Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
⌧ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021
OR
◻ 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: 001-13695
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
16-1213679
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
5790 Widewaters Parkway, DeWitt, New York
13214-1883
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(315) 445-2282
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
NONE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
CBU
New York Stock Exchange
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 ⌧ No ◻.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ⌧ No ◻.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
⌧
Accelerated filer
◻
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ◻ No ⌧.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 53,918,062 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, were outstanding on July 31, 2021.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Part I.
Financial Information
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Statements of Condition June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020
3
Consolidated Statements of Income Three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity Three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
8
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements June 30, 2021
9
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
34
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
58
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
60
Part II.
Other Information
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
61
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Item 6.
Exhibits
62
2
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
June 30,
December 31,
2021
2020
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,205,926
1,645,805
Available-for-sale investment securities (cost of $4,039,978 and $3,427,779, respectively)
4,012,739
3,547,892
Equity and other securities (cost of $43,955 and $46,511, respectively)
44,923
47,455
Loans held for sale, at fair value
1,340
1,622
Loans
7,244,147
7,415,952
Allowance for credit losses
(51,750)
(60,869)
Net loans
7,192,397
7,355,083
Goodwill, net
794,892
793,708
Core deposit intangibles, net
11,267
13,831
Other intangibles, net
36,513
39,109
Intangible assets, net
842,672
846,648
Premises and equipment, net
161,007
165,655
Accrued interest and fees receivable
36,954
39,031
Other assets
303,329
281,903
Total assets
14,801,287
13,931,094
Liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits
3,729,355
3,361,768
Interest-bearing deposits
8,609,670
7,863,206
Total deposits
12,339,025
11,224,974
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase, short-term
194,887
284,008
Other Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
2,936
6,658
Subordinated notes payable
3,290
3,303
Subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
0
77,320
Accrued interest and other liabilities
200,049
230,724
Total liabilities
12,740,187
11,826,987
Commitments and contingencies (See Note J)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 54,063,867 and 53,754,599 shares issued, respectively
54,064
53,755
Additional paid-in capital
1,037,088
1,025,163
Retained earnings
1,015,742
960,183
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(48,400)
62,077
Treasury stock, at cost (145,172 shares, including 145,157 shares held by deferred compensation arrangements at June 30, 2021 and 161,472 shares including 161,457 shares held by deferred compensation arrangements at December 31, 2020, respectively)
(5,632)
(6,198)
Deferred compensation arrangements (145,157 and 161,457 shares, respectively)
8,238
9,127
Total shareholders’ equity
2,061,100
2,104,107
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(In Thousands, Except Per-Share Data)
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans
75,907
78,720
155,621
157,285
Interest and dividends on taxable investments
16,789
15,423
31,964
30,752
Interest and dividends on nontaxable investments
2,664
3,049
5,440
6,150
Total interest income
95,360
97,192
193,025
194,187
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits
2,963
4,173
6,075
9,718
Interest on borrowings
253
430
521
988
Interest on subordinated notes payable
39
184
77
369
Interest on subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
454
293
1,107
Total interest expense
3,255
5,241
6,966
12,182
Net interest income
92,105
91,951
186,059
182,005
Provision for credit losses
(4,338)
9,774
(10,057)
15,368
Net interest income after provision for credit losses
96,443
82,177
196,116
166,637
Noninterest revenues:
Deposit service fees
14,236
12,179
28,316
28,462
Mortgage banking
331
1,375
1,019
2,291
Other banking services
980
755
1,834
1,650
Employee benefit services
27,477
24,068
54,010
49,434
Insurance services
8,209
8,183
16,362
16,241
Wealth management services
8,227
6,366
16,426
13,500
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities
12
24
(18)
Total noninterest revenues
59,460
52,938
117,991
111,560
Noninterest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits
57,892
54,721
115,524
112,972
Occupancy and equipment
10,270
9,754
21,570
20,493
Data processing and communications
12,766
10,833
25,157
21,246
Amortization of intangible assets
3,246
3,524
6,597
7,191
Legal and professional fees
2,499
3,061
5,533
6,212
Business development and marketing
2,659
1,504
4,689
4,017
Acquisition expenses
3,372
31
3,741
Other expenses
4,207
4,134
7,688
8,694
Total noninterest expenses
93,543
90,903
186,789
184,566
Income before income taxes
62,360
44,212
127,318
93,631
Income taxes
14,416
8,964
26,524
18,249
Net income
47,944
35,248
100,794
75,382
Basic earnings per share
0.89
0.67
1.86
1.44
Diluted earnings per share
0.88
0.66
1.85
1.43
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
Pension and other post retirement obligations:
Amortization of actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost, gross
911
820
1,822
1,640
Tax effect
(219)
(197)
(438)
(394)
Amortization of actuarial losses included in net periodic pension cost, net
692
623
1,384
1,246
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost, gross
50
16
100
(12)
(4)
(24)
(7)
Amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost, net
38
76
Other comprehensive income related to pension and other post-retirement obligations, net of taxes
730
635
1,460
1,270
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, gross
80,074
7,832
(147,353)
130,260
(19,247)
(1,880)
35,416
(31,273)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net
60,827
5,952
(111,937)
98,987
Other comprehensive income (loss) related to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
61,557
6,587
(110,477)
100,257
Comprehensive income (loss)
109,501
41,835
(9,683)
175,639
As of
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income By Component:
Unrealized (loss) for pension and other post-retirement obligations
(36,345)
(38,267)
8,932
9,394
Net unrealized (loss) for pension and other post-retirement obligations
(27,413)
(28,873)
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities
(27,239)
120,114
6,252
(29,164)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities
(20,987)
90,950
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)
Three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
Accumulated
Common Stock
Additional
Other
Deferred
Shares
Amount
Paid-In
Retained
Comprehensive
Treasury
Compensation
Outstanding
Issued
Capital
Earnings
(Loss) Income
Stock
Arrangements
Total
Balance at March 31, 2021
53,874,979
54,019
1,034,225
990,504
(109,957)
(5,572)
8,178
1,971,397
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Dividends declared:
Common, $0.42 per share
(22,706)
Common stock activity under employee stock plans
44,493
45
1,295
Stock-based compensation
1,568
Treasury stock issued to benefit plans, net
(777)
(60)
Balance at June 30, 2021
53,918,695
Balance at March 31, 2020
52,031,092
52,190
935,924
902,148
83,444
(6,005)
8,930
1,976,631
Common, $0.41 per share
(22,004)
118,968
119
6,505
6,624
1,281
Stock issued for acquisition
1,363,259
1,363
75,579
76,942
897
(61)
65
Balance at June 30, 2020
53,514,216
53,672
1,019,291
915,392
90,031
(6,066)
8,995
2,081,315
Six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2020
53,593,127
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Cash dividends declared:
Common, $0.84 per share
(45,235)
Common stock activity under
employee stock plans
309,268
309
8,360
8,669
3,242
Distribution of stock under deferred
compensation arrangements
18,089
323
694
(1,017)
(1,789)
(128)
128
Balance at December 31, 2019
51,793,923
51,975
927,337
882,851
(10,226)
(6,823)
10,120
1,855,234
Cumulative effect of change in accounting Principle - Current Expected Credit Losses
530
Common, $0.82 per share
(43,371)
333,556
334
12,689
13,023
3,233
22,497
415
849
(1,264)
981
(92)
139
85
7
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
8,014
7,995
Net accretion on securities, loans and borrowings
(11,729)
(5,902)
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
269
166
Unrealized (gain) loss on equity securities
18
Income from bank-owned life insurance policies
(981)
(866)
Net gain on sale of loans and other assets
(463)
(529)
Change in other assets and other liabilities
(7,585)
(6,701)
Net cash provided by operating activities
88,077
95,355
Investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities, calls, and paydowns of available-for-sale investment securities
151,994
130,739
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of equity and other investment securities
2,648
406
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities
(759,022)
(65,211)
Purchases of equity and other securities
Net decrease (increase) in loans
179,167
(296,873)
Cash (paid) received for acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $0 and $55,973, respectively
(2,900)
34,360
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
(5,689)
(4,641)
Real estate tax credit investments
(320)
(550)
Net cash used in investing activities
(434,214)
(201,794)
Financing activities:
Net increase in deposits
1,114,051
1,335,437
Net decrease in borrowings
(92,843)
(83,563)
Payments on subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
(77,320)
Issuance of common stock
Purchases of treasury stock
(139)
Sales of treasury stock
Increase in deferred compensation arrangements
Cash dividends paid
(45,162)
(42,609)
Withholding taxes paid on share-based compensation
(1,137)
(1,084)
Net cash provided by financing activities
906,258
1,221,289
Change in cash and cash equivalents
560,121
1,114,850
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
205,030
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
1,319,880
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest
7,644
12,336
Cash paid for income taxes
22,482
10,459
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing and investing activities:
Dividends declared and unpaid
22,768
22,104
Transfers from loans to other real estate
120
990
Acquisitions:
Common stock issued
Fair value of assets acquired, excluding acquired cash and intangibles
199
549,983
Fair value of liabilities assumed
174
530,767
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
JUNE 30, 2021
NOTE A: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The interim financial data as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 is unaudited; however, in the opinion of Community Bank System, Inc. (the “Company”), the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period. The Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 1, 2021.
NOTE B: ACQUISITIONS
Subsequent Events
On July 1, 2021, the Company, through its subsidiary Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc., completed its acquisition of Fringe Benefits Design of Minnesota, Inc. (“FBD”) for $15.3 million in cash, excluding contingent consideration valued up to $2.7 million. The Company expects to incur certain one-time, transaction-related costs in the third quarter of 2021 in connection with the FBD acquisition, and the effects of the acquisition will be reflected in the third quarter consolidated financial statements.
On August 2, 2021, the Company, through its subsidiary OneGroup NY, Inc. (“OneGroup”), completed its acquisition of certain assets of the Thomas Gregory Associates Insurance Brokers, Inc. (“TGA”), a specialty-lines insurance broker based in the Boston, Massachusetts marketplace, for $11.6 million in cash, excluding contingent consideration valued up to $3.4 million. The Company expects to incur certain one-time, transaction-related costs in the third quarter of 2021 in connection with the TGA acquisition, and the effects of the acquisition will be reflected in the third quarter consolidated financial statements.
Current and Prior Period Acquisitions
On June 1, 2021, the Company, through its subsidiary OneGroup, completed its acquisition of certain assets of NuVantage Insurance Corp. ("NuVantage"), an insurance agency headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. The Company paid $2.9 million in cash and recorded a $1.4 million customer list intangible asset and $1.5 million of goodwill in conjunction with the acquisition. The effects of the acquired assets have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date.
On June 12, 2020, the Company completed its merger with Steuben Trust Corporation (“Steuben”), parent company of Steuben Trust Company, a New York State chartered bank headquartered in Hornell, New York, for $98.6 million in Company stock and cash, comprised of $21.6 million in cash and the issuance of 1.36 million shares of common stock. The merger extended the Company’s footprint into two new counties in Western New York State, and enhanced the Company’s presence in four Western New York State counties in which it had already operated. In connection with the merger, the Company added 11 full-service offices to its branch service network and acquired $607.8 million of assets, including $339.7 million of loans and $180.5 million of investment securities, as well as $516.3 million of deposits. Goodwill of $20.0 million was recognized as a result of the merger. The effects of the acquired assets and liabilities have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. Revenues, excluding interest income on acquired investments, interest income on acquired consumer indirect loans, and revenues associated with acquired loans and deposits consolidated into the legacy branch network, of approximately $3.3 million and $6.5 million, and direct expenses, which may not include certain shared expenses, of approximately $1.2 million and $2.5 million from Steuben were included in the consolidated income statement for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. The Company incurred certain one-time, transaction-related costs in 2020 in connection with the Steuben acquisition.
The assets and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions were recorded at their estimated fair values based on management’s best estimates using information available at the dates of the acquisitions, and were subject to adjustment based on updated information not available at the time of the acquisitions. Through the second quarter of 2021, the carrying amount of other liabilities associated with the Steuben acquisition decreased by $0.3 million as a result of an adjustment to accrued income taxes and deferred income taxes. Goodwill associated with the Steuben acquisition decreased $0.3 million as a result of this adjustment.
The acquisitions expanded the Company’s geographical presence in New York and Florida and management expects that the Company will benefit from greater geographic diversity and the advantages of other synergistic business development opportunities.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed after considering the measurement period adjustments described above:
(000s omitted)
NuVantage
Steuben
Consideration paid :
Cash
2,900
21,613
Community Bank System, Inc. common stock
Total net consideration paid
98,555
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
55,973
Investment securities
180,497
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses on PCD loans
339,017
7,764
2,701
17,675
Core deposit intangibles
2,928
Other intangibles
1,437
1,196
Deposits
(516,274)
Other liabilities
(174)
(4,841)
(6,000)
(2,062)
Total identifiable assets, net
1,462
78,574
Goodwill
1,438
19,981
The Company has acquired loans from Steuben for which there was evidence of a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination (purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans). PCD loans are initially recorded at the amount paid. An allowance for credit losses is determined using the same methodology as other loans. The initial allowance for credit losses determined on a collective basis is allocated to individual loans. The sum of the loan’s purchase price and allowance for credit losses becomes its initial amortized cost basis. The difference between the initial amortized cost basis and the par value of the loan is a noncredit discount or premium, which is amortized into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit losses. There were no investment securities acquired from Steuben for which there was evidence of a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. The carrying amount of those loans is as follows at the date of acquisition:
PCD Loans
Par value of PCD loans at acquisition
35,906
Allowance for credit losses at acquisition
(668)
Non-credit premium at acquisition
103
Fair value of PCD loans at acquisition
35,341
10
Acquired loans that are deemed to not have experienced a more-than-insignificant credit deterioration since origination are considered non-PCD. At the acquisition date, a fair value adjustment is recorded that includes both credit and interest rate considerations. Fair value adjustments may be discounts (or premiums) to a loan’s cost basis and are accreted (or amortized) to net interest income (or expense) over the loan’s remaining life. Fair value adjustments for revolving loans are accreted (or amortized) using a straight line method. Term loans are accreted (or amortized) using the constant effective yield method. A provision for credit losses is also recorded at acquisition for the credit considerations on non-PCD loans. Subsequent to the purchase date, the methods utilized to estimate the required allowance for credit losses for these loans are the same as originated loans and subsequent changes to the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit losses. The following is a summary of the remaining loans acquired from Steuben for which there was no evidence of a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination at the date of acquisition:
Non-PCD Loans
Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition
400,738
Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected
(2,994)
Expected cash flows at acquisition
397,744
Interest component of expected cash flows
(94,068)
Fair value of non-PCD loans at acquisition
303,676
The fair value of the Company’s common stock issued for the Steuben acquisition was determined using the market close price of the stock on June 12, 2020.
The fair value of checking, savings and money market deposit accounts acquired were assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand. Certificate of deposit accounts were valued at the present value of the certificates’ expected contractual payments discounted at market rates for similar certificates.
The core deposit intangibles and other intangibles related to the Steuben acquisition and the NuVantage acquisition are being amortized using an accelerated method over their estimated useful life of eight years. The goodwill, which is not amortized for book purposes, was assigned to the Banking segment for the Steuben acquisition and the All Other segment for the NuVantage acquisition. Goodwill arising from the Steuben acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill arising from the NuVantage acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.
Direct costs related to the acquisitions were expensed as incurred. Merger and acquisition integration-related expenses were immaterial during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and amounted to $3.4 million and $3.7 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, and have been separately stated in the consolidated statements of income.
Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited condensed pro forma information assumes the Steuben acquisition had been completed as of January 1, 2019 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019. The table below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have been attained had the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the year presented, nor is it indicative of the Company’s future results. Furthermore, the unaudited pro forma information does not reflect management’s estimate of any revenue-enhancing opportunities nor anticipated cost savings that may have occurred as a result of the integration and consolidation of the acquisitions.
The pro forma information set forth below reflects the historical results of Steuben combined with the Company’s consolidated statements of income with adjustments related to (a) certain purchase accounting fair value adjustments and (b) amortization of customer lists and core deposit intangibles. Acquisition-related expenses totaling $3.3 million and $3.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 related to Steuben were included in the pro forma information as if they were incurred in the first quarter of 2019.
Pro Forma (Unaudited)
(000's omitted)
June 30, 2020
June 30, 2019
Total revenue, net of interest expense
149,576
154,878
304,088
303,152
39,072
46,447
80,848
86,774
11
NOTE C: ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies of the Company, as applied in the consolidated interim financial statements presented herein, are substantially the same as those followed on an annual basis as presented on pages 79 through 92 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 1, 2021 except as noted below.
The extent to which the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) impacts the Company’s business and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors including, but not limited to: the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, the extent to which it will impact national and international macroeconomic conditions including interest rates, unemployment rates, the speed of the anticipated recovery, and governmental and business reactions to the pandemic. The Company assessed certain accounting matters that generally require consideration of forecasted financial information in context with the information reasonably available to the Company and the unknown future impacts of COVID-19 as of June 30, 2021 and through the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The accounting matters assessed included, but were not limited to, the Company’s allowance for credit losses, decrease in fee and interest income, and the carrying value of the goodwill and other long-lived assets. While there was not a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company’s future assessment of the magnitude and duration of COVID-19, as well as other factors, could result in material impacts to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods.
Contract Balances
A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. The Company’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as asset management fees based on month-end market values. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of June 30, 2021, $27.4 million of accounts receivable, including $8.3 million of unbilled fee revenue, and $2.7 million of unearned revenue was recorded in the consolidated statements of condition. As of December 31, 2020, $30.3 million of accounts receivable, including $7.7 million of unbilled fee revenue, and $1.4 million of unearned revenue was recorded in the consolidated statements of condition.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (Subtopic 715-20). The updated guidance removed the requirements to identify amounts that are expected to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in the next fiscal year, as well as the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on service and interest cost and on the postretirement benefit obligation. The updated guidance added annual disclosure requirements for the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with interest crediting rates, and explanations for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. This new guidance is effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2021 and determined the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740). The updated guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, and clarifying and amending existing guidance to improve consistent application. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2021 and determined the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (Topic 848). The updated guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this guidance apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. This new guidance is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Adoption is permitted in any interim periods for which financial statements have not been issued. While not expected to be material to the Company due to its insignificant exposure to LIBOR-based loans and financial instruments, the Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
NOTE D: INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows:
June 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
Gross
Amortized
Unrealized
Fair
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Available-for-Sale Portfolio:
U.S. Treasury and agency securities
3,082,187
52,960
110,075
3,025,072
2,423,236
94,741
16,595
2,501,382
Obligations of state and political subdivisions
405,245
20,908
1
426,152
451,028
24,632
475,660
Government agency mortgage-backed securities
521,056
10,999
2,916
529,139
506,540
16,280
182
522,638
Corporate debt securities
3,000
94
3,094
4,499
137
4,635
Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations
28,490
796
29,282
42,476
1,111
43,577
Total available-for-sale portfolio
4,039,978
85,757
112,996
3,427,779
136,901
16,788
Equity and other Securities:
Equity securities, at fair value
251
218
469
194
445
Federal Home Loan Bank common stock
7,262
7,468
Federal Reserve Bank common stock
33,916
Other equity securities, at adjusted cost
2,526
750
3,276
4,876
5,626
Total equity and other securities
43,955
968
46,511
944
13
A summary of investment securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position is as follows:
As of June 30, 2021
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or Longer
#
29
1,272,423
1,651
126
170,661
2,914
1,146
132
171,807
1,804
1,986
Total available-for-sale investment portfolio
162
1,446,539
112,993
1,328
171
1,447,867
As of December 31, 2020
831,015
358
89
75,992
14
91
76,006
1,001
5,246
117
913,612
913,626
The unrealized losses reported pertaining to securities issued by the U.S. government and its sponsored entities include treasuries, agencies, and mortgage-backed securities issued by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac, which are currently rated AAA by Moody’s Investor Services, AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and are guaranteed by the U.S. government. The majority of the obligations of state and political subdivisions and corporations carry a credit rating of A or better. Additionally, a majority of the obligations of state and political subdivisions carry a secondary level of credit enhancement. The Company does not intend to sell these securities, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of the amortized cost. Timely principal and interest payments continue to be made on the securities. The unrealized losses in the portfolios are primarily attributable to changes in interest rates. As such, management does not believe any individual unrealized loss as of June 30, 2021 represents credit losses and no unrealized losses have been recognized into credit loss expense. Accordingly, there is no allowance for credit losses on the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio as of June 30, 2021. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities, included in accrued interest and fees receivable on the consolidated statements of condition, totaled $14.5 million at June 30, 2021 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at June 30, 2021, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.
Available-for-Sale
Due in one year or less
198,566
199,557
Due after one through five years
768,349
796,228
Due after five years through ten years
1,018,820
1,037,749
Due after ten years
1,504,697
1,420,784
Subtotal
3,490,432
3,454,318
Investment securities with a carrying value of $2.43 billion and $2.03 billion at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, were pledged to collateralize certain deposits and borrowings. Securities pledged to collateralize certain deposits and borrowings included $475.0 million and $473.4 million of U.S. Treasury securities that were pledged as collateral for securities sold under agreement to repurchase at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. All securities sold under agreement to repurchase as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 have an overnight and continuous maturity.
NOTE E: LOANS
The segments of the Company’s loan portfolio are summarized as follows:
(000’s omitted)
Business lending
3,186,487
3,440,077
Consumer mortgage
2,408,499
2,401,499
Consumer indirect
1,109,504
1,021,885
Consumer direct
148,540
152,657
Home equity
391,117
399,834
Gross loans, including deferred origination costs
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses
The following table presents the aging of the amortized cost basis of the Company’s past due loans, including PCD loans, by segment as of June 30, 2021:
Past Due
90+ Days Past
30 – 89
Due and
Days
Still Accruing
Nonaccrual
Current
Total Loans
972
228
49,877
51,077
3,135,410
8,645
1,259
16,025
25,929
2,382,570
7,110
73
7,183
1,102,321
507
15
524
148,016
1,077
147
2,572
3,796
387,321
18,311
1,722
68,476
88,509
7,155,638
The following table presents the aging of the amortized cost basis of the Company’s past due loans, including PCD loans, by segment as of December 31, 2020:
4,896
59
55,709
60,664
3,379,413
13,236
3,051
14,970
31,257
2,370,242
13,161
219
13,381
1,008,504
1,170
28
1,201
151,456
2,296
565
2,246
5,107
394,727
34,759
3,922
72,929
111,610
7,304,342
The delinquency status for loans on payment deferment due to COVID-19 financial hardship were reported at June 30, 2021 based on their delinquency status at the execution date of the payment deferment, unless subsequent to the execution date of the payment deferment, the borrower made all required past due payments to bring the loan to current status. Certain loans under extended pandemic-related forbearance were reclassified to nonaccrual status.
No interest income on nonaccrual loans was recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. An immaterial amount of accrued interest was written off on nonaccrual loans by reversing interest income.
The Company uses several credit quality indicators to assess credit risk in an ongoing manner. The Company’s primary credit quality indicator for its business lending portfolio is an internal credit risk rating system that categorizes loans as “pass”, “special mention”, “classified”, or “doubtful”. Credit risk ratings are applied individually to those classes of loans that have significant or unique credit characteristics that benefit from a case-by-case evaluation. Loans that were granted COVID-19 related financial hardship payment deferrals were reviewed on a case-by-case basis for credit risk ratings. Loans on payment deferral will continue to be monitored for indications of deterioration that could result in future downgrades. In general, the following are the definitions of the Company’s credit quality indicators:
Pass
The condition of the borrower and the performance of the loans are satisfactory or better.
Special Mention
The condition of the borrower has deteriorated although the loan performs as agreed. Loss may be incurred at some future date, if conditions deteriorate further.
Classified
The condition of the borrower has significantly deteriorated and the performance of the loan could further deteriorate and incur loss, if deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful
The condition of the borrower has deteriorated to the point that collection of the balance is improbable based on current facts and conditions and loss is likely.
The following tables show the amount of business lending loans by credit quality category at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Revolving
Term Loans Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year
2019
2018
2017
Prior
Cost Basis
Business lending:
Risk rating
343,472
439,365
338,583
284,580
189,477
661,491
507,921
2,764,889
Special mention
2,001
12,961
12,084
36,635
21,586
72,145
34,484
191,896
360
2,163
21,063
49,150
27,397
84,543
42,178
226,854
1,931
35
866
2,848
Total business lending
345,833
454,489
371,746
372,296
238,460
818,214
585,449
2016
860,178
351,350
312,087
217,138
231,453
543,999
483,018
2,999,223
14,687
36,041
28,410
21,875
29,386
51,657
52,732
234,788
6,336
4,560
30,422
24,807
14,891
65,157
56,000
202,173
2,888
108
879
3,893
881,201
391,969
373,807
263,820
275,730
660,921
592,629
All other loans are underwritten and structured using standardized criteria and characteristics, primarily payment performance, and are normally risk rated and monitored collectively on a monthly basis. These are typically loans to individuals in the consumer categories and are delineated as either performing or nonperforming. Performing loans include loans classified as current as well as those classified as 30 - 89 days past due. Nonperforming loans include 90+ days past due and still accruing and nonaccrual loans.
The following table details the balances in all other loan categories at June 30, 2021:
Consumer mortgage:
FICO AB
Performing
217,537
245,277
204,560
139,256
135,992
660,613
1,603,235
Nonperforming
261
516
2,765
3,713
Total FICO AB
245,448
139,517
136,508
663,378
1,606,948
FICO CDE
58,224
128,942
94,750
73,362
64,401
346,907
21,394
787,980
234
901
744
702
10,990
13,571
Total FICO CDE
129,176
95,651
74,106
65,103
357,897
801,551
Total consumer mortgage
275,761
374,624
300,211
213,623
201,611
1,021,275
Consumer indirect:
317,236
255,939
240,528
148,990
59,328
87,410
1,109,431
Total consumer indirect
255,949
240,566
149,003
87,422
Consumer direct:
37,644
37,762
34,503
18,947
7,557
6,100
6,010
148,523
17
Total consumer direct
18,949
6,115
Home equity:
33,503
47,348
42,432
23,450
19,224
43,050
179,391
388,398
56
22
107
79
722
1,733
2,719
Total home equity
47,404
42,454
23,557
19,303
43,772
181,124
The following table details the balances in all other loan categories at December 31, 2020:
260,588
227,027
166,638
163,653
160,911
614,976
321
1,594,114
275
398
345
2,709
3,727
166,913
164,051
161,256
617,685
1,597,841
115,049
102,788
80,973
75,289
83,214
314,668
17,382
789,363
1,010
582
877
1,786
10,040
14,295
103,798
81,555
76,166
85,000
324,708
803,658
375,637
330,825
248,468
240,217
246,256
942,393
17,703
303,471
305,901
202,373
86,497
61,449
61,975
1,021,666
51
52
82
303,522
305,953
202,455
86,514
61,465
61,976
49,181
46,992
27,872
12,326
5,232
4,146
6,878
152,627
19
30
49,182
47,011
27,874
12,331
4,149
48,145
48,780
28,074
23,524
17,828
35,900
194,773
397,024
104
183
490
1,936
2,810
48,804
28,147
23,628
18,011
36,390
196,709
All loan classes are collectively evaluated for impairment except business lending. A summary of individually evaluated impaired business loans as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 follows:
Loans with allowance allocation
25,534
27,437
Loans without allowance allocation
6,529
8,138
Carrying balance
32,063
35,575
Contractual balance
34,228
38,362
Specifically allocated allowance
2,800
3,874
The average carrying balance of individually evaluated impaired loans was $32.9 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. The average carrying balance of individually evaluated impaired loans was $34.6 million and $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. No interest income was recognized on individually evaluated impaired loans for the three or six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020.
In the course of working with borrowers, the Company may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. In this scenario, the Company attempts to work-out an alternative payment schedule with the borrower in order to optimize collectability of the loan. Any loans that are modified are reviewed by the Company to identify if a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) has occurred, which is when, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Terms may be modified to fit the ability of the borrower to repay in line with its current financial standing and the restructuring of the loan may include the transfer of assets from the borrower to satisfy the debt, a modification of loan terms, or a combination of the two.
In accordance with the clarified guidance issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), loans that have been discharged in Chapter 7 bankruptcy but not reaffirmed by the borrower, are classified as TDRs, irrespective of payment history or delinquency status, even if the repayment terms for the loan have not been otherwise modified. The Company’s lien position against the underlying collateral remains unchanged. Pursuant to that guidance, the Company records a charge-off equal to any portion of the carrying value that exceeds the net realizable value of the collateral. The amount of loss incurred in the three and six months ended June 31, 2021 and 2020 was immaterial.
TDRs less than $0.5 million are collectively included in the allowance for credit loss estimate. Commercial loans greater than $0.5 million are individually evaluated for impairment, and if necessary, a specific allocation of the allowance for credit losses is provided. With regard to determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses, TDR loans are considered to be impaired. As a result, the determination of the amount of allowance for credit losses related to impaired loans for each portfolio segment within TDRs is the same as detailed previously.
With respect to the Company’s lending activities, the Company implemented a customer forbearance program allowing for loan payment deferrals up to three months per request during 2020 to assist both consumer and business borrowers that were experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 related challenges. Business lending, consumer direct, and consumer indirect loans in deferment status continued to accrue interest on the deferred principal during the deferment period unless otherwise classified as nonaccrual. Consumer mortgage and home equity loans did not accrue interest on the deferred payments during the deferment period. Consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ( “CARES Act”), the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (“CAA”) and industry regulatory guidance, borrowers that were otherwise current on loan payments and granted COVID-19 related financial hardship payment deferrals were reported as current loans throughout the first 180 days of the deferral period and were not classified as TDRs. Borrowers that were delinquent in their payments to the Company prior to requesting a COVID-19 related financial hardship payment deferral were reviewed on a case-by-case basis for TDR classification and non-performing loan status.
As of June 30, 2021, the Company had 12 borrowers in forbearance due to COVID-19 related financial hardship, representing $2.4 million in outstanding loan balances, or 0.03% of total loans outstanding. These forbearances were comprised of 8 business borrowers representing $2.0 million in outstanding loan balances and 4 consumer borrowers representing approximately $0.4 million in outstanding loan balances. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had 74 borrowers in forbearance due to COVID-19 related financial hardship, representing $66.5 million in outstanding loan balances, or 0.9% of total loans outstanding. These forbearances were comprised of 63 business borrowers representing $65.7 million in outstanding loan balances and 11 consumer borrowers representing approximately $0.8 million in outstanding loan balances.
Information regarding TDRs as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows:
Accruing
180
625
529
191
720
2,553
42
2,074
4,627
2,413
48
2,266
4,679
916
86
951
23
252
248
500
285
264
549
74
3,250
154
3,432
6,682
3,227
3,757
247
6,984
The following table presents information related to loans modified in a TDR during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. Of the loans noted in the table below, all consumer mortgage loans for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 were modified due to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy as described previously. The financial effects of these restructurings were immaterial.
Number of
loans modified
Balance
366
116
47
482
249
474
738
177
151
26
657
25
928
Allowance for Credit Losses
The following presents by segment the activity in the allowance for credit losses during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2021
Beginning
Charge-
Ending
balance
offs
Recoveries
Provision
27,042
(2)
255
(3,878)
23,417
9,686
(142)
448
10,001
11,120
(750)
1,183
(450)
11,103
2,682
(195)
213
(152)
2,548
1,543
(17)
265
1,796
Unallocated
1,000
Purchased credit deteriorated
1,996
33
(144)
1,885
Allowance for credit losses – loans
55,069
(1,106)
1,698
(3,911)
51,750
Liabilities for off-balance-sheet credit exposures
1,189
(427)
762
Total allowance for credit losses
56,258
52,512
20
Three Months Ended June 30, 2020
acquisition
19,489
84
2,483
2,155
24,204
12,430
(234)
36
146
710
13,088
13,694
(1,431)
833
2,587
15,866
3,737
(341)
87
374
4,028
2,484
(81)
235
40
2,690
772
3,046
528
3,561
55,652
(2,094)
1,184
3,662
6,033
64,437
845
67
540
1,452
56,497
3,729
6,573
65,889
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021
28,190
(53)
322
(5,042)
10,672
(242)
(448)
13,696
(2,149)
2,429
(2,873)
3,207
(513)
444
(590)
2,222
(115)
1,882
(57)
60,869
(3,072)
3,283
(9,330)
1,489
(727)
62,358
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
balance,
prior to the
after
adoption of
Impact of
ASC 326
Charge-offs
19,426
288
19,714
(183)
222
1,968
10,269
(1,051)
9,218
(420)
44
4,100
13,712
(997)
12,715
(3,510)
4,482
(643)
2,612
(874)
353
1,850
2,129
808
2,937
(154)
(346)
957
43
3,072
(87)
Purchased credit impaired
163
(163)
49,911
1,357
51,268
(5,141)
2,681
11,967
1,185
200
2,542
52,453
12,167
Improvements in economic forecasts have resulted in an allowance for credit losses to total loans ratio of 0.71% at June 30, 2021, 15 basis points lower than the level at June 30, 2020 and 11 basis points lower than the level at December 31, 2020.
Accrued interest receivable on loans, included in accrued interest and fees receivable on the consolidated statements of condition, totaled $19.0 million at June 30, 2021 and is excluded from the estimate of credit losses and amortized cost basis of loans.
21
Under ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), also referred to as CECL, the Company utilizes the historical loss rate on its loan portfolio as the initial basis for the estimate of credit losses using the cumulative loss, vintage loss and line loss methods which is derived from the Company’s historical loss experience from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2020. Adjustments to historical loss experience were made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics and to address current period delinquencies, charge-off rates, risk ratings, lack of loan level data through an entire economic cycle, changes in loan sizes and underwriting standards as well as the addition of acquired loans which were not underwritten by the Company. The Company considered historical losses immediately prior, through and following the Great Recession of 2008 compared to the historical period used for modeling to adjust the historical information to account for longer-term expectations for loan credit performance. Under CECL, the Company is required to consider future economic conditions to determine current expected credit losses. Management selected an eight quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period using a two quarter lag adjustment with a four quarter reversion to the historical mean to use as part of the economic forecast. Management determined that these qualitative adjustments were needed to adjust historical information for expected losses and to reflect changes as a result of current conditions.
For qualitative macroeconomic adjustments, the Company uses third party forecasted economic data scenarios utilizing a base scenario and two alternative scenarios that were weighted based on guidance from the third party provider, with forecasts available as of June 30, 2021. These forecasts were factored into the qualitative portion of the calculation of the estimated credit losses and included the impact of COVID-19, including forecasted vaccine distribution progress, and current and future Federal stimulus packages. The scenarios utilized outline a significant improvement in economic conditions with peak unemployment ranging from 3% to 9% in the third quarter of 2022 and a general improvement in unemployment levels over the subsequent three quarters. In addition to the economic forecast, the Company also considered additional qualitative adjustments as a result of COVID-19 and the impact on all industries, loan deferrals, delinquencies and downgrades, and the risk that Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans will not be forgiven.
Management developed expected loss estimates considering factors for segments as outlined below:
The following table presents the carrying amounts of loans purchased and sold during the six months ended June 30, 2021 by portfolio segment:
Business
Consumer
Home
lending
mortgage
indirect
direct
equity
Purchases
Sales
848
10,860
11,708
All the sales of consumer mortgages during the six months ended June 30, 2021 were sales of secondary market eligible residential mortgage loans. The sales of business loans during the six months ended June 30, 2021 includes two business lending loans under one relationship.
NOTE F: GOODWILL AND IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization for each type of identifiable intangible asset are as follows:
Net
Carrying
Amortization
Amortizing intangible assets:
69,403
(58,136)
(55,572)
91,899
(55,386)
90,462
(51,353)
Total amortizing intangibles
161,302
(113,522)
47,780
159,865
(106,925)
52,940
The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years ended December 31 is as follows:
Jul - Dec 2021
6,229
2022
11,141
2023
9,338
2024
7,768
2025
6,550
Thereafter
6,754
Shown below are the components of the Company’s goodwill at December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021:
Activity
NOTE G: MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED SECURITIES
As of June 30, 2021, the Company does not sponsor any business trusts. The Company previously sponsored Community Capital Trust IV (“CCT IV”) until March 15, 2021 when the Company exercised its right to redeem all of the CCT IV debentures and associated preferred securities for a total of $77.3 million. The Company previously sponsored Steuben Statutory Trust (“SST II”) until September 15, 2020 when the Company exercised its right to redeem all of the SST II debentures and associated preferred securities for a total of $2.1 million. The common stock of SST II was acquired in the Steuben acquisition. The trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of such preferred securities solely in junior subordinated debt securities of the Company.
NOTE H: BENEFIT PLANS
The Company provides a qualified defined benefit pension to eligible employees and retirees, other post-retirement health and life insurance benefits to certain retirees, an unfunded supplemental pension plan for certain key executives, and an unfunded stock balance plan for certain of its nonemployee directors. The Company accrues for the estimated cost of these benefits through charges to expense during the years that employees earn these benefits. The service cost component of net periodic benefit income is included in the salaries and employee benefits line of the consolidated statements of income, while the other components of net periodic benefit income are included in other expenses. The Company made a $2.9 million contribution to its defined benefit pension plan in the first quarter of 2021. The Company made a $3.9 million contribution to its defined benefit pension plan in the second quarter of 2020.
The net periodic benefit cost for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
Pension Benefits
Post-retirement Benefits
Service cost
1,480
2,960
2,875
Interest cost
1,356
2,518
2,712
Expected return on plan assets
(4,695)
(3,932)
(9,391)
(7,864)
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
900
810
1,800
1,620
Amortization of prior service cost
189
(44)
(89)
Net periodic benefit
(962)
(268)
(1,924)
(537)
(22)
(20)
(45)
(41)
NOTE I: EARNINGS PER SHARE
The two class method is used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share. Under the two class method, earnings available to common shareholders for the period are allocated between common shareholders and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company has determined that all of its outstanding non-vested stock awards are participating securities as of June 30, 2021.
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average of the common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average of the shares outstanding and the assumed exercise of stock options during the year. The dilutive effect of options is calculated using the treasury stock method of accounting. The treasury stock method determines the number of common shares that would be outstanding if all the dilutive options were exercised and the proceeds were used to repurchase common shares in the open market at the average market price for the applicable time period. There were approximately 0.2 million and 0.1 million weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to 0.6 million weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2020 that were not included in the computation below.
The following is a reconciliation of basic to diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:
(000’s omitted, except per share data)
Income attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards
(127)
(263)
(264)
Income available to common shareholders
47,817
35,121
100,531
75,118
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic
54,007
52,487
53,927
52,262
Assumed exercise of stock options
462
339
455
372
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted
54,469
52,826
54,382
52,634
Stock Repurchase Program
At its December 2019 meeting, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 2.60 million shares of the Company’s common stock in accordance with securities laws and regulations, through December 31, 2020. At its December 2020 meeting, the Board approved a similar program for 2021, authorizing the repurchase of up to 2.68 million shares of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2021. Any repurchased shares will be used for general corporate purposes, including those related to stock plan activities. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations as determined at the Company’s discretion. The Company did not repurchase any shares under the authorized plan during the first six months of 2021 or 2020.
NOTE J: COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments consist primarily of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers, generally having fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses that may require payment of a fee. These commitments consist principally of unused commercial and consumer credit lines. Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of an underlying contract with a third party. The credit risks associated with commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers and are subject to the Company’s normal credit policies. Collateral may be obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer’s creditworthiness. The fair value of the standby letters of credit is immaterial for disclosure.
The contract amounts of commitments and contingencies are as follows:
Commitments to extend credit
1,199,804
1,313,568
Standby letters of credit
35,382
39,213
1,235,186
1,352,781
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject in the normal course of business to various pending and threatened legal proceedings in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. As of June 30, 2021, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the aggregate ultimate liability arising out of litigation pending or threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with such legal proceedings. For those matters where it is probable that the Company will incur losses and the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated, the Company records an expense and corresponding liability in its consolidated financial statements. To the extent the pending or threatened litigation could result in exposure in excess of that liability, the amount of such excess is not currently estimable. The range of reasonably possible losses for matters where an exposure is not currently estimable or considered probable, beyond the existing recorded liabilities, is believed to be between $0 and $1 million in the aggregate. Although the Company does not believe that the outcome of pending litigation will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, it cannot rule out the possibility that such outcomes will be material to the consolidated results of operations for a particular reporting period in the future.
The Company recorded $3.0 million in litigation accrual in 2020 related to a settlement of a purported class action lawsuit regarding the Bank’s deposit account terms and overdraft disclosures. The Company executed a settlement agreement with respect to the lawsuit in the fourth quarter 2020 providing for a release of all claims asserted by class members in the action, and the Company does not anticipate that additional amounts will be accrued for this matter in future periods. Notice of the settlement terms was provided to all class members and no objections to the settlement were received prior to expiration of the notice period. The hearing for final Court approval of the settlement is scheduled on August 25, 2021.
NOTE K: FAIR VALUE
Accounting standards establish a framework for measuring fair value and require certain disclosures about such fair value instruments. It defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e. exit price). Inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following hierarchy:
● Level 1 -
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
● Level 2 -
Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
● Level 3 -
Significant valuation assumptions not readily observable in a market.
A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers between any of the levels for the periods presented.
Total Fair
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Available-for-sale investment securities:
2,909,475
115,597
Total available-for-sale investment securities
1,103,264
Equity securities
Mortgage loans held for sale
Commitments to originate real estate loans for sale
130
Forward sales commitments
Interest rate swap agreements asset
Interest rate swap agreements liability
2,909,944
1,105,000
4,015,074
2,359,912
141,470
1,187,980
1,572
(1,074)
2,360,357
1,190,102
3,550,473
The valuation techniques used to measure fair value for the items in the table above are as follows:
The changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are immaterial.
27
The fair value information of assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis presented below is not as of the period-end, but rather as of the date the fair value adjustment was recorded closest to the date presented.
Impaired loans
21,330
25,063
Other real estate owned
883
Mortgage servicing rights
697
682
22,906
26,628
Loans are generally not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Periodically, the Company records nonrecurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Nonrecurring adjustments 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 independent appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace, adjusted for non-observable inputs. Thus, the resulting nonrecurring fair value measurements are generally classified as Level 3. Estimates of fair value used for other collateral supporting commercial loans generally are based on assumptions not observable in the marketplace and, therefore, such valuations classify as Level 3.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) is valued at the time the loan is foreclosed upon and the asset is transferred to OREO. The value is based primarily on third party appraisals, less costs to sell. The appraisals are sometimes further discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the customer and customer’s business. Such discounts are significant, ranging from 9.0% to 51.1% at June 30, 2021 and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. OREO is reviewed and evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above. The Company recovers the carrying value of OREO through the sale of the property. The ability to affect future sales prices is subject to market conditions and factors beyond the Company’s control and may impact the estimated fair value of a property.
Originated mortgage servicing rights are recorded at their fair value at the time of sale of the underlying loan, and are amortized in proportion to and over the estimated period of net servicing income. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on a valuation model incorporating inputs that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. Such inputs include estimates of the cost of servicing loans, appropriate discount rate and prepayment speeds and are considered to be unobservable and contribute to the Level 3 classification of mortgage servicing rights. In accordance with GAAP, the Company must record impairment charges, on a nonrecurring basis, when the carrying value of a stratum exceeds its estimated fair value. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance. There is a valuation allowance of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
The Company determines fair values based on quoted market values, where available, estimates of present values, or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including, but not limited to, the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, may not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. The significant unobservable inputs used in the determination of fair value of assets classified as Level 3 on a recurring or non-recurring basis are as follows:
Significant
Unobservable Input
Fair Value at
Range
(000's omitted, except per loan data)
Valuation Technique
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Weighted Average)
Fair value of collateral
Estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment
9.0% - 78.7% (53.8%)
9.0% - 51.1% (34.5%)
Discounted cash flow
Embedded servicing value
1.0
%
Weighted average constant prepayment rate
16.9% - 49.1% (21.8%)
Weighted average discount rate
2.2% - 2.8% (2.7%)
Adequate compensation
7/loan
9.0% - 78.4% (52.7%)
11.3% - 52.9% (34.0%)
9.8% - 18.8% (17.6%)
1.7% - 2.2% (2.1%)
The significant unobservable inputs used in the determination of the fair value of assets classified as Level 3 have an inherent measurement uncertainty that if changed could result in higher or lower fair value measurements of these assets as of the reporting date. The weighted average of the estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment for impaired loans was calculated by dividing the total of the book value of the collateral of the impaired loans classified as Level 3 by the total of the fair value of the collateral of the impaired loans classified as Level 3. The weighted average of the estimated cost of disposal/market adjustment for OREO was calculated by dividing the total of the differences between the appraisal values of the real estate and the book values of the real estate divided by the totals of the appraisal values of the real estate. The weighted average of the constant prepayment rate for mortgage servicing rights was calculated by adding the constant prepayment rates used in each loan pool weighted by the balance in each loan pool. The weighted average of the discount rate for mortgage servicing rights was calculated by adding the discount rates used in each loan pool weighted by the balance in each loan pool.
Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from fair value disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Financial assets:
7,563,546
7,655,044
Financial liabilities:
12,349,413
11,239,628
2,993
6,758
The following is a further description of the principal valuation methods used by the Company to estimate the fair values of its financial instruments.
Loans have been classified as a Level 3 valuation. Fair values for loans are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.
Deposits have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of demand deposits, interest-bearing checking deposits, savings accounts, and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposit obligations are based on current market rates for similar products.
Borrowings and subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair value of short-term borrowings and securities sold under agreement to repurchase, short-term, is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. Fair values for long-term debt and subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts are estimated using discounted cash flows and interest rates currently being offered on similar securities. The difference between the carrying values of long-term borrowings and subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts, and their fair values, are not material as of the reporting dates.
Other financial assets and liabilities – Cash and cash equivalents have been classified as a Level 1 valuation, while accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable have been classified as a Level 2 valuation. The fair values of each approximate the respective carrying values because the instruments are payable on demand or have short-term maturities and present relatively low credit risk and interest rate risk.
NOTE L: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company is party to derivative financial instruments in the normal course of its business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to manage its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments have been limited to interest rate swap agreements, commitments to originate real estate loans held for sale and forward sales commitments. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
The Company enters into forward sales commitments for the future delivery of residential mortgage loans, and interest rate lock commitments to fund loans at a specified interest rate. The forward sales commitments are utilized to reduce interest rate risk associated with interest rate lock commitments and loans held for sale. Changes in the estimated fair value of the forward sales commitments and interest rate lock commitments 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. At inception and during the life of the interest rate lock commitment, the Company includes the expected net future cash flows related to the associated servicing of the loan as part of the fair value measurement of the interest rate lock commitments. These derivatives are recorded at fair value, which were immaterial at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The effect of the changes to these derivatives for the three and six months then ended was also immaterial.
The Company acquired interest rate swaps in 2017 with notional amounts with certain commercial customers which totaled $0.7 million at June 30, 2021 and $14.4 million at December 31, 2020. In order to minimize the Company’s risk, these customer derivatives (pay floating/receive fixed swaps) have been offset with essentially matching interest rate swaps (pay fixed/receive floating swaps) with the Company’s counterparty totaling $0.7 million at June 30, 2021 and $14.4 million at December 31, 2020. At June 30, 2021, the weighted average receive rate of these interest rate swaps was 2.34%, the weighted average pay rate was 3.54% and the weighted average maturity was 1.8 years. At December 31, 2020, the weighted average receive rate of these interest rate swaps was 2.10%, the weighted average pay rate was 4.44% and the weighted average maturity was 5.2 years. Hedge accounting has not been applied for these derivatives. Since the terms of the swaps with the Company’s customer and the other financial institution offset each other, with the only difference being counterparty credit risk, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts are not materially different and do not significantly impact the Company’s results of operations.
The Company also acquired interest rate swaps in 2017 with notional amounts totaling $5.4 million at June 30, 2021, and $5.7 million at December 31, 2020, that were designated as fair value hedges of certain fixed rate loans with municipalities which are recorded in loans in the consolidated statements of financial condition. At June 30, 2021, the weighted average receive rate of these interest rate swaps was 1.38%, the weighted average pay rate was 3.11% and the weighted average maturity was 12.0 years. At December 31, 2020, the weighted average receive rate of these interest rate swaps was 1.42%, the weighted average pay rate was 3.11% and the weighted average maturity was 12.5 years. The Company includes the gain or loss on the hedged items in interest and fees on loans, the same line item as the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps. The effects of fair value accounting in the consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are immaterial.
As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the following amounts were recorded in the consolidated statement of condition related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges:
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value
Carrying Amount of the Hedged
Hedging Adjustment Included in the
Line Item in the Consolidated
Assets
Carrying Amount of the Hedged Assets
Statement of Condition in Which
the Hedged Item Is Included
5,809
5,675
(365)
(498)
Fair values of derivative instruments as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Derivative Assets
Derivative Liabilities
Consolidated Statement
Consolidated Statement of
of Condition Location
Condition Location
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Subtopic 815-20
Interest rate swaps
365
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under Subtopic 815-20
Total derivatives
533
498
1,074
1,588
The Company assessed its counterparty risk at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 and determined any credit risk inherent in our derivative contracts was not material. Further information about the fair value of derivative financial instruments can be found in Note K to these consolidated financial statements.
NOTE M: SEGMENT INFORMATION
Operating segments are components of an enterprise, which are evaluated regularly by the “chief operating decision maker” in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company has identified Banking, Employee Benefit Services and All Other as its reportable operating business segments. Community Bank, N.A. (the “Bank” or “CBNA”) operates the Banking segment that provides full-service banking to consumers, businesses, and governmental units in Upstate New York as well as Northeastern Pennsylvania, Vermont and Western Massachusetts. Employee Benefit Services, which includes the operating subsidiaries Benefit Plans Administrative Services, LLC, BPAS Actuarial and Pension Services, LLC, BPAS Trust Company of Puerto Rico, Northeast Retirement Services, LLC (“NRS”), Global Trust Company, Inc. (“GTC”), and Hand Benefits & Trust Company, provides employee benefit trust, collective investment fund, retirement plan administration, fund administration, transfer agency, actuarial, VEBA/HRA, and health and welfare consulting services. The All Other segment is comprised of: (a) wealth management services including trust services provided by the personal trust unit within the Bank, broker-dealer and investment advisory services provided by Community Investment Services, Inc., The Carta Group, Inc. and OneGroup Wealth Partners, Inc. as well as asset management provided by Nottingham Advisors, Inc., and (b) full-service insurance, risk management and employee benefit services provided by OneGroup NY, Inc. The accounting policies used in the disclosure of business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (See Note A, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the most recent Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021).
32
Information about reportable segments and reconciliation of the information to the consolidated financial statements follows:
Employee
Consolidated
Banking
Benefit Services
All Other
Eliminations
92,033
Noninterest revenues
16,357
27,994
16,816
(1,707)
1,240
1,327
679
Other operating expenses
65,158
14,846
11,996
90,293
46,326
11,886
4,148
14,588,075
235,141
78,770
(100,699)
689,867
83,275
21,750
Core deposit intangibles & Other intangibles
29,370
7,143
91,645
246
14,991
24,504
14,817
(1,374)
1,364
1,411
749
59,130
14,948
11,303
84,007
32,996
8,391
2,825
13,272,929
216,122
78,022
(122,856)
13,444,217
689,128
20,312
792,715
16,565
34,870
8,611
60,046
185,872
159
32,811
55,143
33,633
(3,596)
2,564
1,352
130,165
29,851
23,741
180,161
95,980
22,770
8,568
181,409
486
110
33,672
50,429
30,352
(2,893)
2,781
2,905
1,505
123,330
30,079
23,118
173,634
69,861
17,931
5,839
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) primarily reviews the financial condition and results of operations of Community Bank System, Inc. (the “Company” or “CBSI”) as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, although in some circumstances the first quarter of 2021 is also discussed in order to more fully explain recent trends. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes that appear on pages 3 through 33. All references in the discussion of the financial condition and results of operations refer to the consolidated position and results of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Unless otherwise noted, the term “this year” and equivalent terms refers to results in calendar year 2021, “last year” and equivalent terms refer to calendar year 2020, “second quarter” refers to the three months ended June 30, 2021, “YTD” refers to the six months ended June 30, 2021, and earnings per share (“EPS”) figures refer to diluted EPS.
This MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, and business of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements are set herein under the caption, “Forward-Looking Statements,” on page 55.
Critical Accounting Policies
As a result of the complex and dynamic nature of the Company’s business, management must exercise judgment in selecting and applying the most appropriate accounting policies for its various areas of operations. The policy decision process not only ensures compliance with the current accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), but also reflects management’s discretion with regard to choosing the most suitable methodology for reporting the Company’s financial performance. It is management’s opinion that the accounting estimates covering certain aspects of the business have more significance than others due to the relative importance of those areas to overall performance, or the level of subjectivity in the selection process. These estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as disclosures of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could meaningfully differ from these estimates. Management believes that the critical accounting estimates include the allowance for credit losses, actuarial assumptions associated with the pension, post-retirement and other employee benefit plans, the provision for income taxes, investment valuation, the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, and acquired loan valuations. A summary of the accounting policies used by management is disclosed in Note A, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” on pages 79-92 of the most recent Form 10-K (fiscal year ended December 31, 2020) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 1, 2021. A summary of new accounting policies used by management is disclosed in Note C, “Accounting Policies” on pages 12-13 of this Form 10-Q.
Supplemental Reporting of Non-GAAP Results of Operations
The Company also provides supplemental reporting of its results on an “operating,” “adjusted” and “tangible” basis, from which it excludes the after-tax effect of amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets (and the related goodwill, core deposit intangible and other intangible asset balances, net of applicable deferred tax amounts), accretion on non-impaired purchased loans, expenses associated with acquisitions and the unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities. Although these items are non-GAAP measures, the Company’s management believes this information helps investors and analysts measure underlying core performance and improves comparability to other organizations that have not engaged in acquisitions. In addition, the Company provides supplemental reporting for “adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenues,” which excludes the provision for credit losses, acquisition expenses and the unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities from income before income taxes. Although adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue is a non-GAAP measure, the Company’s management believes this information helps investors and analysts measure and compare the Company’s performance through a credit cycle by excluding the volatility in the provision for credit losses associated with the adoption of CECL and the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Earnings per share were $0.88 in the second quarter of 2021, up $0.22, or 33.3%, from the second quarter of 2020. Diluted adjusted net earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure, were $0.91 in the second quarter of 2021, compared to $0.80 in the second quarter of 2020, an $0.11 per share, or 13.8%, increase. Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue, a non-GAAP measure, was $1.06 per share in the second quarter of 2021, down $0.02, or 1.9%, from the second quarter of 2020. Reconciliations of GAAP amounts with corresponding non-GAAP amounts are presented in Table 11.
Executive Summary
The Company’s business philosophy is to operate as a diversified financial services enterprise providing a broad array of banking and other financial services to retail, commercial and municipal customers. The Company’s banking subsidiary is Community Bank, N.A. (the “Bank” or “CBNA”). The Company also provides employee benefit and trust related services via its Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc. (“BPAS”) subsidiary, and wealth management and insurance-related services through CBNA and its subsidiaries.
The Company’s core operating objectives are: (i) optimize the branch network and digital banking delivery systems, primarily through disciplined acquisition strategies and divestitures/consolidations, (ii) build profitable loan and deposit volume using both organic and acquisition strategies, (iii) manage an investment securities portfolio to complement the Company’s loan and deposit strategies and optimize interest rate risk, yield and liquidity, (iv) increase the noninterest component of total revenues through development of banking-related fee income, growth in existing financial services business units, and the acquisition of additional financial services and banking businesses, and (v) utilize technology to deliver customer-responsive products and services and improve efficiencies.
Significant factors reviewed by management to evaluate achievement of the Company’s operating objectives and its operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: net income and earnings per share; return on assets and equity; components of net interest margin; noninterest revenues; noninterest expenses; asset quality; loan and deposit growth; capital management; performance of individual banking and financial services units; performance of specific product lines and customers; liquidity and interest rate sensitivity; enhancements to customer products and services and their underlying performance characteristics; technology advancements; market share; peer comparisons; and the performance of recently acquired businesses.
On June 1, 2021, the Company, through its subsidiary, OneGroup NY, Inc. ("OneGroup"), completed its acquisition of certain assets of NuVantage Insurance Corp. (“NuVantage”), an insurance agency headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. The Company paid $2.9 million in cash and recorded a $1.4 million customer list intangible asset and $1.5 million of goodwill in conjunction with the acquisition.
On June 12, 2020, the Company completed its merger with Steuben Trust Corporation (“Steuben”), parent company of Steuben Trust Company, a New York State chartered bank headquartered in Hornell, New York, for $98.6 million in Company stock and cash, comprised of $21.6 million in cash and the issuance of 1.36 million shares of common stock. The merger extended the Company’s footprint into two new counties in Western New York State, and enhanced the Company’s presence in four Western New York State counties in which it had already operated. In connection with the merger, the Company added 11 full-service offices to its branch service network and acquired $607.8 million of assets, including $339.7 million of loans and $180.5 million of investment securities, as well as $516.3 million of deposits. Goodwill of $20.0 million was recognized as a result of the merger.
Second quarter and YTD net income increased compared to the equivalent 2020 timeframes by $12.7 million, or 36.0%, and $25.4 million, or 33.7%, respectively. Earnings per share of $0.88 for the second quarter of 2021 was $0.22 more than the second quarter of 2020, and 2021 YTD earnings per share of $1.85 was $0.42 higher than 2020 YTD earnings per share. The increases in net income and earnings per share were primarily due to a significant decrease in the provision for credit losses, reflective of an improving economic outlook and improvements in asset quality metrics.
Second quarter and YTD net income adjusted to exclude expenses associated with acquisitions, acquisition-related provision for credit losses and the unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities (“operating net income”), a non-GAAP measure, increased $7.5 million, or 18.5%, as compared to the second quarter of 2020 and increased $19.9 million, or 24.5%, compared to June YTD 2020. Earnings per share adjusted to exclude expenses associated with acquisitions, acquisition-related provision for credit losses and the unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities (“operating earnings per share”), a non-GAAP measure, of $0.88 for the second quarter increased $0.12 compared to the second quarter of 2020. Operating earnings per share of $1.85 for the first six months of 2021 increased $0.32 compared to the prior year period. Reconciliations of GAAP amounts with corresponding non-GAAP amounts are presented in Table 11.
Net income adjusted to exclude income taxes, provision for credit losses, expenses associated with acquisitions and the unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities (“adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue”), a non-GAAP measure, of $58.0 million for the second quarter increased $0.7 million, or 1.2%, as compared to the second quarter of 2020. Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue of $117.3 million for the first six months of 2021 increased $4.5 million, or 4.0%, as compared to the first six months of 2020. Earnings per share adjusted to exclude income taxes, provision for credit losses, expenses associated with acquisitions and the unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities (“adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share”), a non-GAAP measure, of $1.06 for the second quarter of 2021 was $0.02 lower than the second quarter of 2020, and 2021 YTD adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share of $2.15 was $0.02 higher than the prior YTD period. The decrease in adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share compared to the second quarter of 2020 was driven by an increase in diluted weighted average common shares outstanding primarily due to shares issued in the Steuben acquisition, partially offset by the aforementioned increase in adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue between the periods. Reconciliations of GAAP amounts with corresponding non-GAAP amounts are presented in Table 11.
Loans and deposits both increased on an average basis as compared to the prior year second quarter primarily due to the Steuben acquisition in late second quarter 2020, large inflows of government stimulus-related deposit funding and U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) lending. Deposits also increased on an ending basis as compared to the second quarter of 2020 due to the same factors listed above while loans decreased on an ending basis compared to one year prior due primarily to decreases in PPP loan balances driven by forgiveness granted by the SBA. Interest rates on loans, investments and deposits have decreased over the past year primarily due to low short-term market interest rates and medium and longer-term market interest rates being below the average levels that existed over the past several years. In connection with these lower rates and a higher proportion of earnings assets held in cash equivalents, the Company’s interest-earning asset yield for the first six months of 2021 decreased 72 basis points from the year-earlier period. The Company’s total cost of funds for the first six months of 2021 decreased 14 basis points from the year earlier period, as the Company’s deposit funding cost and the rate on borrowings both decreased from the prior year period. The majority of borrowings are customer repurchase agreements, rather than wholesale borrowings obtained through capital markets and correspondent banks. Customer repurchase agreements have deposit-like features and typically bear lower rates of interest than other types of wholesale borrowings.
The net benefit recognized in the provision for credit losses of $4.3 million for the second quarter and $10.1 million for YTD 2021 resulted in a $14.1 million and $25.4 million lower provision for credit losses than comparable prior year periods, respectively. These decreases are reflective of an improving economic outlook, very low levels of net charge-offs and a decrease in delinquent loan balances. Additionally, $3.2 million of provision for credit losses was recorded in the second quarter of 2020 related to acquired non-purchased credit deteriorated loans associated with the Steuben acquisition. Net recoveries were $0.6 million for the second quarter and $0.2 million for the first six months of 2021, compared to net charge-offs of $0.9 million for the prior year second quarter and $2.5 million for the first six months of 2020. Second quarter 2021 nonperforming loan ratios increased in comparison to the second quarter of 2020 largely attributable to the Company’s decision to reclassify certain loans under extended pandemic-related forbearance to nonperforming status in the fourth quarter of 2020. Second quarter 2021 nonperforming loan ratios generally improved in comparison to their levels at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020.
Net Income and Profitability
As shown in Table 1, net income for the second quarter and June YTD of $47.9 million and $100.8 million, respectively, increased $12.7 million, or 36.0%, as compared to the second quarter of 2020 and increased $25.4 million, or 33.7%, compared to June YTD 2020. Earnings per share of $0.88 for the second quarter was $0.22 higher than the second quarter of 2020, while earnings per share for the first six months of 2021 of $1.85 was $0.42 higher than the first six months of 2020. The increase in net income and earnings per share for the quarter and YTD are primarily the result of a lower provision for credit losses, higher noninterest revenues, lower acquisition expenses and higher net interest income, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate, higher noninterest expenses and an increase in diluted shares outstanding. Operating net income, a non-GAAP measure, of $47.9 million and $100.8 million for the second quarter and June YTD, respectively, increased $7.5 million, or 18.5%, as compared to the second quarter of 2020 and increased $19.8 million, or 24.5%, compared to June YTD 2020. Operating earnings per share, a non-GAAP measure, of $0.88 for the second quarter was up $0.12 compared to the second quarter of 2020, while operating earnings per share of $1.85 for the first six months of 2021 was up $0.32 compared to the first six months of 2020. The increases in operating net income and earnings per share are primarily due to the lower provision for credit losses recorded in the current year. See Table 11 for Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures.
As reflected in Table 1, second quarter net interest income of $92.1 million was up $0.1 million, or 0.2%, from the comparable prior year period. Net interest income for the first six months of 2021 increased $4.1 million, or 2.2%, versus the first six months of 2020. The quarterly and year-over-year improvement resulted from an increase in interest-earning asset balances and a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets and an increase in interest-bearing liability balances.
The provision for credit losses for the second quarter and June YTD decreased $14.1 million and $25.4 million as compared to the second quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively. These decreases are reflective of an improving economic outlook, very low levels of net charge-offs and a decline in delinquent loan balances over the past six months. Additionally, there was $3.2 million of provision for credit losses recorded in the second quarter of 2020 related to acquired non-purchased credit deteriorated loans associated with the Steuben acquisition.
Second quarter and year-to-date noninterest revenues were $59.5 million and $118.0 million, respectively, up $6.5 million, or 12.3%, from the second quarter of 2020 and up $6.4 million, or 5.8%, from the first six months of 2020. The increase compared to the prior year’s second quarter was primarily a result of increases in employee benefit services revenue, wealth management services revenue, debit interchange and ATM fees, deposit service charges and fees, other banking revenue and insurance services revenue, partially offset by decreases in mortgage banking revenue and unrealized gains and losses on equity securities. The YTD increase was due to increases in employee benefit services revenue, wealth management services revenue, debit interchange and ATM fees, other banking revenue, insurance services revenue and unrealized gains and losses on equity securities, partially offset by decreases in deposit service charges and fees and mortgage banking revenue.
Noninterest expenses of $93.5 million and $186.8 million for the second quarter and June YTD periods, respectively, reflected an increase of $2.6 million, or 2.9%, from the second quarter of 2020 and an increase of $2.2 million, or 1.2%, from the first six months of 2020. The increase in noninterest expenses for the quarter was due to increases in salaries and benefits, data processing and communications expenses, business development and marketing expenses, occupancy and equipment expenses and other expenses, partially offset by decreases in acquisition-related expenses associated with the Steuben acquisition, legal and professional fees and amortization of intangible assets. The YTD increase in noninterest expenses was due to increases in data processing and communications expenses, salaries and benefits, occupancy and equipment expenses and business development and marketing expenses, partially offset by decreases in acquisition-related expenses associated with the Steuben acquisition, other expenses, legal and professional fees and amortization of intangible assets. Excluding acquisition-related expenses, 2021 operating expenses were $6.0 million, or 6.9%, higher for the second quarter and $5.9 million, or 3.3%, higher for the year-to-date timeframe.
The effective income tax rates were 23.1% and 20.8% for the second quarter and YTD 2021, respectively, as compared to 20.3% and 19.5% for the comparable prior year periods. The increase in effective tax rates compared to the prior year periods was primarily attributable to an increase in certain state income tax rates that were enacted in the second quarter of 2021.
A condensed income statement is as follows:
Table 1: Condensed Income Statements
Noninterest expenses
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
54,613
53,017
54,523
52,818
37
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the amount by which interest and fees on earning assets (loans, investments, and cash equivalents) exceeds the cost of funds, which consists primarily of interest paid to the Company's depositors and on borrowings. Net interest margin is the difference between the yield on earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing funds as a percentage of earning assets.
As shown in Table 2a, net interest income (with nontaxable income converted to a fully tax-equivalent basis) for the second quarter was $93.0 million, consistent with the same period last year. This was driven by a $2.27 billion increase in average interest-earning assets and a 13 basis point decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, offset by a 67 basis point decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets and a $1.38 billion increase in average interest-bearing liabilities in comparison to the second quarter of 2020. As reflected in Table 3, net interest income was favorably impacted by $18.1 million due to the volume increase in interest-earning assets and $2.8 million due to a decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by unfavorable impacts on net interest income of $20.1 million due to the decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets and $0.8 million due to the volume increase in interest-bearing liabilities. June YTD net interest income (with nontaxable income converted to a fully tax-equivalent basis), as reflected in Table 2b, of $187.8 million, increased $3.8 million, or 2.0%, from the year-earlier period. The June YTD increase resulted from a $2.46 billion increase in average interest-earning assets and an 18 basis point decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by a 72 basis point decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets and a $1.43 billion increase in average interest-bearing liabilities. As reflected in Table 3, for June YTD, the volume increase in interest-earning assets and the decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities had favorable impacts of $40.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively, partially offset by the decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets having an unfavorable impact on net interest income of $42.3 million and the volume increase in interest-bearing liabilities having a negative impact of $2.1 million.
The net interest margin of 2.79% for the second quarter of 2021 was 58 basis points lower as compared to the second quarter of 2020. The decrease was the result of a 67 basis point decrease in the interest-earning asset yield, partially offset by a 13 basis point decrease in the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin of 2.91% for the first six months of 2021 was 59 basis points lower than the comparable period of 2020. The yield on interest-earning assets decreased 72 basis points, while the rate on interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 18 basis points for the first six months of 2021 as compared to the prior year period.
The 67 basis point decrease in the average yield on interest-earning assets for the quarter was the result of a decrease in the average yield on loans and investments. For the second quarter, the average yield on loans decreased by 24 basis points and the average yield on investments, including cash equivalents, decreased 66 basis points compared to the prior year. The 72 basis point decrease in the yield on interest-earning assets for the first six months of 2021 was the result of a 22 basis point decrease in the average yield on loans and an 82 basis point decrease in the average yield on investments, including cash equivalents, compared to the prior year. The decrease in the loan and investment yields were driven by the comparatively low market rates over the past 12 months, an increase in the proportion of lower yielding cash equivalents and included the impact of a $7.9 million YTD increase in loan income recognized on PPP loans.
The average rate on interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 13 basis points compared to the prior year quarter as the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits decreased nine basis points and the average rate paid on external borrowings decreased 91 basis points from the prior year quarter. For the first six months of 2021, the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities decreased by 18 basis points from the comparable prior year period as the average rate on interest-bearing deposits decreased 13 basis points and the average rate on external borrowings decreased 94 basis points. The decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits was driven by a decrease in the market rates for deposits. The decrease in the average cost of borrowings was primarily the result of a decrease in the variable rates paid on external borrowings due to decreases in market interest rates and the redemption of the Community Capital Trust IV (“CCT IV”) debentures and associated preferred securities during the first quarter of 2021.
The second quarter and YTD average balance of investments, including cash equivalents, increased $2.15 billion and $2.16 billion, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. Investment securities purchases outpaced maturities, calls and principal payments during second quarter and YTD. The cash equivalents component of average earning assets increased $1.25 billion and $1.40 billion for the second quarter and YTD periods, respectively, compared to the prior year periods. The increase in cash equivalents was primarily due to large inflows related to government stimulus-related deposit funding and PPP lending. Average loan balances increased $121.8 million for the quarter and $301.9 million YTD as compared to the prior year, with growth for both periods primarily driven by the Steuben acquisition in June 2020 and increases in the average balances of PPP loans.
Average interest-bearing deposits increased $1.44 billion compared to the prior year quarter and $1.45 billion compared to the prior YTD period. The increase in average interest-bearing deposits was due to increases in interest checking, savings, money market, and time deposits due primarily to large inflows of government stimulus-related deposit funding and the Steuben acquisition in June 2020. The average borrowing balance, including borrowings at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (collectively referred to as “FHLB”), subordinated notes payable, subordinated debt held by unconsolidated subsidiary trusts and securities sold under agreement to repurchase (customer repurchase agreements), decreased $58.9 million and $22.0 million for the quarter and YTD periods respectively. The decreases from the prior year quarter and YTD periods was primarily due to the redemption of trust preferred subordinated debt held by CCT IV, an unconsolidated subsidiary trust, during the first quarter of 2021 and a decrease in average FHLB borrowings, partially offset by an increase in average customer repurchase agreements.
Tables 2a and 2b below sets forth information related to average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and their associated yields and rates for the periods indicated. Interest income and yields are on a fully tax-equivalent basis (“FTE”) using marginal income tax rates of 24.2% and 24.0% in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Average balances are computed by totaling the daily ending balances in a period and dividing by the number of days in that period. Loan interest income and yields include amortization of deferred loan income and costs, loan origination, prepayment and other fees and the accretion of acquired loan marks. Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale.
Table 2a: Quarterly Average Balance Sheet
Avg.
Average
Yield/Rate
(000's omitted except yields and rates)
Interest
Paid
Interest-earning assets:
Cash equivalents
2,074,757
563
0.11
822,992
206
0.10
Taxable investment securities (1)
3,547,646
16,226
1.83
2,608,495
15,217
2.35
Nontaxable investment securities (1)
409,244
3,370
3.30
454,511
3,854
3.41
Loans (net of unearned discount) (2)
7,341,226
76,065
4.16
7,219,462
78,930
4.40
Total interest-earning assets
13,372,873
96,224
2.89
11,105,460
98,207
3.56
Noninterest-earning assets
1,347,211
1,546,740
14,720,084
12,652,200
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest checking, savings, and money market deposits
7,607,119
763
0.04
6,231,185
1,333
0.09
Time deposits
974,510
2,200
0.91
915,116
2,840
1.25
Customer repurchase agreements
248,923
227
0.37
219,893
408
0.75
FHLB borrowings
4,768
2.14
4,547
1.95
3,294
4.69
13,766
5.38
0.00
77,728
Total interest-bearing liabilities
8,838,614
0.15
7,462,235
0.28
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Noninterest checking deposits
3,719,592
2,964,717
160,147
215,252
Shareholders' equity
2,001,731
2,009,996
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
Net interest earnings
92,969
92,966
Net interest spread
2.74
3.28
Net interest margin on interest-earning assets
2.79
3.37
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment (3)
864
1,015
Table 2b: Year-to-Date Average Balance Sheet
1,871,863
978
468,826
0.20
3,394,185
30,986
1.84
2,597,570
30,290
418,415
6,881
3.32
456,926
7,773
3.42
7,349,988
155,947
4.28
7,048,117
157,709
4.50
13,034,451
194,792
3.01
10,571,439
196,234
3.73
1,405,987
1,498,353
14,440,438
12,069,792
7,359,477
1,517
5,949,902
3,706
0.13
963,519
4,558
0.95
922,314
6,012
1.31
260,668
464
0.36
217,182
858
0.79
5,506
57
2.07
14,162
3,297
4.71
13,776
31,184
1.89
77,524
2.87
8,623,651
0.16
7,194,860
0.34
3,606,217
2,711,623
176,488
207,226
2,034,082
1,956,083
187,826
184,052
2.85
3.39
2.91
3.50
1,767
2,047
As discussed above and disclosed in Table 3 below, the change in net interest income (fully tax-equivalent basis) may be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of the changes in interest income and interest expense for each underlying category.
41
Table 3: Rate/Volume
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Six months ended June 30, 2021
versus June 30, 2020
Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in (1)
Volume
Rate
Change
Interest earned on:
357
822
(306)
Taxable investment securities
4,740
(3,731)
1,009
8,109
(7,413)
696
Nontaxable investment securities
(375)
(109)
(484)
(639)
(253)
(892)
1,314
(4,179)
(2,865)
(8,359)
(1,762)
Total interest-earning assets (2)
18,099
(20,082)
(1,983)
40,868
(42,310)
(1,442)
Interest paid on:
Interest checking, savings and money market deposits
(818)
(570)
724
(2,913)
(2,189)
(814)
(640)
259
(1,713)
(1,454)
(229)
(181)
(541)
(73)
(125)
(145)
(250)
(42)
(292)
(454)
(517)
(297)
Total interest-bearing liabilities (2)
843
(2,829)
(1,986)
2,081
(7,297)
(5,216)
Net interest earnings (2)
17,223
(17,220)
38,634
(34,860)
3,774
Exclusive of the impact of PPP loans, the Company expects its third quarter 2021 net interest margin to remain below results in the comparable prior year quarter due to the significant and precipitous drop in the overnight Federal Funds and Prime interest rates in early 2020. In the near term, expected decreases in average earning asset yields are unlikely to be fully offset by expected decreases in the average cost of funds. Although the stated interest rate on PPP loans is fixed at 1.0%, the Company’s recognition of the interest income on origination fees, net of deferred origination costs, on PPP loans will likely cause earning asset yield volatility as loans are forgiven by the SBA. While the Company expects to recognize the majority of its remaining first draw net deferred PPP fees totaling $0.9 million through interest income during the third quarter 2021 and the majority of its second draw net deferred PPP fees totaling $9.2 million over the next few quarters, the eligibility of the borrowers’ forgiveness requests and the SBA’s ability to provide loan forgiveness in a timely manner remains uncertain at this time.
Noninterest Revenues
The Company’s sources of noninterest revenues are of four primary types: 1) general banking services related to loans, including mortgage banking, deposits and other core customer activities typically provided through the branch network and digital banking channels (performed by CBNA); 2) employee benefit trust and benefit plan administration services (performed by BPAS and its subsidiaries); 3) wealth management services, comprised of personal trust services (performed by the trust unit within CBNA), investment products and services (performed by Community Investment Services Inc. (“CISI”), OneGroup Wealth Partners, Inc. and The Carta Group, Inc.) and asset management services (performed by Nottingham Advisors, Inc.); and 4) insurance products and services (performed by OneGroup NY, Inc.). Additionally, the Company periodically generates noninterest revenues from investment and borrowing activities, including unrealized gains or losses on equity securities.
Table 4: Noninterest Revenues
Deposit service charges and fees
7,708
7,146
15,489
17,419
Debit interchange and ATM fees
6,528
5,033
12,827
11,043
Other banking revenues
52,926
117,967
111,578
Noninterest revenues/operating revenues (FTE basis) (1)
39.3
36.6
38.9
38.1
As displayed in Table 4, noninterest revenues, excluding unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities, were $59.5 million for the second quarter of 2021 and $118.0 million for the first six months of 2021. This represents an increase of $6.5 million, or 12.3%, for the quarter and an increase of $6.4 million, or 5.8%, for the YTD period in comparison to the equivalent 2020 periods. The increase for the quarterly period was driven by increases in employee benefit services revenue, wealth management services revenue, banking noninterest revenue and insurance services revenue. The increase for the YTD period was due to increases in employee benefit services revenue, wealth management services revenue and insurance services revenue, partially offset by a decrease in banking noninterest revenue.
Banking noninterest revenue of $15.5 million for the second quarter and $31.2 million for the first six months of 2021 increased $1.2 million, or 8.7%, and decreased $1.2 million, or 3.8%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The quarterly increase was primarily driven by increases in debit interchange and ATM fees, deposit service charges and fees and other banking revenues, reflective of increased transaction activity including the addition of new deposit relationships from the Steuben acquisition, partially offset by a decrease in mortgage banking revenues as the Company is currently holding almost all of its new consumer mortgage production in portfolio due to a change in its strategy. The YTD decline was primarily driven by decreases in deposit service charges and fees, decreases in overdraft fees in part due to the higher average deposit balances resulting from government stimulus program inflows, and mortgage banking revenues, partially offset by increases in debit interchange and ATM fees and other banking revenues, reflective of increased transaction activity including the addition of new deposit relationships from the Steuben acquisition.
Employee benefit services revenue increased $3.4 million, or 14.2%, and $4.6 million, or 9.3%, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, as compared to the equivalent prior year periods. This growth primarily related to increases in employee benefit trust and custodial fees. Insurance services revenue was up $0.03 million, or 0.3%, and up $0.1 million, or 0.7%, for the second quarter and YTD periods, respectively. Wealth management services revenue was up $1.9 million, or 29.2%, for the second quarter of 2021 and was up $2.9 million, or 21.7%, for June 2021 YTD as compared to the same time periods of 2020, primarily driven by increases in investment management and trust services revenues.
The ratio of noninterest revenues to operating revenues (FTE basis), as defined in footnote 1 of Table 4 above, was 39.3% for the quarter and 38.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, versus 36.6% and 38.1% for the comparable periods of 2020. The increase for the year-to-date period is a function of a 5.7% increase in adjusted noninterest revenues while adjusted net interest income (FTE basis) increased 2.0%.
The Company expects its mortgage banking revenues to decrease in 2021 as compared to 2020 as the Company reduced the amount of sales of secondary market eligible residential mortgage loans beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Noninterest Expenses
Table 5 below sets forth the quarterly results of the major noninterest expense categories for the current and prior year, as well as efficiency ratios (defined below), a standard measure of expense utilization effectiveness commonly used in the banking industry.
Table 5: Noninterest Expenses
Operating expenses(1)/average assets
2.46
2.67
2.52
Efficiency ratio(2)
59.7
58.1
59.4
59.3
As shown in Table 5, the Company recorded noninterest expenses of $93.5 million and $186.8 million for the second quarter and YTD periods of 2021, respectively, representing an increase of $2.6 million, or 2.9%, and an increase of $2.2 million, or 1.2%, from the prior year periods. Acquisition-related expenses of $3.4 million and $3.7 million are included in second quarter and YTD 2020 noninterest expenses, respectively. Salaries and employee benefits increased $3.2 million, or 5.8%, and $2.6 million, or 2.3%, for the second quarter and YTD periods of 2021, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods of 2020. The increase in salaries and benefits was driven by increases in merit-related employee wages, higher payroll taxes, including increases in state-related unemployment taxes, higher employee benefit-related expenses and the Steuben acquisition. The remaining change to noninterest expenses can be attributed to occupancy and equipment (up $0.5 million for the quarter and $1.1 million YTD driven by the Steuben acquisition), data processing and communications (up $1.9 million for the quarter and $3.9 million YTD driven by the Steuben acquisition and the Company’s implementation of new customer-facing digital technologies and back office systems), amortization of intangible assets (down $0.3 million for the quarter and $0.6 million YTD), legal and professional fees (down $0.6 million for the quarter and $0.7 million YTD), business development and marketing (up $1.2 million for the quarter and $0.7 million YTD driven by the general increase in the level of business activities) and other expenses (up $0.1 million for the quarter and down $1.0 million YTD). Included in other expenses was an increase in non-service related components of the net periodic pension benefit credit (up $0.7 million for the quarter and $1.4 million YTD).
The Company’s efficiency ratio (as defined in the table above) was 59.7% for the second quarter, 1.6% unfavorable to the comparable quarter of 2020. This resulted from operating expenses (as described above) increasing 7.5%, while operating revenues (as described above) increased 4.7%. The efficiency ratio of 59.4% for the first six months of 2021 was 0.1% unfavorable compared to the first six months of 2020 due to 3.8% higher operating expenses (as described above), while operating revenues (as described above) increased by 2.6%. Current year operating expenses, excluding intangible amortization and acquisition expenses, as a percentage of average assets decreased 21 basis points versus the prior year quarter and was 37 basis points lower than the prior year-to-date period as operating expenses (as defined above) increased at a slower pace than average assets. Operating expenses (as defined above) increased 7.5% for the quarter and increased 3.8% for the year-to-date period, while average assets increased 16.3% for the quarter and increased 19.6% for the year-to-date period.
Income Taxes
The second quarter and YTD 2021 effective income tax rates were 23.1% and 20.8%, respectively, as compared to the 20.3% and 19.5% for the comparable periods of 2020. The increase in the second quarter and YTD 2021 effective income tax rates is primarily attributable to an increase in certain state income tax rates that were enacted in the second quarter of 2021. Partially offsetting this was a higher level of benefit derived from stock based compensation activity for YTD 2021. The Company recorded a $2.0 million and $1.2 million reduction in income tax expense associated with stock-based compensation tax benefits for YTD 2021 and YTD 2020, respectively. The effective tax rates adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation tax benefits for the second quarter and YTD 2021 were 23.4% and 22.4%, respectively, as compared to 20.7% and 20.8% for the comparable periods of 2020.
Investment Securities
The carrying value of investment securities (including unrealized gains and losses) was $4.06 billion at the end of the second quarter, an increase of $462.3 million from December 31, 2020 and $720.2 million higher than June 30, 2020. The carrying value of cash equivalents was $2.02 billion at the end of the second quarter, an increase of $551.0 million from December 31, 2020 and $868.4 million higher than June 30, 2020. The book value of investment securities (excluding unrealized gains and losses) of $4.08 billion at the end of the second quarter increased $609.6 million from December 31, 2020 and increased $910.5 million from June 30, 2020. During the first six months of 2021, the Company purchased $673.6 million of U.S. Treasury and agency securities with an average yield of 1.36% and $85.4 million of government agency mortgage-backed securities with an average yield of 1.75%. These additions were partially offset by $154.7 million of investment maturities, calls and principal payments during the first six months of 2021. Additionally, there was $5.2 million of net accretion on investment securities during the first six months of 2021. The effective duration of the investment securities portfolio was 7.7 years at the end of the second quarter of 2021, as compared to 7.7 years at the end of 2020 and 3.3 years at the end of the second quarter of 2020.
The change in the carrying value of investment securities is also impacted by the amount of net unrealized gains or losses. At June 30, 2021, the portfolio had a $26.3 million net unrealized loss, a decrease of $147.3 million from the net unrealized gain at December 31, 2020 and a $190.3 million decrease from the net unrealized gain at June 30, 2020. These changes in the net unrealized position of the portfolio were principally driven by the movements in medium to long-term interest rates, as well as the volume and rates associated with the securities purchases and maturities that have occurred over the past 12 months.
Table 6: Investment Securities
2,048,199
2,172,303
499,961
521,705
519,370
535,078
4,509
4,577
57,939
59,453
3,129,978
3,293,116
433
7,576
30,922
4,662
5,412
43,411
44,343
Total investments
4,083,933
4,057,662
3,474,290
3,595,347
3,173,389
3,337,459
As shown in Table 7, loans ended the second quarter at $7.24 billion, down $283.9 million, or 3.8%, from one year earlier and down $171.8 million, or 2.3%, from the end of 2020. The decline during the last twelve months occurred primarily in the business lending portfolio, reflective of a $219.4 million net decrease in PPP loans, along with lesser declines in the home equity, consumer direct and consumer mortgage portfolios, partially offset by an increase in the consumer indirect portfolio. The decline from the end of 2020 was also primarily in the business lending portfolio, reflective of a $187.0 million net decrease in PPP loans, along with lesser declines in the home equity and consumer direct portfolios, partially offset by increases in the consumer indirect and consumer mortgage portfolios.
Table 7: Loans
44.0
46.4
3,455,343
45.9
33.2
32.4
2,428,060
32.3
15.3
13.8
1,056,865
14.0
2.1
2.0
169,228
2.2
5.4
418,543
5.6
Total loans
100.0
7,528,039
The business lending portfolio consists of general-purpose business lending to commercial, industrial, non-profit and municipal customers, mortgages on commercial property and dealer floor plan financing. The business lending portfolio decreased $268.9 million, or 7.8%, from June 30, 2020, primarily driven by a $219.4 million net decrease in PPP loans primarily driven by forgiveness granted by the SBA. The portfolio decreased $253.6 million from December 31, 2020, primarily attributable to a $187.0 million net decrease in PPP loans. Additionally, ending loans in the municipal sector of the business lending portfolio decreased $45.4 million from December 31, 2020, as certain municipal customers repay short-term loans and lines of credit annually at the end of the second quarter to meet their fiscal cycle requirements and advance on new loans and lines of credit in the third quarter for the next annual fiscal cycle. Highly competitive conditions for business lending continue to prevail in both the digital marketplace and geographic regions in which the Company operates. The Company strives to generate growth in its business portfolio in a manner that adheres to its goals of maintaining strong asset quality and producing profitable margins. The Company continues to invest in additional personnel, technology and business development resources to further strengthen its capabilities in this important product category.
The Company participated in both rounds of the PPP, a specialized low-interest loan program funded by the U.S. Treasury Department and administered by the SBA, including lending pursuant to the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Security Act’s (“CARES Act”), now known as first draw loans. In addition, the Company participated in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act’s (“CAA”) PPP loan program, now known as second draw loans. As of June 30, 2021, the Company’s business lending portfolio included 317 first draw PPP loans with a total balance of $72.5 million and 2,254 second draw PPP loans with a total balance of $212.3 million. This compares to 3,417 first draw PPP loans with a total balance of $470.7 million at December 31, 2020 and 3,473 first draw PPP loans with a total balance of $507.2 million at June 30, 2020.
Consumer mortgages decreased $19.6 million, or 0.8%, from one year ago and increased $7.0 million, or 0.3%, from December 31, 2020. Interest rate levels, secondary market premiums, expected duration and ALCO strategies continue to be the most significant factors in determining whether the Company chooses to retain, versus sell and service, portions of its new mortgage production. During the second half of 2020, the Company sold $64.1 million of its secondary market eligible consumer mortgages as market interest rates dropped and secondary market premiums increased, which drove the decrease in outstanding balances between the comparable annual periods. Due to a change in its strategy, the Company is currently holding almost all of its new consumer mortgage production in portfolio, with only $10.9 million of consumer mortgages sold in the first half of 2021. Home equity loans decreased $27.4 million, or 6.6%, from one year ago and decreased $8.7 million, or 2.2%, from December 31, 2020. The Company continues to experience paydowns in its home equity portfolio due in part to some consumers using stimulus funds to reduce debt levels and balances being rolled into re-financed first lien consumer mortgages that offer attractive attributes to customers.
46
Consumer installment loans, both those originated directly in the branches (referred to as “consumer direct”) and indirectly in automobile, marine, and recreational vehicle dealerships (referred to as “consumer indirect”), increased $32.0 million, or 2.6%, from one year ago and increased $83.5 million, or 7.1%, from December 31, 2020 due in part to low market interest rates increasing demand. Although the consumer indirect loan market is highly competitive, the Company is focused on maintaining a profitable, in-market and contiguous market indirect portfolio, while continuing to pursue the expansion of its dealer network. Consumer direct loans provide attractive returns, and the Company is committed to providing competitive market offerings to its customers in this important loan category. Despite the strong competition the Company faces from the financing subsidiaries of vehicle manufacturers and other financial intermediaries, the Company will continue to strive to grow these key portfolios through varying market conditions over the long term.
The ultimate impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on loan demand and the Company’s loan balances for the rest of 2021 remains uncertain at this time. The Company’s business lending balances will be unfavorably impacted as first draw PPP loans continue to be forgiven by the SBA and second draw PPP loans begin to be forgiven by the SBA. The Company anticipates assisting the remainder of the Company’s first draw PPP borrowers with forgiveness requests during the third quarter of 2021 and the majority of the Company’s second draw PPP borrowers with forgiveness requests over the next few quarters. The longer-term implications that COVID-19 and the repayment of PPP loans will have on business lending loan demand are presently difficult to predict.
Asset Quality
Table 8 below exhibits the major components of nonperforming loans and assets and key asset quality metrics for the periods ending June 30, 2021 and 2020 and December 31, 2020.
Table 8: Nonperforming Assets
Nonaccrual loans
5,001
13,544
54
2,096
Total nonaccrual loans
20,697
Accruing loans 90+ days delinquent
1,186
3,651
72
410
Total accruing loans 90+ days delinquent
6,063
Nonperforming loans
50,105
55,768
6,187
17,284
18,021
17,195
220
746
2,811
2,506
Total nonperforming loans
70,198
76,851
26,760
Other real estate owned (OREO)
3,186
Total nonperforming assets
71,077
77,734
29,946
Nonperforming loans / total loans
0.97
1.04
Nonperforming assets / total loans and other real estate
0.98
1.05
0.40
Delinquent loans (30 days old to nonaccruing) to total loans
1.22
1.50
0.72
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding (quarterly)
(0.03)
0.07
0.05
Provision for credit losses to net charge-offs (quarterly)
733
(246)
As displayed in Table 8, nonperforming assets at June 30, 2021 were $71.1 million, a $6.7 million decrease versus the level at the end of 2020 and a $41.1 million increase as compared to one year earlier. Nonperforming loans decreased $6.7 million from year-end 2020 and increased $43.4 million from June 30, 2020. Nonperforming loans were 0.97% of total loans outstanding at the end of the second quarter, seven basis points lower than the level at December 31, 2020 and a 61 basis point increase from the level at June 30, 2020.
With respect to the Company’s lending activities, the Company continues to consider customer forbearance requests to assist borrowers that may be experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 related challenges, but such requests diminished significantly in the first six months of 2021. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had 12 borrowers in forbearance due to COVID-19 related financial hardship, representing $2.4 million in outstanding loan balances, or 0.03% of total loans outstanding. This compares to 74 borrowers and $66.5 million in loans outstanding in forbearance at December 31, 2020. Consistent with industry regulatory guidance, borrowers that were otherwise current on loan payments and granted COVID-19 related financial hardship payment deferrals were reported as current loans throughout the first 180 days of the deferral period. Borrowers that were delinquent in their payments to the Bank prior to requesting a COVID-19 related financial hardship payment deferral were reviewed on a case-by-case basis for troubled debt restructure classification and nonperforming loan status.
The increase in nonperforming assets and loans over the prior year was primarily driven by the Company’s decision to reclassify loans under extended pandemic-related forbearance to nonperforming status. More specifically, during the fourth quarter of 2020, several commercial borrowers, which primarily operate in the hospitality, travel and entertainment industries, requested extended loan repayment forbearance due to the continued pandemic-related financial hardship they were experiencing. Although the Company’s management granted these forbearance requests, it also reclassified the majority of these loan relationships from accruing to nonaccrual status, unless the borrower clearly demonstrated current repayment capacity or sufficient cash reserves to service their pre-forbearance payment obligations.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) at June 30, 2021 of $0.9 million was consistent with December 31, 2020 and decreased $2.3 million from June 30, 2020. At June 30, 2021, OREO consisted of four residential properties with a total value of $0.3 million and one commercial property with a value of $0.6 million. This compares to five residential properties with a total value of $0.3 million and one commercial property with a value of $0.6 million at December 31, 2020, and 10 residential properties with a total value of $0.7 million and three commercial properties with a value of $2.5 million at June 30, 2020.
Approximately 71% of the nonperforming loans at June 30, 2021 were related to the business lending portfolio, which is comprised of business loans broadly diversified by industry type. The level of nonperforming business loans increased from the prior year due to the continued pandemic-related financial hardship experienced by certain borrowers. During the fourth quarter of 2020, several borrowers that operate in the hospitality, travel and entertainment industries requested extended forbearance agreements to mitigate the ongoing cash flow challenges of their businesses. Although the Company continued to accommodate reasonable forbearance requests for these borrowers, the Company determined that loans subject to a third forbearance would be classified as nonaccrual unless the borrower could demonstrate current cash flows or payment reserves to service their pre-forbearance payment obligations. Approximately 25% of nonperforming loans at June 30, 2021 were comprised of consumer mortgages. Collateral values of residential properties within the Company’s market area have generally remained stable over the past several years. Additionally, strong economic conditions prior to COVID-19, including lower unemployment levels, positively impacted consumers and had resulted in more favorable nonperforming consumer mortgage ratios. Economic conditions impacted by COVID-19, including increased unemployment rates, travel restrictions and state government shutdowns of certain business activities, as well as COVID-19 related delays in foreclosure processes have caused a modest increase in nonperforming loans in the consumer mortgage portfolio as compared to one year earlier. The Company will continue to closely monitor the impact that economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic could have on its level of delinquent loans, nonperforming assets and ultimately credit-related losses and proactively engage with our customers to strive to limit the potential losses. The remaining 4% of nonperforming loans relate to consumer installment and home equity loans, with home equity nonperforming loan levels being driven by the same factors that were identified for consumer mortgages. The allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans ratio, a general measure of coverage adequacy, was 74% at the end of the second quarter, as compared to 79% at year-end 2020 and 241% at June 30, 2020. The decrease in this ratio between the annual quarterly periods was primarily driven by the increase in nonperforming business loans as mentioned previously, as well as improving economic conditions, very low levels of net charge-off levels in recent periods and the decline in delinquent loan balances over the past six months.
The Company’s senior management, special asset officers and lenders review all delinquent and nonaccrual loans and OREO regularly in order to identify deteriorating situations, monitor known problem credits and discuss any needed changes to collection efforts, if warranted. Based on the group’s consensus, a relationship may be assigned a special assets officer or other senior lending officer to review the loan, meet with the borrowers, assess the collateral and recommend an action plan. This plan could include foreclosure, restructuring loans, issuing demand letters or other actions. The Company’s larger criticized credits are also reviewed on a quarterly basis by senior credit administration management, special assets officers and commercial lending management to monitor their status and discuss relationship management plans. Commercial lending management reviews the criticized business loan portfolio on a monthly basis.
Delinquent loans (30 days past due through nonaccruing) as a percent of total loans was 1.22% at the end of the second quarter, 28 basis points below the 1.50% at year-end 2020 and 50 basis points above the 0.72% at June 30, 2020. The business lending delinquency ratio at the end of the second quarter was 16 basis points below the level at December 31, 2020 and 135 basis points above the level at June 30, 2020, largely attributable to the aforementioned pandemic-related hardship experienced by certain loan customers. The delinquency rates for the consumer mortgage, consumer indirect, consumer direct and home equity portfolios all decreased as compared to the levels at December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020. The Company believes the decreases in consumer delinquent loan levels was supported by the extraordinary Federal and State Government financial assistance that has been provided to consumers throughout the pandemic.
49
Prediction of future delinquency and credit loss performance is extremely difficult given the uncertainties centering around the evolution of the virus, including the spread of the Delta variant, the efficacy of vaccination programs, the related pace of the full resumption of business activities, and the trajectory of the economic recovery as government assistance programs are phased out. Due to the Company’s continued focus on maintaining strict underwriting standards and the effective utilization of its collection capabilities, the Company expects that its credit performance will eventually return to levels consistent with its average long-term historical results once public health, government intervention and economic conditions return to a more normalized state.
Table 9: Allowance for Credit Losses Activity
Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period
Impact of adopting ASC 326
Charge-offs:
53
142
242
420
1,431
2,149
3,510
195
341
513
874
81
115
Total charge-offs
1,106
2,094
5,141
Recoveries:
382
270
Total recoveries
Net charge-offs
(592)
910
(211)
2,460
Allowance for credit losses on acquired PCD loans
Provision for credit losses related to loans
5,966
11,900
Provision for credit losses related to acquisition
3,201
Allowance for credit losses at end of period
Liabilities for off-balance-sheet credit exposures at beginning of period
Provision for credit losses related to off-balance-sheet credit exposures from acquisition
Provision for credit losses related to off-balance-sheet credit exposures
Liabilities for off-balance-sheet credit exposures at end of period
Allowance for credit losses / total loans
0.71
0.86
Allowance for credit losses / nonperforming loans
241
Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans outstanding:
(0.02)
(0.01)
0.02
0.03
(0.16)
0.23
(0.05)
0.39
0.58
0.01
As displayed in Table 9, net recoveries during the second quarter of 2021 were $0.6 million, a $1.5 million favorable change from the second quarter of 2020 net charge-offs of $0.9 million. Net recoveries for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $0.2 million, a $2.7 million favorable change from the $2.5 million of net charge-offs during the first six months of 2020. All portfolios experienced lower levels of net charge-offs for the second quarter and YTD periods of 2021 as compared to the corresponding periods of 2020. The annualized net charge-off ratio (net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding) for the second quarter of 2021 was (0.03%), eight basis points lower than the second quarter of 2020. Net charge-off ratios for the second quarter of 2021 for all loan portfolios were below the Company’s average for the trailing eight quarters. The June YTD annualized net charge-off ratio of (0.01%) for total loans was eight basis points lower than it was for the equivalent prior year period.
The Company recorded a $4.3 million net benefit in the provision for credit losses in the second quarter, including a $0.4 million reversal of credit loss expense related to off-balance sheet credit exposures. Exclusive of the $3.2 million of acquisition-related provision due to the Steuben transaction recorded in the second quarter of 2020, the second quarter provision for credit losses was $10.9 million lower than the equivalent prior year period. The allowance for credit losses of $51.8 million as of June 30, 2021 decreased $12.7 million from the level one year ago. At the end of the second quarter of 2020, unemployment was high and economic forecasts reflected continued weakness due to the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, 3,700 of the Company’s borrowers with approximately $700 million of loans outstanding were in pandemic-related payment deferral. The combination of these factors drove a significant increase in expected life of loan losses. Conversely, during the second quarter of 2021, economic forecasts were considerably more favorable due to the state of the post-vaccine economic recovery and only twelve borrowers with $2.4 million of loans outstanding remained on pandemic-related payment deferral, which drove expected life of loan losses down significantly, resulting in an allowance for credit losses to total loans ratio of 0.71% at June 30, 2021, 15 basis points lower than the level at June 30, 2020 and 11 basis points lower than the level at December 31, 2020.
Refer to Note E: Loans of the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of management’s methodology used to estimate the allowance for credit losses.
As of June 30, 2021, the net purchase discount related to the $1.19 billion of remaining non-PCD loan balances acquired from prior period acquisitions was approximately $9.7 million, or 0.82% of that portfolio.
As shown in Table 10, average deposits of $12.30 billion in the second quarter were $2.19 billion, or 21.7%, higher than the second quarter of 2020, primarily due to larger than anticipated net inflows of funds related to government stimulus and PPP programs and the addition of acquired Steuben deposit liabilities during the second quarter of 2020. The Company acquired $516.3 million of deposits in the Steuben acquisition, including $419.8 million of non-time deposits and $96.5 million of time deposits. Total average deposit balances increased $1.09 billion, or 9.7%, from the fourth quarter of last year, due to continued net inflows of deposits, including those associated with additional stimulus payments and a second round of PPP lending. Average noninterest checking deposits as a percentage of average total deposits was 30.2% in the second quarter compared to 29.3% in the second quarter of 2020 and 29.9% in the fourth quarter of last year. Non-maturity deposits (noninterest checking, interest checking, savings and money markets) represent 92.1% of the Company’s deposit funding base, while time deposits represent 7.9% of total average deposits. The quarterly average cost of deposits was 0.10% for the second quarter of 2021, compared to 0.12% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 0.17% in the second quarter of 2020, reflective of market-driven decreases in deposit interest rates between the periods and an increase in the proportion of average noninterest checking deposits. The Company continues to focus on expanding its core deposit relationship base through its proactive marketing efforts, competitive product offerings and high quality customer service.
Average nonpublic fund deposits for the second quarter of 2021 increased $890.9 million, or 9.0%, versus the fourth quarter of 2020 and increased $1.78 billion, or 19.9%, versus the year-earlier period. Average public fund deposits for the second quarter increased $200.4 million, or 15.1%, from the fourth quarter of 2020 and increased $406.2 million, or 36.1%, from the second quarter of 2020. Average public fund deposits as a percentage of total average deposits increased from 11.1% in the second quarter of 2020 to 12.4% in the second quarter of 2021.
Table 10: Quarterly Average Deposits
3,356,156
Interest checking deposits
3,192,123
2,791,708
2,486,457
Savings deposits
2,161,716
1,916,715
1,693,910
Money market deposits
2,253,280
2,209,455
2,050,818
935,886
12,301,221
11,209,920
10,111,018
Nonpublic fund deposits
10,769,929
9,878,990
8,985,941
Public fund deposits
1,531,292
1,330,930
1,125,077
Borrowings
Borrowings, excluding securities sold under agreement to repurchase, at the end of the second quarter of 2021 totaled $6.2 million. This was $81.1 million, or 92.9%, lower than borrowings at December 31, 2020 and $94.6 million, or 93.8%, below the level at the end of the second quarter of 2020. The decrease from the prior year second quarter was primarily due the redemption of the trust preferred subordinated debt held by Community Capital Trust IV (“CCT IV”), an unconsolidated subsidiary trust, during the first quarter of 2021, the redemption of certain subordinated notes payable acquired from the Kinderhook acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2020 and a decrease in other FHLB borrowings. The decrease from the fourth quarter of 2020 was primarily related to the aforementioned redemption of the trust preferred subordinated debt held by CCT IV and a decrease in other FHLB borrowings.
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase, also referred to as customer repurchase agreements, represent collateralized municipal and commercial customer accounts that price and operate similar to a deposit instrument. Customer repurchase agreements were $194.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2021, a decrease of $89.1 million from December 31, 2020 due primarily to the seasonal characteristics of this portfolio, and were $26.4 million above their level at June 30, 2020.
Shareholders’ Equity
Total shareholders’ equity was $2.06 billion at the end of the second quarter, down $43.0 million from the balance at December 31, 2020. The decrease was driven by $110.5 million of other comprehensive loss, net of tax, and dividends declared of $45.2 million, partially offset by net income of $100.8 million, net activity under the Company’s employee stock plan of $8.7 million, and $3.2 million recognized from employee stock options earned. The other comprehensive loss, net of tax, was comprised of a $111.9 million decrease in the after-tax market value adjustment on the available-for-sale investment portfolio as market interest rates increased between the periods, partially offset by a positive $1.4 million adjustment to the funded status of the Company’s retirement plans. Over the past 12 months, total shareholders’ equity decreased $20.2 million, as a decrease in the market value adjustment on investments and dividends declared more than offset net income, the issuance of common stock in association with the employee stock plan and the Company’s benefit plans, and the change in the funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans.
The Company’s Tier 1 leverage ratio, a primary measure of regulatory capital for which 5% is the requirement to be “well-capitalized”, was 9.36% at the end of the second quarter, down 80 basis points from year-end 2020 and 143 basis points below its level one year earlier. The decrease in the Tier 1 leverage ratio in comparison to December 31, 2020 was the result of ending shareholders’ equity, excluding intangibles and other comprehensive income items, decreasing 0.3%, primarily from the redemption of $75.0 million of junior subordinated debt partially offset by net earnings retention, while average assets, excluding intangibles and the market value adjustment on investments, increased 8.2%, primarily due to continued inflows of customer deposits as a result of government stimulus programs. The Tier 1 leverage ratio decreased compared to the prior year’s second quarter as shareholders’ equity, excluding intangibles and other comprehensive income, increased 4.0% primarily due to earnings retention, while average assets excluding intangibles and the market value adjustment on investments, increased 19.9% primarily due to government stimulus-related funding inflows, PPP lending and the acquisition of Steuben. The net tangible equity-to-assets ratio (a non-GAAP measure) of 9.02% decreased 90 basis points from December 31, 2020 and decreased 106 basis points versus June 30, 2020 (See Table 11 for Reconciliation of Quarterly GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures). The decrease in the tangible equity ratio over the past 12 months was primarily driven by a $1.37 billion, or 10.8%, increase in tangible assets due to the aforementioned government stimulus-related funding inflows, as well as a $144.6 million decline in the after-tax market value adjustment on the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities portfolio due to higher market interest rates and changes in the composition of the portfolio.
The dividend payout ratio (dividends declared divided by net income) for the first six months of 2021 was 44.9%, compared to 57.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Dividends declared for the first six months of 2021 increased 4.3% compared to the first six months of 2020, as the Company’s quarterly dividend per share was raised from $0.41 to $0.42 in August 2020, while net income increased 33.7% versus the equivalent year-to-date period due in most part to a significantly lower provision for credit losses. The 2020 dividend increase marked the Company’s 28th consecutive year of increased dividend payouts to common shareholders. Additionally, the number of common shares outstanding increased 0.8% over the last twelve months, primarily related to activity in the Company’s employee stock plans.
Liquidity
Liquidity risk is a measure of the Company’s ability to raise cash when needed at a reasonable cost and minimize any loss. The Company maintains appropriate liquidity levels in both normal operating environments as well as stressed environments. The Company must be capable of meeting all obligations to its customers at any time and, therefore, the active management of its liquidity position remains an important management objective. The Bank has appointed the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) to manage liquidity risk using policy guidelines and limits on indicators of potential liquidity risk. The indicators are monitored using a scorecard with three risk level limits. These risk indicators measure core liquidity and funding needs, capital at risk and change in available funding sources. The risk indicators are monitored using such statistics as the core basic surplus ratio, unencumbered securities to average assets, free loan collateral to average assets, loans to deposits, deposits to total funding and borrowings to total funding ratios.
Given the uncertain nature of the Company’s customers' demands, as well as the Company's desire to take advantage of earnings enhancement opportunities, the Company must have adequate sources of on and off-balance sheet funds available that can be utilized in time of need. Accordingly, in addition to the liquidity provided by balance sheet cash flows, liquidity must be supplemented with additional sources such as credit lines from correspondent banks and borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“Federal Reserve”). Other funding alternatives may also be appropriate from time to time, including wholesale and retail repurchase agreements, large certificates of deposit and the brokered CD market. The primary source of non-deposit funds is FHLB overnight advances, of which there were no outstanding borrowings at June 30, 2021.
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are its liquid assets, as well as unencumbered loans and securities that can be used to collateralize additional funding. At June 30, 2021, the Bank had $2.21 billion of cash and cash equivalents of which $2.02 billion are interest-earning deposits held at the Federal Reserve, FHLB and other correspondent banks. The Company also had $1.64 billion in unused FHLB borrowing capacity based on the Company’s quarter-end loan collateral levels and maintained $249.5 million of funding availability at the Federal Reserve Bank’s discount window. Additionally, the Company has $2.07 billion of unencumbered securities that could be pledged at the FHLB or Federal Reserve to obtain additional funding. There is $25.0 million available in unsecured lines of credit with other correspondent banks at quarter-end.
The Company’s primary approach to measuring short-term liquidity is known as the Basic Surplus/Deficit model. It is used to calculate liquidity over two time periods: first, the amount of cash that could be made available within 30 days (calculated as liquid assets less short-term liabilities as a percentage of average assets); and second, a projection of subsequent cash availability over an additional 60 days. As of June 30, 2021, this ratio was 24.9% for 30-days and 25.2% for 90-days, excluding the Company's capacity to borrow additional funds from the FHLB and other sources. This is considered to be a sufficient amount of liquidity based on the Company’s internal policy requirement of 7.5%.
A sources and uses statement is used by the Company to measure intermediate liquidity risk over the next twelve months. As of June 30, 2021, there is more than enough liquidity available during the next year to cover projected cash outflows. In addition, stress tests on the cash flows are performed in various scenarios ranging from high probability events with a low impact on the liquidity position to low probability events with a high impact on the liquidity position. The results of the stress tests as of June 30, 2021 indicate the Company has sufficient sources of funds for the next year in all simulated stressed scenarios.
To measure longer-term liquidity, a baseline projection of loan and deposit growth for five years is made to reflect how liquidity levels could change over time. This five-year measure reflects ample liquidity for loan and other asset growth over the next five years.
Though remote, the possibility of a funding crisis exists at all financial institutions. Accordingly, management has addressed this issue by formulating a Liquidity Contingency Plan, which has been reviewed and approved by both the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and the Company’s ALCO. The plan addresses the actions that the Company would take in response to both a short-term and long-term funding crisis.
A short-term funding crisis would most likely result from a shock to the financial system, either internal or external, which disrupts orderly short-term funding operations. Such a crisis would likely be temporary in nature and would not involve a change in credit ratings. A long-term funding crisis would most likely be the result of drastic credit deterioration at the Company. Management believes that both potential circumstances have been fully addressed through detailed action plans and the establishment of trigger points for monitoring such events.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains comments or information that constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), which involve significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “anticipate,” “could,” “target,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “forecast,” “believe,” or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Moreover, the Company’s plans, objectives and intentions are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control). Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include: (1) the macroeconomic and other challenges and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, variants of COVID-19, and related vaccine rollout and efficacy, including the negative impacts and disruptions on public health, the Company’s corporate and consumer customers, the communities the Company serves, and the domestic and global economy, which may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business; (2) current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of a decline in housing or vehicle prices, higher unemployment rates, labor shortages, inability to obtain raw materials and supplies, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, and any slowdown in global economic growth; (3) changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), including to the rules under which the PPP is administered, with respect to the origination, servicing, or forgiveness of PPP loans, whether now existing or originated in the future, or the terms and conditions of any guaranteed payments due to the Company from the SBA with respect to PPP loans; (4) the effect of, and changes in, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate and other policy actions of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (5) the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on the Company’s funding costs and net interest margin; (6) future provisions for credit losses on loans and debt securities; (7) changes in nonperforming assets; (8) the effect of a fall in stock market or bond prices on the Company’s fee income businesses, including its employee benefit services, wealth management, and insurance businesses; (9) risks related to credit quality; (10) inflation, interest rate, liquidity, market and monetary fluctuations; (11) the strength of the U.S. economy in general and the strength of the local economies where the Company conducts its business; (12) the timely development of new products and services and customer perception of the overall value thereof (including features, pricing and quality) compared to competing products and services; (13) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; (14) technological changes and implementation and financial risks associated with transitioning to new technology-based systems involving large multi-year contracts; (15) the ability of the Company to maintain the security of its financial, accounting, technology, data processing and other operating systems and facilities; (16) effectiveness of the Company’s risk management processes and procedures, reliance on models which may be inaccurate or misinterpreted, the Company’s ability to manage its credit or interest rate risk, the sufficiency of its allowance for credit losses and the accuracy of the assumptions or estimates used in preparing the Company’s financial statements and disclosures; (17) failure of third parties to provide various services that are important to the Company’s operations; (18) any acquisitions or mergers that might be considered or consummated by the Company and the costs and factors associated therewith, including differences in the actual financial results of the acquisition or merger compared to expectations and the realization of anticipated cost savings and revenue enhancements; (19) the ability to maintain and increase market share and control expenses; (20) the nature, timing and effect of changes in banking regulations or other regulatory or legislative requirements affecting the respective businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, including changes in laws and regulations concerning taxes, accounting, banking, risk management, securities and other aspects of the financial services industry, specifically the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 or those emanating from COVID-19; (21) changes in the Company’s organization, compensation and benefit plans and in the availability of, and compensation levels for, employees in its geographic markets; (22) the outcome of pending or future litigation and government proceedings; (23) other risk factors outlined in the Company’s filings with the SEC from time to time; and (24) the success of the Company at managing the risks of the foregoing.
The foregoing list of important factors is not all-inclusive. For more information about factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations, refer to “Item 1A Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2020. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made. If the Company does update or correct one or more forward-looking statements, investors and others should not conclude that the Company will make additional updates or corrections with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.
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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
Table 11: GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations
Income statement data
Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue
Net income (GAAP)
Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP)
58,022
53,986
117,261
108,999
Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue (non-GAAP)
58,026
57,346
117,268
112,758
Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)
0.26
0.17
0.49
1.14
0.83
2.34
1.77
(0.08)
0.19
(0.19)
0.29
Pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share (non-GAAP)
1.06
1.02
2.15
2.06
0.06
Adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue per share (non-GAAP)
1.08
2.13
Tax effect of acquisition expenses
(1)
(684)
(6)
(753)
Subtotal (non-GAAP)
47,947
37,936
100,819
78,370
Acquisition-related provision for credit losses
Tax effect of acquisition-related provision for credit losses
(649)
40,488
80,922
Tax effect of unrealized (gain) loss on equity securities
Operating net income (non-GAAP)
40,478
100,799
80,936
Amortization of intangibles
Tax effect of amortization of intangibles
(714)
(1,375)
(1,403)
50,443
43,288
106,021
86,724
Acquired non-impaired loan accretion
(1,169)
(1,365)
(2,271)
(2,830)
Tax effect of acquired non-impaired loan accretion
277
475
552
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)
49,544
42,200
104,225
84,446
Return on average assets
Average total assets
Adjusted return on average assets (non-GAAP)
1.35
1.34
1.46
1.41
Return on average equity
Average total equity
Adjusted return on average equity (non-GAAP)
9.93
8.44
10.33
8.68
Earnings per common share
1.48
0.76
1.53
Unrealized (gain)loss on equity securities
Tax effect of unrealized (gain)loss on equity securities
Operating earnings per share (non-GAAP)
0.12
0.14
0.93
0.82
1.94
1.65
(0.04)
(0.06)
Diluted adjusted net earnings per share (non-GAAP)
0.80
1.91
1.60
Noninterest operating expenses
Noninterest expenses (GAAP)
(3,246)
(3,524)
(6,597)
(7,191)
(3,372)
(31)
(3,741)
Total adjusted noninterest expenses (non-GAAP)
Efficiency ratio
Adjusted noninterest expenses (non-GAAP) - numerator
Fully tax-equivalent net interest income
Operating revenues (non-GAAP) - denominator
151,260
144,527
292,800
Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)
Balance sheet data – at end of quarter
Total assets (GAAP)
Intangible assets
(842,672)
(846,648)
(852,761)
Deferred taxes on intangible assets
44,072
44,370
45,094
Total tangible assets (non-GAAP)
14,002,687
13,128,816
12,636,550
Total common equity
Shareholders' Equity (GAAP)
Total tangible common equity (non-GAAP)
1,262,500
1,301,829
1,273,648
Net tangible equity-to-assets ratio at quarter end
Total tangible common equity (non-GAAP) - numerator
Total tangible assets (non-GAAP) - denominator
Net tangible equity-to-assets ratio at quarter end (non-GAAP)
9.02
9.92
10.08
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market rates, prices or credit risk. Credit risk associated with the Company’s loan portfolio has been previously discussed in the asset quality section of the MD&A. Management believes that the tax risk of the Company’s municipal investments associated with potential future changes in statutory, judicial and regulatory actions is minimal. Treasury, agency, mortgage-backed and CMO securities issued by government agencies comprise 88% of the total portfolio and are currently rated AAA by Moody’s Investor Services and AA+ by Standard & Poor’s. Municipal and corporate bonds account for 11% of the total portfolio, of which, 98% carry a minimum rating of A-. The remaining 1% of the portfolio is comprised of other investment grade securities. The Company does not have material foreign currency exchange rate risk exposure. Therefore, almost all the market risk in the investment portfolio is related to interest rates.
The ongoing monitoring and management of both interest rate risk and liquidity, in the short and long term time horizons is an important component of the Company's asset/liability management process, which is governed by limits established in the policies reviewed and approved annually by the Company’s Board. The Board delegates responsibility for carrying out the policies to the ALCO, which meets each month. The committee is made up of the Company's senior management as well as regional and line-of-business managers who oversee specific earning asset classes and various funding sources. As the Company does not believe it is possible to reliably predict future interest rate movements, it has maintained an appropriate process and set of measurement tools, which enables it to identify and quantify sources of interest rate risk in varying rate environments. The primary tool used by the Company in managing interest rate risk is income simulation.
While a wide variety of strategic balance sheet and treasury yield curve scenarios are tested on an ongoing basis, the following reflects the Company's estimated net interest income sensitivity over the subsequent twelve months based on:
Net Interest Income Sensitivity Model
Calculated annualized increase (decrease)
in projected net interest
income at June 30, 2021
Interest rate scenario
+200 basis points
19,014
+100 basis points
9,110
-100 basis points
(2,991)
Projected net interest income (NII) over the 12-month forecast period increases in the rising rate environments largely due to higher rates earned on significant levels of cash equivalents, investment purchases, and assumed higher rates on new loans, including variable and adjustable rate loans. These increases are partially offset by anticipated increases in deposit and borrowing costs. Over the longer time period, the growth in NII continues to improve in both rising rate environments as lower yielding assets mature and are replaced at higher rates.
In the -100 basis points scenario, the Company shows interest rate risk exposure to lower short term rates. During the first twelve months, net interest income declines largely due to lower assumed rates on investment purchases and new loans, including adjustable and variable rate assets. Modestly lower funding costs associated with deposits and borrowings only partially offset the decrease in interest income.
The analysis does not represent a Company forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions: the nature and timing of interest rate levels (including yield curve shape), prepayments on loans and securities, deposit decay rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits, reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows, and other factors. While the assumptions are developed based upon reasonable economic and local market conditions, the Company cannot make any assurances as to the predictive efficacy of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that the ALCO might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a -15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”), designed to ensure information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on management’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, it has concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2021.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company regularly assesses the adequacy of its internal controls over financial reporting. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting in connection with the evaluation referenced in the paragraph above that occurred during the Company’s quarter ended June 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II.Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject in the normal course of business to various pending and threatened legal proceedings in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. As of June 30, 2021, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the aggregate ultimate liability arising out of litigation pending or threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position. On at least a quarterly basis, the Company assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with such legal proceedings. For those matters where it is probable that the Company will incur losses and the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated, the Company records an expense and corresponding liability in its consolidated financial statements. To the extent the pending or threatened litigation could result in exposure in excess of that liability, the amount of such excess is not currently estimable. The range of reasonably possible losses for matters where an exposure is not currently estimable or considered probable, beyond the existing recorded liabilities, is believed to be between $0 and $1 million in the aggregate. Information on current legal proceedings is set forth in Note J to the consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1, including a litigation related accrual for $3.0 million in 2020. Although the Company does not believe that the outcome of pending litigation will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, it cannot rule out the possibility that such outcomes will be material to the consolidated results of operations for a particular reporting period in the future.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There has not been any material change in the risk factors disclosure from that contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table presents stock purchases made during the second quarter of 2021:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Total Number of Shares
Maximum Number of
Purchased as Part of
Shares That May Yet Be
Price Paid
Publicly Announced
Purchased Under the Plans
Period
Purchased
Per Share
Plans or Programs
or Programs
April 1-30, 2021
777
78.00
2,680,000
May 1-31, 2021
June 1-30, 2021
Total (1)
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.Other Information
Item 6.Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
31.1
Certification of Mark E. Tryniski, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (1)
31.2
Certification of Joseph E. Sutaris, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (1)
32.1
Certification of Mark E. Tryniski, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (2)
32.2
Certification of Joseph E. Sutaris, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (2)
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. (1)
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (1)
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (1)
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (1)
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (1)
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (1)
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) (1)
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.
Community Bank System, Inc.
Date: August 9, 2021
/s/ Mark E. Tryniski
Mark E. Tryniski, President and Chief Executive
Officer
/s/ Joseph E. Sutaris
Joseph E. Sutaris, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
63