Independent Bank Corporation - 10-Q quarterly report FY2014 Q1

Discussions and 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, 2013, 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 that 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.

See notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

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, 2013 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 March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.  The results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, 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 assessment for other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on investment securities,  the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the determination of vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies, the valuation of originated mortgage loan servicing rights and the valuation of deferred tax assets.  Refer to our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a disclosure of our accounting policies.

In July, 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740), Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”.  This ASU amends existing guidance so that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability.  This amended guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2014 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.

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 available-for-sale securities 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 or loss.

U.S. agency, U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities and U.S. agency commercial mortgage backed securities — at March 31, 2014 we had 21 U.S. agency, 33 U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities and seven U.S. agency commercial mortgage-backed whose fair market value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are largely attributed to rises in term interest rates 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 residential mortgage backed securities — at March 31, 2014 we had five of this type of securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. Two of the issues are rated by a major rating agency as investment grade while two are below investment grade and one is split rated. Three of these bonds have impairment in excess of 10% and four of these holdings have been impaired for more than 12 months.

The unrealized losses are largely attributable to credit spread widening on these securities since their acquisition.  The underlying loans within these securities include Jumbo (69%) and Alt A (31%) at March 31, 2014.

All of these securities are receiving principal and interest payments. Most of these transactions are passthrough structures, receiving pro rata principal and interest payments from a dedicated collateral pool for loans that are performing. The nonreceipt of interest cash flows is not expected and thus not presently considered in our discounted cash flow methodology discussed below.

All private label residential mortgage-backed securities are reviewed for 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. The cash flows from the underlying loans consider contractual payment terms (scheduled amortization), prepayments, defaults and severity of loss given default. The analysis uses dynamic assumptions for prepayments, defaults and loss severity. Near term prepayment assumptions are based on recently observed prepayment rates. More weight is given to longer term historic performance (12 months). In some cases, recently observed prepayment rates are lower than historic norms due to a minimal amount of new jumbo loan issuances. This loan market is heavily dependent upon securitization for funding, and new securitization transactions have been minimal. Our model projections anticipate that prepayment rates gradually revert to historical levels. For seasoned ARM transactions, normalized prepayment rates range from 10% to 15% CPR. For fixed rate collateral (one transaction), the prepayment speeds are projected to remain stable.

Default assumptions are largely based on the volume of existing real estate owned, pending foreclosures and severe delinquencies. Other considerations include the quality of loan underwriting, recent default experience, realized loss performance and the volume of less severe delinquencies. Default levels generally are projected to remain elevated or increase for a period of time sufficient to address the level of distressed loans in the transaction. Our projections expect defaults to then decline, generally beginning in year three. Current loss severity assumptions are based on recent observations when meaningful data is available. Loss severity is expected to remain elevated for the next 12 months. Severity is expected to decline after this period due to improving overall economic conditions, improving real estate prices and a reduced inventory of foreclosed properties on the market. Except for three securities discussed in further detail below (all three are currently below investment grade), our cash flow analysis forecasts complete recovery of our cost basis for each reviewed security.

At March 31, 2014 three below investment grade private label residential 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.  Two of these securities have unrealized gains and one has an unrealized loss at March 31, 2014.  Prior to the second quarter of 2013 all three of these securities had an unrealized loss.  The original amortized cost 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 two of these securities is now less than previously recorded credit related OTTI amounts.  The remaining non-credit related unrealized loss in the senior security is attributed to other factors and is reflected in other comprehensive income during those same periods.

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.

Other asset backed — at March 31, 2014 we had 20 other asset backed securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are primarily due to widening discount margins.  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.

Obligations of states and political subdivisions — at March 31, 2014 we had 96 municipal securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost.  The unrealized losses are primarily due to increases in interest rates since the securities 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.

Corporate — at March 31, 2014 we had eight corporate securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are primarily due to credit spread widening.  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 March 31, 2014 we had three trust preferred securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. All 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 over the past several years has suffered from credit spread widening fueled by uncertainty regarding potential losses of financial companies and repricing of risk related to these hybrid capital securities.

One of the three securities is rated by two major rating agencies as investment grade, while one (a Bank of America issuance) is rated below investment grade by two major rating agencies and 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 $0.8 million as of March 31, 2014, continues to have satisfactory credit metrics and make interest payments.

The following table breaks out our trust preferred securities in further detail as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

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.

We recorded no credit related OTTI charges in earnings on securities available for sale during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

A roll forward of credit losses recognized in earnings on securities available for sale for the three month periods ending March 31, follows:

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale at March 31, 2014, 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 three month periods ending March 31, follows:

During 2014 and 2013, our trading securities consisted of various preferred stocks.  During the first three months of 2014 and 2013, we recognized gains on trading securities of $0.112 million and $0.091 million, respectively, that are included in net gains on securities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Both of these amounts relate to gains recognized on trading securities still held at each respective period end.

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

Loans on non-accrual status and past due more than 90 days (“Non-performing Loans”) follow: