Item 1. Business.
Overview
Talmer Bancorp, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan in February 2003 and it became the bank holding company for Talmer Bank and Trust in 2007. Talmer Bank and Trust is a Michigan state-chartered bank that opened in August 2007 in Troy, Michigan. Between April 30, 2010 and December 31, 2015, we successfully completed eight acquisitions totaling $6.0 billion in assets and $6.1 billion in liabilities. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we operated through two subsidiary banks, Talmer Bank and Trust and Talmer West Bank, a Michigan state-chartered bank. Talmer West Bank was merged with and into Talmer Bank and Trust on August 21, 2015. Following the merger of Talmer West Bank into Talmer Bank and Trust on August 21, 2015, we now operate one subsidiary bank, Talmer Bank and Trust, which principally operates through 81 branches in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Nevada and five lending offices located primarily in the Midwest.
In this report, unless the context suggests otherwise, references to “Talmer Bancorp, Inc.,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the combined business of Talmer Bancorp, Inc. and our subsidiary bank, Talmer Bank and Trust (“Talmer Bank”). However, if the discussion relates to a period following our acquisition of Talmer West Bank on January 1, 2014 but before Talmer West Bank was merged with and into Talmer Bank on August 21, 2015, the terms refer to Talmer Bancorp, Inc., Talmer Bank and Talmer West Bank; and if the discussion relates to a period following our acquisition of First Place Bank on January 1, 2013 but before First Place Bank was merged with and into Talmer Bank on February 10, 2014, the terms refer to Talmer Bancorp, Inc., Talmer Bank and First Place Bank. References to our “Class A common stock” and “common stock” refer to our Class A voting common stock, par value $1.00 per share.
Proposed Merger with Chemical Financial Corporation
On January 25, 2016, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Chemical Financial Corporation (“Chemical”), a Michigan corporation. The Merger Agreement was approved by the boards of directors of the Company and Chemical, and is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Company will be merged with and into Chemical, with Chemical as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). After completion of the Merger, Chemical intends to consolidate Talmer Bank with and into Chemical Bank, Chemical’s wholly-owned subsidiary bank, with Chemical Bank as the surviving institution (the “Bank Merger”).
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, in the Merger, each of our shareholders will receive 0.4725 shares of Chemical common stock and $1.61 in cash for each share of our common stock owned by the shareholder. Each stock option to purchase shares of our common stock that remains outstanding at the effective time of the Merger will be assumed by Chemical and will be converted into a stock option with respect to Chemical’s common stock (excluding certain of our stock options that may be cancelled and cashed out as provided in the Merger Agreement), at the conversion rate set forth in the Merger Agreement. All of our restricted stock awards that are unvested and remain outstanding at the effective time of the Merger will be converted into restricted stock awards of Chemical, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to our restricted stock awards.
Our History and Growth
April 2010 Offering and FDIC-Assisted Acquisitions
We have grown substantially since our operations began in August of 2007, with much of the growth occurring through acquisitions. On April 30, 2010, we closed on a private placement of our common stock that raised $200.0 million from new investors. Also on April 30, 2010, Talmer Bank acquired certain of the assets and certain of the deposits of CF Bancorp, a Michigan chartered savings bank, from the FDIC, as receiver. Since April 30, 2010, Talmer Bank has completed the following three additional FDIC-assisted acquisitions, all of which have been fully integrated into our operations:
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First Banking Center, Burlington, Wisconsin on November 19, 2010;
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Peoples State Bank, Hamtramck, Michigan on February 11, 2011; and
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Community Central Bank, Mount Clemens, Michigan on April 29, 2011.
In each of our FDIC-assisted acquisitions, Talmer Bank entered into loss share agreements with the FDIC that covered certain of the acquired assets, including 100% of the acquired loans (other than consumer loans with respect to our acquisitions of First Banking Center, People State Bank and Community Central Bank) and other real estate. Historically, we have referred to loans subject to loss share agreements with the FDIC as “covered loans” and loans that are not subject to loss share agreements with the FDIC as “uncovered loans.” However, as discussed below, on December 28, 2015, Talmer Bank entered into an agreement with the FDIC for the early termination of the loss share agreements and all rights and obligations of Talmer Bank and the FDIC under the loss share agreements were eliminated and all loans and other real estate previously covered by loss share agreements were reclassified to uncovered. In certain circumstances, when referring to historical periods, we will continue to refer to loans that were covered by FDIC loss share agreements as “covered loans” and all loans and other real estate that were subject to FDIC loss share agreements will be referred to as “covered assets.”
Lake Shore Wisconsin Corporation
On December 15, 2011, we closed on the acquisition of Lake Shore Wisconsin Corporation, which divested its subsidiary, Hiawatha National Bank, to its shareholders prior to closing. Lake Shore Wisconsin Corporation's remaining assets consisted of approximately $26.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, which we acquired in the transaction. We issued 4.2 million shares of our common stock at $6.24 per share in the transaction.
2012 Private Placement and Acquisition of First Place Bank
On February 21, 2012, we closed on a private placement of our common stock consisting of an initial drawdown by us of approximately $21.0 million and commitments from investors for up to approximately $153.0 million of event driven capital at $8.00 per share to support growth strategies. On December 27, 2012, we closed on the remaining $153.0 million of capital commitments from our investors, which was used to fund the acquisition of First Place Bank.
On January 1, 2013, we purchased substantially all of the assets of First Place Financial Corp., including all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of First Place Bank, in a transaction facilitated under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, for cash consideration of $45 million. Under the asset purchase agreement, we assumed $60.0 million in subordinated notes issued to First Place Capital Trust, First Place Capital Trust II and First Place Capital Trust III, of which $45.0 million was immediately retired.
First Place Bank had operated under a Cease and Desist Order with its regulator since July13, 2011. The Cease and Desist Order remained in effect following our acquisition of First Place Bank on January 1, 2013. Following our acquisition, we devoted significant internal management resources as well as engaged third party professionals to assist us in evaluating and improving internal and risk management controls of First Place Bank, including hiring a nationally recognized third party to evaluate the internal and risk management controls over the bank's mortgage banking operations. Additionally, substantial resources were deployed to enhance the core operating technology, build and implement a disaster recovery plan and improve consumer compliance processes. The FDIC approved the consolidation of First Place Bank with and into Talmer Bank, which occurred on February 10, 2014. At the effective time of the consolidation, the Cease and Desist Order had no further force or effect.
Talmer West Bank (formerly Michigan Commerce Bank)
On January 1, 2014, we purchased Financial Commerce Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary banks and certain other bank-related assets from Financial Commerce Corporation and its parent holding company, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. in a transaction facilitated under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The purchase price consisted of cash consideration of $4.0 million and a separate $2.5 million payment to fund an escrow account to pay the post-petition administrative fees and expenses of the professionals in the bankruptcy cases of Financial Commerce Corporation and Capitol Bancorp Ltd., each of which filed voluntary bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on August 9, 2012, with any unused escrowed funds to be refunded to us.
The banks we acquired from Financial Commerce Corporation were:
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Michigan Commerce Bank, a Michigan state-chartered bank with ten branches located throughout Michigan;
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Indiana Community Bank, an Indiana state-chartered bank with two branches located in northern Indiana;
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Bank of Las Vegas, a Nevada state-chartered bank with four branches located in the metropolitan Las Vegas area; and
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Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque, a New Mexico state-chartered bank with one location in Albuquerque.
Immediately prior to our consummation of the acquisition, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. merged Indiana Community Bank, Bank of Las Vegas and Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque with and into Michigan Commerce Bank, with Michigan Commerce Bank as the surviving bank in the merger. Simultaneously with the merger, Michigan Commerce Bank changed its name to Talmer West Bank. In connection with the acquisition, we contributed approximately $79.5 million of additional capital to Talmer West Bank in order to recapitalize the bank. In order to support the acquisition and recapitalization of Talmer West Bank, Talmer Bancorp, Inc. borrowed $35.0 million under a senior unsecured line of credit and received $33.0 million in dividend capital from Talmer Bank. We used a portion of the net proceeds from our initial public offering to repay, in full, the $35.0 million line of credit. References in this report to Talmer West Bank refer to Talmer West Bank as the surviving bank in the merger of Indiana Community Bank, Bank of Las Vegas and Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque with and into Michigan Commerce Bank.
Although we acquired five branches in Nevada and New Mexico that are outside of our target markets, 12 of the branches we acquired, or 70% of the total number of branches acquired in the acquisition, fit squarely within our target market areas. As noted below, we sold the single branch in New Mexico in July 2014 and consolidated our four branches in Nevada into one branch in September 2014. We will continue to evaluate our long-term strategy with respect to our Nevada branch in light of our Midwest regional bank focus.
On April 5, 2010, Michigan Commerce Bank consented to the issuance of a Consent Order by the FDIC and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (the "Consent Order") on April 5, 2010, which remained in effect following our acquisition. Following our acquisition, we devoted significant internal management resources to ensuring the actions required under the Consent Order were taken. The FDIC approved the consolidation of Talmer West Bank with and into Talmer Bank, which occurred on on August 21, 2015. At the effective time of the consolidation, the Consent Order had no further force or effect.
First of Huron Corp.
On February 6, 2015, we acquired First of Huron Corp. for aggregate cash consideration of $13.4 million. In connection with the merger, First of Huron Corp. merged with Talmer Bancorp, Inc., with Talmer Bancorp, Inc. as the surviving company in the merger. Immediately following the merger, Signature Bank, a Michigan state-chartered bank and wholly owned subsidiary of First of Huron Corp., merged with and into Talmer Bank, with Talmer Bank as the surviving bank. We also assumed $3.5 million in subordinated notes issued to First of Huron Corp. and $1.4 million of related interest. The subordinated debt was immediately retired and the interest was paid in full in accordance with the provision of the purchase agreement.
In this report, we refer to our eight completed acquisitions collectively as the “acquisitions” and refer to CF Bancorp, First Banking Center, Peoples State Bank, Community Central Bank, First Place Bank, Talmer West Bank and Signature Bank collectively as the “Acquired Banks,” and we refer to the loans we acquired in our acquisitions as “acquired loans.”
Branch Sales
On July 18, 2014, we sold our single Talmer West Bank branch office located in Albuquerque, New Mexico along with its $34.1 million of deposits and $23.7 million of loans to Grants State Bank, a unit of First Bancorp of Durango, Inc.
Additionally, on August 8, 2014, we sold ten branch offices of Talmer Bank located in Wisconsin to Town Bank, a wholly owned bank subsidiary of Wintrust Financial Corporation. Town Bank assumed all of our deposits in Wisconsin totaling $354.8 million as of August 8, 2014.
Repurchase of Warrants and Common Stock
On February 17, 2015, we repurchased an aggregate of 2,529,416 warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock issued to WLR Recovery Fund IV, L.P. and WLR IV Parallel ESC, L.P. (the “WL Ross Funds”). We issued the warrants to the WL Ross Funds in consideration of a portion of the purchase price in our 2010 and 2012 private placements. The purchase price was $8.30 per warrant share for the warrants we issued in 2010, $6.97 per warrant share for the warrants we issued in February 2012 and $7.10 per warrant share for the warrants we issued in December 2012, resulting in an aggregate purchase price of $19.9 million.
On August 31, 2015, the WL Ross Funds closed on the sale of an aggregate of 9,664,579 shares of our Class A common stock in an underwritten secondary public offering. All of the shares in the offering were sold by the WL Ross Funds, and we did not receive any proceeds from the offering. We repurchased 5,077,000 shares in the offering at a price of $14.77 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $75.0 million. We immediately retired the shares following the repurchase.
Early Termination of FDIC Loss Share Agreements and Warrant
On December 28, 2015, Talmer Bank entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminates its loss share agreements with the FDIC. Talmer Bank entered into the loss share agreements with the FDIC in 2010 and 2011 in connection with its acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities of four failed banks from the FDIC, as receiver. Under the termination agreement, Talmer Bank paid $11.7 million to the FDIC as consideration for the early termination of the loss share agreements. In April 2010, as consideration for Talmer Bank’s acquisition of CF Bancorp from the FDIC, as receiver, the Company issued warrants to the FDIC to purchase 390,000 shares of our Class B Non-Voting Common Stock (the “Warrant”). Under the terms of the termination agreement discussed above, the parties also agreed to terminate the Warrant. Accordingly, also on December 28, 2015, the Company and the FDIC entered into a warrant termination agreement. Under the terms of the warrant termination agreement, the Company paid $4.5 million to the FDIC as consideration for terminating the Warrant.
At each failed bank acquisition date, we accounted for amounts receivable from the FDIC under the loss share agreements as an indemnification asset, and we established an FDIC receivable which represented claims submitted to the FDIC for reimbursement. The early termination of the loss share agreements resulted in a one-time after-tax charge of approximately $13.9 million resulting from the write-off of the remaining FDIC indemnification asset and FDIC receivable, and the $16.2 million total payment to the FDIC, partially offset by the release of both the FDIC warrant payable and the FDIC clawback liability. The early termination of the loss share agreements also eliminates further negative accretion on the FDIC indemnification asset.
All rights and obligations of the parties under the loss share agreements were eliminated under the termination agreement, and all loans and other real estate previously covered by FDIC loss share agreements were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015. Talmer Bank will now recognize entirely all future charge-offs, recoveries, gains, losses and expenses related to the formerly covered loans and other real estate, as the FDIC no longer is sharing in such amounts. The termination of the FDIC loss share agreements had no impact on the yield or loan loss provision on the formerly covered loans.
Our Market Area
We are a regional banking franchise concentrated in Michigan and Ohio, and we operate in multiple additional markets located primarily in the Midwest. At December 31, 2015, our Michigan market included our headquarters in north suburban Troy, Michigan with 49 additional branches in Oakland, St. Clair, Wayne, Genesee, Macomb, Huron, Washtenaw, Sanilac, Ottawa, Lapeer, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Muskegon, Tuscola, and Saginaw counties. In addition, at December 31, 2015, our Ohio market included 27 branches in Mahoning, Trumbull, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Portage and Franklin counties; our Indiana market included two branches in Elkhart County; and our Illinois market included one branch in Chicago. As of December 31, 2015, we also operated one branch in Clark County, Nevada.
The following table shows key deposit and demographic information about our market areas and our presence in these markets as of December 31, 2015.
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(1)
The total market share % data displayed is as of June 30, 2015. Source: SNL Financial
(2)
Deposit data is for banks and thrifts only as of June 30, 2015 and does not include credit unions. Source: SNL Financial
(3)
Source: ESRI, as provided by SNL Financial. Demographic data is provided by ESRI based primarily on US Census data. For non-census year data, ESRI uses samples and projections to estimate the demographic data.
(4)
Source: U.S Department of Labor. Unemployment rate is as of October 31, 2015.
* Sanilac (MI), Huron (MI), and Ottawa (MI) counties
At December 31, 2015, approximately 50.6% of our loans were to borrowers located in Michigan, 22.2% were to borrowers located in Ohio, 9.3% were to borrowers located in Illinois, 3.3% were to borrowers located in Indiana, 2.3% were to borrowers located in Wisconsin and 1.9% were to borrowers located in Nevada. Our largest geographic concentration of loans is in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which includes borrowers located in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, St. Clair and Lapeer counties in the state of Michigan. Loans to borrowers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA totaled $1.7 billion, or 34.4% of total loans, at December 31, 2015, of which $624.5 million were commercial real estate loans, $543.2 million were residential real estate loans and $350.7 million were commercial and industrial loans.
Competition
The banking business is highly competitive, and we experience competition in our market areas from many other financial institutions. Competition among financial institutions is based on interest rates offered on deposit accounts, interest rates charged on loans, other credit and service charges relating to loans, the quality and scope of the services rendered, the convenience of banking facilities, and, in the case of loans to commercial borrowers, relative lending limits. We compete with commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market funds and other mutual funds, as well as super-regional, national and international financial institutions that operate offices in our market areas and elsewhere.
We compete with these institutions both in attracting deposits and in making loans. In addition, we have to attract our customer base from other existing financial institutions and from new residents. Many of our competitors are well-established, larger financial institutions, which have greater financial resources, access to more capital and higher lending capacity than we do. In addition, many of our non-bank competitors are not subject to the same extensive federal regulations that govern bank holding companies and federally insured banks. Our largest deposit market areas included the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Youngstown-Warren-Boardman MSA, Flint, MI MSA and Elkhart-Goshen, IN MSA of which we held 2.32%, 8.44%, 5.57% and 2.07%, respectively, of the deposit market share as of June 30, 2015.
Lending Activities
We offer a range of lending services, including commercial and industrial loans, commercial and residential real estate loans, real estate construction loans, and consumer loans. Our customers are generally commercial businesses, professional services and retail consumers within our market areas. At December 31, 2015, we had net total loans of $4.8 billion, representing 72.1% of our total assets. Net total loans is the remaining balance after subtracting the accretable discount, non-accretable discount, allowance for loan losses and unamortized loan origination fees.
We recorded the loans we acquired in each of our acquisitions at their estimated fair values on the date of each acquisition. We calculated the fair value of loans by discounting projected future cash flows from the loan using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit risk inherent in the loan at the date of acquisition. We refer to the excess cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value as the "accretable discount." The accretable discount is accreted into interest income over the expected remaining life of the loan. The "non-accretable discount" is the difference, calculated at acquisition, between contractually required payments and the cash flows expected to be collected. Cash flow expectations are re-estimated periodically for purchased credit impaired loans which involves complex cash flow projections and significant judgment on timing of loan resolution. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our current allowance may not be sufficient, and adjustments may be necessary to allow for different economic conditions or adverse developments in our loan portfolio.
Commercial and Industrial Loans
At December 31, 2015, commercial and industrial loans amounted to $1.3 billion, or 26.2% of our total loan portfolio.
We make loans for commercial purposes in various lines of businesses, including the manufacturing industry, service industry,professional service areas and agricultural. In our credit underwriting process, we carefully evaluate the borrower's industry, management skills, operating performance, liquidity and financial condition. We underwrite commercial and industrial credits based on a multiple of repayment sources, including operating cash flow, liquidation of collateral and guarantor support, if any. We closely monitor the operating performance, liquidity and financial condition of the borrowers through analysis of required periodic financial statements and meetings with the borrower's management.
Commercial and Residential Real Estate Loans
Loans secured by real estate are the principal component of our loan portfolio. Real estate loans are subject to the same general risks as other loans and are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in the value of real estate. Fluctuations in the value of real estate, as well as other factors arising after a loan has been made, could negatively affect a borrower's cash flow, creditworthiness and ability to repay the loan. When we make new real estate loans, we obtain a security interest in real estate whenever possible, in addition to any other available collateral, to increase the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan. To control concentration risk, we monitor collateral type and industry concentrations within this portfolio.
As of December 31, 2015, loans secured by first or second mortgages on real estate comprised $3.1 billion, or 64.8% of our loan portfolio. These loans generally fall into one of two categories: commercial real estate loans or residential real estate loans.
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Commercial Real Estate Loans. At December 31, 2015, commercial real estate loans amounted to $1.6 billion, or 32.6% of our loan portfolio. These loans generally have terms of five years while payments may be structured on a longer amortization basis. We evaluate each borrower on an individual basis to determine the business risks and credit profile of each borrower. We attempt to reduce credit risk in our commercial real estate portfolio by emphasizing loans secured by owner-occupied buildings where the loan-to-value ratio, established by independent appraisals, generally does not exceed 80%. We also generally require that a borrower maintain specific debt service covenants. To ensure secondary sources of payment and liquidity to support a loan, we review the financial statements of the operating company and the personal financial statements of the principal owners and may require their personal guarantees.
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Residential Real Estate Loans. We generally originate and hold short-term first mortgages and traditional second mortgage residential real estate loans and home equity lines of credit. With respect to fixed and adjustable rate long-term residential real estate loans which generally have terms of up to 30 years, we typically originate these loans for third-party investors, although we do retain some of these loans from time to time taking into account asset-liability and liquidity considerations. At December 31, 2015, residential real estate loans amounted to 1.5 billion, or 32.2% of our loan portfolio of which home equity loans and lines of credit comprised $202.2 million, or 13.1%. We generally originate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans in amounts up to 95% of the lower of the appraised value or the purchase price of the property securing the loan. Private mortgage insurance or Federal Housing Administration and Veteran Affairs guarantees are generally required for such loans with a loan-to-value ratio of greater than 80%.
The mortgage loans that we originate to be held by us in our portfolio have generally been priced competitively with current market rates for such loans. We currently offer a number of ARM loans with terms of up to 30 years and interest rates that adjust at scheduled intervals based on the product selected. These interest rates can adjust annually, or remain fixed for an initial period of three, five or seven years and thereafter adjust annually. The interest rates for ARM loans are generally indexed to the one-year U.S. Treasury Index or the one year LIBOR rate. The ARM loans generally provide for periodic (not more than 2%) and overall (not more than 6%) caps on the increase or decrease in the interest rate at any adjustment date and over the life of the loan.
Because the majority of loans originated and retained in the residential portfolio are adjustable-rate one- to four-family mortgage loans, we limit our exposure to fluctuations in interest income due to rising interest rates. However, adjustable-rate loans generally pose credit risks not inherent in fixed-rate loans, primarily because as interest rates rise, the underlying payments of the borrower rise, thereby increasing the potential for default. Periodic and lifetime caps on interest rate increases help to reduce the credit risks associated with adjustable-rate loans but also limit the interest rate sensitivity of such loans. We require that adjustable-rate loans held in the loan portfolio have payments sufficient to amortize the loan over its term and the loans do not have negative principal amortization.
Our underwriting criteria for, and the risks associated with, home equity loans and lines of credit are generally the same as those for first mortgage loans. Home equity lines of credit typically have terms of 60 months or less, and we generally limit the extension of credit to less than 85% of the available equity of each property.
Real Estate Construction Loans
At December 31, 2015, real estate construction loans amounted to $241.6 million, or 5.0% of our loan portfolio. We offer fixed and adjustable rate residential and commercial real estate construction loans to builders and developers and to consumers who wish to build their own homes. Construction loans to consumers to build their own homes are often structured to be converted to permanent loans at the end of the construction phase, which is typically twelve months. These construction loans have rates and terms that are similar to other one- to four-family loans we offer, except that during the construction phase, the borrower pays interest only and the maximum loan-to-value ratio is 95% on an as-completed basis. On construction loans exceeding an 80% loan-to-value ratio, private mortgage insurance is required to reduce credit exposure. Residential construction loans are generally underwritten based on the same credit guidelines used for originating permanent residential loans. In addition, we perform a review of the construction plans to verify that the borrower will be able to complete the residence with the funds available.
We make commercial land loans to commercial entities for the purpose of financing land on which to build a commercial project. These loans are for projects that typically involve small- and medium-sized single and multi-use commercial buildings.
We make commercial construction loans to the borrower for the purpose of financing the construction of a commercial development. These loans are further categorized depending on whether the borrower intends (a) to occupy the finished development (owner-occupied) or (b) to lease or sell the finished development (non owner-occupied).
We make residential land loans to both commercial entities and consumer borrowers for the purpose of financing land upon which to build a residential home. Residential land loans are reclassified as residential construction loans once construction of the residential home commences. These loans are further categorized as:
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pre-sold commercial, which is a loan to a commercial entity with a pre-identified buyer for the finished home;
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owner-occupied consumer, which is a loan to an individual who intends to occupy the finished home; and
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non owner-occupied commercial (speculative), which is a loan to a commercial entity intending to lease or sell the finished home.
The term of our real estate construction loans to builders are generally limited to 18 months. In some instances a real estate construction loan may have a longer amortization period, with a balloon maturity of not more than five years. Real estate construction loans generally carry a higher degree of risk than long-term financing of existing properties because repayment depends on the ultimate completion of the project and usually on the subsequent lease-up and/or sale of the property. Specific risks include:
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cost overruns;
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mismanaged construction;
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inferior or improper construction techniques;
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economic changes or downturns during construction;
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a downturn in the real estate market;
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rising interest rates which may prevent sale of the property; and
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failure to lease-up or sell completed projects in a timely manner.
We attempt to reduce the risks associated with real estate construction loans by obtaining personal guarantees and by keeping the loan-to-value ratio of the completed project at or below 80%. Generally, we do not build interest reserves into loan commitments but require periodic cash payments for interest from the borrower's cash flow.
Consumer Loans
At December 31, 2015, consumer and other loans amounted to $191.8 million, or 4.0% of our loan portfolio. We make a variety of loans to individuals for personal and household purposes, including secured and unsecured installment loans and revolving lines of credit. We underwrite consumer loans based on the borrower's income, current debt level, balance sheet composition, past credit history and the availability and value of collateral. Consumer rates are both fixed and variable, with negotiable terms. Our installment loans typically amortize over periods up to 60 months. Although we typically require monthly payments of interest and a portion of the principal on our loan products, we may offer consumer loans with a single maturity date when a specific source of repayment is available. Consumer loans not secured by real estate are generally considered to have greater risk than first or second mortgages on real estate because they may be unsecured, or, if they are secured, the value of the collateral may be difficult to assess and more likely to decrease in value, and is more difficult to control, than real estate.
Mortgage Banking Activity
Sale of Residential Real Estate Loans
We engage in mortgage banking as part of an overall strategy to deliver loan products to customers. As a result, we sell a significant majority of the residential loans we originate to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or, to a lesser extent, private investors, while typically retaining the rights to provide loan servicing to our customers. As part of our overall asset/liability management strategic objectives, we may also originate and retain certain adjustable-rate residential loans. To reduce the interest rate risk associated with commitments made to borrowers for mortgage loans that have not yet been closed and that we intend to sell in the secondary markets, we routinely enter into commitments to sell loans or mortgage-backed securities, considered to be derivatives, to limit our exposure to potential movements in market interest rates. We monitor our interest rate risk position daily to maintain appropriate coverage of our loan commitments made to borrowers.
We use derivative instruments to mitigate the interest rate risk associated with commitments to make mortgage loans that we intend to sell. We also enter into contracts for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans in order to economically hedge potential adverse effects of changes in interest rates. These contracts are also derivative instruments. Derivative instruments are recognized at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities.
Loan Servicing
We service residential and commercial mortgage loans for investors under contracts where we receive a fee for performing mortgage servicing activities on mortgage loans that are not owned by us and are not included on our balance sheet. This process involves collecting monthly mortgage payments on behalf of investors, reporting information to those investors on a timely basis and maintaining custodial escrow accounts for the payment of principal and interest to investors, and property taxes and insurance premiums on behalf of borrowers. At December 31, 2015, we had approximately 36 thousand loans serviced for others totaling $5.9 billion. In the second quarter of 2013, we began utilizing a third-party sub-servicer for a majority of our serviced loans. While we choose to utilize a servicing vendor to assist us in the conduct of our mortgage servicing activities, we continue to own the mortgage servicing assets for which we are compensated as described below.
As compensation for our mortgage servicing activities, we receive servicing fees of approximately 0.25% per year of the loan balances serviced, plus any late charges collected from the delinquent borrowers and other fees incidental to the services provided, offset by applicable subservicing fees. In the event of a default by the borrower, we receive no servicing fees until the default is cured. In times when interest rates are rising or at high levels, servicing mortgage loans can represent a steady source of noninterest income and can, at times, offset decreases in mortgage banking gains. Conversely, in times when interest rates are falling or at very low levels, servicing mortgage loans can become comparatively less profitable due to the rapid payoff of loans and the negative impact due to the change in fair value of the asset. We account for our mortgage servicing rights at fair value. The amount of mortgage servicing rights initially recorded is based on the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights determined on the date when the underlying loan is sold. Our determination of fair value and the amount we record is based on a valuation model using discounted cash-flow analysis and available market pricing. Third party valuations of the mortgage servicing rights portfolio are obtained on a regular basis and are used to determine the fair value of the servicing rights at the end of the reporting period. Estimates of fair value reflect the following variables:
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anticipated prepayment speeds;
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product type (i.e., conventional, government, balloon);
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fixed or adjustable rate of interest;
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interest rate;
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servicing costs per loan;
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discounted yield rate;
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estimate of ancillary income; and
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geographic location of the loan.
We monitor the level of our investment in mortgage servicing rights in relation to our other mortgage banking activities in order to limit our exposure to significant fluctuations in loan servicing income. During the first quarter of 2015, we strategically sold over $1.2 billion in unpaid principal balance of mortgage servicing rights, which reduced the outstanding balance of mortgage servicing rights by approximately $12.7 million. Generally, over the past several years, the volume and dollar amount of our mortgage servicing rights has grown, due not only to a strong mortgage origination environment but also because of our acquisitions. However, as a result of the sale of mortgage servicing rights, coupled with lower levels of market interest rates during 2015, our aggregate dollar volume of mortgage servicing rights has decreased by $12.5 million, or 17.7% from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015. Nonetheless, we remain exposed to significant potential volatility in the value of our mortgage servicing rights. Accordingly, in the future, we may sell mortgage servicing rights depending on a variety of factors, including capital sufficiency, the size of the mortgage servicing rights portfolio relative to total assets and current market conditions.
Credit Administration and Loan Review
Certain credit risks are inherent in making loans. These include repayment risks, risks resulting from uncertainties in the future value of collateral, risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions and risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers. We attempt to mitigate repayment risks by adhering to internal credit policies and procedures. We employ
consistent analysis and underwriting to examine credit information and prepare underwriting documentation. We monitor and approve exceptions to policy as required, and we also track and address technical exceptions.
Our loan approval policy contains modest officer lending limits, with approval concurrence between the market manager and credit officer for all loans. As such, no lending officer can approve credit acting alone, regardless of the size of the loan. The Loan and Credit Risk Committee of the Board reviews and approves loan policy changes, monitors loan portfolio trends and credit trends, and reviews and approves loan transactions that exceed management thresholds as set forth in our loan policies. Loan pricing is established in conjunction with the loan approval process based on pricing guidelines for non-consumer and non-residential mortgage loans that are set by our Asset-Liability Committee.
Each loan officer has the primary and initial responsibility for appropriately risk rating each loan that is made. Once a loan is made, our credit administration department is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of loan portfolio performance through the review of ongoing financial reports, loan officer reports, audit reviews and exception reporting and concentration analysis. This monitoring process also includes an ongoing review of loan risk ratings and management of our allowance for loan losses. Our chief credit officer is responsible for maintaining a loan risk rating system which both facilitates the continuous monitoring of the quality of our loan portfolio and helps identify existing and potential problem loans so that our management team can employ and develop plans for corrective action.
Our Board of Directors supports a strong loan review program and is committed to its effectiveness as part of the independent process of assessing our lending activities. We have communicated to our credit and lending staff that the identification of emerging problem loans begins with the lending personnel knowing their customer and, supported by credit personnel, actively monitoring their customer relationships. The loan review process is meant to augment this active management of customer relationships and to provide an independent and broad-based look into our lending activities. The end goal of a thorough and consistently applied loan review program is multi-faceted.
We maintain a robust loan review function by utilizing an internal loan review team as well as third-party loan review firms that report to Enterprise Risk and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to ensure independence and objectivity. The Audit Committee shares loan review reports with the Loan and Credit Risk Committee of the Board of Directors to assist that committee with its obligations, and it provides a quarterly summary to the Board that describes trends and identifies significant changes in the overall quality of the portfolio identified by the loan review department. The examinations performed by the loan review department are based on risk assessments of individual loan commitments within our loan portfolio over a period of time. At the conclusion of each unit review, the loan review department provides senior management with a report that summarizes the findings of the review. At a minimum, the report addresses risk rating accuracy, compliance with regulations and policies, loan documentation accuracy, the timely receipt of financial statements, and any additional material issues.
Lending Limits
Our lending activities are subject to a variety of lending limits imposed by federal law. In general, Talmer Bank is subject to a legal limit on loans to a single borrower equal to 15% of the bank's capital and unimpaired surplus, or 25% if the loan is fully secured. This limit increases or decreases as the bank's capital increases or decreases. Based upon the capitalization of Talmer Bank at December 31, 2015, Talmer Bank's legal lending limits were approximately $113.0 million (15%) and $188.0 million (25%), and Talmer Bank maintains an internal lending limit of $30.0 million. We may seek to sell participations in our larger loans to other financial institutions, which will allow us to manage the risk involved in these loans and to meet the lending needs of our customers requiring extensions of credit in excess of these limits.
Deposit Products
We offer a full range of deposit services that are typically available from most banks and savings institutions, including checking accounts, commercial accounts, savings accounts and other time deposits of various types, ranging from daily money market accounts to longer-term certificates of deposit. Transaction accounts and time deposits are tailored to and offered at rates competitive with those offered in our primary market areas. In addition, we offer certain retirement account services. We solicit accounts from individuals, businesses, associations, organizations and governmental authorities. We believe that our significant branch network will assist us in continuing to attract deposits from local customers in our market areas.
Employees
As of December 31, 2015, we had 1,199 full-time employees and 167 part-time employees.
Availability of Information
We make our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, available free of charge on our website at www.talmerbank.com under the “Investor Relations” tab as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish such materials to, the SEC. These reports are also available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www. sec.gov. No information contained on our website is intended to be included as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
Talmer Bancorp, Inc., and our subsidiary bank, Talmer Bank is subject to extensive banking regulations that impose restrictions on and provide for general regulatory oversight of their operations. These laws generally are intended to protect consumers and depositors and not shareholders. The following summary is qualified by reference to the statutory and regulatory provisions discussed. Changes in applicable laws or regulations may have a material effect on our business and prospects. Our operations may be affected by legislative changes and the policies of various regulatory authorities. We cannot predict the effect that fiscal or monetary policies, economic conditions or new federal or state legislation may have on our business and earnings in the future.
The following discussion is not intended to be a complete list of all the activities regulated by the banking laws or of the impact of those laws and regulations on our operations. It is intended only to briefly summarize some material provisions.
Legislative and Regulatory Initiatives to Address the Financial Crisis
Although the financial crisis has now passed, two legislative and regulatory responses - the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Basel III-based capital rules - will continue to have an impact on our operations.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which, among other things, changed the oversight and supervision of banks, bank holding companies, and other financial institutions, revised minimum capital requirements, created a new federal agency to regulate consumer financial products and services and implemented changes to corporate governance and compensation practices. Several provisions affect us, including:
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Deposit Insurance Modifications. The Dodd-Frank Act modified the FDIC’s assessment base upon which deposit insurance premiums are calculated. The new assessment base equals our average total consolidated assets minus the sum of our average tangible equity during the assessment period. The FDIC has continued to modify some of the rules on assessments. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently raised the standard maximum federal deposit insurance limits from $100,000 to $250,000.
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Creation of New Governmental Authorities. The Dodd-Frank Act created various new governmental authorities such as the Financial Stability Oversight Council and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), an independent regulatory authority housed within the Federal Reserve. The CFPB has broad authority to regulate the offering and provision of consumer financial products. The CFPB officially came into being on July 21, 2011, and rulemaking authority for a range of consumer financial protection laws (such as the Truth in Lending Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, among others) transferred from the Federal Reserve and other federal regulators to the CFPB on that date. The act gives the CFPB authority to supervise and examine depository institutions with more than $10 billion in assets for compliance with these federal consumer laws. The authority to supervise and examine depository institutions with $10 billion or less in assets for compliance with federal consumer laws will remain largely with those institutions’ primary regulators. However, the CFPB may participate in examinations of these smaller institutions on a “sampling basis” and may refer potential enforcement actions against such institutions to their primary regulators. The CFPB may participate in examinations of our subsidiary bank, which currently has assets of less than $10 billion, and could supervise and examine our other direct or indirect subsidiaries that offer consumer financial products or services. In addition, the act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and regulations that are stricter than the regulations promulgated by the CFPB, and state attorneys general are permitted to enforce consumer protection rules adopted by the CFPB against certain institutions.
The Dodd-Frank Act also authorized the CFPB to establish certain minimum standards for the origination of residential mortgages, including a determination of the borrower’s ability to repay. Under the act, financial institutions may not make a residential mortgage loan unless they make a “reasonable and good faith determination” that the consumer has a “reasonable ability” to repay the loan. The act allows borrowers to raise certain defenses to foreclosure but provides a full or partial safe harbor from such defenses for loans that are “qualified mortgages.” CFPB rules now in effect specify the types of income and assets that may be considered in the ability-to-repay determination, the permissible sources for verification, and the required methods of calculating a loan’s monthly payments. The rules also extend the requirement that creditors verify and document a borrower’s income and assets to include all information that creditors rely on in determining repayment ability. The rules also define “qualified mortgages,” imposing both underwriting standards - for example, a borrower’s debt-to-income ratio may not exceed 43% - and limits on the terms of such loans. Points and fees are subject to a relatively stringent cap, and payments
that may be made in the course of closing a loan are limited as well. Certain loans, including interest-only loans and negative amortization loans, cannot be qualified mortgages.
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Executive Compensation and Corporate Governance Requirements. The Dodd-Frank Act addresses many investor protection, corporate governance and executive compensation matters that will affect most U.S. publicly traded companies, including the Company. The Dodd-Frank Act (1) grants shareholders of U.S. publicly traded companies an advisory vote on executive compensation; (2) enhances independence requirements for compensation committee members; (3) requires the SEC to adopt rules directing national securities exchanges to establish listing standards requiring all listed companies to adopt incentive-based compensation clawback policies for executive officers; and (4) provides the SEC with authority to adopt proxy access rules that would allow shareholders of publicly traded companies to nominate candidates for election as a director and have those nominees included in a company’s proxy materials. The SEC has completed the bulk (although not all) of the rulemaking necessary to implement these provisions.
Separately, the Dodd-Frank Act requires several federal agencies, including the banking agencies and the SEC, to jointly issue a rule restricting incentive compensation arrangements at financial institutions, including bank holding companies and banks. The agencies proposed a rule in 2011 but have yet to finalize it.
Basel Capital Standards
Regulatory capital rules released in July 2013 to implement capital standards referred to as Basel III and developed by an international body known as the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, impose higher minimum capital requirements for bank holding companies and banks. The rules apply to all national and state banks and savings associations regardless of size and bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies with more than $1 billion in total consolidated assets. More stringent requirements are imposed on “advanced approaches” banking organizations-those organizations with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets, $10 billion or more in total foreign exposures, or that have opted in to the Basel II capital regime. The requirements in the rule began to phase in on January 1, 2015, for us. The requirements in the rule will be fully phased in by January 1, 2019.
The rule includes certain new and higher risk-based capital and leverage requirements than those previously in place. Specifically, the following minimum capital requirements apply to us:
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a new common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%;
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a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% (increased from the former 4% requirement);
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a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% (unchanged from the former requirement); and
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a leverage ratio of 4% (also unchanged from the former requirement)
Under the rule, Tier 1 capital is redefined to include two components: Common Equity Tier 1 capital and additional Tier 1 capital. The new and highest form of capital, Common Equity Tier 1 capital, consists solely of common stock (plus related surplus), retained earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income, and limited amounts of minority interests that are in the form of common stock. Additional Tier 1 capital includes other perpetual instruments historically included in Tier 1 capital, such as noncumulative perpetual preferred stock. The rule permits bank holding companies with less than $15.0 billion in total consolidated assets to continue to include trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred stock issued before May 19, 2010 in Tier 1 capital, but not in Common Equity Tier 1 capital, subject to certain restrictions. Tier 2 capital consists of instruments that currently qualify in Tier 2 capital plus instruments that the rule has disqualified from Tier 1 capital treatment. Cumulative perpetual preferred stock, formerly includable in Tier 1 capital, is now included only in Tier 2 capital. Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) is presumptively included in Common Equity Tier 1 capital and often would operate to reduce this category of capital. The rule provided a one-time opportunity at the end of the first quarter of 2015 for covered banking organizations to opt out of much of this treatment of AOCI. We elected to opt out of including capital in AOCI in Common Equity Tier 1 capital.
In addition, in order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions or discretionary bonus payments to executives, a covered banking organization must maintain a "capital conservation buffer" on top of its minimum risk-based capital requirements. This buffer must consist solely of Tier 1 Common Equity, but the buffer applies to all three measurements (Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 capital and total capital). The capital conservation buffer will be phased in incrementally over time, becoming fully effective on January 1, 2019, and will consist of an additional amount of common equity equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. As of January 1, 2016, we are required to hold a capital conservation buffer of 0.625%, increasing by that amount each successive year until 2019.
In general, the rules have had the effect of increasing capital requirements by increasing the risk weights on certain assets, including high volatility commercial real estate, certain loans past due 90 days or more or in nonaccrual status, mortgage servicing rights not includable in Common Equity Tier 1 capital, equity exposures, and claims on securities firms, that are used in the denominator of the three risk-based capital ratios.
Volcker Rule
Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, known as the “Volcker Rule,” prohibits any bank, bank holding company, or affiliate (referred to collectively as “banking entities”) from engaging in two types of activities: “proprietary trading” and the ownership or sponsorship of private equity or hedge funds that are referred to as “covered funds.” Proprietary trading is, in general, trading in securities on a short-term basis for a banking entity’s own account. Funds subject to the ownership and sponsorship prohibition are those not required to register with the SEC because they have only accredited investors or no more than 100 investors. In 2013, the federal banking agencies together with the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, issued the final Volcker Rule regulations.
While we continue to evaluate the impact of the final regulations, we do not currently anticipate that the Volcker Rule will have a material effect on our operations.
Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
We own 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Talmer Bank and, therefore, we are required to be registered as a bank holding company under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "Bank Holding Company Act"). As a result, we are primarily subject to the supervision, examination and reporting requirements of the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act and the regulations promulgated under it. As a bank holding company located in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services also regulates and monitors our operations.
Permitted Activities. Under the Bank Holding Company Act, a bank holding company is generally permitted to engage in, or acquire direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company engaged in, the following activities:
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banking or managing or controlling banks;
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furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiaries; and
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any activity that the Federal Reserve determines to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to the business of banking.
Activities that the Federal Reserve has found to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident to the business of banking include:
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factoring accounts receivable;
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making, acquiring, brokering or servicing loans and usual related activities;
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leasing personal or real property;
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operating a non-bank depository institution, such as a savings association;
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trust company functions;
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financial and investment advisory activities;
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conducting discount securities brokerage activities;
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underwriting and dealing in government obligations and money market instruments;
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providing specified management consulting and counseling activities;
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performing selected data processing services and support services;
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acting as agent or broker in selling credit life insurance and other types of insurance in connection with credit transactions; and
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performing selected insurance underwriting activities.
As a bank holding company, we also can elect to be treated as a "financial holding company," which would allow us to engage in a broader array of activities. In sum, a financial holding company can engage in activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to financial activities, including insurance underwriting, sales and brokerage activities; providing financial and investment advisory services and underwriting services; and engaging in limited merchant banking activities. We have not sought financial holding company status, but we may elect that status in the future as our business matures. If we were to elect in writing for financial holding company status, we would be required to be well capitalized and well managed, and each insured depository institution we control would also have to be well capitalized, well managed and have at least a satisfactory rating under the Community Reinvestment Act (discussed below).
The Federal Reserve has the authority to order a bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any of these activities or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when it has reasonable cause to believe that the bank holding company's continued ownership, activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of it or any of its bank subsidiaries.
Change in Control. Two statutes, the Bank Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with regulations promulgated under them, require some form of regulatory review before any company acquires “control” of a bank or a bank holding company. Under the Bank Holding Company Act, control is deemed to exist if a company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of a bank holding company; controls the election of a majority of the members of the board of directors; or exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or bank holding company. In guidance issued in 2008, the Federal Reserve has stated that it would not expect control to exist if a person acquires, in aggregate, less than 33% of the total equity of a bank or bank holding company (voting and nonvoting equity), provided such person’s ownership does not include 15% or more of any class of voting securities. Prior Federal Reserve approval is necessary before an entity acquires sufficient control to become a bank holding company. Natural persons, certain non-business trusts, and other entities are not treated as companies (or bank holding companies), and their acquisitions are not subject to review under the Bank Holding Company Act. State laws generally require state approval before an acquirer may become the holding company of a state bank.
Under the Change in Bank Control Act, a person or company is required to file a notice with the Federal Reserve if it will, as a result of the transaction, own or control 10% or more of any class of voting securities or direct the management or policies of a bank or bank holding company and either if the bank or bank holding company has registered securities or if the acquirer would be the largest holder of that class of voting securities after the acquisition. For a change in control at the holding company level, both the Federal Reserve and the subsidiary bank’s primary federal regulator must approve the change in control; at the bank level, only the bank’s primary federal regulator is involved. Transactions subject to the Bank Holding Company Act are exempt from Change in Control Act requirements. For state banks, state laws typically require approval by the state bank regulator as well.
Source of Strength. There are a number of obligations and restrictions imposed by law and regulatory policy on bank holding companies with regard to their depository institution subsidiaries that are designed to minimize potential loss to depositors and to the FDIC insurance funds in the event that the depository institution becomes in danger of defaulting under its obligations to repay deposits. Under a policy of the Federal Reserve, which was confirmed in the Dodd-Frank Act, a bank holding company is required to serve as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary depository institutions and to commit resources to support such institutions in circumstances where it might not do so absent the Federal Reserve's policy. Under the FDIC Improvement Act, to avoid receivership of its insured depository institution subsidiary, a bank holding company is required to guarantee the compliance of any insured depository institution subsidiary that may become "undercapitalized" within the terms of any capital restoration plan filed by such subsidiary with its appropriate federal banking agency up to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 5% of the institution's total assets at the time the institution becomes undercapitalized, or (ii) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all applicable capital standards as of the time the institution fails to comply with such capital restoration plan.
The Federal Reserve also has the authority under the Bank Holding Company Act to require a bank holding company to terminate any activity or relinquish control of a nonbank subsidiary (other than a nonbank subsidiary of a bank) upon the Federal Reserve's determination that such activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness or stability of any subsidiary depository institution of the bank holding company. Further, federal law grants the Federal banking agencies additional discretion to require a bank holding company to divest itself of any bank or nonbank subsidiary if the agency determines that divestiture may aid the depository institution's financial condition.
In addition, the "cross guarantee" provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act require each insured depository institution under common control with another insured depository institution to reimburse the FDIC for any loss suffered or reasonably anticipated by the FDIC as a result of the default of a commonly controlled insured depository institution or for any assistance provided by the FDIC to the commonly controlled insured depository institution in danger of default. The FDIC's claim for damages is superior to claims of shareholders of the insured depository institution providing the reimbursement or its
holding company, but is subordinate to claims of depositors, secured creditors and holders of subordinated debt (other than affiliates) of each insured depository institutions.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act also provides that amounts received from the liquidation or other resolution of any insured depository institution by any receiver must be distributed (after payment of secured claims) to pay the deposit liabilities of the institution prior to payment of any other general or unsecured senior liability, subordinated liability, general creditor claims or shareholder claims. This provision would give depositors a preference over general and subordinated creditors and shareholders in the event a receiver is appointed to distribute the assets of Talmer Bank.
Any capital loans by a bank holding company to its subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.
Capital Requirements and Dividends. The Federal Reserve imposes certain capital requirements on Talmer Bancorp, Inc. under the Bank Holding Company Act, including a minimum leverage ratio and a minimum ratios of capital to risk-weighted assets. These requirements are essentially the same as those that apply to our subsidiary bank and are described above under "Basel Capital Standards" and below under "Bank Regulation-Prompt Corrective Action." Subject to our capital requirements and certain other restrictions, including the consent of the Federal Reserve, we are able to borrow money to make a capital contribution to Talmer Bank, and these loans may be repaid from dividends paid from Talmer Bank to the Company.
Our ability to pay dividends depends on the ability of Talmer Bank to pay dividends to us, which is subject to regulatory restrictions as described below in "Bank Regulation-Dividends." We are also able to raise capital for contribution to our bank subsidiary by issuing securities without having to receive regulatory approval, subject to compliance with federal and state securities laws.
Bank Regulation
Talmer Bank operates as a state bank incorporated under the laws of the State of Michigan and is subject to examination by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the FDIC. Talmer Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC up to the standard deposit insurance amount of $250,000.
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the FDIC regulate or monitor virtually all areas of Talmer Bank's operations including:
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security devices and procedures;
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adequacy of capitalization and loss reserves;
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loans;
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investments;
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borrowings;
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deposits;
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mergers;
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issuances of securities;
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payment of dividends;
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interest rates payable on deposits;
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interest rates or fees chargeable on loans;
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establishment of branches;
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corporate reorganizations;
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maintenance of books and records; and
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adequacy of staff training to carry on safe lending and deposit gathering practices.
These agencies, and the federal and state laws applicable to Talmer Bank's operations extensively regulate various aspects of our banking business, including, among other things, permissible types and amounts of loans, investments and other activities, capital adequacy, branching, interest rates on loans and on deposits, the maintenance of non-interest bearing reserves on deposit accounts, and the safety and soundness of our banking practices.
All insured depository institutions must undergo regular on-site examinations by their appropriate banking agency. The cost of examinations of insured depository institutions and any affiliates may be assessed by the appropriate agency against each institution or affiliate as it deems necessary or appropriate. Insured depository institutions file quarterly call reports with their federal regulatory agency and their state supervisor when applicable. The FDIC has developed a method for insured depository institutions to provide supplemental disclosure of the estimated fair market value of assets and liabilities, to the extent feasible and practicable, in any balance sheet, financial statement, report of condition or any other report of any insured depository institution.
The FDIC and the other federal banking regulatory agencies have also issued standards for all insured depository institutions and depository institution holding companies relating, among other things, to the following:
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internal controls;
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information systems and audit systems;
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loan documentation;
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credit underwriting;
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interest rate risk exposure; and
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asset quality.
Prompt Corrective Action
As an insured depository institution, Talmer Bank is required to comply with the capital requirements promulgated under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations under it, which set forth five capital categories, each with specific regulatory consequences. The following is a list of the criteria for each prompt corrective action category:
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Well Capitalized-The institution exceeds the required minimum level for each relevant capital measure. A well capitalized institution:
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has total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or greater; and
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has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater; and
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has a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.5% or greater; and
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has a leverage capital ratio of 5% or greater; and
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is not subject to any order or written directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.
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Adequately Capitalized-The institution meets the required minimum level for each relevant capital measure. The institution may not make a capital distribution if it would result in the institution becoming undercapitalized. An adequately capitalized institution:
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has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater; and
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has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% or greater; and
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has a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5% or greater; and
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has a leverage capital ratio of 4% or greater.
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Undercapitalized-The institution fails to meet the required minimum level for any relevant capital measure. An undercapitalized institution:
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has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%; or
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has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%; or
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has a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.5% or greater; or
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has a leverage capital ratio of less than 4%.
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Significantly Undercapitalized-The institution is significantly below the required minimum level for any relevant capital measure. A significantly undercapitalized institution:
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has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%; or
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has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4%; or
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has a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3% or greater; or
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has a leverage capital ratio of less than 3%.
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Critically Undercapitalized-The institution fails to meet a critical capital level set by the appropriate federal banking agency. A critically undercapitalized institution has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2%.
If the applicable federal regulator determines, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition, the regulator is authorized to reclassify the institution to the next lower capital category (other than critically undercapitalized) and require the submission of a plan to correct the unsafe or unsound condition.
If the institution is not well capitalized, it cannot accept brokered deposits without prior FDIC approval. Even if approved, the rates the institution may pay on the brokered deposits will be limited. In addition, a bank that is undercapitalized cannot offer an effective yield in excess of 75 basis points over the "national rate" paid on deposits (including brokered deposits, if approval is granted for the bank to accept them) of comparable size and maturity. The "national rate" is defined as a simple average of rates paid by insured depository institutions and branches for which data are available and is published weekly by the FDIC. Institutions subject to the restrictions that believe they are operating in an area where the rates paid on deposits are higher than the "national rate" can use the local market to determine the prevailing rate if they seek and receive a determination from the FDIC that it is operating in a high-rate area. Regardless of the determination, institutions must use the national rate to determine conformance for all deposits outside their market area.
Moreover, if the institution becomes less than adequately capitalized, it must adopt a capital restoration plan acceptable to the FDIC. The institution also would become subject to increased regulatory oversight, and is increasingly restricted in the scope of its permissible activities. Each company having control over an undercapitalized institution also must provide a limited guarantee that the institution will comply with its capital restoration plan. Except under limited circumstances consistent with an accepted capital restoration plan, an undercapitalized institution may not grow. An undercapitalized institution may not acquire another institution, establish additional branch offices or engage in any new line of business unless it is determined by the appropriate federal banking agency to be consistent with an accepted capital restoration plan or unless the FDIC determines that the proposed action will further the purpose of prompt corrective action. The appropriate federal banking agency may take any action authorized for a significantly undercapitalized institution if an undercapitalized institution fails to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan or fails in any material respect to implement a plan accepted by the agency. A critically undercapitalized institution is subject to having a receiver or conservator appointed to manage its affairs and for loss of its charter to conduct banking activities.
An insured depository institution may not pay a management fee to a bank holding company controlling that institution or any other person having control of the institution if, after making the payment, the institution would be undercapitalized. In addition, an institution cannot make a capital distribution, such as a dividend or other distribution that is in substance a distribution of capital, to the owners of the institution if following such a distribution the institution would be undercapitalized.
As of December 31, 2015, Talmer Bank's regulatory capital surpassed the levels required to be considered "well capitalized."
Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from Talmer Bank. Various legal limitations restrict Talmer Bank from lending or otherwise supplying funds to the Company or its non-bank subsidiaries. The Company and Talmer Bank are subject to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Regulation W.
Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act places limits on the amount of loans or extensions of credit by a bank to any affiliate, including its holding company and on a bank's investments in, or certain other transactions with, affiliates and on the amount of advances by a bank to third parties that are collateralized by the securities or obligations of any affiliates of the bank. Section 23A also applies to derivative transactions, repurchase agreements and securities lending and borrowing transactions
that cause a bank to have credit exposure to an affiliate. The aggregate of all covered transactions is limited in amount, as to any one affiliate, to 10% of the bank's capital and surplus and, as to all affiliates combined, to 20% of the bank's capital and surplus. Furthermore, within the foregoing limitations as to amount, each extension of credit or certain other credit exposures must meet specified collateral requirements. These limits apply to any transaction with a third party if the proceeds of the transaction benefit an affiliate of a bank. Talmer Bank is forbidden to purchase low quality assets from an affiliate.
Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, among other things, prohibits a bank from engaging in certain transactions with certain affiliates unless the transactions are on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to such bank or its subsidiaries, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with or involving other nonaffiliated companies. If there are no comparable transactions, a bank's (or one of its subsidiaries') affiliate transaction must be on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that in good faith would be offered to, or would apply to, nonaffiliated companies. These requirements apply to all transactions subject to Section 23A as well as to certain other transactions.
The affiliates of a bank include any holding company of the bank, any other company under common control with the bank (including any company controlled by the same shareholders who control the bank), any subsidiary of the bank that is itself a bank, any company in which the majority of the directors or trustees also constitute a majority of the directors or trustees of the bank or holding company of the bank, any company sponsored and advised on a contractual basis by the bank or an affiliate, and any mutual fund advised by a bank or any of the bank's affiliates. Regulation W generally excludes all non-bank subsidiaries of banks from treatment as affiliates, except for subsidiaries engaged in certain nonbank financial activities or to the extent that the Federal Reserve decides to treat these subsidiaries as affiliates.
Talmer Bank is also subject to certain restrictions on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, certain principal shareholders, and their related interests. Extensions of credit include derivative transactions, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending transactions to the extent that such transactions cause a bank to have credit exposure to an insider. Any extension of credit to an insider:
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must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with third parties; and
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must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.
In addition,Talmer Bank may not purchase an asset from or sell an asset to an insider unless the transaction is on market terms and, if representing more than 10% of capital, is approved in advance by the majority of disinterested directors.
Branching
Talmer Bank, as a Michigan state-chartered bank, has authority under Michigan law to establish branches throughout Michigan and in any state, the District of Columbia, any U.S. territory or protectorate, and foreign countries, subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. Furthermore, the Dodd-Frank Act authorizes a state or national bank to branch into any state as if they were chartered in that state.
Anti-Tying Restrictions
Under amendments to the Bank Holding Company Act and Federal Reserve regulations, a bank is prohibited from engaging in certain tying or reciprocity arrangements with its customers. In general, a bank may not extend credit, lease, sell property, or furnish any services or fix or vary the consideration for these on the condition that:
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the customer obtain or provide some additional credit, property, or services from or to the bank, the bank holding company or its subsidiaries; or
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the customer not obtain some other credit, property, or services from a competitor, except to the extent reasonable conditions are imposed to ensure the soundness of the credit extended.
Certain arrangements are permissible: a bank may offer combined-balance products and may otherwise offer more favorable terms if a customer obtains two or more traditional bank products; and certain foreign transactions are exempt from the general rule. A bank holding company or any bank affiliate also is subject to anti-tying requirements in connection with electronic benefit transfer services.
Community Reinvestment Act
The Community Reinvestment Act requires a financial institution's primary regulator, which is the FDIC for Talmer Bank, to evaluate the record of each financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and individuals. These factors are considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions and
applications to open a branch or facility. Failure to adequately meet these criteria could result in the imposition of additional requirements and limitations on the institution. Additionally, the institution must publicly disclose the terms of various Community Reinvestment Act-related agreements. In the most recent CRA examination Talmer Bank received a "satisfactory" rating.
Consumer Protection Regulations
Activities of Talmer Bank are subject to a variety of statutes and regulations designed to protect consumers. Interest and other charges collected or contracted for by Talmer Bank are subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates. The loan operations of Talmer Bank are also subject to federal laws and regulations applicable to credit transactions, such as:
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the federal Truth-In-Lending Act and Regulation Z, governing disclosures of credit and servicing terms to consumer borrowers and including substantial new requirements for mortgage lending and servicing , as mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act;
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the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 and Regulation C, requiring financial institutions to provide information to enable the public and public officials to determine whether a financial institution is fulfilling its obligation to help meet the housing needs of the communities they serve;
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the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
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the Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act and Regulation V, as well as the rules and regulations of the FDIC governing the use and provision of information to credit reporting agencies, certain identity theft protections and certain credit and other disclosures;
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the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Regulation F, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies; and
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the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X, which governs aspects of the settlement process for residential mortgage loans.
The deposit operations of Talmer Bank are also subject to federal laws, such as:
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the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, which, among other things, limits the amount of deposit insurance available per account to $250,000 and imposes other limits on deposit-taking;
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the Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain the confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records;
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the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E, which governs automatic deposits to and withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers' rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services; and
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the Truth in Savings Act and Regulation DD, which requires depository institutions to provide disclosures so that consumers can make meaningful comparisons about depository institutions and accounts.
Enforcement Powers
Talmer Bank and its respective "institution-affiliated parties," including its respective management, employees, agents, independent contractors, and consultants such as attorneys and accountants and others who participate in the conduct of the financial institution's affairs, are subject to potential civil and criminal penalties for violations of law, regulations or written orders of a government agency. These practices can include the failure of an institution to timely file required reports or the filing of false or misleading information or the submission of inaccurate reports. Civil penalties may be as high as $1,375,000 a day for certain violations. Criminal penalties for some financial institution crimes have been increased to 20 years.
In addition, regulators are provided with considerable flexibility to commence enforcement actions against institutions and institution-affiliated parties. Possible enforcement actions include the termination of deposit insurance. Furthermore, banking agencies have expansive power to issue cease-and-desist orders. These orders may, among other things, require affirmative action to correct any harm resulting from a violation or practice, including restitution, reimbursement, indemnifications or guarantees against loss. A financial institution may also be ordered to restrict its growth, dispose of certain assets, rescind agreements or contracts or take other actions as determined by the ordering agency to be appropriate.
The number of government entities authorized to take action against Talmer Bank has expanded under the Dodd-Frank Act. The FDIC continues to have primary enforcement authority over Talmer Bank. In addition, the CFPB also has back-up enforcement authority with respect to the consumer protection statutes above. Specifically, the CFPB may request reports from and conduct limited examinations of Talmer Bank in conducting investigations involving the consumer protection statutes. Further, state attorneys general may bring civil actions or other proceedings under the Dodd-Frank Act or regulations against state-chartered banks, including Talmer Bank. Prior notice to the CFPB and the FDIC would be necessary for an action against Talmer Bank. The CFPB may intervene in any of these actions.
Anti-Money Laundering
Financial institutions must maintain anti-money laundering programs that include established internal policies, procedures and controls; a designated compliance officer; an ongoing employee training program; and testing of the program by an independent audit function. Financial institutions are prohibited from entering into specified financial transactions and account relationships and must meet enhanced standards for due diligence and "knowing your customer" in their dealings with foreign financial institutions, foreign customers and other high risk customers. Financial institutions must take reasonable steps to conduct enhanced scrutiny of account relationships to guard against money laundering and to report any suspicious transactions. Recent laws provide law enforcement authorities with increased access to financial information maintained by banks. Anti-money laundering obligations have been substantially strengthened as a result of the USA PATRIOT Act, enacted in 2001 and renewed through 2019, as described below. Bank regulators routinely examine institutions for compliance with these obligations, and this area has become a particular focus of the regulators in recent years. In addition, the regulators are required to consider compliance in connection with the regulatory review of applications. In recent years, a handful of merger and acquisition transactions have been held up because of regulatory concerns about compliance with anti-money laundering requirements. The regulatory authorities have been active in imposing "cease and desist" orders and money penalty sanctions against institutions found to be violating these obligations.
USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act became effective on October 26, 2001 and amended the Bank Secrecy Act. The USA PATRIOT Act provides, in part, for the facilitation of information sharing among governmental entities and financial institutions for the purpose of combating terrorism and money laundering by enhancing anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws, as well as enhanced information collection tools and enforcement mechanisms for the U.S. government, including:
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requiring standards for verifying customer identification at account opening;
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rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering;
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reports by nonfinancial trades and businesses filed with the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for transactions exceeding $10,000; and
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filing suspicious activities reports by brokers and dealers if they believe a customer may be violating U.S. laws and regulations.
The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions to undertake enhanced due diligence of private bank accounts or correspondent accounts for non-U.S. persons that they administer, maintain, or manage. Bank regulators routinely examine institutions for compliance with these obligations and are required to consider compliance in connection with the regulatory review of applications.
Under the USA PATRIOT Act, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") can send Talmer Bank lists of the names of persons suspected of involvement in terrorist activities or money laundering. Talmer Bank may be requested to search its records for any relationships or transactions with persons on those lists. If Talmer Bank finds any relationships or transactions, it must report those relationships or transactions to FinCEN.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control
The Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"), which is an office in the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is responsible for helping to ensure that U.S. entities do not engage in transactions with "enemies" of the United States, as defined by various Executive Orders and Acts of Congress. OFAC publishes lists of names of persons and organizations suspected of aiding, harboring or engaging in terrorist acts; owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of target countries, and narcotics traffickers. If a bank finds a name on any transaction, account or wire transfer that is on an OFAC list, it must freeze or block the transactions on the account. Talmer Bank has appointed a compliance officer to oversee the inspection of its accounts and the filing of any notifications. Talmer Bank actively checks high-risk OFAC areas such as new accounts, wire transfers and
customer files. These checks are performed using software that is updated each time a modification is made to the lists provided by OFAC and other agencies of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.
Privacy, Data Security and Credit Reporting
Financial institutions are required to protect the confidentiality of the non-public personal information of individual customers and to disclose their policies for doing so. Customers generally may prevent financial institutions from sharing nonpublic personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties except under narrow circumstances, such as the processing of transactions requested by the consumer or when the financial institution is jointly sponsoring a product or service with a nonaffiliated third party. Additionally, financial institutions generally may not disclose consumer account numbers to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or other marketing to consumers. Talmer Bank's policy is not to disclose any personal information unless permitted by law.
Recent cyber attacks against bank and other institutions that resulted in unauthorized access to confidential customer information have prompted the Federal banking agencies to issue several warnings and extensive guidance on cyber security. The agencies are likely to devote more resources to this party of their safety and soundness examination than they may have in the past.
Like other lending institutions, Talmer Bank uses credit bureau data in its underwriting activities. Use of that data is regulated under the Federal Credit Reporting Act on a uniform, nationwide basis. The act and its implementing regulation, Regulation V, cover credit reporting, prescreening, sharing of information between affiliates, and the use of credit data. The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 allows states to enact identity theft laws that are not inconsistent with the conduct required by the provisions of the act.
Payment of Dividends
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiary. While there are various legal and regulatory limitations under federal and state law on the extent to which Talmer Bank can pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to the Company, the principal source of the Company's cash revenues is dividends from Talmer Bank. The relevant federal and state regulatory agencies also have authority to prohibit a bank or bank holding company, which would include the Company and Talmer Bank, from engaging in what, in the opinion of the regulatory body, constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business. The payment of dividends could, depending upon the financial condition of the subsidiary, be deemed to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business.
Under Michigan law, a Michigan state-chartered bank, including Talmer Bank, cannot declare or pay a cash dividend or dividend in kind unless such bank will have a surplus amounting to not less than 20% of its capital after payment of the dividend. In addition, Michigan state-chartered banks may pay dividends only out of net income then on hand, after deducting its bad debts. Further, Michigan state-chartered banks may not declare or pay a dividend until cumulative dividends on preferred stock, if any, are paid in full. These limitations can affect Talmer Bank's ability to pay dividends.
Check 21
The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act gives "substitute checks," such as a digital image of a check and copies made from that image, the same legal standing as the original paper check. Some of the major provisions include:
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allowing check truncation without making it mandatory;
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requiring every financial institution to communicate to accountholders in writing a description of its substitute check processing program and their rights under the law;
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legalizing substitutions for and replacements of paper checks without agreement from consumers;
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retaining in place the previously mandated electronic collection and return of checks between financial institutions only when individual agreements are in place;
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requiring that when accountholders request verification, financial institutions produce the original check (or a copy that accurately represents the original) and demonstrate that the account debit was accurate and valid; and
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generally requiring the re-crediting of funds to an individual's account on the next business day after a consumer proves that the financial institution has erred.
Effect of Governmental Monetary Policies
Our earnings are affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary policies of the United States government and its agencies. The Federal Open Market Committee's monetary policies have had, and are likely to continue to have, an important effect on the operating results of commercial banks. These policies have major effects on the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through the Federal Reserve's open market operations in United States government securities and through its regulation of the discount rate on borrowings of member banks and the reserve requirements against member bank deposits. We cannot predict the nature or effect of future changes in monetary policies. On December 16, 2015, the Federal Open Market Committee raised the federal funds target rate by 25 basis points, the first increase in several years. Further increases may occur in 2016, but, if so, there is no announced timetable.
Insurance of Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC
Talmer Bank's deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC. The Dodd Frank Act permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings associations and credit unions to $250,000 per account. As insurer, the FDIC imposes deposit insurance premiums and is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by FDIC insured institutions. It also may prohibit any FDIC insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious risk to the insurance fund.
FDIC insured institutions are required to pay a Financing Corporation assessment to fund the interest on bonds issued to resolve thrift failures in the 1980s. These assessments, which may be revised based upon the level of deposits, will continue until the bonds mature in the years 2017 through 2019.
The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution if it determines after a notice and hearing that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. It also may suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for the permanent termination of insurance if the institution has no tangible capital. If insurance of accounts is terminated, the accounts at the institution at the time of the termination, less subsequent withdrawals, remain insured for a period of six months to two years, as determined by the FDIC.
Limitations on Incentive Compensation
In June 2010, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Office of Thrift Supervision issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors.
The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.
The Dodd-Frank Act required the federal banking agencies, the SEC, and certain other federal agencies to jointly issue a regulation on incentive compensation. The agencies proposed such a rule in 2011, which reflects the 2010 guidance, but the agencies have not finalized the rule as of December 31, 2015.
Proposed Legislation and Regulatory Action
New regulations and statutes are regularly proposed that contain wide-ranging provisions for altering the structures, regulations and competitive relationships of the nation's financial institutions. We cannot predict whether or in what form any proposed regulation or statute will be adopted or the extent to which our business may be affected by any new regulation or statute.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business is subject to certain risks, including those described below. If any of the events described in the following risk factors actually occurs, then our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. More detailed information concerning these risks is contained in other sections of this report, including "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
Risks Related to Our Proposed Merger with Chemical
Combining with Chemical may be more difficult, costly or time consuming than expected, and the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the Merger with Chemical may not be realized.
The Company and Chemical have operated and, until the completion of the Merger, will continue to operate, independently. The success of the Merger, including anticipated benefits and cost savings, will depend, in part, on Chemical’s and the Company’s ability to successfully combine and integrate the businesses of the Company and Chemical in a manner that permits growth opportunities and does not materially disrupt the existing customer relations or result in decreased revenues due to loss of customers. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of either company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect the combined company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, depositors, clients and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the Merger. If the combined companies experience difficulties with the integration process, the anticipated benefits of the Merger may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected. There also may be business disruptions that cause the Company and/or Chemical to lose customers or cause customers to remove their accounts from the Company and/or Chemical and move their business to competing financial institutions. Integration efforts between the two companies will also divert management attention and resources. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on each of the Company and Chemical during this transition period and for an undetermined period after completion of the Merger on the combined company.
Additionally, the combined company may not be able to successfully achieve the level of cost savings, revenue enhancements and other synergies that it expects, and may not be able to capitalize upon the existing customer relationships of each party to the extent anticipated, or it may take longer, or be more difficult or expensive than expected, to achieve these goals. These circumstances could have an adverse effect on the combined company's business, results of operation and stock price.
We are subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the Merger with Chemical is pending.
Uncertainty about the effect of the Merger with Chemical on employees and customers may have an adverse effect on us. These uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the Merger is completed, and could cause customers and others that deal with us to seek to change existing business relationships. Retention of certain employees by us may be challenging while the Merger is pending, as certain employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company. If key employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with us, our business could be harmed. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, we have agreed to operate our business in the ordinary course prior to closing.
The Merger may distract our management from their other responsibilities.
The Merger could cause our management to focus their time and energies on matters related to the Merger that otherwise would be directed to our business and operations. Any such distraction on the part of our management, if significant, could affect our ability to service existing business and develop new business and adversely affect our business and earnings before the Merger, or the business and earnings of the combined company after the Merger.
The Merger Agreement contains provisions that limit each party’s ability to pursue alternatives to the Merger, could discourage a potential competing acquirer of either the Company or Chemical from making a favorable alternative transaction proposal and, in specified circumstances, could require either party to pay the other party a termination fee of $34 million or up to $3 million in transaction-related expenses.
Under the Merger Agreement, each of the Company and Chemical has agreed not to, subject to certain exceptions generally related to its board of directors, exercise of its fiduciary duties (as set forth in the Merger Agreement), solicit or initiate, or knowingly facilitate or knowingly encourage, inquiries or proposals with respect to, engage in any discussions or negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information relating to, any alternative business combination transactions. In addition, the Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for each of the Company and Chemical. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, including certain breaches of the Merger Agreement, the Company or Chemical, as applicable, is required to reimburse the other party for its transaction-related expenses up to $3 million. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances, including termination of the Merger Agreement to accept an alternative business combination transaction as permitted by and subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company or Chemical, as applicable, is required to pay the other party a termination fee of $34 million minus any previously reimbursed transaction-related expenses.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated and we determine to seek another business combination, we may not be able to negotiate a transaction with another party on terms comparable to, or better than, the terms of the Merger.
Regulatory approvals may not be received, may take longer than expected, or may impose conditions that are not presently anticipated or that could have an adverse effect on the combined company following the Merger.
Before the Merger may be completed, Chemical and the Company must obtain approvals from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Other approvals, waivers or consents from regulators may also be required. These regulators may impose conditions on the completion of the Merger or require changes to the terms of the Merger. Although Chemical and the Company do not currently expect that any such conditions or changes would be imposed, there can be no assurance that they will not be, and such conditions or changes could have the effect of delaying or preventing completion of the Merger or imposing additional costs on or limiting the revenues of the combined company following the Merger, any of which might have an adverse effect on the combined company following the Merger.
If the Merger with Chemical is not completed, we will have incurred substantial expenses without realizing the expected benefits of the Merger.
We have incurred and will continue to incur substantial expenses in connection with the negotiation and completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement with Chemical. If the Merger is not completed, we would have to recognize these expenses without realizing the expected benefits of the Merger.
In connection with the announcement of the Merger Agreement with Chemical, lawsuits are pending, seeking, among other things, to enjoin the Merger, and an adverse judgment in any of these lawsuits may prevent the Merger from becoming effective within the expected time frame (if at all).
Putative shareholder class and derivative action lawsuits, referred to as the merger litigation, have been filed in connection with the Merger Agreement. Complaints were filed on February 22, 2016 in the Oakland County Circuit Court of the State of Michigan. These actions, which are virtually identical, generally allege, among other things, that the members of the Talmer Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties to Talmer shareholders by failing to maximize shareholder value, as well as derivative claims on behalf of Talmer. The complaints also allege claims against Chemical for aiding and abetting these alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs also seek injunctive relief prohibiting consummation of the Merger, and, in the event the Merger is consummated, seek rescission and other damages claimed. At this stage, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the proceedings or their impact on Talmer, Chemical or the Merger. If any of the plaintiffs are successful in enjoining the consummation of the Merger, the lawsuit may prevent the merger from becoming effective within the expected time frame (if at all). Furthermore, the defense or settlement of any of these lawsuits may adversely affect Chemical’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows following the completion of the Merger.
Risks Related to Our Business
A return of recessionary conditions could result in increases in our level of nonperforming loans and/or reduced demand for our products and services, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Economic recession or other economic problems, including those affecting our primary markets in Michigan and Ohio, and our other markets in Indiana, Illinois and Nevada, but also those affecting the U.S. or world economies, could have a material adverse impact on the demand for our products and services. Since the conclusion of the last recession, economic
growth has been slow and uneven, and unemployment levels remain high. In addition, the values of real estate collateral supporting many commercial loans and home mortgages have declined and may continue to decline. If economic conditions deteriorate, or if there are negative developments affecting the domestic and international credit markets, the value of our loans and investments may be harmed, which in turn would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the price of our common stock.
Decreased residential mortgage origination, volume and pricing decisions of competitors may adversely affect our profitability.
We currently operate a residential mortgage business. Changes in interest rates and pricing decisions by our loan competitors may adversely affect demand for our residential mortgage loan products, the revenue realized on the sale of loans and revenues received from servicing such loans for others, and ultimately reduce our net income. New regulations, increased regulatory reviews, and/or changes in the structure of the secondary mortgage markets which we would utilize to sell mortgage loans may be introduced and may increase costs and make it more difficult to operate a residential mortgage origination business.
Our business is subject to interest rate risk, and fluctuations in interest rates may adversely affect our earnings and capital levels and overall results.
The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature and, as a result, we are subject to significant risk from changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates may affect our net interest income as well as the valuation of our assets and liabilities. Our earnings depend significantly on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. We expect to periodically experience "gaps" in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities, meaning that either our interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-earning assets, or vice versa. In either event, if market interest rates move contrary to our position, this "gap" may work against us, and our earnings may be adversely affected.
An increase in the general level of interest rates may also, among other things, adversely affect the demand for loans and our ability to originate loans. Conversely, a decrease in the general level of interest rates, among other things, may lead to prepayments on our loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios and increased competition for deposits. Accordingly, changes in the general level of market interest rates may adversely affect our net yield on interest-earning assets, loan origination volume and our overall results.
Although our asset-liability management strategy is designed to control and mitigate exposure to the risks related to changes in the general level of market interest rates, those rates are affected by many factors outside of our control, including inflation, recession, unemployment, money supply, international disorder, instability in domestic and foreign financial markets and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies, particularly the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (the "Federal Reserve"). Adverse changes in the U.S. monetary policy or in economic conditions could materially and adversely affect us. We may not be able to accurately predict the likelihood, nature and magnitude of those changes or how and to what extent they may affect our business. We also may not be able to adequately prepare for or compensate for the consequences of such changes. Any failure to predict and prepare for changes in interest rates or adjust for the consequences of these changes may adversely affect our earnings and capital levels and overall results.
We are exposed to higher credit risk by commercial real estate, commercial and industrial and real estate construction lending.
Commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, and real estate construction lending usually involve higher credit risks than single-family residential lending. As of December 31, 2015, the following loan types accounted for the stated percentages of our total loan portfolio: commercial real estate-32.6%, commercial and industrial-26.2%, and real estate construction-5.0%. These types of loans involve larger loan balances to a single borrower or groups of related borrowers.
Commercial real estate loans may be affected to a greater extent than residential loans by adverse conditions in real estate markets or the economy because commercial real estate borrowers’ ability to repay their loans depends on successful development of their properties, in addition to the factors affecting residential real estate borrowers. These loans also involve greater risk because they generally are not fully amortizing over the loan period, but have a balloon payment due at maturity. A borrower’s ability to make a balloon payment typically will depend on being able to either refinance the loan or sell the underlying property in a timely manner.
Commercial and industrial loans are typically based on the borrowers’ ability to repay the loans from the cash flow of their businesses. These loans may involve greater risk because the availability of funds to repay each loan depends substantially on the success of the business itself. In addition, the assets securing the loans have the following characteristics: (a) they
depreciate over time, (b) they are difficult to appraise and liquidate, and (c) they fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.
Risk of loss on a real estate construction loan depends largely upon whether our initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction equals or exceeds the cost of the property construction (including interest), the availability of permanent take-out financing and the builder’s ability to ultimately sell the property. During the construction phase, a number of factors can result in delays and cost overruns. If estimates of value are inaccurate or if actual construction costs exceed estimates, the value of the property securing the loan may be insufficient to ensure full repayment when completed through a permanent loan or by seizure of collateral.
Commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans, and real estate construction loans are more susceptible to a risk of loss during a downturn in the business cycle. Our underwriting, review and monitoring cannot eliminate all of the risks related to these loans.
At December 31, 2015, our outstanding commercial real estate loans were equal to 215.4% of our total risk-based capital. The banking regulators are giving commercial real estate lending greater scrutiny, and may require banks with higher levels of commercial real estate loans to implement improved underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies and portfolio stress testing, as well as possibly higher levels of allowances for losses and capital levels as a result of commercial real estate lending growth and exposures.
We may not be able to retain or develop a strong core deposit base or other low-cost funding sources.
We depend on checking, savings and money market deposit account balances and other forms of customer deposits as our primary source of funding for our lending activities. Our future growth will largely depend on our ability to retain and grow a strong deposit base. If we are unable to continue to attract and retain core deposits, to obtain third party financing on favorable terms, or to have access to interbank or other liquidity sources, we may not be able to grow our assets as quickly. In addition, if our cost of funds increase, this may adversely affect our ability to generate the funds necessary for lending operations, reducing net interest margin and negatively affecting our results of operations. We derive liquidity through core deposit growth, maturity of money market investments, and maturity and sale of investment securities and loans. Additionally, we have access to financial market borrowing sources on an unsecured and a collateralized basis for both short-term and long-term purposes including, but not limited to, the Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Banks, of which we are a member. If these funding sources are not sufficient or available, we may have to acquire funds through higher-cost sources.
If we fail to effectively manage credit risk and interest rate risk, our business and financial condition will suffer.
We must effectively manage credit risk. There are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks with respect to the period of time over which the loan may be repaid, risks relating to proper loan underwriting and guidelines, risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions, risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers and risks resulting from uncertainties as to the future value of collateral. In addition, a primary component of our strategy is to grow our middle market and small business lending activity and to increase retail lending activity. There is no assurance that our credit risk monitoring and loan approval procedures are or will be adequate or will reduce the inherent risks associated with lending. Our credit administration personnel, policies and procedures may not adequately adapt to changes in economic or any other conditions affecting customers and the quality of our loan portfolio. Any failure to manage such credit risks may materially adversely affect our business and our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
We must also effectively manage interest rate risk. Because mortgage loans typically have much longer maturities than deposits or other types of funding, rising interest rates can raise the cost of funding relative to the value of the mortgage. We manage this risk in part by holding adjustable rate mortgages in portfolios and through other means. Conversely, the value of our mortgage servicing assets may fall when interest rates fall, as borrowers refinance into lower-yield loans. Given current rates, material reductions in rates may not be probable, but as rates rise, then the risk increases. There can be no assurance that we will successfully manage the lending and servicing businesses through all future interest-rate environments.
We have recognized significant income from bargain purchase gains in connection with our acquisitions that may be non-recurring in future periods.
In connection with our four FDIC-assisted acquisitions and our acquisitions of First Place Bank and Talmer West Bank, we recorded pre-tax bargain purchase gains totaling an aggregate of $206.9 million. These gains were included as a component of noninterest income in our statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. The amount of each bargain purchase gain recorded for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 was equal to the amount by which the fair value of the assets purchased in the applicable acquisition exceeded the fair value of the liabilities assumed and any consideration paid. The bargain purchase gain recorded in connection with each acquisition is a one-time extraordinary
gain and would only be repeated in the event that we consummated future acquisitions where the fair value of the assets purchased exceeded the fair value of the liabilities assumed and any consideration paid. If market conditions improve, the bidding process for banks could become more competitive, and the increased competition may make it more difficult for us to acquire banks in transactions that generate bargain purchase gains, or at all. If we are unable to generate bargain purchase gains in future acquisitions or if we are unable to offset such income with other sources of income, our financial condition and earnings may be adversely affected.
Our mortgage banking profitability could significantly decline if we are not able to originate and resell a high volume of mortgage loans.
Mortgage production, especially refinancing activity, declines in rising interest rate environments. While we have been experiencing historically low interest rates throughout 2014 and 2015, this low interest rate environment likely will not continue indefinitely. Moreover, when interest rates increase further, there can be no assurance that our mortgage production will continue at current levels. Because we sell a substantial portion of the mortgage loans we originate, the profitability of our mortgage banking business also depends in large part on our ability to aggregate a high volume of loans and sell them in the secondary market at a gain. In the face of a favorable interest rate environment in 2015, our marketing gain percentage for mortgage loans sold increased marginally throughout 2015 compared to the prior year, a trend which we would expect to continue in 2016, provided the continuation of a lower interest rate market. Thus, in addition to our dependence on the interest rate environment, we are dependent upon (i) the existence of an active secondary market and (ii) our ability to profitably sell loans or securities into that market. If our level of mortgage production declines, the profitability will depend upon our ability to reduce our costs commensurate with the reduction of revenue from our mortgage operations.
Our ability to originate and sell mortgage loans readily is dependent upon the availability of an active secondary market for single-family mortgage loans, which in turn depends in part upon the continuation of programs currently offered by government-sponsored entities ("GSEs") and other institutional and non-institutional investors. These entities account for a substantial portion of the secondary market in residential mortgage loans. Because the largest participants in the secondary market are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, GSEs whose activities are governed by federal law, any future changes in laws that significantly affect the activity of these GSEs could, in turn, adversely affect our operations. In September 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into conservatorship by the U.S. government. The federal government has for many years considered proposals to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the results of any such reform, and their impact on us, are difficult to predict. To date, no reform proposal has been enacted.
In addition, our ability to sell mortgage loans readily is dependent upon our ability to remain eligible for the programs offered by the GSEs and other institutional and non-institutional investors. Any significant impairment of our eligibility with any of the GSEs could materially and adversely affect our operations. Further, the criteria for loans to be accepted under such programs may be changed from time to time by the sponsoring entity, which could result in a lower volume of corresponding loan originations. The profitability of participating in specific programs may vary depending on a number of factors, including our administrative costs of originating and purchasing qualifying loans and our costs of meeting such criteria.
The geographic concentration of our core markets in Michigan and Ohio makes our business highly susceptible to downturns in these local economies and depressed banking markets, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Unlike larger financial institutions that are more geographically diversified, we are a regional banking franchise concentrated in Michigan and Ohio. We operate banking centers located in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Nevada. At December 31, 2015, approximately 50.6% of our loans were to borrowers located in Michigan, 22.2% were to borrowers located in Ohio, 9.3% were to borrowers located in Illinois and 3.3% were to borrowers located in Indiana, 2.3% were to borrowers located in Wisconsin and 1.9% were to borrowers located in Nevada. A deterioration in economic conditions in the loan or residential or commercial real estate markets in these areas could have a material adverse effect on the quality of our portfolio, the demand for our products and services, the ability of borrowers to timely repay loans and the value of the collateral securing loans. In addition, if the population, employment or income growth in one of our core markets is negative or slower than projected, income levels, deposits and real estate development could be adversely impacted and we could be materially and adversely affected.
To the extent that we are unable to identify and consummate attractive acquisitions, or increase loans through organic loan growth, we may be unable to successfully implement our growth strategy, which could materially and adversely affect us.
We intend to continue to grow our business through strategic acquisitions of banking franchises coupled with organic loan growth. Previous availability of attractive acquisition targets may not be indicative of future acquisition opportunities, and we may be unable to identify any acquisition targets that meet our investment objectives. As our acquired loan portfolio, which produces higher yields than our originated loans due to loan discount accretion on our purchased credit impaired loan portfolio (a component of the accretable yield), is paid down, we expect downward pressure on our income to the extent that the run-off
is not replaced with other high-yielding loans. The accretable yield represents the excess of the net present value of expected future cash flows over the acquisition date fair value and includes both the expected coupon of the loan and the discount accretion. For example, the total loan yield for the year ended December 31, 2015 was 5.13%, while the yield generated using only the expected coupon would have been 4.34% during the same period. As a result of the foregoing, if we are unable to replace loans in our existing portfolio with comparable higher yielding loans or a larger volume of loans, we could be adversely affected. We could also be materially and adversely affected if we choose to pursue riskier higher-yielding loans that fail to perform.
We depend on our executive officers and other key individuals to continue the implementation of our long-term business strategy and could be harmed by the loss of their services.
We believe that our continued growth and future success will depend in large part on the skills of our management team and our ability to motivate and retain these individuals and other key individuals. In particular, we rely on the leadership and experience in the banking industry of our Chief Executive Officer, David Provost. The loss of service of Mr. Provost or one or more of our other executive officers or key personnel could reduce our ability to successfully implement our long-term business strategy, our business could suffer and the value of our common stock could be materially adversely affected. Leadership changes will occur from time to time and we cannot predict whether significant resignations will occur or whether we will be able to recruit additional qualified personnel. We believe our management team possesses valuable knowledge about the banking industry and that their knowledge and relationships would be very difficult to replicate. Although Mr. Provost has entered into an employment agreement with us, it is possible that we or Mr. Provost may not renew the agreement, which automatically renews for successive one-year terms unless notice of termination is given by either party. Our success also depends on the experience of our branch managers and lending officers and on their relationships with the customers and communities they serve. The loss of key personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
Our success is dependent upon our management team, which may be unable to successfully implement their proposed business strategy.
Our success is largely dependent upon the ability of our management team to execute our business strategy. Our management team will need to, among other things:
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attract sufficient retail and commercial deposits;
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attract and maintain business banking relationships with businesses in our market areas;
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attract and retain experienced commercial and community bankers;
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maintain adequate regulatory capital and comply with applicable federal and state regulations;
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attract sufficient loans, including correspondent and purchased loans that meet prudent credit standards; and
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maintain expenses in line with their current projections.
Failure to achieve these strategic goals could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategies and could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be terminated as a servicer of mortgage loans, be required to repurchase a mortgage loan or reimburse investors for credit losses on a mortgage loan, or incur costs, liabilities, fines and other sanctions if we fail to satisfy our servicing obligations, including our obligations with respect to mortgage loan foreclosure actions.
We act as servicer for approximately $5.9 billion of residential and commercial loans owned by third parties as of December 31, 2015. As a servicer for those loans we have certain contractual obligations, including foreclosing on defaulted mortgage loans or, to the extent applicable, considering alternatives to foreclosure such as loan modifications or short sales. If we commit a material breach of our obligations as servicer, we may be subject to termination if the breach is not cured within a specified period of time following notice, causing us to lose servicing income.
For certain investors and/or certain transactions, we may be contractually obligated to repurchase a mortgage loan or reimburse the investor for credit losses incurred on the loan as a remedy for servicing errors with respect to the loan. If we have increased repurchase obligations because of claims that we did not satisfy our obligations as a servicer, or increased loss severity on such repurchases, we may have a significant reduction to net servicing income within our mortgage banking noninterest income. We may incur costs if we are required to, or if we elect to, re-execute or re-file documents or take other action in our capacity as a servicer in connection with pending or completed foreclosures. We may incur litigation costs if the validity of a foreclosure action is challenged by a borrower. If a court were to overturn a foreclosure because of errors or
deficiencies in the foreclosure process, we may have liability to the borrower and/or to any title insurer of the property sold in foreclosure if the required process was not followed. These costs and liabilities may not be legally or otherwise reimbursable to us. In addition, if certain documents required for a foreclosure action are missing or defective, we could be obligated to cure the defect or repurchase the loan. We may incur liability to securitization investors relating to delays or deficiencies in our processing of mortgage assignments or other documents necessary to comply with state law governing foreclosures. The fair value of our mortgage servicing rights may be negatively affected to the extent our servicing costs increase because of higher foreclosure costs. We may be subject to fines and other sanctions imposed by federal or state regulators as a result of actual or perceived deficiencies in our foreclosure practices or in the foreclosure practices of other mortgage loan servicers. Any of these actions may harm our reputation or negatively affect our home lending or servicing business.
We may be required to repurchase mortgage loans or indemnify buyers against losses in some circumstances, which could harm our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.
When mortgage loans are sold, whether as whole loans or pursuant to a securitization, we are required to make customary representations and warranties to purchasers, guarantors and insurers, including the GSEs, about the mortgage loans and the manner in which they were originated. Whole loan sale agreements require repurchase or substitute mortgage loans, or indemnify buyers against losses, in the event we breach these representations or warranties. In addition, we may be required to repurchase mortgage loans as a result of early payment default of the borrower on a mortgage loan. With respect to loans that are originated through our broker or correspondent channels, the remedies available against the originating broker or correspondent, if any, may not be as broad as the remedies available to purchasers, guarantors and insurers of mortgage loans against us. We face further risk that the originating broker or correspondent, if any, may not have financial capacity to perform remedies that otherwise may be available. Therefore, if a purchaser, guarantor or insurer enforces its remedies against us, we may not be able to recover losses from the originating broker or correspondent. If repurchase and indemnity demands increase and such demands are valid claims and are in excess of our provision for potential losses, our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
If our allowance for loan losses and fair value adjustments with respect to acquired loans is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings will be adversely affected.
We are exposed to the risk that our customers may not repay their loans according to their terms, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to fully compensate us for the outstanding balance of the loan plus the costs to dispose of the collateral. As a result, we may experience significant loan losses that may have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
We maintain an allowance for loan losses in an attempt to cover loan losses inherent in our loan portfolio. As such, the long-term success of our business will be largely attributable to the quality of our assets, particularly newly-originated loans. In determining the size of the allowance, we rely on an analysis of our loan portfolio, our experience and our evaluation of general economic conditions. We also make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the diversification in our loan portfolio, the effect of changes in the economy on real estate and other collateral values, the results of recent regulatory examinations, the effects on the loan portfolio of current economic indicators and their probable impact on borrowers, the amount of charge-offs for the period and the amount of non-performing loans and related collateral security.
The application of the acquisition method of accounting in our acquisitions has impacted our allowance for loan losses. Under the acquisition method of accounting, all acquired loans were recorded in our consolidated financial statements at their fair value at the time of acquisition and the related allowance for loan loss was eliminated because credit quality, among other factors, was considered in the determination of fair value. To the extent that our estimates of fair value are too high, we will incur losses associated with the acquired loans. The allowance associated with our purchased credit impaired loans reflects deterioration in cash flows since acquisition resulting from our quarterly re-estimation of cash flows which involves complex cash flow projections and significant judgment on timing of loan resolution.
If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our current allowance may not be sufficient, and adjustments may be necessary to allow for different economic conditions or adverse developments in our loan portfolio. Material additions to the allowance for loan losses would materially decrease our net income and adversely affect our financial condition generally. In addition, federal regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different from our management's. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs required by these regulatory agencies could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Changes in local economic conditions where we operate could have a negative effect.
Our success depends significantly on growth, or lack thereof, in population, income levels, deposits and housing starts in the geographic markets in which we operate. The local economic conditions in these areas have a significant impact on our commercial, real estate and construction loans, the ability of borrowers to repay these loans, and the value of the collateral securing these loans. Unlike financial institutions that are more geographically diversified, we are a regional banking franchise. Adverse changes in, and further deterioration of, the economic conditions of the Midwest United States in general or in our primary markets in Michigan and Ohio, our other markets in Indiana and Illinois or any one or more of our local markets could negatively affect our financial condition, results of operations and profitability. A continuing deterioration in economic conditions could result in the following consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business:
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loan delinquencies may increase;
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problem assets and foreclosures may increase;
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demand for our products and services may decline; and
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collateral for loans that we make, especially real estate, may decline in value, in turn reducing a customer's borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with the our loans.
We face strong competition for customers, which could prevent us from obtaining customers or may cause us to pay higher interest rates to attract customer deposits.
The banking business is highly competitive, and we experience competition in our markets from many other financial institutions. Customer loyalty can be easily influenced by a competitor's new products, especially offerings that could provide cost savings or a higher return to the customer. Moreover, this competitive industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. We compete with commercial banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market funds and other mutual funds, as well as super-regional, national and international financial institutions that operate offices in our primary market areas and elsewhere.
We compete with these institutions both in attracting deposits and in making loans. In addition, we have to attract our customer base from other existing financial institutions and from new residents. Many of our competitors are well-established, larger financial institutions that may have higher lending limits. Because we will have a lower lending limit than some of our competitors it may discourage borrowers with lending needs that exceed those limits from doing business with us. While we may try to serve these borrowers by selling loan participations to other financial institutions, this strategy may not succeed in this current market because the number of institutions that are willing to act as loan participants is decreasing. We also compete with local community banks in our market. We may not be able to compete successfully with other financial institutions in our market, and we may have to pay higher interest rates to attract deposits, accept lower yields on loans to attract loans and pay higher wages for new employees, resulting in reduced profitability. In addition, competitors that are not depository institutions are generally not subject to the extensive regulations that apply to us.
We may also face a competitive disadvantage as a result of our relatively smaller size, lack of significant geographic diversification beyond the Midwest United States and the States of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois and inability to spread our operating costs across a broader market.
Our deposit insurance premiums could be substantially higher in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our future earnings.
The FDIC insures deposits at FDIC-insured depository institutions, such as Talmer Bank, up to $250,000 per account. The amount of a particular institution's deposit insurance assessment is based on that institution's risk classification under an FDIC risk-based assessment system. An institution's risk classification is assigned based on its capital levels and the level of supervisory concern the institution poses to its regulators. Market developments and bank failures in 2008 and the following years significantly depleted the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund, and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits. As a result of these economic conditions and the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, banks are now assessed deposit insurance premiums based on the bank's average consolidated total assets, and the FDIC has modified certain risk-based adjustments which increase or decrease a bank's overall assessment rate. This has resulted in increases to the deposit insurance assessment rates and thus raised deposit premiums for many insured depository institutions. If these increases are insufficient for the Deposit Insurance Fund to meet its funding requirements, further special assessments or increases in deposit insurance premiums may be required. We are generally unable to control the amount of premiums that we are required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures, we may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels. If our financial condition deteriorates or if the bank regulators otherwise have supervisory concerns about us, then our assessments could rise. Any future additional assessments, increases or required prepayments in
FDIC insurance premiums could reduce our profitability, may limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities, or otherwise negatively impact our operations.
The accuracy of our financial statements and related disclosures could be affected if the judgments, assumptions or estimates used in our critical accounting policies are inaccurate.
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosure in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our critical accounting policies, which are included in the section captioned "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this report, describe those significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements that we consider "critical" because they require judgments, assumptions and estimates that materially affect our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, if future events differ significantly from the judgments, assumptions and estimates in our critical accounting policies, those events or assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Our financial information reflects the application of purchase accounting. Any change in the assumptions used in such methodology could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We have acquired a significant majority of our assets and assumed a significant majority of our liabilities in our eight acquisitions and our financial results are heavily influenced by the application of purchase accounting. Purchase accounting requires management to make assumptions regarding the assets purchased and liabilities assumed to determine their fair value at acquisition. If these assumptions are incorrect or our accountants or the regulatory agencies to whom we report do not concur with our judgments and require that we change or modify our assumptions, such change or modification could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations or our previously reported results.
The banking industry is heavily regulated and that regulation or future regulation could limit or restrict our activities and adversely affect our financial results.
We operate in a highly regulated industry and we are subject to examination, supervision, and comprehensive regulation by various federal and state agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Our compliance with banking regulations is costly and restricts some of our activities, including payment of dividends, mergers and acquisitions, investments, loans and interest rates and locations of offices. We are also subject to capitalization guidelines established by our regulators, which require us to maintain adequate capital to support our business.
The burden of regulatory compliance has increased under current legislation and banking regulations and is likely to continue to have a significant impact on the financial services industry. Recent legislative and regulatory changes, as well as changes in regulatory enforcement policies, capital adequacy guidelines and capital requirements, are increasing our costs of doing business and, as a result, may create an advantage for our competitors who may not be subject to similar legislative and regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the federal and state bank regulatory authorities who supervise us have broad discretionary powers to take enforcement actions against banks for failure to comply with applicable regulations and laws. If we fail to comply with applicable laws or regulations, we could become subject to enforcement actions that have a material adverse effect on our future results.
We are periodically subject to examination and scrutiny by a number of banking agencies and, depending upon the findings and determinations of these agencies, we may be required to make adjustments to our business that could adversely affect us.
Federal and state banking agencies periodically conduct examinations of our business, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If, as a result of an examination, a banking agency were to determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, asset concentration, earnings prospects, management, liquidity sensitivity to market risk or other aspects of any of our operations has become unsatisfactory, or that we or our management are in violation of any law or regulation, the banking agency could take a number of different remedial actions as it deems appropriate. These actions include the power to enjoin "unsafe or unsound" practices, to require affirmative actions to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our growth, to change the asset composition of our portfolio or balance sheet, to assess civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance. If we become subject to such regulatory actions, our business, results of operations and reputation may be negatively impacted.
The ongoing implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 may have a material adverse effect on our operations.
The Dodd-Frank Act imposes significant regulatory and compliance changes. Although the full impact of the new requirements on our operations is unclear, the changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of our business activities. The Dodd-Frank Act has required that we develop new and more extensive compliance policies and practices, and maintain higher capital and liquidity levels. These and other changes may adversely affect our business. These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make changes necessary to comply with these requirements at the expense of normal business operations. Failure to comply with the new requirements or with any future changes in laws or regulations may negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition. While we cannot predict what effect any presently contemplated or future changes in the laws of regulations or their interpretations would have on us, these changes could be materially adverse to investors in our common stock.
The final Basel III capital rules generally require insured depository institutions and their holding companies to hold more capital, which could adversely affect our financial condition and operations.
In July 2013, the federal banking agencies published new regulatory capital rules based on the international standards, known as Basel III, that had been developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The new rules raised the risk-based capital requirements and revised the methods for calculating risk-weighted assets, usually resulting in higher risk weights. The new rules became effective as applied to the Company and Talmer Bank on January 1, 2015, with a phase in period that generally extends from January 1, 2015 through January 1, 2019.
The Basel III rules increase capital requirements and include two new capital measurements that will affect us, a risk-based common equity Tier 1 ratio and a capital conservation buffer. Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital is a subset of Tier 1 capital and is limited to common equity (plus related surplus), retained earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income and certain other items. Other instruments that have historically qualified for Tier 1 treatment, including noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, are consigned to a category known as Additional Tier 1 capital and must be phased out of CET1 over a period of nine years beginning in 2014. The rules permit bank holding companies with less than $15 billion in assets (such as us) to continue to include trust preferred securities and noncumulative perpetual preferred stock issued before May 19, 2010 in additional Tier 1 capital, but not CET1. Tier 2 capital consists of instruments that have historically been placed in Tier 2, as well as cumulative perpetual preferred stock.
Beginning on January 1, 2015, our Basel III-based minimum risk-based capital requirements were (i) a CET1 ratio of 4.5%, (ii) a Tier 1 capital (CET1 plus Additional Tier 1 capital) of 6% (up from 4%) and (iii) a total capital ratio of 8% (unchanged from the former requirement). Our leverage ratio requirement will remain at the 4% level now required. Beginning in 2016, a capital conservation buffer will phase in over three years, ultimately resulting in a requirement of 2.5% on top of the CET1, Tier 1 and total capital requirements, resulting in a required CET1 ratio of 7%, a Tier 1 ratio of 8.5%, and a total capital ratio of 10.5%. As of January 1, 2016, our capital conservation buffer is 0.625%. Failure to satisfy any of these three capital requirements will result in limits on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases and paying discretionary bonuses. These limitations will establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions.
In addition to the higher required capital ratios and the new deductions and adjustments, the final rules increased the risk weights for certain assets, meaning that we will have to hold more capital against these assets. For example, commercial real estate loans that do not meet certain new underwriting requirements must be risk-weighted at 150%, rather than the former requirement of 100%. We will also be required to hold capital against short-term commitments that are not unconditionally cancellable. All changes to the risk weights took effect in full in 2015.
In addition, in the current economic and regulatory environment, bank regulators may impose capital requirements that are more stringent than those required by applicable existing regulations. The application of more stringent capital requirements for us could, among other things, result in lower returns on equity, require the raising of additional capital, and result in regulatory actions if we were to be unable to comply with such requirements. Implementation of changes to asset risk weightings for risk-based capital calculations, items included or deducted in calculating regulatory capital or additional capital conservation buffers, could result in management modifying our business strategy and could limit our ability to make distributions, including paying dividends or buying back our shares.
The federal banking agencies have proposed new liquidity standards that could result in our having to lengthen the term of our funding, restructure our business lines by forcing us to seek new sources of liquidity for them, and/or increase our holdings of liquid assets.
As part of the Basel III capital process, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a new liquidity standard, a liquidity coverage ratio, which requires a banking organization to hold sufficient "high quality liquid assets" to meet liquidity needs for a 30 calendar day liquidity stress scenario, as well as a net stable funding ratio, which imposes a similar requirement
over a one-year period. The U.S. banking regulators have proposed a liquidity coverage ratio for systemically important banks. Although the proposal would not apply directly to us, the substance of the proposal may inform the regulators' assessment of our liquidity. We could be required to reduce our holdings of illiquid assets and adversely affect our results and financial condition. The U.S. regulators have not yet proposed a net stable funding ratio requirement.
We face a risk of noncompliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations and corresponding enforcement proceedings.
The federal Bank Secrecy Act, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (which we refer to as the "PATRIOT Act") and other laws and regulations require financial institutions, among other duties, to institute and maintain effective anti-money laundering programs and to file suspicious activity and currency transaction reports as appropriate. The federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, established by the U.S. Treasury Department to administer the Bank Secrecy Act, is authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of those requirements and has recently engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts with the individual federal banking regulators, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service. There is also increased scrutiny of compliance with the rules enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (which we refer to as "OFAC"). Federal and state bank regulators also have begun to focus on compliance with Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering regulations. If our policies, procedures and systems are deemed deficient or the policies, procedures and systems of the financial institutions that we have already acquired or may acquire in the future are deficient, we would be subject to liability, including fines and regulatory actions such as restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan, including our acquisition plans, which would negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have serious reputational consequences for us.
Federal, state and local consumer lending laws may restrict our ability to originate certain mortgage loans or increase our risk of liability with respect to such loans and could increase our cost of doing business.
Federal, state and local laws have been adopted that are intended to eliminate certain lending practices considered "predatory." These laws prohibit practices such as steering borrowers away from more affordable products, selling unnecessary insurance to borrowers, repeatedly refinancing loans and making loans without a reasonable expectation that the borrowers will be able to repay the loans irrespective of the value of the underlying property. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") has issued several rules on mortgage lending, notably a rule requiring all home mortgage lenders to determine a borrower's ability to repay the loan. The origination of loans with certain terms and conditions and that otherwise meet the definition of a "qualified mortgage" may protect us from liability to a borrower for failing to make the necessary determinations. In either case, we may find it necessary to tighten our mortgage loan underwriting standards in response to the CFPB rules, which may constrain our ability to make loans consistent with our business strategies. It is our policy not to make predatory loans and to determine borrowers' ability to repay, but the law and related rules create the potential for increased liability with respect to our lending and loan investment activities. This law increases our cost of doing business and, ultimately, may prevent us from making certain loans and cause us to reduce the average percentage rate or the points and fees on loans that we do make.
We are subject to federal and state fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to material penalties.
Federal and state fair lending laws and regulations, such as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act, impose nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. The Department of Justice, CFPB and other federal and state agencies are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution's performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. A successful challenge to our performance under the fair lending laws and regulations could adversely impact our rating under the Community Reinvestment Act and result in a wide variety of sanctions, including the required payment of damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, imposition of restrictions on merger and acquisition activity and restrictions on expansion activity, which could negatively impact our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Federal Reserve may require us to commit capital resources to support Talmer Bank.
The Federal Reserve requires a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to a subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. Under the "source of strength" doctrine, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to such a subsidiary bank. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act directs the federal bank regulators to require that all companies that directly or indirectly
control an insured depository institution serve as a source of strength for the institution. Under these requirements, in the future, we could be required to provide financial assistance to Talmer Bank if it experiences financial distress.
A capital injection may be required at times when we do not have the resources to provide it, and therefore we may be required to borrow the funds. In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the holding company's general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by the holding company in order to make the required capital injection becomes more difficult and expensive and will adversely impact the holding company's cash flows, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management's attention and affect our ability to attract and retain executive management and qualified board members.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing requirements of The NASDAQ Stock Market and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Compliance with these rules and regulations have increased our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources, particularly now that we are no longer an "emerging growth company." The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and operating results. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management's attention may be diverted from other business concerns, including the integration of our acquired banks, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. Although we have hired additional employees to comply with these requirements, we may need to hire more employees in the future or engage outside consultants, which will increase our costs and expenses.
In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management's time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to their application and practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.
As a result of disclosure of information in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition has become more visible, which may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and operating results could be adversely affected, and even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of our management and adversely affect our business and operating results.
We are dependent on our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers, and systems failures, interruptions or breaches of security could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is highly dependent on the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party servicers. We outsource many of our major systems, such as data processing, loan servicing and deposit processing systems. The failure of these systems, or the termination of a third-party software license or service agreement on which any of these systems is based, could interrupt our operations. Because our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third-party systems, we could experience service denials if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience interruptions. If sustained or repeated, a system failure or service denial could result in a deterioration of our ability to process new and renewal loans, gather deposits and provide customer service, compromise our ability to operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business and/or subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we provide our customers the ability to bank remotely, including online over the Internet. The secure transmission of confidential information is a critical element of remote banking. Our network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, spam attacks, human error, natural disasters, power loss and other security breaches. We may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against the threat of security breaches and computer viruses, or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or viruses. Further, we outsource some of the data processing functions used for remote banking, and accordingly we are dependent on the expertise and performance of our third-party providers. To the extent that our activities, the activities of our customers, or the activities of our third-party service providers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose us to claims, litigation and other possible liabilities. Any inability to prevent security breaches or computer viruses could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in our systems and could adversely affect our reputation, results of operations and ability to attract and maintain customers and businesses. In addition, a security breach could also subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability and cause reputational damage.
We must respond to rapid technological changes, and these changes may be more difficult or expensive than anticipated.
We will have to respond to future technological changes. Specifically, if our competitors introduce new banking products and services embodying new technologies, or if new banking industry standards and practices emerge, then our existing product and service offerings, technology and systems may be impaired or become obsolete. Further, if we fail to adopt or develop new technologies or to adapt our products and services to emerging industry standards, then we may lose current and future customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The financial services industry is changing rapidly, and to remain competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve the functionality and features of our products, services and technologies. These changes may be more difficult or expensive than we anticipate.
We are subject to losses due to the errors or fraudulent behavior of employees or third parties.
We are exposed to many types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by employees and outsiders, clerical recordkeeping errors and transactional errors. Our business is dependent on our employees as well as third-party service providers to process a large number of increasingly complex transactions. We could be materially adversely affected if one of our employees causes a significant operational breakdown or failure, either as a result of human error or where an individual purposefully sabotages or fraudulently manipulates our operations or systems or if one of our third-party service providers experiences an operational breakdown or failure. When we originate loans, we rely upon information supplied by loan applicants and third parties, including the information contained in the loan application, property appraisal and title information, if applicable, and employment and income documentation provided by third parties. If any of this information is misrepresented and such misrepresentation is not detected prior to loan funding, we generally bear the risk of loss associated with the misrepresentation. Any of these occurrences could result in a diminished ability of us to operate our business, potential liability to customers, reputational damage and regulatory intervention, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Future growth or operating results may require us to raise additional capital, but that capital may not be available or may be dilutive.
We are required by federal regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. We may at some point need to raise additional capital to support our operations and any future growth.
Our ability to raise capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets, which are outside of our control and largely do not depend on our financial performance. Accordingly, we may be unable to raise capital when needed or on favorable terms. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, we will be subject to increased regulatory supervision and the imposition of restrictions on our growth and business. These restrictions could negatively affect our ability to operate or further expand our operations through loan growth, acquisitions or the establishment of additional branches. These restrictions may also result in increases in operating expenses and reductions in revenues that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and the price of our common stock.
Our financial condition may be affected negatively by the costs of litigation.
We may be involved from time to time in a variety of litigation, investigations or similar matters arising out of our business. In many cases, we may seek reimbursement from our insurance carriers to cover such costs and expenses. Our insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against us, and any claims asserted against us, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm our reputation. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements in any litigation or investigation significantly exceed our insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we may not be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future, nor may we be able to obtain adequate replacement policies with acceptable terms, if at all.
We may be adversely affected by the lack of soundness of other financial institutions.
Our ability to engage in routine funding and other transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. Defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial institutions, or the financial services industry generally, may lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses of depositor, creditor and counterparty confidence and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions.
Risks Related to our Acquisitions and our Acquisition Strategy
We are subject to risks related to our acquisition transactions.
The ultimate success of our past acquisitions and any acquisitions (whether FDIC-assisted or unassisted transactions) in which we may participate in the future will depend on a number of factors, including our ability:
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to fully integrate, and to integrate successfully, the branches acquired into our operations;
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to limit the outflow of deposits held by our new customers in the acquired branches and to successfully retain and manage interest-earning assets (loans) acquired;
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to retain existing deposits and to generate new interest-earning assets in the geographic areas previously served by the acquired banks;
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to effectively compete in new markets in which we did not previously have a presence;
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to comply with the regulatory burdens associated with FDIC-assisted acquisitions;
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to control the incremental non-interest expense from the acquired branches in a manner that enables us to maintain a favorable overall efficiency ratio;
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to retain and attract the appropriate personnel to staff the acquired branches;
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to earn acceptable levels of interest and non-interest income, including fee income, from the acquired branches; and
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to reasonably estimate cash flows for acquired loans to mitigate exposure greater than estimated losses at the time of acquisition.
As with any acquisition involving a financial institution, there may be higher than average levels of service disruptions that would cause inconveniences to our new customers or potentially increase the effectiveness of competing financial institutions in attracting our customers. We anticipate challenges and opportunities because of the unique nature of each acquisition. Integration efforts will also likely divert our management's attention and resources. We may be unable to integrate acquired branches successfully, and the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of ongoing business or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with clients, customers, depositors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of our acquisition transactions. We may also encounter unexpected difficulties or costs during the integration that could adversely affect our earnings and financial condition, perhaps materially. Additionally, we may be unable to achieve results in the future similar to those achieved by our existing banking business, to compete effectively in the market areas previously served by the acquired branches or to manage effectively any growth resulting from our acquisition transactions.
The accounting for loans acquired in connection with our acquisitions is based on numerous subjective determinations that may prove to be inaccurate and have a negative impact on our results of operations.
The loans we acquired in connection with our acquisitions have been recorded at their estimated fair value on the respective acquisition date without a carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. In general, the determination of estimated fair value of acquired loans requires management to make subjective determinations regarding discount rate, estimates of losses on defaults, market conditions and other factors that are highly subjective in nature. Although we have recorded fair value adjustments, based on our estimates at the date of acquisition, the loans we acquired may become impaired or may further deteriorate in value, resulting in additional losses and charge-offs to the loan portfolio. The fluctuations in national, regional and local economic conditions, including those related to local residential, commercial real estate and construction markets, may increase the level of charge-offs that we make to our loan portfolio and consequently reduce our capital. These fluctuations are not predictable, cannot be controlled and may have a material adverse impact on our operations and financial condition even if other favorable events occur.
Loans acquired in connection with acquisitions that have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and for which it is probable at the date of acquisition that we will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, or ASC 310-30. These credit-impaired loans, like non-credit-impaired loans acquired in connection with our acquisitions, have been recorded at their estimated fair value on the respective acquisition date, based on subjective determinations regarding risk ratings, expected future cash flows and fair value of the underlying collateral, without a carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. We evaluate these loans quarterly to assess expected cash flows. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent increases in cash flows result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior charges or a reclassification of the difference from non-accretable to accretable with a positive impact on interest income. Because the accounting for these loans is based on subjective measures that can change frequently, we may experience fluctuations in our net interest income and provisions for loan losses attributable to these loans. These fluctuations could negatively impact our results of operations.
Our strategic growth plan contemplates additional acquisitions, which could expose us to additional risks.
Since April 2010, we have completed eight acquisitions and continue to periodically evaluate opportunities to acquire additional financial institutions, including purchases of failed banks from the FDIC. As a result, we may engage in acquisitions and other transactions that could have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition, including short and long-term liquidity.
Our acquisition activities could require us to use a substantial amount of cash, other liquid assets, and/or incur debt. In addition, if goodwill recorded in connection with our potential future acquisitions were determined to be impaired, then we would be required to recognize a charge against our earnings, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations during the period in which the impairment was recognized.
Our acquisition activities could involve a number of additional risks, including the risks of:
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incurring time and expense associated with identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions and negotiating potential transactions, resulting in management’s attention being diverted from the operation of our existing business;
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using inaccurate estimates and judgments to evaluate credit, operations, management and market risks with respect to the target institution or assets;
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incurring time and expense required to integrate the operations and personnel of the combined businesses, creating an adverse short-term effect on results of operations; and
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losing key employees and customers as a result of an acquisition that is poorly received.
We may be exposed to difficulties in combining the operations of acquired institutions into our own operations, which may prevent us from achieving the expected benefits from our acquisition activities.
We may not be able to fully achieve the strategic objectives and operating efficiencies that we anticipate in our acquisition activities. Inherent uncertainties exist in integrating the operations of an acquired institution. In addition, the markets in which we and our potential acquisition targets operate are highly competitive. We may lose customers or the customers of an acquired institution as a result of an acquisition. We also may lose key personnel from the acquired institution as a result of an acquisition. We may not discover all known and unknown factors when examining an institution for acquisition during the due diligence period. These factors could produce unintended and unexpected consequences. Undiscovered factors as a result of an acquisition could bring civil, criminal and financial liabilities against us, our management and the management of the institutions we acquire. These factors could contribute to our not achieving the expected benefits from our acquisitions within desired time frames, if at all.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
Shares of our common stock are subject to dilution.
As of December 31, 2015, we had 66,114,798 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. As of December 31, 2015, we had options to purchase 7,235,424 shares of our Class A common stock with a weighted average exercise price of $6.97 per share and 1,290,780 unallocated shares under our Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, that remain available for future grants. The vesting and terms of options granted are determined by our Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2015, all of our outstanding options were fully vested. Unless earlier exercised or terminated pursuant to the terms of the grant, 442,924 expire in 2019, 2,885,000 expire in 2020, 620,000 expire in 2021, 3,252,500 expire in 2023 and
35,000 expire in 2024. The issuance of shares subject to options under the plan will further dilute your ownership of our common stock.
We may issue shares of preferred stock that would adversely affect the rights of our common shareholders.
Our authorized capital stock includes 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock of which no preferred shares are issued and outstanding. Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may designate and issue one or more series of preferred stock from the authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. Subject to limitations imposed by law or our articles of incorporation, our board of directors is empowered to determine:
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the designation of, and the number of, shares constituting each series of preferred stock;
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the dividend rate for each series;
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the terms and conditions of any voting, conversion and exchange rights for each series;
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the amounts payable on each series on redemption or our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up;
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the provisions of any sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of any series; and
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the preferences and the relative rights among the series of preferred stock.
We could issue preferred stock with voting and conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the shares of our common stock and with preferences over the common stock with respect to dividends and in liquidation.
The market price of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of an investment in our common stock to decline.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
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general market conditions;
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domestic and international economic factors unrelated to our performance;
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
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changes in or failure to meet publicly disclosed expectations as to our future financial performance;
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downgrades in securities analysts' estimates of our financial performance or lack of research and reports by industry analysts;
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changes in market valuations or earnings of similar companies;
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the expiration of contractual lock-up agreements;
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any future sales of our common stock or other securities; and
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additions or departures of key personnel.
The stock markets in general have experienced substantial volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These types of broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, shareholders have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. Any similar litigation against us could result in substantial costs, divert management's attention and resources and harm our business or results of operations. For example, we are currently operating in, and have benefited from, a protracted period of historically low interest rates that will not be sustained indefinitely, and future fluctuations in interest rates could cause an increase in volatility of the market price of our common stock.
Anti-takeover provisions in the corporate statutes and charter documents governing our organization could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of the Company and diminish the value of our common stock.
Some of the provisions of the Michigan Business Corporation Act ("MBCA") and our articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of our board of directors, preventing them from changing the composition of management. In addition, the same provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that our shareholders may consider favorable.
These provisions include the following:
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Chapter 7A of the MBCA, which imposes restrictions and requirements on investors in our voting shares above specified ownership percentages or who propose to enter into a business combination (as defined in the MBCA) with us; in some instances, the board of directors is vested with discretion to determine selectively which shareholders are, or are not, subject to these restrictions and requirements;
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the board of directors is authorized to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock and to establish the preferences and rights (including the right to vote and the right to convert into shares of common stock) of any shares issued without shareholder approval;
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limitations on the rights of shareholders to remove directors and the ability of incumbent directors to increase the size of the board and fill vacancies on the board; and
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limitations on the rights of shareholders to call special meetings of the shareholders and propose business or nominate candidates for election to our board of directors at annual and special meetings of the shareholders.
These anti-takeover provisions could impede the ability of our common shareholders to benefit from a change of control and, as a result, could have a material adverse effect on the value of our common stock and your ability to realize any potential change-in-control premium.
Shareholders may be deemed to be acting in concert or otherwise in control of us and our bank subsidiaries, which could impose prior approval requirements and result in adverse regulatory consequences for such holders.
We are a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve. Any entity (including a "group" composed of natural persons) owning 25% or more of a class of our outstanding shares of voting stock, or a lesser percentage if such holder or group otherwise exercises a "controlling influence" over us, may be subject to regulation as a "bank holding company" in accordance with the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. In addition, (1) any bank holding company or foreign bank with a U.S. presence is required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act to acquire or retain 5% or more of a class of our outstanding shares of voting stock, and (2) any person other than a bank holding company may be required to obtain prior regulatory approval under the Change in Bank Control Act to acquire or retain 10% or more of our outstanding shares of voting stock. Any shareholder that is deemed to "control" the Company for bank regulatory purposes would become subject to prior approval requirements and ongoing regulation and supervision. Such a holder may be required to divest amounts equal to or exceeding 5% of the voting shares of investments that may be deemed incompatible with bank holding company status, such as an investment in a company engaged in non-financial activities. Regulatory determination of "control" of a depository institution or holding company is based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances. Potential investors are advised to consult with their legal counsel regarding the applicable regulations and requirements.
Our common stock owned by holders determined by a bank regulatory agency to be acting in concert would be aggregated for purposes of determining whether those holders have control of a bank or bank holding company. Each shareholder obtaining control that is a "company" would be required to register as a bank holding company. "Acting in concert" generally means knowing participation in a joint activity or parallel action towards the common goal of acquiring control of a bank or a parent company, whether or not pursuant to an express agreement. The manner in which this definition is applied in individual circumstances can vary and cannot always be predicted with certainty. Many factors can lead to a finding of acting in concert, including where: (i) the shareholders are commonly controlled or managed; (ii) the shareholders are parties to an oral or written agreement or understanding regarding the acquisition, voting or transfer of control of voting securities of a bank or bank holding company; (iii) the shareholders are immediate family members; or (iv) both a shareholder and a controlling shareholder, partner, trustee or management official of such shareholder own equity in the bank or bank holding company.
Our ability to pay dividends is subject to regulatory limitations and Talmer Bank's ability to pay dividends to us is also subject to regulatory limitations.
Our ability to pay dividends is subject to restrictions under applicable banking laws and regulations, and depends upon the results of operations of our subsidiary bank. The Company is a bank holding company that conducts substantially all of its operations through Talmer Bank. As a result, our ability to make dividend payments on our common stock depends primarily on certain federal regulatory considerations and the receipt of dividends and other distributions from Talmer Bank.
Banks and bank holding companies are subject to certain regulatory restrictions on the payment of cash dividends. In addition, the Federal bank regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit bank holding companies from engaging in unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their business. The payment of dividends could be deemed an unsafe or unsound practice if
such dividends are not supported by recent earnings or we or our subsidiary bank do not, in the view of the regulators, have sufficient capital. Our ability to pay dividends will directly depend on the ability of Talmer Bank to pay dividends to us.
In addition, holders of our common stock are only entitled to receive such dividends as our board of directors may, in its unilateral discretion, declare out of funds legally available for such purpose based on a variety of considerations, including, without limitation, our historical and projected financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, capital levels, tax considerations, statutory and regulatory prohibitions and other limitations, general economic conditions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
Furthermore, under the terms of the Merger Agreement with Chemical, we may not, without the prior written consent of Chemical, make, declare or pay any dividend to our shareholders in excess of $0.05 per share per calendar quarter.
If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they publish reports with unfavorable commentary or downgrade our common stock, the price and trading volume of our common stock could decline.
The trading price of our common stock is expected to be impacted in part by research and reports that equity research analysts publish about us and our business. We do not control these analysts. Equity research analysts may elect not to provide research coverage of our common stock, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. If equity research analysts do provide research coverage of our common stock, the price of our common stock could decline if one or more of these analysts downgrade our common stock or if they issue other unfavorable commentary about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of the Company, we could lose visibility in the market, which in turn could cause our common stock price or trading volume to decline.
Our securities are not FDIC insured.
Our securities, including our common stock, are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of Talmer Bank, are not insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund, the FDIC or any other governmental agency and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties.
Our principal executive offices and Talmer Bank's main office is located at 2301 West Big Beaver Rd., Suite 525, Troy, Michigan 48084. In addition, we currently operate 49 additional branches located in Michigan, 27 branches located in Ohio, two branches located in Indiana, one branch located in Illinois, and one branch located in Nevada. We lease our principal executive office, 13 of our branches in Michigan, 11 of our branches in Ohio, our Illinois branch and our branch in Nevada. Management believes the terms of the various leases are consistent with market standards and were arrived at through arm's-length bargaining.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
From time to time we are a party to various litigation matters incidental to the conduct of our business. We are not presently party to any legal proceedings the resolution of which we believe would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity, results of operation, cash flows or capital levels.
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 and Holders of Record
Our Class A common stock began trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol "TLMR" on February 12, 2014. The following table contains a summary of the high and low sales price for our common stock and the dividends we paid per common share for the periods indicated.
As of February 26, 2016, we had 170 shareholders of record for our common stock. This figure does not represent the actual number of beneficial owns of common stock because shares are frequently held in "street name" by securities dealers and others for the benefit of individual owners who may vote the shares.
Dividend Policy
We are a bank holding company and accordingly, any dividends paid by us are subject to various federal and state regulatory limitations and also may be subject to the ability of Talmer Bank to make distributions or pay dividends to us. Our ability to pay dividends is limited by minimum capital and other requirements prescribed by law and regulation. Banking regulators have authority to impose additional limits on dividends and distributions by us and our subsidiary bank. Certain restrictive covenants in future debt instruments, if any, may also limit our ability to pay dividends or the ability of our subsidiary bank to make distributions or pay dividends to us. Any determination to pay cash dividends in the future will be at the unilateral discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a variety of considerations, including, without limitation, our historical and projected financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, capital levels, tax considerations, statutory and regulatory prohibitions and other limitations, general economic conditions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. See "Supervision and Regulation."
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement with Chemical, the Company may not, without the prior written consent of Chemical, make, declare or pay any dividend to its shareholders in excess of $0.05 per share per calendar quarter.
As noted in the above table, we began paying cash dividends of $0.01 per common share to our common shareholders in the third quarter of 2014. In the first quarter of 2016, we paid a cash dividend of $0.05 per common share to our common shareholders and we expect that we will continue to pay a comparable quarterly dividend to our common shareholders.
Stock Performance Graph
The following stock performance graph compares the cumulative total shareholder returns for our common stock, the SNL U.S. Bank NASDAQ Index and the SNL U.S. Bank and Thrift Index for the periods indicated. The graph set forth below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on an initial investment of $100 in our common stock between February 12, 2014 (the day shares of our common stock began trading) and December 31, 2015, with the comparative cumulative total return of such amount on the SNL U.S. Bank NASDAQ Index and the SNL U.S. Bank and Thrift Index over the same period. Reinvestment of all dividends is assumed to have been made in our common stock. The graph assumes our closing sales price on February 12, 2014 of $13.80 per share as the initial value of our common stock.
The following stock performance graph and related information shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or "filed" with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing. The stock performance graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial information for the periods and as of the dates indicated. We derived our balance sheet and income statement data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 from our audited consolidated financial statements. You should read this information together with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report. On January 1, 2013, we acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of First Place Bank. On January 1, 2014, we acquired Talmer West Bank. On February 6, 2015, we acquired Signature Bank. Our historical results shown in the following table and elsewhere in this Annual Report are not necessarily indicative of our future performance.
_____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Denotes a non-GAAP Financial Measure, see section entitled "GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.
(2)
Presented on a tax equivalent basis using a 35% tax rate for all periods presented.
(3)
The year ended December 31, 2015 is under Basel III transitional and the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are under Basel I.
GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Some of the financial data included in our selected historical consolidated financial information are not measures of financial performance recognized by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are "tangible shareholders' equity," "tangible book value per share", "tangible average equity to tangible average assets", and "core efficiency ratio". Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in its analysis of our performance.
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"Tangible shareholders' equity" is shareholders' equity less goodwill and other intangible assets. As with other financial assets, we considered the FDIC indemnification asset to be a tangible asset. We have not considered loan servicing rights as an intangible asset for purposes of this calculation.
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"Tangible book value per share" is defined as total equity reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets divided by total common shares outstanding. This measure is important to investors interested in changes from period-to-period in book value per share exclusive of changes in intangible assets. As with other financial assets, we considered the FDIC indemnification asset to be a tangible asset. We have not considered loan servicing rights as an intangible asset for purposes of this calculation.
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"Tangible average equity to tangible average assets" is defined as the ratio of average shareholders' equity less average goodwill and average other intangible assets, divided by average total assets. This measure is important to investors interested in relative changes from period to period in equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets. As with other financial assets, we considered the FDIC indemnification asset to be a tangible asset. We have not considered average loan servicing rights as an intangible asset for purposes of this calculation.
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"Core efficiency ratio" begins with the efficiency ratio and then excludes certain items deemed by management to be unrelated to our regular operations including bargain purchase gains, net loss on the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements, net gain on sale of branches, the fair value adjustment to our loan servicing rights, transaction and integration related costs, FDIC loss share income and expense recognized related to our targeted review of property efficiency.
We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to management and investors that is supplementary to our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows computed in accordance with GAAP; however, we acknowledge that our non-GAAP financial measures have a number of limitations. As such, you should not view these disclosures as a substitute for results determined in accordance with GAAP, and they are not necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that other companies use. The following reconciliation table provides a more detailed analysis of these non-GAAP financial measures:
(1) Prior to January 1, 2013, we accounted for loan servicing rights using the amortization method. The years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 include the impairment recognized on loan servicing rights.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion describes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and also analyzes our financial condition as of December 31, 2015 as compared to December 31, 2014. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the "Selected Financial Data" and our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Historical results of operations and the percentage relationships among any amounts included, and any trends that may appear, may not indicate trends in operations or results of operations for any future periods.
We have made, and will continue to make, various forward-looking statements with respect to financial and business matters. Comments regarding our business that are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements that involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements.
For additional information regarding our cautionary disclosures, see the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" beginning on page 1 of this Annual Report.
Business Overview
Talmer Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Troy, Michigan. Between April 30, 2010 and December 31, 2015, we successfully completed eight acquisitions totaling $6.0 billion in assets and $6.1 billion in liabilities. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary bank, Talmer Bank, we are a full service community bank offering a full suite of commercial banking, retail banking, mortgage banking, wealth management and trust services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals primarily within Southeastern Michigan, Western Michigan and in smaller communities in Northeastern Michigan, as well as Northeastern Ohio, Chicago, Illinois, Northern Indiana, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Our product line includes loans to small and medium-sized businesses, residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, residential and commercial construction and development loans, farmland and agricultural production loans, home equity loans, consumer loans and a variety of commercial and consumer demand, savings and time deposit products. We also offer online banking and bill payment services, online cash management, safe deposit box rentals, debit card and ATM card services and the availability of a network of ATMs for our customers.
We have grown substantially since our operations began in August of 2007 through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. Since April 30, 2010, Talmer Bank has acquired the following four banks from the FDIC, as receiver, all of which have been fully integrated into our operations:
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CF Bancorp, Port Huron, Michigan on April 30, 2010;
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First Banking Center, Burlington, Wisconsin on November 19, 2010;
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Peoples State Bank, Hamtramck, Michigan on February 11, 2011; and
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Community Central Bank, Mount Clemens, Michigan on April 29, 2011.
On December 15, 2011, we closed on the acquisition of Lake Shore Wisconsin Corporation, which divested its subsidiary, Hiawatha National Bank, to its shareholders prior to closing. Lake Shore Wisconsin Corporation's remaining assets consisted of approximately $26.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, which we acquired in the transaction.
On January 1, 2013, we closed on the acquisition of First Place Bank acquiring $2.6 billion in assets at fair value, including $1.5 billion in loans, net of unearned income, $139.8 million in investment securities, $42.0 million in loan servicing rights, and $18.4 million of other real estate owned. We also acquired $2.5 billion of liabilities at fair value, including $2.1 billion of retail deposits with a core deposit intangible of $9.8 million, and $334.8 million of debt. First Place Bank was merged into Talmer Bank on February 10, 2014.
On January 1, 2014, we closed on the acquisition of Talmer West Bank, formerly Michigan Commerce Bank, acquiring $910.3 million in assets at fair value, including $571.7 million in loans, net of unearned income, $13.6 million in investment securities, $30.9 million in other real estate owned and $767 thousand in loan servicing rights. We also acquired $861.8 million of liabilities at fair value, including $857.8 million of retail deposits with a core deposit intangible of $3.6 million. Talmer West Bank was merged into Talmer Bank on August 21, 2015.
On February 6, 2015, we closed on the acquisition of Signature Bank, acquiring $228.3 million in assets at fair value, including $162.3 million in loans, net of unearned income and $34.0 million in investment securities. We also acquired $218.4 million of liabilities at fair value, including $201.5 million of retail deposits and $13.1 million of debt. Signature Bank was merged into Talmer Bank immediately upon acquisition.
On December 28, 2015, Talmer Bank entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated its loss share agreements with the FDIC. In April 2010, as consideration for Talmer Bank's acquisition of CF Bancorp from the FDIC, as receiver, the Company issued warrants to the FDIC to purchase 390,000 shares of our Class B Non-Voting Common Stock (the "Warrant"). Under the terms of the termination agreement discussed above, the parties also agreed to terminate the Warrant. Accordingly, also on December 28, 2015, the Company and the FDIC entered into a warrant termination agreement. Under the early termination agreement, Talmer Bank paid $11.7 million to the FDIC as consideration for the early termination of the loss share agreements, and under the warrant termination, we paid $4.5 million to the FDIC as consideration to terminate all outstanding warrants. The early loss share termination and warrant termination resulted in a pre-tax charge of $20.4 million, or approximately $13.9 million after tax during the year ended December 31, 2015. This charge resulted from the write-off of the remaining FDIC indemnification asset and FDIC receivable and the $16.2 million total payment to the FDIC, partially offset by the release of both the FDIC warrant payable and the FDIC clawback liability. As a result of the transaction, all loans, allowance for loan losses and other real estate owned previously classified as covered were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015.
Financial Overview
As of December 31, 2015, we had $4.8 billion in total loans, compared to $4.2 billion at December 31, 2014. Approximately 70.3% of our total loans were generated through non-acquisition growth, primarily as a result of the various commercial and residential lenders that we hired over the past five years. Of the $4.8 billion in total loans at December 31, 2015, $1.4 billion, or 29.7%, consisted of loans we acquired in transactions discussed above (all of which were adjusted to their estimated fair values at the time of acquisition).
We had net income of $60.1 million, $90.9 million, and $98.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2015, net income was reduced by a $20.4 million charge related to the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements and the FDIC warrant and $4.2 million of transaction and integration related expenses, which included anticipated and paid severance payments for reductions in the work force following our acquisition and integration of First of Huron Corp. and the operational integration of Talmer West Bank, each of which were completed in February 2015, system conversion expenses and bank acquisition and due diligence fees. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014, included a bargain purchase gain of $42.0 million resulting from our acquisition of Talmer West Bank and $14.4 million in net gain resulting from the sales of Talmer Bank's former Wisconsin branches and Talmer West Bank's former New Mexico branch. We also incurred $13.6 million of transaction and integration related expenses during the year ended December 31, 2014, including severance expense, bank acquisition and due diligence fees, bonus payments related to our successful acquisition of Talmer West Bank, the merger of First Place Bank with and into Talmer Bank and the completion of our initial public offering, as well as expenses incurred related to the termination of certain software contracts. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 included a bargain purchase gain of $71.7 million resulting from our acquisition of First Place Bank and $30.8 million of transaction and integration related expenses.
Our transaction and integration related expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are detailed in the tables below.
Subsequent to each acquisition, we have sought to realize efficiencies by utilizing technology to streamline our operations, centralize back-office functions of our acquired banks and realized cost savings through the use of third party vendors.
The efficiency ratio is a measure of noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income and noninterest income. Our efficiency ratios was 75.2% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 68.0% for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 71.8% for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our core efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measurement, begins with the efficiency ratio and then excludes certain items deemed by management to be unrelated to regular operations including bargain purchase gains, the fair value adjustment to our loan servicing rights, transaction and integration related costs, FDIC loss share income, net loss on the early termination of FDIC loss share agreements, property efficiency review expense and gain on sales of branches. Our efforts to improve our operating efficiency are evidenced by the improvement in our core operating efficiency ratio over the past two years. Our core operating efficiency ratio improved to 63.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 72.8% for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 80.4% for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Recent Development
Proposed Merger with Chemical Financial Corporation
On January 25, 2016, the Company and Chemical Financial Corporation (“Chemical”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the merger of the Company with and into Chemical. The Merger Agreement was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of the Company and Chemical.
The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Talmer will be merged with and into Chemical, with Chemical as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). After completion of the Merger, Chemical intends to consolidate Talmer Bank with and into Chemical Bank, Chemical’s wholly-owned subsidiary bank, with Chemical Bank as the surviving institution (the “Bank Merger”).
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, in the Merger, each shareholder of the Company will receive 0.4725 shares of Chemical common stock and $1.61 in cash for each share of the Company's common stock owned by the shareholder. Each stock option to purchase shares of the Company's common stock that remains outstanding at the effective time of the Merger will be assumed by Chemical and will be converted into a stock option with respect to Chemical’s common stock (excluding certain of the Company's stock options that may be cancelled and cashed out as provided in the Merger Agreement), at the conversion rate set forth in the Merger Agreement. All restricted stock awards of the Company that are unvested and remain outstanding at the effective time of the Merger will be converted into restricted stock awards of Chemical, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the Company's restricted stock awards.
Economic Overview
Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) increased at an annual rate of 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2.0% in the third quarter of 2015 as indicated by the Bureau of Economic Analysis preliminary estimate report published by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Over the past 18 quarters, there has been positive GDP growth 17 times.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) continued to fall to 5.0% as of December 31, 2015, down from 5.6% as of December 31, 2014 and 6.7% as of December 31, 2013. Recent strength in the jobs market was one of the factors cited by the Federal Reserve in its recent decision to raise the benchmark interest rate 25 basis points.
Total existing home sales in the U.S., as indicated by McGraw-Hill Financials, showed mixed signs with existing home sales at a seasonally adjusted 4.8 million units for the rolling twelve months ended December 31, 2015, up 7.1% from the rolling twelve month total of 4.5 million units as of December 31, 2014. Inventory levels were at a 3.9 months’ supply, or 1.6 million units, as of December 31, 2015, compared to a 4.4 months’ supply as of December 31, 2014. New home sales were up to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 490 thousand units as of November 30, 2015, up 9.1% from 449 thousand as of November 30, 2014. Inventory for new homes increased to a 5.7 months’ supply as of November 30, 2015 versus a 5.6 month supply as of November 30, 2014, while the median sales price of new homes increased 0.8% to $305 thousand for the same period. Home values of existing homes, as indicated by the Case-Shiller 20 city index (seasonally adjusted), showed an increase of 5.8% from November 2014 to November 2015. The pace of increasing values has increased from the November 2014 year-over-year increase of 4.3%.
Bankruptcy filings, per the U.S. Court Statistics, also improved with total filings down 6.1% for the 12 months ending June 30, 2015, compared to the 12 months ending December 31, 2014, with business filings down 7.2% and personal filings down 6.1% for the period. It should be noted that the pace of reduction has slowed, and that business filings in Northern Illinois were up 6.8%, the first increases in over three years.
According to McGraw-Hill Financials compilation of Residential Real Estate Statistics, overall mortgage industry performance saw improvement with prime mortgage delinquency falling to 2.9% as of December 31, 2015 versus 3.3% as of December 31, 2014 and 3.5% as of December 31, 2013, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. New foreclosures on prime loans were at 0.2% as of December 31, 2015, down from the December 31, 2014 level of 0.3% and down from 0.4% as of December 31, 2013. According to S&P Indices, first mortgages in default were also down at 0.8% as of December 31, 2015 from 1.0% as of December 31, 2014. The continued improvements are supported by a decrease in the affordability index (the ratio between mortgage payments and average income), which decreased 2.6% as of November 30, 2015 to 167.4 from November 30, 2014 at 171.9. Despite the improving economic conditions year over year, the overall consumer confidence index, ending December 31, 2015 was at 96.5, up 3.7% from 93.1 as of December 31, 2014. It should be noted, however, that the December 2015 index of 96.5 is down 7.0% from the January 2015 index high of 103.8.
According to the Beige Book published by the Federal Reserve Board in December 2015, overall economic activity was improved. The Fourth (Cleveland) Federal Reserve District and the Seventh (Chicago) Federal Reserve District reported modest growth and the Twelfth (San Francisco) Federal Reserve District reported moderate growth.
According to the Beige Book published by the Federal Reserve Board in December 2015, on balance, the economy in the Cleveland District expanded at a modest pace. Factory output was stable. The housing market improved, with higher unit sales and higher prices. Nonresidential building contractors reported continued strong activity. Retailers, restaurateurs, and new-car dealerships saw higher revenues on a year-over-year basis. The demand for business and consumer credit moved slowly higher. Exploration in the Marcellus and Utica Shales declined; investment in midstream and downstream projects expanded. Freight volume trended lower. Reports indicated a tightening in labor markets. Net gains in employment were seen in construction and banking. Staffing firms reported a pickup in the number of job openings, although many are temporary positions. Job placements were stable. Wage pressure is widespread, especially in higher-skilled jobs. Overall, input and finished-goods prices were steady.
According to the Beige Book published by the Federal Reserve Board in December 2015, growth in economic activity in the Chicago District continued at a modest pace. Gains in construction and real estate were moderate, while growth in consumer and business spending remained modest. In contrast, there was little change in the level of manufacturing production. Credit conditions were about the same as the last reporting period. Raw material and most retail prices changed little. Wage pressures remained limited. District corn and soybean harvests exceeded expectations, and most agricultural commodity prices fell. Growth in consumer spending continued at a modest pace as well. Overall, non-auto retail sales continued to increase at a modest pace. Traditional retailers reported mixed views and greater uncertainty surrounding holiday sales this year relative to last year, while internet retailers expected sales to increase at a faster rate. New and used light vehicle sales remained strong, and leasing activity increased noticeably. Growth in business spending slowed to a more modest pace. Most retailers and manufacturers indicated that their inventories were at comfortable levels. Current capital spending slowed and now appears in line with the modest plans for capital outlays that have been reported for a while. Current expenditures were primarily focused on replacing industrial and IT equipment, though spending on structures picked up. Auto suppliers continued to report plans to expand capacity, with attendant hiring and capital spending to follow suit. Overall, though, the pace of hiring slowed notably, particularly for non-auto-related manufacturers, and hiring plans remained modest.
According to the Beige Book published by the Federal Reserve Board in December 2015, economic activity in the San Francisco District (covering the Bank's Las Vegas market) grew at a moderate pace during the fourth quarter of 2015. Overall price inflation ticked up, and upward wage pressures increased further. Retail sales grew moderately, while demand for business and consumer services expanded. Manufacturing output was largely unchanged. Agricultural activity edged up modestly. Conditions in residential and commercial real estate markets continued to strengthen. Activity in the financial services sector expanded at a modest pace. Food and beverage sales slowed a bit from the summer months but remained solid. Sales of online games remained brisk, and contacts expect strong movie releases over the holiday season to propel additional growth.
The economy in the state of Michigan noted slow improvements during the fourth quarter of 2015. The unemployment rate, as indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, remained at 5.1% as of December 31, 2015, down from 6.4% as of December 31, 2014 and 8.0% as of December 31, 2013. Other improvements included a 6.0% decline in total bankruptcies, per the U.S. Court Statistics, during the 12 months ending June 30, 2015 compared to the 12 months ending December 31, 2014.
As of December 31, 2015, $1.7 billion, or 34.4% of our total loans, are to businesses and consumers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan statistical area ("MSA"), which includes Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, St. Clair and Lapeer counties in the state of Michigan. Unemployment in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA, as indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was at 6.4% as of December 31, 2015, from 7.6% as of December 31, 2014, and 10.1% at December 31, 2013. The Detroit MSA showed an increase in home prices as reported in the Case-Shiller index (seasonally adjusted) of 5.9% for the rolling twelve months ending November 30, 2015 from 2.7% for the 12 months ending November 30, 2014. As of December 31, 2015, approximately $60.8 million, or less than two percent, of our loan portfolio were loans to borrowers located in the city of Detroit.
The Ohio economy also showed signs of slowing recovery. Unemployment, as indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was down at 4.7% as of December 31, 2015, compared to 5.1% as of December 31, 2014 and 6.7% as of December 31, 2013. The Cleveland MSA showed higher unemployment of 3.9% as of December 31, 2015, down from 5.2% as of December 31, 2014. Bankruptcies in Ohio, per the U.S. Court Statistics, were down 3.4% during the 12 months ending June 30, 2015 when compared to the 12 months ending December 31, 2014. New business bankruptcies were unchanged. The Case-
Shiller index for the Cleveland market indicates housing prices increases have cooled and were up 2.2% for the twelve month period ending November 30, 2015, versus 0.6% increase for the 12 months ending November 30, 2014.
The Illinois economy also showed signs of a slowing recovery. Unemployment, as indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was down at 5.9% as of December 31, 2015, compared to 6.2% as of December 31, 2014 and 8.3% as of December 31, 2013. Unemployment in the Chicago MSA was unchanged at 5.7% as of December 31, 2015, compared to 5.7% as of December 31, 2014 and from 8.1% as of December 31, 2013. Bankruptcies in the Northern Illinois region, as indicated by the U.S. Court Statistics, were down 4.0% for the 12 months ending June 30, 2015 compared to the 12 months ending December 31, 2014. However, business filings were up 6.8% for the same period. Home values, as indicated by the Case-Shiller index for the Chicago MSA were up 2.0% for the twelve-month period ending November 30, 2015, compared to 1.6% increase for the 12 months ending November 30, 2014.
The Indiana economy continued to recover. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate was down at 4.4% as of December 31, 2015, compared to 5.9% as of December 31, 2014 and from 6.3% as of December 31, 2013. This is the lowest unemployment rate in Indiana in the past 10 years. Unemployment in the Elkhart MSA was also down at 3.6% as of December 31, 2015 versus 4.9% as of December 31, 2014, and 6.1% as of December 31, 2013. In addition, personal and business bankruptcy filings in Northern Indiana, per the U.S. Court Statistics, for the 12 months ending June 30, 2015 was down 2.9% compared to the 12 months ending December 31, 2014, as indicated by U.S. Court Statistics. Indiana real estate values have improved according to statistics from Zillow with prices increasing 3.3% for the twelve months ending November 30, 2015.
The Nevada economy also showed signs of gradual recovery. Unemployment, as indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was down at 6.4% as of December 31, 2015 compared to 7.0% as of December 31, 2014 and down from 8.6% as of December 31, 2013. This is Nevada’s lowest rate since May 2008. Unemployment in the Las Vegas MSA was also down at 6.2% as of December 31, 2015 versus 7.0% as of December 31, 2014, and 8.6% as of December 31, 2013. Bankruptcies in the Nevada region, according to Department of Justice reports, were down 9.2% for the 12 months ending June 30, 2015 compared to the 12 months ending December 31, 2014. Home values, as indicated by the Case-Shiller index for the Las Vegas market were up 5.2% for the 12 months ending November 30, 2015 versus an increase of 7.5% for the 12 months ending November 30, 2014.
Summary of Acquisition and Loss Share Accounting
We determined the fair value of our acquired assets and liabilities in accordance with accounting requirements for fair value measurement and acquisition transactions as promulgated in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Subtopic 310-30, "Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"), ASC Topic 805, "Business Combinations" ("ASC 805"), and ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures." The determination of the initial fair values on loans and other real estate purchased in an acquisition and the related FDIC indemnification asset require significant judgment and complexity.
At the time of each respective acquisition, we determine the fair value of our acquired loans on a loan by loan basis by dividing the loans into two categories: (1) specifically reviewed loans-loans where the future cash flows are estimated based on a specific review of the loan, and (2) non-specifically reviewed loans-loans where the future cash flows for each loan are estimated using an automated cash flow calculation model. For specifically reviewed loans, a designated group of credit officers, specialized in loan workouts and credit quality assessment, work with personnel from the acquired institution to review borrower cash payment activity, current appraisals, loan write ups, and watch list reports (including the current past due status and risk ratings assigned) to estimate future cash flows on the acquired loans. The estimated future cash flows are then discounted to determine initial fair value. For our acquisition of CF Bancorp, the specifically reviewed loan population included all loans with credit quality indicators of special mention or worse, all loans that had an outstanding balance of $2.0 million or more, and all loans with a matured status as of the April 30, 2010 acquisition date, resulting in approximately 50% of the acquired loan portfolio being specifically reviewed loans. For our acquisitions of First Banking Center and Peoples State Bank, the specifically reviewed loan population included all loans with a principal balance of $350 thousand or more, and for our acquisition of Community Central Bank, the specifically reviewed loan population included all loans with a principal balance of $475 thousand or more, resulting in approximately 60% of the acquired loan portfolios being specifically reviewed loans for each of these acquisitions. For our acquisition of First Place Bank, the specifically reviewed loan population included all commercial loans with an outstanding balance of $750 thousand or more, all residential mortgage loans with an outstanding balance of $1.0 million or more, and all impaired loans with a balance of $250 thousand or more as of the January 1, 2013 acquisition date, resulting in approximately 30% of the acquired loan portfolio being specifically reviewed. For our acquisition of Talmer West Bank, the specifically reviewed loan population included all loans with an outstanding balance of $500 thousand or more and a substantial portion of impaired loans with a balance of $250 thousand or more as of the January 1,
2014 acquisition date, resulting in approximately 50% of the acquired loan portfolio being specifically reviewed. For our acquisition of First of Huron Corp., the specifically reviewed loan population included all loans with an outstanding balance of $250 thousand or more and a substantial portion of impaired loans with a balance of $200 thousand or more as of the February 6, 2015 acquisition date, resulting in approximately 35% of the acquired loan portfolio being specifically reviewed.
Non-specifically reviewed loans are categorized by risk profile and processed through an automated cash flow calculation model to generate expected cash flows on a loan by loan basis using contractual loan payment information such as coupon, payment type and amounts, and remaining maturity, along with assumptions that are assigned to each individual loan based on risk cohorts. Risk profiles are determined based on loan type, risk rating, delinquency history, current delinquency status, vintage, and collateral type. For our non-specifically reviewed loans, we apply life of loan default and loss assumptions, defined at a cohort level, to estimate future cash-flows. The assumptions are based on credit migration (migration of risk rating and past due status) combined with default, severity and prepayment data indicative of the market based upon market experience and benchmarking analysis of similar loans and/or portfolio sales and valuation. This information is captured through observation of comparable market transactions. Estimated future cash flows are discounted for each loan to determine initial fair value.
Where a loan exhibits evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the acquisition date that we will not collect all principal and interest payments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, we account for the loan under ASC 310-30, as a purchased credit impaired loan. At the date of acquisition, the majority of loans acquired in the CF Bancorp, First Banking Center, People State Bank and Community Central Bank acquisitions, as well as approximately 30% of the loans acquired in our acquisition of First Place Bank, 40% of the loans acquired in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank and 25% of the loans acquired in our acquisition of First of Huron Corp. were accounted for under ASC 310-30 as purchased credit impaired loans. We account for all purchased credit impaired loans on a loan by loan basis. We recognize the expected shortfall of expected future cash flows on these loans, as compared to the contractual amount due, as a nonaccretable discount. Any excess of the net present value of expected future cash flows over the acquisition date fair value is recognized as accretable yield. The accretable yield includes both the expected coupon of the loan and the discount accretion. We recognize accretable discount as interest income over the expected remaining life of the purchased credit impaired loan using a method that approximates the level yield method.
Fair value premiums and discounts established on acquired loans accounted for outside the scope of ASC 310-30 fall under FASB ASC Subtopic 310-20, "Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs" ("ASC 310-20") and are accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loan's yield.
Because we record all acquired loans at fair value, we do not record an allowance for loan losses related to acquired loans on the acquisition date. We re-estimate expected cash flows on our purchased credit impaired loans on a quarterly basis. This re-estimation process is performed on a loan by loan basis and replicates the methods used in determining the initial fair value at the acquisition date. We aim to segment the purchased credit impaired loan portfolio between those that are specifically reviewed and those that are non-specifically reviewed loans to maintain similar or greater coverage as at the acquisition date in the specifically reviewed loan population.
Any decline in expected cash flows identified during the quarterly re-estimation process results in impairment which is measured based on the present value of the new expected cash flows, discounted using the pre-impairment accounting yield of the loan, compared to the recorded investment in the loan. An impairment that is due to a decline in expected cash flows is known as credit impairment, while an impairment that is due to a change in the expected timing of such cash flows is known as timing impairment. If any portion of the impairment is due to credit impairment, we record all of the impairment as provision for loan losses during the period. However, if the impairment is only related to a change in the expected timing of the cash flows, the impairment is recognized prospectively as a decrease in yield on the loan. Before the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements in the fourth quarter of 2015, declines in cash flow expectations on covered loans due to credit impairment also resulted in an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset which was recorded as noninterest income in "FDIC loss share income" in our consolidated statements of income in the period. Any improvements in expected cash flows and the effect of changes in expected timing in the receipt of the expected cash flows, once any previously recorded impairment is recaptured, is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the accretable yield on the loan. Before the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements, improvements in cash flows on loans covered by a loss share agreement resulted in a decline in the expected indemnification cash flows which was reflected as a downward yield adjustment on the FDIC indemnification asset.
We modify loans in the normal course of business and assess all loan modifications to determine whether a modification constitutes a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR") in accordance with ASC 310-40, "Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors" ("ASC 310-40"). For non-purchased credit impaired loans excluded from ASC 310-30 accounting, a modification is considered a TDR when a borrower is experiencing difficulties and we have granted a concession to the borrower that we would not normally consider and we conclude the concession results in an inability to collect all amounts due, including
interest accrued at the original contractual terms. The concessions granted may include: principal deferral, interest rate concession, forbearance, principal reduction or A/B note restructure (where the original loan is restructured into two notes where, one reflects the portion of the modified loan which is expected to be collected, and one that is fully charged off). None of the modifications to date were due to partial satisfaction of the loan.
For purchased credit impaired loans accounted for individually under ASC 310-30 (which is all of our purchased credit impaired loans), a modification is considered a TDR when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and the effective yield after the modification is less than the effective yield at the time of the purchase in association with consideration of qualitative factors included within ASC 310-40. When a modification qualifies as a TDR and was initially individually accounted for under ASC 310-30, the loan is required to be moved from ASC 310-30 accounting and accounted for under ASC 310-40. In order to accomplish the transfer of the accounting for the TDR from ASC 310-30 to ASC 310-40, the loan is essentially retained in the ASC 310-30 accounting model and subject to the periodic cash flow re-estimation process. Similar to loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, deterioration in expected cash flows results in the recognition of impairment and an allowance for loan loss. However, unlike loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, improvements in estimated cash flows on these loans result only in recapturing previously recognized allowance for loan losses and the yield remains at the last yield recognized under ASC 310-30.
Acquired loans that are paid in full or are otherwise settled results in accelerated recognition of any remaining loan discount through "Accelerated discount on acquired loans" in our consolidated statements of income in the period. Before the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements, if such loans were covered loans, any remaining FDIC indemnification asset no longer expected to be received was also written off through "Accelerated discount on acquired loans" in our consolidated statements of income in the corresponding period.
Before the early termination of our loss share agreements, the loss share agreements and the purchase accounting impact from our acquisitions created volatility in our cash flows and operating results. Even though our loss share agreements have been terminated, the effects of purchase accounting primarily on purchased credit impaired loans, on our cash flows and operating results can continue to create volatility as we work with borrowers to determine appropriate repayment terms or alternate resolutions. These effects will depend primarily on the ability of borrowers to make required payments over an extended period of time. At acquisition, management believes sufficient inherent discounts representing the expected losses compared to their acquired contractual payment amounts, were established. As a result, our operating results would only be adversely affected by losses to the extent that those losses exceed the expected losses reflected in the fair value at the acquisition date.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared based on the application of accounting policies generally accepted in the United States, the most significant of which are described in Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to our audited consolidated financial statements. These policies require the reliance on estimates and assumptions, which may prove inaccurate or are subject to variations. Changes in underlying factors, assumptions, or estimates could have a material impact on our future financial condition and results of operations. The most critical of these significant accounting policies are the policies related to the allowance for loan losses, fair valuation methodologies, purchased loans and income taxes. These policies were reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and are discussed more fully below.
Allowance for loan losses
We maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level we believe is sufficient to absorb probable, incurred credit losses in our loan portfolio given the conditions at the time. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based on periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio and other factors. These evaluations are inherently subjective as they require management to make material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by actual charge-offs, net of recoveries or previous amounts charged-off.
Purchased loans
We maintain an allowance for loan losses on purchased loans based on credit deterioration subsequent to the acquisition date. In accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations, there was no allowance brought forward on any of the acquired loans as any credit deterioration evident in the loans was included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date. For purchased credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 and troubled debt restructurings previously individually accounted for under ASC 310-30, management establishes an allowance for credit deterioration subsequent to the date of acquisition by re-estimating expected cash flows on these loans on a quarterly basis, with any decline in expected cash flows due to credit triggering impairment recorded as provision for loan losses. Impairment is measured as the excess of the recorded investment in a loan over the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted
at the pre-impairment accounting yield of the loan. For any increases in cash flows expected to be collected, we first reverse any previously recorded allowance for loan losses, then adjust the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the loan's remaining life. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. While the determination of specific cash flows involves estimates, each estimate is unique to the individual loan, and none is individually significant. For non-purchased credit impaired loans acquired in our acquisitions of First Place Bank and Talmer West Bank that are accounted for under ASC 310-20, the historical loss estimates are based on the historical losses experienced by First Place Bank or Talmer West Bank, as applicable, or Talmer Bank, following each respective bank's merger with Talmer Bank, for loans with similar characteristics as those acquired other than purchased credit impaired loans. We record an allowance for loan losses only when the calculated amount exceeds the remaining credit mark established at acquisition. For all other purchased loans accounted for under ASC 310-20 or under ASC 310-40, the allowance is calculated in accordance with the methods used to calculate the allowance for loan losses for originated loans.
Originated loans
For loans we originate, the allowance consists of specific allowances, based on individual evaluation of certain loans, and allowances for homogeneous pools of loans with similar risk characteristics.
Our specific allowance relates to impaired loans that we individually evaluate for impairment. Impaired loans include loans placed on nonaccrual status and troubled debt restructurings. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. For individually evaluated impaired loans, a specific allowance is established when the discounted expected cash flows or the fair value of the underlying collateral, if repayment is collateral dependent, of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of the loan. The valuations are reviewed and updated on a quarterly basis. While the determination of a specific allowance may involve estimates, each estimate is unique to the individual loan, and none is individually significant.
Loans that do not meet the criteria to be evaluated individually are evaluated in homogeneous pools of loans with similar characteristics. The allowance for commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and real estate construction loans that are not individually evaluated for impairment begins with a process of estimating probable incurred losses in the portfolio. These estimates are established based on our internal credit risk ratings and historical loss data. We assign internal credit risk ratings to each business loan at the time the loan is approved and these risk ratings are subjected to subsequent periodic reviews by senior management, at least annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of a circumstance that affects the credit risk of the loan. Since the operating history of Talmer Bank is limited and it has grown rapidly, the historical loss estimates for loans are based on a combination of actual historical loss experienced by peer group banks in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Nevada and our own historical losses. Loss estimates are established by loan type including residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial and real estate construction, and further segregated by region, including Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Nevada, where applicable. In addition, management consideration is given to borrower rating migration experience and trends, industry concentrations and conditions, changes in collateral values of properties securing loans and trends with respect to past due and nonaccrual amounts and any adjustments are made accordingly.
The principal assumption used in deriving the allowance for loan losses is the estimate of probable, incurred credit loss for loans in each risk rating. Since a loss ratio is applied to a large portfolio of loans, any variation between actual and assumed results could be significant. To illustrate, if recent loss experience dictated that the estimated loss ratios would be changed by five percent (of the estimate) across all risk ratings, the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2015 would change by approximately $582 thousand.
Note 6, "Allowance for Loan Losses," to our consolidated financial statements includes additional information about the allowance for loan losses.
Fair value
The use of fair values is required in determining the carrying values of certain assets and liabilities, as well as for specific disclosures. Fair value is an estimate of the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction (i.e. not a forced transaction, such as a liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date and is based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability.
In determining the fair value of financial instruments, market prices of the same or similar instruments are used whenever such prices are available. If observable market prices are unavailable or impracticable to obtain, we are required to make judgments about assumptions market participants would use in estimating the fair value of the financial instrument. Fair value is estimated using modeling techniques and incorporates assumptions about interest rates, duration, prepayment speeds, risks inherent in a particular valuation technique and the risk of nonperformance. These assumptions are inherently subjective
as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The models used to determine fair value adjustments are periodically evaluated by management for relevance under current facts and circumstances.
Fair value measurement and disclosure guidance differentiates between those assets and liabilities required to be carried at fair value at every reporting period ("recurring") and those assets and liabilities that are only required to be adjusted to fair value under certain circumstances ("nonrecurring"). Note 3, "Fair Value," to our audited consolidated financial statements includes information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities and the valuation methodologies and key inputs used.
Purchased loans
We record purchased loans 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, whether the loan has a fixed or variable interest rate, its term and whether or not the loan was amortizing, and our assessment of risk inherent in the cash flow estimates. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
We account for and evaluate purchased credit impaired loans for impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC 310-30. We estimate the cash flows expected to be collected on purchased loans based upon the expected remaining life of the loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. Cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. We perform re-estimations for each purchased credit impaired loan portfolio on a quarterly basis. Any decline in expected cash flows as a result of these re-estimations, due in any part to a change in credit, is deemed credit impairment, and recorded as provision for loan losses during the period. Any decline in expected cash flows due only to changes in expected timing of cash flows is recognized prospectively as a decrease in yield on the loan and any improvement in expected cash flows, once any previously recorded impairment is recaptured, is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the yield on the loan. Acquired loans accounted for outside the scope of ASC 310-30 are included in the population assessed for impairment under the methods used to calculate the allowance for loan losses for originated loans.
The re-estimation process for purchased credit impaired loans is performed on a loan by loan basis and replicates the methods used in determining fair value at each acquisition date as described above in "Summary of Acquisition and Loss Share Accounting." We aim to segment the purchased credit impaired loan portfolio between specifically reviewed loans and non-specifically reviewed loans to maintain similar or greater coverage as at the acquisition date in the specifically reviewed loan population.
Purchased loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 are accounted for under ASC 310-20 or ASC 310-40, where applicable. Adjustments created when the loans were recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition are amortized or accreted over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loan's yield.
Note 5, "Loans," to our audited consolidated financial statements includes additional information about purchased loans.
Income taxes
The calculation of our income tax provision, tax-related accruals and deferred taxes is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgments. Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due to taxing jurisdictions, currently or in the future, and are included net in "income tax benefit" on the consolidated balance sheets. We evaluate and assess the relative risks and appropriate tax treatment of transactions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other relevant information and maintain tax accruals consistent with our evaluation of these relative risks. Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by taxing authorities and changes to statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance that impact the relative risks of tax positions. These changes, when they occur, can affect deferred and accrued taxes as well as the current period's income tax expense and can be material to our operating results.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences, deductions and tax credits that can be carried forward and utilized in future years. We assess whether a valuation allowance should be established against our deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence using a "more likely than not" standard. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. The valuation of current and deferred tax liabilities and assets is considered critical as it requires management to make estimates based on provisions of the enacted tax laws and other future events. The assessment of tax assets and liabilities involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgments concerning certain accounting pronouncements and federal and state tax codes. There can be no assurance that future events, such as court
decisions or positions of federal and state taxing authorities, will not differ from management's current assessment, the impact of which could be significant to the consolidated results of operations and reported earnings.
We are subject to audit by taxing authorities that could question and/or challenge the tax positions taken by us. Note 16, "Income Taxes," to our audited consolidated financial statements includes additional information about income taxes.
Financial Results
We had net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 of $60.1 million, or $0.81 per average diluted share, compared to $90.9 million, or $1.21 per average diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2014. The $30.7 million decrease in net income for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, included the impact of the $20.4 million charge taken in the fourth quarter of 2015 related to the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements and the FDIC warrant, the $42.0 million first quarter of 2014 bargain purchase gain recognized on the acquisition of Talmer West Bank and the $14.4 million net gain on sale of branches recognized in 2014. Excluding these significant items, income before income taxes was $104.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $62.2 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase, excluding the previously discussed significant items was primarily due to increases in accelerated discount on acquired loans of $14.5 million, net gain on sales of loans of $11.8 million and net interest income of $10.4 million and a decrease in credit-related expenses of $13.5 million. Accelerated discount on acquired loans results from cash payments received outside of expectations. The increase in net gain on sales of loans was primarily due to an increase in levels of residential mortgage loans originated for sale. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to the $693.4 million increase in average loans. The decrease in credit-related expenses was primarily due to the benefit for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2015 which reflects the relief of allowance for loan losses due to payments received on loans previously charged-off and/or carrying an allowance for loan loss.
We had net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 of $90.9 million, or $1.21 per average diluted share, compared to $98.6 million, or $1.41 per average diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results for the year ended December 31, 2014 reflect the increased revenues and expenses related to our acquisition of Talmer West Bank which are discussed below, including a $42.0 million bargain purchase gain. The results for the year ended December 31, 2013 included a $71.7 million bargain purchase gain as a result of our acquisition of First Place Bank on January 1, 2013. Excluding the operating results of Talmer West Bank, which included $1.6 million recognized on the sale of its Albuquerque, New Mexico branch office, and the bargain purchase gains related to our acquisitions of Talmer West Bank and First Place Bank recognized in 2014 and 2013, respectively, net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased $17.3 million, compared to the prior year. This increase primarily reflected a decrease in noninterest expense of $73.1 million and a $12.8 million gain recognized on the sale of our Wisconsin branches, partially offset by decreases in mortgage banking and other loan fees of $29.7 million and a decrease in net gain on sales of loans of $23.5 million. The decline in noninterest expenses was primarily due to overall operating efficiencies we created through the merger of First Place Bank with and into Talmer Bank, including a reduction in employee headcount as we eliminated duplicative positions and streamlined operations. The decline in mortgage banking and other loans fees primarily reflected the change in the fair value of loan servicing rights due to adjustments to fair value assumptions driven by interest rate fluctuations which impact assumed prepayment speeds, which was a detriment to earnings of $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a benefit to earnings of $14.2 million for the same period in 2013. Additionally, lower levels of mortgage origination volume and mortgage banking revenue are due to both fluctuations in mortgage interest rates and the closure of our wholesale mortgage lending division in the fourth quarter of 2013, which adversely impacted mortgage banking and other loan fees for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in net gain on sales of loans for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to reduced levels of residential mortgage loans originated for sale.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the difference between interest income and yield-related fees earned on assets and interest expense paid on liabilities. Adjustments are made to the yields on tax-exempt assets in order to present tax-exempt income and fully taxable income on a comparable basis. The "Analysis of Net Interest Income-Fully Taxable Equivalent" tables within this financial review provide an analysis of net interest income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The "Rate/Volume Analysis" tables describe the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected our net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") basis for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
We had net interest income of $214.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $10.4 million, from $204.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in net interest income in 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, resulted primarily from an increase in interest and fees on loans of $10.1 million and a decrease in negative accretion on the FDIC indemnification asset of $4.3 million, partially offset by a $7.5 million increase in interest expense. The
increases in interest and fees on loans and interest expense were significantly due to increases in average loans of $693.4 million and average interest-bearing deposits of $467.5 million, respectively. The decrease in negative accretion on the FDIC indemnification asset was due in large part to the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements resulting in no negative accretion during the fourth quarter of 2015. Our net interest margin (FTE) for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased 31 basis points to 3.73%, from 4.04% for the comparable period in 2014. The decrease in net interest margin was due to a combination of several factors, the largest being the run-off of higher yielding acquired loans and an increase in interest bearing deposit costs. These declines were partially offset by a reduction in the negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset as the size of the indemnification asset decreased substantially in the first three quarters of 2015 and was eliminated in the fourth quarter of 2015.
We had net interest income of $204.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $36.3 million, from $168.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in net interest income in 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, resulted primarily from the addition of $38.2 million of net interest income related to our acquisition of Talmer West Bank and its inclusion into our operations beginning January 1, 2014. Our net interest margin (FTE) for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased 14 basis points to 4.04% from 3.90% for the comparable period in 2013. The increase in net interest margin was primarily due to the benefit of a shift in our loan composition from residential real estate loans, which increased as a result of our acquisition of First Place Bank in 2013, to a larger percentage of commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans, which, on average, have a higher yield than residential real estate loans, and, as discussed below, a decrease in the impact of the negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset, as the size of the indemnification asset has decreased substantially. These benefits were partially offset by the run-off of higher yielding purchased credit impaired loans.
Our net interest margin benefits from discount accretion on our purchased credit impaired loan portfolios, a component of our accretable yield. The accretable yield represents the excess of the net present value of expected future cash flows over the acquisition date fair value and includes both the expected coupon of the loan and the discount accretion. The accretable yield is recognized as interest income over the expected remaining life of the purchased credit impaired loan. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the yield on total loans was 5.13% and 5.77%, respectively, while the yield on total loans generated using only the expected coupon (with respect to purchased credit impaired loans) would have been 4.34% and 4.69%, respectively. The difference between the actual yield earned on total loans and the yield generated based on the contractual coupon (not including any interest income for loans in nonaccrual status) represents excess accretable yield. The decline in our total loan yield excluding the excess accretable yield was driven by the run-off of higher yielding acquired loans being replaced with new loans with lower, current market-competitive rates.
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the yield on total loans was 5.77% and 6.30% respectively, while the yield on total loans generated using only the expected coupon (with respect to purchased credit impaired loans) would have been 4.69% and 4.78%, respectively.
Prior to our early termination of the FDIC loss share agreements, our net interest margin was also adversely impacted by the negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset. Because our quarterly cash flow re-estimations continuously resulted in improvements in overall expected cash flows on covered loans, our expected payments from the FDIC under our loss share agreements declined, resulting in a negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset, which partially offsets the benefits provided by the excess accretable yield discussed above. The negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset incurred through the third quarter of 2015 was 61.58%, compared to 25.16% for the year ended December 31, 2014. The combination of the excess accretable yield and the negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset benefited net interest margin by 24 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 30 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset incurred for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 25.16%, compared to 15.43% for the year ended December 31, 2013. The combination of the excess accretable yield and the negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset benefited net interest margin by 30 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to 43 basis points for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The following tables set forth information related to our average balance sheet, average yields on assets, and average costs of liabilities. We derived these yields by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the corresponding assets or liabilities. We derived average balances from the daily balances throughout the periods indicated.
Analysis of Net Interest Income-Fully Taxable Equivalent
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(1)
Interest income is shown on actual basis and does not include taxable equivalent adjustments.
(2)
Average rates include a taxable equivalent adjustment to interest income of $2.3 million, $2.1 million and $1.5 million on tax-exempt securities for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, using the statutory tax rate of 35%.
(3)
For presentation in this table, average balances and the corresponding average rates for investment securities are based upon historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.
(4)
Includes nonaccrual loans.
Rate-Volume Analysis
The tables below present the effect of volume and rate changes on interest income and expense. Changes in volume are changes in in the average balance multiplied by the previous year's average rate. Changes in rate are changes in the average rate multiplied by the average balance from the previous year. The net changes attributable to the combined impact of both rate and volume have been allocated proportionately to the changes due to volume and the changes due to rate.
Provision (Benefit) for Loan Losses
We established an allowance for loan losses on loans through a provision for loan losses charged as an expense in our consolidated statements of income. Management reviews our loan portfolio, consisting of originated loans and purchased loans, on a quarterly basis to evaluate our outstanding loans and to measure both the performance of the portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.
We did not record an allowance for loan losses at acquisition for purchased loans as these loans were recorded at fair value, based on a discounted cash flow methodology, at the date of each respective acquisition. We re-estimate expected cash flows on a quarterly basis for all loans purchased with credit impairment. We record a provision for loan losses during the period for any decline in expected cash flows. Conversely, any improvement in expected cash flows is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the yield on the loan once any previously recorded impairment is recaptured.
The provision for credit losses on off balance sheet items, a component of "other expense" in our consolidated statements of income, reflects management's assessment of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments.
Due to the early termination of the FDIC loss share agreements in the fourth quarter of 2015, all loans previously covered by loss share agreements, or covered loans, and the related allowance for loan losses on covered loans, were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015. Because all covered loans were reclassified to uncovered in the fourth quarter of 2015, there was no provision (benefit) for loan loss activity on covered loans during the fourth quarter of 2015.
For a further discussion of the allowance for loan losses, refer to the sections entitled "Critical Accounting Policies" and the "Allowance for Loan Losses" of this financial review.
The net benefit for loan losses was $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to a net provision for loan losses of $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The net benefit for loan losses of $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 included a benefit for loan losses on covered loans of $12.8 million, for the first nine months of 2015, and a full year provision for loan losses on uncovered loans of $3.6 million. The provision for loan losses of $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 included a provision for loan losses on uncovered loans of $23.1 million and a benefit for loan losses on covered loans of $18.8 million. The allowance for loan losses on total loans was $54.0 million, or 1.12% of loans, at December 31, 2015, compared to $55.2 million, or 1.30% of loans, at December 31, 2014. The net benefit for loan
losses on all loans for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily reflects the relief of allowance for loan losses due to payments received on loans previously charged-off and/or carrying an allowance for loan losses, partially offset by impairment recorded as a result of our re-estimation of cash flows for purchased credit impaired loans and additional provisions for organic loan growth outside of our acquisition of First of Huron Corp. We recorded impairment related to re-estimations of cash flows for purchased credit impaired loans of $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, and $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The re-estimations also resulted in improvements in gross cash flow expectations on purchased credit impaired loans of $77.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, and $99.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which will be recognized prospectively as an increase in the accretable yield and accreted into interest income over the expected remaining life of the related purchased credit impaired loan. The decline in allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans year over year was due primarily to the addition of loans we acquired in our acquisition of First of Huron, Corp. which were recorded at their estimated fair value and, therefore, did not include a separate allowance for loan losses at acquisition.
The provision for loan losses was $4.3 million for year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The provision for loan losses of $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 included a provision for loan losses on uncovered loans of $23.1 million and a benefit for loan losses on covered loans of $18.8 million. The provision for loan losses of $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 included a provision for loan losses on uncovered loans of $15.5 million and a benefit for loan losses on covered loans of $10.4 million. Our allowance for total loan losses was $55.2 million, or 1.30% of loans, at December 31, 2014, compared to $58.1 million, or 1.93% of loans, at December 31, 2013. The provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2014 reflects impairment recorded as a result of our re-estimation of cash flows for purchased credit impaired loans, additional provisions for organic loan growth and an increase in provision for impaired loans individually evaluated, partially offset by the relief of allowance for loan losses due to payments received on loans previously carrying an allowance for loss and the impact of improvements in historical loss factors. The decline in allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans year over year was due primarily to the addition of loans we acquired in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank, which were recorded at their estimated fair value and, therefore, did not include a separate allowance for loan losses at acquisition.
Before we terminated our loss share agreements in the fourth quarter of 2015, a substantial portion of the provision or benefit for loan loss on covered loans was offset by FDIC loss share income. An analysis of the changes in the allowance for loan losses, including charge-offs and recoveries by loan category, is provided in the "Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses-Uncovered" and the "Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses-Covered" tables in this financial review.
The following table details the components of the provision for loan losses on covered loans and the impact to net income for the periods presented. As noted above, as a result of the termination of our loss share agreements, all of our covered loans were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015, and, therefore, we had no covered loans in the fourth quarter of 2015.
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(1)
The results of re-estimations also included cash flow improvements to be recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the accretable yield on the related covered loans of $20.4 million, $41.5 million and $49.1 million for the periods presented in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Noninterest Income
The following table presents noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Noninterest income decreased $31.1 million to $86.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, from $117.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, was primarily due to the recognition of $42.0 million of bargain purchase gain related to our acquisition of Talmer West Bank in 2014 and $14.4 million of net gain on sale of branches recognized in the third quarter of 2014. Excluding the bargain purchase gain and the net gain on sales of branches recognized during the year ended December 31, 2014, noninterest income increased $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to increases in accelerated discount on acquired loans of $14.5 million and net gain on sales of loans of $11.8 million. Accelerated discount on acquired loans results from cash payments received outside of expected timing. The increase in net gain on sales of loans was driven by an increase in the volume of loans originated and sold during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Noninterest income decreased $63.6 million to $117.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, from $181.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily due to the recognition of $42.0 million of bargain purchase gain related to our acquisition of Talmer West Bank in 2014, compared to $71.7 million of bargain purchase gain related to our acquisition of First Place Bank in 2013. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, included decreases in mortgage banking and other loan fees of $29.7 million and net gain on sales of loans of $23.5 million, partially offset by $14.4 million of net gain on sale of branches recognized in the year ended December 31, 2014 related to the sale of Talmer Bank's Wisconsin branches and Talmer West Bank's New Mexico branch. The decline in mortgage banking and other loan fees was the result of several factors including a change in the fair value of loan servicing rights due to adjustments to fair value assumptions driven by interest rate fluctuations that impacted assumed prepayment speeds, which was a detriment to earnings of $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a benefit of $14.2 million for the same period in 2013. Lower levels of both mortgage origination volume and mortgage banking revenue due to both fluctuations in mortgage interest rates and the closure of our wholesale mortgage lending division in the fourth quarter of 2013 also negatively impacted our mortgage banking and other loan fees. The decrease in net gain on sales of loans during the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to reduced levels of residential mortgage loans originated for sale.
Noninterest Expense
The following table presents noninterest expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Noninterest expense increased $7.4 million to $226.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, from $218.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The year ended December 31, 2015 included a $20.4 million charge recognized as a result of the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements and the FDIC warrant. Excluding the net loss recognized on the early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements and the FDIC warrant, noninterest expense decreased $12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the prior year, primarily due to decreases of $8.6 million in salary and employee benefits and $3.3 million in occupancy and equipment expense. The decline in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to a reduction in transaction and integration expenses and the result of merging Talmer West Bank into Talmer Bank and Trust in 2015. Salary and employee benefits during the year ended December 31, 2014 included $5.8 million of transaction and integration related expenses, including severance expense and bonus payments related to our successful acquisition of Talmer West Bank, the merger of First Place Bank with and into Talmer Bank and the completion of our initial public offering. The decline in occupancy and equipment expense was primarily due to our targeted analysis of property efficiency completed in the second quarter of 2015 that resulted in property sales and exits of certain leases. Our efficiency ratio is a measure of noninterest expense as a percentage of net interest income and noninterest income and was 75.2% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 68.0% for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our core operating efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measurement, improved to 63.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to 72.8% for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our core efficiency ratio begins with the efficiency ratio and then excludes certain items deemed by management to not be related to regular operations including bargain purchase gains, the fair value adjustment to our loan servicing rights, transaction and integration related costs, FDIC loss share income, gain on sales of branches, the net loss on our early termination of our FDIC loss share agreements and warrant and the net expense recognized related to our targeted review of property efficiency which included a review of certain lease contracts resulting in lease buyouts, final sales of unused properties and impairments recognized on owned properties under review for potential upcoming sales. Please see the section entitled "GAAP Reconciliation and Management Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a discussion of the limitations of our core operating efficiency and a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP measure.
Noninterest expense decreased $31.9 million to $218.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, from $250.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Total noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 reflects the inclusion of Talmer West Bank into our operations beginning January 1, 2014, which added approximately $41.2 million of operating costs. The decrease in noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to 2013, was primarily due to decreases of $24.9 million in salary and employee benefits, $4.9 million in bank acquisition and due diligence fees, $4.3 million in insurance expense and $3.7 million in professional service fees, partially offset by an increase of $5.1 million in occupancy and equipment expense. Salary and employee benefits during the year ended December 31, 2014 included $5.8 million of transaction and integration related expenses, including severance expense and bonus payments related to our successful acquisition of Talmer West Bank, the merger of First Place Bank with and into Talmer Bank and the completion of our initial public offering, while the year ended December 31, 2013, included $11.6 million of transaction and integration related expenses, including First Place Bank acquisition related bonuses, stock options issued and the accrual of anticipated severance payments for planned reductions in the work force. The remaining decline in salary and employee benefits for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, relates significantly to a reduction in employee
headcount as we eliminated duplicative positions and streamlined operations with the merger of First Place Bank into Talmer Bank.
Income Taxes and Tax-Related Items
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized income tax expense of $23.9 million on $84.0 million of pre-tax income resulting in an effective tax rate of 28.4%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, in which we recognized income tax expense of $7.7 million on $98.6 million of pre-tax income resulting in an effective tax rate of 7.8% and the year ended December 31, 2013, in which we recognized an income tax benefit of $5.3 million on $93.2 million of pre-tax income, resulting in an effective tax rate of negative 5.7% . Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 was impacted by the finalization of the 2014 consolidated income tax return for Capital Bancorp, Ltd (Talmer West Bank's former parent holding company), which resulted in a larger amount of pre-ownership change loss carryforwards allocated to Talmer West Bank than we originally estimated. The low effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, was primarily from the $42.0 million bargain purchase gain resulting from our acquisition of Talmer West Bank on January 1, 2014 and the $71.7 million bargain purchase gain resulting from our acquisition of First Place Bank on January 1, 2013 being non-taxable given the tax structure of the acquisitions.
In January 2016, a settlement was finalized with the Internal Revenue Service regarding First Place Financial Corp.'s utilization of bad debt expense incurred before our acquisition of First Place Bank involving several tax years. Talmer Bank, as successor to First Place Bank, was granted court approval to act as substitute agent for First Place Financial Corp. for the purpose of executing these amendments, which ultimately impacted the tax filings of Talmer Bank. The benefit expected as a result of the amended filings is approximately $4.2 million that will be recorded in the first quarter of 2016 as an offset to our quarterly income tax expense.
Further information on income taxes is presented in Note 16, "Income Taxes," of our audited consolidated financial statements.
Financial Condition
Balance Sheet
Total assets were $6.6 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $723.6 million compared to December 31, 2014. Of the $723.6 million increase, $218.4 million was related to the acquisition date fair value of assets acquired in our acquisition of First of Huron Corp. and its subsidiary bank, Signature Bank, in February 2015, net of $13.4 million of cash paid as consideration in the transaction. The acquisition resulted in goodwill of $3.5 million that was recognized at the acquisition date and added $162.3 million of loans acquired at fair value. The increase in total assets of $505.2 million, setting aside the fair value of assets acquired in our acquisition of First of Huron Corp., was primarily due to increases in net total loans of $396.5 million, cash and cash equivalents of $132.8 million and securities available-for-sale of $115.9 million. These increases were partially offset by decreases in the FDIC indemnification asset of $67.0 million, loans held for sale of $35.2 million and other real estate owned and repossessed assets of $21.7 million. The increase in loans, setting aside the loans acquired at fair value during the period, primarily reflecting strong loan growth in our commercial and industrial and real estate construction loan portfolios, partially offset by a decline in our residential real estate loan portfolio. The increase in securities available-for-sale reflects management's decision to invest in liquid assets while retaining accessibility to the funds for potential liquidity needs. The elimination of the FDIC indemnification asset resulted from the early termination of our loss share agreements with the FDIC in the fourth quarter of 2015. The decrease in loans held for sale is primarily the result of loan originations being outpaced by loan sales. The decrease in other real estate owned and repossessed assets was primarily due to sales of other real estate owned outpacing the additions due to foreclosures.
Total assets were $5.9 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $1.3 billion compared to December 31, 2013. Of the $1.3 billion increase, $905.6 million was related to the acquisition date fair value of assets acquired in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank, net of the cash paid as consideration in the transaction. The increase in total assets of $418.6 million, setting aside the fair value of assets acquired in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank, was primarily due to an increase in net uncovered loans of $841.0 million, securities available-for-sale of $107.1 million and company-owned life insurance of $58.3 million, partially offset by decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $331.5 million, net covered loans of $164.6 million and the FDIC indemnification asset of $64.8 million. The increase in net uncovered loans reflects $945.3 million of net uncovered loan growth in Talmer Bank's portfolio, partially offset by $104.3 million of net loan run-off in Talmer West Bank's loan portfolio subsequent to acquisition. The increases in securities available-for-sale and company-owned life insurance primarily reflects management's plan to more fully deploy excess liquidity. The decrease in net covered loans reflects the run-off of $183.6 million in covered loans partially offset by a reduction in the allowance for covered loan losses of $19.0 million. The decrease
in the FDIC indemnification asset is primarily the result of the negative accretion on the indemnification asset resulting from improvements in expected cash flows on covered loans, the write-off of our FDIC indemnification asset due to pay downs on covered loans and new claims filed with the FDIC for losses incurred on covered loans.
Total liabilities were $5.9 billion at December 31, 2015, compared to $5.1 billion at December 31, 2014. We assumed $218.4 million of liabilities at fair value in our acquisition of First of Huron Corp. and its subsidiary bank, Signature Bank, in February 2015. The $760.0 million increase in liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2015, was primarily due to increases in total deposits of $465.7 million, short-term borrowings of $213.3 million and long-term debt of $110.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in the FDIC clawback liability of $26.9 million. The $465.7 million increase in total deposits includes $201.5 million of deposits acquired at fair value in our acquisition of First of Huron Corp., in addition to growth in time deposits of $373.7 million, interest-bearing demand deposits of $188.9 million, money market and savings deposits of $82.3 million and noninterest-bearing demand deposits of $32.7 million. These increases were partially offset by a decline in other brokered deposit funds of $413.4 million. The strong growth in core deposit balances and the decreases in non-core deposit balances reflects management’s drive to increase core deposits through new programs. The increase in both short-term borrowings and long-term debt is primarily a result of net additions of Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The FDIC clawback liability was eliminated as a result of our early termination of the FDIC loss share agreements during the fourth quarter of 2015.
Total liabilities were $5.1 billion at December 31, 2014, compared to $3.9 billion at December 31, 2013. We assumed $863.6 million in liabilities at fair value in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank in January 2014. The $1.2 billion increase in liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to increases in total deposits of $948.0 million, long-term debt of $154.9 million and short-term borrowings of $63.9 million. The $948.0 million increase in total deposits includes $857.8 million of deposits acquired at fair value in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank, in addition to deposit growth of $557.8 million driven largely by an increase in other brokered funds, partially offset by $389.5 million of deposits sold in Talmer Bank's Wisconsin branch sale and Talmer West Bank's New Mexico branch sale and Talmer West Bank deposit run-off of $166.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. The decline in deposits due to the sales of the Wisconsin and New Mexico branch offices created a need for additional funding which was replaced largely by additional brokered funds. The increases in long-term debt and short-term borrowings primarily reflect Federal Home Loan Bank advances added during the year ended December 31, 2014, partially offset by the repayment of our $35.0 million line of credit related to our acquisition of Talmer West Bank.
Total shareholders' equity at December 31, 2015 was $725.2 million, a decrease of $36.4 million from $761.6 million at December 31, 2014. The decrease was primarily the result of our repurchase of 5.1 million shares of our Class A common stock for $75.0 million and our repurchase of warrants to purchase 2.5 million shares of our Class A common stock for $19.9 million, partially offset by our net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 of $60.1 million.
Total shareholders' equity at December 31, 2014 was $761.6 million, an increase of $144.6 million from $617.0 million at December 31, 2013. The increase primarily reflects net income of $90.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and our initial public offering completed in February 2014 that raised $42.0 million of capital, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
Loans
Our loan portfolio represents a broad range of borrowers primarily in the Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Nevada markets, comprised of residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, real estate construction and consumer financing loans. All loans acquired in our acquisition of CF Bancorp and all loans (except consumer loans) we acquired in our acquisitions of First Banking Center, Peoples State Bank and Community Central Bank were acquired under loss share agreements with the FDIC that called for the FDIC to reimburse us for a portion of our losses incurred on such loans, and, therefore, we historically presented covered loans separately from uncovered loans due to these loss share agreements. Effective July 1, 2015, the non-single family loss share agreement for our CF Bancorp acquisition (our largest failed bank transaction) expired. In addition, we terminated all remaining loss share agreements with the FDIC in the fourth quarter of 2015, resulting in the reclassification of all covered loans to uncovered effective October 1, 2015. As a result of the termination of our loss share agreements, we no longer receive reimbursement from the FDIC for losses on loans formerly covered by such agreements.
Commercial real estate loans consist of term loans secured by a mortgage lien on the real property, such as apartment buildings, office and industrial buildings, retail shopping centers and farmland.
Residential real estate loans represent loans to consumers for the purchase or refinance of a residence. These loans are generally financed over a 15- to 30-year term and, in most cases, are extended to borrowers to finance their primary residence
with both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate terms. Residential real estate loans also include home equity loans and lines of credit that are secured by a first- or second-lien on the borrower's residence. Home equity lines of credit consist mainly of revolving lines of credit secured by residential real estate.
Commercial and industrial loans include financing for commercial purposes in various lines of businesses, including manufacturing, service industry, professional service areas and agricultural. Commercial and industrial loans are generally secured with the assets of the company and/or the personal guarantee of the business owners.
Real estate construction loans are term loans to individuals, companies or developers used for the construction of a commercial or residential property for which repayment will be generated by the sale or permanent financing of the property. Generally, these loans are for construction projects that have been either presold, preleased, or have secured permanent financing, as well as loans to real estate companies with significant equity invested in the project.
Consumer loans include loans made to individuals not secured by real estate, including loans secured by automobiles or watercraft, and personal unsecured loans.
Concentrations of credit risk can exist in relation to individual borrowers or groups of borrowers, certain types of collateral, certain types of industries or certain geographic regions. Credit risk associated with these concentrations could arise when a significant amount of loans or other financial instruments, related by similar characteristics, are simultaneously impacted by changes in economic or other conditions that cause their probability of repayment or other type of settlement to be adversely affected. Our loan portfolio is managed to a risk-appropriate level as to not create a collateral, industry or geographic concentration. As of December 31, 2015, we do not have any significant concentrations to any one industry or borrower. Our largest geographic concentration of loans is in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan statistical area ("MSA"), which includes borrowers located in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, St. Clair and Lapeer counties in the state of Michigan. Loans to borrowers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA totaled $1.7 billion, or approximately 34.4% of total loans, at December 31, 2015.
The following tables detail our loan portfolio by loan type and geographic location as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The table for the year ended December 31, 2014 provides loan type and geographic locations for uncovered and covered loans. We had no covered loans at December 31, 2015. Geographic location is primarily determined by the domicile of the borrower and in some instances, the location of the collateral.
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(1)
Commercial real estate loans to borrowers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA totaled $624.5 million. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA includes borrowers located in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, St. Clair and Lapeer counties in the State of Michigan.
(2)
Commercial real estate loans to borrowers in the Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor metropolitan statistical area (Cleveland MSA) totaled $215.9 million. The Cleveland MSA includes borrowers located in Cuyahoga, Geauga Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties in the State of Ohio.
(3)
Residential real estate loans to borrowers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA totaled $543.2 million.
(4)
Residential real estate loans to borrowers in the Cleveland MSA totaled $116.0 million.
(5)
Commercial and industrial loans to borrowers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA totaled $350.9 million.
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(1)
Commercial real estate loans to borrowers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA totaled $501.0 million of uncovered loans and $152.5 million of covered loans. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA includes borrowers located in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, St. Clair and Lapeer counties in the State of Michigan.
(2)
Commercial real estate loans to borrowers in the Cleveland MSA totaled $183.9 million of uncovered loans. The Cleveland MSA includes borrowers located in Cuyahoga, Geauga Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties in the State of Ohio.
(3)
Residential real estate loans to borrowers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA totaled $437.0 million of uncovered loans and $76.0 million of covered loans.
(4)
Residential real estate loans to borrowers in the Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor metropolitan statistical area (Cleveland MSA) totaled $132.3 million of uncovered loans.
(5)
Commercial and industrial loans to borrowers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MSA totaled $257.0 million of uncovered loans and $19.2 million of covered loans.
The following table details our loan portfolio by loan type for the periods presented. As noted above, following the termination of our loss share agreements in the fourth quarter of 2015, all covered loans were reclassified to uncovered and, therefore, there were no covered loans outstanding at December 31, 2015.
Total loans were $4.8 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $557.6 million from December 31, 2014. The increase in total loans resulted from the acquisition of $162.3 million of loans at fair value in our acquisition of First of Huron Corp. on February 6, 2015 and $395.3 million of net loan growth outside of the acquisition. The total increase in loans of $557.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, represented increases in commercial and industrial loans of $355.3 million, real estate construction loans of $100.5 million, commercial real estate loans of $70.5 million, consumer loans of $17.7 million and residential real estate loans of $13.6 million.
Total loans were $4.2 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $1.2 billion from December 31, 2013, resulting from the acquisition of $571.7 million of loans at fair value in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank on January 1, 2014 and $857.1 million of uncovered loan growth outside of the acquisition, partially offset by $183.6 million in covered loan run-off. The $857.1 million of uncovered loan growth was the result of $955.1 million of uncovered loan growth in Talmer Bank's loan portfolio, partially offset by $98.1 million of loan run-off in Talmer West Bank's loan portfolio subsequent to acquisition. The uncovered loan growth in Talmer Bank's portfolio reflected organic loan growth and the purchase of $130.0 million of consumer loans, partially offset by net loan sales of $55.4 million from our Wisconsin market and other loan run-off. The loan run-off in Talmer West Bank's loan portfolio included $23.7 million of portfolio loans sold in the Albuquerque branch sale completed July 18, 2014. The total increase in uncovered loans of $1.4 billion at December 31, 2014, compared to December 31, 2013, including loans acquired in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank, represented increases in commercial real estate loans of $555.1 million, commercial and industrial loans of $422.8 million, residential real estate loans of $340.6 million and consumer loans of $154.8 million, partially offset by a decline in real estate construction loans of $44.5 million. The covered loan run-off for the year ended December 31, 2014, which included loan sales of $37.9 million from our Wisconsin market, resulted from decreases in commercial real estate loans of $112.8 million, commercial and industrial loans of $45.8 million, residential real estate loans of $15.1 million, real estate construction loans of $7.8 million, and consumer loans of $2.1 million.
We originate both fixed and adjustable rate residential real estate loans conforming to the underwriting guidelines of the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, home equity loans and lines of credit that are secured by first or junior liens, and a limited amount of other secured high credit quality jumbo loans. We have not originated or purchased a material amount of high-risk products, such as subprime, option adjustable rate or Alternative A-paper mortgage loans as of December 31, 2015.
Residential real estate loans totaled $1.5 billion at December 31, 2015, of which $18.4 million were on nonaccrual status. Included in residential real estate loans are $202.2 million of home equity loans and lines of credit of which $74.9 million have interest only payment terms. These loans are generally secured by junior liens and represent interest only residential real estate loans that we held as of December 31, 2015. Also included in residential real estate loans are $258.3 million of jumbo adjustable rate mortgages and $10.5 million of loans with balloon payment terms of which $477 thousand were on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2015.
Real estate construction loans totaled $241.6 million at December 31, 2015, of which $413 thousand were on nonaccrual status. Included in real estate construction loans are $16.8 million of jumbo adjustable rate mortgages and $1.6 million of loans with balloon payment terms, all of which were accruing as of December 31, 2015.
Loan Maturity/Rate Sensitivity
The following table shows the contractual maturities of our loans for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The following table shows the contractual maturities of our uncovered and covered loans for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Allowance for Loan Losses
We maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level we believe is sufficient to absorb probable, incurred losses in our loan portfolio given the conditions at the time. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based on periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio and other factors. These evaluations are inherently subjective as they require management to make material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by actual charge-offs, net of recoveries or previous amounts charged-off.
Purchased Loans
We maintain an allowance for loan losses on purchased loans based on credit deterioration subsequent to the acquisition date. In accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations, there was no allowance brought forward on any of our acquired loans as any credit deterioration evident in the loans was included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date. For purchased credit impaired loans, accounted for under FASB Topic ASC 310-30 "Receivables-Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30") and troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") previously individually accounted for under ASC 310-30, management establishes an allowance for credit deterioration subsequent to the date of acquisition by re-estimating expected cash flows on a quarterly basis with any decline in expected cash flows recorded as provision for loan losses. Impairment is measured as the excess of the recorded investment in a loan over the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the pre-impairment accounting yield of the loan. For any increases in cash flows expected to be collected, we first reverse only previously recorded allowance for loan losses, then adjust the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the loan's remaining life. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. For non-purchased credit impaired loans acquired in our acquisitions of First Place Bank and Talmer West Bank that are accounted for under ASC 310-20, the historical loss estimates are based on the historical losses experienced by First Place Bank and Talmer West Bank, as applicable, or Talmer Bank, following each bank's respective merger into Talmer Bank, for loans with similar characteristics as those acquired other than purchased credit impaired loans. We record an allowance for loan losses only when the calculated amount exceeds the estimated credit mark at acquisition that was established for the similar period covered in the allowance for loan loss calculation. For all other purchased loans accounted for under ASC 310-20 or
under ASC 310-40, the allowance is calculated in accordance with the methods used to calculate the allowance for loan losses for originated loans.
Originated loans
The allowance for loan losses represents management's assessment of probable, incurred credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses consists of specific allowances, based on individual evaluation of certain loans, and allowances for homogeneous pools of loans with similar risk characteristics.
Impaired loans include loans placed on nonaccrual status and troubled debt restructurings. Loans are considered impaired when based on current information and events it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreements. When determining if we will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement, we consider the borrower's overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors, and the realizable value of any collateral. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
For loans not accounted for under ASC 310-30, we individually assess for impairment all nonaccrual loans and TDRs.
Loans that do not meet the criteria to be evaluated individually are evaluated in homogeneous pools with similar characteristics. The allowance for our business loans, which includes commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and real estate construction loans, that are not individually evaluated for impairment begins with a process of estimating the probable incurred losses in the portfolio. These estimates are established based on our internal credit risk ratings and historical loss data. Internal credit risk ratings are assigned to each business loan at the time of approval and are subjected to subsequent periodic reviews by senior management, at least annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of a circumstance that affects the credit risk of the loan. As our operating history is limited and we have grown rapidly, the historical loss estimates for loans are based on a combination of actual historical loss experienced by our peer banks in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Nevada and our own historical losses. These estimates are established by loan type including commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and real estate construction, and further segregated by region, including Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Nevada, where applicable. In addition, consideration is given to borrower rating migration experience and trends, industry concentrations and conditions, changes in collateral values of properties securing loans and trends with respect to past due and nonaccrual amounts. Given our limited operating history, the estimate of losses for single family residential and consumer loans which are not individually evaluated is also based on a combination of historical loss rates experienced in the respective loan classes by our peer banks in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Nevada and our own historical losses. This estimate is also adjusted to give consideration to borrower rating migration experience and trends, changes in collateral values of properties securing loans and trends with respect to past due and nonaccrual amounts.
The following tables present, by loan type, the changes in the allowance for loan losses on both uncovered and covered loans for the periods presented.
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses-Uncovered
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses-Covered
Our uncovered allowance for loan losses was $54.0 million, or 1.12% of uncovered loans, at December 31, 2015, compared to $33.8 million, or 0.87% of uncovered loans, at December 31, 2014. The $20.2 million increase in the uncovered allowance for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2015 included a reclassification of $14.3 million of allowance for loan losses from covered to uncovered due to the combination of the first of our four non-single family FDIC loss share agreements expiring effective on July 1, 2015 and the termination of our remaining FDIC loss share agreements effective October 1, 2015. As a result, at December 31, 2015, we had no covered loans outstanding. The remaining increase of $5.9 million in the uncovered allowance for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to the impact of organic loan growth and additional allowance resulting from our quarterly re-estimations of expected cash flows for our uncovered purchased credit impaired loans, partially offset by payments received on loans previously carrying an allowance for loan loss or previously charged off.
There was no covered allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2015, as all of our covered loans have been reclassified to uncovered. Our covered allowance for loan losses was $10.8 million, or 5.76% of covered loans, at October 1, 2015, when the termination of our remaining FDIC loss share agreements became effective, compared to $21.4 million, or 6.16% of total covered loans, at December 31, 2014. The $10.6 million decrease in covered allowance for loan losses during the period between January 1, 2015 and October 1, 2015 was primarily driven by payments received on covered loans previously carrying an allowance for loan loss or previously charged off and allowance related to the loans transferred from covered to uncovered due to the expiration of the first of our four non-single family FDIC loss share agreements, partially offset by the additional allowance resulting from our quarterly re-estimation of expected cash flows on our previously covered purchased credit impaired loans.
Our uncovered allowance for loan losses was $33.8 million, or 0.87% of uncovered loans, at December 31, 2014, compared to $17.7 million, or 0.72% of uncovered loans, at December 31, 2013. The $16.1 million increase in the uncovered allowance for loan losses during the year ended December 31, 2014 was primarily due to additional provision for loan growth
along with allowance resulting from our quarterly re-estimation of expected cash flows for our uncovered purchased credit impaired loans, partially offset by an improvement in historical loss factors.
The covered allowance for loan losses was $21.4 million, or 6.16% of covered loans, at December 31, 2014, compared to $40.4 million, or 7.62% of total covered loans, at December 31, 2013. The $19.0 million decrease from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 was primarily driven by payments received on covered loans previously carrying an allowance for loan loss, partially offset by the additional allowance resulting from our quarterly re-estimation of expected cash flows for certain of our covered purchased credit impaired loans.
The following tables present, by loan type, the allocation of the allowance for loan losses on both uncovered and covered loans for the periods presented.
Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses-Uncovered
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(1)
Allocated allowance as a percentage of related loans outstanding.
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(1)
Allocated allowance as a percentage of related loans outstanding.
Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses-Covered
As a result of our early termination of our remaining FDIC loss share agreements in the fourth quarter of 2015, we had no covered loans or covered allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2015.
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(1)
Allocated allowance as a percentage of related loans outstanding.
Summary of Impaired Assets and Past Due Loans
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(1)
Excludes closed branches and operating facilities.
Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, other real estate owned, excluding closed branches and operating facilities, and repossessed assets. We do not consider performing TDRs to be nonperforming assets. The level of nonaccrual loans is an important element in assessing asset quality. Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful. Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status due to the continued failure by the borrower to adhere to contractual payment terms coupled with other pertinent factors, such as insufficient collateral value.
Purchased credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the quarterly re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period covered loan loss provision or future period yield adjustments.
Total nonperforming assets were $85.6 million as of December 31, 2015, compared to $104.6 million as of
December 31, 2014. The $19.0 million decrease in total nonperforming assets was primarily due to sales of other real estate owned outpacing the additions due to foreclosures.
Total nonperforming assets were $104.6 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $70.7 million as of December 31, 2013. The $33.9 million increase was primarily due to increases in uncovered other real estate owned and repossessed assets of $19.8 million and uncovered nonaccrual loans of $10.8 million. The increase in other real estate owned and repossessed assets included the addition of $30.9 million of uncovered other real estate owned related to our acquisition of Talmer West Bank on January 1, 2014 and the repossession of the underlying assets of a set of interrelated loans totaling $9.7 million at December 31, 2014, net of charge offs taken and valuation allowance, partially offset by other real estate sales.
FDIC Indemnification Asset and Receivable
In connection with our FDIC-assisted acquisitions, we entered into loss share agreements with the FDIC. At each acquisition date, we accounted for amounts receivable from the FDIC under the loss share agreements as an indemnification asset. On December 28, 2015, we entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated all remaining loss share agreements with the FDIC. As a result of the transaction, all covered loans, the related allowance for covered loan losses and covered other real estate owned were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015 and the FDIC indemnification asset and FDIC receivable were fully written off.
Before the early termination of our remaining FDIC loss share agreements in the fourth quarter of 2015, the FDIC indemnification asset was reviewed quarterly and adjusted for any changes in expected cash flows. These adjustments were measured on the same basis as the related covered assets. A decline in expected cash flows on covered loans was referred to as impairment and recorded as provision for loan losses on covered loans, resulting in an increase to the allowance for covered loan losses. Estimated reimbursements due from the FDIC under loss share agreements related to any declines in expected cash flows on covered loans were recorded as noninterest income in "FDIC loss share income" in our consolidated statements of income and resulted in an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset in the same period. An improvement in expected cash flows on covered loans, once any previously recorded impairment was recaptured, was recognized prospectively as an upward adjustment to the yield on the related covered loan and resulted in a downward adjustment to the yield on the FDIC indemnification asset. As such, overall improvements in expected cash flows on covered loans would result in a negative yield on the FDIC indemnification asset, which was recorded in "interest income" in our consolidated statements of income, while increases to the FDIC indemnification asset were recorded as adjustments to noninterest income in "FDIC loss share income" in our consolidated statements of income. When covered loans were paid off sooner than expected, any remaining FDIC indemnification asset was reviewed and could have resulted in a direct write off as an adjustment to noninterest income in "Accelerated discount on acquired loans" in our consolidated statements of income. The FDIC indemnification asset was also reduced for claims submitted to the FDIC for reimbursement. We established a FDIC receivable which represented claims submitted to the FDIC for reimbursement for which we expected receipt of payment within 90 days.
The following table summarizes the activity related to the FDIC indemnification asset and the FDIC receivable for the periods indicated. Due to the termination of our FDIC loss share agreements, all covered loans were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2015 other than the write-off of the remaining FDIC indemnification asset and FDIC receivable in the fourth quarter of 2015, all activity in the table occurred in the first three quarters of 2015.
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(1)
Primarily includes adjustments for fully claimed and exited loans and the results of remeasurement of expected cash flows under ASC 310-30 accounting.
(2)
Includes expenses associated with maintaining the underlying properties and legal fees.
Investment Securities
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(1)
Included within "Other assets" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The composition of our investment securities portfolio reflects our investment strategy of maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity for normal operations while providing an additional source of revenue. The investment portfolio also provides a balance to interest rate risk and credit risk in other categories of the balance sheet, while providing a vehicle for the investment of available funds, furnishing liquidity, and supplying securities to pledge as collateral. At December 31, 2015, total investment securities were $892.4 million, or 13.5% of total assets, compared to $742.0 million, or 12.6% of total assets, at December 31, 2014. The increase from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015, primarily reflected increases in a diverse mix of privately issued residential mortgage-backed securities, tax exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions and corporate debt securities reflecting management's decision to invest liquid assets while retaining accessibility to the funds for potential liquidity needs. Securities with a carrying value of $390.5 million and $337.8 million were pledged at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, to secure borrowings and deposits.
The following tables show contractual maturities and yields for the investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
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(1)
Average yields assume a yield to call approach where embedded call options exist, such as in certain callable U.S. government sponsored agency obligations and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. $20.0 million of U.S. government sponsored agency obligations maturing beyond five years contain step-up coupon structures which, if were not to be called prior to stated maturities, would positively impact average yields for balances maturing in the five-to-ten years bucket by 98 basis points, or resulting in an average yield of 2.97%,
(2)
Average yields on tax-exempt obligations have been computed on a tax equivalent basis, based on a 35% federal tax rate.
(3)
Maturity distributions for SBA pools, residential mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities are based on estimated average lives.
(4)
All indicated balances in the one-to-five years bucket and five-to-ten years bucket encompass floating rate holdings indexed to Prime, which are contractually adjustable on a quarterly basis, in which the current December 31, 2015 indexed coupon rates are assumed to remain constant until maturity.
(5)
Average yields on corporate debt securities in the one-to-five year maturity bucket, five-to-ten year maturity bucket, and after ten year maturity bucket includes yields on $5.9 million, $2.3 million, and $11.9 million, respectively, of floating rate holdings indexed to 3-month LIBOR, in which the current December 31, 2015 indexed coupon rates are assumed to remain constant until maturity.
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Average yields assume a yield to call approach where embedded call options exist, such as in certain callable U.S. government sponsored agency obligations and non-agency mortgage-backed securities. $73.6 million of U.S. government sponsored agency obligations maturing beyond five years contain step-up coupon structures which, if were not to be called prior to stated maturities, would positively impact average yields for balances maturing in the five-to-ten years bucket and after ten years bucket by 79 basis points and 200 basis points, respectively, or resulting in average yields of 2.67% and 3.15%, respectively.
(2)
Average yields on tax-exempt obligations have been computed on a tax equivalent basis, based on a 35% federal tax rate.
(3)
Maturity distributions for SBA pools, residential mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities are based on estimated average lives.
(4)
All indicated balances in the one-to-five years bucket and five-to-ten years bucket encompass floating rate holdings indexed to Prime, which are contractually adjustable on a quarterly basis, in which the current December 31, 2014 indexed coupon rates are assumed to remain constant until maturity.
(5)
Average yields on corporate debt securities in the one-to-five year maturity bucket and after ten year maturity bucket includes yields on $5.9 million and $11.8 million, respectively, of floating rate holdings indexed to 3-month LIBOR, in which the current December 31, 2014 indexed coupon rates are assumed to remain constant until maturity.
Loan servicing rights
Loan servicing rights are created as a result of our mortgage banking origination activities, the purchase of mortgage servicing rights, the origination and purchase of agricultural servicing rights and the origination and purchase of commercial real estate servicing rights. Loans serviced for others are not reported as assets in our consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2015, we serviced loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $5.9 billion.
Total loan servicing rights were $58.1 million as of December 31, 2015, compared to $70.6 million as of December 31, 2014. The $12.5 million decrease was due to the sale of $12.7 million of mortgage loan servicing rights, $7.3 million of reduced fair value due to loans paid off, and a $3.3 million decline in the fair value of loan servicing rights from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015 due primarily to lower market interest rates, partially offset by $10.8 million of loan servicing rights added to the portfolio. The sale of mortgage servicing rights included substantially all of the mortgage servicing rights we had owned for mortgages located outside of our primary target markets. Management has made the strategic decision not to hedge loan servicing assets at this point. Therefore, any future declines in interest rates would likely cause further decreases in the fair value of the loan servicing rights, and a corresponding detriment to earnings, whereas increases in interest rates would result in increases in fair value, or a corresponding benefit to earnings. Management may choose to hedge the loan servicing assets in the future.
Deposits
Total deposits were $5.0 billion at December 31, 2015 and $4.5 billion at December 31, 2014, representing 85.4% and 89.0% of total liabilities at each period end, respectively. The fair value of deposits acquired in our acquisition of First of Huron Corp. totaled $201.5 million consisting of demand deposits of $91.1 million, money market and savings deposits of $62.4 million and time deposits of $48.0 million. Deposit growth outside of our acquisition of First of Huron Corp. was $264.2 million. The growth in deposits, excluding the fair value of deposits acquired in our acquisition of First of Huron Corp. was primarily due to increases of $373.7 million in time deposits, $221.6 million in demand deposits and $82.3 million in money market and savings deposits, primarily offset by a decrease in other brokered funds of $413.4 million. Our interest-bearing deposit costs were 39 basis points and 28 basis points for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Total deposits were $4.5 billion at December 31, 2014 and $3.6 billion at December 31, 2013, representing 89.0% and 91.6% of total liabilities at each period end, respectively. The fair value of deposits acquired in our acquisition of Talmer West Bank totaled $857.8 million consisting of time deposits of $407.2 million, noninterest-bearing deposits of $175.1 million, money market and savings deposits of $166.0 million, and interest-bearing deposits of $109.5 million. Between the acquisition of Talmer West Bank, on January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014, there was $479.7 million of deposit growth, partially offset by $389.5 million of deposits sold in our Wisconsin and New Mexico branch office sales. The growth in deposits was primarily due to increases of $562.2 million in other brokered funds, $39.9 million in interest-bearing demand deposits and $18.5 million in noninterest-bearing demand deposits, partially offset by decreases in time deposits of $71.4 million and money market and savings deposits of $69.5 million. The growth in other brokered funds was largely due to a need for additional funding to replace the deposits sold in our Wisconsin and New Mexico branch sales. Our interest-bearing deposit costs were 28 basis points and 30 basis points for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The following table shows the contractual maturity of time deposits, including CDARs and IRA deposits and other brokered funds, of $100 thousand and over that were outstanding for the periods presented.
Borrowings
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
The December 31, 2015 balance includes advances payable of $389.6 million and purchase accounting premiums of $4.3 million. The December 31, 2014 balance includes advances payable of $280.1 million and purchase accounting premiums of $6.7 million. The December 31, 2013 balance includes advances payable of $121.2 million and purchase accounting premiums of $9.2 million.
(2)
The December 31, 2015 balance includes securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $50.0 million and purchase accounting premiums of $4.8 million. The December 31, 2014 balance includes securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $50.0 million and purchase accounting premiums of $6.4 million. The December 31, 2013 balance includes securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $50.0 million and purchase accounting premiums of $8.1 million.
(3)
The December 31, 2015 balance includes subordinated notes related to trust preferred securities of $20.0 million and purchase accounting discounts of $4.6 million. The December 31, 2014 balance includes subordinated notes related to trust preferred securities of $15.0 million and purchase accounting discounts of $4.3 million. The December 31, 2013 balance includes subordinated notes related to trust preferred securities of $15.0 million and purchase accounting discounts of $4.4 million.
Total short-term borrowings and long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2015 was $813.1 million, an increase of $323.4 million from $489.7 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in total borrowings was primarily due to an increase of $297.0 million in FHLB advances. In addition, we drew $30.0 million on our line of credit during the year ended December 31, 2015 to facilitate the repurchase of 2.5 million warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock with an aggregate purchase price of $19.9 million, discussed below under "Capital Resources," and for working capital.
Total short-term borrowings and long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2014 was $489.7 million, an increase of $218.8 million from $270.9 million at December 31, 2013. The increase in total borrowings was primarily due to the net additions of $266.4 million in FHLB advances, partially offset by $12.8 million in securities sold under agreements to repurchase and by the repayment of our $35.0 million line of credit used to fund our acquisition of Talmer West Bank.
Total debt was collateralized by $2.2 billion of commercial and mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities and bonds at December 31, 2015, compared to $2.4 billion of commercial and mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities and bonds at December 31, 2014. See the "Contractual Obligations" section of this financial review for maturity information.
Capital Resources
The following table summarizes the changes in our shareholders' equity for the periods indicated:
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
The Company declared cash dividends on its Class A common stock of $0.01 per share in each quarter of 2015 and the third and fourth quarters of 2014.
On February 17, 2015, we repurchased an aggregate of 2,529,416 warrants to purchase shares of our Class A
common stock issued to WLR Recovery Fund IV, L.P. and WLR IV Parallel ESC, L.P. (the “WL Ross Funds”). We issued the warrants to the WL Ross Funds in consideration of a portion of the purchase price in our 2010 and 2012 private placements. The purchase price was $8.30 per warrant share for the warrants we issued in 2010, $6.97 per warrant share for the warrants we issued in February 2010 and $7.10 per warrant share for the warrants we issued in December 2012, resulting in an aggregate purchase price of $19.9 million.
On August 31, 2015, the WL Ross Funds closed on the sale of an aggregate of 9,664,579 shares of our Class A common stock in an underwritten secondary public offering. All of the shares in the offering were sold by the WL Ross Funds, and we did not receive any proceeds from the offering. We repurchased 5,077,000 shares in the offering at a price of $14.77 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $75.0 million. We immediately retired the shares following the repurchase.
On January 1, 2014, we purchased four of Financial Commerce Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary banks, which were consolidated into one bank, Michigan Commerce Bank, then Talmer West Bank immediately prior to our acquisition, and certain other bank-related assets from Financial Commerce Corporation and its parent holding company, Capitol Bancorp Ltd., in a transaction facilitated under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The purchase price consisted of cash consideration of $4.0 million and a separate $2.5 million payment to fund an escrow account to pay the post-petition administrative fees and expenses of the professionals in the bankruptcy cases of Financial Commerce Corporation and Capitol Bancorp Ltd., each of which filed voluntary bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S Bankruptcy Code on August 9, 2012, with any unused escrowed funds to be refunded to us. In compliance with FDIC requirements, we contributed approximately $79.5 million of additional capital to Talmer West Bank at closing in order to recapitalize the bank. Following the acquisition, an additional $20.0 million of capital was infused into Talmer West Bank to ensure capital requirements continued to be met. In order to support the acquisition and recapitalization of Talmer West Bank, Talmer Bancorp, Inc. borrowed $35.0 million under a senior unsecured line of credit. We used a portion of the net proceeds from our initial public offering that closed on February 14, 2014, to repay the $35.0 million senior unsecured line of credit, including accrued and unpaid interest.
On February 14, 2014, we completed the initial public offering of 15,555,555 shares of Class A common stock for $13 per share. Of the 15,555,555 shares sold, 3,703,703 shares were sold by us and 11,851,852 shares were sold by certain selling shareholders. In addition, on February 21, 2014, the selling shareholders sold an additional 2,333,333 shares of Class A common stock to cover the exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option. We received net proceeds of $42.0 million from the offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. We did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders.
We strive to maintain an adequate capital base to support our activities in a safe and sound manner while at the same time attempting to maximize shareholder value. We assess capital adequacy against the risk inherent in our balance sheet,
recognizing that unexpected loss is the common denominator of risk and that common equity has the greatest capacity to absorb unexpected loss.
At December 31, 2015, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized Talmer Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
Financial institution regulators have established guidelines for minimum capital ratios for banks, thrifts and bank holding companies. During the first quarter of 2015, we adopted the new Basel III regulatory capital framework as approved by federal banking agencies, which are subject to a multi-year phase-in period. The adoption of this new framework modified the calculation of the various capital ratios, added a new ratio, common equity tier 1, and revised the adequately and well capitalized thresholds. In addition, Basel III establishes a new capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets, which is phased-in over a four-year period beginning January 1, 2015. Our capital ratios exceeded the current well capitalized regulatory requirements as follows:
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Notwithstanding its capital levels, Talmer West Bank was not be categorized as well capitalized because it was subject to a Consent Order. Effective August 21, 2015, Talmer West Bank was merged with and into Talmer Bank and the Consent Order had no further force or effect.
(2)
Notwithstanding its capital levels, First Place Bank was not categorized as well capitalized while it was subject to the Cease and Desist Order. On February 10, 2014, First Place Bank was merged with and into Talmer Bank and the Cease and Desist Order had no further force or effect.
A cash dividend on our Class A common stock of $0.05 per share was declared on January 25, 2016. The dividend will be paid on February 18, 2016, to our Class A common shareholders of record as of February 4, 2016.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the normal course of business, we offer a variety of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include outstanding commitments to extend credit, credit lines, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit.
Our exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to the financial instrument, is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. The same credit policies are used in making commitments and conditional obligations as are used for on-balance sheet instruments.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many commitments expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer's creditworthiness on an individual basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by us upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant, or equipment. Unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit, revolving credit lines and overdraft protection agreements are included in commitments to extend credit. These lines of credit are generally uncollateralized, usually do not contain a specified maturity date and may be drawn upon only to the total extent to which we are committed.
Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Our portfolio of standby letters of credit consists primarily of performance assurances made on behalf of customers who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services. The risk to us arises from our obligation to make payment in the event of the customers' contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party. Management conducts regular reviews of these instruments on an individual customer basis and does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these letters of credit.
We maintain an allowance to cover probable losses inherent in our financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the allowance for off-balance sheet risk was $622 thousand and $539 thousand, respectively, and included in "Other liabilities" on our consolidated balance sheets.
A summary of the contractual amounts of our exposure to off-balance sheet risk is as follows.
We enter into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of changes in interest rates resulting from our commitments to fund the loans. These commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate lock commitments) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors are considered derivatives.
We also enter into interest rate derivatives to provide a service to certain qualifying customers to help facilitate their respective risk management strategies ("customer-initiated derivatives"). These derivatives are not used to manage interest rate risk in our assets or liabilities. We generally take offsetting positions with dealer counterparts to mitigate the inherent risk in these derivatives.
We additionally utilize interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges for risk management purposes to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. These interest rate swaps are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of our known or expected cash receipts and our known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable rate borrowings and/or deposits.
The agreements with our derivative counterparties contain a provision where, if we default on any of our indebtedness, then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations. In addition, these agreements contain a provision
where, if we fail to maintain our status as a well-capitalized institution, then the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and we would be required to settle our obligations under the agreements. As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest, but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $4.6 million.
The following table reflects the amount and fair value of our derivatives.
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Notional or contract amounts, which represent the extent of involvement in the derivatives market, are used to determine the contractual cash flows required in accordance with the terms of the agreement. These amounts are typically not exchanged, significantly exceed amounts subject to credit or market risk and are not reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)
Derivative assets are included within "Other assets" and derivative liabilities are included within "Other liabilities" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in the fair value of the derivative assets are credit valuation adjustments for counterparty credit risk totaling $208 thousand and $103 thousand at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There was no credit valuation adjustment for counterparty credit risk during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Note 12, "Derivative Instruments," to our audited consolidated financial statements includes additional information about these derivative contracts.
In connection with our mortgage banking loan sales, we make certain representations and warranties that the loans meet certain criteria, such as collateral type and underwriting standards. We may be required to repurchase individual loans and/or indemnify the purchaser against losses if the loan fails to meet established criteria. The following table represents the activity related to our liability recorded in connection with these representations and warranties.
The liability for specific claims includes liability for the estimated likelihood of payment of the claims while the general allowance is developed using a model to estimate the unknown liability including inputs such as the loans sold by year, the
number and dollar amount of claims to-date by year, the rate of claims being rescinded and the estimate of the amount of the loss as a percent of the loan balance.
Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of business, we have various outstanding contractual obligations that will require future cash outflows. The following table represents the largest contractual obligations as of December 31, 2015, exclusive of purchase accounting premiums.
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
At December 31, 2015, the total includes $61.2 million of time deposits included within "Other brokered funds."
(2)
Future minimum lease payments are reduced by $228 thousand related to sublease income to be received in the following periods: $160 thousand (less than 1 year); and $68 thousand (1 to3 years).
Liquidity
Liquidity management is the process by which we manage the flow of funds necessary to meet our financial commitments on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost and to take advantage of earnings enhancement opportunities. These financial commitments include withdrawals by depositors, credit commitments to borrowers, expenses of our operations, and capital expenditures. Liquidity is monitored and closely managed by our Asset and Liability Committee ("ALCO"), a group of senior officers from the finance, risk management, treasury, and lending areas. It is ALCO's responsibility to ensure we have the necessary level of funds available for normal operations as well as maintain a contingency funding policy to ensure that potential liquidity stress events are planned for, quickly identified, and management has plans in place to respond. ALCO has created policies which establish limits and require measurements to monitor liquidity trends, including modeling and management reporting that identifies the amounts and costs of all available funding sources. In addition, we have implemented modeling software that projects cash flows from the balance sheet under a broad range of potential scenarios, including severe changes in the interest rate environment.
At December 31, 2015, we had liquidity on hand of $887.6 million, compared to $656.8 million at December 31, 2014. Liquid assets include cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits with banks and unencumbered securities available-for-sale.
Talmer Bank is a member of the FHLB, which provide short- and long-term funding to its members through advances collateralized by real estate-related assets and other select collateral. The actual borrowing capacity is contingent on the amount of collateral available to be pledged to the FHLB. As of December 31, 2015, we had $689.6 million of outstanding borrowings from the FHLB with remaining maturities ranging from years 2016 to 2027. We also maintain relationships with correspondent banks which could provide funds on short notice, if needed. Talmer Bank also has the ability to borrow from the Federal Reserve Board's discount window, which would be required to be secured by collateral approved by the Federal Reserve Board, to meet short-term liquidity requirements. As of December 31, 2015, Talmer Bank had an unused borrowing capacity of approximately $391 million under the Federal Reserve Board's discount window based upon collateral pledged. In addition, because Talmer Bank is "well capitalized," it can accept wholesale funding up to approximately $2.1 billion based on current policy limits. Management believes that we had adequate resources to fund all of our commitments as of December 31, 2015.
The following liquidity ratios compare certain assets and liabilities to total deposits or total assets.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates. Interest-rate risk is the risk to earnings and equity value arising from changes in market interest rates and arises in the normal course of business to the extent that there is a divergence between the amount of our interest-earning assets and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities that are prepaid/withdrawn, re-price, or mature in specified periods. We seek to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and equity while managing volatility arising from shifts in market interest rates. ALCO oversees market risk management, monitoring risk measures, limits, and policy guidelines for managing the amount of interest-rate risk and its effect on net interest income and capital. Our Board of Directors approves policy limits with respect to interest rate risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk management is an active process that encompasses monitoring loan and deposit flows complemented by investment and funding activities. Effective interest rate risk management begins with understanding the dynamic characteristics of assets and liabilities and determining the appropriate interest rate risk position given business activities, management objectives, market expectations and ALCO policy limits and guidelines.
Interest rate risk can come in a variety of forms, including repricing risk, basis risk, yield curve risk and option risk. Repricing risk is the risk of adverse consequences from a change in interest rates that arises because of differences in the timing of when those interest rate changes impact our assets and liabilities. Basis risk is the risk of adverse consequence resulting from unequal change in the spread between two or more rates for different instruments with the same maturity. Yield curve risk is the risk of adverse consequence resulting from unequal changes in the spread between two or more rates for different maturities for the same or different instruments. Option risk in financial instruments arises from embedded options such as options provided to borrowers to make unscheduled loan prepayments, options provided to debt issuers to exercise call options prior to maturity, and depositor options to make withdrawals and early redemptions.
We regularly review our exposure to changes in interest rates. Among the factors we consider are changes in the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, interest rate spreads and repricing periods. ALCO reviews, on at least a quarterly basis, our interest rate risk position.
The interest-rate risk position is measured and monitored at the bank subsidiary using net interest income simulation models and economic value of equity sensitivity analysis that capture both short-term and long-term interest-rate risk exposure. In addition, periodic Earnings at Risk analysis incorporate the expected change in the value of loan servicing rights and the net interest income simulation results.
Net interest income simulation involves forecasting net interest income under a variety of interest rate scenarios including instantaneous shocks.
The estimated impact on our net interest income as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, assuming immediate parallel moves in interest rates is presented in the table below. Simulation results for December 31, 2015 reflect the addition of First of Huron Corp.'s acquired assets and assumed liabilities.
Modeling the sensitivity of net interest income and the economic value of equity to changes in market interest rates is highly dependent on numerous assumptions incorporated into the modeling process. The models used for these measurements rely on estimates of the potential impact that changes in interest rates may have on the value and prepayment speeds on all components of our loan portfolio, investment portfolio, loan servicing rights, any hedge or derivative instruments, as well as embedded options and cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Balance sheet growth assumptions are also included in the simulation modeling process. The model includes the effects of off-balance sheet instruments such as interest rate swap derivatives. Due to the current low interest rate environment, we assumed that market interest rates would not fall below 0% for the scenarios that used the down 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates. The analysis provides a framework as to what our overall sensitivity position is as of our most recent reported position and the impact that potential changes in interest rates may have on net interest income and the economic value of our equity.
Management strategies may impact future reporting periods, as our actual results may differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes, the difference between actual experience, and the characteristics assumed, as well as changes in market conditions. Market based prepayment speeds are factored into the analysis for loan and securities portfolios. Rate sensitivity for transactional deposit accounts is modeled based on both historical experience and external industry studies.
We use economic value of equity sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of interest rate changes on long-term cash flows, income, and capital. Economic value of equity is based on discounting the cash flows for all balance sheet instruments under different interest rate scenarios. Deposit premiums are based on external industry studies and utilizing historical experience.
The table below presents the change in our economic value of equity as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 assuming immediate parallel shifts in interest rates.
Operational Risk
Operational risk is the risk of loss due to human behavior, inadequate or failed internal systems and controls, and external influences such as market conditions, fraudulent activities, disasters, and security risks. We continuously strive to strengthen our system of internal controls, enterprise risk management, operating processes and employee awareness to assess the impact on earnings and capital and to improve the oversight of our operational risk.
Compliance Risk
Compliance risk represents the risk of regulatory sanctions, reputational impact or financial loss resulting from our failure to comply with rules and regulations issued by the various banking agencies and standards of good banking practice. Activities which may expose us to compliance risk include, but are not limited to, those dealing with the prevention of money laundering, privacy and data protection, community reinvestment initiatives, fair lending challenges resulting from the expansion of our banking center network and employment and tax matters.
Strategic and/or Reputation Risk
Strategic and/or reputation risk represents the risk of loss due to impairment of reputation, failure to fully develop and execute business plans, failure to assess current and new opportunities in business, markets and products, and any other event not identified in the defined risk types mentioned previously. Mitigation of the various risk elements that represent strategic and/or reputation risk is achieved through initiatives to help us better understand and report on various risks, including those related to the development of new products and business initiatives.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Talmer Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries-Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
Troy, Michigan
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Talmer Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. We also have audited Talmer Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Talmer Bancorp, Inc.’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, 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’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 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 audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
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.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Talmer Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, Talmer Bancorp, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
/s/ Crowe Horwath, LLP
Crowe Horwath LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
February 29, 2016
Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
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(1)
Amounts represent loans for which the Company has elected the fair value option. See Note 3.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
(1) The Company declared common stock dividends of $0.01 in each quarter of 2015 and in the third and fourth quarters of 2014.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Talmer Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(1) Due to the early termination of our loss share agreements, the balances at the time of the effective termination of the FDIC indemnification asset, receivable, clawback liability and warrant payable were written off.
See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2015
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include Talmer Bancorp, Inc., (the "Company"), a registered bank holding company, and the accounts and operations of its wholly owned subsidiary bank, Talmer Bank and Trust, ("Talmer Bank" or the "Bank"). Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
The Company provides financial services through 80 offices as of December 31, 2015, located in Midwest markets in Southeastern Michigan, smaller communities in Northeastern Michigan, Northeastern and Eastern Ohio and Chicago, Illinois and additionally operates one branch in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Company is a full service community bank offering a full suite of commercial and retail banking, mortgage banking, wealth management and trust services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals within its geographic footprint. Our product line includes loans to small and medium-sized businesses, residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, residential and commercial construction and development loans, consumer loans, home equity loans, agricultural loans, and a variety of commercial and consumer demand, savings and time deposit products. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and commercial and residential real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flow from operations of businesses. There are no significant concentrations of loans to any one industry or customer. However, the customers' ability to repay their loans is dependent on the real estate and general economic conditions in the area.
The Company also engages in mortgage banking activities and, as such, acquires, sells, and services one-to-four family residential mortgage loans and construction loans.
On February 17, 2015, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 2,529,416 warrants to purchase shares of Class A common stock including 1,623,162 of warrants issued on April 30, 2010, 109,122 of warrants issued on February 21, 2012 and 797,132 of warrants issued on December 27, 2012. The purchase price was based upon the fair value of the warrants on February 17, 2015, determined utilizing the closing price of our stock on the date of repurchase, and resulted in an aggregate purchase price of $19.9 million.
On August 21, 2015, Talmer West Bank was merged with and into Talmer Bank.
On August 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 5,077,000 shares of our Class A common stock in an underwritten public offering by which funds affiliated with WL Ross & Co. LLC ("WL Ross Funds") agreed to sell 9,664,579 shares of their Talmer Class A common stock. The WL Ross Funds received all of the net proceeds from the offering. The purchase price in the offering was $14.77 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $75.0 million. The shares repurchased by the Company were immediately retired following the purchase.
On December 28, 2015, the Company entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated the Bank's loss share agreements with the FDIC. The Company and the FDIC also agreed to terminate the warrant to purchase 390,000 shares of Class B non-voting common stock issued to the FDIC. Under the early termination agreement, Talmer Bank paid $11.7 million to the FDIC as consideration for the early termination of the loss share agreements, and under the warrant termination agreement, the Company paid $4.5 million to the FDIC as consideration to terminate all outstanding warrants. The early loss share termination and warrant termination resulted in a pre-tax charge of $20.4 million, or approximately $13.9 million after tax, during the year ended December 31, 2015. This charge resulted from the write-off of the remaining FDIC indemnification assets and FDIC receivable and the $16.2 million total payment to the FDIC, partially offset by the release of both the FDIC warrant payable and the FDIC clawback liability. As a result of the transaction, all loans, allowance for loan losses and other real estate owned previously classified as covered were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015.
The termination of the FDIC loss share agreements has no impact on the yield or loan loss provision of the previously covered loans. All rights and obligations of the parties under the loss share agreements were eliminated under the termination agreement. Talmer Bank will now recognize entirely all future charge-offs, recoveries, gains, losses and expenses related to the former covered assets, as the FDIC no longer is sharing in such amounts.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
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1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Subsequent Event: For information about the Company's subsequent planned merger with Chemical Financial Corporation refer to Note 25, Subsequent Events.
Use of Estimates: To prepare financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), management is required to make estimates and assumptions based on available information. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided, and actual results could differ.
Cash Flows: Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with maturities fewer than 90 days, and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions, and federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements.
Interest-Bearing Deposits with Other Banks: Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions mature within one year and are carried at cost.
Investment Securities: Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities that are not held for trading purposes are accounted for as securities available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of income taxes, reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity.
Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or accretion of purchase discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.
Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position, management assesses whether it intends to sell, or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and 2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis.
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock: Talmer Bank and Trust is a member of the FHLB of Indianapolis. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.
Loans Held for Sale: Mortgage and construction loans intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at fair value based on the Company's election of the fair value option. The fair value includes the servicing value of the loans as well as any accrued interest.
These loans are sold both with servicing rights retained and with servicing rights released. Under current business practice, the majority of loans sold are sold with servicing rights retained.
Loans:
Purchased Loans: Purchased loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition 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. Larger purchased loans are individually evaluated while smaller purchased loans are grouped together according to similar characteristics and were treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be susceptible to significant change.
The Company accounts for purchased credit impaired loans in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Subtopic 310-30, "Receivables-Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality" ("ASC 310-30"). The cash flows expected to be collected on purchased loans are estimated based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. Purchased loans are considered credit impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration at the date of purchase and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected. Purchased credit impaired loans are not classified as nonperforming assets as the loans are considered performing under ASC 310-30. Interest income, through
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1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
accretion of the difference between the carrying value of the loans and the expected cash flows is recognized on all purchased loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. Expected cash flows are re-estimated quarterly for all loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. A decline in the present value of current expected cash flows compared to the previously estimated expected cash flows, due in any part to change in credit, is referred to as credit impairment and recorded as provision for loan losses during the period. Declines in the present value of expected cash flows only from the expected timing of such cash flows is referred to as timing impairment and recognized prospectively as a decrease in yield on the loan. Improvement in expected cash flows is recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the yield on the loan once any previously recorded impairment is recaptured. Accelerated discounts on acquired loans result from the accelerated recognition of a portion of the loan discount that would have been recognized over the expected life of the loan and occur when a loan is paid in full or otherwise settled.
Purchased loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 including purchased loans with revolving privileges, are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-20, "Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs" ("ASC 310-20") or under FASB ASC Topic 310-40, "Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors" ("ASC 310-40"), where applicable. Discounts created when the loans were recorded at their estimated fair values at acquisition are amortized over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loan's yield.
Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment. Purchased loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the quarterly re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period provision for loan losses or future period yield adjustments. Purchased loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful. Generally, loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 are placed in nonaccrual status due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower coupled with other pertinent factors, such as insufficient collateral value.
The accrual of interest income, for loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30, on commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, residential real estate and real estate construction loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection, or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. The accrual of interest income for bankruptcy loans is discontinued upon notification of bankruptcy status of the borrower. Consumer loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 are typically charged off no later than 120 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.
All interest accrued, but not received for a loan placed on nonaccrual, is charged against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Prior to the termination of the loss share agreements with the FDIC, certain loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions were initially covered under loss share agreements and referred to as covered loans. Pursuant to the terms of the loss share agreements, the FDIC would reimburse the Company for 80% of losses incurred on covered loans. For certain purchased loans, the reimbursement rate for losses were reduced for losses above a certain threshold. The Company would reimburse the FDIC for its share of recoveries with respect to losses for which the FDIC paid the Company a reimbursement under the loss share agreement. For loans that were fully charged off prior to acquisition, the FDIC would reimburse the Company for 50% of expenses incurred to collect on the loan and the Company would reimburse the FDIC for 50% of the recoveries recognized from its collection efforts. All rights and obligations of the parties under the loss share agreements were eliminated under the termination agreement. Talmer Bank will now recognize entirely all future charge-offs, recoveries, gains. losses and expenses related to the former covered assets, as the FDIC no longer is sharing in such amounts.
Originated Loans: Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned income, deferred loan fees and costs, and any direct principal charge-offs. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income over the remaining life of the loan without anticipating prepayments.
During the normal course of business, loans originated with the initial intention to sell, but not ultimately sold, are transferred from held for sale to our portfolio of loans held for investment. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company transferred $7.0 million of loans held for sale to our portfolio of loans held for investment. In accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 825 "Financial Instruments," loans elected to be carried at fair value retain the election and continue to be carried at fair value. Loans held for sale are carried at fair value based on the Company's election of the fair
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1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
value option, and as such, the loans transferred from held for sale will continue to be reported at fair value. The fair value of these loans is estimated using discounted cash flows taking into consideration current market interest rates, loan repricing characteristics and expected loan prepayment speeds, while also taking into consideration other significant unobservable inputs such as the payment history and credit quality characteristic of each individual loan, and an illiquidity discount reflecting the relative illiquidity of the market.
Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment. Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful. Generally, loans are placed in nonaccrual status due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower coupled with other pertinent factors, such as, insufficient collateral value.
The accrual of interest income on single family residential mortgage, commercial and commercial real estate loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection, or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 120 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.
All interest accrued but not received for a loan placed on nonaccrual is charged against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
For further information about the loan portfolio, refer to Note 5.
Allowance for Loan Losses:
Purchased Loans: The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses on purchased loans based on credit deterioration subsequent to the acquisition date. In accordance with the accounting guidance for business combinations, there was no allowance brought forward on any of the acquired loans as any credit deterioration evident in the loans was included in the determination of the fair value of the loans at the acquisition date. For purchased credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 and troubled debt restructurings previously individually accounted for under ASC 310-30, management establishes an allowance for credit deterioration subsequent to the date of acquisition by re-estimating expected cash flows on these loans on a quarterly basis, with any decline in expected cash flows due to credit triggering impairment recorded as provision for loan losses. Impairment is measured as the excess of the recorded investment in a loan over the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the pre-impairment accounting yield of the loan. For any increases in cash flows expected to be collected, the Company first reverses any previously recorded allowance for loan losses, then adjusts the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the loan's remaining life. For purchased non-credit impaired loans acquired in the acquisitions of First Place Bank and Talmer West Bank that are accounted for under ASC 310-20, the historical loss estimates are based on the historical losses experienced by First Place Bank or Talmer West Bank, as applicable or Talmer Bank, following each bank's respective merger with Talmer Bank, for loans with similar characteristics as those acquired other than purchased credit impaired loans. We record an allowance for loan losses only when the calculated amount exceeds the remaining credit mark established at acquisition. For all other purchased loans accounted for under ASC 310-20 or under ASC 310-40, the allowance is calculated in accordance with the methods used to calculate the allowance for loan losses for originated loans.
Originated loans: The allowance for loan losses represents management's assessment of probable, incurred credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses consists of specific allowances, based on individual evaluation of certain loans, and allowances for homogeneous pools of loans with similar risk characteristics.
Impaired loans include loans placed on nonaccrual status and troubled debt restructurings. Loans are considered impaired when based on current information and events it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreements. When determining if the Company will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement, the Company considers the borrower's overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors, and the realizable value of any collateral. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
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1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
For loans not accounted for under ASC 310-30, the Company individually assesses for impairment all nonaccrual loans and TDRs.
Loans that do not meet the criteria to be evaluated individually are evaluated in homogeneous pools of loans with similar characteristics. The allowance for commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and real estate construction loans that are not individually evaluated for impairment begins with a process of estimating probable incurred losses in the portfolio. These estimates are established based on our internal credit risk ratings and historical loss data. We assign internal credit risk ratings to each business loan at the time the loan is approved and these risk ratings are subjected to subsequent periodic reviews by senior management, at least annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of a circumstance that affects the credit risk of the loan. Since the operating history of Talmer Bank is limited and it has grown rapidly, the historical loss estimates for loans are based on a combination of actual historical loss experienced by all banks in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Nevada and our own historical losses. Loss estimates are established by loan type including residential real estate, commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, real estate construction and consumer, and further segregated by region, including Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Nevada, where applicable. In addition, management consideration is given to borrower rating migration experience and trends, industry concentrations and conditions, changes in collateral values of properties securing loans and trends with respect to past due and nonaccrual amounts and any adjustments are made accordingly.
The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses charged to expense and decreased by actual charge-offs, net of recoveries of previous amounts charged-off. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management's judgment, should be charged off.
For further information about the allowance for loan and lease losses, refer to Note 6.
FDIC Indemnification Asset and Clawback Liability: The FDIC indemnification asset resulted from the loss share agreements in FDIC-assisted transactions. The asset was measured separately from the related covered assets as it was not contractually embedded in those assets and was not transferable with the assets. Prior to the termination of the loss share agreements with the FDIC, the FDIC would reimburse the Company for 80% of losses incurred on covered assets. For certain purchased loans, the reimbursement rate for losses was reduced for losses above a certain threshold. Expected reimbursements from the FDIC did not include reimbursable amounts related to future covered expenditures.
FDIC indemnification assets were recorded at fair value at the time of the FDIC-assisted transaction. Fair values were determined using projected cash flows related to the loss share agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss sharing percentages. These cash flows were discounted to the present value and the discount rate included a risk premium to reflect the uncertainty of the timing and collection of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC.
The accounting for FDIC indemnification assets was closely related to the accounting for the underlying, covered assets. The Company re-estimated the expected indemnification asset cash flows in conjunction with the quarterly re-estimation of cash flows on covered assets accounted for under ASC 310-30. Improvements in cash flow expectations on covered assets generally resulted in a related decline in the expected indemnification cash flows and were reflected as a downward yield adjustment on the indemnification assets. When the expected cash flows on the indemnified assets increased such that a previously recorded covered allowance for loan losses was reversed, we accounted for the associated decrease in the indemnification asset immediately in earnings. Any remaining decrease in the indemnification asset was amortized over the lesser of the contractual term of the loss share agreement or the remaining life of the indemnified asset. Deterioration in cash flow expectations on covered assets generally resulted in an increase in expected indemnification cash flows and was reflected as both FDIC loss share income and an increase to the indemnification asset.
Reimbursement requests were submitted to the FDIC on a quarterly basis for all covered assets.
The CF Bancorp, First Banking Center and Peoples State Bank loss share agreements contained a provision where if losses did not exceed a calculated threshold, the Company would be obligated to compensate the FDIC. This obligation was referred to as the FDIC clawback liability and, if applicable, would be due to the FDIC at the end of the loss share period (ten years). The formula for the FDIC clawback liability varied from agreement to agreement and was calculated using the formula provided in the individual loss share agreements and was not consolidated into one calculation.
Due to the early termination of the FDIC loss share agreements in the fourth quarter of 2015, there was no remaining balance of FDIC indemnification asset, receivable or clawback liability as of December 31, 2015.
Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 10 to 40 years for buildings and related components, 1 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment, and 1 to 3 years for software
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1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
and hardware. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful lives or the base term of the respective lease. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets: Other real estate owned and repossessed assets represent property acquired by the Company as part of an acquisition or subsequently through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or any other resolution activity where the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through similar legal agreement and additionally includes closed branches or operating facilities. The acquired properties are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. When we take real estate that secures a loan into other real estate owned, we charge off the difference between the loan balance and the fair value of the property less estimated costs to sell to the allowance for loan losses. Foreclosed properties and closed branches or operating facilities are initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequently, all other real estate owned is valued at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated costs to sell, based on periodic valuations performed by management. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Subsequent write-downs, for amounts not expected to be recovered, in the carrying value of other real estate owned and repossessed asset properties that may be required are expensed as incurred. Improvements to the properties may be capitalized if the improvements contribute to the overall value of the property. Improvement amounts may not be capitalized in excess of the net realizable value of the property. Any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Prior to the termination of the loss share agreements with the FDIC, 80% of losses and expenses incurred while holding covered other real estate owned and repossessed assets were reimbursed by the FDIC. In addition, any losses recognized at foreclosure, during the holding period or realized at the time of disposal were partially offset by the FDIC loss share income and were reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, any gains realized were shared with the FDIC in accordance with the loss share agreements.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
Goodwill: Goodwill resulting from the First of Huron Corp. acquisition represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is required to be tested annually for impairment or whenever events occur that may indicate that the recoverability of the carrying amount is not probable. In the event of impairment, the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value is charged to earnings.
Core Deposit Intangibles (CDIs): CDIs represent the estimated value of acquired relationships with deposit customers. The estimated fair value of CDIs are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that gives appropriate consideration to expected customer attrition rates, cost of the deposit base, reserve requirements and the net maintenance cost attributable to customer deposits. CDIs are amortized on an accelerated basis over their useful lives. CDIs are evaluated on an annual basis for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other".
Company-Owned Life Insurance: Company-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.
Loan Servicing Rights: Loan servicing rights are recognized as separate assets when such rights are purchased or when loans are sold into the secondary market, with servicing retained. Purchased servicing rights are recorded at purchase cost, which represents fair value. Upon the sale of an originated loan, the loan servicing right is established and recorded at the estimated fair value by calculating the present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, taking into consideration actual and expected mortgage loan prepayment rates, discount rates, servicing costs, and other economic factors, which are determined based on current market conditions. The expected and actual rates of loan prepayments are the most significant factors driving the fair value of loan servicing rights. Increases in loan prepayments reduce estimated future net servicing cash flows as the life of the underlying loan is shorter.
As of January 1, 2013, the Company elected to account for all loan servicing rights under the fair value method. The guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Subtopic 860-50, "Transfers and Servicing-Servicing Assets and Liabilities" provides that an entity may make an irrevocable decision to subsequently measure a class of servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value at the beginning of any fiscal year. The guidance allows for a Company to apply this election prospectively to all new and existing servicing assets and servicing liabilities. Management believes this election will provide more comparable results to peers as many of those within our industry group account for loan servicing rights under the fair value method. The change in accounting policy in the first quarter of 2013 resulted in a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings in the amount of $31 thousand. Prior to January 1, 2013, loan servicing rights were subject to impairment testing.
Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of outstanding principal and are recorded as income when earned. Late fees related to loan servicing are not material. Servicing fees are recorded as a component of "Mortgage banking and other loan fees" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
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December 31, 2015
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Transfers of Financial Assets: Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments: Financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk are offered to meet the financing needs of customers, such as outstanding commitments to extend credit, credit lines, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Pricing of these financial instruments is based on the credit quality and relationship, fees, interest rates, probability of funding and compensating balance and other covenants or requirements. Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates, are variable rate and contain termination and other clauses which provide for relief from funding in the event there is a significant deterioration in the credit quality of the customers. Since many commitments expire without being drawn upon, the total contractual amount of commitments does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. The carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of the fair value of these financial instruments. Carrying amounts, which are comprised of the unamortized fee income and, where necessary, reserves for any expected credit losses from these financial instruments, are insignificant.
Allowance for Lending-Related Commitments: The allowance for lending-related commitments provides for probable credit losses inherent in unused commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. The reserve is calculated for homogeneous pools of lending-related commitments within each internal risk rating, using the same inputs discussed above for the general component of the allowance for loan losses. An estimated draw factor is then applied to adjust for the probability of draw. The allowance for lending-related commitments is included in "Other liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheets, with the corresponding charge reflected as a component of "Other expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Derivative Instruments: At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative based on the Company's intentions and belief as to likely effectiveness as a hedge. The types entered into by the Company include a risk management hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability ("cash flow hedge") or a customer-initiated interest rate derivative with no hedging designation ("customer-initiated derivative").
Cash Flow Hedges: The Company enters into interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to manage the variability of cash flows, primarily net interest income, attributable to changes in interest rates. The gain or loss on a cash flow hedge is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of a cash flow hedge that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings as noninterest income. Net cash settlements on cash flow hedges are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged.
The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged items, the derivative is settled or terminates, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.
When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as noninterest income. When a cash flows hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.
Customer-Initiated Derivatives: The Company enters into interest rate derivatives to provide a service to certain qualifying customers to help facilitate their respective risk management strategies ("customer-initiated derivatives"). Therefore, these derivatives are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company's assets or liabilities. The Company generally takes offsetting positions with dealer counterparties to mitigate the valuation risk of the customer-initiated derivatives. Income primarily results from the spread between the customer derivatives and the offsetting dealer positions. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e. gains or losses) of a derivative instrument is determined by whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further by the type of hedging relationship. The Company presents derivative instruments at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis when a right of offset exists, based on transactions with a single counterparty and any cash collateral paid to and/or received from that counterparty for derivative contracts that are
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
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1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
subject to legally enforceable master netting arrangements. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the gain or loss derived from changes in fair value are recognized in current earnings during the period of change.
Mortgage Banking Derivatives: Commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors are recorded in "Other assets" and "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These commitments are accounted for as free standing derivatives under FASB ASC Topic 815, "Derivatives and Hedging". Fair values of these derivatives are estimated based on the fair value of the related mortgage loans determined using observable market data. The Company adjusts the outstanding interest rate lock commitments with prospective borrowers based on exercise and funding expectations. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in "Net gain on sales of loans" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Stock-Based Compensation: Compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options. The fair value of restricted stock awards is equal to the market price of the common stock at the date of grant. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period, based on the number of shares ultimately expected to vest.
Deferred Compensation Plan: The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan for certain key employees and members of the Board of Directors which allows participants to defer a portion of their compensation. Participants had the ability to begin deferrals into the Deferred Compensation Plan beginning July 1, 2014. While the Company maintains ownership of the deferred compensation asset, the participants are able to direct the investment of the assets into a pre-determined selection of investment options. Company stock is not an investment option for the participants. The assets are recorded at fair value in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A liability is established, in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, for the fair value of the obligation to the participants. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the deferred compensation plan assets is recorded in "Other noninterest income" on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the deferred compensation obligation to participants is recorded as additional compensation expense or a reduction of compensation expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Income Taxes: The provision for income taxes is based on amounts reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income (after deducting tax credits related to investments in low income housing partnerships) and includes deferred income taxes on temporary differences between the income tax basis and financial accounting basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for realization based on available evidence of future reversals of existing temporary differences and assumptions made regarding future events. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is "more likely than not" that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the "more likely than not test" test, no tax benefit is recorded.
The Company records interest and penalties on income tax liabilities in "Income tax provision (benefit)" on the Consolidated Statements of Income, if applicable.
Earnings per Common Share: The Company applies the two-class method of computing earnings per share as the Company has unvested restricted stock awards which qualify as participating securities. Under this calculation, all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain right to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities and earnings per share is determined according to dividends declared, when applicable, and participating rights in undistributed earnings.
Basic earnings per common share is net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Distributed and undistributed earnings are allocated between common and participating security shareholders based on their respective rights and then are divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share include the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options and warrants.
Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale and cash flow hedges, which are recognized as separate components of equity.
Loss Contingencies: Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are currently such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Restrictions on Cash: Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements.
Dividend Restriction: Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to the Company or by the Company to shareholders.
Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments: Fair value measurement applies whenever accounting guidance requires or permits assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. Fair value is an estimate of the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction (i.e., not a forced transaction, such as a liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. Fair value measurements and disclosures guidance establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. Fair value measurements are separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. For assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, it is the Company's policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements for those items for which there is an active market.
Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities where limited or no observable market data exists are estimated based on discounted cash flows or other valuation methods. Inputs to these valuation methods are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties, and require significant judgment. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values.
For further information about fair value measurements, refer to Note 3.
Operating Segments: While the chief decision makers monitor the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Management reviews operating performance and makes decisions as one banking segment across all geographies served.
Reclassifications: Some items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income or shareholders' equity.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards: The following provides a description of recently adopted or newly issued not yet effective accounting standards that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
In May of 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU is intended to clarify and converge the revenue recognition principles under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards and to streamline revenue recognition requirements in addition to expanding required revenue recognition disclosures. In August of 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, "Deferral of the Effective Date" ("ASU 2015-14"), which provides a one year deferral to the effective date, therefore, ASU 2014-09 is effective for public companies for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2017. As such, the Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018. Under the provision, the Company will have the option to adopt the guidance using either a full retrospective method or a modified transition approach. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2014-09.
In January of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”), which amends the accounting guidance related to the classification and measurement of financial instruments. While ASU 2016-01 retains many current requirements, it revises the accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. ASU 2016-01 requires entities to carry investments in equity securities at fair value through net income, with exceptions for investments that qualify for the equity method of accounting, investments resulting in investee consolidation, or investments in which the practicability exception to fair value measurement has been elected. The ASU also provides a new requirement to separately present in other comprehensive income the fair value change of instrument-specific credit risk, with exceptions to derivative liabilities which will continue to be presented in net income. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. As such, the Company will adopt ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018. Under the provision, the Company will be required to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of the beginning of the year in which the
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
guidance is effective. Exceptions exist for equity securities without readily determinable fair values and the use of the exit price to measure fair value for disclosure purposes, which will both be applied prospectively as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2016-01.
2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Company has determined that the acquisitions of First of Huron Corp. (“FHC”), and its subsidiary bank, Signature Bank, Talmer West Bank (formerly known as Michigan Commerce Bank) and First Place Bank constitute business combinations as defined by FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” Accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values on the date of acquisition, as required. Fair values were determined based on the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” In many cases the determination of these fair values required management to make estimates about discount rates, future expected cash flows, market conditions and other future events that are highly subjective in nature and subject to change.
On February 6, 2015, the Company acquired FHC for aggregate cash consideration of $13.4 million. In connection with the merger, FHC merged with Talmer Bancorp, Inc., with Talmer Bancorp, Inc. as the surviving company in the merger. Immediately following the merger, Signature Bank, a Michigan state-chartered bank and wholly owned subsidiary of FHC, merged with and into Talmer Bank and Trust, with Talmer Bank and Trust as the surviving bank. The Company assumed $3.5 million in subordinated notes issued to FHC and $1.4 million of related interest. The subordinated debt was immediately retired and the interest was paid in full in accordance with the provision of the purchase agreement. The Company also received FHC’s common securities issued by trust preferred issuers and assumed $876 thousand of outstanding interest. The outstanding interest on the trust preferred securities was immediately paid off in accordance with the provisions of the purchase agreement. The Company received certain tax assets and all cash and cash equivalents held by FHC. The Company incurred $1.2 million of acquisition related expenses during the year ended December 31, 2015, related to the acquisition of FHC, included within “Bank acquisition and due diligence fees” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. All of the branches acquired fit squarely within the Company’s target market areas.
The acquisition resulted in a recorded $4.8 million in net deferred tax assets at acquisition. Upon acquisition, FHC incurred an ownership change within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, but the acquisition did not result in built-in losses within the meaning of Section 382. At February 6, 2015, FHC had an estimated $1.7 million in gross federal net operating loss carry forwards expiring in 2030, 2032 and 2033 and $303 thousand in federal alternative minimum tax credits with an indefinite life. As a result of the ownership change, the Company’s ability to benefit from the use of FHC’s pre-ownership change net operating loss and tax credit carry forwards will be limited to approximately $366 thousand per year. No valuation allowance was established against the deferred tax assets associated with FHC’s pre-change net operating losses and tax credit carry forwards based on management’s estimate that none of the amounts will expire unused.
The assets and liabilities associated with the acquisition of FHC were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at estimated fair value as of the acquisition date as presented in the following table.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Continued)
The FHC acquisition resulted in recognition of $3.5 million of goodwill which is the excess of the consideration paid over the fair value of net assets acquired, and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. The recognized goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.
Loans acquired in the FHC acquisition were initially recorded at fair value with no separate allowance for loan losses. The Company reviewed the loans at acquisition to determine which should be considered purchased credit impaired loans (i.e. loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 defining impaired loans as those that were either not accruing interest or exhibited credit risk factors consistent with nonperforming loans at the acquisition date.)
Fair values for purchased loans are 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 the 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. Larger purchased loans are individually evaluated while smaller purchased loans are grouped together according to similar characteristics and were treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques.
The Company accounts for purchased credit impaired loans in accordance with the provisions of ASC 310-30. The cash flows expected to be collected on purchased loans are estimated based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. Purchased loans are considered credit impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration at the date of purchase and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected. Interest income, through accretion of the difference between the carrying value of the loans and the expected cash flows is recognized on the acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Continued)
Purchased loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 are accounted for under ASC 310-20. Premiums and discounts created when the loans were recorded at their fair values at acquisition are amortized over the remaining terms of the loans as an adjustment to the related loan’s yield.
The core deposit intangible is being amortized on an accelerated basis over the estimated life, currently expected to be 10 years from the date of acquisition.
Information regarding acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 as well as those excluded from ASC 310-30 accounting at acquisition date is as follows:
FHC’s results of operations have been included in the Company’s financial results since the February 6, 2015 acquisition date. The acquisition was not considered material to the Company’s financial statements; therefore pro forma financial data and related disclosures are not included.
On January 1, 2014, the Company purchased 100% of the capital stock of Financial Commerce Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary banks, Michigan Commerce Bank, a Michigan state-chartered bank, Indiana Community Bank, an Indiana state-chartered bank, Bank of Las Vegas, a Nevada state-chartered bank and Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque, a New Mexico state-chartered bank, and certain other bank-related assets from Financial Commerce Corporation and its parent holding company, Capitol Bancorp Ltd., in a transaction facilitated under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, for cash consideration of $4.0 million and a separate $2.5 million payment to fund an escrow account to pay the post-petition administrative fees and expenses of the professionals in the bankruptcy cases of Financial Commerce Corporation and Capital Bancorp, Ltd., each of which filed voluntary bankruptcy petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code on August 9, 2012, with any unused escrowed funds to be refunded to the Company.
Immediately prior to consummation of the acquisition, Capitol Bancorp Ltd. merged Indiana Community Bank, Bank of Las Vegas and Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque with and into Michigan Commerce Bank, with Michigan Commerce Bank as the surviving bank in the merger. Simultaneously with the merger, Michigan Commerce Bank changed its name to Talmer West Bank. Following the acquisition, the Company contributed $99.5 million of additional capital to Talmer West Bank in order to recapitalize the bank. In order to support the acquisition and recapitalization of Talmer West Bank, the Company borrowed $35.0 million under a senior unsecured line of credit. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the initial public offering that closed on February 14, 2014 to repay the $35.0 million during the first quarter of 2014. Talmer West Bank was consolidated with and into Talmer Bank and Trust on August 21, 2015. The Company incurred $697 thousand and $3.0 million of acquisition related expenses related to the acquisition of Talmer West Bank during the years ended December 31, 2015 and
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Continued)
2014, respectively. These acquisition related expenses are included within "Bank acquisition and due diligence fees" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Twelve of the branches acquired, or 70% of the total number of branches acquired in the acquisition, fit squarely within the Company's target market areas.
The assets and liabilities associated with the acquisition of Talmer West Bank were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at estimated fair value as of the acquisition date as presented in the following table.
The Talmer West Bank acquisition resulted in a pre-tax bargain purchase gain of $42.0 million as the estimated fair value of assets acquired exceeded the estimated fair value of liabilities assumed and consideration paid. The gain was included within "Bargain purchase gain" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Loans acquired in the Talmer West Bank acquisition were initially recorded at fair value with no separate allowance for loan losses. Information regarding acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 as well as those excluded from ASC 310-30 accounting at acquisition date is as follows:
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Continued)
Talmer West Bank's results of operations have been included in the Company's financial results since the January 1, 2014 acquisition date.
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the consolidated results of operations of the Company and Talmer West Bank as if the acquisition had occurred as of January 1, 2013 with pro forma adjustments to give effect of any change in interest income due to the accretion of the discount (premium) associated with the fair value adjustments to acquired loans, any change in interest expense due to estimated premium amortization/discount accretion associated with the fair value adjustments to acquired time deposits and borrowings and other debt and the amortization of the core deposit intangible that would have resulted had the deposits been acquired as of January 1, 2013.
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
As the business combination was effective January 1, 2014, there were no proforma adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2014.
On January 1, 2013, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of First Place Financial Corp. (FPFC) including all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of First Place Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPFC, headquartered in Warren, Ohio, in a transaction facilitated under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, for cash consideration of $45.0 million. Under the provisions of the asset purchase agreement, the Company assumed $60.0 million in subordinated notes issued to First Place Capital Trust, First Place Capital Trust II, and First Place Capital III, of which $45.0 million was immediately retired. Following the acquisition, the Company contributed $179.0 million of additional capital in order to recapitalize First Place Bank with commitments to contribute additional capital if needed. The Company incurred $1.4 million of acquisition related expenses during the year ended December 31, 2012, primarily related to the acquisition of First Place Bank included within "Bank acquisition and due diligence fees" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred $8.7 million of bank acquisition and due diligence fees of which $8.3 million related to costs associated with the First Place Bank transaction. First Place Bank was consolidated with and into Talmer Bank and Trust on February 10, 2014.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Continued)
The assets and liabilities associated with the acquisition of First Place Bank were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at estimated fair value as of the acquisition date as presented in the following table.
The First Place Bank acquisition resulted in a pre-tax bargain purchase gain of $71.7 million as the estimated fair value of assets acquired exceeded the estimated fair value of liabilities assumed and consideration paid. The gain was included within "Bargain purchase gain" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The core deposit intangible is being amortized on an accelerated basis over the estimated life, currently expected to be 10 years.
Loans acquired in the First Place Bank acquisition were initially recorded at fair value with no separate allowance for loan losses.
Information regarding acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 as well as those excluded from ASC 310-30 accounting at acquisition date is as follows:
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (Continued)
First Place Bank's results of operations have been included in the Company's financial results since the January 1, 2013 acquisition date.
3. FAIR VALUE
The fair value framework as detailed by FASB ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurement" requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into a three-level hierarchy based on the markets in which the financial instruments are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. A brief description of each level follows.
Level 1-Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2-Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; or model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3-Valuation is measured through utilization of model-based techniques that rely on at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. Any necessary unobservable assumptions used reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.
Fair value estimates are based on existing financial instruments and, in accordance with GAAP, do not attempt to estimate the value of anticipated future business or the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. In addition, tax ramifications related to the recognition of unrealized gains and losses, such as those within the investment securities portfolio, can have a significant effect on estimated fair values and, in accordance with GAAP, have not been considered in the estimates. For these reasons, the aggregate fair value should not be considered an indication of the value of the Company.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies and key inputs used to measure financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, as well as a description of the methods and any significant assumptions used to estimate fair value disclosures for financial assets and liabilities not recorded at fair value in their entirety on a recurring basis. For financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, the description includes the level of the fair value hierarchy in which the assets or liabilities are classified. Transfers of asset or liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period, when applicable.
Cash and cash equivalents: Due to the short-term nature, the carrying amount of these assets approximates the estimated fair value. The Company classifies cash and due from banks as Level 1 and interest-bearing deposits with other banks and federal funds and other short-term investments as Level 2.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
Investment securities: Investment securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available or the market is deemed to be inactive at the measurement date, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar investment securities. Third-party vendors compile prices from various sources and may apply such techniques as matrix pricing to determine the value of identical or similar investment securities. Management reviews the methodologies and assumptions used by the third-party pricing services and evaluates the values provided, principally by comparison with other available market quotes for similar instruments and/or analysis based on internal models using available third-party market data. Level 2 securities include obligations issued by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, state and municipal obligations, mortgage-backed securities issued by both U.S. government-sponsored enterprises and non-agency enterprises securities, corporate debt securities, Small Business Administration Pools and privately issued commercial mortgage-backed securities that have active markets at the measurement date. The fair value of Level 2 securities was determined using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or pricing models based on observable market data inputs, primarily interest rates, spreads and prepayment information.
Level 3 included an obligation of a political subdivision as of December 31, 2015, representative of a security in a less liquid market requiring significant management assumptions when determining fair value. As of December 31, 2014, securities classified as Level 3 also included a trust preferred security and a privately issued subordinated corporate debt security (included within "Corporate debt securities"). The fair values of these investment securities represent less than one percent of the total available-for-sale securities at each period end. The fair value of the political subdivision obligation and the subordinated corporate debt security has been determined to be equal to the carrying cost since the securities were acquired. The issuers have continued to pay their obligations without fail and the Company has not received any information to question further payments. Since the purchase of this security, no credit related concerns have come to the Company's attention, therefore, no adjustment for credit loss assumptions were made. The fair value of the trust preferred security, at December 31, 2014, was compiled by a third-party vendor through consideration of then recent trades and/or auctions of comparable securities, where applicable and are presented without adjustment. Comparable securities consider credit, structure, tenor, trade flows and cash flow characteristics. Due to the limited sales of these types of securities, significant unobservable assumptions were included to determine comparable securities to be included in the analysis.
Investment securities classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost. Due to limited liquidity of these securities, held-to-maturity securities are classified as Level 3. The fair value of the held-to-maturity security is determined to be equal to the carrying value. No credit related concerns have come to the Company's attention; therefore, no credit loss assumptions were made.
Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock: Restricted equity securities are not readily marketable and are recorded at cost and evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of initial cost. No significant observable market data is available for these instruments. The Company considers the profitability and asset quality of the issuer, dividend payment history and recent redemption experience, when determining the ultimate recoverability of cost. The Company believes its investments in FHLB stock are ultimately recoverable at cost.
Loans held for sale: Loans held for sale are carried at fair value based on the Company's election of the fair value option. These loans currently consist of one-to-four family residential real estate loans originated for sale to qualified third parties. The fair value is determined based on quoted market rates and other market conditions considered relevant. The Company classifies loans held for sale as recurring Level 2.
Loans measured at fair value: During the normal course of business, loans originated with the initial intention to sell, but not ultimately sold, are transferred from held for sale to our portfolio of loans held for investment at fair value as the Company adopted the fair value option at origination. The fair value of these loans is estimated using discounted cash flows, taking into consideration current market interest rates, loan repricing characteristics and expected loan prepayment speeds, while also taking into consideration other significant unobservable inputs such as the payment history and credit quality characteristic of each individual loan and an illiquidity discount reflecting the relative illiquidity of the market. Due to the adjustments made relating to unobservable inputs, the Company classifies the loans transferred from loans held for sale as recurring Level 3.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
Loans: The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis other than those discussed in "Loans measured at fair value" above. However, periodically, the Company records nonrecurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements. Loans, outside the scope of ASC 310-30, are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreements. Impaired loans, which include all nonaccrual loans and troubled debt restructurings, are disclosed as nonrecurring fair value measurements when an allowance is established based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. Appraisals for collateral-dependent impaired loans are prepared by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties). These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. The comparable sales approach evaluates the sales price of similar properties in the same market area. This approach is inherently subjective due to the wide range of comparable sale dates. The income approach considers net operating income generated by the property and the investor's required return. This approach utilizes various inputs including lease rates and cap rates which are subject to judgment. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to account for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. These adjustments generally range from 0% to 40% depending on the property type, as well as various sales and property characteristics including but not limited to: date of sale, size and condition of facility, quality of construction and proximity to the subject property. Once received, management reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics to determine if additional downward adjustments should be made. Property values are typically adjusted when management is aware of circumstances, economic changes or other conditions, since the date of the appraisal that would impact the expected selling price. Such adjustments are usually significant and result in a nonrecurring Level 3 classification.
Estimated fair values for loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers 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. Cash flows expected to be collected on these loans are estimated based upon the expected remaining life of the underlying loans, which includes the effects of estimated prepayments. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 as Level 3.
For loans excluded from ASC 310-30 accounting that are not individually evaluated for impairment, fair value is estimated using a discounted cash flow model. The cash flows take into consideration current portfolio interest rates and repricing characteristics as well as assumptions relating to prepayment speeds. The discount rates take into consideration the current market interest rate environment, a credit risk component based on the credit characteristics of each loan portfolio, and a liquidity premium reflecting the liquidity or illiquidity of the market. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of non-collateral dependent loans excluded from ASC 310-30 accounting as Level 3.
Premises and equipment: Premises and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. Impaired premises and equipment at both December 31, 2015 and 2014 were recorded at fair value based on a recent appraisal through a valuation allowance. The Company classifies impaired premises and equipment as nonrecurring Level 3.
FDIC indemnification asset: The fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset at December 31, 2014 was estimated using projected cash flows related to the loss share agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss sharing percentages. The Company re-estimated the expected indemnification asset cash flows in conjunction with the quarterly re-estimation of cash flows on covered loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. The expected cash flows were discounted to reflect the uncertainty of the timing and receipt of the loss share reimbursement from the FDIC. These cash flow evaluations are inherently subjective as they require material estimates, all of which may be subject to significant change. The estimates used in calculating the value of the FDIC indemnification asset were reflective of the estimates utilized to determine the estimated fair value of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30. The Company classified the December 31, 2014 estimated fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset as Level 3. On December 28, 2015, the Company entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated the Bank's loss share agreements with the FDIC, eliminating the FDIC indemnification asset.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
Other real estate owned and repossessed assets: Other real estate owned and repossessed assets represents property acquired by the Company as part of an acquisition, through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, or any other resolution activity that results in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans, or by closing of branches or operating facilities. Properties are initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequently, the assets are valued at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated costs to sell, based on periodic valuations performed. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised value or management's estimate of the value, using a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales, the income approach and existing offers. The comparable sales approach evaluates the sales price of similar properties in the same market area. This approach is inherently subjective due to the wide range of comparable sale dates. The income approach considers net operating income generated by the property and the investor's required return. This approach utilizes various inputs including lease rates and cap rates which are subject to judgment. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to account for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. These adjustments generally range from 0% to 40% depending on the property type, as well as various sales and property characteristics including but not limited to: date of sale, size and condition of facility, quality of construction and proximity to the subject property. Adjustments are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification.
Loan servicing rights: Loan servicing rights are accounted for under the fair value measurement method based on accounting election. A third party valuation model is used to determine the fair value at the end of each reporting period utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis using interest rates and prepayment speed assumptions currently quoted for comparable instruments and a discount rate determined by management. Changes in fair value of loan servicing rights are recorded in "Mortgage banking and other loan fees". Because of the nature of the valuation inputs, the company classifies loan servicing rights as Level 3. Refer to Note 11, "Loan Servicing Rights", for assumptions included in the valuation of loan servicing rights.
FDIC receivable: The FDIC receivable represented claims submitted to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") for reimbursement for which the Company expected to receive payment within 90 days at December 31, 2014. Due to the short term nature, the carrying amount of these instruments approximated the estimated fair value. The Company classified the estimated fair value of FDIC receivable at December 31, 2014 as Level 2. On December 28, 2015, the Company entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated the Bank's loss share agreements with the FDIC, eliminating the FDIC receivable.
Company-owned life insurance and deferred compensation plan liabilities: The Company holds life insurance policies on certain officers, both for investment purposes and for the Company's deferred compensation plan. The carrying value of these policies approximates fair value as it is based on the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or amounts due that are probable at settlement. As such, the Company classifies the estimated fair value of Company-owned life insurance as Level 2. Deferred compensation plan liabilities represent the fair value of the obligation to the employee, which corresponds to the fair value of the invested assets. Deferred compensation plan liabilities are recorded with "other liabilities" and are classified by the Company as Level 2.
Derivative instruments: The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments with prospective borrowers to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors, which are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of these commitments is based on the fair value of related mortgage loans determined using observable market data. Interest rate lock commitments are adjusted for expectations of exercise and funding. This adjustment is not considered to be a material input. The Company classifies interest rate lock commitments and forward contracts related to mortgage loans to be delivered for sale as recurring Level 2.
Derivative instruments held or issued for risk management or customer-initiated activities are traded in over-the counter markets where quoted market prices are not readily available. Fair value for over-the-counter derivative instruments is measured on a recurring basis using third party models that use primarily market observable inputs, such as yield curves and option volatilities. The fair value for these derivatives may include a credit valuation adjustment that is determined by applying a credit spread for the counterparty or the Company, as appropriate, to the total expected exposure of the derivative after considering collateral and other master netting arrangements. These adjustments, which are considered Level 3 inputs, are based on estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default. The Company assesses the significance of the
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and at both December 31, 2015 and 2014, it was determined that the credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the company classifies its risk management cash flow hedges and customer-initiated derivatives valuations in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Accrued interest receivable and payable: Due to their short term nature, the carrying amount of these instruments approximates the estimated fair value; therefore, the Company classifies the estimated fair value of accrued interest receivable and payable as Level 2.
Deposits: The estimated fair value of demand deposits (e.g., noninterest and interest-bearing demand, savings, other brokered funds and certain types of money market accounts) is, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). Fair values for certificates of deposit are based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows at current interest rates. The estimated fair value of deposits does not take into account the value of the Company's long-term relationships with depositors, commonly known as core deposit intangibles, which are not considered financial instruments. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of deposits as Level 2.
Clawback liability: The CF Bancorp, First Banking Center and Peoples State Bank loss share agreements contained a provision where if losses do not exceed a calculated threshold, the Company would have been obligated to compensate the FDIC. The carrying amount of these instruments approximated the estimated fair value at December 31, 2014. The estimated fair value required management's assumption of what estimated losses would be, which is a significant component. As such, the Company classified the estimated fair value of the FDIC clawback liability at December 31, 2014 as Level 3. On December 28, 2015, the Company entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated the Bank's loss share agreements with the FDIC, eliminating the clawback liability.
Short-term borrowings: Short-term borrowings represent federal funds purchased, a senior unsecured line of credit and certain short-term FHLB advances. Due to their short term nature, the carrying amount of these instruments approximates the estimated fair value. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of short-term borrowings as Level 2.
Long-term debt: Long-term debt includes securities sold under agreements to repurchase, FHLB advances and subordinated notes related to trust preferred securities. The estimated fair value is based on current rates for similar financing or market quotes to settle those liabilities. The Company classifies the estimated fair value of long-term debt as Level 2.
FDIC warrant payable: FDIC warrants payable represented stock warrants that were issued to the FDIC in connection with the 2010 FDIC-assisted acquisition of CF Bancorp at December 31, 2014. These warrants were recorded at net present value based on management estimates used in a discounted pricing model. The inputs into the pricing model included management's assumption of an annualized growth rate. The carrying amount of these instruments approximated the estimated fair value. The Company classified the estimated fair value of FDIC warrants payable at December 31, 2014 as Level 3. On December 28, 2015, the Company entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated the FDIC warrant payable.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
The following tables present the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, including financial assets and liabilities for which the Company has elected the fair value option, on a recurring basis:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
During the year ended December 31, 2015, two privately issued subordinated debt securities (included within "Corporate debt securities") were transferred from Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy to Level 2 due to the market for these securities becoming active during the period. There were no transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy during the year ended December 31, 2014.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
The aggregate fair value, contractual balance (including accrued interest), and gain or loss position for loans held for investment measured and recorded at fair value was as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
There were no gains (losses) included in the fair value above that were associated with instrument specific credit risk. The aggregate fair value and contractual principal balance of loans held for investment measured and recorded at fair value that were 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2015 was $275 thousand and $364 thousand, respectively. Of the aggregate fair value of loans that were 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2015, $275 thousand were on nonaccrual status. The aggregate fair value and contractual principal balance of loans held for investment measured and recorded at fair value that were 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2014 was $155 thousand and $191 thousand, respectively. Of the aggregate fair value of loans that were 90 days or more past due as of December 31, 2014, $155 thousand were on nonaccrual status.
Interest income is recorded based on the contractual terms of the loans in accordance with the Company's policy on loans held for investment and is recorded in "Interest and fees on loans" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were $831 thousand, $604 thousand and $108 thousand, respectively, of interest income earned on loans transferred from loans held for sale to loans held for investment.
The total amount of gains (losses) from changes in fair value of loans held for investment measured at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Income were as follows:
The Company has elected the fair value option for loans held for sale. These loans are intended for sale and the Company believes that the fair value is the best indicator of the resolution of these loans. Interest income is recorded based on the contractual terms of the loans in accordance with the Company policy on loans held for investment in "Interest and fees on loans" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The aggregate fair value of loans held for sale that were 90 days past due and on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2015 was $7 thousand. None of these loans were 90 days past due or on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2014.
The aggregate fair value, contractual balance (including accrued interest), and gain or loss for loans held for sale carried at fair value was as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
The total amount of gains (losses) from changes in fair value of loans held for sale included in the Consolidated Statements of Income were as follows:
(1) Included in "Interest and fees on loans" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2) Included in "Net gain on sales of loans" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These include assets that are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
The following table presents the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
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(1)
Specific reserves of $4.4 million and $2.9 million were provided to reduce the value of these loans at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. In addition, net charge-offs of $306 thousand and $32 thousand reduced the fair value of these loans in the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(2)
The Company charged $3.2 million and $4.0 million through other noninterest expenses during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to reduce the fair value of these properties.
(3)
The Company charged $1.1 million and $460 thousand through other noninterest expense during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to reduce the fair value of these properties. A valuation allowance of $5.1 million and $460 thousand was provided to reduce the fair value of these repossessed assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, based on the estimated fair value as of each respective date.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
(4)
The Company charged $1.1 million and $185 thousand through other noninterest expenses during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to reduce the value of premises and equipment deemed impaired during the period.
(5)
The Company charged $1.7 million through other noninterest expenses during the year ended December 31, 2014, to reduce the fair value of these properties. These expenses were partially offset by FDIC loss share income recorded due to the associated loss share coverage.
The Company typically holds the majority of its financial instruments until maturity and thus does not expect to realize many of the estimated fair value amounts disclosed. The disclosures also do not include estimated fair value amounts for items that are not defined as financial instruments, but which have significant value. These include such items as core deposit intangibles, the future earnings potential of significant customer relationships and the value of fee generating businesses. The Company believes the imprecision of an estimate could be significant.
The following tables present the carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments not recorded at fair value in their entirety on a recurring basis on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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(1)
Included $20.1 million of impaired loans recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and $22.2 million of loans recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.
(2) Includes $61.2 million of other brokered funds.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
3. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
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(1)
Included $7.6 million of impaired loans recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and $19.5 million of loans recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.
(2)
Included $502 thousand of impaired loans recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
(3)
Includes $72.3 million of other brokered funds.
4. SECURITIES
The following summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and gross unrecognized gains and losses.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
4. SECURITIES (Continued)
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
4. SECURITIES (Continued)
Proceeds from sales of securities and the associated gains and losses recorded in earnings are listed below:
The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 2015 are shown below. Contractual maturity is utilized for U.S. Government sponsored agency obligations, obligations of state and political subdivisions and corporate debt securities. Securities with multiple maturity dates are classified in the period of final maturity. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities if borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Securities with a carrying value of $390.5 million and $337.8 million were pledged at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to secure borrowings and deposits.
At December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of shareholders' equity.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
4. SECURITIES (Continued)
A summary of the Company's investment securities available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position is as follows:
As of December 31, 2015, the Company's security portfolio consisted of 339 securities, 95 of which were in an unrealized loss position. The unrealized losses for these securities resulted primarily from changes in benchmark U.S. Treasury interest rates. The Company expects full collection of the carrying amount of these securities and does not intend to sell the securities in an unrealized loss position nor does it believe it will be required to sell securities in an unrealized loss position before the value is recovered. The Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2015.
The unrealized losses are spread across asset classes, primarily in those securities carrying fixed interest rates. At December 31, 2015, the combination of these security asset class holdings in an unrealized loss position had an estimated fair value of $361.1 million with gross unrealized losses of $2.9 million. Unrealized losses in these security holdings were mainly impacted by increases in benchmark U.S. Treasury rates and, to a lesser extent, widened liquidity spreads since their respective acquisition dates.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS
Commercial real estate loans consist of term loans secured by a mortgage lien on the real property such as apartment buildings, office and industrial buildings, retail shopping centers, and farmland. The credit underwriting for both owner-occupied and non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans includes detailed market analysis, historical and projected cash flow analysis, appropriate equity margins, assessment of lessees and lessors, type of real estate and other analysis. Risk of loss is managed by adherence to standard loan policies that establish certain levels of performance prior to the extension of a loan to the borrower. Geographic diversification, as well as diversification across industries, are other means by which the risk of loss is managed by the Company.
Residential real estate loans represent loans to consumers for the purchase or refinance of a residence. These loans are generally financed over a 15- to 30-year term, and in most cases, are extended to borrowers to finance their primary residence with both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate terms. The majority of these loans originated by the Company conform to secondary market underwriting standards and are sold within a short timeframe to unaffiliated third parties. As such, the credit underwriting standards adhere to the underwriting standards and documentation requirements established by the respective investor or correspondent bank. Residential real estate loans also include home equity loans and lines of credit that are secured by a first or second lien on the borrower's residence. Home equity lines of credit consist mainly of revolving lines of credit secured by residential real estate. Home equity lines of credit are generally governed by the same lending policies and subject to the same credit risk as described previously for residential real estate loans.
Commercial and industrial loans include financing for commercial purposes in various lines of business, including manufacturing, service industry, professional service areas and agricultural. The Company works with businesses to meet their short-term working capital needs while also providing long-term financing for their business plans. Credit risk is managed through standardized loan policies, established and authorized credit limits, centralized portfolio management and the diversification of market area and industries. The overall strength of the borrower is evaluated through the credit underwriting process and includes a variety of analytical activities including the review of historical and projected cash flows, historical financial performance, financial strength of the principals and guarantors, and collateral values, where applicable. Commercial and industrial loans are generally secured with the assets of the company and/or the personal guarantee of the business owners.
Real estate construction loans are term loans to individuals, companies or developers used for the construction of a commercial or residential property for which repayment will be generated by the sale or permanent financing of the property. Generally, these loans are for construction projects that have been either presold, preleased, or have secured permanent financing, as well as loans to real estate companies with significant equity invested in the project.
Consumer loans include loans made to individuals not secured by real estate, including loans secured by automobiles or watercraft, and personal unsecured loans. Risk elements in the consumer loan portfolio are primarily focused on the borrower's cash flow and credit history, key indicators of the ability to repay and borrower credit scores. A certain level of security is provided through liens on automobile or watercraft titles, where applicable. Economic conditions that affect consumers in the Company's markets have a direct impact on the credit quality of these loans. Higher levels of unemployment, lower levels of income growth and weaker economic growth are factors that may adversely impact consumer loan credit quality.
On December 28, 2015, the Company entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated the Bank's loss share agreements with the FDIC. As a result, all loss share agreements have been eliminated and no loans are considered covered at December 31, 2015.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
Loans at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
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(1)
Reported net of deferred costs totaling $1.9 million and deferred fees totaling $4.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Nonperforming Assets and Past Due Loans
Nonperforming assets consist of loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued, other real estate owned acquired through acquisitions, other real estate owned obtained through foreclosure and other repossessed assets.
Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement or any portion thereof remains unpaid after the due date of the scheduled payment. Loans outside of those accounted for under ASC 310-30 are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful. The accrual of interest income is discontinued when a loan is placed in nonaccrual status and any payments received reduce the carrying value of the loan. A loan may be placed back on accrual status if all contractual payments have been received and collection of future principal and interest payments are no longer doubtful. Loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 are classified as performing, even though they may be contractually past due, as any nonpayment of contractual principal or interest is considered in the quarterly re-estimation of expected cash flows and is included in the resulting recognition of current period provision for loan losses or future yield adjustments.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
Information as to nonperforming assets was as follows:
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(1)
Excludes closed branches and operating facilities.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
Loan delinquency, excluding loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 was as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
Impaired Loans
A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans included nonperforming loans (including nonperforming TDRs) and performing TDRs. Impaired loans are accounted for at the lower of the present value of expected cash flows or the estimated fair value of the collateral. When the present value of expected cash flows or the fair value of the collateral of an impaired loan not accounted for under ASC 310-30 is less than the amount of unpaid principal outstanding on the loan, the recorded principal balance of the loan is reduced to its carrying value through either a specific allowance for loan loss or a partial charge-off of the loan balance.
Information as to total impaired loans (both individually and collectively evaluated for impairment) is as follows:
Troubled Debt Restructurings
The Company assesses all loan modifications to determine whether a modification constitutes a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR"). For loans excluded from ASC 310-30 accounting, a modification is considered a TDR when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and the Company grants a concession to the borrower. For loans accounted for individually under ASC 310-30, a modification is considered a TDR when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and the effective yield after the modification is less than the effective yield at the time the loan was acquired in association with consideration of qualitative factors included within ASC 310-40. All TDRs are considered impaired loans. The nature and extent of impairment of TDRs, including those which have experienced a subsequent default, is considered in the determination of an appropriate level of charge off and/or allowance for loan losses.
As of December 31, 2015, there were $14.5 million of nonperforming TDRs and $25.2 million of performing TDRs included in impaired loans. As of December 31, 2014, there were $25.0 million of nonperforming TDRs and $19.8 million of performing TDRs included in impaired loans. All TDRs are considered impaired loans in the calendar year of their
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
restructuring. In subsequent years, a restructured obligation modified at a market rate and compliant with its modified terms for a minimum period of six months is no longer reported as a TDR. A loan that has been modified at a rate other than market will return to performing status if it satisfies the six months performance requirement; however, it will continue to be reported as a TDR and considered impaired. If a TDR is subsequently restructured under current market terms, no cumulative concession has been granted to the borrower and the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulties which is documented by a current credit evaluation the loan is no longer required to be reported as a TDR.
The following tables present the recorded investment of loans modified in TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 by type of concession granted. In cases where more than one type of concession was granted, the loans were categorized based on the most significant concession.
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(1)
Loan forgiveness related to loans modified in TDRs for the year ended December 31, 2015 totaled $209 thousand.
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Loan forgiveness related to loans modified in TDRs for the year ended December 31, 2014 totaled $1.3 million.
(2)
Loan restructurings whereby the original loan is restructured into two notes: an "A" note, which generally reflects the portion of the modified loans which is expected to be collected; and a "B" note, which is fully charged off.
(3)
The provision for loan losses for covered loans was partially offset by the build of an associated FDIC indemnification asset on covered loans.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Loan forgiveness related to loans modified in TDRs for the year ended December 31, 2013 totaled $1.4 million.
(2)
The provision for loan losses for covered loans was partially offset by the build of an associated FDIC indemnification asset on covered loans.
When a modification qualifies as a TDR and was initially individually accounted for under ASC 310-30, the loan is required to be moved from ASC 310-30 accounting and accounted for under ASC 310-40. In order to accomplish the transfer of the accounting for the TDR from ASC 310-30 to ASC 310-40, the loan is essentially retained in the ASC 310-30 accounting model and subject to the quarterly cash flow re-estimation process. Similar to loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, deterioration in expected cash flows result in the recognition of allowance for loan losses. However, unlike loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, improvements in estimated cash flows on these loans result only in recapturing previously recognized allowance for loan losses and the yield remains at the last yield recognized under ASC 310-30.
On an ongoing basis, the Company monitors the performance of TDRs to their modified terms. The following table presents the number of loans modified in TDRs during the previous 12 months for which there was payment default during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, including the recorded investment as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. A payment on a TDR is considered to be in default once it is greater than 30 days past due.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
At December 31, 2015, commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose terms have been modified in TDRs totaled $474 thousand.
The terms of certain other loans that were modified during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 that did not meet the definition of a TDR generally involved a modification of the terms of a loan to borrowers who were not deemed to be experiencing financial difficulties or a loan accounted for under ASC 310-30 that did not result in a lower effective yield than at the date of acquisition after the modification in association with consideration of qualitative factors included within ASC 310-40. The evaluation of whether or not a borrower is deemed to be experiencing financial difficulty is completed during loan committee meetings at the time of the loan approval.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
Credit Quality Indicators
Credit risk monitoring and management is a continuous process to manage the quality of the loan portfolio.
The Company categorizes commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and real estate construction loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt including, current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation and current economic trends, among other factors. The risk rating system is used as a tool to analyze and monitor loan portfolio quality. Risk ratings meeting an internally specified exposure threshold are updated annually, or more frequently upon the occurrence of a circumstance that affects the credit risk of the loan. The following describes each risk category:
Pass: Includes all loans without weaknesses or potential weaknesses identified in the categories of special mention, substandard or doubtful.
Special Mention: Loans with potential credit weakness or credit deficiency, which, if not corrected, pose an unwarranted financial risk that could weaken the loan by adversely impacting the future repayment ability of the borrower.
Substandard: Loans with a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, such as loans to borrowers who may be experiencing losses from operations or inadequate liquidity of a degree and duration that jeopardizes the orderly repayment of the loan. Substandard loans also are distinguished by the distinct possibility of loss in the future if these weaknesses are not corrected.
Doubtful: Loans with all the characteristics of a loan classified as Substandard, with the added characteristic that credit weaknesses make collection in full highly questionable and improbable.
Commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and real estate construction loans by credit risk category were as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
5. LOANS (Continued)
(1) Prior to January 1, 2015, all nonaccrual loans were included in the "Doubtful" risk category. After further review of regulatory guidance, we have reclassified nonaccrual loans with a determinable value to the "Substandard" risk category; therefore, "Substandard" now includes accrual and nonaccrual loans. This change in classification has been made retrospectively and the reclassification is presented within the December 31, 2014 disclosure.
For residential real estate loans and consumer loans, the Company evaluates credit quality based on the aging status of the loan and by payment activity. Residential real estate loans and consumer loans secured by a residence where the debt has been discharged but the borrower continues to make payments are considered nonperforming. The following table presents residential real estate and consumer loans by credit quality:
6. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The allowance for loan losses represents management's assessment of probable, incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses consists of specific allowances, based on individual evaluation of certain loans, and allowances for homogeneous pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. Management's evaluation in establishing the adequacy of the allowance includes evaluation of actual past loan loss experience, probable incurred losses in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect a specific borrower's ability to repay (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, and other pertinent factors, such as periodic internal and external evaluations of delinquent, nonaccrual, and classified loans. The evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires utilizing material estimates. The evaluation of these factors is the responsibility of certain senior officers from the credit administration, finance, and lending areas.
The Company established an allowance for loan losses associated with purchased credit impaired loans (accounted for under ASC 310-30) based on credit deterioration subsequent to the acquisition date. The Company re-estimates cash flows expected to be collected for purchased credit impaired loans on a quarterly basis, with any decline in expected cash flows recorded as provision for loan losses on a discounted basis during the period. For any increases in cash flows expected to be collected, the Company first reverses any previously recorded allowance for loan loss, then adjusts the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the loan's remaining life.
On December 28, 2015, the Company entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated the loss share agreements with the FDIC. As a result, all loss share agreements have been eliminated and no loans or related allowance are considered covered at December 31, 2015.
For loans not accounted for under ASC 310-30, the Company individually assesses for impairment all nonaccrual loans and TDRs.
Information as to impaired loans individually evaluated for impairment is as follows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
6. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
6. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)
Uncovered Loans
Changes in the allowance for loan losses and the allocation of the allowance for uncovered loans were as follows:
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
6. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)
(1) Effective July 1, 2015, the first of our four non-single family FDIC loss share agreements expired. On December 28, 2015, our remaining loss share agreements were terminated with an effective date of October 1, 2015. Therefore, the balance of the loans and the related allowance for loan losses were reclassified to uncovered.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
6. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
6. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (Continued)
Covered Loans
Changes in the allowance and the allocation of the allowance for covered loans were as follows:
(1)
Effective July 1, 2015, the first of our four non-single family FDIC loss share agreements expired. On December 28, 2015, our remaining loss share agreements were terminated with an effective date of October 1, 2015. Therefore, the balance of the loans and the related allowance for loan losses were reclassified to uncovered.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
7. ACQUIRED LOANS AND LOSS SHARE ACCOUNTING
A significant amount of loans acquired in the CF Bancorp and First Banking Center acquisitions during the year 2010 and the Peoples State Bank and Community Central Bank acquisitions during the year 2011 were acquired with loss share agreements with the FDIC, whereby the FDIC generally reimbursed the Bank for 80% of losses incurred. The CF Bancorp, First Banking Center and Peoples State Bank loss share agreements also included provisions where a clawback payment, calculated using formulas included within the contracts, was to be made to the FDIC 10 years and 45 days following the acquisition in the event actual losses failed to reach stated levels.
On December 28, 2015, we entered into an early termination agreement with the FDIC that terminated the Bank's loss share agreements with the FDIC. The Company and the FDIC also agreed to terminate the warrant to purchase 390,000 shares of Class B non-voting common stock issued to the FDIC. Under the early termination agreement, the Bank paid $11.7 million to the FDIC as consideration for the early termination of the loss share agreements, and under the warrant termination agreement, the Company paid $4.5 million to the FDIC as consideration to terminate all outstanding warrants. The early loss share termination and warrant termination resulted in a pre-tax charge of $20.4 million, or approximately $13.9 million after tax, during the year ended December 31, 2015. This charge resulted from the write-off of the remaining FDIC indemnification assets and FDIC receivable and the $16.2 million total payment to the FDIC, partially offset by the release of both the FDIC warrant payable and the FDIC clawback liability. As a result of the transaction, all loans, allowance for loan losses and other real estate owned previously classified as covered were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015.
Acquired loans were recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date, which includes loans acquired in each FDIC-assisted acquisition and in the First Place Bank, Talmer West Bank and First of Huron, Corp. acquisitions. At the acquisition date, where a loan exhibits evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will not collect all principal and interest payments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, the Company accounts for the loan under ASC 310-30 and recognizes the expected shortfall of expected future cash flows, as compared to the contractual amount due, as a nonaccretable discount. Any excess of the net present value of expected future cash flows over the acquisition date fair value is recognized as the accretable discount, or accretable yield. We recognize accretion of the accretable discount as interest income over the expected remaining life of the purchased loan. Fair value discounts/premiums created on acquired loans accounted for outside the scope of ASC 310-30 are accounted for under ASC 310-20 and are accreted/amortized into interest income over the remaining term of the loan as an adjustment to the related loans yield.
Changes in the carrying amount of accretable discount for purchased loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 were as follows:
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Primarily includes changes in the accretable discount due to loan payoffs, foreclosures and charge-offs.
For loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, the Company remeasures expected cash flows on a quarterly basis. For loans where the remeasurement process results in a decline in expected cash flows, impairment is recorded. To the extent impairment was recorded on covered loans, the indemnification asset was increased to reflect anticipated future cash to be received from the FDIC. Alternatively, when a loan's remeasurement results in an increase in expected cash flows, the effective yield of the related loan is increased through an addition to the accretable discount. To the extent improvement relates to covered loans, the indemnification asset was first reduced by the writing off of any indemnification asset related to impairment previously
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
7. ACQUIRED LOANS AND LOSS SHARE ACCOUNTING (Continued)
recorded with any remaining indemnification asset accreting off over the shorter of the expected term of the loan or the remaining life of the related loss share agreement.
The total identified improvement in the cash flow expectations resulting in yield adjustments on a prospective basis during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 for purchased credit impaired loans was $77.9 million, $99.3 million and $82.5 million, respectively. The Company also identified declines in the cash flow expectations of certain loans. A decline in the present value of current expected cash flows compared to the previously estimated expected cash flows, due in any part to change in credit, is referred to as credit impairment and recorded as provision for loan losses during the period. Declines in the present value of expected cash flows only from the expected timing of such cash flows is referred to as timing impairment and recognized prospectively as a decrease in yield on the loan.
Below is the composition of the recorded investment for loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The following table details the components and impact of the provision for loan losses on covered loans and the related FDIC loss share income. Due to the termination of our FDIC loss share agreements, all covered loans were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015, therefore the table below does not reflect any activity for the fourth quarter of 2015.
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(1)
The results of re-estimations also included cash flow improvements to be recognized prospectively as an adjustment to the accretable yield on the related covered loans of $20.4 million, $41.5 million and $49.1 million for the periods presented in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
7. ACQUIRED LOANS AND LOSS SHARE ACCOUNTING (Continued)
The following table summarizes the activity related to the FDIC indemnification asset and the FDIC receivable for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. For further detail on impairment and provision expense related to loans accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30, refer to Note 6 "Allowance for Loan Losses." Due to the termination of our FDIC loss share agreements, all covered loans were reclassified to uncovered effective October 1, 2015, therefore the table below does not reflect any activity for the fourth quarter of 2015 other than the write-off of the remaining FDIC indemnification asset and FDIC receivable.
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(1) Primarily includes adjustments for fully claimed and exited loans and the results of remeasurement of expected cash flows under ASC 310-30 accounting.
(2) Includes expenses associated with maintaining the underlying properties and legal fees.
8. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
The following table summarizes premises and equipment at December 31:
The Company leases certain branch properties and equipment under operating leases. Net rent expense was $6.5 million, $8.9 million and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
8. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT (Continued)
During the year ended December 31, 2014, $9.0 million and $114 thousand of net book value of premises and equipment was sold in our New Mexico and Wisconsin branch sales, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 the Company transferred $889 thousand and $480 thousand from premises and equipment to other real estate owned, respectively, due to branch or building operation closings/consolidations.
Future minimum lease payments for operating leases, before considering renewal options that generally are present, are as follows:
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(1)
Future minimum lease payments are reduced by $228 thousand related to sublease income to be received within the next five years.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
9. OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED AND REPOSSESSED ASSETS
Changes in other real estate owned and repossessed assets were as follows:
(1)
Includes loans transferred to other real estate owned and other repossessed assets and transfers to other real estate owned due to branch or building operation closings/consolidations.
(2)
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASU No. 2014-04, "Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collaterized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure" ("ASU 2014-04") utilizing the prospective transition method.
(3)
Effective July 1, 2015, the first of our four non-single family FDIC loss share agreements expired. In addition, on December 28, 2015, we entered into an agreement with the FDIC to early terminate our remaining FDIC loss share agreements effective October 1, 2015. Therefore, the balances of the other real estate owned and repossessed assets under the applicable FDIC loss share agreements were reclassified to uncovered at each respective effective date.
At December 31, 2015, the Company had $951 thousand of other real estate owned and repossessed assets as a
result of obtaining physical possession in accordance with ASU 2014-04. In addition, there are $9.4 million of consumer
mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process, as of
December 31, 2015.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
9. OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED AND REPOSSESSED ASSETS (Continued)
Activity in the valuation allowance for other real estate owned and repossessed assets during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below. There was no valuation allowance for other real estate owned and repossessed assets at any time during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Income and expenses related to other real estate owned and repossessed assets, recorded as a component of "Other expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Income, were as follows:
Note that prior to October 1, 2015, covered expenses and income were partially offset by the corresponding recording of FDIC loss share income or expense.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
10. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Core Deposit Intangibles
The Company recorded core deposit intangibles (CDIs) associated with each of its acquisitions. CDIs are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives and have an estimated remaining weighted-average useful life of 6.6 years as of December 31, 2015.
The table below presents the Company's net carrying amount of CDIs.
Amortization expense recognized on CDIs was $2.6 million, $2.8 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, included as a component of "other expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we sold our branch offices located in Wisconsin (acquired in our First Banking Center acquisition) and our single branch office in Albuquerque, New Mexico (acquired in our Talmer West Bank acquisition). The branch sales included all of the deposits of the branches, resulting in the write-off of the related core deposit intangibles totaling $1.0 million.
The estimated amortization expense of CDIs for the next five years is as follows:
Goodwill
The Company recorded goodwill in the amount of $3.5 million associated with the acquisition of First of Huron Corporation completed February 6, 2015. Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite life and is not amortized, but instead is subject to an annual review of impairment.
Impairment exists when the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value. At December 31, 2015, the Company had positive equity and the Company elected to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if it was more likely than not that the fair value exceeded its carrying value, including goodwill. The qualitative assessment indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value exceeded its carrying value, resulting in no impairment.
11. LOAN SERVICING RIGHTS
Loan servicing rights are created as a result of the Company's mortgage banking origination activities, the purchase of mortgage servicing rights, the origination and purchase of agricultural servicing rights and the origination and purchase of commercial real estate servicing rights. Loans serviced for others are not reported as assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
11. LOAN SERVICING RIGHTS (Continued)
The Company elected as of January 1, 2013 to account for all loan servicing rights under the fair value method. This change in accounting policy resulted in a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2013 in the amount of $31 thousand. For further information on this election, refer to Note 1, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies." The following table represents the activity for loan servicing rights and the related fair value changes.
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(1)
During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we sold $12.7 million and $771 thousand, respectively, of servicing rights in connection with the sale of $1.2 billion and $33.8 million, respectively, of principal balance of loans serviced.
(2)
Represents estimated fair value changes primarily due to prepayment speeds and market-driven changes in interest rates.
Expected and actual loan prepayment speeds are the most significant factors driving the fair value of loan servicing rights. The following table presents assumptions utilized in determining the fair value of loan servicing rights as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
11. LOAN SERVICING RIGHTS (Continued)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with serviced loans were $63.2 million and $71.0 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The Company realized total loan servicing fee income of $10.4 million, $13.8 million and $16.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, recorded as a component of "Mortgage banking and other loan fees" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND BALANCE SHEET OFFSETTING
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various transactions involving derivative instruments to manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and to meet the financing needs of customers (customer-initiated derivatives). These financial instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and credit risk. Market and credit risk are included in the determination of fair value.
Commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors are considered derivatives. It is the Company's practice to enter into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans when interest rate lock commitments are entered into in order to economically hedge the effect of changes in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans.
The Company enters into interest rate derivatives to provide a service to certain qualifying customers to help facilitate their respective risk management strategies, customer-initiated derivatives, and, therefore, are not used for interest rate risk management purposes. The Company generally takes offsetting positions with dealer counterparts to mitigate the inherent risk. Income primarily results from the spread between the customer derivative and the offsetting dealer positions.
The Company additionally utilizes interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges for risk management purposes to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. These interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of the Company's known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to certain variable rate borrowings and/or deposits. The Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged transactions. The interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges were determined to be fully effective during all periods presented. As such, no amount of ineffectiveness has been included in net income. Therefore, the aggregate fair value of the swaps is recorded in other assets (liabilities) with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) would
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND BALANCE SHEET OFFSETTING (Continued)
be reclassified to current earnings should the hedge no longer be considered effective. The Company expects the hedges to remain fully effective and does not expect any amounts to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income due to ineffectiveness during the remaining terms of the swaps.
The following table presents the notional amount and fair value of the Company's derivative instruments held or issued for risk management purposes or in connection with customer-initiated and mortgage banking activities.
_________________________________________
(1)
Notional or contract amounts, which represent the extent of involvement in the derivatives market, are used to determine the contractual cash flows required in accordance with the terms of the agreement. These amounts are typically not exchanged, significantly exceed amounts subject to credit or market risk and are not reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)
Derivative assets are included within "Other assets" and derivative liabilities are included within "Other liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in the fair value of the derivative assets are credit valuation adjustments for counterparty credit risk totaling $208 thousand and $103 thousand at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In the normal course of business, the Company may decide to settle a forward contract rather than fulfill the contract. Cash received or paid in this settlement manner is included in "Net gain on sales of loans" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and is considered a cost of executing a forward contract.
The following table presents the net gains (losses) relating to derivative instruments reflecting the changes in fair value.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND BALANCE SHEET OFFSETTING (Continued)
The following table presents the net gains (losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and the Consolidated Statements of Income relating to interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. There were no interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2013.
At December 31, 2015, the Company expected $487 thousand of the unrealized loss to be reclassified as an increase to interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Methods and assumptions used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its forward contracts, interest rate lock commitments, customer-initiated derivatives and interest rate swaps are discussed in Note 3, "Fair Value".
Balance Sheet Offsetting
Certain financial instruments, including derivatives (interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges and customer-initiated derivatives), may be eligible for offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and/or subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The Company is party to master netting arrangements with its financial institution counterparties; however, the Company does not offset assets and liabilities under these arrangements for financial statement presentation purposes. The tables below present information about the Company's financial instruments that are eligible for offset.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
13. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES
Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company offers a variety of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include outstanding commitments to extend credit, credit lines, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit.
The Company's exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to the financial instrument, is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. The credit policies used in making commitments and conditional obligations are the same as those used for on-balance sheet instruments.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many commitments expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on an individual basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant, or equipment. Unfunded commitments under commercial lines of credit, revolving credit lines and overdraft protection agreements are included in commitments to extend credit. These lines of credit are generally uncollateralized, usually do not contain a specified maturity date and may be drawn upon only to the total extent to which the Company is committed.
Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The Company's portfolio of standby letters of credit consists primarily of performance assurances made on behalf of customers who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services. The risk to the Company arises from its obligation to make payment in the event of the customers' contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party.
The allowance for credit losses on lending-related commitments included $622 thousand and $539 thousand at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for probable credit losses inherent in the Company's unused commitments and was recorded in "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
A summary of the contractual amounts of the Company's exposure to off-balance sheet risk is as follows:
Commitments are generally made for a period of 60 days or less for residential mortgage loans and 90 days or less for commercial loans. The fixed rate loan commitments have interest rates ranging from 1.64% to 21.00% and maturities ranging from 1 month to 41 years.
Contingencies and Guarantees
The Company has originated and sold certain loans for which the buyer has limited recourse to us in the event the loans do not perform as specified in the agreements. These loans had an outstanding balance of $25.2 million and $39.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The maximum potential amount of undiscounted future payments that we could be required to make in the event of nonperformance by the borrower totaled $19.4 million and $31.6 million, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In the event of nonperformance, we have rights to the underlying collateral securing the loans. As
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
13. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES (Continued)
of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had recorded a liability of $125 thousand and $355 thousand, respectively, in connection with the recourse agreements, recorded in "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We issue standby letters of credit for commercial customers to third parties to guarantee the performance of those customers to the third parties. If the customer fails to perform, we perform in their place and record the funds advanced as an interest-bearing loan. These letters of credit are underwritten using the same policies and criteria applied to commercial loans. Therefore, they represent the same risk to us as a loan to that commercial loan customer. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, our standby letters of credit totaled $66.1 million and $73.5 million, respectively.
Representations and Warranties
In connection with our mortgage banking loan sales, we make certain representations and warranties that the loans meet certain criteria, such as collateral type and underwriting standards. We may be required to repurchase individual loans and/or indemnify the purchaser against losses if the loan fails to meet established criteria. The following table represents the activity related to our liability recorded in connection with these representations and warranties.
Legal Proceedings
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to various pending or threatened legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of business.
The Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with outstanding legal proceedings utilizing the latest information available. Where it is probable that the Company will incur a loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements. While the ultimate liability with respect to these litigation matters and claims cannot be determined at this time, in the opinion of management, any liabilities arising from pending legal proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial statements.
14. DEPOSITS
Time deposits, including certificates of deposit, Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service deposits ("CDARS") and certain individual retirement account deposits, of $250 thousand or more totaled $706.7 million and $386.7 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
14. DEPOSITS (Continued)
At December 31, 2015, the scheduled maturities of time deposits, which includes $61.2 million of time deposits included within "Other brokered funds", for the next five years were as follows:
15. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT
The following table presents the components of the Company's short-term borrowings and long-term debt.
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Weighted average rate presented is the contractual rate which excludes premiums and discounts related to purchase accounting.
(2)
The December 31, 2015 balance includes advances payable of $389.6 million and purchase accounting premiums of $4.3 million. The December 31, 2014 balance includes advances payable of $280.1 million and purchase accounting premiums of $6.7 million.
(3)
The December 31, 2015 balance includes securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $50.0 million and purchase accounting premiums of $4.8 million. The December 31, 2014 balance includes securities sold under agreements to repurchase of $50.0 million and purchase accounting premiums of $6.4 million.
(4)
The December 31, 2015 balance includes subordinated notes related to trust preferred securities of $15.0 million and purchase accounting discounts of $4.1 million. The December 31, 2014 balance includes subordinated notes related to trust preferred securities of $15.0 million and purchase accounting discounts of $4.3 million.
(5)
The December 31, 2015 balance includes subordinated notes related to trust preferred securities of $5.0 million and purchase accounting discounts of $459 thousand.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
15. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
Selected financial information pertaining to the components of our short-term borrowings is as follows:
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(1)
For the year ended December 31, 2013, we did not have any activity in the Federal funds purchased and FHLB overnight repurchase agreements.
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase represent funds deposited with the banks by retail customers (short-term borrowings), of which up to $250 thousand is covered by FDIC insurance for each depositor. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are typically delivered to the counterparty when they are wholesale borrowings with brokerage firms (long-term debt). At maturity, the securities underlying the agreements are returned to the banks. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are additionally collateralized by residential mortgage-backed securities issued and/or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government sponsored enterprises with a carrying value of $81.2 million at December 31, 2015 which are not covered by FDIC insurance. The Company's securities sold under agreements to repurchase do not qualify as sales for accounting purposes. The remaining contractual maturity, excluding purchase accounting adjustments, of securities sold under agreement to repurchase, both long-term and short-term, is as follows:
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
15. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
Talmer Bank is a member of the FHLB, which provides short- and long-term funding collateralized by mortgage-related assets to its members. Each advance is payable at its maturity date, with a prepayment penalty for fixed-rate advances. At December 31, 2015, FHLB advances were collateralized by $1.8 billion of commercial and mortgage loans, with $1.2 billion in the form of a blanket lien arrangement and $604.1 million under specific lien arrangements. Based on this collateral, the Company is eligible to borrow up to an additional $463.6 million at December 31, 2015; however, due to Board resolutions, this amount is limited to an additional $364.3 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company drew $30.0 million on a line of credit in order to facilitate the repurchase of 2.5 million warrants to purchase shares of the Company's Class A common stock at an aggregate price of $19.9 million and $10.0 million for working capital on our existing line of credit.
At December 31, 2015, the contractual principal payments due and the amortization/accretion of purchase accounting adjustments for the remaining maturities of long-term debt over the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
16. INCOME TAXES
The current and deferred components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:
A reconciliation of expected income tax expense (benefit) at the federal statutory rate to the Company's provision for income taxes and effective tax rate follows.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized an income tax expense of $23.9 million on $84.0 million of pre-tax income, an effective tax rate of 28.4%, compared to $7.7 million on $98.6 million of pre-tax income, an effective tax rate of 7.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 and an income tax benefit of $5.3 million on $93.2 million of pre-tax income, an effective tax rate of negative 5.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2013. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased from 2014 primarily from treating the $42.0 million bargain purchase gain resulting from the acquisition of Talmer West Bank in 2014 as non-taxable, based on the tax structure of the acquisition, and a $10.1 million reduction in the valuation allowance established in 2014 against the deferred tax assets associated with First Place Bank pre-ownership change tax losses. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company, with the assistance of legal and tax accounting external experts, reached a conclusion regarding the calculation of the annual Section 382 limitation related to the ownership change of First Place Bank, which resulted in an increase of the annual Section 382 limitation from $1.7 million to $6.6 million. Based on this new information, management concluded that the $10.1 million in valuation allowance at December 31, 2013 could be reduced to zero at June 30, 2014. The negative effective rate for the year ended December 31, 2013 resulted primarily
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
16. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
from treating the $71.7 million bargain purchase gain resulting from the acquisition of First Place Bank as non-taxable, based on the tax structure of the acquisition and by a $14.4 million reduction in valuation allowance established at acquisition date against the deferred tax assets associated with First Place Bank pre-ownership change tax losses. The $14.4 million decrease in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance during 2013 was largely due to post-acquisition date reductions in our original estimates of projected realized built-in losses on loans (i.e. bad debt deductions) occurring in the one year period following the acquisition date.
The significant components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
It is the Company's policy not to record deferred taxes on outside basis differences in our subsidiary if we expect we would liquidate a subsidiary in a tax-free manner, which is the case with our bank.
On February 6, 2015, the Company acquired First of Huron Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Signature Bank, and recorded $4.8 million in acquired deferred tax assets. These entities incurred an ownership change within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC"). As such, the Company’s ability to benefit from the use of First of Huron Corp.'s pre-ownership change net operating loss carry forwards will be limited. See the table below that lists the attributes acquired and the limitations of Section 382. Management determined it is more likely than not that the annual Section 382 limit
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
16. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
will not impact the potential future utilization of net operating loss carry forwards, therefore a valuation allowance was deemed unnecessary.
On January 1, 2014, the Company acquired Talmer West Bank and recorded $60.4 million in deferred tax assets at acquisition. Upon acquisition, Talmer West Bank incurred an ownership change within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, the Company's ability to benefit from the use of Talmer West Bank's pre-ownership change net operating loss carry forwards, as well as the deductibility of certain of its built-in losses if realized during a five-year recognition period (one year with respect to bad debt deductions), will be limited, putting at risk the utilization of associated deferred tax assets before they expire. No valuation allowance was established against the deferred tax assets associated with Talmer West Bank's pre-change losses based on management's estimate of the amount and timing of built-in losses more likely than not to be realized over the Section 382 recognition period, and the impact on the Company's utilization of pre-ownership change net operating loss carry forwards. In determining its estimate of built-in losses more likely than not to be realized within the Section 382 recognition period, management focused primarily on tax losses embedded in Talmer West Bank's loan portfolio and other real estate owned. To a lesser extent management focused on tax losses embedded in fixed assets, investments in partnerships and certain accrued expenses, and anticipated when these losses might create actual tax deductions, either through bad debt deductions, depreciation, amortization, payment, or disposition of the assets in question.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, Capital Bancorp, Ltd.'s consolidated tax return (Talmer West Bank's former parent holding company) for the year ended December 31, 2014 was completed. The resulting impact was an allocation of net operating loss to Talmer West Bank that exceeded expectations, thereby generating an additional tax benefit of $5.0 million for net operating loss carry forwards, against which management concluded that a valuation allowance in the amount of $2.3 million was necessary based on IRC Section 382 limitations and estimated future recognized built in losses that may go unutilized. See the table below for the related loss attributes and those limited by Section 382.
Finally, Talmer Bank incurred an ownership change in 2009, for which the related loss attributes and those limited by Section 382 are detailed below.
The following table is a summary of the loss attributes, Section 382 limitations, and tax expiration periods as of December 31, 2015.
Management also concluded that no valuation allowance was necessary on the remainder of the Company's net deferred tax assets at either December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. This determination was based on the Company's history of pre-tax and financial taxable income over the prior three years, as well as management's expectations for sustainable profitability in the future. Management monitors deferred tax assets quarterly for changes affecting realizability and the valuation allowance could be adjusted in future periods.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
16. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
Actual outcomes could vary from the Company's current estimates, resulting in future increases or decreases in the valuation allowance and corresponding future tax expense or benefit.
At December 31, 2015, Talmer Bank and Trust had approximately $36.0 million of bad debt reserve in equity for which no provision for federal income taxes was recorded. This amount represents First Place Bank's qualifying thrift bad debt reserve at December 31, 1987, which is only required to be recaptured into taxable income if certain events occur. At December 31, 2015, the potential tax on the above amount was approximately $13.0 million. The Company does not intend to take any action that would result in a recapture of any portion of its bad debt reserve.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into certain transactions that have tax consequences. From time to time, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and state taxing authorities may review and/or challenge specific interpretive tax positions taken by the Company with respect to those transactions. The Company believes that its tax returns, as well as First Place Bank, Talmer West Bank, First of Huron Corp. and Signature Bank's tax returns for open periods prior to the acquisitions, were filed based upon applicable statutes, regulations and case law in effect at the time of the transactions. The IRS, various state and other jurisdictions, if presented with the transactions, could disagree with the Company's interpretation of the tax law.
First Place Bank had received notice in 2013 that the IRS had denied refund claims in amended tax returns filed by First Place Bank on a consolidated basis with its former parent company, First Place Financial Corp., for fiscal years ended June 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005. The Company disagreed with the IRS position and, in January 2016, a settlement was finalized. Talmer Bank and Trust, as successor to First Place Bank, was granted court approval to act as substitute agent for First Place Financial Corp.’s consolidated group for the purposes of amending various returns, which ultimately impacts the tax filings of the Bank. The benefit expected to the Bank as a result of the amended filings is approximately $4.2 million that will be recorded in the first quarter of 2016 as an offset to the quarterly income tax expense. In the second quarter of 2014, the IRS commenced an examination of the consolidated federal tax returns of First Place Bank's former parent for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013, 2012, 2011, which included First Place Bank through January 1, 2013. The results of this examination concluded with no changes. First Place Bank's federal tax return for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 is currently subject to potential examination as well.
There are several years of returns that are still open to examination by various taxing authorities for Talmer West Bank.
The Company's federal tax return for the years ended December 31, 2012 to present are open to potential examination. The Company's most significant states of operation, Michigan and Ohio, do not impose income-based taxes on financial institutions. The Company and/or its subsidiaries are subject to minor amounts of income tax in various other states, with varying years open to potential examination. The Company is not aware of any pending income tax examinations by any state jurisdiction.
The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015 or 2014 and does not expect to record unrecognized tax benefits of any significance during the next twelve months. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense, when applicable. There are no liabilities accrued for interest or penalties at December 31, 2015 or 2014.
17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND STOCK WARRANTS
The Company's 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), along with amendments made to the Plan, limits the number of shares issued or issuable to employees, directors and certain consultants at 9.8 million shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2015, 1.3 million shares were available to be awarded under the Plan.
Stock Options
Options are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market price of the Company's Class A common stock at the date of grant. The vesting and terms of option awards are determined by the Company's Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. For the year ended December 31, 2015, there were no stock options granted. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted 35 thousand stock options that were fully vested upon issuance and will remain outstanding for 10 years after the grant date, unless exercised.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND STOCK WARRANTS (Continued)
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the table below. Given the relatively short history of Company stock being publicly traded during the year ended December 31, 2014, following our public offering in February 2014, it was not practicable for the Company to estimate volatility of its share price. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company used the average volatility of comparable public bank holding companies as an input to the valuation model. Since limited historical data was available, the expected term of options granted was estimated to be six years for the year ended December 31, 2014 based on expected lives used by a sample of other Midwest banks. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant corresponding with the expected life of the options. The expected dividend yield was based on historical and projected dividend patterns of the Company's common shares. At the time the shares were granted in 2014, dividends were not projected. All stock options granted have fully vested and the Company intends to issue already authorized shares to satisfy options upon exercise.
The fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were determined using the following weighted-average assumptions as of the grant date. There were no options granted during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Activity in the Plan during the year ended December 31, 2015 is summarized below:
__________________________________________________
(1)
Options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2015 had a weighted average fair value of $15.89, at respective exercise dates.
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $6.5 million, $4.0 million and $14 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Total cash received from option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $210 thousand, $143 thousand and $41 thousand, respectively, resulting in the issuance of 35 thousand shares, 25 thousand shares and 5 thousand shares, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, there were 258 thousand shares, 191 thousand shares and 5 thousand shares issued, respectively, under the net-settlement option. The tax benefit realized from option exercises during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $1.8 million, $1.1 million and $2 thousand, respectively.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND STOCK WARRANTS (Continued)
All of the Company's stock options were fully vested prior to January 1, 2015 and there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options granted under the Plan. Total compensation expense for stock options, included in "Salary and employee benefits" in the Consolidated Statements of Income, was $460 thousand and $9.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Restricted Stock Awards
Under the Plan, the Company can grant restricted stock awards that vest upon completion of future service requirements or specified performance criteria. The fair value of these awards is equal to the market price of the common stock at the date of grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for these awards over the vesting period, using the straight-line method, based upon the number of shares of restricted stock ultimately expected to vest. Restricted stock awards granted vest in their entirety following a five-year service period for employees and over a one-year service period for directors. Restricted stock awards granted to directors during the year ended December 31, 2015 additionally contain performance-based vesting conditions. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. If an individual awarded restricted stock awards terminates employment prior to the end of the vesting period, the unvested portion of the stock award is forfeited.
The following table provides information regarding nonvested restricted stock awards:
Total expense for restricted stock awards totaled $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, of which $1.5 million was included in "Salary and employee benefits" related to employees and $266 thousand was included in "Professional fees" related to directors in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2014, total expense for restricted stock awards totaled $672 thousand, of which $504 thousand was included in "Salary and employee benefits" related to employees and $168 thousand was included in "Professional fees" related to directors in the Consolidated Statements of Income. There were no restricted stock awards outstanding prior to June 2014. As of December 31, 2015, the total compensation costs related to nonvested restricted stock that has not yet been recognized totaled $8.6 million and the weighted-average period over which these costs are expected to be recognized is 3.9 years.
Stock Warrants
On February 10, 2010, 38,855 Class A common stock warrants were issued to certain seed investors. These warrants have a strike price of $10.00 per share and expire August 28, 2017. These warrants have a feature that dictates that the warrants only become exercisable after an eligible capital transaction, which is either an initial public offering or a sale of the Company in which the stock of the Company is valued above certain threshold levels. These warrants were not issued concurrently with the issuance of stock and meet the definition of a derivative under ASC 815-40 "Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity's Own Equity" (ASC 815-40), however, they fall under the scope exception which states that contracts issued that are both a) indexed to its own stock; and b) classified in stockholders' equity are not considered derivatives. The warrants were recorded at their fair value on the date of grant as a component of stockholder's equity. These warrants remain outstanding at December 31, 2015.
On April 30, 2010, 390,000 Class B non-voting common stock warrants were issued to the FDIC. These warrants had a strike price of $6.00 and a 10 year term. These warrants had a feature that allowed settlement in cash and were issued as consideration paid to the FDIC for the purchase of assets of CF Bancorp. These warrants met the definition of a liability due to the cash settlement feature and are recorded as such in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The purchase accounting adjustments
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND STOCK WARRANTS (Continued)
related to the CF Bancorp acquisition included an estimated present value of the potential cash settlement that may be paid to the FDIC of $2.9 million which was recorded in "FDIC warrants payable" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At each subsequent reporting period, the Company determined the potential cash settlement amount for these warrants and, to the extent that the present value of the potential cash settlement amount is greater than the initial contingent purchase accounting adjustment, the Company would accrue additional expense to fully reflect the present value of the potential cash settlement amount. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, $278 thousand, $274 thousand and $219 thousand, respectively, was recognized as periodic amortization expense. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, $(325) thousand, $241 thousand and $163 thousand were recognized as additional expense (benefit) due to the change in potential cash settlement amount. On December 28, 2015, the Company and FDIC entered into a warrant termination agreement. Under the terms of the warrant termination agreement, the Company made a payment of $4.5 million to the FDIC as consideration for terminating the warrants.
On February 17, 2015, we repurchased an aggregate of 2,529,416 warrants to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock from investment vehicles associated with an investor. The purchase price was based upon the fair value of the warrants on February 17, 2015, determined utilizing the closing price of our stock on the date of repurchase, and resulted in an aggregate purchase price of $19.9 million. The warrants repurchased included 1,623,162 common stock warrants issued on April 30, 2010 with a strike price of $6.00 per share, 109,122 common stock warrants issued on February 21, 2012 with a strike price of $8.00 per share and 797,132 common stock warrants issued on December 27, 2012 with a strike price of $8.00 per share.
18. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Loans to executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related interests in 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
Deposits from executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related interests were approximately $5.6 million and $9.5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
19. REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS
Banks and bank holding companies are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. Management believes as of December 31, 2015, the Company and Talmer Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required.
Effective January 1, 2015, the Company adopted the new Basel III regulatory capital framework as approved by federal banking agencies, which is subject to a multi-year phase-in period. The adoption of this new framework modified the calculation of the various capital ratios, added a new ratio, common equity tier 1, and revised the adequately and well capitalized thresholds. In addition, Basel III establishes a new capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets,
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
19. REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS (Continued)
which is phased-in over a four-year period beginning January 1, 2015. We have elected to opt-out of including capital in accumulated other comprehensive income in common equity tier I capital.
At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized Talmer Bank and Trust as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution's category.
Consent Order
On April 5, 2010, Michigan Commerce Bank consented to the issuance of the Consent Order by the FDIC and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. The Consent Order was terminated following the merger of Talmer West Bank with and into Talmer Bank and Trust on August 21, 2015.
The following is a summary of actual and required capital amounts and ratios:
______________________________________________
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
19. REGULATORY CAPITAL MATTERS (Continued)
(1)
Notwithstanding its capital levels, Talmer West Bank was not categorized as well capitalized while it was subject to the Consent Order. On August 21, 2015, Talmer West Bank was merged with and into Talmer Bank and Trust.
The Company's principal source of funds for dividend payments is dividends received from its subsidiary bank. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. Talmer Bank and Trust cannot declare or pay a cash dividend or dividend in kind unless Talmer Bank and Trust will have a surplus amounting to not less than 20% of its capital after payment of the dividend. In addition, Talmer Bank and Trust may pay dividends only out of net income then on hand, after deducting its losses and bad debts. These limitations can affect Talmer Bank and Trust's ability to pay dividends.
During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, dividends of $95.0 million and $25.0 million, respectively, were paid to the Company by a subsidiary bank.
On January 25, 2016, a cash dividend on the Company's Class A common stock of $0.05 per share was declared. The dividend will be paid on February 18, 2016, to the Company's Class A common shareholders of record as of February 4, 2016.
20. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Balance Sheets-Parent Company
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
20. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income-Parent Company
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
20. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Statements of Cash Flows-Parent Company
_________________________________________
(1)
$0.04 per share and $0.02 per share for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
21. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
The two-class method is used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Under the two-class method, earnings available to common shareholders for the period are allocated between common shareholders and participating securities according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participating rights in undistributed earnings. Common shares outstanding include common stock and vested restricted stock awards, when applicable. The factors used in the earnings per share computation follow:
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
21. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Continued)
________________________________________
(1)
Net income allocated to common shareholders for basic and diluted earnings per share may differ under the two-class method as a result of adding common share equivalents for options and warrants to dilutive shares outstanding, which alters the ratio used to allocate net income to common shareholders and participating securities for the purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share.
For the effect of dilutive securities, the assumed average stock valuation is $16.03 per share, $13.64 per share, and $9.81 per share for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The following average shares related to outstanding options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted net income available to common shareholders because they were antidilutive. There were no outstanding antidilutive warrants during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and no outstanding antidilutive options during the year ended December 31, 2015.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
22. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Continued)
22. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows:
_____________________________________
(1)
Amounts are included in "Net gain (loss) on sales of securities" in the Consolidated Statements of Income within total noninterest income and were $99 thousand, $(2.1) million and $392 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Income tax expense (benefit) associated with the reclassification adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $35 thousand, $(723) thousand and $137 thousand, respectively, and are included in "Income tax provision (benefit)" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)
Amounts are included in "Other brokered funds" in the Consolidated Statements of Income within total interest expense and were $(437) thousand and $(37) thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Income tax expense (benefit) associated with the reclassification adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $(153) thousand and $(14) thousand and were included in "Income tax provision (benefit)" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
23. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
23. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
24. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
In 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company sponsored a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees and allowing employees, at their option, to contribute up to $18,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $17,500 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 with an additional $6,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and an additional $5,500 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 if age 50 or older in each calendar year, subject to certain IRS limitations and Company service requirements. The Company matched the employee's elective contributions equal to 100 percent of base salary deferrals that do not exceed one percent of the employee's compensation plus 50 percent of salary deferrals between one percent and six percent of the employee's compensation. The Company's matching contributions vest 100 percent upon completion of two years of service.
Total contributions to the 401(k) plan were $2.3 million, $2.2 million, and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The Company's deferred compensation plan, which was adopted on June 26, 2014, covers all members of the Board of Directors and a select group of key management. Under the plan, participants may irrevocably elect to defer a percentage of their compensation otherwise payable to them until the date specified under the distribution option elected by the participant in their enrollment agreement over a period not to exceed 15 years. In accordance with the deferred compensation plan, distributions will be made to the participant or their beneficiary. A liability is accrued for the obligation under these plans. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded income of $32 thousand related to the deferred compensation plan, and had $2.0 million of deferred compensation liability as of December 31, 2015. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded income of $4 thousand related to the deferred compensation plan and had $587 thousand of deferred compensation liability as of December 31, 2014.
25. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On January 25, 2016, Talmer and Chemical Financial Corporation (“Chemical”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) providing for the merger of Talmer with and into Chemical. The Merger Agreement has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Talmer and Chemical.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Chemical will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Talmer common stock for common stock and cash in a transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion, or $15.64 per share, based on the closing price of Chemical of $29.70 per share as of January 25, 2016. Talmer shareholders will receive 0.4725 shares of Chemical common
TALMER BANCORP, INC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
December 31, 2015
25. SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Continued)
stock and $1.61 per share in cash. Subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, including approval of both Chemical and Talmer shareholders, the transaction is anticipated to close in the second half of 2016.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on our management's evaluation (with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer), as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act")) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, utilizing the framework established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 is effective.
Our 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.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. 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.
Changes in Internal Controls
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
The design of any system of controls and procedures is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information.
[None]
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Information required by Item 10 is hereby incorporated by reference from our proxy statement or an amendment to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2015.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference from our proxy statement or an amendment to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2015.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Information required by Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference from our proxy statement or an amendment to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2015.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference from our proxy statement or an amendment to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2015.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.
Information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference from our proxy statement or an amendment to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after December 31, 2015.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
A list of financial statements filed herewith is contained in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," above of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated by reference herein. The financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable or the information has been included in our consolidated financial statements. The exhibits required by this Item are contained in the Exhibit Index on page 187 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
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.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David T. Provost, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
EXHIBIT INDEX
_______________________________________________________________________________
*
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
†
Schedules and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The registrant will furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedules or similar attachment to the SEC upon request.