 2020 were $40.8 million, as compared to $34.2 million for the prior year. The increase in dividends was a result of additional shares issued in the acquisitions of Two
River and Country Bank. On January 28, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per common share. The dividend was payable on February 19, 2021 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on February 8, 2021. The Company also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.4375 per depository share, representing 1/40th interest in the Series A Preferred Stock, payable on February 15, 2021 to preferred stockholders of record on January 29, 2021.
The primary sources of liquidity specifically available to OceanFirst Financial Corp., the holding company of OceanFirst Bank, are capital distributions from the bank subsidiary, the issuance of preferred and common stock, and debt. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received dividend payments of $54.0 million from the Bank. The Company’s ability to continue to pay dividends will be largely dependent upon capital distributions from the Bank, which may be adversely affected by capital restraints imposed by the applicable regulations. The Company cannot predict whether the Bank will be permitted under applicable regulations to pay a dividend to the Company. If applicable regulations or regulatory bodies prevent the Bank from paying a dividend to the Company, the Company may not have the liquidity necessary to pay a dividend in the future or pay a dividend at the same rate as historically paid, or be able to meet current debt obligations. At December 31, 2020, OceanFirst Financial Corp. held $108.5 million in cash.
The Company and the Bank satisfy the criteria to be “well-capitalized” under the Prompt Corrective Action Regulations. See Regulation and Supervision-Bank Regulation - Capital Requirements.
At December 31, 2020, the Company maintained tangible stockholders’ equity of $960.1 million for a tangible stockholders’ equity to tangible assets ratio of 8.79%.
Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of operations, the Company engages in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, are not recorded in the financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used for general corporate purposes or for customer needs. Corporate purpose transactions are used to help manage credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk or to optimize capital. Customer transactions are used to manage customers’ requests for funding. These financial instruments and commitments include unused consumer lines of credit and commitments to extend credit and are discussed in Note 13 Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations of Credit Risk, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company enters into loan sale agreements with investors in the normal course of business. The loan sale agreements generally require the Company to repurchase loans previously sold in the event of a violation of various representations and warranties customary in the mortgage banking industry. The Company is also obligated to repurchase under a loss sharing arrangement with the FHLB relating to loans sold into the Mortgage Partnership Finance program. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of these loans were placed on forbearance and the Company may be required to repurchase them in future periods. In the opinion of management, the potential exposure related to the loan sale agreements and loans sold to the FHLB is adequately provided for in the reserve for repurchased loans and loss sharing obligations included in other liabilities. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the reserve for repurchased loans and loss sharing obligations amounted to $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
The following table shows the contractual obligations of the Company by expected payment period as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands). Refer to Note 17 Leases, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for lease obligations. Further discussion of these commitments is included in Note 9 Borrowed Funds, and Note 13 Commitments, Contingencies, and Concentrations of Credit Risk, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Debt obligations include advances from the FHLB and other borrowings and have defined terms.
Commitments to fund undrawn lines of credit and commitments to originate loans are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being
drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company’s exposure to credit risk is represented by the contractual amount of the instruments.
Purchase obligations represent legally binding and enforceable agreements to purchase goods and services from third parties and consist primarily of contractual obligations under data processing servicing agreements. Actual amounts expended vary based on transaction volumes, number of users and other factors.
Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2020
ASU 2016-13: In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13. This ASU significantly changed how entities measure credit losses for financial assets and certain other instruments that are measured at amortized cost. The standard replaced the “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model, which necessitates a forecast of lifetime losses. The new model, referred to as the CECL model, applies to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities. The ASU simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. The standard’s provisions are to be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (i.e., modified retrospective approach).
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented in accordance with ASU 2016-13, or Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The Company recorded a net decrease to retained earnings of $4,000, net of tax, as of January 1, 2020 for the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 326. The transition adjustment included a decrease in the allowance for credit losses on loans of $475,000, an increase in the allowance for credit losses on held to maturity debt securities of $1.3 million, and a decrease in the allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures of $788,000.
As allowed by ASC 326, the Company elected not to maintain pools of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. At December 31, 2019, purchase credit impaired (“PCI”) loans totaled $13.3 million. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether modifications of individually acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were troubled debt restructured loans as of the date of adoption. Upon adoption, the Company’s PCI loans were converted to PCD loans as defined by ASC 326. The transition adjustment for the PCI loans to PCD loans resulted in a reclassification of $3.2 million from the specific credit fair value adjustment to the allowance for credit losses on loans.
Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors. At December 31, 2020, the Company utilized the December 15, 2020 forecast, from Oxford Economics, the most recent forecast available as of quarter end, to provide the macroeconomic forecasts for select variables.
Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications.
ASU 2017-04: In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU intends to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should perform its annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The ASU also eliminates the requirement for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. ASU No. 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2018-13: In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU updates the disclosure requirements on Fair Value measurements by (1) removing: the disclosures for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements; (2) modifying: disclosures for timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and disclosures for uncertainty in measurement as of reporting date; and (3) adding: disclosures for changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring level 3 fair value measurements and disclosures for the range and weighted average of the significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted to any removed or modified disclosures and delay adoption of additional disclosures until the effective date. With the exception of the following, which should be applied prospectively, disclosures relating to changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the disclosures for uncertainty measurement, all other changes should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon the effective date. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 15, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollar amounts without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of the Company’s operations. Unlike industrial companies, nearly all of the assets and liabilities of the Company are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on the Company’s performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same extent as the price of goods and services.
Item 7A.
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Management of Interest Rate Risk (“IRR”)
Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The Company’s market risk arises primarily from the IRR inherent in its lending, investment and deposit-taking activities. The Company’s profitability is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. A sudden and substantial change in interest rates may adversely impact the Company’s earnings to the extent that the interest rates borne by assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent or on the same basis. To that end, management actively monitors and manages IRR.
The principal objectives of the Company’s IRR management function are to evaluate the IRR inherent in certain balance sheet accounts; determine the level of risk appropriate given the Company’s business focus, operating environment, capital and liquidity requirements and performance objectives; and manage the risk consistent with Board approved guidelines. Through such management, the Company seeks to reduce the exposure of its operations to changes in interest rates. The Company monitors its IRR as such risk relates to its operating strategies. The Bank’s Board has established an Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) consisting of members of the Bank’s management, responsible for reviewing the Bank’s asset liability policies and the Bank’s IRR position. ALCO meets monthly and reports trends and the Company’s IRR position to the Board on a quarterly basis. The extent of the movement of interest rates, higher or lower, is an uncertainty that could have a substantial impact on the earnings of the Company.
The Bank utilizes the following strategies to manage IRR: (1) emphasizing the origination for portfolio of fixed-rate consumer mortgage loans generally having terms to maturity of not more than fifteen years, adjustable-rate loans, floating-rate and balloon maturity commercial loans, and consumer loans consisting primarily of home equity loans and lines of credit; (2) attempting to reduce the overall interest rate sensitivity of liabilities by emphasizing core and longer-term deposits; and (3) managing the maturities of wholesale borrowings. The Bank may also sell fixed-rate mortgage loans into the secondary market. In determining whether to retain fixed-rate mortgages or to purchase fixed-rate MBS, management considers the Bank’s overall IRR position, the volume of such loans originated or the amount of MBS to be purchased, the loan or MBS yield and the types and amount of funding sources. The Bank may retain fixed-rate mortgage loan production or purchase fixed-rate MBS in order to improve yields and increase balance sheet leverage. During periods when fixed-rate mortgage loan production is retained, the Bank generally attempts to extend the maturity on part of its wholesale borrowings. During 2018 and 2019, the Bank generally retained newly originated mortgage loans in its portfolio. However, given the decline in the interest rate environment, in late 2019 and early 2020, the Bank determined to sell most of its 30 year fixed-rate residential real estate loan originations in the secondary market. The Company currently does not participate in financial futures contracts, interest rate swaps or other activities involving the use of off-balance-sheet derivative financial instruments, but may do so in the future to manage IRR.
The matching of assets and liabilities may be analyzed by examining the extent to which such assets and liabilities are “interest rate sensitive” and by monitoring an institution’s interest rate sensitivity “gap.” An asset or liability is said to be interest rate sensitive within a specific time period if it will mature or reprice within that time period. The interest rate sensitivity gap is defined as the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets maturing or repricing within a specific time period and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within that same time period. A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities. A gap is considered negative when the amount of interest rate sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest rate sensitive assets. Accordingly, during a period of rising interest rates, an institution with a negative gap position theoretically would not be in as favorable a position, compared to an institution with a positive gap, to invest in higher-yielding assets. This may result in the yield on the institution’s assets increasing at a slower rate than the increase in its cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Conversely, during a period of falling interest rates, an institution with a negative gap might experience a repricing of its assets at a slower rate than its interest-bearing liabilities, which, consequently, may result in its net interest income growing at a faster rate than an institution with a positive gap position.
The Company’s interest rate sensitivity is monitored through the use of an IRR model. The following table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2020, which were anticipated by the Company, based upon certain assumptions, to reprice or mature in each of the future time periods shown. At December 31, 2020, the Company’s one-year gap was positive 18.05%, as compared to positive 4.31% at December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to the increase in cash liquidity. Except as stated below, the amount of assets and liabilities which reprice or mature during a particular period were determined in accordance with the earlier of term to repricing or the contractual maturity of the asset or liability. The table is intended to provide an approximation of the projected repricing of assets and liabilities at December 31, 2020 on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated prepayments, scheduled rate adjustments and the rate sensitivity of non-maturity deposits within a three month period and subsequent selected time intervals. Loans receivable reflect principal balances expected to be redeployed and/or repriced as a result of contractual amortization and anticipated prepayments of adjustable-rate loans and fixed-rate loans, and as a result of contractual rate adjustments on adjustable-rate loans. Loans were projected to prepay at rates between 6% and 26% annually. Mortgage-backed securities were projected to prepay at rates between 14% and 25% annually. Money market deposit accounts, savings accounts and interest-bearing checking accounts are assumed to have average lives of 7.3 years, 6.3 years and 8.3 years, respectively. Prepayment and average life assumptions can have a significant impact on the Company’s estimated gap.
There can be no assurance that projected prepayment rates for loans and mortgage-backed securities will be achieved or that projected average lives for deposits will be realized.
(1)Interest-earning assets are included in the period in which the balances are expected to be redeployed and/or repriced as a result of anticipated prepayments, scheduled rate adjustments and contractual maturities.
(2)For purposes of the gap analysis, loans receivable includes loans held-for-sale and non-performing loans gross of the allowance for credit losses for loans, unamortized discounts and deferred loan fees.
(3)Interest sensitivity gap represents the difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in gap analysis. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market interest rates. Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable-rate loans, have features which restrict changes in interest rates both on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. Further, in the event of a change in interest rates, loan prepayment rates and average lives of deposits would likely deviate significantly from those assumed in the calculation. Finally, the ability of many borrowers to service their adjustable-rate loans may be impaired in the event of an interest rate increase.
Another method of analyzing an institution’s exposure to IRR is by measuring the change in the institution’s economic value of equity (“EVE”) and net interest income under various interest rate scenarios. EVE is the difference between the net present value of assets, liabilities and off-balance-sheet contracts. The EVE ratio, in any interest rate scenario, is defined as the EVE in that scenario divided by the fair value of assets in the same scenario. The Company’s interest rate sensitivity is monitored by management through the use of an IRR model which measures IRR by modeling the change in EVE and net interest income over a range of interest rate scenarios.
The following table sets forth the Company’s EVE and net interest income projections as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in thousands). For purposes of this table, the Company used prepayment and average life assumptions similar to those used in calculating the Company’s gap.
The change in interest rate sensitivity at December 31, 2020, as compared to December 31, 2019, was primarily due to the addition of Two River and Country Bank, the significant decline in interest rates during the period and the increase in cash liquidity.
As is the case with the gap calculation, certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the EVE and net interest income IRR measurements. The model requires the making of certain assumptions which may tend to oversimplify the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. First, the model assumes that the composition of the Company’s interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured. Second, the model assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Third, the model does not take into account the Company’s business or strategic plans. Accordingly, although the above measurements do provide an indication of the Company’s IRR exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on the Company’s EVE and net interest income and can be expected to differ from actual results.
Item 8.
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
OceanFirst Financial Corp.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 1, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for the recognition and measurement of credit losses as of January 1, 2020 due to the adoption of ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses.
Basis for Opinion
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 are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that is material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Allowance for credit losses for loans evaluated on a collective portfolio segment basis
As discussed in Note 1 in the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC Topic 326), as of January 1, 2020. The total allowance for credit losses as of January 1, 2020 was $19.5 million, which included an allowance for credit losses on loans evaluated on a collective portfolio segment basis (January 1, 2020 collective ACL). As discussed in Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s total allowance for credit losses as of December 31, 2020 was $60.7 million, which included an allowance for credit losses on loans evaluated on a collective portfolio segment basis (December 31, 2020 collective ACL). The Company’s methodology to measure the collective ACL incorporates both quantitative and qualitative information to assess lifetime expected credit losses at the portfolio segment level. The quantitative component of the loss estimation process utilizes a model, which includes the calculation of loss rates using an open pool method. Under this quantitative model, the Company calculates a loss rate based on historical loan level loss experience for portfolio segments with similar risk characteristics. The Company segments the commercial loan portfolios by risk rating and the residential and consumer loan portfolios by delinquency. The historical loss rate is adjusted for the economic forecast of select macroeconomic variables that consider both historical trends as well as forecasted trends for a single economic scenario. The adjusted loss rate is calculated for a reasonable and supportable forecast period and then reverts to the historical loss rate on a straight-line basis. The adjusted loss rate is then applied to the exposure at default on an undiscounted basis. The Company considers qualitative adjustments to expected credit loss estimates for information not already captured in the quantitative component of the loss estimation process. Qualitative loss factor adjustments may increase or decrease the estimate of the expected credit losses. Qualitative loss factors are based on judgments of Company, market, industry or business specific data, changes in underlying loan composition of specific portfolios, performance trends, regulatory changes, uncertainty in economic forecasts and other asset specific risk characteristics.
We identified the assessment of the January 1, 2020 and the December 31, 2020 collective ACL as a critical audit matter. A high degree of audit effort, including specialized skills and knowledge, and subjective and complex auditor judgment was involved in the assessment of the January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 collective ACL due to significant measurement uncertainty. Specifically, the assessment encompassed the evaluation of the January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 collective ACL methodology, including the quantitative model used to estimate the (1) historical loss rates and the related significant assumptions, including portfolio segmentation, historical loan level loss experience, the reasonable and supportable forecast period, economic forecast of select macroeconomic variables, the reversion period and risk ratings for the commercial loan portfolios and (2) the qualitative loss factors, including the significant assumptions consisting of the adjustments made to account for the Company specific data, changes in underlying loan composition of specific portfolios, uncertainty of economic forecasts and other asset specific risk characteristics. The assessment also included an evaluation of the conceptual soundness and performance of the quantitative model utilized to produce the expected credit loss estimate. In addition, auditor judgment was required to evaluate the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s measurement of the collective ACL estimates, including controls over the:
•development of the collective ACL methodology, including the selection of the open pool loss-rate method
•identification and determination of the significant assumptions used in the quantitative model
•evaluation of risk ratings for commercial loans
•validation of the quantitative model to determine if it is fit for use and appropriate to estimate expected credit losses
•development of the qualitative loss factors, including the significant assumptions used in the measurement of the qualitative loss factors
•analysis of the allowance for credit losses results, trends and ratios.
We evaluated the Company’s process to develop the January 1, 2020 and the December 31, 2020 collective ACL estimates by testing certain sources of data, factors, and assumptions that Company used, and considered the relevance and reliability of such data, factors and assumptions. In addition, we involved credit risk professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:
•evaluating the Company’s collective ACL methodology for compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
•evaluating the judgments made by the Company relative to the development of the quantitative model by comparing it to relevant Company-specific metrics and the applicable industry and regulatory practices
•assessing the conceptual soundness and design of the quantitative model by inspecting the Company’s model validation documentation to determine whether the model is suitable for its intended use
•assessing the selected economic forecast of macroeconomic variables through comparison to publicly available forecasts
•evaluating the historical loan level loss experience, and the lengths of the reasonable and supportable forecast period and reversion period by comparing them to specific portfolio risk characteristics and trends, the Company’s business environment, and relevant industry practices
•determining whether the loan portfolio is segmented by similar risk characteristics by comparing to the Company’s business environment and relevant industry practices
•testing individual credit risk ratings for a selection of commercial loans by evaluating the financial performance of the borrower, sources of repayment and any relevant guarantees or underlying collateral
•evaluating the methodology used to develop the qualitative loss factors and the effect those factors and their significant assumptions have on the collective ACL compared with relevant credit risk factors and consistency with credit trends and identified limitations of the quantitative model.
We also assessed the sufficiency of the audit evidence obtained related to the January 1, 2020 and the December 31, 2020 collective ACL estimates by evaluating the cumulative results of the audit procedures, qualitative aspects of the Company’s accounting practices and potential bias in developing the accounting estimates.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1989.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Short Hills, New Jersey
March 1, 2021
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
OceanFirst Financial Corp.:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited OceanFirst Financial Corp. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated statements of financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated March 1, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Short Hills, New Jersey
March 1, 2021
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in thousands, except per share amount)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(in thousands)
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(in thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OceanFirst Financial Corp. (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, OceanFirst Bank N.A. (the “Bank”) and OceanFirst Risk Management, Inc., and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, OceanFirst REIT Holdings, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiary OceanFirst Management Corp., and its wholly-owned subsidiary OceanFirst Realty Corp., Casaba Real Estate Holdings Corporation, CBNJ Investments Corp., Country Property Holdings, Inc., and TRCB Investment Corp. Certain other subsidiaries were dissolved in 2020 and are included in the consolidated financial statements for previous periods. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Business
The Bank provides a range of community banking services to customers through a network of branches and offices throughout New Jersey and the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions and certain technology companies. It is also subject to the regulations of certain regulatory agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements, in conformity with these accounting principles, requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Such estimates and assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes, including in the economic environment, will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, cash items in the process of collection and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Securities
Securities include debt securities held-to-maturity (“HTM”), and debt and equity securities available-for-sale (“AFS”). Debt securities include U.S. government and agency obligations, state and municipal obligations, corporate debt securities, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed securities which are issued and guaranteed by either the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), or Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”).
Management determines the appropriate classification at the time of purchase. If management has the positive intent not to sell and the Company would not be required to sell prior to maturity, the securities are classified as HTM debt securities. Such securities are stated at amortized cost. Securities in the AFS category are securities which the Company may sell prior to maturity as part of its asset/liability management strategy. Such securities are carried at estimated fair value and unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, are excluded from earnings, but are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and as part of comprehensive income. Discounts and premiums on securities are accreted or amortized using the level-yield method over the estimated lives of the securities, including the effect of prepayments. Gains or losses on the sale of such securities are included in other income using the specific identification method.
During 2013, the Company transferred $536.0 million of previously designated AFS debt securities to HTM designation at estimated fair value. The Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities as an investment until maturity or call. The securities transferred had an unrealized loss of $13.3 million at the time of transfer which continues to be reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of subsequent amortization, which is being recognized over the remaining life of the securities.
Equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in net income. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus adjustments resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer.
Credit Losses for Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
As of January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASC 326-30, Available-for-Sale Debt Securities. The adoption retained the fundamental nature of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) - that entities recognize credit losses only once securities become impaired. An AFS debt security is considered impaired when amounts are deemed uncollectible or when the company intends, or more likely than not will be required to sell, the AFS debt security before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
If a determination is made that an AFS debt security is impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors. The credit related component will be recognized as a credit loss expense through an allowance for credit losses. The credit loss expense will be limited to the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and fair value and any future changes may be reversed, limited to the amount previously expensed, in the period they occur. The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.
The evaluation of securities for impairment is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties and is intended to determine whether declines in the estimated fair value of investments should be recognized in current period earnings. The risks and uncertainties include changes in general economic conditions, the issuer’s financial condition and/or future prospects, the effects of changes in interest rates or credit spreads and the expected recovery period.
On a quarterly basis the Company evaluates the AFS debt securities for impairment. Securities that are in an unrealized loss position are reviewed to determine if a credit loss exists based on certain quantitative and qualitative factors. The primary factors considered in evaluating whether an impairment exists include: (a) the extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, (b) the financial condition, credit rating and future prospects of the issuer, (c) whether the debtor is current on contractually obligated interest and principal payments and (d) whether the Company intends to sell the security and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the security.
Loans Receivable
Loans receivable, other than loans held-for-sale, are stated at unpaid principal balance, plus unamortized premiums less unearned discounts, net of deferred loan origination and commitment fees and costs, and the associated allowance for credit losses.
Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and the net fee or cost is recognized in interest income using the level-yield method over the contractual life of the specifically identified loans, adjusted for actual prepayments. For each loan class, a loan is considered past due when a payment has not been received in accordance with the contractual terms. Loans which are more than 90 days past due, and other loans in the process of foreclosure are placed on non-accrual status. Interest income previously accrued on these loans, but not yet received, is reversed in the current period. Any interest subsequently collected is credited to income in the period of recovery only after the full principal balance has been brought current and has returned to accrual status. A loan is returned to accrual status when all amounts due have been received, payments remain current for a period of six months and the remaining principal and interest are deemed collectible.
Loans are charged-off in the period the loans, or portion thereof, are deemed uncollectible. The Company will record a loan charge-off to reduce a loan to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, less cost to sell, if it is determined that it is probable that recovery will come primarily from the sale of the collateral.
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the Company defined an impaired loan as non-accrual commercial real estate, multi-family, land, construction and commercial and industrial loans in excess of $250,000. Impaired loans also include all loans modified as troubled debt restructurings. A loan is considered impaired when it is deemed probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are individually assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the estimated fair value of the collateral or the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment, such as
residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, are specifically excluded from the impaired loan portfolio, except when they are modified in a troubled debt restructuring.
Loans Held for Sale
Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of unpaid principal balance, net, or estimated fair value on an aggregate basis. Estimated fair value is generally determined based on bid quotations from securities dealers.
Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”)
Under the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model, the allowance for credit losses on financial assets is a valuation allowance estimated at each balance sheet date in accordance with GAAP that is deducted from the financial assets’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the financial assets. The CECL model also applies to certain off-balance sheet credit exposures.
The Company estimates the ACL on loans based on the underlying assets’ amortized cost basis, which is the amount at which the financing receivable is originated or acquired, adjusted for applicable accretion or amortization of premium, discount, net deferred fees or costs, collection of cash, and charge-offs. In the event that collection of principal becomes uncertain, the Company has policies in place to write-off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income in a timely manner. Therefore, the Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis and therefore excludes it from the measurement of the ACL. For loans under forbearance as a result of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”), the Company made a policy election to include the accrued interest receivable related to such loans in the amortized cost basis and therefore includes it in the measurement of the ACL. Accrued interest receivable at December 31, 2020 was $35.3 million, of which $8.0 million related to forbearance loans.
Expected credit losses are reflected in the ACL through a charge to credit loss expense. The Company’s estimate of the ACL reflects credit losses currently expected over the remaining contractual life of the assets. When the Company deems all or a portion of a financial asset to be uncollectible the appropriate amount is written off and the ACL is reduced by the same amount. The Company applies judgment to determine when a financial asset is deemed uncollectible. When available information confirms that specific financial assets, or portions thereof, are uncollectible, these amounts are charged-off against the ACL. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL when received.
The Company measures the ACL of financial assets on a collective portfolio segment basis when the financial assets share similar risk characteristics. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments of financial assets with similar risk characteristics for measuring expected credit losses: commercial and industrial, commercial real estate - owner occupied, commercial real estate - investor (including commercial real estate - construction and land), residential real estate, consumer (including student loans) and HTM debt securities. The Company further segments the commercial loan portfolios by risk rating, and the residential and consumer loan portfolios by delinquency. The HTM portfolio is segmented by rating category.
The Company’s methodology to measure the ACL incorporates both quantitative and qualitative information to assess lifetime expected credit losses at the portfolio segment level. The quantitative component includes the calculation of loss rates using an open pool method. Under this method, the Company calculates a loss rate based on historical loan level loss experience for portfolio segments with similar risk characteristics. The historical loss rate is adjusted for select macroeconomic variables that consider both historical trends as well as forecasted trends for a single economic scenario. The adjusted loss rate is calculated for an eight quarter forecast period then reverts to the historical loss rate on a straight-line basis over four quarters. The Company differentiates its loss-rate method for HTM debt securities by looking to publicly available historical default and recovery statistics based on the attributes of issuer type, rating category and time to maturity. The Company measures expected credit losses of these financial assets by applying loss rates to the amortized cost basis of each asset taking into consideration amortization, prepayment and default assumptions.
The Company considers qualitative adjustments to expected credit loss estimates for information not already captured in the loss estimation process. Qualitative factor adjustments may increase or decrease management’s estimate of expected credit losses. Adjustments will not be made for information that has already been considered and included in the quantitative allowance. Qualitative loss factors are based on management's judgment of company, market, industry or business specific data, changes in loan composition, performance trends, regulatory changes, uncertainty of macroeconomic forecasts, and other asset specific risk characteristics.
Collateral Dependent Financial Assets
For collateral dependent financial assets where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is probable and where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. Fair value is generally calculated based on the value of the underlying collateral less an appraisal discount and the estimated cost to sell. Due to conditions caused by COVID-19, appraisals ordered in the current environment may not be indicative of the underlying loan collateral value. As such, the Company may require multiple valuation approaches (sales comparison approach, income approach, cost approach), as applicable. The Company will assess the individual facts and circumstances of COVID-19-related loan downgrades and, if a new appraisal is not necessary, an additional discount may be applied to an existing appraisal.
Troubled Debt Restructured (“TDR”) Loans
A loan that has been modified or renewed is considered a TDR when two conditions are met: (1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and (2) concessions are made for the borrower's benefit that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower or transaction with similar credit risk characteristics. So long as they share similar risk characteristics, TDRs may be collectively evaluated and included in the Company’s existing portfolio segments to measure the ACL, unless the TDR is collateral dependent. Loans modified in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act are not considered TDRs.
Loan Commitments and Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
Financial assets include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
The Company records an allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures through a charge to credit loss expense for off-balance sheet credit exposures. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by portfolio segment at each balance sheet date under the CECL model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration management’s assumption of the likelihood that funding will occur, and is included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
Acquired Loans
Acquired loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers various factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing, and a discount rate reflecting the Company’s assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates. Certain acquired loans are grouped together according to similar risk characteristics and are aggregated when applying various valuation techniques. These cash flow evaluations are subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
Prior to January 1, 2020, loans acquired in a business combination that had evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it was probable, at acquisition, that the Company would be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable were considered purchased credit impaired (“PCI”). PCI loans were individually evaluated and recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition with no initial valuation allowance based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considered various factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing, and a discount rate reflecting the Company’s assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates.
Beginning on January 1, 2020, loans acquired in a business combination that have experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are considered purchased with credit deterioration (“PCD”) loans. The Company evaluated acquired loans for deterioration in credit quality based on any of, but not limited to, the following: (1) non-accrual status; (2) troubled debt restructured designation; (3) risk ratings of special mention, substandard or doubtful; (4) watchlist credits; and (5) delinquency status, including loans that were current on acquisition date, but had been previously delinquent. At the acquisition date, an estimate of expected credit losses was made for groups of PCD loans with similar risk characteristics and individual PCD loans without similar risk characteristics. This initial allowance for credit losses is allocated to individual PCD loans and added to the purchase price or acquisition date fair values to establish the initial amortized cost basis of the PCD loans. As the initial allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price, there is no credit loss expense recognized upon acquisition of a PCD loan. Any difference between the unpaid principal balance of PCD loans and the amortized cost basis is considered to relate to noncredit factors and results in a discount or premium. Discounts and premiums are recognized through
interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loans. All loans considered to be PCI prior to January 1, 2020 were converted to PCD on that date.
For acquired loans not deemed PCD at acquisition, the differences between the initial fair value and the unpaid principal balance are recognized as interest income on a level-yield basis over the lives of the related loans. At the acquisition date, an initial allowance for expected credit losses is estimated and recorded as credit loss expense.
The subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for all acquired loans is the same as the subsequent measurement of expected credit losses for originated loans.
Allowance for Loan Losses (Prior to January 1, 2020)
The allowance for loan losses (currently referred to as ACL on loans) represented a valuation account that reflected probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses was based on management’s evaluation of the Bank’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, current economic and regulatory conditions, as well as organizational changes. The allowance for loan losses was maintained at an amount management considered sufficient to provide for probable losses.
Acquired loans that have not been renewed since acquisition, or that had a PCI mark, were excluded from the allowance for loan loss calculation. The Bank calculated a general valuation allowance for these excluded acquired loans without a PCI mark and compared that to the remaining general credit and interest rate marks. To the extent the remaining general credit and interest rate marks exceeded the calculated general valuation allowance, no additional reserve was required. If the calculated general valuation allowance exceeded the remaining general credit and interest rate marks, the Bank recorded an adjustment to the extent necessary.
The Bank’s allowance for loan losses included specific allowances and a general allowance, each updated on a quarterly basis. A specific allowance was determined for all impaired loans (excluding PCI loans). The Bank defined an impaired loan as all non-accrual commercial real estate, multi-family, land, construction and commercial loans (currently segmented as commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans) in excess of $250,000 for which it was probable, based on current information, that the Company would not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans also included all loans modified as TDRs. For collateral dependent loans, the specific allowance represented the difference between the Bank’s recorded investment in the loan, net of any interim charge-offs, and the estimated fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs. Impairment for all other impaired loans was calculated based on a combination of the estimated fair value of non-real estate collateral, personal guarantees, or the present value of the expected future cash flows.
A general allowance was determined for all loans that were not individually evaluated for impairment (excluding acquired loans that have not been renewed under the Bank’s underwriting criteria). In determining the level of the general allowance, the Bank segmented the loan portfolio into portfolio segments. The portfolio segments were further segmented by delinquency status or risk rating. An estimated loss factor was then applied to the outstanding principal loan balance of the delinquency status or risk rating category for each portfolio segment. To determine the loss factor, the Bank utilized historical loss experience adjusted for certain qualitative factors and the loss emergence period.
The Bank’s historical loss experience was based on a rolling 36-month look-back period for each portfolio segment. The look-back period was selected based on (1) management’s judgment that this period captured sufficient loss events (in both dollar terms and number of individual events) to be relevant; and (2) that the Bank’s underwriting criteria and risk characteristics have remained relatively stable throughout this period. The historical loss experience was adjusted for certain qualitative factors including, but not limited to, (1) delinquency trends, (2) net charge-off trends, (3) nature and volume of the loan portfolio, (4) loan policies and underwriting standards, (5) experience and ability of lending personnel, (6) concentrations of credit, (7) loan review system, and external factors such as (8) changes in current economic conditions, (9) local competition and (10) regulation. Economic factors that the Bank considered in its estimate of the allowance for loan losses included: local and regional trends in economic growth, unemployment and real estate values. The Bank considered the applicability of each of these qualitative factors in estimating the general allowance for each portfolio segment. Each quarter, the Bank considered the current conditions for each of the qualitative factors, as well as a forward-looking view on trends and events, to support an assessment unique to each portfolio segment.
The Bank calculated and analyzed the loss emergence period on an annual basis or more frequently if conditions warranted. The Bank’s methodology was to use loss events in the past 12 quarters to determine the loss emergence period for each loan segment. The loss emergence period was specific to each portfolio segment and represented the amount of time that has elapsed between (1) the occurrence of a loss event, which resulted in a potential loss and (2) the confirmation of the potential loss, when the Bank recorded an initial charge-off or downgrades the risk-rating of the loan to substandard.
The Bank also maintained an unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses. The primary purpose of the unallocated component was to account for the inherent factors that could not be practically assigned to individual loss categories, including the periodic update of appraisals, subjectivity of the Bank’s credit review and risk rating process, and economic conditions that may not have been fully captured in the Bank’s loss history or qualitative factors.
Reserve for Repurchased Loans and Loss Sharing Obligations
The reserve for repurchased loans and loss sharing obligations relates to potential losses on loans sold which may have to be repurchased due to a violation of representations and warranties, an estimate of the Bank’s obligation under a loss sharing arrangement for loans sold to the FHLB as well as the potential repair requests for guaranteed loans sold to the SBA. Provisions for losses are charged to gain on sale of loans and credited to the reserve while actual losses are charged to the reserve. The reserve represents the Company’s estimate of the total losses expected to occur and is considered to be adequate by management based upon the Company’s evaluation of the potential exposure related to the loan sale agreements and loss sharing obligations over the period of repurchase risk. The reserve for repurchased loans and loss sharing obligations, as well as SBA repair requests, is included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition.
Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”)
Other real estate owned is carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell. When a property is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over estimated fair value is charged to the allowance for credit losses for loans. Operating results from other real estate owned, including rental income, operating expenses, gains and losses realized from the sales of other real estate owned and subsequent write-downs are recorded as incurred.
Premises and Equipment
Land is carried at cost and premises and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization or, in the case of acquired premises, the estimated fair value on the acquisition date. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or leases. Generally, depreciable lives are as follows: computer equipment: 3 years; furniture, fixtures and other electronic equipment: 5 years; building improvements: 10 years; and buildings: 30 years. Repair and maintenance items are expensed and improvements are capitalized. Gains and losses on dispositions are reflected in current operations.
Leases
The Company recognizes operating lease agreements on the consolidated statements of financial condition as a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability. The ROU asset and lease liability are calculated as the present value of the minimum lease payments over the lease term, discounted for the rate implicit in the lease, provided the rate is readily determinable. Refer to Note 17 Leases for a further discussion on leases.
Income Taxes
The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Any interest and penalties on taxes payable are included as part of the provision for income taxes.
Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”)
Bank owned life insurance is accounted for using the cash surrender value method and is recorded at its realizable value. Part of the Company’s BOLI is invested in a separate account insurance product which is invested in a fixed income portfolio. The separate account includes stable value protection which maintains realizable value at book value with investment gains and losses amortized over future periods. Increases in cash surrender value are included in other non-interest income, while proceeds from death benefits are generally recorded as a reduction to the carrying value.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions, under the acquisition method of accounting, consists of goodwill and core deposit intangibles. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of identifiable net assets acquired through purchase acquisitions. Goodwill with an indefinite useful life is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment between annual measurement dates. The Company prepares a qualitative assessment, and if necessary, a quantitative assessment, in determining whether goodwill may be impaired. The factors considered in the qualitative assessment include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions and overall financial performance of the Company, among others. Under a quantitative assessment, the Company will estimate the fair value of the Company by utilizing a weighted discounted cash flow method, guideline public company method and transaction method. The Company completes its annual goodwill impairment test as of August 31 and evaluates triggering events during interim periods, as applicable.
Segment Reporting
The Company’s operations are solely in the financial services industry and include providing traditional banking and other financial services to its customers. The Company operates throughout New Jersey and the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City. Management makes operating decisions and assesses performance based on an ongoing review of the Company’s consolidated financial results. Therefore, the Company has a single operating segment for financial reporting purposes.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and potential common stock, utilizing the treasury stock method. All share amounts exclude unallocated shares of stock held by the ESOP and by the Incentive Plans. Refer to Note 12 Incentive Plan, for a discussion of the incentive plans.
Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2020
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326).” This ASU significantly changed how entities measure credit losses for financial assets and certain other instruments that are measured at amortized cost. The standard replaced the “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model, which necessitates a forecast of lifetime losses. The new model, referred to as the CECL model, applies to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to AFS debt securities. The ASU simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. The standard’s provisions are to be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (i.e., modified retrospective approach).
The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented in accordance with ASU 2016-13, or Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326, while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The Company recorded a net decrease to retained earnings of $4,000, net of tax, as of January 1, 2020 for the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 326. The transition adjustment included a decrease in the allowance for credit losses on loans of $475,000, an increase in the allowance for credit losses on held to maturity debt securities of $1.3 million, and a decrease in the allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures of $788,000.
As allowed by ASC 326, the Company elected not to maintain pools of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. At December 31, 2019, purchase credit impaired (“PCI”) loans totaled $13.3 million. In accordance with the standard, management did not reassess whether modifications individually acquired financial assets accounted for in pools were troubled debt restructured loans as of the date of adoption. Upon adoption, the Company’s PCI loans were converted to PCD loans as defined by ASC 326. The transition adjustment for the PCI loans to PCD loans resulted in a reclassification of $3.2 million from the specific credit fair value adjustment to the allowance for credit losses on loans.
Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in unemployment rates, property values, or other relevant factors. At December 31, 2020, the Company utilized the December 15, 2020 forecast, from Oxford Economics, the most recent forecast available as of quarter end, to provide the macroeconomic forecasts for select variables.
Expected credit losses are estimated over the contractual term of the loans, adjusted for expected prepayments when appropriate. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals, and modifications.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This ASU intends to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should perform its annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The ASU also eliminates the requirement for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. ASU No. 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU updates the disclosure requirements on Fair Value measurements by: (1) removing: the disclosures for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements; (2) modifying: disclosures for timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and disclosures for uncertainty in measurement as of reporting date; and (3) adding: disclosures for changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring level 3 fair value measurements and disclosures for the range and weighted average of the significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted to any removed or modified disclosures and delay adoption of additional disclosures until the effective date. With the exception of the following, which should be applied prospectively, disclosures relating to changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the disclosures for uncertainty measurement, all other changes should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon the effective date. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Refer to Note 15 Fair Value Measurements, for additional information.
Note 2. Regulatory Matters
Applicable regulations require the Bank to maintain minimum levels of regulatory capital. Under the regulations in effect at December 31, 2020, the Bank was required to maintain a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total average assets of 4.0%; a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 7.0%; a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.5%; and a minimum ratio of total (core and supplementary) capital to risk-weighted assets of 10.5%. These ratios include the impact of the required 2.50% capital conservation buffer. With its conversion to a bank holding company on January 31, 2018, the Company became subject to substantially similar consolidated capital requirements imposed by Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) regulations.
Under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Federal regulators are required to take certain supervisory actions (and may take additional discretionary actions) with respect to an undercapitalized institution. Such actions could have a direct material effect on the institution’s financial statements. The regulations establish a framework for the classification of banking institutions into five categories: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. Generally, an institution is considered well-capitalized if it has a Tier 1 capital ratio of 5.0%; a common equity Tier 1 risk-based ratio of at least 6.5%; a Tier 1 risk-based ratio of at least 8.0%; and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0%. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company and the Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements currently applicable.
The following is a summary of the Bank’s and the Company’s regulatory capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 compared to the regulatory minimum capital adequacy requirements and the regulatory requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution then in effect (dollars in thousands):
(1) Includes the Capital Conservation Buffer of 2.50%.
The Bank satisfies the criteria to be well-capitalized under the Prompt Corrective Action Regulations.
On January 1, 2019, the full capital conservation buffer requirement, of 2.50%, became effective. Capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments are limited if the capital conservation buffer is not maintained. Applicable regulations also impose limitations upon capital distributions by the Company, such as dividends and payments to repurchase or otherwise acquire shares. The Company may not declare or pay cash dividends on or repurchase any of its shares of common stock if the effect thereof would cause stockholders’ equity to be reduced below applicable regulatory capital minimum requirements or if such declaration and payment would otherwise violate regulatory requirements.
Note 3. Business Combinations
The Company incurred merger related expenses of $15.9 million, $10.5 million, and $26.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The following table summarizes the merger related expenses for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
Two River Bancorp Acquisition
On January 1, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of Two River Bancorp (“Two River”), which after purchase accounting adjustments added $1.11 billion to assets, $940.1 million to loans, and $941.8 million to deposits. Total consideration paid for Two River was $197.1 million, including cash consideration of $48.4 million. Two River was merged with and into the Company on the date of acquisition.
The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the respective assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values, net of tax. The excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition for Two River, net of total consideration paid (in thousands):
The calculation of goodwill is subject to change for up to one year after the date of acquisition as additional information relative to the estimates and uncertainties used to determine fair value as of the closing date become available. As of January 1, 2021, the Company finalized its review of the acquired assets and liabilities and will not be recording any further adjustments to the carrying value.
Country Bank Holding Company, Inc. Acquisition
On January 1, 2020, the Company completed its acquisition of Country Bank Holding Company, Inc. (“Country Bank”), which after purchase accounting adjustments added $793.7 million to assets, $618.4 million to loans, and $652.7 million to deposits. Total consideration paid for Country Bank was $112.8 million. Country Bank was merged with and into the Company on the date of acquisition.
The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the respective assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values, net of tax. The excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition for Country Bank, net of total consideration paid (in thousands):
The calculation of goodwill is subject to change for up to one year after the date of acquisition as additional information relative to the estimates and uncertainties used to determine fair value as of the closing date become available. As of January 1, 2021, the Company finalized its review of the acquired assets and liabilities and will not be recording any further adjustments to the carrying value.
Capital Bank of New Jersey Acquisition
On January 31, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of Capital Bank of New Jersey (“Capital Bank”), which after purchase accounting adjustments added $494.4 million to assets, $307.3 million to loans, and $449.0 million to deposits. Total consideration paid for Capital Bank was $76.8 million, including cash consideration of $353,000. Capital Bank was merged with and into the Company on the date of acquisition.
The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the respective assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values, net of tax. The excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition for Capital Bank, net of total consideration paid (in thousands):
The calculation of goodwill is subject to change for up to one year after the date of acquisition as additional information relative to the estimates and uncertainties used to determine fair value as of the closing date become available. On January 31, 2020, the Company finalized its review of the acquired assets and liabilities and will not be recording any further adjustments to the carrying value.
Sun Bancorp. Inc Acquisition
On January 31, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Sun Bancorp, Inc. (“Sun”), which after purchase accounting adjustments, added $2.0 billion to assets, $1.5 billion to loans, and $1.6 billion to deposits. Total consideration paid for Sun was $474.9 million, including cash consideration of $72.4 million. Sun was merged with and into the Company on the date of acquisition.
The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the respective assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values, net of tax. The excess of consideration paid over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of the
acquisition for Sun, net of the total consideration paid (in thousands):
The calculation of goodwill is subject to change for up to one year after the date of acquisition as additional information relative
to the estimates and uncertainties used to determine fair value as of the closing date become available. On January 31, 2019, the Company finalized its review of the acquired assets and liabilities and will not be recording any further adjustments to the carrying value.
Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information
The following table presents financial information regarding the former Sun operations included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from the date of the acquisition (January 31, 2018) through December 31, 2018; regarding the former Capital Bank operations included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from the date of the acquisition (January 31, 2019) through December 31, 2019; and regarding Two River and Country Bank operations included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from the date of the acquisition (January 1, 2020) through December 31, 2020. In addition, the table provides condensed pro forma financial information assuming the Two River, Country Bank, Sun and Capital Bank acquisitions had been completed as of January 1, 2018, for the year ended December 31, 2018, and January 1, 2019 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The table has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have been attained had the acquisitions occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it indicative of future results. Furthermore, the pro forma information does not reflect management’s estimate of any revenue-enhancing opportunities nor anticipated cost savings that may have occurred as a result of the integration and consolidation of Two River’s, Country Bank’s, Sun’s and Capital Bank’s operations. The pro forma information reflects adjustments related to certain purchase accounting fair value adjustments, amortization of core deposit and other intangibles, and related income tax effects.
Core Deposit Intangible
The estimated future amortization expense for the core deposit intangible over the next five years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
The methods used to determine the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Two River, Country Bank, Sun and Capital Bank acquisitions were as follows. Refer to Note 15 Fair Value Measurements, for a discussion of the fair value hierarchy.
Securities
The estimated fair values of the securities were calculated utilizing Level 2 inputs. The securities acquired are bought and sold in active markets. Prices for these instruments were obtained through security industry sources that actively participate in the buying and selling of securities.
Loans
The acquired loan portfolio was valued utilizing Level 3 inputs and included the use of present value techniques employing cash flow estimates and incorporated assumptions that marketplace participants would use in estimating fair values. In instances where reliable market information was not available, the Company used its own assumptions in an effort to determine reasonable fair value. Specifically, the Company utilized three separate fair value analyses which a market participant would employ in estimating the total fair value adjustment. The three separate fair valuation methodologies used were: (1) interest rate loan fair value analysis; (2) general credit fair value adjustment; and (3) specific credit fair value adjustment.
To prepare the interest rate fair value analysis, loans were grouped by characteristics such as loan type, term, collateral and rate. Market rates for similar loans were obtained from various external data sources and reviewed by the Company’s management for reasonableness. The average of these rates was used as the fair value interest rate a market participant would utilize. A present value approach was utilized to calculate the interest rate fair value adjustment.
The general credit fair value adjustment was calculated using a two-step analysis: (1) expected lifetime losses and (2) estimated fair value adjustments for qualitative factors. The expected lifetime losses were calculated using an average of historical losses of the acquired bank or historical loss experiences of peer groups where deemed appropriate. The adjustment related to
qualitative factors, if any, was impacted by general economic conditions and the risk related to lack of experience with the originator’s underwriting process.
To calculate the specific credit fair value adjustment, subsequent to January 1, 2020, the Company identified loans that experienced more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. Loans meeting this criteria were reviewed by comparing the contractual cash flows to expected collectible cash flows. The aggregate expected cash flows less the acquisition date fair value resulted in an accretable yield amount which will be recognized over the life of the loans on a level yield basis as an adjustment to yield.
Premises and Equipment
Fair value estimates were based upon appraisals from independent third parties. In addition to owned properties, Two River operated 14 properties, Country Bank operated five properties, Sun operated 21 properties, and Capital Bank operated one property, subject to lease agreements.
Deposits and Core Deposit Premium
Core deposits were considered to be non-interest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing checking, money market and saving accounts acquired as part of the acquisitions. The core deposit premium value represents the future economic benefit, including the present value of future tax benefits, of the potential cost saving from acquiring the core deposits as part of an acquisition compared to the cost of alternative funding sources and was valued utilizing Level 2 inputs. The core deposit premiums totaled $12.1 million, $2.1 million, $2.7 million and $11.9 million, for the acquisitions of Two River, Country Bank, Sun and Capital Bank, respectively, and is being amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately 10 years under an accelerated method.
Time deposits are not considered to be core deposits as they are assumed to have a low expected average life upon acquisition. The fair value of time deposits were determined by calculating the present value of the expected contractual payments discounted by market rates for similar time deposits and is valued utilizing Level 2 inputs.
Borrowings
Fair value estimates were based on discounting contractual cash flows using rates which approximate the rates offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.
Note 4. Securities
The amortized cost, estimated fair value and allowance for credit losses of debt securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
There was no allowance for credit losses on debt securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2020.
The following table presents the activity in the allowance for credit losses for debt securities held-to-maturity by major security type for the year ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
During the third quarter 2013, the Bank transferred $536.0 million of previously designated available-for-sale debt securities to a held-to-maturity designation at estimated fair value. The securities transferred had an unrealized net loss of $13.3 million at the time of transfer which continues to be reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated statement of financial condition, net of subsequent amortization, which is being recognized over the life of the securities. The carrying value of the debt securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
During the year ended December 31, 2020 there were $476,000 of realized gains on debt securities. There were no realized gains or losses on debt securities for the year ended December 31, 2019.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2020 by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities in instances where issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. At December 31, 2020, corporate debt securities with an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $53.8 million and $52.9 million, respectively, were callable prior to the maturity date.
Mortgage-backed securities are excluded from the above table since their effective lives are expected to be shorter than the contractual maturity date due to principal prepayments.
The estimated fair value of securities pledged as required security for deposits and for other purposes required by law amounted to $435.9 million and $475.6 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, including $152.7 million and $81.4 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, pledged as collateral for securities sold under agreements to repurchase.
At December 31, 2020, there were no holdings of any one issuer, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of stockholders’ equity.
The estimated fair value and unrealized losses for debt securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, segregated by the duration of the unrealized losses, are as follows (in thousands):
At December 31, 2020, the amortized cost, estimated fair value and credit rating of the individual corporate debt securities in an unrealized loss position for greater than one year are as follows (in thousands):
At December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of each of the above corporate debt securities was below cost. The Company concluded that these corporate debt securities were only temporarily impaired at December 31, 2020. In concluding that the impairments were only temporary, the Company considered several factors in its analysis. The Company noted that each issuer made all the contractually due payments when required. There were no defaults on principal or interest payments and no interest payments were deferred. Based on management’s analysis of each individual security, the issuers appear to have the ability to meet debt service requirements over the life of the security. Furthermore, the Company does not intend to sell these corporate debt securities and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities. Historically, the Company has not utilized securities sales as a source of liquidity. The Company’s long range liquidity plans indicate adequate sources of liquidity outside the securities portfolio.
The mortgage-backed securities are issued and guaranteed by either FHLMC, FNMA, GNMA, or SBA, corporations which are chartered by the United States Government and whose debt obligations are typically rated AA+ by one of the internationally-recognized credit rating services. Additionally, there are private label commercial mortgage-backed securities with credit ratings from multiple credit rating services ranging between Aaa and Aa2. The Company considers the unrealized losses to be the result of changes in interest rates, and not credit quality, which over time can have both a positive and negative impact on the estimated fair value of the mortgage-backed securities. The Company does not intend to sell these 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. As a result, the Company concluded that these securities were only temporarily impaired at December 31, 2020.
State and municipal obligations are securities issued by state and local governments for various purposes. The Company is not aware of any information subsequent to the purchase of any state and municipal obligation that indicates an inability on the part of an issuer to meet all of its financial commitments. The weighted average credit rating of these securities is Aa/AA with no credit rating below Baa2/BBB. The Company has the ability and stated intention to hold these securities to maturity at which time the Company expects to receive full repayment. Current unrealized losses are considered to be the result of changes in interest rates which over time can have both a positive and negative impact on the estimated fair value of the securities. As a result, the Company concluded that these securities were not impaired as of December 31, 2020.
The Company monitors the credit quality of debt securities held-to-maturity on a quarterly basis through the use of internal credit analysis supplemented by external credit ratings. The following table summarized the amortized cost of debt securities held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 aggregated by credit quality indicator (in thousands):
At December 31, 2020, and 2019, the Company held equity investments at an estimated fair value of $107.1 million and $10.1 million, respectively. The equity investments primarily comprised of select financial services institutions’ common stocks paying attractive dividends.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, there were $5.4 million of realized gains on equity securities. There were no realized gains or losses on equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2019. The realized and unrealized gains on equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2020 are shown in the table below (in thousands).
Note 5. Loans Receivable, Net
Loans receivable, net, at December 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):
(1)The commercial and industrial loans balance at December 31, 2020 includes Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans of $95.4 million.
The Company categorizes all loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, and current economic trends, among other factors. Generally, risk ratings for loans on forbearance pursuant to the CARES Act are not re-evaluated until the initial 90-day forbearance period ends. At that time, risk ratings are updated with an emphasis on industries that were heavily impacted by the pandemic, as well as individual borrower liquidity, and other measures of resiliency as described below. The Company evaluates risk ratings on an ongoing basis and as such, adversely rated loans will be re-evaluated as government restrictions end and businesses resume normal operations. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
Pass: Loans classified as Pass are well protected by the paying capacity and net worth of the borrower.
Special Mention: Loans classified as Special Mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. This includes borrowers that have been negatively affected by the pandemic but demonstrate some degree of liquidity. This liquidity may or may not be adequate to resume operations. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Bank’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard: Loans classified as Substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. This includes borrowers whose operations were negatively affected by the pandemic and whom, in the Bank’s assessment, do not have adequate liquidity available to resume operations at levels sufficient to service their current debt levels. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful: Loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.
The following table summarizes total loans by year of origination, internally assigned credit grades and risk characteristics (in thousands):
(1)For residential real estate and consumer loans, the Company evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan and by payment activity.
An analysis of the allowance for credit losses on loans for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows (in thousands):(1) The year ended December 31, 2020 was impacted by the shift in current and forward-looking economic conditions, credit migration and borrower vulnerability related to COVID-19. The Company recorded $14.6 million of charge-offs related to the sale of higher-risk commercial loans and $3.3 million of charge-offs related to the sale of under-performing residential and consumer loans.
A loan is considered collateral dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral. At December 31, 2020, the Company had collateral dependent loans with an amortized cost balance as follows: commercial and industrial of $1.9 million, commercial real estate - owner occupied of $13.8 million, and commercial real estate - investor of $18.3 million. In addition, the Company had residential and consumer loans collateralized by residential real estate, which are in the process of foreclosure, with an amortized cost balance of $1.4 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the Company was $106,000 and $51,000 at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
In accordance with ASC 310, prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, the following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method as of December 31, 2019, excluding PCI loans (in thousands):
As of December 31, 2019, the Company defined an impaired loan as non-accrual commercial real estate, multi-family, land, construction and commercial loans in excess of $250,000. Impaired loans also included all loans modified as troubled debt restructurings. At December 31, 2019, the impaired loan portfolio totaled $26.5 million for which there was a $476,000 specific allocation in the allowance for loan losses. The average balance of impaired loans for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $29.4 million. If interest income on non-accrual loans and impaired loans had been current in accordance with their original terms, approximately $372,000 and $419,000 of interest income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, would have been recorded.
At December 31, 2019, impaired loans include TDR loans of $24.6 million, of which $18.0 million were performing in accordance with their restructured terms for a minimum of six months and were accruing interest.
The summary of loans individually evaluated for impairment by loan portfolio segment as of December 31, 2019 was as follows, excluding PCI loans (in thousands):
The following table presents the recorded investment in non-accrual loans by loan portfolio segment as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands). The December 31, 2020 balances include PCD loans while the December 31, 2019 balances exclude PCI loans (in accordance with ASC 310, prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020).
At December 31, 2020, the non-accrual loans were included in the allowance for credit loss calculation and the Company did not recognize or accrue interest income on these loans. At December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no loans that were 90 days or greater past due and still accruing interest.
The following table presents the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 by loan portfolio segment (in thousands). The December 31, 2020 balances include PCD loans while the December 31, 2019 balances exclude PCI loans (in accordance with ASC 310, prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020).
The Company classifies certain loans as TDRs when credit terms to a borrower in financial difficulty are modified. The modifications may include a reduction in rate, an extension in term, the capitalization of past due amounts and/or the restructuring of scheduled principal payments. Residential real estate and consumer loans where the borrower’s debt is discharged in a bankruptcy filing are also considered TDRs. For these loans, the Bank retains its security interest in the real estate collateral. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, TDR loans totaled $17.5 million and $24.6 million, respectively. Included in the non-accrual loan total at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $5.5 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of TDRs. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $0 and $476,000, respectively, of specific reserves allocated to loans that are classified as TDRs. Non-accrual loans which become TDRs are generally returned to accrual status after six months of performance. In addition to the TDRs included in non-accrual loans, the Company also has loans classified as accruing TDRs at December 31, 2020 and 2019 which totaled $12.0 million and $18.0 million, respectively.
The following table presents information about TDRs which occurred during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and TDRs modified within the previous year and which defaulted during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (dollars in thousands):
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact on customers, short-term modification programs that comply with the CARES Act were implemented to provide temporary payment relief to those borrowers directly impacted by COVID-19. The Commercial Borrower Relief Program allowed for the deferral of principal and interest or principal only. For principal and interest deferrals as well as principal only deferrals, all payments received are first applied to all accrued and unpaid interest and the balance, if any, on account of unpaid principal, is then applied to fees, expenses and other amounts due to the Bank. Monthly payments will continue until the maturity date when all then unpaid principal, interest, fees, and all other charges are due and payable to the Bank. The Consumer Borrower Relief Program allowed for the deferral of principal and interest. The deferred payments along with interest accrued during the deferral period are due and payable on the maturity date. Provided these loans were current as of either year end or the date of the modification, these loans were not considered TDR loans at December 31, 2020 and will not be reported as past due during the deferral period.
As part of the Two River and Country Bank acquisitions, the Company purchased loans, for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of more than insignificant deterioration of credit quality since origination. The carrying amount of the PCD loans is as follows (in thousands):
The following table summarizes the changes in accretable yield for PCI loans during the year ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
Note 6. Interest and Dividends Receivable
Interest and dividends receivable at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Note 7. Premises and Equipment, Net
Premises and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization expense at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 amounted to $8.5 million, $8.2 million and $8.7 million, respectively.
Note 8. Deposits
Deposits, including accrued interest payable of $367,000 at December 31, 2020 and $238,000 at December 31, 2019, are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Included in time deposits at December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $409.5 million and $150.6 million, respectively, in deposits of $250,000 and over.
Time deposits at December 31, 2020 mature as follows (in thousands):
Interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows (in thousands):
Note 9. Borrowed Funds
Borrowed funds are summarized as follows (in thousands):
The Company prepaid all of its FHLB advances, in addition to the advances that matured, in 2020. The total FHLB prepayment fees incurred for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $14.3 million. Information concerning FHLB advances and securities sold under agreements to repurchase with retail customers (“reverse repurchase agreements”) is summarized as follows (in thousands):
The securities collateralizing the reverse repurchase agreements are delivered to the lender with whom each transaction is executed or to a third-party custodian. The lender, who may sell, loan or otherwise dispose of such securities to other parties in
the normal course of their operations, agrees to resell to the Company substantially the same securities at the maturity of the reverse repurchase agreements. Refer to Note 4 Securities.
Reverse repurchase agreements have contractual maturities at December 31, 2020 as follows (in thousands):
The other borrowings at December 31, 2020 include the following (in thousands):
(1)Adjusts to a floating rate of 392 basis points over 3 month London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on September 30, 2021.
(2)Adjusts to a floating rate of 509.5 basis points over 3 month Secured Overnight Financing Rate on May 15, 2025.
(3)In January 2021, the Company prepaid the subordinated debt in its entirety.
All of the trust preferred debt is currently callable.
Interest expense on borrowings for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 was as follows (in thousands):
As a member of the FHLB of New York, the Bank is required to maintain a minimum investment in the capital stock of the FHLB, at cost, in an amount equal to 0.125% of the Bank’s mortgage-related assets, plus 4.5% of the specified value of certain transactions between the Bank and the FHLB.
Note 10. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 consists of the following (in thousands):
Included in other comprehensive income was income tax expense attributable to the net accretion of unrealized losses on debt securities available-for-sale arising during the year in the amount of $721,000, $874,000, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
A reconciliation between the provision for income taxes and the expected amount computed by multiplying income before the provision for income taxes times the applicable statutory Federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows (in thousands):
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the following table (in thousands):
The 2020 deferred tax expense does not equal the change in net deferred tax assets as a result of net deferred liabilities recorded in connection with the Two River and Country Bank acquisitions of approximately $4.5 million.
The Company has Federal net operating losses from the acquisitions of Colonial American Bank (“Colonial American”) and Sun. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the net operating losses from Colonial American were $4.6 million and $4.9 million, respectively. These net operating losses are subject to annual limitation under Code Section 382 of approximately $330,000, and will expire between 2029 and 2034. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the net operating losses from Sun were $152.6 million and $175.9 million, respectively. These net operating losses are subject to annual limitation under Code Section 382 of approximately $23.3 million, which will expire in 2022 and $9.3 million, which will expire between 2029 and 2036.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $1.8 million of New Jersey Alternative Minimum Assessment Tax (“AMT”) Credits. These credits do not expire. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had $0 and $1.0 million, respectively, of AMT Tax Credits that were part of the Cape Bancorp, Inc. (“Cape”) acquisition and $2.3 million of AMT Tax Credits that were part of the Sun acquisition. These credits are subject to the same Code Section 382 limitation as indicated above but do not expire.
At December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company determined that it is not required to establish a valuation reserve for the remaining net deferred tax assets since it is “more likely than not” that the net deferred tax assets will be realized through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income and tax planning strategies. The conclusion that it is “more likely than not” that the remaining net deferred tax assets will be realized is based on the history of earnings and the prospects for continued growth. Management will continue to review the tax criteria related to the recognition of deferred tax assets.
Retained earnings at December 31, 2020 included approximately $10.8 million for which no provision for income tax has been made. This amount represented an allocation of income to bad debt deductions for tax purposes only. Events that would result in taxation of these reserves include failure to qualify as a bank for tax purposes, distributions in complete or partial liquidation,
stock redemptions and excess distributions to stockholders. At December 31, 2020, the Company had an unrecognized deferred tax liability of $2.8 million with respect to this reserve.
There were no unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. The tax years that remain subject to examination by the Federal government and the state of New York include the years ended December 31, 2017 and forward. The tax years that remain subject to examination by the state of New Jersey include the years ended December 31, 2016 and forward.
On July 1, 2018, New Jersey enacted changes to the corporate business tax laws. This legislation required a combined group to file combined returns for tax years beginning in 2019. However, due to technical issues and inconsistencies with existing tax law, it was initially determined that the tax law change did not have an impact on deferred taxes. In December 2019, the State of New Jersey issued a clarifying technical bulletin related to the impact of the new tax legislation enacted in July 2018. This technical bulletin provided clarification to the combined income tax reporting for certain members of a unitary business group. Accordingly, this required a revaluation of some of the Company’s deferred tax assets. As a result of the revaluation of the state deferred tax assets, the Company recognized an additional income tax benefit of $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
With the enactment of the Tax Reform on December 22, 2017, the federal corporate income tax rate was reduced from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. Accounting guidance required that the effect of income tax law changes on deferred taxes be recognized as a component of income tax expense related to continuing operations, but also to items initially recognized in other comprehensive income. As a result of the reduction in the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate, the Company recognized an additional income tax benefit of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and additional income tax expense of $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Because accounting guidance requires the effect of income tax law changes on deferred taxes to be recognized as a component of income tax expense related to continuing operations, this additional income tax expense included $1.8 million related to items recognized in other comprehensive income. These amounts will continue to be reported as separate components of accumulated other comprehensive income until such time as the underlying transactions from which such amounts arose are settled through continuing operations. At such time, the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income will be recognized as a net tax benefit. The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2020, subject to reclassification, was $786,000.
Note 11. Employee Stock Ownership Plan
The Bank maintains an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”). All full-time employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP after they attain age 21 and complete one year of service during which they work at least 1000 hours. ESOP shares are allocated among participants on the basis of compensation earned during the year. Employees are fully vested in their ESOP account after the completion of five years of credited service or completely if service was terminated due to death, retirement, disability or change in control of the Company. ESOP participants are entitled to receive distributions from the ESOP account only upon termination of service, which includes retirement and death except that a participant may elect to have dividends distributed as a cash payment on a quarterly basis.
The ESOP originally borrowed $13.4 million from the Company to purchase 2,013,137 shares of common stock. On May 12, 1998, the initial loan agreement was amended to allow the ESOP to borrow an additional $8.2 million in order to fund the purchase of 633,750 shares of common stock. At the same time, the term of the loan was extended from the initial twelve years to thirty years. On May 1, 2018, the loan agreement was amended to allow the ESOP to borrow an additional $8.4 million in order to fund the purchase of 292,592 shares of common stock. At the same time, the fixed interest rate of the loan was reduced from 8.25% to 3.25%. The amended loan is to be repaid from contributions by the Bank to the ESOP trust. The Bank is required to make contributions to the ESOP in amounts at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt.
The Bank’s obligation to make such contributions is reduced to the extent of any dividends paid by the Company on unallocated shares and any investment earnings realized on such dividends. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, contributions to the ESOP, which were used to fund principal and interest payments on the ESOP debt, totaled $1.5 million. During 2020 and 2019, $313,000 and $357,000, respectively, of dividends paid on unallocated ESOP shares were used for debt service. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the loan had an outstanding balance of $8.1 million and $9.3 million, respectively, and the ESOP had unallocated shares of 394,080 and 459,711, respectively. At December 31, 2020, the unallocated shares had a fair value of $7.3 million. The unamortized balance of the ESOP is shown as unallocated common stock held by the ESOP and is reflected as a reduction of stockholders’ equity.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Bank recorded compensation expense related to the ESOP of $1.1 million including $80,000 representing a decrease in compensation expense to reflect the decrease in the average fair value of shares committed to be released and allocated shares below the Bank’s cost. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Bank recorded compensation expense related to the ESOP of $1.6 million, and $1.6 million, respectively, including $366,000, and $596,000,
respectively, representing additional compensation expense to reflect the increase in the average fair value of shares committed to be released and allocated shares in excess of the Bank’s cost. As of December 31, 2020, 2,477,663 shares had been allocated to participants and 65,631 shares were committed to be released.
Note 12. Incentive Plan
On May 5, 2011, the OceanFirst Financial Corp. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, which authorizes the granting of stock options or awards of common stock, was approved by stockholders. This plan was subsequently amended on June 2, 2017. In January 2018, the Company implemented a performance-based stock plan for select senior management executives. On May 20, 2020, the OceanFirst Financial Corp. 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, which also authorizes the granting of stock options or awards of common stock, was approved by stockholders. The purpose of these plans is to attract and retain qualified personnel in key positions, provide officers, employees and non-employee directors (“Outside Directors”) with a proprietary interest in the Company as an incentive to contribute to the success of the Company, align the interests of management with those of other stockholders and reward employees for outstanding performance. All officers, other employees and Outside Directors of the Company and its affiliates are eligible to receive awards under the plans.
Under the 2020 Stock Incentive Plan, the Company is authorized to issue up to 2,000,000 shares subject to option or, in lieu of options, up to 800,000 shares in the form of stock awards. At December 31, 2020, 969,294 options or 387,718 awards remain available for issuance. Under the amended 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, the Company is authorized to issue up to an additional 4,000,000 shares subject to option or, in lieu of options, up to 1,600,000 shares in the form of stock awards. At December 31, 2020, 47,690 options or 19,076 awards remain available for issuance.
As part of the Sun acquisition, 491,248 options were granted in 2018 for the conversion of outstanding Sun options. These options had a weighted average exercise price of $21.92 per option and were fully vested upon acquisition. The Company will not recognize compensation expense in the future on these options as they were accounted for as part of the acquisition.
Stock awards generally vest at the rate of 20% per year. The Company granted to senior executives performance-based awards in 2020, 2019 and 2018, which vest in equal amounts over a five-year period (for 2020 and 2019 awards) or a three-year period (for 2018 awards) when a specific performance metric has been attained or exceeded. Tiered performance goals for each metric are aligned with corresponding tiered vesting values and have been set using financial data from the applicable strategic plan as approved by the Board. The Company accrues expense for the performance-based awards based on the estimated probability of achievement of the defined performance goals.
Options expire 10 years from the date of grant and generally vest at the rate of 20% per year. The exercise price of each option equals the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The Company typically issues treasury shares or authorized but unissued shares to satisfy stock option exercises.
The Company recognizes the grant-date fair value of stock options and other stock-based compensation issued to employees in the income statement. The modified prospective transition method was adopted and, as a result, the income statement includes $1.5 million, $973,000, and $1.0 million, of expense for stock option grants and $2.8 million, $2.9 million, and $2.0 million, of expense for stock award grants, for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. At December 31, 2020, the Company had $12.5 million in compensation cost related to non-vested options and stock awards not yet recognized. This cost will be recognized over the remaining vesting period of 3.25 years.
The fair value of stock options granted by the Company was estimated through the use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model applying the following assumptions:
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate with a term equal to the expected option life. The expected option life conforms to the Company’s actual experience. Expected volatility is based on actual historical results. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight line basis over the vesting period.
A summary of option activity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2020:
The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at December 31, 2020 was $3.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
A summary of the granted but unvested stock award activity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
Note 13. Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company, in the normal course of business, is party to financial instruments and commitments which involve, to varying degrees, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. These financial instruments and commitments include unused consumer lines of credit and commitments to extend credit.
At December 31, 2020, the following commitments and contingent liabilities existed which are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements (in thousands):
The Company’s fixed-rate loan commitments expire within 90 days of issuance and carried interest rates ranging from 2.50% to 6.38% at December 31, 2020.
The Company’s maximum exposure to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these financial instruments and commitments is represented by the contractual amounts. The Company uses the same credit policies in granting commitments and conditional obligations as it does for financial instruments recorded in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
These commitments and obligations do not necessarily represent future cash flow requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management’s assessment of risk. Substantially all of the unused consumer and construction loan lines of credit are collateralized by mortgages on real estate.
At December 31, 2020, the Company is obligated under noncancelable operating leases for premises and equipment. Rental and lease expense under these leases aggregated approximately $7.9 million, $5.0 million, and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Refer to Note 17 Leases, for the projected minimum lease commitments as of December 31, 2020.
The Company grants residential real estate and first mortgage commercial real estate loans to borrowers primarily located throughout New Jersey and the metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City. The ability of borrowers to repay their obligations is dependent upon various factors including the borrowers’ income and net worth, cash flows generated by the underlying collateral, value of the underlying collateral and priority of the Company’s lien on the property. Such factors are dependent upon various economic conditions and individual circumstances beyond the Company’s control. The Company is, therefore, subject to risk of loss. A decline in real estate values could cause some residential and commercial real estate loans to become inadequately collateralized, which would expose the Bank to a greater risk of loss.
The Company believes its lending policies and procedures adequately minimize the potential exposure to such risks. Collateral and/or guarantees are required for all loans.
The Company is a defendant in certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Management and its legal counsel are of the opinion that the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Note 14. Earnings Per Share
The following reconciles average shares outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, antidilutive stock options of 2,242,000, 993,000, and 504,000, respectively, were excluded from the earnings per share calculations.
Note 15. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price in the principal (or the most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability shall not be adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact, and (iv) willing to transact.
The Company uses valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement costs). Valuation techniques should be consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, or unobservable, meaning those that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. In that regard, a fair value hierarchy has been established for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
Level 1 Inputs - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlations or other means.
Level 3 Inputs - Significant unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).
Debt Securities Available-for-Sale
Debt securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value. Fair value for these debt securities is determined using inputs other than quoted prices that are based on market observable information (Level 2) and Level 3 inputs which were utilized for certain state and municipal obligations known as bond anticipation notes (“BANs”). Level 2 debt securities are priced through third-party pricing services or security industry sources that actively participate in the buying and selling of securities. Prices obtained from these sources include market quotations and matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value certain debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but comparing the debt securities to benchmark or comparable debt securities.
Equity Investments
Equity investments are reported at fair value. Fair value for these investments is primarily determined using a quoted price in an active market or exchange (Level 1). Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus adjustments resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Equity securities include convertible preferred stock for which fair value was determined using broker or dealer quotes with limited levels of activity and price transparency (Level 3).
Interest Rate Swaps
The Company’s interest rate swaps are reported at fair value utilizing models provided by an independent, third-party and observable market data. When entering into an interest rate swap agreement, the Company is exposed to fair value changes due to interest rate movements, and also the potential nonperformance of our contract counterparty.
Other Real Estate Owned and Loans Individually Measured for Impairment
Other real estate owned and loans measured for impairment based on the fair value of the underlying collateral are recorded at estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs. Fair value is based on independent appraisals.
The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value (in thousands):
The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the valuation hierarchy at the end of the applicable reporting periods. There were no transfers of assets between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The following table reconciles, for the year ended December 31, 2020, the beginning and ending balances for debt securities available-for-sale that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, in the consolidated statements of financial condition, using significant unobservable inputs (in thousands):
The Company purchased $2.4 million (fair value) of equity investments, consisting of convertible preferred stock, classified as Level 3 at December 31, 2020 as the fair value was determined using broker or dealer quotes with limited levels of activity and price transparency.
Assets and Liabilities Disclosed at Fair Value
A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities disclosed at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.
Cash and Due from Banks
For cash and due from banks, the carrying amount approximates fair value.
Debt Securities Held-to-Maturity
Debt securities classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost, as the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold these debt securities to maturity. The Company determines the fair value of the debt securities utilizing Level 2 and, infrequently, Level 3 inputs. Most of the Company’s investment and mortgage-backed securities, are fixed income instruments that are not quoted on an exchange, but are bought and sold in active markets. Prices for these instruments are obtained through third-party pricing vendors or security industry sources that actively participate in the buying and selling of debt securities. Prices obtained from these sources include market quotations and matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value certain debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific debt securities, but comparing the debt securities to benchmark or comparable debt securities.
Management’s policy is to obtain and review all available documentation from the third-party pricing service relating to their fair value determinations, including their methodology and summary of inputs. Management reviews this documentation, makes inquiries of the third-party pricing service and decides as to the level of the valuation inputs. Based on the Company’s review of the available documentation from the third-party pricing service, management concluded that Level 2 inputs were utilized for all securities except for certain state and municipal obligations known as BANs as well as certain debt securities where management utilized Level 3 inputs, such as broker or dealer quotes with limited levels of activity and price transparency.
Restricted Equity Investments
The fair value for Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and Federal Reserve Bank stock is its carrying value since this is the amount for which it could be redeemed. There is no active market for this stock and the Company is required to maintain a minimum investment as stipulated by the respective agencies.
Loans Receivable and Loans Held-for-Sale
Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as residential real estate, consumer and commercial. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms.
Fair value of performing and non-performing loans was estimated by discounting the future cash flows, net of estimated prepayments, at a rate for which similar loans would be originated to new borrowers with similar terms.
In accordance with the prospective adoption of ASU 2016-01, the fair value of loans was measured using the exit price notion.
Deposits Other than Time Deposits
The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest-bearing demand deposits, savings, and interest-bearing checking accounts and money market accounts is, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand. The related insensitivity of the majority of these deposits to interest rate changes creates a significant inherent value which is not reflected in the fair value reported.
Time Deposits
The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase with Retail Customers
Fair value approximates the carrying amount as these borrowings are payable on demand and the interest rate adjusts monthly.
Borrowed Funds
Fair value estimates are based on discounting contractual cash flows using rates which approximate the rates offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.
The book value and estimated fair value of the Bank’s significant financial instruments not recorded at fair value as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are presented in the following tables (in thousands):
Limitations
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because a limited market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other significant unobservable inputs. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Fair value estimates are based on existing balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include premises and equipment, bank owned life insurance, deferred tax assets and goodwill. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.
Note 16. Derivatives, Hedging Activities and Other Financial Instruments
The Company enters into derivative financial instruments which involve, to varying degrees, interest rate, market and credit risk. The Company manages these risks as part of its asset and liability management process and through credit policies and procedures, seeking to minimize counterparty credit risk by establishing credit limits and collateral agreements. The Company utilizes certain derivative financial instruments to enhance its ability to manage interest rate risk that exists as part of its ongoing business operations. The derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company are an economic hedge of a derivative offering to Bank customers. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
Customer Derivatives - Interest Rate Swaps
The Company enters into interest rate swaps that allow commercial loan customers to effectively convert a variable-rate commercial loan agreement to a fixed-rate commercial loan agreement. Under these agreements, the Company enters into a variable-rate loan agreement with a customer in addition to an interest rate swap agreement, which serves to effectively swap the customer’s variable-rate loan into a fixed-rate loan. The Company then enters into a corresponding swap agreement with a third party in order to economically hedge its exposure through the customer agreement. The interest rate swaps with both the customers and third parties are not designated as hedges under FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and are marked to market through earnings. As the interest rate swaps are structured to offset each other, changes to the underlying benchmark interest rates considered in the valuation of these instruments do not result in an impact to earnings; however, there may be fair value adjustments related to credit quality variations between counterparties, which may impact earnings as required by FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. For the period ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized a gain of $428,000, and for the period ended December 31, 2019 the Company recognized a loss of $478,000, in other income resulting from a fair value adjustment. The notional amount of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments was $725.9 million and $337.6 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The table below presents the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments as well as their location on the consolidated statements of financial condition (in thousands):
Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features
The Company is a party to International Swaps and Derivatives Association agreements with third party broker-dealers that require a minimum dollar transfer amount upon a margin call. This requirement is dependent on certain specified credit measures. The amount of collateral posted with third parties was $46.5 million and $13.7 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The amount of collateral posted with third parties is deemed to be sufficient to collateralize both the fair market value change as well as any additional amounts that may be required as a result of a change in the specified credit measures. The aggregate fair value of all derivative financial instruments in a liability position with credit measure contingencies and entered into with third parties was $45.4 million and $10.7 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Note 17. Leases
A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company’s leases are comprised of real estate property for branches, ATM locations and office space with terms extending through 2050. The Company has one existing finance lease, which was acquired in the Sun acquisition and has a lease term through 2029.
The following table represents the classification of the Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition (in thousands):
The calculated amount of the ROU assets and lease liabilities are impacted by the lease term and the discount rate used to calculate the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease agreements often include one or more options to renew the lease at the Company’s discretion. If the exercise of a renewal option is considered to be reasonably certain, the Company includes the extended term in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. For the discount rate, Leases (Topic 842) requires the Company to use the rate implicit in the lease, provided the rate is readily determinable. As this rate is rarely determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate, at lease inception, over a similar term. For operating leases existing prior to January 1, 2019, the Company used the incremental borrowing rate for the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019. For the finance lease, the Company utilized its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception.
The following table represents lease expenses and other lease information (in thousands):
(1)Included in borrowed funds interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. All other costs are included in occupancy expense.
Future minimum payments for the finance lease and operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as of December 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):
Note 18. Parent-Only Financial Information
The following condensed statements of financial condition at December 31, 2020 and 2019 and condensed statements of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 for OceanFirst Financial Corp. (parent company only) reflect the Company’s investment in its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Bank and OceanFirst Risk Management, Inc., using the equity method of accounting.
Condensed Statement of Financial Condition
(in thousands)
Condensed Statements of Operations
(in thousands)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Item 9.
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures
(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b)Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries are responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, 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 GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that: (1) Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and oversight of the Board of Directors, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) (“COSO 2013 Framework”).
Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2020, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 64.
(c)Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B.Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information relating to directors, executive officers and corporate governance and the Registrant’s compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act required by Part III is incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 2021 under the captions “Corporate Governance,” “Proposal 1. Election of Directors” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports.”
The information relating to executive compensation required by Part III is incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 2021 under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report,” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”
Item 12.
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters required by Part III is incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 2021 under the caption “Stock Ownership.”
Information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans existing as of December 31, 2020 is as follows:
Item 13.
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information relating to certain relationships and related transactions and director independence required by Part III is incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 2021 under the caption “Transactions with Management.”
Item 14.
Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information relating to the principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting to be held on May 19, 2021 under the caption “Proposal 3. Ratification of Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules are omitted because they are not required or applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
(a)(3) Exhibits
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
CONFORMED
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.
OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP.
By:/s/ Christopher D. Maher
Christopher D. Maher
Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer
Date:March 1, 2021
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.