Independent Bank Corporation - 10-Q quarterly report FY2019 Q2

Statements in this report that are not statements of historical fact, including statements that include terms such as ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘forecast,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘project,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘likely,’’ ‘‘optimistic’’ and ‘‘plan’’ and statements about future or projected financial and operating results, plans, projections, objectives, expectations, and intentions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of plans and objectives for future operations, products or services; projections of our future revenue, earnings or other measures of economic performance; forecasts of credit losses and other asset quality trends; statements about our business and growth strategies; and expectations about economic and market conditions and trends. These forward-looking statements express our current expectations, forecasts of future events, or long-term goals. They are based on assumptions, estimates, and forecasts that, although believed to be reasonable, may turn out to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including:

This list provides examples of factors that could affect the results described by forward-looking statements contained in this report, but the list is not intended to be all-inclusive.  The risk factors disclosed in Part I – Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as updated by any new or modified risk factors disclosed in Part II – Item 1A of any subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, include all known risks our management believes could materially affect the results described by forward-looking statements in this report. However, those risks may not be the only risks we face. Our results of operations, cash flows, financial position, and prospects could also be materially and adversely affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us that we currently consider to be immaterial, or that develop after the date of this report. We cannot assure you that our future results will meet expectations. While we believe the forward-looking statements in this report are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or alter any statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

1.   Preparation of Financial Statements

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all the adjustments necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial condition as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, and the results of operations for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.  The results of operations for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.  Our critical accounting policies include the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of capitalized mortgage loan servicing rights.  Refer to our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a disclosure of our accounting policies.

2.  New Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”.  This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income.  This ASU:

We began evaluating this ASU in 2016 and established a company-wide, cross-discipline governance structure, which provides implementation oversight. We continue to test and refine our current expected credit loss models that satisfy the requirements of this ASU. Oversight and testing, as well as efforts to meet expanded disclosure requirements, will extend through the remainder of 2019.  We expect that the allowance related to our loans will increase as it will cover credit losses over the full remaining expected life of the portfolio. We currently intend to estimate losses over approximately a two year forecast period using the Federal Open Market Committee median economic projections (which are typically published in March of each year) as well as considering other economic forecast sources, and then revert to longer term historical loss experience to estimate losses over more extended periods. We currently expect the increase in the allowance for loan losses to be in the range of $9.5 million to $11.5 million, primarily driven by the longer contractual maturities of our mortgage and consumer installment loan segments.  This estimated range is based on our June 30, 2019 loan portfolio and currently available economic forecasts. The mid-point of the range utilizes a two year forecast period and a two year reversion period. This estimated range also includes a qualitative adjustment to the allowance for loan losses. In addition, we currently expect this ASU to increase the allowance for losses related to unfunded loan commitments between $0.5 million and $1.5 million. These estimates are subject to further refinement based on continuing reviews, testing, enhancements and approvals of models, methodologies and judgments. The ultimate impact will depend upon the nature and characteristics of our loan portfolio at the adoption date, the macroeconomic conditions and forecasts at that date, further regulatory or accounting guidance and other management judgments. We currently do not expect to record any allowance for loss on available for sale securities. The ultimate impact will depend upon the nature and characteristics of our securities available for sale (including issuer specific matters) at the adoption date, the macroeconomic conditions and forecasts at that date, and other management judgments.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, ‘‘Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement’’. This new ASU amends disclosure requirements in Topic 820 to eliminate, add and modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. The amended guidance eliminates the requirements to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the entity’s policy for the timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and the entity’s valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amended guidance adds the requirements to disclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of instruments held at the end of the reporting period and for recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements, the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs and how the weighted average was calculated, with certain exceptions. This amended guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2020, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”.  This ASU amends existing guidance related to the accounting for leases. These amendments, among other things, require lessees to account for most leases on the balance sheet while recognizing expense on the income statement in a manner similar to existing guidance.  For lessors the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct finance leases. This amended guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2019 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.  Based on our operating leases that we currently have in place we do not expect a material change in the recognition, measurement and presentation of lease expense or impact on cash flow.  The primary impact was the recognition of certain operating leases on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition which resulted in the recording of right of use (“ROU”) assets and offsetting lease liabilities each totaling approximately $7.7 million at January 1, 2019.  See note #16.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”.  This new ASU amends the hedge accounting model in Topic 815 to enable entities to better portray the economics of their risk management activities in the financial statements and enhance the transparency and understandability of hedge results. The amendments expand an entity’s ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components and reduce complexity in fair value hedges of interest rate risk. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also eases certain documentation and assessment requirements and modifies the accounting for components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.  This amended guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2019, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.

3.  Securities

Securities available for sale consist of the following:

Our investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair values aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual securities have been at a continuous unrealized loss position follows:

Our portfolio of securities available for sale is reviewed quarterly for impairment in value. In performing this review management considers (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (3) the impact of changes in market interest rates on the market value of the security and (4) an assessment of whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. For securities that do not meet the aforementioned recovery criteria, the amount of impairment recognized in earnings is limited to the amount related to credit losses, while impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).

U.S. agency, U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities and U.S. agency commercial mortgage backed securities — at June 30, 2019, we had 22 U.S. agency, 104 U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed and nine U.S. agency commercial mortgage-backed securities whose fair market value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are largely attributed to increases in interest rates since acquisition and widening spreads to Treasury bonds. As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Private label mortgage backed securities — at June 30, 2019, we had 11 of this type of security whose fair value is less than amortized cost. Unrealized losses are primarily due to credit spread widening and increases in interest rates since their acquisition.

Two private label mortgage-backed securities (including two of the three securities discussed further below) were reviewed for other than temporary impairment (‘‘OTTI’’) utilizing a cash flow projection. The cash flow analysis forecasts cash flow from the underlying loans in each transaction and then applies these cash flows to the bonds in the securitization. See further discussion below.

As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no other declines discussed above are deemed to be other than temporary.

Obligations of states and political subdivisions — at June 30, 2019, we had 86 municipal securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are primarily due to wider benchmark pricing spreads and increases in interest rates since acquisition. As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Trust preferred securities — at June 30, 2019, we had two trust preferred securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. Both of our trust preferred securities are single issue securities issued by a trust subsidiary of a bank holding company. The pricing of trust preferred securities has suffered from credit spread widening. One of the securities is rated by a major rating agency as investment grade while the other one is non-rated. The non-rated issue is a relatively small bank and was never rated. The issuer of this non-rated trust preferred security, which had a total amortized cost of $1.0 million and total fair value of $0.94 million as of June 30, 2019, continues to have satisfactory credit metrics and make interest payments. As management does not intend to liquidate this security and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell this security prior to recovery of the unrealized loss, this decline is not deemed to be other than temporary.

We recorded no credit related OTTI charges in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations related to securities available for sale during the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

At June 30, 2019, three private label mortgage-backed securities had credit related OTTI and are summarized as follows:

Each of these securities is receiving principal and interest payments similar to principal reductions in the underlying collateral. All three of these securities have unrealized gains at June 30, 2019. The original amortized cost (current amortized cost excluding cumulative credit related OTTI) for each of these securities has been permanently adjusted downward for previously recorded credit related OTTI. The unrealized loss (based on original amortized cost) for these securities is now less than previously recorded credit related OTTI amounts.

A roll forward of credit losses recognized in earnings on securities available for sale follows:

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale at June 30, 2019, by contractual maturity, follow:

The actual maturity may differ from the contractual maturity because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Gains and losses realized on the sale of securities available for sale are determined using the specific identification method and are recognized on a trade-date basis.  A summary of proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale and gains and losses for the six month periods ending June 30, follows:

Certain preferred stocks which were all sold during the first quarter of 2019 had been classified as equity securities at fair value in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.  During the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 we recognized gains (losses) on these preferred stocks of $0.167 million and $(0.119) million, respectively, that are included in net gains (losses) on securities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Zero and $(0.119) million of these gains (losses) during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively relate to preferred stock still held at each respective period end.

4.  Loans

Our assessment of the allowance for loan losses is based on an evaluation of the loan portfolio, recent and historical loss experience, current economic conditions and other pertinent factors.