Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2013
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-15781
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
04-3510455
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
01201
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (413) 443-5601
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large Accelerated Filer o
Accelerated Filer x
Non-Accelerated Filer o
Smaller Reporting Company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes o No x
The Registrant had 25,037,224 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of November 6, 2013.
INDEX
Page
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
4
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1
Basis of Presentation
10
Note 2
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Note 3
Trading Account Security
11
Note 4
Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity
12
Note 5
Loans
16
Note 6
Deposits
33
Note 7
Borrowed Funds
Note 8
Stockholders Equity
35
Note 9
Earnings per Share
40
Note 10
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
41
Note 11
Operating Segments
Note 12
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
42
Note 13
Fair Value Measurements
48
Note 14
Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses
56
Note 15
Subsequent Events
Item 2.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
57
Selected Financial Data
61
Average Balances and Average Yields/Rates
62
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
71
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
72
2
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
73
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
74
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
75
Signatures
76
3
PART I
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30,
December 31,
(In thousands, except share data)
2013
2012
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
61,149
63,382
Short-term investments
15,710
34,862
Total cash and cash equivalents
76,859
98,244
Trading security
15,330
16,893
Securities available for sale, at fair value
684,716
466,169
Securities held to maturity (fair values of $48,080 and $52,490)
46,925
51,024
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other restricted securities
42,342
39,785
Total securities
789,313
573,871
Loans held for sale, at fair value
27,064
85,368
Residential mortgages
1,313,609
1,324,251
Commercial mortgages
1,366,104
1,413,544
Commercial business loans
668,983
600,126
Consumer loans
675,147
650,733
Total loans
4,023,843
3,988,654
Less: Allowance for loan losses
(33,248
)
(33,208
Net loans
3,990,595
3,955,446
Premises and equipment, net
83,136
86,461
Other real estate owned
3,561
1,929
Goodwill
256,871
255,199
Other intangible assets
15,030
19,059
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies
100,299
88,198
Deferred tax assets, net
61,617
57,729
Other assets
45,911
75,305
Total assets
5,450,256
5,296,809
Liabilities
Demand deposits
669,878
673,921
NOW deposits
352,762
379,880
Money market deposits
1,357,201
1,439,632
Savings deposits
438,135
436,387
Time deposits
1,064,049
1,170,589
Total deposits
3,882,025
4,100,409
Short-term debt
590,000
163,150
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances
150,022
195,321
Subordinated notes
89,663
89,617
Total borrowings
829,685
448,088
Other liabilities
65,351
81,047
Total liabilities
4,777,061
4,629,544
Stockholders equity
Common stock ($.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized and 26,525,466 shares issued and 24,952,204 shares outstanding in 2013; 26,525,466 shares issued and 25,148,522 shares outstanding in 2012)
265
Additional paid-in capital
587,041
585,360
Unearned compensation
(4,211
(3,035
Retained earnings
135,991
122,014
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(7,029
(2,979
Treasury stock, at cost (1,573,262 shares in 2013 and 1,376,944 shares in 2012)
(38,862
(34,360
Total stockholders equity
673,195
667,265
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest and dividend income
50,025
39,497
142,549
113,335
Securities and other
4,479
3,626
12,533
11,116
Total interest and dividend income
54,504
43,123
155,082
124,451
Interest expense
5,278
5,628
15,693
16,612
Borrowings and junior subordinated notes
3,357
2,270
10,479
6,416
Total interest expense
8,635
7,898
26,172
23,028
Net interest income
45,869
35,225
128,910
101,423
Non-interest income
Loan related income
1,308
1,340
6,669
3,990
Mortgage banking income
444
4,306
4,790
6,553
Deposit related fees
4,559
3,775
13,623
11,238
Insurance commissions and fees
2,473
2,742
7,877
8,256
Wealth management fees
2,137
1,774
6,471
5,431
Total fee income
10,921
13,937
39,430
35,468
Other
832
375
1,722
885
Gain on sale of securities, net
361
1,366
Non-recurring gain
1
43
Total non-interest income
12,114
14,313
42,518
36,403
Total net revenue
57,983
49,538
171,428
137,826
Provision for loan losses
3,178
2,500
8,278
6,750
Non-interest expense
Compensation and benefits
18,506
15,992
54,398
45,219
Occupancy and equipment
5,614
4,599
17,119
13,484
Technology and communications
3,304
2,302
9,775
6,518
Marketing and promotion
590
419
1,831
1,548
Professional services
1,757
1,327
5,011
4,185
FDIC premiums and assessments
856
907
2,574
2,458
Other real estate owned and foreclosures
138
445
215
Amortization of intangible assets
1,307
1,314
4,029
3,982
Merger, restructuring and conversion related expenses
6,516
2,214
12,355
10,522
4,196
3,046
12,665
8,409
Total non-interest expense
42,784
32,162
120,202
96,540
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
12,021
14,876
42,948
34,536
Income tax expense
3,917
4,847
12,342
10,040
Net income from continuing operations
8,104
10,029
30,606
24,496
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of $63 in 2012)
(261
376
Net loss from discontinued operations
(637
Net income
23,859
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations
0.33
0.46
1.23
1.14
Discontinued operations
(0.03
Total basic earnings per share
1.11
Diluted earnings per share:
1.22
1.13
Total diluted earnings per share
1.10
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
24,748
21,921
24,835
21,541
Diluted
24,873
22,031
25,001
21,635
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale
(443
2,103
(13,141
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative hedges
(1,152
(1,015
6,446
(3,219
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on terminated swaps
236
235
707
706
Changes in unrealized gains and losses on pension
(257
Income taxes related to other comprehensive income:
163
(765
4,920
(1,729
472
413
(2,584
1,358
(95
(97
(398
(226
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
(819
874
(4,050
1,423
Total comprehensive income
7,285
10,903
26,556
25,282
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Accumulated
Additional
Unearned
other comp-
Common stock
paid-in
compen-
Retained
rehensive
Treasury
Shares
Amount
capital
sation
earnings
loss
stock
Total
Balance at December 31, 2011
21,148
229
494,304
(2,790
109,477
(4,885
(42,970
553,365
Comprehensive income:
Other comprehensive income
Acquisition of The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company
965
9
21,981
21,990
Cash dividends declared ($0.34 per share)
(11,147
Forfeited shares
(8
169
(180
Exercise of stock options
18
(82
458
Restricted stock grants
108
(280
(2,434
2,714
Stock-based compensation
1,410
Net tax benefit related to stock-based compensation
Other, net
(18
(395
Balance at September 30, 2012
22,213
238
516,056
(3,645
122,107
(3,462
(40,373
590,921
Balance at December 31, 2012
25,148
Other comprehensive loss
Cash dividends declared ($0.54 per share)
(13,587
Treasury stock purchased
(480
(12,249
(55
218
1,256
(1,474
(3,042
6,063
3,021
159
(677
(3,817
4,494
726
1,385
2,111
1,428
(14
(1,336
(1,350
Balance at September 30, 2013
24,952
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Nine months ended September 30,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net amortization of securities
1,199
1,496
Change in unamortized net loan costs and premiums
(7,152
(849
Premises and equipment depreciation and amortization expense
5,382
4,553
Stock-based compensation expense
Accretion of purchase accounting entries, net
(17,732
(5,303
Amortization of other intangibles
4,182
Excess tax loss from stock-based payment arrangements
(1,428
(40
Income from cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies
(2,101
(1,895
Gain on sales of securities, net
(1,366
(50
Net decrease (increase) in loans held for sale
58,304
(64,979
Loss on disposition of assets
3,880
1,753
(Gain) loss on sale of real estate
(48
197
Net change in other
21,640
16,924
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
105,602
(11,992
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net decrease in trading security
381
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale
8,592
32,473
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of securities available for sale
91,153
70,499
Purchases of securities available for sale
(331,269
(108,281
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of securities held to maturity
6,857
28,569
Purchases of securities held to maturity
(2,758
(20,384
Net increase in loans
(23,930
(255,657
Net cash used for divestiture
(48,890
Purchase of bank owned life insurance
(10,000
Proceeds from sale of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
2,361
1,900
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
(4,918
Purchase of premises and equipment, net
(8,916
(15,542
Acquisitions, net of cash paid
(58,150
Proceeds from sale of other real estate
1,790
2,265
Net cash used in investing activities
(270,657
(370,837
(continued)
8
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONCLUDED)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (decrease) increase in deposits
(216,539
139,265
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
935,656
433,618
Issuance of long-term debt, net
74,138
Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
(554,060
(247,195
Net proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock
Purchase of treasury stock
Common stock cash dividends paid
Net cash provided by financing activities
143,670
389,095
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(21,385
6,266
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
75,782
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
82,048
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid on deposits
15,707
17,113
Interest paid on borrowed funds
10,550
5,664
Income taxes (refunded) paid, net
(4,023
4,761
Acquisition of non-cash assets and liabilities:
Assets acquired
343,114
Liabilities assumed
(1,672
(253,155
Other non-cash changes:
Other net comprehensive (loss) income
Real estate owned acquired in settlement of loans
3,374
(1,453
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and contain all adjustments, consisting solely of normal, recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results for such periods.
In addition, these interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, and accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared according to U.S. GAAP have been omitted.
The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and note disclosures for Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Reclassifications
Certain items in prior financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
Out of Period Adjustments
For the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded a correction of an error to recognize $2.2 million in prior period interest income earned on loans acquired in bank acquisitions, of which $1.3 million relates to prior years. Additionally, the Company recorded a correction of an error related to its accounting for a state income tax credit. The correction increased other income by $613 thousand and increased the income tax provision by $1.2 million during the quarter. The adjustment relating to prior years included $505 thousand in other income and $998 thousand in the income tax provision. After evaluating the quantitative and qualitative aspects of these adjustments, the Company concluded that its prior period financial statements were not materially misstated and, therefore, no restatement was required.
NOTE 2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-11, Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This project began as an attempt to converge the offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). However, as the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board were not able to reach a converged solution with regards to offsetting requirements, they each developed convergent disclosure requirements to assist in reconciling differences in the offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The new disclosure requirements mandate that entities disclose both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position as well as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. ASU No. 2011-11 also requires disclosure of collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The provisions of ASU No. 2013-01 limit the scope of the new balance sheet offsetting disclosures to the following financial instruments, to the extent they are offset in the financial statements or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in the statement of financial position: (1) derivative financial instruments; (2) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements; and (3) securities borrowing and securities lending transactions. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2011-11 and ASU No. 2013-01 effective January 1, 2013. As the provisions of ASU No. 2011-11 and ASU No. 2013-01 only impacted the disclosure requirements related to the offsetting of assets and liabilities and information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position, the adoption had no impact on the Companys consolidated statements of income and condition. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the disclosures required by ASU No. 2011-11 and ASU No. 2013-01.
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, to improve the transparency of reporting these reclassifications. ASU No. 2013-02 does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. ASU No. 2013-02 requires an entity to disaggregate the total change of each component of other comprehensive income and separately present reclassification adjustments and current period other comprehensive income. The provisions of ASU No. 2013-02 also require that entities present either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its source and the income statement line item affected by the reclassification. If a component is not required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety, entities would instead cross reference to the related note to the financial statements for additional information. The Company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2013-02 effective January 1, 2013. As the Company provided these required disclosures in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the adoption of ASU No. 2013-02 had no impact on the Companys consolidated statements of income and condition. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the disclosures required by ASU No. 2013-02.
Future Application of Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The provisions of ASU No. 2013-11 require an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, in the statement of financial position as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions related to availability. ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-11 is not expected to have a material impact on the Companys Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTE 3. TRADING SECURITY
The Company holds a tax advantaged economic development bond that is being accounted for at fair value. The security had an amortized cost of $13.2 million and $13.6 million, and a fair value of $15.3 million and $16.9 million, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As discussed further in Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, the Company has entered into a swap contract to swap-out the fixed rate of the security in exchange for a variable rate. The Company does not purchase securities with the intent of selling them in the near term, and there are no other securities in the trading portfolio at September 30, 2013.
NOTE 4. SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND HELD TO MATURITY
The following is a summary of securities available for sale and held to maturity:
Amortized Cost
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
September 30, 2013
Securities available for sale
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations
80,961
2,328
(1,901
81,388
Government-guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
74,261
452
(458
74,255
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
443,058
2,415
(5,732
439,741
Corporate bonds
40,973
50
(1,791
39,232
Trust preferred securities
16,946
1,124
(1,766
16,304
Other bonds and obligations
3,257
(131
3,126
Total debt securities
659,456
6,369
(11,779
654,046
Equity securities:
Marketable equity securities
27,683
3,367
(380
30,670
Total securities available for sale
687,139
9,736
(12,159
Securities held to maturity
5,885
78
Tax advantaged economic development bonds
40,620
1,463
(312
41,771
346
Total securities held to maturity
1,467
48,080
734,064
11,203
(12,471
732,796
December 31, 2012
79,498
5,359
(100
84,757
42,305
805
43,092
275,940
2,732
(79
278,593
9,998
117
(108
10,007
21,784
1,089
(1,916
20,957
3,459
17
(4
3,472
432,984
10,119
(2,225
440,878
22,467
3,187
(363
25,291
455,451
13,306
(2,588
8,295
83
41,678
1,837
(378
43,137
975
1,844
52,490
506,475
15,150
(2,966
518,659
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available for sale (AFS) and held to maturity (HTM) securities, segregated by contractual maturity at September 30, 2013 are presented below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Mortgage-backed securities are shown in total, as their maturities are highly variable. Equity securities have no maturity and are also shown in total.
Available for sale
Held to maturity
Amortized
Fair
Cost
Value
Within 1 year
2,999
3,038
2,606
Over 1 year to 5 years
7,681
7,728
3,485
3,532
Over 5 years to 10 years
53,747
52,338
27,256
28,196
Over 10 years
77,710
76,946
13,504
13,668
Total bonds and obligations
142,137
140,050
46,851
48,002
Residential mortgage-backed securities
517,319
513,996
13
Securities with unrealized losses, segregated by the duration of their continuous unrealized loss positions, are summarized as follows:
Less Than Twelve Months
Over Twelve Months
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
1,901
15,076
51,678
5,732
262,285
1,791
29,183
1,766
131
2,937
10,013
361,159
11,779
362,996
66
1,704
314
1,686
380
3,390
10,079
362,863
2,080
3,523
12,159
366,386
9,513
279
8,042
312
17,555
10,112
372,376
2,359
11,565
12,471
383,941
100
4,140
Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
5,108
69
31,433
5,366
79
36,799
6,892
2,754
1,915
1,916
4,440
2,055
192
45,490
2,033
13,944
2,225
59,434
90
273
1,727
363
3,137
282
46,900
2,306
15,671
2,588
62,571
378
8,129
660
55,029
2,966
70,700
Debt Securities
The Company expects to recover its amortized cost basis on all debt securities in its AFS and HTM portfolios. Furthermore, the Company does not intend to sell nor does it anticipate that it will be required to sell any of its securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013, prior to this recovery. The Companys ability and intent to hold these securities until recovery is supported by the Companys strong capital and liquidity positions as well as its historically low portfolio turnover. The following summarizes, by investment security type, the basis for the conclusion that the debt securities in an unrealized loss position within the Companys AFS and HTM portfolios were not other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2013:
14
AFS municipal bonds and obligations
At September 30, 2013, 24 of the total 139 securities in the Companys portfolio of AFS municipal bonds and obligations were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 11.2% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Company continually monitors the municipal bond sector of the market carefully and periodically evaluates the appropriate level of exposure to the market. At this time, the Company feels the bonds in this portfolio carry minimal risk of default and the Company is appropriately compensated for that risk. There were no material underlying credit downgrades during the third quarter of 2013. All securities are performing.
AFS residential mortgage-backed securities
At September 30, 2013, 65 out of the total 207 securities in the Companys portfolios of AFS residential mortgage-backed securities were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 1.93% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions within the AFS portfolio. The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) and Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) guarantee the contractual cash flows of all of the Companys residential mortgage-backed securities. The securities are investment grade rated and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during the past quarter. All securities are performing.
AFS corporate bonds
At September 30, 2013, 6 out of the total 9 securities in the Companys portfolio of AFS corporate bonds were in an unrealized loss position. The aggregate unrealized loss represented 5.8% of the amortized cost of the securities. All 6 securities remain investment grade rated and the market value of the securities supports the Companys amortized value. All securities are performing.
AFS trust preferred securities
At September 30, 2013, 2 out of the total 6 securities in the Companys portfolio of AFS trust preferred securities were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 49% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Companys evaluation of the present value of expected cash flows on these securities supports its conclusions about the recoverability of the securities amortized cost basis. Of the 6 securities, 4 securities contain at least one below investment grade rating by the three major rating agencies. The Company reviews the financial strength of all of the single issue trust issuers and has concluded that the amortized cost remains supported by the market value of these securities and they are performing.
At September 30, 2013, $1.6 million of the total unrealized losses was attributable to a $2.8 million investment in a Mezzanine Class B tranche of a $360 million pooled trust preferred security collateralized by banking and insurance entities. The Company evaluated the security, with a Level 3 fair value of $1 million, for potential other-than-temporary-impairment (OTTI) at September 30, 2013 and determined that OTTI was not evident based on both the Companys ability and intent to hold the security until the recovery of its remaining amortized cost and the protection from credit loss afforded by $46 million in excess subordination above current and projected losses. The security is performing.
AFS other bonds and obligations
At September 30, 2013, 4 of the total 8 securities in the Companys portfolio of other bonds and obligations were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 4.3% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The securities are investment grade rated and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during the second quarter of 2013. All securities are performing.
HTM tax advantaged economic development bonds
At September 30, 2013, 2 of the total 8 securities in the Companys portfolio of tax advantaged economic development bonds were in an unrealized loss position. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 1.7% of the
15
amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Company has the intent of maintaining these bonds to recovery. These securities are performing.
Marketable Equity Securities
In evaluating its marketable equity securities portfolio for OTTI, the Company considers its ability to more likely than not hold an equity security to recovery. The Company additionally considers other various factors including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer. Any OTTI is recognized immediately through earnings.
At September 30, 2013, 3 out of the total 21 securities in the Companys portfolio of marketable equity securities were in an unrealized loss position. The unrealized loss represented 10.1% of the amortized cost of the securities. The Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities until a recovery of their cost basis and does not consider the securities other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2013. As new information becomes available in future periods, changes to the Companys assumptions may be warranted and could lead to a different conclusion regarding the OTTI of these securities.
NOTE 5. LOANS
The Companys loan portfolio is segregated into the following segments: residential mortgage, commercial mortgage, commercial business, and consumer. Residential mortgage loans include classes for 1- 4 family owner occupied and construction loans. Commercial mortgage loans include construction, single and multi-family, and commercial real estate classes. Commercial business loans include asset based lending loans, lease financing and other commercial business loan classes. Consumer loans include home equity, direct and indirect auto and other. These portfolio segments each have unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses.
A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate in western Massachusetts, southern Vermont, northeastern New York, and in the Banks New England lending areas. The ability of many of the Banks borrowers to honor their contracts is dependent, among other things, on the specific economy and real estate markets of these areas.
Total loans include business activity loans and acquired loans. Acquired loans are those loans acquired from the acquisitions of Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc., The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, Legacy Bancorp, Inc., and Rome Bancorp, Inc. The following is a summary of total loans:
Business Activity Loans
Acquired Loans
1-4 family
940,626
347,788
1,288,414
Construction
19,813
25,195
Total residential mortgages
960,439
353,170
Commercial mortgages:
89,240
15,298
104,538
Single and multi-family
63,718
67,987
131,705
Commercial real estate
842,163
287,698
1,129,861
Total commercial mortgages
995,121
370,983
Commercial business loans:
Asset based lending
275,776
3,341
279,117
Other commercial business loans
312,572
77,294
389,866
Total commercial business loans
588,348
80,635
Total commercial loans
1,583,469
451,618
2,035,087
Consumer loans:
Home equity
228,345
76,181
304,526
169,901
200,720
370,621
Total consumer loans
398,246
276,901
2,942,154
1,081,689
Residential mortgages:
870,322
427,210
1,297,532
20,344
6,375
26,719
890,666
433,585
150,694
17,131
167,825
43,332
80,488
123,820
768,867
353,032
1,121,899
962,893
450,651
255,265
2,830
258,095
234,662
107,369
342,031
489,927
110,199
1,452,820
560,850
2,013,670
205,892
119,509
325,401
76,258
249,074
325,332
282,150
368,583
2,625,636
1,363,018
The carrying amount of the acquired loans at September 30, 2013 totaled $1.08 billion. These loans consisted of loans determined to be impaired at the time of acquisition, which are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 310-30, with a carrying amount of $35.1 million and loans that were considered not impaired at the acquisition date with a carrying amount of $1.04 billion.
The following table summarizes activity in the accretable yield for the acquired loan portfolio that falls under the purview of ASC 310-30, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer.
Three months ended September 30,
Balance at beginning of period
3,328
2,554
Acquisitions
Sales
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans with improved cash flows
2,125
Changes in expected cash flows that do not affect nonaccretable difference
Accretion
(1,547
(806
Balance at end of period
3,906
1,748
8,247
1,277
2,816
(301
(6,165
(2,345
The following is a summary of past due loans at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
(in thousands)
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due
Total Past Due
Current
Total Loans
Past Due > 90 days and Accruing
3,006
8,751
12,137
928,489
2,379
51
152
203
19,610
3,057
8,903
12,340
948,099
3,176
86,064
194
150
513
857
62,861
2,174
6,302
8,476
833,687
393
2,368
9,991
12,509
982,612
642
392
1,805
2,839
309,733
585,509
462
1,939
2,414
225,931
757
556
179
415
1,150
168,751
233
1,018
2,354
3,564
394,682
990
7,085
1,114
23,053
31,252
2,910,902
3,763
4,105
1,291
8,061
13,457
856,865
1,563
210
258
20,086
1,501
8,109
13,715
876,951
1,611
4,668
146,026
616
27
643
42,689
1,183
8,231
11,141
757,726
1,195
1,799
12,926
16,452
946,441
745
372
3,427
4,544
230,118
485,383
828
300
1,856
2,984
202,908
424
546
55
248
849
75,409
1,374
355
2,104
3,833
278,317
493
8,023
3,955
26,566
38,544
2,587,092
3,458
19
1,618
228
2,562
4,408
343,380
599
164
465
4,675
1,782
306
3,027
5,115
348,055
1,064
1,360
1,450
13,848
414
190
1,806
2,410
65,577
499
217
524
5,832
6,573
281,125
2,938
721
714
8,998
10,433
360,550
4,797
571
222
2,147
2,940
74,354
1,198
77,695
417
188
1,312
74,869
326
2,918
778
1,826
5,522
195,198
345
3,335
966
2,533
6,834
270,067
671
6,409
2,208
16,705
25,322
1,056,367
7,730
1,817
585
2,523
4,925
422,285
1,555
428,660
1,056
16,075
1,328
746
2,268
78,220
1,532
2,024
11,062
14,618
338,414
10,176
1,726
3,352
12,864
17,942
432,709
11,978
422
577
2,177
104,193
1,764
107,023
1,689
89
1,947
117,562
52
2,624
365
271
3,260
245,814
171
4,313
534
360
5,207
363,376
223
5,048
17,924
31,250
1,331,768
15,520
20
The following is summary information pertaining to non-accrual loans at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
6,525
1,962
8,487
1,821
5,909
2,894
8,803
9,598
4,202
13,800
1,804
949
2,753
1,182
382
1,564
182
1,481
1,663
1,364
1,863
3,227
Total non-accrual loans
19,291
8,976
28,267
6,498
968
7,466
7,036
886
7,922
11,731
12,617
3,268
3,681
1,432
37
1,469
137
23,108
2,404
25,512
21
Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
Commercial business
Consumer
Unallocated
5,928
18,863
5,605
1,466
29
31,891
Charged-off loans
1,180
3,293
1,631
815
6,919
Recoveries on charged-off loans
153
500
87
180
920
1,827
779
1,472
2,309
(339
6,048
6,728
16,849
5,533
3,140
(310
31,940
Individually evaluated for impairment
697
783
441
1,942
Collectively evaluated
6,031
16,066
5,092
3,119
29,998
September 30, 2012
3,150
22,095
4,540
2,203
(90
31,898
1,590
3,207
116
1,297
6,210
132
269
4,922
731
267
95
6,017
6,569
19,627
4,733
1,040
31,974
663
1,653
342
107
2,765
5,906
17,974
4,391
933
29,209
509
390
96
1,317
437
200
2,456
80
125
806
430
705
(71
2,230
433
274
406
(63
374
607
701
281
158
38
85
34
167
165
247
82
143
733
438
320
1,116
44
394
1,072
22
Loans evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:
Loans receivable:
6,816
23,796
1,315
1,088
33,015
953,623
971,325
587,033
397,158
2,909,139
Balance at end of year
6,362
30,287
2,821
1,218
40,688
Collectively evaluated for impairment
884,304
932,606
487,106
280,932
2,584,948
Balance at end of Period
1,750
7,256
186
9,192
351,420
363,727
80,449
1,072,497
371
1,257
433,214
449,765
1,361,761
23
The following is a summary of impaired loans on non-accrual status at September 30, 2013:
At September 30, 2013
Recorded Investment
Unpaid Principal Balance
Related Allowance
With no related allowance:
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family
1,359
Commercial mortgages - single and multifamily
198
Commercial mortgages - real estate
5,384
Commercial mortgages - construction
1,238
32
Consumer - home equity
With an allowance recorded:
2,488
3,185
224
45
1,320
1,938
618
120
318
759
3,847
8,319
9,102
350
791
567
Total impaired loans
13,062
15,004
2,504
1,132
1,365
1,247
1,621
3,751
4,125
5,069
5,676
24
The following is a summary of impaired loans on non-accrual status at December 31, 2012:
At December 31, 2012
3,408
2,730
3,450
31
602
1,343
287
1,584
354
2,019
3,109
1,090
1,135
2,340
1,205
209
482
4,464
4,751
9,783
11,227
1,444
1,166
2,371
811
1,084
16,224
19,433
3,209
101
156
316
1,202
25
The following is a summary of the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans as of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Average Recorded Investment
Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
2,231
1,623
Commercial-construction
2,029
30
91
6,077
59
2,644
692
Consumer-home equity
904
249
1,688
2,567
4,736
225
2,013
58
421
3,919
4,190
49
10,480
94
9,658
1,451
184
962
670
16,812
201
14,702
128
0
426
1,761
183
1,047
439
2,723
3,953
738
26
Credit Quality Information
For the purpose of estimating the allowance for loan losses the Bank utilizes an eleven grade internal loan rating system for each of its commercial mortgage and commercial business loans as follows:
1 Substantially Risk Free
Borrowers in this category are of unquestioned credit standing and are at the pinnacle of credit quality. Credits in this category are generally cash secured with strong management depth and experience and exhibit a superior track record.
2 Minimal Risk
A relationship which provides an adequate return on investment to the Company, has been stable during the last three years and has a superior financial condition as determined by a comparison with the industry. In addition, management must be of unquestionable character and have strong abilities as measured by its long-term financial performance.
3 Moderate Risk
A relationship which does not appear to possess more than the normal degree of credit risk. Overall, the borrowers financial statements compare favorably with the industry. A strong secondary repayment source exists and the loan is performing as agreed.
4 Better than Average Risk
A relationship which possesses most of the characteristics found in the Moderate Risk category and ranges from definitely sound to those with minor risk characteristics. Operates in a reasonably stable industry that may be moderately affected by the business cycle and moderately open to changes. Has a satisfactory track record and the loan is performing as agreed.
5 Average Risk
A relationship which possesses most of the characteristics found in the Better than Average Risk category but may have recently experienced a loss year often as a result of its operation in a cyclical industry. The relationship has smaller margins of debt service coverage with some elements of reduced strength. Good secondary repayment source exists and the loan is performing as agreed. Start-up businesses and construction loans will generally be assigned to this category as well.
6 Acceptable Risk
Borrowers in this category may be more highly leveraged than their industry peers and experience moderate losses relative to net worth. Trends and performance, e.g. sales and earnings, leverage, among other factors may be negative. Managements ability may be questionable, or perhaps untested. The industry may be experiencing either temporary or long term pressures. Collateral values are seen as more important in assessing risk than in higher quality loans. Failure to meet required line clean-up periods or other terms and conditions, including some slow payments may also predicate this grade.
7 Special Mention
A classification assigned to all relationships for credits with potential weaknesses which present a higher than normal credit risk, but not to the point of requiring a Substandard loan classification. No loss of principal or interest is anticipated. However, these credits are followed closely, and if necessary, remedial plans to reduce the Companys risk exposure are established.
8 Substandard Performing
A classification assigned to a credit that is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Substandard loans will be evaluated on at least a quarterly basis to determine if an additional allocation of the Companys allowance for loan loss is warranted.
9 Substandard Non-Performing
A classification given to Substandard credits which have deteriorated to the point that management has placed the accounts on non-accrual status due to delinquency exceeding 90 days or where the Company has determined that collection of principal and interest in full is unlikely.
10 Doubtful
Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, highly questionable and improbable. Collection in excess of 50% of the balance owed is not expected.
11 Loss
Loans classified Loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be possible in the future.
The Company risk rates its residential mortgages, including 1-4 family and residential construction loans, and home equity loans based on a three rating system: Pass, Special Mention and Substandard. Loans that are current within 59 days are rated Pass. Residential mortgages that are 60-89 days delinquent are rated Special Mention. Loans delinquent for 90 days or greater are rated Substandard and generally placed on non-accrual status.
Ratings for other consumer loans, including auto loans, are rated based on a two rating system. Loans that are current within 119 days are rated Performing while loans delinquent for 120 days or more are rated Non-performing. Other consumer loans are placed on non-accrual at such time as they become Non-performing.
Acquired Loans Credit Quality Analysis
Upon acquiring a loan portfolio, our Internal Loan Review function assigns risk ratings to the acquired loans, utilizing the same methodology as it does with historical loans. This may differ from the risk rating policy of the predecessor company. Loans which are rated Substandard or worse according to the rating process outlined below are deemed to be credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, regardless of whether they are classified as performing or non-performing.
The Bank utilizes an eleven grade internal loan rating system for each of its acquired commercial real estate, construction and commercial loans as outlined in the Credit Quality Information section of this Note. The Company risk rates its residential mortgages, including 1-4 family and residential construction loans, based on a three rating system: Pass, Special Mention and Substandard. Residential mortgages that are current within 59 days are rated Pass. Residential mortgages that are 60 89 days delinquent are rated Special Mention. Residential mortgages delinquent for 90 days or greater are rated Substandard. Home equity loans are risk rated based on the same rating system as the Companys residential mortgages. Other consumer loans are rated based on a two rating system. Other consumer loans that are current within 119 days are rated Performing while loans delinquent for 120 days or more are rated Non-performing. Non-performing other consumer loans are deemed to be credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30.
28
The Company subjects loans that do not meet the ASC 310-30 criteria to ASC 450-20 by collectively evaluating these loans for an allowance for loan loss. The Company applies a methodology similar to the methodology prescribed for originated loans, which includes the application of environmental factors to each category of loans. The methodology to collectively evaluate the acquired loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 includes the application of a number of environmental factors that reflect managements best estimate of the level of incremental credit losses that might be recognized given current conditions. This is reviewed as part of the allowance for loan loss adequacy analysis. As the loan portfolio matures and environmental factors change, the loan portfolio will be reassessed each quarter to determine an appropriate reserve allowance.
A decrease in the expected cash flows in subsequent periods requires the establishment of an allowance for loan losses at that time for ASC 310-30 loans. At September 30, 2013, the allowance for loan losses related to acquired loans was $1.3 million using the above mentioned criteria.
The Company presented several tables within this footnote separately for business activity loans and acquired loans in order to distinguish the credit performance of the acquired loans from the business activity loans.
The following table presents the Companys loans by risk rating at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
Residential Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade
Sept. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Grade:
Pass
931,495
860,970
19,661
20,085
951,156
881,055
Special mention
Substandard
8,110
Commercial Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
Real estate
84,064
142,946
59,815
40,690
770,714
707,867
914,593
891,503
141
420
6,980
5,965
7,121
6,385
5,176
7,748
3,762
2,222
63,827
54,930
72,765
64,900
Doubtful
105
Commercial Business Loans
300,030
219,172
575,806
474,437
888
5,857
10,806
9,541
848
92
Consumer Loans
Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity
Performing
226,405
204,460
169,486
76,079
395,891
280,539
Nonperforming
1,940
2,355
344,998
424,102
4,839
349,837
430,477
8,312
10,142
50,324
57,305
262,409
318,809
321,045
386,256
821
1,057
5,967
10,383
7,638
6,790
14,426
18,230
6,165
5,932
11,198
12,800
17,651
27,433
35,014
46,165
498
66,344
87,325
69,685
90,155
2,829
7,444
8,121
12,600
75,799
119,472
199,239
248,974
275,038
368,446
The following table summarizes information about total loans rated Special Mention or lower as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
Non-Accrual
2,405
25,513
Substandard Accruing
77,027
40,218
117,245
61,745
59,243
120,988
Total Classified
96,318
49,194
145,512
84,853
61,648
146,501
Special Mention
8,582
18,527
27,109
14,097
26,793
40,890
Total Criticized
104,900
67,721
172,621
98,950
88,441
187,391
Troubled Debt Restructuring Loans
The Companys loan portfolio also includes certain loans that have been modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring (TDR), where economic concessions have been granted to borrowers who have experienced or are expected to experience financial difficulties. These concessions typically result from the Companys loss mitigation activities and could include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions. Certain TDRs are classified as nonperforming at the time of restructure and may only be returned to performing status after considering the borrowers sustained repayment performance
for a reasonable period, generally six months. TDRs are evaluated individually for impairment and may result in a specific allowance amount allocated to an individual loan.
There were no modifications identified for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The following tables include the recorded investment and number of modifications identified during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The table includes the recorded investment in the loans prior to a modification and also the recorded investment in the loans after the loans were restructured. The modifications for the nine months ending September 30, 2013 were attributable to interest rate concessions and maturity date extensions. The modifications for the nine months ending September 30, 2012 were attributable to maturity date extensions.
Modifications by Class
Nine months ending September 30, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Number of Modifications
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Residential - 1-4 Family
941
Residential - Construction
Commercial - Construction
Commercial - Single and multifamily
2,366
2,406
Commercial - Other
3,882
Commercial business- ABL
Commercial business - Other
Consumer- Home Equity
Consumer- Other
7,609
7,217
Three months ending September 30, 2012
Residential- 1-4 Family
70
Nine months ending September 30, 2012
The following table discloses the recorded investment and number of modifications for TDRs within the last year where a concession has been made, that then defaulted in the current reporting period. As of September 30, 2012, there were no loans that were restructured within the last twelve months that have subsequently defaulted.
Modifications that Subsequently Defaulted
Three months ending September 30, 2013
Number of Contracts
929
Commercial business- Other
261
1,190
The following table presents the Companys TDR activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
Three months ending
Balance at beginning of the period
10,160
2,107
Principal Payments
(1
TDR Status Change (1)
Other Reductions (2)
Newly Identified TDRs
Balance at end of the period
10,261
2,176
Nine months ending
4,626
1,264
(92
(6
(1,164
(1,125
(325
7,216
2,043
(1)
TDR Status change classification represents TDR loans with a specified interest rate equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk and the loan was on current payment status and not impaired based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement.
(2)
Other Reductions classification consists of transfer to other real estate owned and charge-offs to loans.
The evaluation of certain loans individually for specific impairment includes loans that were previously classified as TDRs or continue to be classified as TDRs.
NOTE 6. DEPOSITS
A summary of time deposits is as follows:
Time less than $100,000
501,846
548,895
Time $100,000 or more
562,203
621,694
Total time deposits
NOTE 7. BORROWED FUNDS
Borrowed funds at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized, as follows:
Weighted
Average
(in thousands, except rates)
Principal
Rate
Short-term borrowings:
Advances from the FHLBB
0.30
%
153,150
0.28
Other Borrowings
10,000
1.96
Total short-term borrowings:
0.38
Long-term borrowings:
1.18
74,199
7.00
74,153
Junior subordinated notes
15,464
2.11
2.16
Total long-term borrowings:
239,685
3.07
284,938
2.76
1.89
The Bank also maintains a $3.0 million secured line of credit with the FHLBB that bears a daily adjustable rate calculated by the FHLBB. There was no outstanding balance on the FHLBB line of credit for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
The Bank is approved to borrow on a short-term basis from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as a non-member bank. The Bank has pledged certain loans and securities to the Federal Reserve Bank to support this arrangement. No borrowings with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston took place for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
Long-term FHLBB advances consist of advances with an original maturity of more than one year. The advances outstanding at September 30, 2013 include callable advances totaling $5.0 million, and amortizing advances totaling $5.5 million. The advances outstanding at December 31, 2012 include callable advances totaling $5.0 million, and amortizing advances totaling $5.6 million. All FHLBB borrowings, including the line of credit, are secured by a blanket security agreement on certain qualified collateral, principally all residential first mortgage loans and certain securities.
A summary of maturities of FHLBB advances as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is as follows:
Fixed rate advances maturing:
518,039
186,448
0.32
2014
120,082
0.69
20,280
3.04
2015
2016
1,599
0.79
1,645
0.80
2017 and beyond
5,361
3.82
5,478
3.87
Total fixed rate advances
645,081
0.43
213,851
0.67
Variable rate advances maturing:
19,941
1.93
59,620
1.33
0.39
20,000
0.41
35,000
0.90
0.97
Total variable rate advances
94,941
0.87
134,620
0.96
Total FHLBB advances
740,022
0.49
348,471
0.78
On September 28, 2012, the Company issued $75.0 million of 6.875% fixed to floating rate subordinated notes (the notes) through a private placement at a discount of 1.15%. The Company will pay interest on the subordinated notes at each March 28 and September 28 through September 28, 2022, and thereafter on each March 28, June 28, September 28 and December 28. The maturity date of the notes is September 28, 2027, although the Company may redeem some or all of the subordinated notes beginning on the interest payment date of September 28, 2022 and on any interest payment date thereafter. From and including September 28, 2012 to but excluding September 28, 2022, the notes will bear interest at the rate of 6.875% per year and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 28 and September 28 of each year. From and including September 28, 2022, the notes will bear an interest rate per annum equal to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 511.3 basis points, payable quarterly on each March 28, June 28, September 28 and December 28, commencing on December 28, 2022, through the maturity date or the early redemption date of the notes.
The Company holds 100% of the common stock of Berkshire Hills Capital Trust I (Trust I) which is included in other assets with a cost of $0.5 million. The sole asset of Trust I is $15.5 million of the Companys junior subordinated debentures due in 2035. These debentures bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.85% and had a rate of 2.11% and 2.16% at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company has the right to defer payments of interest for up to five years on the debentures at any time, or from time to time, with certain limitations, including a restriction on the payment of dividends to stockholders while such interest payments on the debentures have been deferred. The Company has not exercised this right to defer payments. The Company has the right to redeem the debentures at par value. Trust I is considered a variable interest entity for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, Trust I is not consolidated into the Companys financial statements.
NOTE 8. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
The Banks actual and required capital ratios were as follows:
FDIC Minimum
to be Well Capitalized
Total capital to risk weighted assets
11.9
11.8
10.0
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
10.1
6.0
Tier 1 capital to average assets
8.1
7.5
5.0
At each date shown, Berkshire Bank met the conditions to be classified as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table above.
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
Other accumulated comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Net unrealized holding (loss) gain on AFS securities
(2,423
10,718
Net loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives
(4,509
(10,955
Net loss on terminated swap
(3,472
(4,179
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans
(1,265
Income taxes related to items of accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income:
914
(4,006
1,813
4,397
1,403
1,801
510
The following table presents the components of other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
Before Tax
Tax Effect
Net of Tax
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Net unrealized holding loss on AFS securities:
Net unrealized (loss) gain arising during the period
(804
309
(495
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) realized in net income
(146
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives:
(1,954
796
(1,158
802
(324
478
Net loss on cash flow hedging derivatives
(680
Net loss on terminated swap:
Net unrealized loss arising during the period
Net gain (loss) on terminated swap
Other Comprehensive Loss
(1,359
540
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities:
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period
2,102
1,337
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities
1,338
(1,886
762
(1,124
871
(349
522
(602
Net gain on terminated swap:
Net unrealized gain arising during the period
(2,420
2,655
2,558
Net gain on terminated swap
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income
1,323
(449
36
(14,507
5,471
(9,036
(551
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on AFS securities
(8,221
Net gain on cash flow hedging derivatives:
3,733
(1,489
2,244
2,713
(1,095
Net gain on cash flow hedging derivatives
3,862
471
(5,988
4,748
(1,713
3,035
(16
3,061
(5,875
2,427
(3,448
2,656
(1,069
1,587
(1,861
(4,605
5,311
5,085
480
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period
Other Comprehensive Income
2,020
(597
The following table presents the gross changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
Net unrealized
Net loss on
Net loss
holding (loss) gain
effective cash
on
holding loss
on AFS
flow hedging
terminated
Securities
derivatives
swap
pension plans
Balance at Beginning of Period
(1,980
(3,357
(3,708
(10,310
Other Comprehensive Loss Before reclassifications
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income
1,399
Total Other Comprehensive Income
Balance at End of Period
(11,669
8,986
(11,087
(4,650
(932
(7,683
(2,204
3,527
11,089
(12,102
(4,415
(6,360
(5,681
(10,538
4,550
6,299
(8,883
(5,121
(675
(8,380
(5,989
8,009
The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
Affected Line Item in the
Three Months Ended September 30,
Statement Where Net Income
Is Presented
Realized gains (losses) on AFS securities:
Tax expense
Net of tax
Realized gains on cash flow hedging derivatives
Interest income
Amortization of realized gains on terminated swap
Total reclassifications for the period
834
3,081
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2,506
6,698
39
NOTE 9. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share have been computed based on the following (average diluted shares outstanding are calculated using the treasury stock method):
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (including gain on disposal of $63)
Average number of common shares issued
26,525
23,825
23,438
Less: average number of treasury shares
1,519
1,614
Less: average number of unvested stock award shares
290
244
Average number of basic common shares outstanding
Plus: dilutive effect of unvested stock award shares
46
60
Plus: dilutive effect of stock options outstanding
106
93
Average number of diluted common shares outstanding
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 239 thousand shares of restricted stock and 464 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, 218 thousand shares of restricted stock and 350 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations.
NOTE 10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
A combined summary of activity in the Companys stock award and stock option plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is presented in the following table:
Non-vested Stock
Awards Outstanding
Stock Options Outstanding
Weighted-
Number of
Grant Date
Exercise
(Shares in thousands)
Price
Balance, December 31, 2012
21.69
688
18.13
Granted
24.07
Stock options exercised
(235
12.88
Stock awards vested
19.51
Forfeited
22.74
18.24
Balance, September 30, 2013
253
23.08
20.50
Exercisable options, September 30, 2013
379
22.80
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, proceeds from stock option exercises totaled $3.0 million and $376 thousand, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were 95 thousand shares issued in connection with vested stock awards. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, there were 68 thousand shares issued in connection with vested stock awards. All of these shares were issued from available treasury stock. Stock-based compensation expense totaled $2.1 million and $1.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards.
NOTE 11. OPERATING SEGMENTS
The Company has two reportable operating segments, Banking and Insurance, which are delineated by the consolidated subsidiaries of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. Banking includes the activities of the Bank and its subsidiaries, which provide retail and commercial banking, along with wealth management and investment services. Insurance includes the activities of BIG, which provides retail and commercial insurance services. The only other consolidated financial activity of the Company is the Parent, which consists of the transactions of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. Management fees for corporate services provided by the Bank to BIG and the Parent are eliminated.
The accounting policies of each reportable segment are the same as those of the Company. The Insurance segment and the Parent reimburse the Bank for administrative services provided to them. Income tax expense for the individual segments is calculated based on the activity of the segments, and the Parent records the tax expense or benefit necessary to reconcile to the consolidated total. The Parent does not allocate capital costs. Average assets include securities available-for-sale based on amortized cost.
A summary of the Companys operating segments was as follows:
Banking
Insurance
Parent
Eliminations
Total Consolidated
Three months ended September 30, 2013
46,808
(939
9,645
2,469
9,033
(9,033
40,229
1,981
572
Income before income taxes
13,046
488
7,522
(9,035
Income tax expense (benefit)
(584
8,733
8,106
Average assets (in millions)
5,259
736
(735
5,287
Three months ended September 30, 2012
Net interest income (expense)
35,505
11,571
10,294
(10,294
29,608
2,021
533
14,968
9,481
5,105
(548
9,863
431
4,409
501
(368
4,572
Nine months ended September 30, 2013
131,796
(15,000
34,664
7,851
18,523
(18,520
112,181
6,152
1,868
46,001
1,699
28,769
(33,521
13,521
656
(1,835
32,480
1,043
30,604
5,212
(743
5,242
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
102,095
(672
28,147
25,546
(25,546
88,061
6,329
2,150
35,431
1,927
22,724
10,400
775
(1,135
25,031
1,152
Income from discontinued operations berofre income taxes (including gain on disposal of $63)
24,394
492
(405
4,302
NOTE 12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
As of September 30, 2013, the Company held derivatives with a total notional amount of $787.7 million. That amount included $325.0 million in interest rate swap derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. The Company also had economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives totaling $428.5 million and $34.2 million, respectively, which are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes and are therefore recorded at fair value. Economic hedges included interest rate swaps totaling $379.7 million, and $48.8 million in forward commitment contracts.
As part of the Companys risk management strategy, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in certain of the Companys assets and liabilities. Interest rate swap agreements involve the risk of dealing with both Bank customers and institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. The agreements are entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and contain master netting and collateral provisions protecting the at-risk party. The derivatives program is overseen by the Risk Management Committee of the Companys Board of Directors. Based on adherence to the Companys credit standards and the presence of the netting and collateral provisions, the Company believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts was not significant at September 30, 2013.
The Company pledged collateral to derivative counterparties in the form of cash totaling $1.8 million and securities with an amortized cost of $28.0 million and a fair value of $28.3 million as of September 30, 2013. The Company does not typically require its commercial customers to post cash or securities as collateral on its program of back-to-back economic hedges. However certain language is written into the ISDA and loan documents where, in default situations, the Bank is allowed to access collateral supporting the loan relationship to recover any losses suffered on the derivative asset or liability. The Company may need to post additional collateral in the future in proportion to potential increases in unrealized loss positions.
Information about derivative assets and liabilities at September 30, 2013, follows:
Estimated
Notional
Weighted Average Rate
Maturity
Received
Paid
Asset (Liability)
(In years)
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings
100,000
2.2
0.27
3.13
(3,463
Forward-starting interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings
210,000
5.4
1.80
(715
Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated notes
15,000
0.9
5.54
(331
Total cash flow hedges
325,000
Economic hedges:
Interest rate swap on tax advantaged economic development bond
13,227
16.4
0.55
5.09
(2,273
Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers
183,214
5.6
2.44
4.83
7,660
Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers
(7,769
Forward sale commitments
48,844
0.2
(822
Total economic hedges
428,499
(3,204
Non-hedging derivatives:
Interest rate lock commitments
34,195
976
Total non-hedging derivatives
787,693
(6,737
Information about derivative assets and liabilities at December 31, 2012, follows:
115,000
1.6
0.35
3.47
(4,608
140,000
2.37
(5,810
1.4
(704
270,000
(11,122
13,609
16.9
0.58
(3,473
205,319
5.1
2.54
5.28
(15,219
0.11
14,746
335,548
0.1
759,795
(5,282
282,752
6,258
1,312,547
(10,146
Cash flow hedges
The effective portion of unrealized changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges is reported in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction is forecasted to affect earnings. Each quarter, the Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.
As of September 30, 2013, the Company has entered into several interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $100.0 million to convert the LIBOR based floating interest rates on a $100.0 million portfolio of FHLBB advances to fixed rates. The objective is to fix the Companys monthly interest expense on these borrowings.
The Company has also entered into twelve forward-starting interest rate swap contracts with a combined notional value of $210.0 million as of September 30, 2013. In 2014, nine of the remaining twelve forward starting swaps will become effective; of these, two have a duration of three years, four have durations of four years, and the final three have durations of five years. The last three forward starting swaps will become effective in 2015, two of which have a duration of four years and the other of which has a duration of seven years. This hedge strategy converts the LIBOR based rate of interest on certain FHLB advances to fixed interest rates, thereby protecting the Company from floating interest rate variability.
As of September 30, 2013, the Company has an interest rate swap with a notional value of $15.0 million to convert the floating rate of interest on its junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate of interest. The purpose of the hedge was to protect the Company from the risk of variability arising from the floating rate interest on the debentures.
Amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Income and in the other comprehensive income section of the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity related to interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, were as follows:
Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings:
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
(2,155
(1,210
3,280
(770
Reclassification of unrealized gain (loss) from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense
803
(871
(2,656
Reclassification of unrealized gain from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other non-interest expense for termination of swaps
Reclassification of unrealized deferred tax benefit from accumulated other comprehensive loss to tax expense for terminated swaps
(98
Net tax benefit (expense) on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
597
(2,358
1,448
Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated debentures:
(9
919
(137
Reclassification of unrealized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense
148
387
Net tax (expense) benefit on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
(47
(28
(149
Other comprehensive (loss) income recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of reclassification adjustments and tax effects
(539
(464
4,171
(1,380
Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on hedged FHLBB borrowings
913
1,121
3,232
3,327
Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on junior subordinated notes
Hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges was immaterial to the Companys financial statements during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The Company does not anticipate material events or transactions within the next twelve months that are likely to result in a reclassification of unrealized gains or losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Companys variable-rate liabilities. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $4.9 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
Economic hedges
As of September 30, 2013, the Company has an interest rate swap with a $13.2 million notional amount to swap out the fixed rate of interest on an economic development bond bearing a fixed rate of 5.09%, currently within the Companys trading portfolio under the fair value option, in exchange for a LIBOR-based floating rate. The intent of the economic hedge is to improve the Companys asset sensitivity to changing interest rates in anticipation of favorable average floating rates of interest over the 21-year life of the bond. The fair value changes of the economic development bond are mostly offset by fair value changes of the related interest rate swap.
The Company also offers certain derivative products directly to qualified commercial borrowers. The Company economically hedges derivative transactions executed with commercial borrowers by entering into mirror-image, offsetting derivatives with third-party financial institutions. The transaction allows the Companys customer to convert a variable-rate loan to a fixed rate loan. Because the Company acts as an intermediary for its customer, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts mostly offset each other in earnings. Credit valuation adjustments arising from the difference in credit worthiness of the commercial loan and financial
institution counterparties totaled $100 thousand as of September 30, 2013. The interest income and expense on these mirror image swaps exactly offset each other.
The Company utilizes forward sale commitments to hedge interest rate risk and the associated effects on the fair value of interest rate lock commitments and loans held for sale. The forward sale commitments are accounted for as derivatives with changes in fair value recorded in current period earnings.
The company uses the following types of forward sale commitments contracts:
· Best efforts loan sales,
· Mandatory delivery loan sales, and
· To Be Announced (TBA) mortgage-backed securities sales.
A best efforts contract refers to a loan sale agreement where the Company commits to deliver an individual mortgage loan of a specified principal amount and quality to an investor if the loan to the underlying borrower closes. The Company may enter into a best efforts contract once the price is known, which is shortly after the potential borrowers interest rate is locked.
A mandatory delivery contract is a loan sale agreement where the Company commits to deliver a certain principal amount of mortgage loans to an investor at a specified price on or before a specified date. Generally, the Company may enter into mandatory delivery contracts shortly after the loan closes with a customer.
The Company may sell TBA mortgage-backed securities to hedge the changes in fair value of interest rate lock commitments and held for sale loans, which do not have corresponding best efforts or mandatory delivery contracts. These security sales transactions are closed once mandatory contracts are written. On the closing date the price of the security is locked-in, and the sale is paired-off with a purchase of the same security. Settlement of the security purchase/sale transaction is done with cash on a net-basis.
Non-hedging derivatives
The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs) for residential mortgage loans, which commit the Company to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specific interest rate and within a specified period of time. IRLCs that relate to the origination of mortgage loans that will be held for sale are considered derivative financial instruments under applicable accounting guidance. Outstanding IRLCs expose the Company to the risk that the price of the mortgage loans underlying the commitments may decline due to increases in mortgage interest rates from inception of the rate lock to the funding of the loan. The IRLCs are free-standing derivatives which are carried at fair value with changes recorded in noninterest income in the Companys consolidated statements of income. Changes in the fair value of IRLCs subsequent to inception are based on changes in the fair value of the underlying loan resulting from the fulfillment of the commitment and changes in the probability that the loan will fund within the terms of the commitment, which is affected primarily by changes in interest rates and the passage of time.
Amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Income related to economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives were as follows:
Interest rate swap on industrial revenue bond:
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income
(32
(24
740
(1,118
Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income
154
859
6,704
4,119
Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
Unrealized loss recognized in other non-interest income
(154
(859
(6,704
(4,119
(Unfavorable) favorable change in credit valuation adjustment recognized in other non-interest income
(5
(31
332
(22
Forward Commitments:
Unrealized (loss) recognized in other non-interest income
(4,669
Realized gain in other non-interest income
231
(943
8,377
7,833
2,784
(3,423
6,873
Assets and Liabilities Subject to Enforceable Master Netting Arrangements
Interest Rate Swap Agreements (Swap Agreements)
The Company enters into swap agreements to facilitate the risk management strategies for commercial banking customers. The Company mitigates this risk by entering into equal and offsetting swap agreements with highly rated third party financial institutions. The swap agreements are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value in the Companys consolidated statements of condition. 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 master netting arrangements provide for a single net settlement of all swap agreements, as well as collateral, in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract. Collateral generally in the form of marketable securities is received or posted by the counterparty with net liability positions, respectively, in accordance with contract thresholds. The Company had net asset positions with its commercial banking counterparties totaling $8.0 million and $14.7 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company had net liability positions with its financial institution counterparties totaling $16.1 million and $29.8 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. At September 30, 2013, the Company also had a net liability position of $0.3 million with its commercial banking counterparties as compared to zero liability at December 31, 2012. The collateral posted by the Company that covered liability positions was $14.6 million and $29.8 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
47
The following table presents the assets and liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets
Net Amounts
Gross Amounts
of Assets
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements
Amounts of
Offset in the
Presented in the
of Condition
Recognized
Statements of
Financial
Cash
Condition
Instruments
Collateral Received
Net Amount
As of September 30, 2013
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties
Commercial counterparties
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liaibilities
of Liabilities
Collateral Pledged
(16,087
1,536
(14,551
12,851
1,700
(335
(330
(16,422
1,541
(14,881
As of December 31, 2012
(29,814
25,384
4,430
NOTE 13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to all of the Companys financial assets and financial liabilities that are carried at fair value.
Recurring fair value measurements
The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value. There were no transfers between levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Inputs
Available-for-sale securities:
Governmentguaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
15,297
1,007
29,361
742
Loans held for sale
Derivative assets (1)
8,636
Derivative liabilities (2)
14,551
15,373
43,091
20,072
Loans Held for Sale
21,004
29,818
1,055
31,155
(1) Total fair value excludes $0.8 million and $1.3 million of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012,respectively, on interest rate lock and forward commitments presented under other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Total fair value includes $0.8 million and $1.3 million of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, on interest rate lock and forward commitments presented under other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
Trading Security at Fair Value. The Company holds one security designated as a trading security. It is a tax advantaged economic development bond issued to the Company by a local nonprofit which provides wellness and health programs. The determination of the fair value for this security is determined based on a discounted cash flow methodology. Certain inputs to the fair value calculation are unobservable and there is little to no market activity in the security; therefore, the security meets the definition of a Level 3 security. The discount rate used in the valuation of the security is sensitive to movements in the 3-month LIBOR rate.
Securities Available for Sale. AFS securities classified as Level 1 consist of publicly-traded equity securities for which the fair values can be obtained through quoted market prices in active exchange markets. AFS securities classified as Level 2 include most of the Companys debt securities. The pricing on Level 2 was primarily sourced from third party pricing services, overseen by management, and is based on models that consider standard input factors such as dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bonds terms and condition, among other things. The Company holds one pooled trust preferred security. The securitys fair value is based on unobservable issuer-provided financial information and discounted cash flow models derived from the underlying structured pool and therefore is classified as Level 3. The Company also owns a private placement equity investment where the fair value is determined by unobservable issuer provided financial information and therefore is classified as a Level 3 security.
Loans held for sale. The Company elected the fair value option for all loans held for sale (HFS) originated on or after May 1, 2012. Loans HFS are classified as Level 2 as the fair value is based on input factors such as quoted prices for similar loans in active markets.
Aggregate Fair Value
Aggregate
Less Aggregate
Unpaid Principal
26,124
940
82,560
2,808
The changes in fair value of loans held for sale for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, were gains of $2.0 million and losses of $1.9 million, respectively. The changes in fair value of loans held for sale were gains of $1.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. The changes in fair value are included in mortgage banking income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Derivative Assets and Liabilities.
Interest Rate Swap. The valuation of the Companys interest rate swaps is obtained from a third-party pricing service and is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The pricing analysis is based on observable inputs for the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity and interest rate curves.
The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterpartys nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings.
Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its interest rate derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of September 30, 2013, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Interest Rate Lock Commitments. The Company enters into IRLCs for residential mortgage loans, which commit the Company to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specific interest rate and within a specified period of time. The estimated fair value of commitments to originate residential mortgage loans for sale is based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets. However, this value is adjusted by a factor which considers the likelihood that the loan in a lock position will ultimately close, and by the non-refundable costs of originating the loan. The closing ratio is derived from the Banks internal data and is adjusted using significant management judgment. The costs to originate are primarily based on the Companys internal commission rates that are not observable. As such, IRLCs are classified as Level 3 measurements.
Forward Sale Commitments. The Company utilizes forward sale commitments as economic hedges against potential changes in the values of the IRLCs and loans held for sale. To Be Announced (TBA) mortgage-backed securities forward commitment sales are used as the hedging instrument, are classified as Level 1, and consist of publicly-traded debt securities for which identical fair values can be obtained through quoted market prices in active exchange markets. The fair values of the Companys best efforts and mandatory delivery loan sale commitments are determined similarly to the IRLCs using quoted prices in the market place that are observable. However, costs to originate and closing ratios included in the calculation are internally generated and
are based on managements judgment and prior experience, which are considered factors that are not observable. As such, best efforts and mandatory forward commitments are classified as Level 3 measurements.
The table below presents the changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.
Assets (Liabilities)
Interest Rate
Trading
Available
Lock
Forward
Security
for Sale
Commitments
Balance as of June 30, 2013
15,564
1,819
(1,507
Purchase of Marketable Equity Security
Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income
(107
5,054
(1,628
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
(70
Paydown of trading account security
(127
Transfers to held for sale loans
(2,571
Balance as of September 30, 2013
1,749
(225
Balance as of December 31, 2012
(1,055
770
(1,180
8,353
830
(383
(13,635
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30, 2013
(1,624
Balance as of June 30, 2012
17,365
613
4,028
Greenpark Acquisition
(7
10,858
(1,045
Unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
204
(121
(7,053
Balance as of September 30, 2012
17,237
817
Balance as of December 31, 2011
17,395
544
2,126
15,195
(361
(9,488
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30, 2012
3,502
(1,784
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3 recurring assets and liabilities is as follows:
Significant Unobservable
Valuation Techniques
Unobservable Inputs
Input Value
Trading Security
Discounted Cash Flow
Discount Rate
3.11
Forward Commitments
Historical Trend
Closing Ratio
89.55
Pricing Model
Origination Costs, per loan
Interest Rate Lock Commitment
16,081
2.08
70.00
1,530
93.04
22,096
Non-recurring fair value measurements
The Company is required, on a non-recurring basis, to adjust the carrying value or provide valuation allowances for certain assets using fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP. The following is a summary of applicable non-recurring fair value measurements. There are no liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
Gains (Losses)
Impaired loans
5,582
6,104
(522
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights
4,316
3,198
450
13,459
11,231
Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3 non-recurring assets is as follows:
Range (Weighted
Average) (a)
Fair value of collateral
Loss severity
7.76% to 100.0% (30.39%)
Appraised value
$0 to $1,760.0 $(891.89)
Capitaized mortgage servicing rights
Discounted cash flow
Constant prepayment rate (CPR)
15.64% to 6.99% (8.99%)
Discount rate
10.00% to 14.00% (10.72%)
$0 to $1,000.0 $(457.89)
Decemeber 31, 2012
5.24% to 100.0% (42.79%)
$15.7 to $1,584.0 $(863.8)
13.25% to 26.02% (18.41%)
11.00% to 15.50% (11.14%)
$0 to $1,000.0 $(457.1)
(a) Where dollar amounts are disclosed, the amounts represent the lowest and highest fair value of the respective assets in the population except for adjustments for market/property conditions, which represents the range of adjustments to individuals properties.
There were no Level 1 or Level 2 nonrecurring fair value measurements for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
Impaired Loans. Loans are generally not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Periodically, the Company records non-recurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Non-recurring adjustments can also include certain impairment amounts for collateral-dependent loans calculated when establishing the allowance for credit losses. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan and, as a result, the carrying value of the loan less the calculated valuation amount does not necessarily represent the fair value of the loan. Real estate collateral is typically valued using appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace. However, the choice of observable data is subject to significant judgment, and there are often adjustments based on judgment in order to make observable data comparable and to consider the impact of time, the condition of properties, interest rates, and other market factors on current values. Additionally, commercial real estate appraisals frequently involve discounting of projected cash flows, which relies inherently on unobservable data. Therefore, nonrecurring fair value measurement adjustments that relate to real estate collateral have generally been classified as Level 3. Estimates of fair value for other collateral that supports commercial loans are generally based on assumptions not observable in the marketplace and therefore such valuations have been classified as Level 3.
Capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights. A loan servicing right asset represents the amount by which the present value of the estimated future net cash flows to be received from servicing loans exceed adequate compensation for performing the servicing. The fair value of servicing rights is estimated using a present value cash flow model. The most important assumptions used in the valuation model are the anticipated rate of the loan prepayments and discount rates. Adjustments are only recorded when the discounted cash flows derived from the valuation model are less than the carrying value of the asset. Although some assumptions in determining fair
53
value are based on standards used by market participants, some are based on unobservable inputs and therefore are classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.
Other real estate owned (OREO). OREO results from the foreclosure process on residential or commercial loans issued by the Bank. Upon assuming the real estate, the Company records the property at the fair value of the asset less the estimated sales costs. Thereafter, OREO properties are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less the estimated sales costs. OREO fair values are primarily determined based on Level 3 data including sales comparables and appraisals.
Summary of estimated fair values of financial instruments
The estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of the Companys financial instruments follow. Certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments are excluded from disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented herein may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.
Carrying
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
653,606
Restricted equity securities
4,022,938
Accrued interest receivable
15,173
Financial Liabilities
3,886,125
590,074
152,229
88,564
54
439,993
4,004,259
4,044,259
14,731
4,116,999
199,420
73,967
(1) Total fair value excludes $0.8 million and 1.3 million of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, on interest rate lock and forward commitments presented under other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Total fair value includes $0.8 million and 1.3 million of unrealized losses as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, on interest rate lock and forward commitments presented under other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
Other than as discussed above, the following methods and assumptions were used by management to estimate the fair value of significant classes of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value.
Cash and cash equivalents. Carrying value is assumed to represent fair value for cash and cash equivalents that have original maturities of ninety days or less.
Restricted equity securities. Carrying value approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the issuers.
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies. Carrying value approximates fair value.
Loans, net. The carrying value of the loans in the loan portfolio is based on the cash flows of the loans discounted over their respective loan origination rates. The origination rates are adjusted for substandard and special mention loans to factor the impact of declines in the loans credit standing. The fair value of the loans is estimated by discounting future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans with similar terms would be made to borrowers of similar credit quality.
Accrued interest receivable. Carrying value approximates fair value.
Deposits. The fair value of demand, non-interest bearing checking, savings and money market deposits is determined as the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposits is estimated by
discounting the estimated future cash flows using market rates offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
Borrowed funds. The fair value of borrowed funds is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using market rates for similar borrowings. Such funds include all categories of debt and debentures in the table above.
Subordinated notes. The Company utilizes a pricing service along with internal models to estimate the valuation of its junior subordinated debentures. The junior subordinated debentures re-price every ninety days.
Off-balance-sheet financial instruments. Off-balance-sheet financial instruments include standby letters of credit and other financial guarantees and commitments considered immaterial to the Companys financial statements.
NOTE 14. NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
Presented below is net interest income after provision for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
42,691
32,725
120,632
94,673
NOTE 15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through November 12, 2013, the date the financial statements were issued, noting no events requiring disclosure.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Companys consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this document and with the Companys consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the following discussion, income statement comparisons are against the same period of the previous year and balance sheet comparisons are against the previous fiscal year-end, unless otherwise noted. Operating results discussed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year 2013 or any future period. In managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, certain reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. Tax-equivalent adjustments are the result of increasing income from tax-advantaged securities by an amount equal to the taxes that would be paid if the income were fully taxable based on a 40.3% marginal effective income tax rate. In the discussion, references to earnings per share refer to diluted earnings per share unless otherwise specified.
Berkshire Hills Bancorp (Berkshire or the Company) is headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. is a Delaware corporation and the holding company for Berkshire Bank (the Bank) and Berkshire Insurance Group. Established in 1846, the Bank is a state chartered Massachusetts savings bank. The Bank is one of Massachusetts oldest and largest independent banks and is the largest banking institution based in Western Massachusetts. Berkshire Bank operates under the brand Americas Most Exciting Bank®.
On April 20, 2012, Berkshire completed the acquisition of CBT The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut. On April 30, 2012, Berkshire acquired the net assets and operations of Greenpark Mortgage, headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts. On October 19, 2012, Berkshire completed the acquisition of Beacon Federal Bancorp, headquartered in East Syracuse, New York. Berkshires operations in 2013 include all of these acquired operations. Berkshire currently has $5.5 billion in assets. It provides personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services through 74 full service branch offices in Western Massachusetts, Central and Eastern New York, North Central Connecticut, and Southern Vermont. Berkshire operates 10 lending offices for commercial and residential mortgage originations in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. The Company also has a former Beacon branch office in Tennessee. On July 24, 2013, Berkshire announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire 20 branches with $0.6 billion in deposits located in communities in and around its existing footprint in Central and Eastern New York. Berkshire plans to complete this acquisition early in 2014, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. For more information, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601.
Berkshire is a regional financial services company that seeks to distinguish itself over the long term based on the following attributes:
· Strong growth from organic, de novo, product and acquisition strategies
· History of positive operating leverage contributing to historic growth in operating earnings
· Solid capital, core funding and risk management culture
· Experienced executive team focused on earnings and stockholder value
· Distinctive brand and culture as Americas Most Exciting Bank®
· Diversified integrated financial service revenues
· Positioned to be regional consolidator in attractive markets
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this document that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (referred to as the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (referred to as the Securities Exchange Act), and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements from the use of the words may, will, should, could, would, plan, potential, estimate, project, believe, intend, anticipate, expect, target and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including among other things, changes in general economic and business conditions, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, legislative and regulatory change, changes in the financial markets, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in documents that Berkshire Hills Bancorp files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and the Risk Factors in Item 1A of this report. Because of these and other uncertainties, Berkshires actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, Berkshires past results of operations do not necessarily indicate Berkshires combined future results. You should not place undue reliance on any of the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. Berkshire is not undertaking an obligation to update forward-looking statements, even though its situation may change in the future, except as required under federal securities law. Berkshire qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
GENERAL
This discussion is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained in this report.
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES, AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Companys significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q and in the most recent Form 10-K. Please see those policies in conjunction with this discussion. The accounting and reporting policies followed by the Company conform, in all material respects, to accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States and to general practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While the Company bases estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.
The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that require application of managements most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in future periods. Please see those policies in conjunction with this discussion. Management believes that the following policies would be considered critical under the SECs definition:
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses represents probable credit losses that are inherent in the loan portfolio at the financial statement date and which may be estimated. Management uses historical information, as well as current economic data, to assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses as it is affected by changing economic conditions and various external factors, which may impact the portfolio in ways currently unforeseen. Although management believes that it uses appropriate available information to establish the allowance for loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary if certain future events occur that cause actual results to differ from the assumptions used in making the evaluation. Conditions in the local economy and real estate values could require the Company to increase provisions for loan losses, which would negatively impact earnings.
Acquired Loans. Loans that the Company acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows initially expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest. Going forward, the Company continues to evaluate reasonableness of expectations for the timing and the amount of cash to be collected. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows may result in changes in the amortization or accretion of fair market value adjustments, and in some cases may result in the loan being considered impaired. For collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, the Company estimates the fair value of the underlying collateral of the loans. These values are discounted using market derived rates of return, with consideration given to the period of time and costs associated with the foreclosure and disposition of the collateral.
Income Taxes. Significant management judgment is required in determining income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in which deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Companys assets and liabilities. The realization of the net deferred tax asset generally depends upon future levels of taxable income and the existence of prior years taxable income, to which carry back refund claims could be made. A valuation allowance is maintained for deferred tax assets that management estimates are more likely than not to be unrealizable based on available evidence at the time the estimate is made. In determining the valuation allowance, the Company uses historical and forecasted future operating results, based upon approved business plans, including a review of the eligible carry-forward periods, tax planning opportunities and other relevant considerations. These underlying assumptions can change from period to period. For example, tax law changes or variances in future projected operating performance could result in a change in the valuation allowance. Should actual factors and conditions differ materially from those considered by management, the actual realization of the net deferred tax asset could differ materially from the amounts recorded in the financial statements. If the Company is not able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance would be charged to income tax expense in the period such determination is made.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets. Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets are recorded as a result of business acquisitions and combinations. These assets are evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. When these assets are evaluated for impairment, if the carrying amount exceeds fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to income. The fair value is based on observable market prices, when practicable. Other valuation techniques may be used when market prices are unavailable, including estimated discounted cash flows and market multiples
analyses. These types of analyses contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. In the event of future changes in fair value, the Company may be exposed to an impairment charge that could be material.
Determination of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Securities. The Company evaluates debt and equity securities within the Companys available for sale and held to maturity portfolios for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI), at least quarterly. If the fair value of a debt security is below the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI is required to be recognized if any of the following are met: (1) the Company intends to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) for debt securities, the present value of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. For all impaired debt securities that the Company intends to sell, or more likely than not will be required to sell, the full amount of the depreciation is recognized as OTTI through earnings. Credit-related OTTI for all other impaired debt securities is recognized through earnings. Noncredit related OTTI for such debt securities is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. In evaluating its marketable equity securities portfolios for OTTI, the Company considers its intent and ability to hold an equity security to recovery of its cost basis in addition to various other factors, including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer. Any OTTI on marketable equity securities is recognized immediately through earnings. Should actual factors and conditions differ materially from those expected by management, the actual realization of gains or losses on investment securities could differ materially from the amounts recorded in the financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial instruments and to determine fair value disclosures. Trading assets, securities available for sale, and derivative instruments are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, or to establish a loss allowance or write-down based on the fair value of impaired assets. Further, the notes to financial statements include information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the valuation methodologies used and its impact to earnings. For financial instruments not recorded at fair value, the notes to financial statements disclose the estimate of their fair value. Due to the judgments and uncertainties involved in the estimation process, the estimates could result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following summary data is based in part on the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, and other information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.
At or for the Three Months Ended
At or for the Nine Months Ended
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
Net earnings, diluted
Total common book value
26.98
26.60
Dividends
0.18
0.17
0.54
0.51
Common stock price:
High
29.38
23.66
24.49
Low
24.34
21.19
23.38
20.15
Close
25.11
22.88
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets
0.61
0.88
0.73
Return on average common equity
4.74
6.89
6.07
5.57
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent
3.93
3.50
3.76
3.62
Fee income/Net interest and fee income
19.23
28.35
23.42
25.91
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS
Net charge-offs (current period annualized)/average loans
0.25
Allowance for loan losses/total loans
0.83
CAPITAL RATIO
Stockholders equity to total assets
12.35
12.75
FINANCIAL DATA: (In millions)
5,450
4,634
Total earning assets
4,856
4,024
3,418
Allowance for loan losses
Total intangible assets
272
239
Total borrowings and notes
537
Total common stockholders equity
673
591
FOR THE PERIOD: (In thousands)
(1) All performance ratios are annualized and are based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.
(2) Generally accepted accounting principles require that loans acquired in a business combination be recorded at fair value, whereas loans from business activities are recorded at cost. The fair value of loans acquired in a business combination includes expected loan losses, and there is no loan loss allowance recorded for these loans at the time of acquisition. Accordingly, the ratio of the loan loss allowance to total loans is reduced as a result of the existence of such loans, and this measure is not directly comparable to prior periods. Similarly, net loan charge-offs are normally reduced for loans acquired in a business combination since these loans are recorded net of expected loan losses. Therefore, the ratio of net loan charge-offs to average loans is reduced as a result of the existence of such loans, and this measure is not directly comparable to prior periods. Other institutions may have loans acquired in a business combination, and therefore there may be no direct comparability of these ratios between and among other institutions.
AVERAGE BALANCES AND AVERAGE YIELDS/RATES
The following table presents average balances and an analysis of average rates and yields on an annualized fully taxable equivalent basis for the periods included.
($ In millions)
Average Balance
Yield/Rate (FTE basis)
Loans:
1,248
3.99
1,208
4.28
1,252
4.07
1,154
4.47
1,354
5.80
5.27
1,381
5.51
1,227
5.21
648
6.09
3.85
625
4.84
484
4.24
651
4.39
368
3.97
644
4.71
370
3.98
3,901
5.02
3,399
4.62
3,902
4.81
3,235
4.66
Investment securities (2)
735
2.77
559
3.02
661
2.93
3.21
Short term investments and loans held for sale (4)
4.05
2.15
2.63
Total interest-earning assets
4,697
4,074
4.27
4,646
4.52
3,830
4.38
Intangible assets
Other non-interest earning assets
323
Liabilities and stockholders equity
Deposits:
NOW
291
357
0.24
Money market
1,330
0.44
1,171
0.47
1,389
0.40
1,131
0.50
Savings
442
0.16
369
0.19
Time
1.29
1,039
1.48
1,100
1.25
1,020
Total interest-bearing deposits
3,182
0.66
2,877
3,291
0.64
2,807
Borrowings and notes
722
1.85
531
1.70
573
2.58
397
2.17
Total interest-bearing liabilities
3,904
0.92
3,864
0.91
3,204
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
659
538
647
Other non-interest earning liabilities
4,603
3,989
4,569
684
583
569
Net interest spread
3.78
3.35
3.61
3.42
Net interest margin
Cost of funds
0.75
0.84
Cost of deposits
0.53
0.68
Supplementary data
Total deposits (In millions)
3,840
3,416
3,936
3,300
Fully taxable equivalent income adj. (In thousands)
652
623
1,925
1,930
(1) The average balances of loans include nonaccrual loans and deferred fees and costs.
(2) The average balance for securities available for sale is based on amortized cost. The average balance of equity also reflects this adjustment.
(3) The above schedule includes yields associated with discontinued operations, although the related income is excluded from income from continuing operations on the income statement. The above schedule includes balances associated with discontinued operations in loans and deposits.
(4) Interest income on loans held for sale is included in loan interest income on the income statement.
(5) The average balances of borrowings and notes include the capital lease obligation presented under other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
SUMMARY
Nine month 2013 earnings totaled $30.6 million which was a record nine month result due to Berkshires acquisition and organic growth strategies. Nine month earnings per share totaled $1.22 in 2013, compared to $1.10 in 2012. Following record quarterly earnings totaling $12.0 million in the second quarter of 2013, Berkshires third quarter earnings decreased to $8.1 million due primarily to $6.5 million in charges related to merger, restructuring, and conversion related expenses. The Company recorded $0.33 in earnings per share in the most recent quarter.
Third quarter 2013 highlights were as follows:
· 16% annualized increase in commercial business loans and in total loans
· 8% annualized increase in total commercial loans
· 7% annualized increase in total deposits
· 16% annualized increase in demand deposits
· 3.93% net interest margin
· 0.58% non-performing assets/total assets
· 0.32% net loan charge-offs/average loans
Growth in loans from business activities equated to an 11% annualized growth rate compared to total loans for the year-to-date. This growth was offset in the first half of the year by decreases in loans acquired in business combinations, including targeted runoff of impaired loans along with excessive competition for earning assets in the ongoing low yield environment. Total loan growth resumed in the third quarter as market conditions improved and the Company broadened its loan originations activities. Mortgage banking revenues declined following the second quarter contraction in refinancing activity. The income benefit of purchased loan accretion is expected to decrease in the future as these acquired portfolios season. The Company is focused on increased loans and higher fee income as targeted sources of future revenue growth. The Company initiated a restructuring in the third quarter to reduce staff and premises overhead costs, and it estimated that it reduced ongoing operating costs by 4% compared to the second quarter. The Company expects to continue to evaluate restructuring alternatives and to use the benefits of its core systems investment and Six Sigma processes to obtain further efficiencies in the future in its expanded business operations.
In July 2013, the Company also announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire 20 branches with deposits totaling $0.6 billion from Bank of America. These branches are located within and contiguous to Berkshires existing New York markets. The deposit premium is 2.25% and the acquisition is expected to be completed early in 2014. Excluding transaction costs, the acquisition is intended to be accretive to earnings as acquired funds and operations are integrated, including the benefit of the comparatively lower interest cost and higher fee revenue of these branches.
COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND DECEMBER 31, 2012
Summary: Berkshire views its third quarter loan and deposit growth as demonstrating its market share acquisition capacity, whereas results in the first half of the year were heavily influenced by transitional events which are not expected to be ongoing. Berkshire produced 16% annualized loan growth in the third quarter, with growth in all major categories. For the first nine months of the year, the increase in loans from business activities equated to 11% annualized growth of total loans. However, in the first half of the year this growth was offset by decreases in loans acquired in business combinations. This included targeted reductions of acquired impaired commercial loans, along with run-off of non-relationship commercial real estate loans in the competitive environment for higher yielding loan assets. Deposits increased by 2% in the third quarter. Deposits had decreased by 7% in the first half of the year primarily due to targeted reductions in rate sensitive commercial money market balances which were of marginal benefit. Additionally, in the first half of the year, Berkshire also discontinued some non-core deposit sources remaining from the Beacon acquisition in October 2012. Due to purchases of investment securities, total assets increased to $5.5 billion at the end of the third quarter, compared to $5.3 billion at the start of the year.
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Measures of asset quality, liquidity, and capital remained within targets during the first nine months of 2013, and the Company continued to manage its interest rate risk profile. Over this period, book value per share increased by 2% annualized to $26.98. During this time, shareholders received $0.54 in dividends, measuring 2.7% of starting equity on an annualized basis.
Securities: Total investment securities increased by $215 million to $789 million (14% of total assets) in the first nine months of 2013. Securities increased by $90 million in the first quarter as Berkshire shifted some mortgage related assets from loans into shorter duration securities. Securities increased by $118 million in the third quarter as borrowings were used to increase earning assets in the more favorable investment environment that developed. For the first nine months, most of the securities growth was in government guaranteed or sponsored mortgage backed securities, including both pass through and structured securities. Berkshire also increased its corporate bond portfolio from $10 million to $39 million during this period. Due to favorable market conditions, the Company realized $1.4 million in gains on its portfolio of northeast community bank stocks. At the end of the third quarter, mortgage backed securities continued to be the predominant investment class, totaling 65% of the portfolio compared to 56% at the start of the year. Municipal bonds, corporate bonds, bank equities, economic development bonds, and FHLB stock are the other major securities classes owned. The Company anticipates further purchases of mortgage backed securities to support its growth plan and to utilize expected proceeds from the deposit acquisition.
The value of debt securities was modestly reduced by the rise in market rates in the third quarter. As a result, the available-for-sale portfolio had a 0.4% unrealized loss at quarter-end, compared to a 2.4% unrealized gain at the start of the year. The yield on the total securities portfolio decreased to 2.77% in the most recent quarter from 3.17% in the last quarter of 2012. This decrease reflected ongoing yield compression due to the continuing low interest rate environment. There were no significant changes in the analysis of securities impairment during the first nine months of the year. The effective duration of the portfolio increased to 4.8 years at period-end from 2.4 years at the beginning of the year due to the securities added to the portfolio as well as a lengthening of the average life of mortgage-backed securities as a result of the steepening of the yield curve. Debt securities with lives over three years totaled $531 million at period-end, compared to $307 million at the start of the year. The Company estimates that the duration of available-for-sale securities is approximately 4.5 years and that the duration would extend to approximately 6 years in the event of a 200 basis point increase in market rates due to slower prepayment speeds..
Loans: The loan portfolio increased by $35 million (1%) to $4.02 billion in the first nine months of 2013. Commercial business loans grew by $69 million and consumer loans increased by $24 million. Commercial mortgages decreased by $47 million and residential mortgages decreased by $11 million. Commercial business loans have increased consistently, with 15% annualized year-to-date growth. Berkshire is building business loan volume in its markets while it targets relationships with middle market customers who require a full range of products and services provided by a responsive local banking partner.
Loans from business activities increased by $317 million, which equated to an 11% annualized growth rate compared to total loans during the first nine months of the year. This included an increase in commercial loans from business activities equating to a 9% annualized commercial loan growth rate compared to total commercial loans during this period. Loans acquired in business combinations decreased by $281 million at a 28% annualized rate. During the first nine months, the Company experienced uneconomic competition in the commercial lending market as demand for earning assets increased in the sluggish U.S. economy. The Company has adhered to its financial disciplines and allowed uneconomic assets to flow off it its books, including accelerated dispositions of acquired impaired loans which contributed to recoveries in interest income. In accordance with its expectations, the Company experienced improved conditions in the most recent quarter. Loans grew in all categories in the third quarter, including both organic growth and purchased loans. Commercial loans increased at an 8% annualized rate. Commercial real estate originations benefited from improved pricing conditions. Residential mortgage growth included new originations of 10/1 adjustable rate mortgages for portfolio. These mortgages gained favor with customers compared to higher rate 30 year fixed rate loans which are customarily sold by the Bank. Consumer loans increased due to expansion of the prime indirect automobile lending program operated by Berkshires Syracuse based consumer lending team which was part of the Beacon operations. At quarterend, total commitments to
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originate new commercial loans increased to $188 million, compared to $183 million at the start of the quarter and to $45 million at the start of the year.
The loan yield was 5.02% in the most recent quarter, compared to 4.73% in the final quarter of 2012. This yield includes purchased loan accretion which is included in the later discussion of operating results. Total loans repricing over five years increased slightly to $1.54 billion at September 30, 2013, compared to $1.50 billion at the start of the year. The excess of fair value over carrying amount of net loans decreased to $32 million (0.8% of the carrying amount) from $49 million (1.2% of the carrying amount) during the first nine months of 2013 due to the steepening of the yield curve.
Asset Quality. Acquired loans are recorded at fair value and are categorized as performing regardless of their payment status. Therefore, some overall portfolio measures of asset performance are not comparable between periods or among institutions as a result of recent business combinations. Asset performance metrics remained favorable through the first nine months of the year. Period-end non-performing assets were 0.58% of total assets, compared to 0.52% at the start of the year. Nine month 2013 annualized net loan charge-offs measured 0.28% of average loans, compared to 0.26% for the year 2012. Accruing delinquent loans were 0.71% of total loans at period-end, compared to 1.11% at the start of the year. For loans from business activities (excluding acquired loans), net charge-offs were 0.29% of average loans. Additions to nonaccrual assets have been in the range of $6-9 million in each quarter for the last four quarters. Due to a similar volume of problem asset resolutions, the net increase in total non-performing assets was $3 million for the year-to-date. At period-end, the remaining carrying balance of purchased credit impaired loans was $35 million and the contractual amount owed on these loans was $60 million. The comparable measures at year-end 2012 were $62 million and $108 million, respectively.
The Company views its potential problem loans as those loans from business activities which are rated as classified and continue to accrue interest. These loans have a possibility of loss if weaknesses are not corrected. Classified loans acquired in business combinations are recorded at fair value and are classified as performing at the time of acquisition and therefore are not generally viewed as potential problem loans. Potential problem loans measured 1.91% of total loans at period-end, compared to 1.55% at the start of the year. Information about the Companys analysis of its credit risk profile is presented in the loans note to the consolidated financial statements. Criticized loans, which include total classified loans and loans rated special mention, decreased to 4.3% of total loans from 4.7%. Criticized loans from business activities increased by $6 million to $105 million, while criticized acquired loans decreased by $21 million to $68 million.
Loan Loss Allowance. The determination of the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting estimate. The Company considers the allowance for loan losses appropriate to cover probable losses which can be reasonably estimated in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Under accounting standards for business combinations, acquired loans are recorded at fair value with no loan loss allowance on the date of acquisition. A loan loss allowance is recorded by the Company for the emergence of new probable and estimable losses on acquired loans which were not impaired as of the acquisition date. Because of the accounting for acquired loans, some measures of the loan loss allowance are not comparable to periods prior to the acquisition date. The loan loss allowance totaled $33.2 million at period-end, and has been unchanged throughout the year, measuring 0.83% of period-end loans. The allowance related to loans from business activities decreased to 1.09% from 1.21% of related loans during the first nine months of 2013. This improvement included the benefit of an increase in lower risk commercial business loans and a decrease in higher risk commercial real estate loans as a result of outplacements and runoff.
Deposits and Borrowings. Total deposits decreased by $218 million (5%) to $3.9 billion during the first nine months of 2013. Deposits increased by $67 million (2%) in the most recent quarter, including growth of $49 million in commercial balances, as a result of ongoing business development. Total deposits were flat in the first quarter of 2013 and then decreased by $285 million (7%) during the second quarter. This included a $208 million reduction in money market balances which were primarily rate sensitive commercial balances. The balance of the second quarter deposit reduction was primarily related to the restructuring of brokered and other non-core deposit sources following the integration of Beacon operations in March 2013. These amounts were primarily replaced with borrowings to reduce funding costs and utilization of Berkshires supplemental deposit insurance program. The Company has been managing its business within the overall coverage parameters allowed for the DIF supplementary insurance that it offers in addition to FDIC insurance. Due to ongoing growth, the Company
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anticipates that it will exceed DIF participation limits in the future and it is evaluating alternatives to its current program.
The cost of deposits decreased to 0.55% in the most recent quarter from 0.59% in the final quarter of 2012, reflecting ongoing repricings in the low interest rate environment. This cost increased from 0.52% in the prior quarter due to short term promotions of money market accounts. The loan/deposit ratio stood at 104% at period-end. For the twelve months ended June 30, 2013, the median increase in deposits was 1% among the Companys branches which had been owned for at least a year. Approximately 39% of these branches had growth of 5% or better, including de novo branches opened in recent years.
Short term borrowings increased by $427 million to $590 million during the first nine months, and had a 0.30% average cost at period-end. As a result of this shift into low cost short term borrowings, the total cost of borrowings (including related interest rate swaps) declined to 1.88% in the most recent quarter compared to 2.80% in the final quarter of 2012. The acquisition of 20 branches in New York is expected to provide approximately $0.6 billion in additional $600 low cost core deposits at the beginning of 2014. The Company plans to use these deposits to replace short and long term borrowings, and to fund growth of investments and loans.
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities. The total notional value of derivatives decreased by $525 million (40%) to $788 million during the first nine months of the year due primarily to the decrease in mortgage banking activity, which resulted in a decrease in both interest rate lock commitments and forward commitment contracts that hedge these interest rate locks. The total amount of these commitments decreased by $535 million during this period. The notional value of cash flow hedges increased by $55 million in the first nine months of 2013 as additional forward starting interest rate swaps were used to increase the duration of the Companys borrowings by fixing the forward interest rate on designated loans. This helped the Company to manage its interest rate risk in light of the slowing of mortgage prepayment speeds and the increased utilization of short term borrowings in place of deposits. The estimated net fair value discount of total derivative financial instruments decreased to $7 million from $10 million during the first nine months of 2013 due to the improved market value of cash flow hedges as a result of the steeper yield curve. This improvement contributed to other comprehensive income and partially offset the impact of the unrealized loss on investment securities on other comprehensive income and stockholders equity.
Stockholders Equity. Total stockholders equity increased by $6 million (1%) to $673 million during the first nine months of 2013. Equity benefited from $31 million in earnings and was net of $14 million in cash dividends paid at $0.18 per share/quarter, which resulted in a 44% dividend payout ratio. During the year-to-date, Berkshire issued 394 thousand shares at an average of $26.79 per share, recording $11 million in equity, for restricted stock grants and option exercises. During this period, the Company repurchased 480 thousand shares in the market at a cost of $12 million ($25.52 per share). The Company also recorded a $4 million other comprehensive loss due to unrealized losses on securities and derivatives resulting from the increase in interest rates. Strong balance sheet growth in the third quarter resulted in slightly higher leverage, with equity/assets measuring 12.4% of assets at period-end, compared to 12.6% at the start of the year. The Banks risk based capital ratio measured 11.9% at period end, while the Tier 1 leverage ratio measured 8.1%.
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND 2012
Summary: Berkshires results in 2013 include operations resulting from several acquisitions in 2012, along with the ongoing benefit of growth from business activities. As a result, most measures of revenue, expense, income, and average balances increased in 2013 compared to the prior year. The acquisitions included CBT - The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company on April 20, 2012, the operations of Greenpark Mortgage on April 30, 2012, and Beacon Federal Bancorp on October 19, 2012. Berkshire implemented a core systems conversion in the third quarter of 2012. Results in these periods included net merger and conversion related expenses, along with restructuring costs. The Company views these as non-operating expenses, which are not related to ongoing expenses for business activities. Earnings per share were affected by the issuance of additional Berkshire common shares as consideration for bank acquisitions. All references to revenue and expense in this discussion exclude discontinued operations consisting of four branches, which were divested in the first quarter of 2012.
Berkshires nine month net income increased due to the benefit of positive operating leverage, with revenue growth exceeding expense growth. This has been due to the combination of business development and acquisitions. Nine month net income increased by 28% to $30.6 million and earnings per share increased by 11% to $1.22. Profitability measures improved, including return on assets and return on equity, which increased to 0.78% and 6.1%, respectively.
Third quarter net income decreased from year-to-year due to a $3.9 million decrease in mortgage banking revenues. Mortgage banking industry revenues and earnings have sharply declined as a result of lower refinancing demand following an upturn in mortgage interest rates around midyear in 2013. Third quarter net income decreased by $1.9 million (19%) to $8.1 million, resulting in $0.33 in earnings per share. Return on assets measured 0.61% and return on equity measured 4.7% during the quarter. The Company also measures its profitability excluding non-operating expenses, which totaled $6.5 million during the quarter. The return on assets measured 0.81% before these charges. The Companys long run goal is to exceed 1.00% for its operating return on assets, although this measure is expected to decrease in the near term until restructuring and branch acquisition and integration activities have been completed.
Due to the revenue impacts of lower earning assets, lower yields for most asset categories, and lower mortgage banking fees, at the beginning of the third quarter Berkshire initiated a restructuring process to reduce its operating expenses. The restructuring process includes the recognition of non-operating charges, including severance costs and costs of vacating premises. The Company recognized $5.2 million in expense related to these charges in the third quarter of 2013, and recorded a $1.5 million accrued liability related to the restructuring which was included with other liabilities in its statement of financial condition as of period-end. The planned acquisition of New York branches early in 2014 is expected to be accretive to operating earnings and operating earnings per share. This acquisition is also expected to result in approximately $5 million in after-tax merger related charges which are mostly expected to be recorded in the first quarter of 2014, with some charges being recorded in 2013.
Revenue. Total net revenue has grown due to the benefit of business combinations and organic growth. In recent quarters, revenue has benefited from higher purchased loan accretion and has been negatively impacted by the decrease in mortgage banking revenue. The fourth quarter of 2012 was the first quarter with all acquired operations, including Beacon. Annualized revenue per share decreased from $9.78 in that quarter to $9.32 in the most recent quarter, reflecting the impact of limited earning asset growth and lower asset yields in the ongoing low rate environment.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $10.6 million (30%) in the third quarter and by $27.5 million (27%) in the first nine months of 2013 compared to 2012. Growth in net interest income has included the benefit of growth from business development as well as the business combinations. Berkshires goal is to generate ongoing growth in net interest income, driven by market share gains in loan volume. Together with accompanying growth in fee income, this is intended to produce growth in net income and profitability metrics.
Business combinations in the last two years have included the recording of credit related net discounts primarily on impaired and higher risk commercial loans. Purchased loan accretion has been credited to net interest income based on expected loan lives, together with recoveries from the disposition of impaired loans. Purchased loan accretion totaled $8.5 million and $15.7 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2013. Accretion in 2013 included recoveries totaling $4.8 million in the third quarter and $9.3 million for the first nine months of the year. These recoveries are highly variable from quarter to quarter and depend on asset resolution strategies. The high level of recoveries in 2013 resulted from the Companys strong asset resolution focus, along with favorable market conditions in the market for higher risk assets in the previous several quarters. The balance of accretable yield on impaired loans decreased from $8.2 million to $3.9 million during the first nine months of the year. This balance is mostly expected to be recorded to net interest income over the next several quarters based on existing amortization schedules.
Excluding purchased loan accretion, net interest income decreased by $1.3 million (3%) from the last quarter of 2012 to the third quarter of 2013. Average earning assets increased by 2% between these quarters, and the decrease in net interest income resulted from a tightening of the net interest margin before purchased loan accretion. This reflected the gradual decline in asset yields in the ongoing low interest rate environment, together with a change in mix as more investment securities were purchased in the absence of qualifying loan demand and to protect the Companys interest rate risk position. The net interest margin was 3.93% in the third quarter and 3.76% in the first nine months of 2013. Excluding purchased loan accretion, the margin was 3.21% in
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the most recent quarter. This was decreased from 3.34% in the prior quarter and 3.39% in the fourth quarter of 2012 due to yield compression and the changing asset mix.
Non-Interest Income. Nine month non-interest income increased by $6.1 million (17%) in 2013, compared to 2012. This included the benefit of business development as well as business combinations. Third quarter non-interest income decreased by $2.2 million (15%) due to a $3.9 million decrease in mortgage banking revenue. The decrease in mortgage banking revenue resulted from lower refinancing demand, tighter margins on secondary market activity, and higher retention of adjustable rate mortgages in the mortgage portfolio. Mortgage banking revenue is recorded at the time of rate lock for loans held for sale to the secondary market. The total volume of mortgage rate locks was $156 million in the most recent quarter compared to $280 million in the prior quarter. Interest rate lock commitments on loans intended for sale decreased to $82 million from $215 million. For these commitments, the gross gain on sale margin (including hedging results) declined to 2.21% from 2.36%, and the net gain on sale margin declined to 0.39% from 0.82%. The Company is recruiting additional mortgage originations teams to pursue additional market share acquisition in its expanded franchise geography.
The third quarter ratio of deposit fees to average deposits improved to 0.47% in 2013 from 0.44% in the fourth quarter of 2012 due to the reduction of non-fee related balances in the second quarter of 2013. Loan related fees in 2013 included gains on seasoned loan sales in the first half of the year. Insurance revenues declined due to competitive factors in commercial and retail lines. Wealth management revenue increased due to business origination as well as improved securities market prices. Total wealth assets under management increased during 2013 by approximately 16% to $1.2 billion. Securities gains in 2013 resulted from the realization of selected bank equity securities gains from the strong market appreciation in recent months. Other non-interest revenue consists primarily of accrued income on bank owned life insurance policies.
Loan Loss Provision. The provision for loan losses is a charge to earnings in an amount sufficient to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level deemed adequate by the Company as an estimate of the probable and estimable loan losses in the portfolio as of period-end. The level of the allowance is a critical accounting estimate, which is subject to uncertainty. The level of the allowance was included in the discussion of financial condition. The provision in the first nine months of the year increased to $8.3 million in 2013, compared to $6.8 million in 2012. The provision exceeded the level of net loan charge-offs, resulting in an increase in the total allowance for loan losses.
Non-Interest Expense. Nine month total non-interest expense increased by $23.7 million (25%) in 2013 compared to 2012. This increase was due to the impact of the 2012 business combinations, together with costs related to business development and expansion. Non-interest expense included non-operating charges for merger and conversion related expenses in all periods, together with restructuring charges in the most recent quarter. Management does not view these charges as related to the ongoing operating activities of the Company. Non-interest expense totaled $42.8 million in the most recent quarter, and was $35.8 million after non-operating expense of $6.5 million together with a related $0.5 million variable compensation adjustment.
Based on revenue trends, Berkshire initiated a restructuring project to reducing ongoing operating expense, including targeted staff reductions and the elimination of nine excess properties. As a result, the Company estimated that it achieved a 4% reduction in operating expense in the third quarter, compared to the prior quarter. Most categories of expense decreased from quarter to quarter. Berkshire is targeting additional reductions in this measure in the fourth quarter. Full time equivalent staff decreased by 6% to 948 from 1,012 at the start of the year. Compensation expense did not fully reflect the declining run rate during the quarter, and this was offset by higher variable compensation related to increased business production and the increased prior period revenue recognition.
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Additional restructuring initiatives may be identified and implemented to reduce embedded costs including costs related to facilities and contractual arrangements, and additional restructuring costs may be incurred in conjunction with such projects. The Company plans to consolidate two branch offices in the fourth quarter, bringing total 2013 branch consolidations to five offices (7% of branches at start of the year). Further consolidations are being considered for the coming year, based on opportunities for efficiencies in the integrated operations that Berkshire is achieving following its bank acquisitions. The Company believes that its investment in new core systems and process re-engineering will facilitate its initiatives to benefit operating profitability in 2014 and beyond. Additionally, the New York branch purchase is expected to further leverage recent investments in infrastructure and consolidate the Berkshires market position in central New York.
Income Tax Expense. The effective income tax rate was 33% for the third quarter and 29% for the first nine months in both 2013 and 2012. The tax rate for the year 2012 was 28% on income from continuing operations. The increase in rate from the year 2012 is primarily due to the higher level of pretax income and the lower proportionate benefit of tax advantaged income from investments and bank owned life insurance. The nine month 2013 tax rate included a $0.9 million benefit from a reduction in the capital gains valuation allowance in the second quarter as a result of improved equity securities values
Results of Segment and Parent Operations. Berkshire Hills Bancorp (the Parent) has two subsidiary operating segments banking and insurance. Results in the banking segment generally followed the levels and trends of consolidated results, which have been previously discussed. In the insurance segment, declining revenues which were previously discussed were partially offset with expense reductions. Nine month net income decreased by 9% to $1.0 million. The Parents income primarily reflected changes in the Banks income. Dividends paid to the Parent by the Bank are recorded to the Parents net interest income. The Parents interest in the Banks retained income is recorded in the Parents non-interest income. The Banks dividends to the Parent increased in 2013 compared to 2012. Most of the parents revenues are non-taxable revenues from subsidiaries, and the Parent therefore receives a tax benefit related to the taxable loss generated by its expenses. The amount of the benefit increased in 2013 due to additional recognition of tax benefits related to stock compensation.
Total Comprehensive Income. Total comprehensive income includes net income together with other comprehensive income/(loss). Total comprehensive income has not differed from net income by more than 15% in the third quarter and nine month periods of 2013 and 2012. Other comprehensive income/(loss) has varied based on changes in interest rates as of the balance sheet dates primarily as they have affected the market value of securities available for sale and derivative hedges. In most periods the income impacts for these two financial instrument classes have been in opposite directions, as fixed rate securities have lost value when rates rose while hedges that fixed borrowing costs have gained value in such instances.
Liquidity and Cash Flows. For the first nine months of 2013, additional short term FHLBB borrowings were the primary source of funds. Securities purchases and a reduction in deposits were the primary uses of funds. Reductions in cash and equivalents and in residential mortgages held for sale were also sources for these funding needs. Berkshire generally plans that over the medium term, deposit growth will be the primary source of funds and loan growth will be the primary use of funds. In 2013, loan growth did not commence until the third quarter and in the second quarter deposits declined as Berkshire reduced certain higher cost commercial money market deposit balances along with non-relationship deposits acquired with Beacon. Berkshire expects to evaluate further growth in the portfolio of investment securities and would expect to utilize additional short term borrowings to fund any such growth. FHLBB borrowings will continue to be a significant source of liquidity for daily operations and borrowings targeted for specific asset/liability purposes. The Company also uses interest rate swaps in managing its funds sources and uses. At the end of the most recent quarter, the Company had approximately $510 million in borrowing availability with the Federal Home Loan Bank. Based on its recently announced agreement to purchase $0.6 billion in deposits early in 2014, Berkshire plans to utilize these new funds in part to replace borrowings. Additionally, excess funds from this purchase will initially be invested in investment securities and are expected to subsequently be blended in with other deposit sources, as well as to fund potential future loan growth.
Berkshire Hills Bancorp had a cash balance totaling $18 million as of September 30, 2013, which was on deposit with Berkshire Bank. The primary long run routine sources of funds for the Parent are expected to be dividends from Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Insurance Group, as well as cash from the exercise of stock options. The Parent also has a $10 million revolving line of credit provided by a correspondent bank. In 2013, funds were used
to pay off the balance on the line of credit, which was fully drawn down at year-end 2012. Additionally, funds were used for treasury stock purchases. The primary long run routine uses of funds by the parent include the payment of cash dividends on common stock and debt service. In the first nine months of 2013, the Parent used $26 million in cash for dividends and common stock purchases. During this period, it received $15 million in cash dividends from Berkshire Bank and $4 million in cash related to stock based compensation. It also had an $8 million dividend receivable from the Bank that was received in October. The Parent expects to fund any future treasury stock repurchases with dividends from subsidiaries and from capital markets activities. Of note, the agreement to acquire New York branches is an agreement by Berkshire Bank and does not require the financial involvement of the Parent.
Capital Resources. Please see the Stockholders Equity section of the Comparison of Financial Condition for a discussion of stockholders equity together with the Stockholders Equity note to the consolidated financial statements. At September 30, 2013, Berkshire Bank continued to be classified as Well Capitalized. Additional information about regulatory capital is contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and in the 2012 Form 10-K.
As discussed in the 2012 Form 10-K and in Item 1A of this Form, there are financial system reforms which became federal law in July 2010 and which constitute the most significant regulatory and systemic reform since the 1930s. It cannot be determined at this time what the full effects of the reforms will be. Some of the reforms are intended to increase required capital levels in the banking system. At a future time, the Company expects to begin reporting consolidated holding company regulatory capital ratios with its regulator, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, as if it was chartered as a bank holding company. This represents a further step in the transition from its previous federal regulator, The Office of Thrift Supervision, which was phased out based on federal legislation in 2011. The Company continues to be chartered as a Savings and Loan Holding Company and, as such, is not required to meet regulatory capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies. The Company expects that at a future time, it will be required to meet the same requirements as bank holding companies and that prior to that time, the level and trend of these financial metrics will be considered by the Federal Reserve Bank in its supervision of the Companys activities.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations. In the normal course of operations, Berkshire engages in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles are not recorded in the Companys financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments and lines of credit. Further information about the Companys off-balance sheet arrangements is contained in the Companys 2012 Form 10-K and information relating to payments due under contractual obligations is presented in the 2012 Form 10-K. Information about derivative financial instruments and hedging activities is reported in the related footnote to the consolidated financial statements, and was included in managements discussion of changes in financial condition. There were no significant changes in off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations during the first nine months of 2013. In July 2013, Berkshire Bank entered into an agreement to acquire 20 branches with $0.6 billion in deposits in New York, which transaction is expected to be completed in early 2014.
Fair Value Measurements. The Company records fair value measurements of certain assets and liabilities, as described in the related note in the financial statements. There were no significant changes in the fair value measurement methodologies at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012. The net excess of fair value over carrying value of financial assets and financial liabilities declined to $28 million from $44 million during the nine month period due to the steepening of the yield curve, which resulted in a decrease in the premium value of fixed rate loans.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes to the way that the Company measures market risk during the first nine months of the year 2013. For further discussion about the Companys Quantitative and Qualitative Aspects of Market Risk, please review Item 7A of the Report 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. As discussed in Item 2, Berkshire has a targeted position to maintain an asset sensitive interest rate risk profile, as measured by the sensitivity of net interest income to market interest rate changes. The Company measures this sensitivity primarily by evaluating the impact of ramped interest rate changes in the 12 month and 24 month time horizons.
As previously noted, securities and loan durations have lengthened in 2013 due to slower prepayment speeds and a change in mix. Funding sources have become more rate sensitive due to the increased use of short term borrowings. The Company has added forward starting interest rate swaps to partially offset these changes. The net impact of these events has been to reduce the Companys estimated asset sensitivity so that it is approximately neutral. The planned deposit acquisition early in 2014 is expected to reduce the rate sensitivity of funds sources. The Companys measurement of its interest rate sensitivity significantly depends on the expected behavior of its deposit costs in an upward rate environment. The assumptions used by the Company and listed in the 10-K are viewed as conservative and result in approximately an 80 basis point upward move in deposit costs at the end of two years in the Companys model of a 200 basis point upward shift in interest rates, as of September 30, 2013. Please see the additional discussion in Item 7A of the Report 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 regarding the Companys asset liability management strategies in the current and anticipated interest rate environment. In addition to its traditional market risk measures, the Company also evaluates the impact of interest rate changes on mortgage banking revenue and considers these impacts in managing its balance sheet strategies.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
a) Disclosure controls and procedures.
The principal executive officers, including the principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, have concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective for ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commissions rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in filed or submitted reports is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.
The Company evaluated changes in its financial reporting as a result of the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer in July, and the utilization of senior management and an external consultant for financial reporting oversight on a temporary basis in the current period. The Company determined that these changes were not changes that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
PART II
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
As of September 30, 2013, neither the Company nor the Bank was involved in any pending legal proceedings believed by management to be material to the Companys financial condition or results of operations. Periodically, there have been various claims and lawsuits involving the Bank, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which the Bank holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to the Banks business. However, neither the Company nor the Bank is a party to any pending legal proceedings that it believes, in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of the Company.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
During the first nine months of 2013, the Company completed the systems conversion related to the operations acquired from Beacon Federal. The Company recruited a new commercial banking team in Eastern Massachusetts, new commercial banking leadership in Central New York, and a new commercial leasing team in Hartford. The Company has ongoing projects and processes related to its organization, operating methods, and integration of its newly acquired operations, newly recruited teams, and recently installed systems, including restructuring activities reported in the most recent quarter. The Company entered into Resignation and Noncompetition Agreements with its EVP Chief Financial Officer and its EVP Commercial Banking. The SVP Chief Credit Officer was promoted to EVP Commercial Banking; the EVP Chief Risk Officer was given the additional title of Chief Administrative Officer, and the SVP New York Commercial Leader was promoted to Chief Credit Officer. The Company entered into an agreement to acquire 20 branches with $0,6 billion in deposits in Central and Eastern New York. This acquisition is targeted for completion early in 2014, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company provided guidance for lower future operating earnings and a continued focus on restructuring initiatives intended to reduce operating expenses.
Additional risk factors which have been identified subsequent to the filing of the 2012 Form 10-K include:
The Pending Acquisition of New York Branches Could Impact Stock Price and Future Business and Financial Results
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and involves risks, including those related to systems integration, product conversion, staff orientation, and customer retention. The acquisition is expected to contribute positively to the Companys earnings, but actual results could be below expectation if the acquisition is not achieved according to the Companys plan. Negative reactions may be experienced from the financial markets and from customers and employees. Litigation related to any failure to complete the acquisition according to the terms of the agreement with the seller is also possible.
New Federal Bank Capital Rules May Affect the Companys Future Condition and Performance
In July 2013, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced the adoption of new rules that revise and replace the agencies capital rules as these federal agencies move forward with implementing capital requirements in response to agreements reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (Basel
III). The Company is assessing the potential impact of these rules, including the impact on capital sources and capital returns.
Regulatory Initiatives May Affect Business Activities and Increase Operating Costs
The Company is experiencing growth in the size, scope, and complexity of its operations. Regulatory agencies are expanding the framework for bank regulation and examination. Some of the Companys routine activities and some growth initiatives require regulatory applications and approvals. The Company is incurring more costs for regulatory reporting and compliance. The increased regulation of the Company and the industry may affect the profitability of certain products and markets and the execution of the Companys strategic plan for growth and profitability.
Recent Organization Changes May Affect Operating Results
The Company has recently announced organizational changes intended to improve operating efficiencies and the effectiveness of customer solicitation and servicing processes. There have been changes in certain executive and senior management officers, and the Company is currently recruiting for a chief financial officer. The restructuring program to reduce operating costs may affect revenue growth and staff retention and is expected to result in additional restructuring charges.
The Company Anticipates That It Will Exceed Certain Massachusetts Depositors Insurance Size Thresholds, which May Result In Changes to the Company and the Banks Operations.
Due to ongoing growth, the Company anticipates that it will exceed certain Massachusetts Depositors Insurance Fund size thresholds and is evaluating its alternatives. Should Berkshire Bank determine to withdraw from participation in the Depositors Insurance Fund, the Bank would be required, under Massachusetts law, to convert from a Massachusetts savings bank to a Massachusetts trust company and, under federal law, the Company would be required to convert from a savings and loan holding company to a bank holding company. Such a charter conversion and holding company change would affect the overall powers and obligations of the Company and the Bank. The Bank is considering available alternatives to a charter conversion. None of these issues would affect the Banks federal deposit insurance coverage by the FDIC.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(a) No Company unregistered securities were sold during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The following table provides certain information with regard to shares repurchased by the Company in the third quarter of 2013.
Total number of shares
Maximum number of
purchased as part of
shares that may yet
Total number of
Average price
publicly announced
be purchased under
Period
shares purchased
paid per share
plans or programs
the plans or programs
July 1-31, 2013(1)
6,361
28.01
249,413
August 1-31, 2013
102,400
26.30
147,013
September 1-30, 2013
28,900
24.88
118,113
137,661
(1) Shares represent common stock withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding requirements on the vesting of shares under the Companys benefit plans and shares purchased as part of a publicly announced program.
On March 26, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company may repurchase up to 500,000 shares of the Companys common stock,
which represents approximately 2.0% of the Companys issued and outstanding shares. The timing of the purchases will depend on certain factors, including but not limited to, market conditions and prices, available funds, and alternative uses of capital. The stock repurchase program may be carried out through open-market purchases, block trades, negotiated private transactions and pursuant to a trading plan adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any repurchased shares will be recorded as treasury shares. The program will continue until it is completed or terminated by the Board of Directors. The Company has no intentions to terminate this program or to cease any future potential purchases.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (1)
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.(2)
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (1)
4.2
Note Subscription Agreement by and among Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and certain subscribers dated September 20, 2012 (3)
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Michael P. Daly (4)
10.2
Amended and Restated Three Year Change in Control Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Sean A. Gray (5)
10.3
Amended and Restated Three Year Change in Control Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Richard M. Marotta (6)
10.4
Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement between Berkshire Bank and Michael P. Daly (7)
10.5
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (7)
10.6
Non-Competition and Consulting Agreement by and among Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Berkshire Bank and J. Williar Dunlaevy, dated as of April 6, 2011 (8)
10.7
Legacy Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (9)
10.8
Form of Split Dollar Agreement entered into with Michael P. Daly, Sean A. Gray, and Richard M. Marotta (10)
10.9
Endorsement Agreement by and among Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Geno Auriemma dated as of May 14, 2012 (11)
10.10
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (12)
10.11
Resignation and Non-Competition Agreement and Full and Final Release of Claims between Berkshire Bank and Kevin P. Riley (13)
10.12
Purchase and Assumption Agreement between Bank of America, National Association, and Berkshire Bank dated as of July 23, 2013 (14)
10.13
Separation and Non-Competition Agreement and Full and Final Release of Claims between Berkshire Bank and Patrick J. Sullivan (14)
31.1
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
31.2
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350
The following materials from the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, formatted in XBRL (Extensive Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Condition as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013and 2012; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to Form S-1, Registration Statement and amendments thereto, initially filed on March 10, 2000, Registration No. 333-32146.
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on December 18, 2012.
(3)
Incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on September 26, 2012.
(4)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on January 6, 2009.
(5)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 10-K as filed on March 16, 2011.
(6)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 10-K as filed on March 16, 2010.
(7)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to Form 10-K as filed on March 16, 2009.
(8)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed on April 20, 2011, Registration No. 333-173404.
(9)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K filed by Legacy Bancorp, Inc. on December 22, 2010.
(10)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibit to the Form 8-K as filed on January 19, 2011.
(11)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibit 10.16 to the Form 10-Q as filed on August 16, 2012.
(12)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on April 2, 2013
(13)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on July 9, 2013.
(14)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on July 25, 2013.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
Dated: November 12, 2013
By:
/s/ Michael P. Daly
Michael P. Daly
President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Josephine Iannelli
Josephine Iannelli
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer