Flushing Financial Corp
FFIC
#7173
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NZ$0.89 B
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Flushing Financial Corp - 10-Q quarterly report FY2015 Q1


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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 March 31, 2015

Commission file number 001-33013

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

11-3209278
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

220 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, New York 11556
(Address of principal executive offices)

(718) 961-5400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

1979 Marcus Avenue, Suite E140, Lake Success, New York 11042
(Former address of Principal executive offices)


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.       X  Yes    __ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).      X   Yes    __ No

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer __
Non-accelerated filer   __
Accelerated filer     X
Smaller reporting company  __

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).          ___Yes      X   No

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of April 30, 2015 was 29,408,584.

 
 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
PAGE
PART I  —  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
PART II  —  OTHER INFORMATION
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


 
i

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
Item 1.    Financial Statements
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
March 31,
2015
  
December 31,
2014
 
ASSETS
      
Cash and due from banks
 $21,104  $34,265 
Securities available for sale:
        
Mortgage-backed securities (including assets pledged of $470,116 and $464,626 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively; $4,458 and $4,678 at fair value pursuant to the fair value option at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
  717,729   704,933 
Other securities (including assets pledged of $69,372 and $57,562 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively; $28,170 and $27,915 at fair value pursuant to the fair value option at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
  289,955   268,377 
Loans:
        
Multi-family residential
  2,013,249   1,923,460 
Commercial real estate
  687,823   621,569 
One-to-four family ― mixed-use property
  573,927   573,779 
One-to-four family ― residential
  190,366   187,572 
Co-operative apartments
  9,413   9,835 
Construction
  2,828   5,286 
Small Business Administration
  8,005   7,134 
Taxi medallion
  21,346   22,519 
Commercial business and other
  477,823   447,500 
Net unamortized premiums and unearned loan fees
  13,274   11,719 
Allowance for loan losses
  (24,091)  (25,096)
Net loans
  3,973,963   3,785,277 
Interest and dividends receivable
  17,263   17,251 
Bank premises and equipment, net
  30,167   21,868 
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock
  50,488   46,924 
Bank owned life insurance
  113,373   112,656 
Goodwill
  16,127   16,127 
Other assets
  40,326   69,335 
Total assets
 $5,270,495  $5,077,013 
         
LIABILITIES
        
Due to depositors:
        
Non-interest bearing
 $250,084  $255,834 
Interest-bearing:
        
Certificate of deposit accounts
  1,292,721   1,305,823 
Savings accounts
  269,610   261,942 
Money market accounts
  301,587   290,263 
NOW accounts
  1,438,239   1,359,057 
Total interest-bearing deposits
  3,302,157   3,217,085 
Mortgagors' escrow deposits
  53,901   35,679 
Borrowed funds ($28,244 and $28,771 at fair value pursuant to the fair value option at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
  1,019,291   940,492 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
  116,000   116,000 
Other liabilities
  63,176   55,676 
Total liabilities
  4,804,609   4,620,766 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4 & 5)
        
         
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
        
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; None issued)
  -   - 
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 31,530,595 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; 29,407,259 shares and 29,403,823 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
  315   315 
Additional paid-in capital
  208,368   206,437 
Treasury stock, at average cost (2,123,336 shares and 2,126,772 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
  (37,521)  (37,221)
Retained earnings
  293,131   289,623 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
  1,593   (2,907)
Total stockholders' equity
  465,886   456,247 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 $5,270,495  $5,077,013 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
- 1 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
 
  
For the three months
ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2015
  
2014
 
       
Interest and dividend income
      
Interest and fees on loans
 $43,534  $42,120 
Interest and dividends on securities:
        
Interest
  5,870   6,875 
Dividends
  118   189 
Other interest income
  21   27 
Total interest and dividend income
  49,543   49,211 
         
Interest expense
        
Deposits
  7,458   7,718 
Other interest expense
  4,531   5,006 
Total interest expense
  11,989   12,724 
         
Net interest income
  37,554   36,487 
Provision (benefit) for loan losses
  (734)  (1,119)
Net interest income after provision (benefit) for loan losses
  38,288   37,606 
         
Non-interest income
        
Banking services fee income
  884   709 
Net gain on sale of loans
  2   - 
Net loss from fair value adjustments
  (595)  (644)
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock dividends
  518   551 
Bank owned life insurance
  717   776 
Other income
  404   318 
Total non-interest income
  1,930   1,710 
         
Non-interest expense
        
Salaries and employee benefits
  14,666   12,578 
Occupancy and equipment
  2,713   2,035 
Professional services
  1,779   1,210 
FDIC deposit insurance
  749   697 
Data processing
  1,075   1,068 
Depreciation and amortization
  668   715 
Other real estate owned/foreclosure expense
  520   256 
Other operating expenses
  3,769   3,534 
Total non-interest expense
  25,939   22,093 
         
Income before income taxes
  14,279   17,223 
         
Provision for income taxes
        
Federal
  4,252   4,758 
State and local
  1,294   2,169 
Total taxes
  5,546   6,927 
         
Net income
 $8,733  $10,296 
         
         
Basic earnings per common share
 $0.30  $0.34 
Diluted earnings per common share
 $0.30  $0.34 
Dividends per common share
 $0.16  $0.15 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 
- 2 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)


  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
       
       
Comprehensive Income, net of tax
      
Net income
 $8,733  $10,296 
Amortization of actuarial losses
  174   63 
Amortization of prior service credits
  (6)  (3)
Net unrealized gains on securities
  4,332   5,360 
Comprehensive income
 $13,233  $15,716 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
- 3 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
      
Net income
 $8,733  $10,296 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
        
Provision (benefit) for loan losses
  (734)  (1,119)
Depreciation and amortization of bank premises and equipment
  668   715 
Amortization of premium, net of accretion of discount
  2,143   1,821 
Net loss from fair value adjustments
  595   644 
Net gain from sale of loans
  (2)  - 
Income from bank owned life insurance
  (717)  (776)
Stock-based compensation expense
  2,778   2,581 
Deferred compensation
  (1,392)  (1,192)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements
  (318)  (675)
Deferred income tax provision
  1,925   2,925 
Decrease in other liabilities
  (4,403)  (2,748)
Decrease in other assets
  3,336   1,917 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  12,612   14,389 
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
        
Purchases of bank premises and equipment
  (5,229)  (342)
Net (purchases) redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank of New York shares
  (3,564)  1,327 
Purchases of securities available for sale
  (48,962)  (48,277)
Proceeds from sales and calls of securities
  -   1,871 
Proceeds from maturities and prepayments of securities available for sale
  31,019   20,715 
Net (originations) and repayment of loans
  (59,071)  (57,488)
Purchases of loans
  (111,296)  (11,649)
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned
  1,594   1,062 
Proceeds from sale of delinquent loans
  1,522   5,424 
Net cash used in investing activities
  (193,987)  (87,357)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
        
Net increase (decrease) in non-interest bearing deposits
  (5,750)  3,604 
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits
  84,816   98,091 
Net increase in mortgagors' escrow deposits
  18,222   16,072 
Net proceeds (repayments) from short-term borrowed funds
  41,500   (29,500)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
  47,706   - 
Repayment of long-term borrowings
  (10,000)  - 
Purchases of treasury stock
  (3,876)  (1,659)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements
  318   675 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options
  -   343 
Cash dividends paid
  (4,722)  (4,513)
Net cash provided by financing activities
  168,214   83,113 
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  (13,161)  10,145 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
  34,265   33,485 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 $21,104  $43,630 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURE
        
Interest paid
 $11,948  $12,646 
Income taxes paid
  1,596   4,680 
Taxes paid if excess tax benefits were not tax deductible
  1,914   5,355 
Non-cash activities:
        
Securities purchased not yet settled
  9,877   1,000 
Loans transferred to Other Real Estate Owned
  483   115 
Loans provided for the sale of Other Real Estate Owned
  175   308 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
- 4 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
 
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Common Stock
      
Balance, beginning of period
 $315  $315 
No activity
  -   - 
Balance, end of period
 $315  $315 
Additional Paid-In Capital
        
Balance, beginning of period
 $206,437  $201,902 
Award of common shares released from Employee Benefit Trust (136,114 and 126,650 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  1,917   1,929 
Shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock unit awards (59,532 and 1,000 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  160   3 
Issuance upon exercise of stock options (1,100 and 50,215 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  1   122 
Stock-based compensation activity, net
  (465)  (26)
Stock-based income tax benefit
  318   675 
Balance, end of period
 $208,368  $204,605 
Treasury Stock
        
Balance, beginning of period
 $(37,221) $(22,053)
Purchases of outstanding shares (142,315 and 28,120 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  (2,766)  (556)
Shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock unit awards (204,110 and 183,864 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  3,577   2,897 
Issuance upon exercise of stock options (1,100 and 50,215 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  19   797 
Purchases of shares to fund options exercised (998 and 23,003 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  (20)  (478)
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations (58,461 and 53,504 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  (1,110)  (1,103)
Balance, end of period
 $(37,521) $(20,496)
Retained Earnings
        
Balance, beginning of period
 $289,623  $263,743 
Net income
  8,733   10,296 
Cash dividends declared and paid on common shares ($0.16 and $0.15 per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  (4,722)  (4,513)
Issuance upon exercise of stock options (7,140 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2014)
  -   (44)
Shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock unit awards (144,578 and 182,864 common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  (503)  (389)
Balance, end of period
 $293,131  $269,093 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)
        
Balance, beginning of period
 $(2,907) $(11,375)
Change in net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of taxes of approximately ($3,293) and ($4,237) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively
  4,332   5,360 
Amortization of actuarial losses, net of taxes of approximately ($133) and ($112) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively
  174   63 
Amortization of prior service credits, net of taxes of approximately $5 and $8 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively)
  (6)  (3)
Balance, end of period
 $1,593  $(5,955)
         
Total Stockholders' Equity
 $465,886  $447,562 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
- 5 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
1. Basis of Presentation
 
The primary business of Flushing Financial Corporation (the “Holding Company”), a Delaware corporation, is the operation of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Flushing Bank (the “Bank”).
 
The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) include the collective results of the Holding Company and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the Bank, Flushing Preferred Funding Corporation, Flushing Service Corporation, and FSB Properties Inc., which are collectively herein referred to as “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company.”
 
The Holding Company also owns Flushing Financial Capital Trust II, Flushing Financial Capital Trust III, and Flushing Financial Capital Trust IV (the “Trusts”), which are special purpose business trusts. The Trusts are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company would not absorb the losses of the Trusts if any losses were to occur.
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and general practices within the banking industry. The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for such presented periods of the Company.  Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed in this Quarterly Report. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10, Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements.  Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The unaudited consolidated interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
2.  
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to change in the near term are used in connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”), the evaluation of goodwill for impairment, the evaluation of the need for a valuation allowance of the Company’s deferred tax assets, the evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on securities and the valuation of certain financial instruments. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these material estimates.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
3.  
Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the total weighted average number of common shares outstanding, which includes unvested participating securities. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and as such are included in the calculation of earnings per share.  The Company’s unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards are considered participating securities. Therefore, weighted average common shares outstanding used for computing basic earnings per common share includes common shares outstanding plus unvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. The computation of diluted earnings per share includes the additional dilutive effect of stock options outstanding and other common stock equivalents during the period.  Common stock equivalents that are anti-dilutive are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share. The numerator for calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share is net income available to common shareholders. The shares held in the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust are not included in shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per common share.
 
 
- 6 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
Earnings per common share have been computed based on the following:

  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2015
  
2014
 
       
Net income, as reported
 $8,733  $10,296 
Divided by:
        
Weighted average common shares outstanding
  29,397   29,984 
Weighted average common stock equivalents
  22   38 
Total weighted average common shares outstanding and common stock equivalents
  29,419   30,022 
         
Basic earnings per common share
 $0.30  $0.34 
Diluted earnings per common share (1)
 $0.30  $0.34 
Dividend payout ratio
  53.3%  44.1%
 
(1)  
For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no stock options that were anti-dilutive.

4.  
Debt and Equity Securities
 
The Company’s investments in equity securities that have readily determinable fair values and all investments in debt securities are classified in one of the following three categories and accounted for accordingly: (1) trading securities, (2) securities available for sale and (3) securities held-to-maturity.
 
The Company did not hold any trading securities or securities held-to-maturity during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value.
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s portfolio of securities available for sale at March 31, 2015:
 
  
Amortized
Cost
  
Fair Value
  
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Corporate
 $95,785  $95,750  $939  $974 
Municipals
  144,152   148,377   4,258   33 
Mutual funds
  21,278   21,278   -   - 
Other
  24,550   24,550   2   2 
Total other securities
  285,765   289,955   5,199   1,009 
REMIC and CMO
  514,592   521,312   8,857   2,137 
GNMA
  13,359   13,733   455   81 
FNMA
  166,451   168,556   2,786   681 
FHLMC
  13,912   14,128   216   - 
Total mortgage-backed securities
  708,314   717,729   12,314   2,899 
Total securities available for sale
 $994,079  $1,007,684  $17,513  $3,908 
 
 Mortgage-backed securities shown in the table above include three private issue collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) that are collateralized by commercial real estate mortgages with amortized cost and market value of $12.4 million at March 31, 2015.
 
 
- 7 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

The following table shows the Company’s available for sale securities with gross unrealized losses and their fair value aggregated by category and length of time the individual securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015:
 
  
Total
  
Less than 12 months
  
12 months or more
 
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Corporate
 $49,026  $974  $19,389  $611  $29,637  $363 
Municipals
  5,268   33   5,268   33   -   - 
Other
  298   2   -   -   298   2 
Total other securities
  54,592   1,009   24,657   644   29,935   365 
REMIC and CMO
  158,838   2,137   55,749   134   103,089   2,003 
GNMA
  8,099   81   8,099   81   -   - 
FNMA
  62,834   681   29,897   179   32,937   502 
Total mortgage-backed securities
  229,771   2,899   93,745   394   136,026   2,505 
Total securities available for sale
 $284,363  $3,908  $118,402  $1,038  $165,961  $2,870 
 
OTTI losses on impaired securities must be fully recognized in earnings if an investor has the intent to sell the debt security or if it is more likely than not that the investor will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost. However, even if an investor does not expect to sell a debt security, the investor must evaluate the expected cash flows to be received and determine if a credit loss has occurred. In the event that a credit loss has occurred, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss is recognized in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amounts relating to factors other than credit losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) within Stockholders’ Equity.
 
The Company reviewed each investment that had an unrealized loss at March 31, 2015. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an investment is less than its amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses on available for sale securities, that are deemed to be temporary, are recorded in AOCI, net of tax.  Unrealized losses that are considered to be other-than-temporary are split between credit related and noncredit related impairments, with the credit related impairment being recorded as a charge against earnings and the noncredit related impairment being recorded in AOCI, net of tax.
 
Corporate:
The unrealized losses in Corporate securities at March 31, 2015 consist of losses on six Corporate securities. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities’ amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015.
 
Municipal Securities:
The unrealized losses in Municipal securities at March 31, 2015, consist of losses on two municipal securities. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015.
 
 
- 8 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
Other Securities:
The unrealized losses in Other Securities at March 31, 2015, consist of a loss on one single issuer trust preferred security. The unrealized losses on this security were caused by market interest volatility, a significant widening of credit spreads across markets for these securities and illiquidity and uncertainty in the financial markets. This security is currently rated below investment grade. It is not anticipated that this security would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. This security is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell this security and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell this security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the security. Therefore, the Company did not consider this investment to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015.
 
REMIC and CMO:
The unrealized losses in Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) and CMO securities at March 31, 2015 consist of six issues from the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), 10 issues from the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), six issues from Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) and one private issue CMO collateralized by commercial real estate mortgages.
 
The unrealized losses on the REMIC and CMO securities issued by FHLMC, FNMA, GNMA and the one private issue were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities is performing according to its terms, and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements, and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the securities.  Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015.
 
GNMA:
The unrealized losses in GNMA securities at March 31, 2015 consist of a loss on one security. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that this security would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. This security is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell this security and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes would cause the sale of the security. Therefore, the Company did not consider this security to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015.

FNMA:
The unrealized losses in FNMA securities at March 31, 2015 consist of losses on nine securities. The unrealized losses were caused by movements in interest rates. It is not anticipated that these securities would be settled at a price that is less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. Each of these securities is performing according to its terms and, in the opinion of management, will continue to perform according to its terms. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is more likely than not the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of the securities amortized cost basis. This conclusion is based upon considering the Company’s cash and working capital requirements and contractual and regulatory obligations, none of which the Company believes will cause the sale of the securities. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015.
 
 
- 9 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table represents the activity related to the credit loss component recognized in earnings on debt securities held by the Company for which a portion of OTTI was recognized in AOCI for the periods indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
  
2015
  
2014
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Beginning balance
 $-  $3,738 
Recognition of actual losses
  -   - 
OTTI charges due to credit loss recorded in earnings
  -   - 
Securities sold during the period
  -   - 
Securities where there is an intent to sell or requirement to sell
  -   - 
Ending balance
 $-  $3,738 
 
The following table details the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Company’s securities classified as available for sale at March 31, 2015, by contractual maturity. 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.
 
  
Amortized
Cost
  
Fair Value
 
  
(In thousands)
 
       
Due in one year or less
 $37,469  $37,706 
Due after one year through five years
  26,104   26,768 
Due after five years through ten years
  79,662   79,130 
Due after ten years
  142,530   146,351 
Total other securities
  285,765   289,955 
Mortgage-backed securities
  708,314   717,729 
Total securities available for sale
 $994,079  $1,007,684 
 
We did not sell any securities during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 
- 10 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table summarizes the Company’s portfolio of securities available for sale at December 31, 2014:
 
  
Amortized
Cost
  
Fair Value
  
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Corporate
 $90,719  $91,273  $1,268  $714 
Municipals
  145,864   148,896   3,093   61 
Mutual funds
  21,118   21,118   -   - 
Other
  7,098   7,090   -   8 
Total other securities
  264,799   268,377   4,361   783 
REMIC and CMO
  504,207   505,768   6,188   4,627 
GNMA
  13,862   14,159   421   124 
FNMA
  169,956   170,367   2,128   1,717 
FHLMC
  14,505   14,639   142   8 
Total mortgage-backed securities
  702,530   704,933   8,879   6,476 
Total securities available for sale
 $967,329  $973,310  $13,240  $7,259 
 
Mortgage-backed securities shown in the table above include three private issue CMOs that are collateralized by commercial real estate mortgages with an amortized cost and market value of $12.4 million at December 31, 2014.
 
The following table shows the Company’s available for sale securities with gross unrealized losses and their fair value, aggregated by category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2014.
 
  
Total
  
Less than 12 months
  
12 months or more
 
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Corporate
 $39,287  $714  $9,573  $428  $29,714  $286 
Municipals
  8,810   61   3,546   11   5,264   50 
Other
  292   8   -   -   292   8 
Total other securities
  48,389   783   13,119   439   35,270   344 
REMIC and CMO
  216,190   4,627   77,382   399   138,808   4,228 
GNMA
  8,358   124   -   -   8,358   124 
FNMA
  95,148   1,717   -   -   95,148   1,717 
FHLMC
  6,773   8   6,773   8   -   - 
Total mortgage-backed securities
  326,469   6,476   84,155   407   242,314   6,069 
Total securities available for sale
 $374,858  $7,259  $97,274  $846  $277,584  $6,413 
 
5. Loans
 
Loans are reported at their principal outstanding balance net of any unearned income, charge-offs, deferred loan fees and costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Interest on loans is recognized on the accrual basis. The accrual of income on loans is generally discontinued when certain factors, such as contractual delinquency of 90 days or more, indicate reasonable doubt as to the timely collectability of such income. Uncollected interest previously recognized on non-accrual loans is reversed from interest income at the time the loan is placed on non-accrual status. A non-accrual loan can be returned to accrual status when contractual delinquency returns to less than 90 days delinquent. Subsequent cash payments received on non-accrual loans that do not bring the loan to less than 90 days delinquent are recorded on a cash basis. Subsequent cash payments can also be applied first as a reduction of principal until all principal is recovered and then subsequently to interest, if in management’s opinion, it is evident that recovery of all principal due is likely to occur. Loan fees and certain loan origination costs are deferred. Net loan origination costs and premiums or discounts on loans purchased are amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the loans using the level-yield method. Prepayment penalties received on loans which pay in full prior to their scheduled maturity are included in interest income in the period they are collected.
 
 
- 11 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses at an amount, which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment in determining the adequacy of the allowance is based on evaluations of the collectability of loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.  The allowance is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the various components of the loan portfolio and other factors, including historical loan loss experience (which is updated quarterly), current economic conditions, delinquency and non-accrual trends, classified loan levels, risk in the portfolio and volumes and trends in loan types, recent trends in charge-offs, changes in underwriting standards, experience, ability and depth of the Company’s  lenders, collection policies and experience, internal loan review function and other external factors.  The Company segregated its loans into two portfolios based on year of origination. One portfolio was reviewed for loans originated after December 31, 2009 and a second portfolio for loans originated prior to January 1, 2010. Our decision to segregate the portfolio based upon origination dates was based on changes made in our underwriting standards during 2009. By the end of 2009, all loans were being underwritten based on revised and tightened underwriting standards.  Loans originated prior to 2010 have a higher delinquency rate and loss history. Each of the years in the portfolio for loans originated prior to 2010 has a similar delinquency rate. The determination of the amount of the allowance for loan losses includes estimates that are susceptible to significant changes due to changes in appraisal values of collateral, national and local economic conditions and other factors. We review our loan portfolio by separate categories with similar risk and collateral characteristics. Impaired loans are segregated and reviewed separately. All non-accrual loans are classified as impaired loans. The Company’s Board of Directors reviews and approves management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.
 
The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Increases and decreases in the allowance other than charge-offs and recoveries are included in the provision for loan losses. When a loan or a portion of a loan is determined to be uncollectible, the portion deemed uncollectible is charged against the allowance, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
 
The Company recognizes a loan as non-performing when the borrower has demonstrated the inability to bring the loan current, or due to other circumstances which, in management’s opinion, indicate the borrower will be unable to bring the loan current within a reasonable time. All loans classified as non-performing, which includes all loans past due 90 days or more, are classified as non-accrual unless there is, in our opinion, compelling evidence the borrower will bring the loan current in the immediate future. Appraisals are obtained and/or updated internal evaluations are prepared as soon as practical, and before the loan becomes 90 days delinquent. The loan balances of collateral dependent impaired loans are compared to the property’s updated fair value. The Company considers fair value of collateral dependent loans to be 85% of the appraised or internally estimated value of the property. The balance which exceeds fair value is generally charged-off.  The 85% is based on the actual net proceeds the Bank has received from the sale of other real estate owned (“OREO”) as a percentage of OREO’s appraised value.
 
A loan is considered impaired when, based upon current information, the Company believes it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due, both principal and interest, in accordance with the original terms of the loan. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or at the loan’s observable market price or, as a practical expedient, the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Interest income on impaired loans is recorded on the cash basis. The Company’s management considers all non-accrual loans impaired.
 
The Company reviews each impaired loan on an individual basis to determine if either a charge-off or a valuation allowance needs to be allocated to the loan. The Company does not charge-off or allocate a valuation allowance to loans for which management has concluded the current value of the underlying collateral will allow for recovery of the loan balance either through the sale of the loan or by foreclosure and sale of the property.
 
The Company evaluates the underlying collateral through a third party appraisal, or when a third party appraisal is not available, the Company will use an internal evaluation. The internal evaluations are prepared using an income approach or a sales approach. The income approach is used for income producing properties and uses current revenues less operating expenses to determine the net cash flow of the property. Once the net cash flow is determined, the value of the property is calculated using an appropriate capitalization rate for the property. The sales approach uses comparable sales prices in the market.  When an internal evaluation is used, we place greater reliance on the income approach to value the collateral.
 
 
- 12 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
In preparing internal evaluations of property values, the Company seeks to obtain current data on the subject property from various sources, including: (1) the borrower; (2) copies of existing leases; (3) local real estate brokers and appraisers; (4) public records (such as for real estate taxes and water and sewer charges); (5) comparable sales and rental data in the market; (6) an inspection of the property and (7) interviews with tenants. These internal evaluations primarily focus on the income approach and comparable sales data to value the property.
 
As of March 31, 2015, we utilized recent third party appraisals of the collateral to measure impairment for $31.0 million, or 66.4%, of collateral dependent impaired loans, and used internal evaluations of the property’s value for $15.7 million, or 33.6%, of collateral dependent impaired loans.

The Company may restructure a loan to enable a borrower experiencing financial difficulties to continue making payments when it is deemed to be in the Company’s best long-term interest. This restructure may include reducing the interest rate or amount of the monthly payment for a specified period of time, after which the interest rate and repayment terms revert to the original terms of the loan. We classify these loans as Troubled Debt Restructured (“TDR”).
 
These restructurings have not included a reduction of principal balance. The Company believes that restructuring these loans in this manner will allow certain borrowers to become and remain current on their loans. Restructured loans are classified as a TDR when the Bank grants a concession to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulties. All loans classified as TDR are considered impaired, however TDR loans which have been current for six consecutive months at the time they are restructured as TDR remain on accrual status and are not included as part of non-performing loans. Loans which were delinquent at the time they are restructured as a TDR are placed on non-accrual status and reported as non-performing loans until they have made timely payments for six consecutive months. Loans that are restructured as TDR but are not performing in accordance with the restructured terms are placed on non-accrual status and reported as non-performing loans.
 
The allocation of a portion of the allowance for loan losses for a performing TDR loan is based upon the present value of the future expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective rate, or for a non-performing TDR which is collateral dependent, the fair value of the collateral. At March 31, 2015, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans were modified to a TDR. The modification of loans to a TDR did not have a significant effect on our operating results, nor did it require a significant allocation of the allowance for loan losses.
 
The following table shows loans modified and classified as TDR during the period indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Number
  
Balance
 
Modification description
Small Business Administration
  1  $41 
Received a below market
interest rate and the loan
amortization was extended
Total
  1  $41  
 
The Bank did not modify and classify any loans as TDR during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
The recorded investment of the loan modified and classified to a TDR, presented in the table above, was unchanged as there was no principal forgiven in this modification.

 
- 13 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows our recorded investment for loans classified as TDR that are performing according to their restructured terms at the periods indicated:
 
  
March 31, 2015
  
December 31, 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Number
of contracts
  
Recorded
investment
  
Number
of contracts
  
Recorded
investment
 
             
Multi-family residential
  9  $2,669   10  $3,034 
Commercial real estate
  3   2,364   3   2,373 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  7   2,369   7   2,381 
One-to-four family - residential
  1   351   1   354 
Small business administration
  1   41   -   - 
Commercial business and other
  4   2,208   4   2,249 
Total performing troubled debt restructured
  25  $10,002   25  $10,391 
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015 one TDR loan of $0.4 million was transferred to non-performing status, which resulted in this loan being included in non-performing loans.
 
The following table shows our recorded investment for loans classified as TDR that are not performing according to their restructured terms at the periods indicated:
 
  
March 31, 2015
  
December 31, 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Number
of contracts
  
Recorded
investment
  
Number
of contracts
  
Recorded
investment
 
             
Multi-family residential
  1  $359   -  $- 
Commercial real estate
  -   -   1   2,252 
One-to-four family - mixed use property
  1   188   1   187 
Total troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted
  2  $547   2  $2,439 
 
 
- 14 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows our non-performing loans at the periods indicated:
 
(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
  
December 31,
2014
 
Loans ninety days or more past due and still accruing:
      
Multi-family residential
 $-  $676 
Commercial real estate
  753   820 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  195   405 
One-to-four family - residential
  13   14 
Commercial Business and other
  1,932   386 
Total
  2,893   2,301 
         
Non-accrual mortgage loans:
        
Multi-family residential
  6,902   6,878 
Commercial real estate
  3,021   5,689 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  7,224   6,936 
One-to-four family - residential
  11,212   11,244 
Total
  28,359   30,747 
         
Non-accrual non-mortgage loans:
        
Small business administration
  232   - 
Commercial business and other
  1,035   1,143 
Total
  1,267   1,143 
Total non-accrual loans
  29,626   31,890 
Total non-accrual loans and loans ninety days or more past due and still accruing
 $32,519  $34,191 
 
The following is a summary of interest foregone on non-accrual loans and loans classified as TDR for the periods indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
  
2015
  
2014
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Interest income that would have been recognized had the loans performed in accordance with their original terms
 $691  $1,067 
Less: Interest income included in the results of operations
  148   155 
Total foregone interest
 $543  $912 
 
 
- 15 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows an age analysis of our recorded investment in loans at March 31, 2015:
 
(in thousands)
 
30 - 59 Days
ast Due
  
60 - 89 Days
Past Due
  
Greater
than
90 Days
  
Total Past
Due
  
Current
  
Total Loans
 
Multi-family residential
 $8,595  $-  $6,903  $15,498  $1,997,751  $2,013,249 
Commercial real estate
  3,202   -   3,774   6,976   680,847   687,823 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  10,522   -   7,418   17,940   555,987   573,927 
One-to-four family - residential
  1,694   175   11,022   12,891   177,475   190,366 
Co-operative apartments
  -   -   -   -   9,413   9,413 
Construction loans
  -   -   -   -   2,828   2,828 
Small Business Administration
  56   93   232   381   7,624   8,005 
Taxi medallion
  -   -   -   -   21,346   21,346 
Commercial business and other
  4   -   2,688   2,692   475,131   477,823 
Total
 $24,073  $268  $32,037  $56,378  $3,928,402  $3,984,780 
 
 
The following table shows an age analysis of our recorded investment in loans at December 31, 2014:
 
(in thousands)
 
30 - 59 Days
Past Due
  
60 - 89 Days
Past Due
  
Greater
than
90 Days
  
Total Past
Due
  
Current
  
Total Loans
 
Multi-family residential
 $7,721  $1,729  $7,554  $17,004  $1,906,456  $1,923,460 
Commercial real estate
  2,171   1,344   6,510   10,025   611,544   621,569 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  10,408   1,154   7,341   18,903   554,876   573,779 
One-to-four family - residential
  1,751   2,244   11,051   15,046   172,526   187,572 
Co-operative apartments
  -   -   -   -   9,835   9,835 
Construction loans
  3,000   -   -   3,000   2,286   5,286 
Small Business Administration
  90   -   -   90   7,044   7,134 
Taxi medallion
  -   -   -   -   22,519   22,519 
Commercial business and other
  6   1,585   740   2,331   445,169   447,500 
Total
 $25,147  $8,056  $33,196  $66,399  $3,732,255  $3,798,654 
 
 
- 16 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
 
(in thousands)
 
Multi-family
residential
  
Commercial
real estate
  
One-to-four
family -
mixed-use
property
  
One-to-four
family-
residential
  
Co-operative
apartments
  
Construction
loans
  
Small Business
Administration
  
Taxi
Medallion
  
Commercial
business and
other
  
Total
 
                               
Allowance for credit losses:
                              
Beginning balance
 $8,827  $4,202  $5,840  $1,690  $-  $42  $279  $11  $4,205  $25,096 
Charge-offs
  (97)  (18)  (78)  (153)  -   -   -   -   (51)  (397)
Recoveries
  23   72   3   -   -   -   20   -   8   126 
Provision (Benefit)
  (124)  (354)  (336)  (72)  -   (19)  (33)  -   204   (734)
Ending balance
 $8,629  $3,902  $5,429  $1,465  $-  $23  $266  $11  $4,366  $24,091 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 $267  $19  $566  $54  $-  $-  $-  $-  $139  $1,045 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 $8,362  $3,883  $4,863  $1,411  $-  $23  $266  $11  $4,227  $23,046 
                                         
Financing Receivables:
                                        
Ending Balance
 $2,013,249  $687,823  $573,927  $190,366  $9,413  $2,828  $8,005  $21,346  $477,823  $3,984,780 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 $13,743  $6,575  $14,548  $13,954  $-  $-  $359  $-  $8,848  $58,027 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 $1,999,506  $681,248  $559,379  $176,412  $9,413  $2,828  $7,646  $21,346  $468,975  $3,926,753 
 
 
- 17 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
(in thousands)
 
Multi-family
residential
  
Commercial
real estate
  
One-to-four
family -
mixed-use
property
  
One-to-four
family-
residential
  
Co-operative
apartments
  
Construction
loans
  
Small Business
Administration
  
Taxi
Medallion
  
Commercial
business and
other
  
Total
 
                               
Allowance for credit losses:
                              
Beginning balance
 $12,084  $4,959  $6,328  $2,079  $104  $444  $458  $-  $5,320  $31,776 
Charge-offs
  (605)  (47)  (83)  (42)  -   -   -   -   (124)  (901)
Recoveries
  7   382   40   68   7   -   10   -   -   514 
Provision (Benefit)
  (383)  85   857   (161)  (111)  (404)  (77)  14   (939)  (1,119)
Ending balance
 $11,103  $5,379  $7,142  $1,944  $-  40  $391  $14  $4,257  $30,270 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 $304  $210  $617  $57  $-  $9  $-  $-  $218  $1,415 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 $10,799  $5,169  $6,525  $1,887  $-  $31  $391  $14  $4,039  $28,855 
Financing Receivables:
                                        
Ending Balance
 $1,722,764  $509,728  $587,482  $194,611  $9,974  $4,859  $7,628  $24,127  $427,406  $3,488,579 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 $20,898  $19,558  $16,060  $13,941  $-  $1,316  $-  $-  $10,155  $81,928 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
 $1,701,866  $490,170  $571,422  $180,670  $9,974  $3,543  $7,628  $24,127  $417,251  $3,406,651 
 
 
- 18 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows our recorded investment, unpaid principal balance, allocated allowance for loan losses, average recorded investment and interest income recognized for loans that were considered impaired at or for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
 
  
Recorded
Investment
  
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
  
Related
Allowance
  
Average
Recorded
Investment
  
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
  
(In thousands)
 
With no related allowance recorded:
               
Mortgage loans:
               
Multi-family residential
 $11,329  $12,423  $-  $10,905  $56 
Commercial real estate
  6,033   6,173   -   6,567   39 
One-to-four family mixed-use property
  11,471   12,668   -   11,749   57 
One-to-four family residential
  13,603   16,523   -   13,210   25 
Co-operative apartments
  -   -   -   -   - 
Construction
  -   -   -   -   - 
Non-mortgage loans:
                    
Small Business Administration
  318   318   -   159   1 
Taxi Medallion
  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Business and other
  6,242   6,612   -   4,511   69 
Total loans with no related allowance recorded
  48,996   54,717   -   47,101   247 
With an allowance recorded:
                    
Mortgage loans:
                    
Multi-family residential
  2,414   2,414   267   2,597   32 
Commercial real estate
  542   542   19   1,458   7 
One-to-four family mixed-use property
  3,077   3,077   566   3,085   42 
One-to-four family residential
  351   351   54   353   4 
Co-operative apartments
  -   -   -   -   - 
Construction
  -   -   -   -   - 
Non-mortgage loans:
                    
Small Business Administration
  41   41   -   21   1 
Taxi Medallion
  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Business and other
  2,606   2,606   139   2,660   35 
Total loans with an allowance recorded
  9,031   9,031   1,045   10,174   121 
Total Impaired Loans:
                    
Total mortgage loans
 $48,820  $54,171  $906  $49,924  $262 
Total non-mortgage loans
 $9,207  $9,577  $139  $7,351  $106 
 
 
- 19 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows our recorded investment, unpaid principal balance, allocated allowance for loan losses, average recorded investment and interest income recognized for loans that were considered impaired at or for the year ended December 31, 2014:
 
  
Recorded
Investment
  
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
  
Related
Allowance
  
Average
Recorded
Investment
  
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
  
(In thousands)
 
With no related allowance recorded:
               
Mortgage loans:
               
Multi-family residential
 $10,481  $11,551  $-  $14,168  $194 
Commercial real estate
  7,100   7,221   -   11,329   51 
One-to-four family mixed-use property
  12,027   13,381   -   12,852   321 
One-to-four family residential
  12,816   15,709   -   13,015   103 
Co-operative apartments
  -   -   -   -   - 
Construction
  -   -   -   285   - 
Non-mortgage loans:
                    
Small Business Administration
  -   -   -   -   - 
Taxi Medallion
  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Business and other
  2,779   3,149   -   3,428   137 
Total loans with no related allowance recorded
  45,203   51,011   -   55,077   806 
With an allowance recorded:
                    
Mortgage loans:
                    
Multi-family residential
  2,779   2,779   286   2,936   149 
Commercial real estate
  2,373   2,373   21   3,242   167 
One-to-four family mixed-use property
  3,093   3,093   579   3,249   170 
One-to-four family residential
  354   354   54   358   14 
Co-operative apartments
  -   -   -   -   - 
Construction
  -   -   -   187   - 
Non-mortgage loans:
                    
Small Business Administration
  -   -   -   -   - 
Taxi Medallion
  -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial Business and other
  2,713   2,713   154   3,149   115 
Total loans with an allowance recorded
  11,312   11,312   1,094   13,121   615 
Total Impaired Loans:
                    
Total mortgage loans
 $51,023  $56,461  $940  $61,621  $1,169 
Total non-mortgage loans
 $5,492  $5,862  $154  $6,577  $252 
 
In accordance with our policy and the current regulatory guidelines, we designate loans as “Special Mention,” which are considered “Criticized Loans,” and “Substandard,” “Doubtful,” or “Loss,” which are considered “Classified Loans”.  If a loan does not fall within one of the previous mentioned categories then the loan would be considered “Pass.” These loan designations are updated quarterly.  We designate a loan as Substandard when a well-defined weakness is identified that jeopardizes the orderly liquidation of the debt. We designate a loan Doubtful when it displays the inherent weakness of a Substandard loan with the added provision that collection of the debt in full, on the basis of existing facts, is highly improbable. We designate a loan as Loss if it is deemed the debtor is incapable of repayment.  The Company does not hold any loans designated as Loss, as loans that are designated as Loss are charged to the Allowance for Loan Losses. Loans that are non-accrual are designated as Substandard or Doubtful. We designate a loan as Special Mention if the asset does not warrant classification within one of the other classifications, but does contain a potential weakness that deserves closer attention.
 
 
- 20 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table sets forth the recorded investment in loans designated as Criticized or Classified at March 31, 2015:
 
(In thousands)
 
Special Mention
  
Substandard
  
Doubtful
  
Loss
  
Total
 
Multi-family residential
 $3,492  $11,076  $-  $-  $14,568 
Commercial real estate
  3,426   4,211   -   -   7,637 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  4,455   12,179   -   -   16,634 
One-to-four family - residential
  1,560   12,984   -   -   14,544 
Co-operative apartments
  -   618   -   -   618 
Construction loans
  -   -   -   -   - 
Small Business Administration
  294   222   -   -   516 
Commercial business and other
  1,293   7,164   -   -   8,457 
Total loans
 $14,520  $48,454  $-  $-  $62,974 
 
The following table sets forth the recorded investment in loans designated as Criticized or Classified at December 31, 2014:
 
(In thousands)
 
Special Mention
  
Substandard
  
Doubtful
  
Loss
  
Total
 
Multi-family residential
 $6,494  $10,226  $-  $-  $16,720 
Commercial real estate
  5,453   7,100   -   -   12,553 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  5,254   12,499   -   -   17,753 
One-to-four family - residential
  2,352   13,056   -   -   15,408 
Co-operative apartments
  623   -   -   -   623 
Construction loans
  -   -   -   -   - 
Small Business Administration
  479   -   -   -   479 
Commercial business and other
  2,841   3,779   -   -   6,620 
Total loans
 $23,496  $46,660  $-  $-  $70,156 
 
The following table shows the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:
 
  
For the three months
ended March 31
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Balance, beginning of period
 $25,096  $31,776 
Benefit for loan losses
  (734)  (1,119)
Charge-off's
  (397)  (901)
Recoveries
  126   514 
Balance, end of period
 $24,091  $30,270 
 
 
- 21 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows net loan charge-offs for the periods indicated:
 
  
Three Months Ended
 
(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2015
  
March 31,
2014
 
Multi-family residential
 $74  $598 
Commercial real estate
  (54)  (335)
One-to-four family – mixed-use property
  75   43 
One-to-four family – residential
  153   (26)
Co-operative apartments
  -   (7)
Construction
  -   - 
Small Business Administration
  (20)  (10)
Commercial business and other
  43   124 
Total net loan charge-offs
 $271  $387 
 
Commitments to extend credit (principally real estate mortgage loans) and lines of credit (principally home equity lines of credit and business lines of credit) amounted to $62.7 million and $174.5 million, respectively, at March 31, 2015.
 
6.           Loans held for sale
 
Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Bank did not have any loans held for sale.
 
The Company has implemented a strategy of selling certain delinquent and non-performing loans. Once the Company has decided to sell a loan, the sale usually closes in a short period of time, generally within the same quarter.  Loans designated held for sale are reclassified from loans held for investment to loans held for sale. Terms of sale include cash due upon the closing of the sale, no contingencies or recourse to the Company and servicing is released to the buyer.
 
The following table shows delinquent and non-performing loans sold during the period indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31, 2015
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Loans sold
  
Proceeds
  
Net (charge-offs)
recoveries
  
Net gain
 
             
Multi-family residential
  2  $836  $-  $2 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  3   686   -   - 
Total
  5  $1,522  $-  $2 

 
- 22 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table shows delinquent and non-performing loans sold during the period indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31, 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Loans sold
  
Proceeds
  
Net (charge-offs)
recoveries
  
Net gain (loss)
 
Multi-family residential
  4  $1,738  $(146) $- 
Commercial real estate
  2   1,617   295   - 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  6   2,069   38   - 
Total
  12  $5,424  $187  $- 
 
7. Other Real Estate Owned
 
The following are changes in OREO during the periods indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
  
2015
  
2014
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Balance at beginning of period
 $6,326  $2,985 
Acquisitions
  483   115 
Write-down of carrying value
  -   (54)
Sales
  (1,557)  (1,346)
Balance at end of period
 $5,252  $1,700 
 
The following table shows the gross gains, gross losses and write-downs of OREO reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income during the periods indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
  
2015
  
2014
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Gross gains
 $216  $54 
Gross losses
  (6)  (30)
Write-down of carrying value
  -   (54)
Total net (loss) gain
 $210  $(30)
 
We may obtain physical possession of residential real estate collaterizing a consumer mortgage loan via foreclosure on an in-substance repossession.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we did not foreclosure on any consumer mortgages through in-substance repossession.
 
 
- 23 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

8.           Stock-Based Compensation

For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s net income, as reported, includes $2.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation costs and $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of income tax benefits related to the stock-based compensation plans.
 
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Key assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the exercise price of the award, the expected option term, the expected volatility of the Company’s stock price, the risk-free interest rate over the options’ expected term and the annual dividend yield. The Company uses the fair value of the common stock on the date of award to measure compensation cost for restricted stock unit awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the vesting period of the award using the straight line method. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company granted 314,520 and 264,095 restricted stock units, respectively.  There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2014 Omnibus Plan”) became effective on May 20, 2014 after adoption by the Board of Directors and approval by the stockholders. The 2014 Omnibus Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) to grant a variety of equity compensation awards as well as long-term and annual cash incentive awards, all of which can, but need not, be structured so as to comply with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”).  The 2014 Omnibus Plan authorizes the issuance of 1,100,000 shares. To the extent that an award under the 2014 Omnibus Plan is cancelled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash, settled by issuance of fewer shares than the number underlying the award, or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares to a participant in payment of the exercise price or taxes relating to an award, the shares retained by or returned to the Company will be available for future issuance under the 2014 Omnibus Plan. No further awards may be granted under the Company’s 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan, 1996 Stock Option Incentive Plan, and 1996 Restricted Stock Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plans”). At March 31, 2015, there were 783,080 shares available for delivery in connection with awards under the 2014 Omnibus Plan. To satisfy stock option exercises or fund restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, shares are issued from treasury stock, if available; otherwise new shares are issued. The exercise price per share of a stock option grant may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock of the Company, as defined in the Omnibus Plan, on the date of grant and may not be re-priced without the approval of the Company’s stockholders. Options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock based awards granted under the Omnibus Plan are generally subject to a minimum vesting period of three years with stock options having a 10-year maximum contractual term. Other awards do not have a contractual term of expiration. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant awards that vest upon a participant’s retirement. These amounts are included in stock-based compensation expense at the time of the participant’s retirement eligibility.

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards under the 2014 Omnibus Plan and the Prior Plans in the aggregate at or for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
 
  
Shares
  
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at December 31, 2014
  373,154  $16.75 
Granted
  314,520   19.10 
Vested
  (218,220)  17.30 
Forfeited
  (2,900)  17.53 
Non-vested at March 31, 2015
  466,554  $18.07 
Vested but unissued at March 31, 2015
  247,946  $18.14 
 
 
- 24 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
As of March 31, 2015, there was $7.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested full value awards granted under the Omnibus Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.7 years.  The total fair value of awards vested for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $4.1 million.  The vested but unissued RSU awards consist of awards made to employees and directors who are eligible for retirement. According to the terms of these awards, which provide for vesting upon retirement, these employees and directors have no risk of forfeiture.  These shares will be issued at the original contractual vesting and settlement dates. As of March 31, 2015, there is no remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted.

The following table summarizes certain information regarding the stock option awards under the Omnibus Plan and the Prior Plans in the aggregate at or for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
 
  
Shares
  
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
WeightedAverage
Contractual
Remaining
Term
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
$(000) *
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
  154,915  $15.19      
Granted
  -   -      
Exercised
  (1,100)  17.88      
Forfeited
  -   -      
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
  153,815  $15.17 
3.0
 $754 
 
* The intrinsic value of a stock option is the difference between the market value of the underlying stock and the exercise price of the option.
 
Cash proceeds, fair value received, tax benefits, and intrinsic value related to stock options exercised, and the weighted average grant date fair value for options granted, during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are provided in the following table:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Proceeds from stock options exercised
 $-  $343 
Fair value of shares received upon exercised of stock options
  20   478 
Tax benefit related to stock options exercised
  1   69 
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised
  2   212 
 
Phantom Stock Plan: The Company maintains a non-qualified phantom stock plan as a supplement to its profit sharing plan for officers who have achieved the level of Senior Vice President II and above and completed one year of service.  However, all Senior Vice Presidents level III and Vice Presidents who were participants on January 31, 2015 remain eligible to participate in the phantom stock plan.  Awards are made under this plan on certain compensation not eligible for awards made under the profit sharing plan, due to the terms of the profit sharing plan and the Internal Revenue Code. Employees receive awards under this plan proportionate to the amount they would have received under the profit sharing plan, but for limits imposed by the profit sharing plan and the Internal Revenue Code. The awards are made as cash awards, and then converted to common stock equivalents (phantom shares) at the then current market value of the Company’s common stock. Dividends are credited to each employee’s account in the form of additional phantom shares each time the Company pays a dividend on its common stock. In the event of a change of control (as defined in this plan), an employee’s interest is converted to a fixed dollar amount and deemed to be invested in the same manner as his interest in the Bank’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Employees vest under this plan 20% per year for 5 years. Employees also become 100% vested upon a change of control. Employees receive their vested interest in this plan in the form of a cash lump sum payment or installments, as elected by the employee, after termination of employment. The Company adjusts its liability under this plan to the fair value of the shares at the end of each period.
 
 
- 25 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table summarizes the Phantom Stock Plan at or for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
 
Phantom Stock Plan
 
Shares
  
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
  67,113  $20.27 
Granted
  11,156   19.16 
Forfeited
  -   - 
Distributions
  (395)  19.51 
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
  77,874  $20.07 
Vested at March 31, 2015
  77,501  $20.07 
 
The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for the Phantom Stock Plan of $9,000 and $42,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The total fair value of the distributions from the Phantom Stock Plan was $8,000 and $6,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
9.           Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The following table sets forth information regarding the components of net expense for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
 
  
Three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Employee Pension Plan:
      
Interest cost
 $221  $223 
Amortization of unrecognized loss
  291   190 
Expected return on plan assets
  (350)  (336)
Net employee pension expense
 $162  $77 
Outside Director Pension Plan:
        
Service cost
 $11  $13 
Interest cost
  24   29 
Amortization of unrecognized gain
  (14)  (15)
Amortization of past service liability
  10   10 
Net outside director pension expense
 $31  $37 
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans:
        
Service cost
 $95  $90 
Interest cost
  75   63 
Amortization of unrecognized loss
  30   - 
Amortization of past service liability
  (21)  (21)
Net other postretirement expense
 $179  $132 
 
The Company previously disclosed in its Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 that it expects to contribute $0.3 million and $0.2 million to the Outside Director Pension Plan (the “Outside Director Pension Plan”) and the other post retirement benefit plans (the “Other Postretirement Benefit Plans”), respectively,  during the year ending December 31, 2015.  The Company does not expect to make a contribution to the Employee Pension Plan (the “Employee Pension Plan”). As of March 31, 2015, the Company has contributed $40,000 to the Outside Director Pension Plan and $23,000 to the Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has not revised its expected contributions for the year ending December 31, 2015.

 
- 26 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
10.           Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company carries certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value in accordance with GAAP which 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, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  GAAP permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. At March 31, 2015, the Company carried financial assets and financial liabilities under the fair value option with fair values of $32.6 million and $28.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, the Company carried financial assets and financial liabilities under the fair value option with fair values of $32.6 million and $28.8 million, respectively. The Company did not elect to carry any additional financial assets or financial liabilities under the fair value option during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The Company elected to measure at fair value securities with a cost of $5.0 million that were purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company sold financial assets carried under the fair value option totaling $1.9 million.
 
The following table presents the financial assets and financial liabilities reported at fair value under the fair value option, and the changes in fair value included in the Consolidated Statement of Income – Net gain (loss) from fair value adjustments, at or for the periods ended as indicated:
 
  
Fair Value
Measurements
  
Fair Value
Measurements
  
Changes in Fair Values For Items Measured at Fair Value
Pursuant to Election of the Fair Value Option
 
  
at March 31,
  
at December 31,
  
Three Months Ended
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
  
March 31, 2015
  
March 31, 2014
 
Mortgage-backed securities
 $4,458  $4,678  $(8) $48 
Other securities
  28,170   27,915   197   325 
Borrowed funds
  28,244   28,771   524   25 
Net gain from fair value adjustments (1)
         $713  $398 
 
(1)
The net gain from fair value adjustments presented in the above table does not include net losses of $1.3 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, from the change in the fair value of interest rate swaps.
 
Included in the fair value of the financial assets and financial liabilities selected for the fair value option is the accrued interest receivable or payable for the related instrument. The Company reports as interest income or interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income, the interest receivable or payable on the financial instruments selected for the fair value option at their respective contractual rates.
 
The borrowed funds had a contractual principal amount of $61.9 million at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair value of borrowed funds includes accrued interest payable of $0.1 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
The Company generally holds its earning assets, other than securities available for sale, to maturity and settles its liabilities at maturity. However, fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and are based on relevant market information. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular instrument. Accordingly, as assumptions change, such as interest rates and prepayments, fair value estimates change and these amounts may not necessarily be realized in an immediate sale.
 
 
- 27 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
Disclosure of fair value does not require fair value information for items that do not meet the definition of a financial instrument or certain other financial instruments specifically excluded from its requirements. These items include core deposit intangibles and other customer relationships, premises and equipment, leases, income taxes and equity.
 
Further, fair value disclosure does not attempt to value future income or business. These items may be material and accordingly, the fair value information presented does not purport to represent, nor should it be construed to represent, the underlying “market” or franchise value of the Company.
 
Financial assets and financial liabilities reported at fair value are required to be measured based on either: (1) quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments (Level 1); (2) significant other observable inputs (Level 2); or (3) significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
 
A description of the methods and significant assumptions utilized in estimating the fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
 
Level 1 – where quoted market prices are available in an active market. The Company did not value any of its assets or liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis as Level 1 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
Level 2 – when quoted market prices are not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar financial instruments and adjusted for differences between the quoted instrument and the instrument being valued.  Fair value can also be estimated by using pricing models, or discounted cash flows.  Pricing models primarily use market-based or independently sourced market parameters as inputs, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, equity or debt prices and credit spreads.  In addition to observable market information, models also incorporate maturity and cash flow assumptions. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Level 2 included mortgage related securities, corporate debt, certain municipal securities, mutual funds and interest rate swaps.
 
Level 3 – when there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, financial instruments are classified as Level 3. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Level 3 included certain municipal securities and trust preferred securities owned by and junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company.
 
The methods described above may produce fair values that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those of other market participants, the use of different methodologies, assumptions and models to determine fair value of certain financial instruments could produce different estimates of fair value at the reporting date.
 
The following table sets forth the assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis and the method that was used to determine their fair value, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
  
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
  
Total carried at fair value
on a recurring basis
 
  
2015
  
2014
  
2015
  
2014
  
2015
  
2014
  
2015
  
2014
 
  
(In thousands)
 
                         
Assets:
                        
Mortgage-backed
                        
Securities
 $-  $-  $717,729  $704,933  $-  $-  $717,729  $704,933 
Other securities
  -   -   268,302   245,768   21,653   22,609   289,955   268,377 
Interest rate swaps
  -   -   6   84   -   -   6   84 
Total assets
 $-  $-  $986,037  $950,785  $21,653  $22,609  $1,007,690  $973,394 
                                 
Liabilities:
                                
Borrowings
 $-  $-  $-  $-  $28,244  $28,771  $28,244  $28,771 
Interest rate swaps
  -   -   4,118   2,649   -   -   4,118   2,649 
Total liabilities
 $-  $-  $4,118  $2,649  $28,244  $28,771  $32,362  $31,420 
 
 
- 28 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table sets forth the Company's assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis, classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for the period indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31, 2015
 
  
Municipals
  
Trust preferred
securities
  
Junior subordinated
debentures
 
  
(In thousands)
 
          
Beginning balance
 $15,519  $7,090  $28,771 
Purchases
  1,000   -   - 
Principal repayments
  (55)  -   - 
Maturities
  (2,000)  -   - 
Net gain from fair value adjustment of financial assets
  -   94   - 
Net gain from fair value adjustment of financial liabilities
  -   -   (524)
Decrease in accrued interest payable
  -   -   (3)
Change in unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income
  -   5   - 
Ending balance
 $14,464  $7,189  $28,244 
Changes in unrealized held at period end
 $-  $5  $- 
 
The following table sets forth the Company's assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis, classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for the period indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31, 2014
 
  
Municipals
  
Trust preferred
securities
  
Junior subordinated
debentures
 
  
(In thousands)
 
          
Beginning balance
 $9,223  $14,935  $29,570 
Purchases
  2,000   -   - 
Principal repayments
  (1,053)  -   - 
Sales
  -   (1,871)  - 
Net gain from fair value adjustment of financial assets
  -   25   - 
Net loss from fair value adjustment of financial liabilities
  -   -   (25)
Decrease in accrued interest payable
  -   -   (4)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income
  -   (30)  - 
Ending balance
 $10,170  $13,059  $29,541 
Changes in unrealized held at period end
 $-  $(30) $- 
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3.
 
 
- 29 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table presents the quantitative information about recurring Level 3 fair value of financial instruments and the fair value measurements as of March 31, 2015:
 
  
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Weighted Average)
 
  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Assets:
           
            
            
Municipals
 $14,464 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
  0.4%-4.0% (2.5%) 
              
              
Trust Preferred Securities
 $7,189 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
  7.0%-7.1% (7.1%) 
              
Liabilities:
             
              
Junior subordinated debentures
 $28,244 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
  7.0% (7.0%) 
 
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s municipal securities valued under Level 3 is the securities’ effective yield. Significant increases or decreases in the effective yield in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
 
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s trust preferred securities valued under Level 3 is the securities’ effective yield. Significant increases or decreases in the effective yield in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
 
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures under Level 3 is effective yield. Significant increases or decreases in the effective yield in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
 
 
The following table presents the quantitative information about recurring Level 3 fair value of financial instruments and the fair value measurements as of December 31, 2014:
 
  
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Weighted Average)
 
  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Assets:
          
           
Municipals
 $15,519 
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
  0.2%-4.0% (2.3%) 
             
Trust Preferred Securities
 $7,090 
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
  7.0%-7.25% (7.2%) 
             
Liabilities:
            
             
Junior subordinated debentures
 $28,771 
Discounted cash flows
Discount rate
  7.0% (7.0%) 
 
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s municipal securities valued under Level 3 is the securities’ effective yield. Significant increases or decreases in the effective yield in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
 
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s trust preferred securities valued under Level 3 is the securities’ effective yield. Significant increases or decreases in the effective yield in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
 
 
- 30 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures is effective yield. Significant increases or decreases in the effective yield in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
 
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis and the method that was used to determine their fair value, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
 
  
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
  
Total carried at fair value
on a recurring basis
 
  
2015
  
2014
  
2015
  
2014
  
2015
  
2014
  
2015
  
2014
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Assets:
                        
Impaired loans
 $-  $-  $-  $-  $17,632  $22,174  $17,632  $22,174 
Other real estate owned
  -   -   -   -   5,252   6,326   5,252   6,326 
Total assets
 $-  $-  $-  $-  $22,884  $28,500  $22,884  $28,500 
 
The following table presents the quantitative information about non-recurring Level 3 fair value of financial instruments and the fair value measurements as of March 31, 2015:
 
  
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
   Range (Weighted Average) 
  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Assets:
            
             
Impaired loans
 $4,937 
Income approach
 
Capitalization rate
  7.0%
to
8.0% (7.7%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.5%
to
83.7%  (18.1%)  
              
Impaired loans
 $5,552 
Sales approach
 
Adjustment to sales comparison value to reconcile differences between comparable sales
  -50.0%
to
40.0%  (-3.3%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  2.0%
to
97.1% (17.1%)  
              
              
Impaired loans
 $7,143 
Blended income and sales approach
 
Adjustment to sales comparison value to reconcile differences between comparable sales
  -50.0%
to
25.0% (-3.8%)  
       
Capitalization rate
  5.6%
to
11.0%  (7.7%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.9%
to
74.8% (23.6%)  
              
              
Other real estate owned
 $4,768 
Income approach
 
Capitalization rate
  9.0%
to
12.0% (9.1%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.9%
to
4.9% (1.0%)  
              
Other real estate owned
 $94 
Sales approach
 
Adjustment to sales comparison value to reconcile differences between comparable sales
  -41.5%
to
-23.7% (-32.6%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  46.1%
to
46.1%  (46.1%)  
              
              
Other real estate owned
 $390 
Blended income and sales approach
 
Adjustment to sales comparison value to reconcile differences between comparable sales
  -55.0%
to
5.0% (-12.5%)  
       
Capitalization rate
  8.5%
to
9.2% (8.7%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.0%
to
23.9%  (6.8%)  
 
 
- 31 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table presents the quantitative information about non-recurring Level 3 fair value of financial instruments and the fair value measurements as of December 31, 2014:
 
  
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 Range (Weighted Average) 
  
(Dollars in thousands)
  
Assets:
            
             
Impaired loans
 $6,981 
Income approach
 
Capitalization rate
  7.3%
to
8.5% (7.8%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.5%
to
81.7% (21.3%)  
              
Impaired loans
 $6,935 
Sales approach
 
Adjustment to sales comparison value to reconcile differences between comparable sales
  -41.5%
to
40.0% (-2.2%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  1.8%
to
89.4% (20.0%)  
              
              
Impaired loans
 $8,258 
Blended income and sales approach
 
Adjustment to sales comparison value to reconcile differences between comparable sales
  -55.0%
to
25.0%  (-6.1%)  
       
Capitalization rate
  5.8%
to
11.0% (8.0%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.9%
to
74.4% (30.0%)  
              
              
Other real estate owned
 $4,768 
Income approach
 
Capitalization rate
  9.0%
to
12.0% (9.1%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.9%
to
4.9% (1.0%)  
              
Other real estate owned
 $587 
Sales approach
 
Adjustment to sales comparison value to reconcile differences between comparable sales
  -11.9%
to
15.0% (-3.5%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.0%
to
36.9% (9.6%)  
              
              
Other real estate owned
 $971 
Blended income and sales approach
 
Adjustment to sales comparison value to reconcile differences between comparable sales
  -25.0%
to
0.0% (-8.9%)  
       
Capitalization rate
  7.5%
to
8.0% (7.7%)  
       
Loss severity discount
  0.0%
to
6.2% (3.0%)  
 
The Company carries its impaired collateral dependent loans at 85% of the appraised or internally estimated value of the underlying property.
 
The Company did not have any liabilities that were carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
The estimated fair value of each material class of financial instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the related methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value are as follows:
 
Cash and Due from Banks, Overnight Interest-Earning Deposits and Federal Funds Sold:

The fair values of financial instruments that are short-term or reprice frequently and have little or no risk are considered to have a fair value that approximates carrying value (Level 1).
 
FHLB-NY stock:

The fair value is based upon the par value of the stock which equals its carrying value (Level 2).
 
 
- 32 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
Securities Available for Sale:
 
The estimated fair values of securities available for sale are contained in Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices (Level 1 input), where available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities and adjusted for differences between the quoted instrument and the instrument being valued (Level 2 input). When there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, securities are valued using (Level 3 input).
 
Loans held for sale:
 
The fair value of non-performing loans held for sale is estimated through bids received on the loans and, as such, are classified as a Level 3 input.
 
Loans:
 
The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and remaining maturities (Level 3 input).
 
For non-accruing loans, fair value is generally estimated by discounting management’s estimate of future cash flows with a discount rate commensurate with the risk associated with such assets or for collateral dependent loans 85% of the appraised or internally estimated value of the property.(Level 3 input).
 
Due to Depositors:
 
The fair values of demand, passbook savings, NOW, money market deposits and escrow deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting dates (i.e. their carrying value) (Level 1). The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposits are estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities (Level 2 input).
 
Borrowings:
 
The fair value of borrowings are estimated by discounting the contractual cash flows using interest rates in effect for borrowings with similar maturities and collateral requirements (Level 2 input) or using a market-standard model (Level 3 input).
 
Interest Rate Swaps:
 
The estimated fair value of interest rate swaps is based upon broker quotes (Level 2 input).

Other Real Estate Owned:
 
OREO are carried at fair value less selling costs.  The fair value is based on appraised value through a current appraisal, or sometimes through an internal review, additionally adjusted by the estimated costs to sell the property (Level 3 input).
 
Other Financial Instruments:
 
The fair values of commitments to sell, lend or borrow are estimated using the fees currently charged or paid to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle with the counterparties at the reporting date. For fixed-rate loan commitments to sell, lend or borrow, fair values also consider the difference between current levels of interest rates and committed rates (where applicable).
 
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair values of the above financial instruments approximate the recorded amounts of the related fees and were not considered to be material.
 
 
- 33 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of selected financial instruments based on the assumptions described above used by the Company in estimating fair value at March 31, 2015:
 
  
March 31, 2015
 
  
Carrying
Amount
  
Fair
Value
  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
 
  
(in thousands)
 
Assets:
               
Cash and due from banks
 $21,104  $21,104  $21,104  $-  $- 
Mortgage-backed Securities
  717,729   717,729   -   717,729   - 
Other securities
  289,955   289,955   -   268,302   21,653 
Loans
  3,998,054   4,052,578   -   -   4,052,578 
FHLB-NY stock
  50,488   50,488   -   50,488   - 
Interest rate swaps
  6   6   -   6   - 
OREO
  5,252   5,252   -   -   5,252 
Total assets
 $5,082,588  $5,137,112  $21,104  $1,036,525  $4,079,483 
                     
Liabilities:
                    
Deposits
 $3,606,142   3,626,121  $2,313,421  $1,312,700  $- 
Borrowings
  1,135,291   1,151,426   -   1,123,182   28,244 
Interest rate swaps
  4,118   4,118   -   4,118   - 
Total liabilities
 $4,745,551  $4,781,665  $2,313,421  $2,440,000  $28,244 

 
- 34 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table sets forth the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of selected financial instruments based on the assumptions described above used by the Company in estimating fair value at December 31, 2014:
 
  
December 31, 2014
 
  
Carrying
Amount
  
Fair
Value
  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
 
  
(in thousands)
 
Assets:
               
Cash and due from banks
 $34,265  $34,265  $34,265  $-  $- 
Mortgage-backed Securities
  704,933   704,933   -   704,933   - 
Other securities
  268,377   268,377   -   245,768   22,609 
Loans
  3,810,373   3,871,087   -   -   3,871,087 
FHLB-NY stock
  46,924   46,924   -   46,924   - 
Interest rate swaps
  84   84   -   84   - 
OREO
  6,326   6,326   -   -   6,326 
Total assets
 $4,871,282  $4,931,996  $34,265  $997,709  $3,900,022 
                     
Liabilities:
                    
Deposits
 $3,508,598  $3,524,123  $2,202,775  $1,321,348  $- 
Borrowings
  1,056,492   1,070,428   -   1,041,657   28,771 
Interest rate swaps
  2,649   2,649   -   2,649   - 
Total liabilities
 $4,567,739  $4,597,200  $2,202,775  $2,365,654  $28,771 
 
 
11.           Derivative Financial Instruments
 
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s derivative financial instruments consist of interest rate swaps. The Company’s interest rate swaps are used to mitigate the Company’s exposure to rising interest rates on a portion ($18.0 million) of its floating rate junior subordinated debentures that have a contractual value of $61.9 million. Additionally, the Company at times may use interest rate swaps to mitigate the Company’s exposure to rising interest rates on its fixed rate loans.
 
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 derivatives with a combined notional amount of $36.3 million were not designated as hedges. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 derivatives with a combined notional amount of $14.4 million and $14.5 million were designated as fair value hedges. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives not designated as hedges are reflected in “Net gain/loss from fair value adjustments” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivative designated as a fair value hedge which is considered ineffective are reflected in “Net gain/loss from fair value adjustments” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
 
- 35 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s derivative financial instruments at March 31, 2015:
 
  
At or for the three months ended March 31, 2015
 
  
Notional
Amount
  
Net Carrying (1)
Value
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Interest rate saps (non-hedge)
 $36,321  $(3,492)
Interest rate swaps (hedge)
  10,273   (626)
Interest rate swaps (hedge)
  4,110   6 
Total derivatives
 $50,704  $(4,112)
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2014:
 
  
At or for the year ended December 31, 2014
 
  
Notional
Amount
  
Net Carrying
Value (1)
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Interest rate swaps (non-hedge)
 $36,321  $(2,239)
Interest rate swaps (hedge)
  4,131   84 
Interest rate swaps (hedge)
  10,340   (410)
Total derivatives
 $50,792  $(2,565)
 
(1)
Derivatives in a net positive position are recorded as “Other assets” and derivatives in a net negative position are recorded as “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
 
The following table sets forth the effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated:
 
  
For the three months ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Financial Derivatives:
      
Interest rate swaps (non-hedge)
 $(1,254) $(1,014)
Interest rate swaps (hedge)
  (54)  (28)
Net loss (1)
 $(1,308) $(1,042)
 
(1)
Net gains and losses are recorded as part of “Net gain/loss from fair value adjustments” in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
 
- 36 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
12.           Income Taxes

Flushing Financial Corporation files consolidated Federal and combined New York State and New York City income tax returns with its subsidiaries, with the exception of the Company’s trusts, which file separate Federal income tax returns as trusts, and Flushing Preferred Funding Corporation, which files a separate Federal income tax return as a real estate investment trust. Additionally, the Bank files New Jersey State tax returns.
 
Income tax provisions are summarized as follows:
 
  
For the three months
ended March 31,
 
  
2015
  
2014
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Federal:
      
Current
 $2,914  $2,737 
Deferred
  1,338   2,021 
Total federal tax provision
  4,252   4,758 
State and Local:
        
Current
  707   1,266 
Deferred
  587   903 
Total state and local tax provision
  1,294   2,169 
Total income tax provision
 $5,546  $6,927 
 
The effective tax rate was 38.8% and 40.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the prior year being affected by changes in New York State tax code passed on March 31, 2014, which resulted in a reduction in the Company’s deferred tax assets and a corresponding increase in tax expense during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
On April 13, 2015, the Governor of New York signed the New York State 2015 budget, which included changes to the New York City tax code.  The approved budget changes the manner in which the Bank’s tax liability is calculated for New York City. Based on our review of the changes to the New York City tax code, we do not anticipate a significant change to the Company’s tax expense.
 
The effective rates differ from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows:
 
   
For the three months
ended March 31,
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Taxes at federal statutory rate
 $4,998   35.0 % $6,028   35.0 %
Increase (reduction) in taxes resulting from:
                
State and local income tax, net of Federal income tax benefit
  841   5.9   1,410   8.2 
Other
  (293)  (2.1)  (511)  (3.0)
Taxes at effective rate
 $5,546   38.8 % $6,927   40.2 %
 
 
- 37 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset of $27.8 million at March 31, 2015, which is included in “Other assets” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. This represents the anticipated net federal, state and local tax benefits expected to be realized in future years upon the utilization of the underlying tax attributes comprising this balance. The Company has reported taxable income for federal, state, and local tax purposes in each of the past three fiscal years. In management’s opinion, in view of the Company’s previous, current and projected future earnings trend, the probability that some of the Company’s $25.9 million deferred tax liability can be used to offset a portion of the deferred tax asset, as well as certain tax planning strategies, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be fully realized. Accordingly, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary for the deferred tax asset at March 31, 2015.
 
13.           Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
 
The following table sets forth the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
 
  
Unrealized Gains
and (Losses) on
Available for Sale
Securities
  
Defined Benefit
Pension Items
  
Total
 
  
(In thousands)
 
Beginning balance, net of tax
 $3,392  $(6,299) $(2,907)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax
  4,332   0  $4,332 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
  -   168   168 
Net current period other comprehensive income, net of tax
  4,332   168   4,500 
Ending balance, net of tax
 $7,724  $(6,131) $1,593 
 
The following table sets forth significant amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
 
Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income Components
 
Amounts Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
   
Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
(Dollars in thousands)
       
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
      
Actuarial losses
 $(307)(1) 
Other expense
Prior service credits
  11 (1) 
Other expense
   (296)  
Total before tax
   128   
Tax benefit
  $(168)  
Net of tax
 
(1)
These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans”.)
 
 
- 38 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The following table sets forth significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income Components
 
Amounts Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
   
Affected Line Item in the Statement
Where Net Income is Presented
(Dollars in thousands)
       
Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
      
Actuarial losses
 $(175)(1) 
Other expense
Prior service credits
  11 (1) 
Other expense
   (164)  
Total before tax
   104   
Tax benefit
  $(60)  
Net of tax
 
(1) 
These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans”.)
 
14.           Regulatory Capital
 
Under current capital regulations, the Bank is required to comply with four separate capital adequacy standards. As of March 31, 2015, the Bank continues to be categorized as “well-capitalized” under the prompt corrective action regulations and continues to exceed all regulatory capital requirements.
 
Set forth below is a summary of the Bank’s compliance with banking regulatory capital standards.
 
  
March 31, 2015
  
December 31, 2014
 
  
Amount
  
Percent of
Assets
  
Amount
  
Percent of
Assets
 
  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Tier I (leverage) capital:
            
Capital level
 $474,337   9.28 % $472,251   9.63 %
Requirement to be well capitalized
  255,655   5.00   245,254   5.00 
Excess
  218,682   4.28   226,997   4.63 
                 
Common Equity Tier I risk-based capital:
                
Capital level
 $474,337   13.06 %  n/a   n/a 
Requirement to be well capitalized
  236,163   6.50   n/a   n/a 
Excess
  238,174   6.56   n/a   n/a 
                 
Tier 1 risk-based capital:
                
Capital level
 $474,337   13.06 % $472,251   13.87 %
Requirement to be well capitalized
  290,662   8.00   204,345   6.00 
Excess
  183,675   5.06   267,906   7.87 
                 
Total risk-based capital:
                
Capital level
 $498,428   13.72 % $497,347   14.60 %
Requirement to be well capitalized
  363,328   10.00   340,589   10.00 
Excess
  135,100   3.72   156,758   4.60 
 
 
- 39 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
The Holding Company is subject to the same regulatory capital requirements as the Bank. As of March 31, 2015, the Holding Company continues to be categorized as “well-capitalized” under the prompt corrective action regulations and continues to exceed all regulatory capital requirements.

Set forth below is a summary of the Holding Company’s compliance with banking regulatory capital standards.
 
  
March 31, 2015
  
December 31, 2014
 
  
Amount
  
Percent of
Assets
  
Amount
  
Percent of
Assets
 
  
(Dollars in thousands)
 
             
Tier I (leverage) capital:
            
Capital level
 $475,860   9.32 % $471,233   9.62 %
Requirement to be well capitalized
  255,216   5.00   244,960   5.00 
Excess
  220,644   4.32   226,273   4.62 
                 
Common Equity Tier I risk-based capital:
                
Capital level
 $448,564   12.37 %  n/a   n/a 
Requirement to be well capitalized
  235,731   6.50   n/a   n/a 
Excess
  212,833   5.87   n/a   n/a 
                 
Tier 1 risk-based capital:
                
Capital level
 $475,860   13.12 % $471,233   13.87 %
Requirement to be well capitalized
  290,131   8.00   203,878   6.00 
Excess
  185,729   5.12   267,355   7.87 
                 
Total risk-based capital:
                
Capital level
 $499,951   13.79% $496,329   14.61 %
Requirement to be well capitalized
  362,663   10.00   339,797   10.00 
Excess
  137,288   3.79   156,532   4.61 

15.           Subsequent Events

On May 6, 2015, the Bank completed the sale of three buildings for net proceeds totaling $20.3 million in a sale leaseback transaction. A portion of each building currently contains an existing Flushing Bank branch which was leased back as part of the sale. The bank has realized a gain on sale of $12.7 million, of which $6.1 million will be deferred and recognized over the term of the branch leases.

 
- 40 -

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
 
16.           New Authoritative Accounting Pronouncements
 
In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04 to clarify that when an in substance repossession or  foreclosure occurs,  a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction.  ASU 2014- 04 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014.  Adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 which provides new guidance that supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”. The guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
 
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-14 which amends the authoritative accounting guidance under ASC Topic 310 “Receivables.” The amendments require that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the follow conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure; (2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim and (3) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The amendments are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. Entities should adopt the amendments in this Update using either a prospective transition method or a modified retrospective transition method. Adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
 
 
- 41 -

 
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with the more detailed and comprehensive disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, please read this section in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.
 
As used in this Quarterly Report, the words “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” are used to refer to Flushing Financial Corporation and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, Flushing Bank (the “Bank”), Flushing Preferred Funding Corporation, Flushing Service Corporation, and FSB Properties Inc.

Statements contained in this Quarterly Report relating to plans, strategies, objectives, economic performance and trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and in other documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “forecasts,” “potential” or “continue” or similar terms or the negative of these terms. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. We have no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
 
Executive Summary
 
We are a Delaware corporation organized in May 1994. The Bank was organized in 1929 as a New York State-chartered mutual savings bank. In 1994, the Bank converted to a federally chartered mutual savings bank and changed its name from Flushing Savings Bank to Flushing Savings Bank, FSB. The Bank converted from a federally chartered mutual savings bank to a federally chartered stock savings bank on November 21, 1995, at which time Flushing Financial Corporation acquired all of the stock of the Bank. On February 28, 2013, the Bank’s charter was changed to a full-service New York State chartered commercial bank, and its name was changed to Flushing Bank. As a result of the Bank’s change in charter to a full-service New York State chartered commercial bank, the Bank’s primary regulator became the New York State Department of Financial Services (formerly, the New York State Banking Department), and its primary federal regulator became the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). Deposits are insured to the maximum allowable amount by the FDIC. Additionally, the Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank system. The primary business of Flushing Financial Corporation has been the operation of the Bank. The Bank owns three subsidiaries: Flushing Preferred Funding Corporation, Flushing Service Corporation, and FSB Properties Inc. The Bank also operates an internet branch, iGObanking.com®. The activities of Flushing Financial Corporation are primarily funded by dividends, if any, received from the Bank, issuances of junior subordinated debt, and issuances of equity securities. Flushing Financial Corporation’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FFIC.”
 
Our principal business is attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing those deposits together with funds generated from ongoing operations and borrowings, primarily in (1) originations and purchases of multi-family residential loans, commercial business loans, commercial real estate mortgage loans and, to a lesser extent, one-to-four family loans (focusing on mixed-use properties, which are properties that contain both residential dwelling units and commercial units); (2) construction loans, primarily for residential properties; (3) Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans and other small business loans;  (4) mortgage loan surrogates such as mortgage-backed securities; and (5) U.S. government securities, corporate fixed-income securities and other marketable securities. We also originate certain other consumer loans including overdraft lines of credit. Our results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on its interest-earning assets and the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is the result of our interest rate margin, which is the difference between the average yield earned on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, adjusted for the difference in the average balance of interest-earning assets as compared to the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities. We also generate non-interest income from loan fees, service charges on deposit accounts, mortgage servicing fees, and other fees, income earned on Bank Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”), dividends on Federal Home Bank of New York (“FHLB-NY”) stock and net gains and losses on sales of securities and loans. Our operating expenses consist principally of employee compensation and benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, other general and administrative expenses and income tax expense. Our results of operations also can be significantly affected by our periodic provision for loan losses and specific provision for losses on real estate owned.
 
 
42

 
 PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Our strategy is to continue our focus on being an institution serving consumers, businesses, and governmental units in our local markets. In furtherance of this objective, we intend to:
 
 
·
continue our emphasis on the origination of multi-family residential mortgage loans, commercial business loans and commercial real estate mortgage loans;
 
 
·
continue to transition the balance sheet to a more ‘commercial-like’ banking institution;
 
 
·
increase our commitment to the multi-cultural marketplace, with a particular focus on the Asian community in Queens;
 
 
·
maintain asset quality;
 
 
·
manage deposit growth and maintain a low cost of funds through
 
 
§
business banking deposits
 
§
personal accounts,
 
§
municipal deposits through government banking, and
 
§
new customer relationships via iGObanking.com®;
 
 
·
cross sell to lending and deposit customers;
 
 
·
take advantage of market disruptions to attract talent and customers from competitors;
 
 
·
manage interest rate risk and capital: and
 
 
·
manage enterprise-wide risk.
  
There can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively implement this strategy. Our strategy is subject to change by the Board of Directors.
 
Our investment policy, which is approved by the Board of Directors, is designed primarily to manage the interest rate sensitivity of our overall assets and liabilities, to generate a favorable return without incurring undue interest rate risk and credit risk, to complement our lending activities and to provide and maintain liquidity. In establishing our investment strategies, we consider our business and growth strategies, the economic environment, our interest rate risk exposure, our interest rate sensitivity “gap” position, the types of securities to be held and other factors. We classify our investment securities as available for sale.
 
We carry a portion of our financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value and record changes in their fair value through earnings in non-interest income on our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. A description of the financial assets and financial liabilities that are carried at fair value through earnings can be found in Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The Bank continues to maintain conservative underwriting standards that include, among other things, a loan-to-value ratio of 75% or less and a debt coverage ratio of at least 125%. Multi-family residential, commercial real estate and one-to-four family mixed-use property mortgage loans originated during the first quarter of 2015 had an average loan-to-value ratio of 53.3% and an average debt coverage ratio of 193%.
 
The first quarter of 2015 continued the trend of improving credit quality, as we continued to see improvements in non-performing assets.  Non-performing assets were $37.8 million at March 31, 2015, which was a decrease of $2.7 million, or 6.8%, from December 31, 2014. The decrease in non-performing assets and our ability to minimize charge-offs has allowed us to record a benefit of $0.7 million in our reserve for loan losses during the three months ended March 31, 2015, which is the fifth consecutive quarter of recording a benefit. Non-accrual loans decreased $2.3 million, or 7%, during the first quarter to $29.6 million, and are at their lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2008.  During the first quarter of 2015 we sold five delinquent loans with a book value at the time of sale of $1.5 million, realizing $1.5 million upon sale. Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $0.3 million. We continued our practice of obtaining updated appraisals and recording charge-offs based on these current values as opposed to adding to the allowance for loan losses. This process has ensured that we have kept pace with changing values in the real estate market. The average loan-to-value ratio for our non-performing loans collateralized by real estate was 47.4% at March 31, 2015.
 
 
43

 
 PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Net loans increased $188.7 million, or 5.0%, during the first quarter of 2015. Loan originations and purchases for the three months ended March 31, 2015 totaled $306.5 million. The quarter included the purchase of loan participations of $99.9 million and $11.0 million in multi-family real estate mortgages and commercial real estate mortgages, respectively, at a yield of just above 3.00%. We continued our focus on the origination and purchase of multi-family real estate, commercial real estate and commercial business loans as originations of these loan types accounted for 90.3% of the quarter’s originations. We also saw an improvement in the yield on loan originations as the average rate on the origination of multi-family, commercial and mixed-use real estate mortgage loans was 4.07%, 3.70% and 4.47%, respectively, during the first quarter of 2015. This resulted in an average rate of 3.89% for these loan originations during the quarter. Loan applications in process have continued to remain strong, totaling $317.3 million at March 31, 2015 compared to $295.9 million at December 31, 2014.
 
Our net interest margin for the first quarter of 2015 was 3.09%, a decrease of 10 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2014. However, net interest income increased $0.4 million to $37.6 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2014, due to the growth in interest earning assets. Excluding prepayment penalty income and additional interest collected from non-accrual loans, the net interest margin decreased five basis points to 2.94% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 2.99% for the three months ended December 31, 2014.
 
At March 31, 2015, the Bank continues to be well-capitalized under regulatory requirements, with Tier 1 leverage, common equity Tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Total risk-based capital ratios of 9.28%, 13.06%, 13.06% and 13.72%, respectively. The Company is also subject to the same regulatory requirements. At March 31, 2015, the Company’s capital ratios for Tier 1 leverage, common equity Tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Total risk-based capital ratios were 9.32%, 12.37%, 13.12% and 13.79%, respectively.
 
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2015 AND 2014

General.  Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $8.7 million, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 15.2%, compared to $10.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  Diluted earnings per common share were $0.30 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, a decrease of $0.04, or 11.8%, from $0.34 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
Return on average equity decreased to 7.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 9.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Return on average assets decreased to 0.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 0.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
Interest Income.  Total interest and dividend income increased $0.3 million, or 0.7%, to $49.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $49.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in interest income was primarily attributable to an increase of $375.8 million in the average balance of interest-earning assets to $4,861.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $4,485.8 million for the comparable prior year period, partially offset by a decrease of 31 basis points in the yield of interest-earning assets to 4.08% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 4.39% in the comparable prior year period. The 31 basis point decline in the yield of interest-earning assets was primarily due to a 44 basis point reduction in the yield of the loan portfolio to 4.53% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 4.97% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, combined with a 25 basis point decline in the yield on total securities to 2.47% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 2.72% for the comparable prior year period. The yield of interest-earning assets was positively impacted by an increase of $456.4 million in the average balance of total loans, net to $3,847.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $3,391.3 million for the comparable prior year period and a decrease of $69.5 million in the average balance of the lower yielding total securities portfolio to $970.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $1,040.0 million for the comparable prior year period. The 44 basis point decrease in the yield of the loan portfolio was primarily due to the decline in the rates earned on new loan originations, existing loans modifying to lower rates, and higher yielding loans prepaying. Excluding prepayment penalty income, the yield on the total loans, net, decreased 42 basis points to 4.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 4.82% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The 25 basis point decrease in the yield of the securities portfolio was primarily due to the purchase of new securities at lower yields than the existing portfolio.
 
 
44

 
 PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Interest Expense.  Interest expense decreased $0.7 million, or 5.8%, to $12.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $12.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a 16 basis point decrease in interest-bearing liabilities to 1.09% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 1.25% for the comparable prior year period. The 16 basis point decrease in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was primarily attributable to decreases of 44 basis points and 27 basis points in the cost of certificates of deposit and borrowed funds, respectively. The decrease in the cost of certificates of deposit and borrowed funds was primarily due to maturing issuances being replaced at lower rates.  These decreases were partially offset by increases of 11 basis points and 22 basis points in the cost of money market accounts and savings accounts, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from the comparable prior year period. The cost of money market accounts increased primarily due to our shifting Government NOW deposits to a money market product which does not require us to provide collateral. This will allow us to invest our funds in higher yielding assets. The cost of savings accounts increased as we increased the rate we pay on savings accounts on our internet branch to attract additional deposits. Additionally, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities was negatively affected by an increase of $188.0 million and $38.1 million in the average balance of higher costing certificates of deposit and borrowed funds, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2015. However, this was partially offset by an increase of $89.2 million in the average balance of lower costing core deposits during the three months ended March 31, 2015 to $2,022.3 million from $1,933.2 million for the comparable prior year period.
 
Net Interest Income.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, net interest income was $37.6 million, an increase of $1.1 million, or 2.9%, from $36.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in net interest income was primarily attributable to an increase of $375.8 million in the average balance of interest-earning assets to $4,861.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $4,485.8 million for the comparable prior year period, partially offset by a 15 basis point decrease in the net interest spread to 2.99% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 3.14% in the comparable prior year period. The yield on interest-earning assets decreased 31 basis points to 4.08% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 4.39% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 16 basis points to 1.09% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 1.25% for the comparable prior year period. The net interest margin declined 16 basis points to 3.09% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 3.25% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The three months ended March 31, 2015 included $0.6 million in additional interest collected from non-accrual loans compared to $0.3 million recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Excluding this additional interest collected from non-accrual loans, the net interest margin decreased 19 basis points to 3.04% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 3.23% for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  Further excluding prepayment penalty income, the net interest margin decreased 17 basis points to 2.94% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to 3.11% for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
Benefit for Loan Losses.  The benefit for loan losses decreased $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 to a benefit of $0.7 million from a benefit of $1.1 million during the comparable prior year period. The benefit recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily due to the continued improvement in credit conditions and an improvement in the impact of the qualitative factors used in the calculation of the allowance for loan losses. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, non-accrual loans decreased $2.3 million to $29.6 million from $31.9 million at December 31, 2014 and net charge-offs continued to be minimal at $0.3 million, or three basis points of average loans, for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The current average loan-to-value ratio for our non-performing loans collateralized by real estate was 47.4% at March 31, 2015. When we have obtained properties through foreclosure, we have been able to quickly sell the properties at amounts that approximate book value. The Bank continues to maintain conservative underwriting standards. We anticipate that we will continue to see low loss content in our loan portfolio. As a result of the quarterly analysis of the allowance for loans losses, a reduction in the allowance was warranted, and as such, the Company recorded a benefit of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. See “-ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES.”
 
Non-Interest Income.  Non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $1.9 million, an increase of $0.2 million, or 11.8%, from income of $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in non-interest income was primarily due to an increase of $0.2 million in banking services fee income.
 
 
45

 
 PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense was $25.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, an increase of $3.8 million, or 17.4%, from $22.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to an increase of $2.1 million in salaries and benefits primarily due to annual salary increases and increases in staffing in the lending, technology and retail departments, and an increase in restricted stock expense. The first quarter also included an increase of $0.7 million in occupancy and equipment primarily due to an increase of $0.4 million in rent expense associated with the relocation of the Company’s corporate headquarters and $0.2 million for temporary staff for additional security to guard against further ATM fraud losses. We will move to our new corporate headquarters during the second quarter, and begin to realize a reduction in occupancy expense as we leave our current locations. Professional services increased $0.6 million primarily due to an increase of $0.2 million in each of consulting, advertising and legal expenses, and other operating expense increased $0.2 million primarily due to $0.3 million in ATM fraud losses. The efficiency ratio increased to 64.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from 56.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, primarily due to the increased expenses discussed above.
 
Income before Income Taxes.  Income before the provision for income taxes decreased $2.9 million, or 17.1%, to $14.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $17.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 for the reasons discussed above.
 
Provision for Income Taxes.  Income tax expense decreased $1.4 million, or 19.9%, to $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 from $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, primarily due to the decrease in income before income taxes as discussed above. The effective tax rate was 38.8% and 40.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the impact of changes to the New York State tax code passed on March 31, 2014, which resulted in a reduction in the Company’s deferred tax assets and a corresponding increase in tax expense during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION

Assets.  Total assets at March 31, 2015 were $5,270.5 million, an increase of $193.5 million, or 3.8%, from $5,077.0 million at December 31, 2014. Total loans, net increased $188.7 million, or 5.0%, during the three months ended March 31, 2015 to $3,974.0 million from $3,785.3 million at December 31, 2014. Loan originations and purchases were $306.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, an increase of $108.5 million from $198.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we continued to focus on the origination of multi-family residential, commercial real estate and business loans with a full relationship. Loan applications in process have continued to remain strong, totaling $317.3 million at March 31, 2015 compared to $295.9 million at December 31, 2014 and $339.8 million at March 31, 2014.
 
The following table shows loan originations and purchases for the periods indicated:
 
  
For the three months
ended March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Multi-family residential (1)
 $126,746  $57,812 
Commercial real estate (2)
  86,395   13,416 
One-to-four family – mixed-use property
  14,981   9,999 
One-to-four family – residential
  13,103   9,100 
Construction
  542   697 
Small Business Administration
  1,248   353 
Taxi Medallion (3)
  -   11,649 
Commercial business and other
  63,507   94,956 
Total
 $306,522  $197,982 
 
(1)  
Includes purchases of $99.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
(2)  
Includes purchases of $11.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
(3)  
Includes purchases of $11.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

The Bank continues to maintain conservative underwriting standards that include, among other things, a loan-to-value ratio of 75% or less and a debt coverage ratio of at least 125%. Multi-family residential, commercial real estate and one-to-four family mixed-use property mortgage loans originated during the first quarter of 2015 had an average loan-to-value ratio of 53.3% and an average debt coverage ratio of 193%.
 
 
46

 
 PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The Bank’s non-performing assets totaled $37.8 million at March 31, 2015, a decrease of $2.7 million from $40.5 million at December 31, 2014. Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.72% at March 31, 2014 compared to 0.80% at December 31, 2014. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans was 74.1% at March 31, 2015 and 73.4% at December 31, 2014.    See – “TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCUTURED AND NON-PERFORMING ASSETS.”
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, mortgage-backed securities increased $12.8 million, or 1.8%, to $717.7 million from $704.9 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in mortgage-backed securities during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily due to purchases of $30.4 million in mortgage-backed securities at an average yield of 2.52% and an improvement of $7.0 million in the fair value of mortgage-backed securities. These increases were partially offset by principal repayments of $24.0 million during the three months ended March, 31 2015.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, other securities increased $21.6 million, or 8.0%, to $290.0 million from $268.4 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in other securities during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily due to purchases of $28.4 million at an average yield of 2.62% and an improvement in the fair value of other securities totaling $0.8 million, which was partially offset by $7.0 million in maturities. Other securities primarily consist of securities issued by mutual or bond funds that invest in government and government agency securities, municipal bonds and corporate bonds.
 
Liabilities.  Total liabilities were $4,804.6 million at March 31, 2015, an increase of $183.8 million, or 4.0%, from $4,620.8 million at December 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, due to depositors increased $79.3 million, or 2.3%, to $3,552.2 million, as a result of a $92.4 million increase in core deposits, partially offset by a $13.1 million decrease in certificates of deposit. Borrowed funds increased $78.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The increase in core deposits was due to increases of $79.2 million, $11.3 million and $7.7 million in NOW, money market and savings accounts, respectively, partially offset by a decrease of $5.8 million in demand accounts. The increase in borrowed funds was primarily due to the addition of $47.7 million in long-term borrowing at an average cost of 1.29% and a net increase in short-term borrowings totaling $41.5 million at an average cost of 0.33%, partially offset by the maturity of $10.0 million in long-term borrowings at an average cost of 0.63%.
 
Equity. Total stockholders’ equity increased $9.6 million, or 2.1%, to $465.9 million at March 31, 2015 from $456.2 million at December 31, 2014. Stockholders’ equity increased primarily due to net income of $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, an increase in comprehensive income of $4.5 million primarily due to an increase in the fair value of the securities portfolio and an increase in additional paid in capital of $1.9 million due to the issuance of 132,242 shares distributed to the profit sharing plan and defined contribution retirement plan during the recent period. These increases were partially offset by the declaration and payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock of $0.16 per common share totaling $4.7 million and the purchase of 142,315 treasury shares totaling $2.8 million. Book value per common share was $15.84 at March 31, 2015 compared to $15.52 at December 31, 2014.
 
Cash flow.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, funds provided by the Company's operating activities amounted to $12.6 million. These funds combined with $168.2 million provided from financing activities and $34.3 million available at the beginning of the period were utilized to fund net investing activities of $194.0 million. The Company's primary business objective is the origination and purchase of multi-family residential loans, commercial business loans and commercial real estate mortgage loans and to a lesser extent one-to-four family (including mixed-use properties) and SBA loans.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the net total of loan originations and purchases less loan repayments and sales was $168.8 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company also funded $49.0 million in purchases of securities available for sale.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, funds were provided by a net increase in total deposits of $97.3 million and short-term borrowed funds of $41.5 million.  Additionally, funds were provided by $31.0 million in proceeds from maturities, sales, calls and prepayments of securities available for sale and $47.7 million in new long-term borrowings. The Company also used funds of $10.0 million, $4.7 million and $3.9 million for the repayment of long-term borrowed funds, dividend payments and purchases of treasury stock, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
 
 
47

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
INTEREST RATE RISK
 
The Consolidated Statements of Financial Position have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering the changes in fair value of certain investments due to changes in interest rates.  Generally, the fair value of financial investments such as loans and securities fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates.  As a result, increases in interest rates could result in decreases in the fair value of the Company’s interest-earning assets which could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations if such assets were sold, or, in the case of securities classified as available-for-sale, decreases in the Company’s stockholders’ equity, if such securities were retained.
 
The Company manages the mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities on a continuous basis to maximize return and adjust its exposure to interest rate risk. On a quarterly basis, management prepares the “Earnings and Economic Exposure to Changes in Interest Rate” report for review by the Board of Directors, as summarized below.  This report quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and net portfolio value should interest rates go up or down (shocked) 200 basis points, assuming the yield curves of the rate shocks will be parallel to each other. The Company’s regulators currently place focus on the net portfolio value, focusing on a rate shock up or down of 200 basis points.  Net portfolio value is defined as the market value of assets net of the market value of liabilities. The market value of assets and liabilities is determined using a discounted cash flow calculation.  The net portfolio value ratio is the ratio of the net portfolio value to the market value of assets. All changes in income and value are measured as percentage changes from the projected net interest income and net portfolio value at the base interest rate scenario. The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at March 31, 2015.  Various estimates regarding prepayment assumptions are made at each level of rate shock. However, prepayment penalty income is excluded from this analysis. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.  At March 31, 2015, the Company was within the guidelines set forth by the Board of Directors for each interest rate level.
 
The following table presents the Company’s interest rate shock as of March 31, 2015:
 
  
Projected Percentage Change In
    
Change in Interest Rate
 
Net Interest
Income
  
Net Portfolio
Value
  
Net Portfolio
Value Ratio
 
-200 Basis points
  -3.76 %  7.89 %  12.18 %
-100 Basis points
  -0.45   5.94   12.14 
Base interest rate
  -   -   11.75 
+100 Basis points
  -5.41   12.32   10.63 
+200 Basis points
  -11.42   -27.56   9.09 
 
 
AVERAGE BALANCES

Net interest income represents the difference between income on interest-earning assets and expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income depends upon the relative amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rate earned or paid on them. The following table sets forth certain information relating to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and reflects the average yield on assets and average cost of liabilities for the periods indicated.  Such yields and costs are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the periods shown. Average balances are derived from average daily balances. The yields include amortization of fees which are considered adjustments to yields.

 
48

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
    
  
For the three months ended March 31,
  
2015
  
2014
 
  
Average
Balance
  
Interest
  
Yield/
Cost
  
Average
Balance
  
Interest
  
Yield/
Cost
 
Assets
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                  
  Mortgage loans, net (1)
 $3,358,603  $39,440   4.70% $2,990,670  $38,582   5.16
%
  Other loans, net (1)
  489,117   4,094   3.35   400,646   3,538   3.53 
      Total loans, net
  3,847,720   43,534   4.53   3,391,316   42,120   4.97 
Taxable securities:
                        
  Mortgage-backed securities
  702,507   4,381   2.49   769,914   5,390   2.80 
  Other securities
  129,943   720   2.22   143,407   850   2.37 
      Total taxable securities
  832,450   5,101   2.45   913,321   6,240   2.73 
Tax-exempt securities: (2)
                        
  Other securities
  137,987   887   2.57   126,646   824   2.60 
      Total tax-exempt securities
  137,987   887   2.57   126,646   824   2.60 
  Interest-earning deposits and
                        
   federal funds sold
  43,485   21   0.19   54,555   27   0.20 
Total interest-earning assets
  4,861,642   49,543   4.08   4,485,838   49,211   4.39 
Other assets
  271,317           251,801         
      Total assets
 $5,132,959          $4,737,639         
                         
Liabilities and Equity
                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                        
  Deposits:
                        
    Savings accounts
 $266,208   264   0.40  $263,691   119   0.18 
    NOW accounts
  1,451,446   1,550   0.43   1,472,015   1,693   0.46 
    Money market accounts
  304,662   253   0.33   197,454   107   0.22 
    Certificate of deposit accounts
  1,297,766   5,368   1.65   1,109,738   5,786   2.09 
      Total due to depositors
  3,320,082   7,435   0.90   3,042,898   7,705   1.01 
  Mortgagors' escrow accounts
  47,840   23   0.19   43,296   13   0.12 
      Total deposits
  3,367,922   7,458   0.89   3,086,194   7,718   1.00 
Borrowed funds
  1,021,920   4,531   1.77   983,867   5,006   2.04 
      Total interest-bearing liabilities
  4,389,842   11,989   1.09   4,070,061   12,724   1.25 
Non interest-bearing deposits
  233,685           189,688         
Other liabilities
  49,327           37,464         
      Total liabilities
  4,672,854           4,297,213         
Equity
  460,105           440,426         
      Total liabilities and equity
 $5,132,959          $4,737,639         
                         
Net interest income /
                        
  net interest rate spread
     $37,554   2.99
%
     $36,487   3.14%
                         
Net interest-earning assets /
                        
  net interest margin
 $471,800       3.09
%
 $415,777       3.25
%
                         
Ratio of interest-earning assets to
                        
  interest-bearing liabilities
          1.11
X
          1.10
X
 
(1)  
Loan interest income includes loan fee income (which includes net amortization of deferred fees and costs, late charges, and prepayment penalties) of approximately $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(2)  
Interest income on tax-exempt securities does not include the tax benefit of the tax-exempt securities.
 
 
49

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
LOANS

The following table sets forth the Company’s loan originations (including the net effect of refinancing) and the changes in the Company’s portfolio of loans, including purchases, sales and principal reductions for the periods indicated.

   
For the three months ended March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
        
Mortgage Loans
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
At beginning of period
 $3,321,501  $3,028,452 
          
Mortgage loans originated:
        
    Multi-family residential
  26,857   57,812 
    Commercial real estate
  75,427   13,416 
    One-to-four family – mixed-use property
  14,981   9,999 
    One-to-four family – residential
  13,103   9,100 
    Co-operative apartments
  -   - 
    Construction
  542   697 
        Total mortgage loans originated
  130,910   91,024 
          
Mortgage loans purchased:
        
    Multi-family residential
  99,889   - 
    Commercial real estate
  10,968   - 
        Total mortgage loans purchased
  110,857   - 
          
Less:
        
    Principal and other reductions
  84,235   85,749 
    Sales
  1,427   4,309 
          
At end of period
 $3,477,606  $3,029,418 
          
Non-Mortgage Loans
        
          
At beginning of period
 $477,153  $394,556 
          
Other loans originated:
        
    Small Business Administration
  1,248   353 
    Commercial business
  62,538   94,492 
    Other
  530   464 
        Total other loans originated
  64,316   95,309 
          
Other loans purchased:
        
    Taxi medallion
  -   11,649 
    Other
  439   - 
        Total other loans purchased
  439   11,649 
          
Less:
        
    Principal and other reductions
  34,734   42,353 
    Sales
  -   - 
          
At end of period
 $507,174  $459,161 



 
50

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 

TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCUTURED (“TDR”) AND NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

Management continues to adhere to the Bank’s conservative underwriting standards. The majority of the Bank’s non-performing loans are collateralized by residential income producing properties that are occupied, thereby retaining more of their value and reducing the potential loss. The Bank takes a proactive approach to managing delinquent loans, including conducting site examinations and encouraging borrowers to meet with a Bank representative. The Bank has been developing short-term payment plans that enable certain borrowers to bring their loans current. The Bank reviews its delinquencies on a loan by loan basis and continually explores ways to help borrowers meet their obligations and return them back to current status. At times, the Bank may restructure a loan to enable a borrower to continue making payments when it is deemed to be in the best long-term interest of the Bank. This restructure may include making concessions to the borrower that the Bank would not make in the normal course of business, such as reducing the interest rate until the next reset date, extending the amortization period thereby lowering the monthly payments, or changing the loan to interest only payments for a limited time period. At times, certain problem loans have been restructured by combining more than one of these options. The Bank believes that restructuring these loans in this manner will allow certain borrowers to become and remain current on their loans. The Bank classifies these loans as TDR. Loans which have been current for six consecutive months at the time they are restructured as TDR remain on accrual status. Loans which were delinquent at the time they are restructured as a TDR are placed on non-accrual status until they have made timely payments for six consecutive months. Loans that are restructured as TDR but are not performing in accordance with the restructured terms are excluded from the TDR table below, as they are placed on non-accrual status and reported as non-performing loans.
 

 
The following table shows loans classified as TDR that are performing according to their restructured terms at the periods indicated:
 
   
March 31,
  
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Accrual Status:
      
Multi-family residential
 $2,669  $3,034 
Commercial real estate
  2,364   2,373 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  2,369   2,381 
One-to-four family - residential
  351   354 
Small business administration
  41   - 
Commercial business and other
  2,208   2,249 
          
Total performing troubled debt restructured
 $10,002  $10,391 
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015 one TDR loan of $0.4 million was transferred to non-performing status. While this borrower continues to remit monthly payments on the loan, it is still over 90 days past maturity, which results in the loan being included in non-performing loans.
 
Interest income on loans is recognized on the accrual basis. The accrual of income on loans is discontinued when certain factors, such as contractual delinquency of 90 days or more, indicate reasonable doubt as to the timely collectability of such income. Additionally, uncollected interest previously recognized on non-accrual loans is reversed from interest income at the time the loan is placed on non-accrual status. Loans in default 90 days or more, as to their maturity date but not their payments, continue to accrue interest as long as the borrower continues to remit monthly payments.
 

 
51

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 
The following table shows non-performing assets at the periods indicated:
 
   
March 31,
  
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
Loans 90 days or more past due
      
and still accruing:
      
Multi-family residential
 $-  $676 
Commercial real estate
  753   820 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  195   405 
One-to-four family - residential
  13   14 
Commercial business and other
  1,932   386 
Total
  2,893   2,301 
          
Non-accrual loans:
        
Multi-family residential
  6,902   6,878 
Commercial real estate
  3,021   5,689 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  7,224   6,936 
One-to-four family - residential
  11,212   11,244 
Small business administration
  232   - 
Commercial business and other
  1,035   1,143 
Total
  29,626   31,890 
          
Total non-performing loans
  32,519   34,191 
          
Other non-performing assets:
        
Real estate acquired through foreclosure
  5,252   6,326 
Total
  5,252   6,326 
          
Total non-performing assets
 $37,771  $40,517 
 
Included in loans over 90 days past due and still accruing were nine loans totaling $2.9 million, and 10 loans totaling $2.3 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These loans are all past their respective maturity dates and are still remitting payments. The Bank is actively working with these borrowers to extend the maturity of or repay these loans.
 
Included in non-performing loans were two loans totaling $0.5 million and two loans totaling $2.4 million which were restructured as TDR and not performing in accordance with their restructured terms at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
 
The Bank’s non-performing assets totaled $37.8 million at March 31, 2015, a decrease of $2.7 million from $40.5 million at December 31, 2014. Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.72% at March 31, 2015, and 0.80% at December 31, 2014. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to total non-performing loans was 74.1% at March 31, 2015, and 73.4% at December 31, 2014.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 27 loans totaling $8.7 million were added to non-accrual loans, 15 loans totaling $4.2 million were returned to performing status, 11 loans totaling $5.4 million were paid in full, three loans totaling $0.4 million were transferred to other real estate owned, and two loans totaling $0.8 million were sold.
 
 
52

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 

The following table shows our delinquent loans that are less than 90 days past due still accruing interest and considered performing at the periods indicated:
 
   
March 31, 2015
  
December 31, 2014
 
   60 - 89  30 - 59  60 - 89  30 - 59 
   
days
  
days
  
days
  
days
 
   
(In thousands)
 
                  
Multi-family residential
 $-  $8,595  $1,729  $7,721 
Commercial real estate
  -   3,202   1,345   2,171 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  -   10,522   1,153   10,408 
One-to-four family - residential
  175   1,694   2,038   1,751 
Co-operative apartments
  -   -   -   - 
Construction loans
  -   -   -   3,000 
Small Business Administration
  93   56   -   90 
Taxi medallion
  -   -   -   - 
Commercial business and other
  -   4   1,585   6 
Total delinquent loans
 $268  $24,073  $7,850  $25,147 
 

CRITICIZED AND CLASSIFIED ASSETS

 Our policy is to review our assets, focusing primarily on the loan portfolio, OREO and the investment portfolios, to ensure that the credit quality is maintained at the highest levels.  When weaknesses are identified, immediate action is taken to correct the problem through direct contact with the borrower or issuer. We then monitor these assets, and, in accordance with our policy and current regulatory guidelines, we designate them as “Special Mention,” which is considered a “Criticized Asset,” and “Substandard,” “Doubtful,” or “Loss” which are considered “Classified Assets,” as deemed necessary.  These loan designations are updated quarterly. We designate an asset as Substandard when a well-defined weakness is identified that jeopardizes the orderly liquidation of the debt. We designate an asset as Doubtful when it displays the inherent weakness of a Substandard asset with the added provision that collection of the debt in full, on the basis of existing facts, is highly improbable. We designate an asset as Loss if it is deemed the debtor is incapable of repayment.  We do not hold any loans designated as loss, as loans that are designated as Loss are charged to the Allowance for Loan Losses.  Assets that are non-accrual are designated as Substandard or Doubtful. We designate an asset as Special Mention if the asset does not warrant designation within one of the other categories, but does contain a potential weakness that deserves closer attention. Our total Criticized and Classified assets were $68.2 million at March 31, 2015, a decrease of $8.3 million from $76.5 million at December 31, 2014.
 

 
53

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the Bank’s assets designated as Criticized and Classified at March 31, 2015:
 
(In thousands)
 
Special Mention
  
Substandard
  
Doubtful
  
Loss
  
Total
 
                 
Loans:
               
Multi-family residential
 $3,492  $11,076  $-  $-  $14,568 
Commercial real estate
  3,426   4,211   -   -   7,637 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  4,455   12,179   -   -   16,634 
One-to-four family - residential
  1,560   12,984   -   -   14,544 
Co-operative apartments
  -   618   -   -   618 
Construction loans
  -   -   -   -   - 
Small Business Administration
  294   222   -   -   516 
Commercial business and other
  1,293   7,164   -   -   8,457 
Total loans
  14,520   48,454   -   -   62,974 
                      
Other Real Estate Owned
  -   5,252   -   -   5,252 
Total
 $14,520  $53,706  $-  $-  $68,226 

The following table sets forth the Bank's Criticized and Classified assets at December 31, 2014:
    
                 
                 
(In thousands)
 
Special Mention
  
Substandard
  
Doubtful
  
Loss
  
Total
 
                 
Loans:
               
Multi-family residential
 $6,494  $10,226  $-  $-  $16,720 
Commercial real estate
  5,453   7,100   -   -   12,553 
One-to-four family - mixed-use property
  5,254   12,499   -   -   17,753 
One-to-four family - residential
  2,352   13,056   -   -   15,408 
Co-operative apartments
  623   -   -   -   623 
Construction loans
  -   -   -   -   - 
Small Business Administration
  479   -   -   -   479 
Commercial business and other
  2,841   3,779   -   -   6,620 
Total loans
  23,496   46,660   -   -   70,156 
                      
Other Real Estate Owned
  -   6,326   -   -   6,326 
Total
 $23,496  $52,986  $-  $-  $76,482 
 
 
On a quarterly basis all collateral dependent loans that are classified as Substandard or Doubtful are internally reviewed for impairment, based on updated cash flows for income producing properties, or updated independent appraisals.  The loan balances of collateral dependent loans reviewed for impairment are then compared to the loans updated fair value. We consider fair value of collateral dependent loans to be 85% of the appraised or internally estimated value of the property.  The balance which exceeds fair value is generally charged-off against the allowance for loan losses. At March 31, 2015, the current average loan-to-value ratio on our collateral dependent loans reviewed for impairment was 47.4%.

We classify investment securities as Substandard when, based on an internal review, we concluded the securities are below investment grade. There were no securities classified as Substandard at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 
54

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
We have established and maintain on our books an allowance for loan losses that is designed to provide a reserve against estimated losses inherent in our overall loan portfolio. The allowance is established through a provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in the various components of the loan portfolio and other factors, including historical loan loss experience (which is updated quarterly), current economic conditions, delinquency and non-accrual trends, classified loan levels, risk in the portfolio and volumes and trends in loan types, recent trends in charge-offs, changes in underwriting standards, experience, ability and depth of our lenders, collection policies and experience, internal loan review function and other external factors.  The Company segregated its loans into two portfolios based on year of origination. One portfolio was reviewed for loans originated after December 31, 2009 and a second portfolio for loans originated prior to January 1, 2010. Our decision to segregate the portfolio based upon origination dates was based on changes made in our underwriting standards during 2009. By the end of 2009, all loans were being underwritten based on revised and tightened underwriting standards.  Loans originated prior to 2010 have a higher delinquency rate and loss history. Each of the years in the portfolio for loans originated prior to 2010 have a similar delinquency rate. The determination of the amount of the allowance for loan losses includes estimates that are susceptible to significant changes due to changes in appraisal values of collateral, national and local economic conditions and other factors. We review our loan portfolio by separate categories with similar risk and collateral characteristics. Impaired loans are segregated and reviewed separately. All non-accrual loans are classified as impaired. Impaired loans secured by collateral are reviewed based on the fair value of their collateral. For non-collateralized impaired loans, management estimates any recoveries that are anticipated for each loan. In connection with the determination of the allowance, the market value of collateral is generally evaluated by our staff appraiser. On a quarterly basis, the estimated values of impaired collateral dependent loans are internally reviewed, based on updated cash flows for income producing properties, and at times an updated independent appraisal is obtained.  The loan balances of collateral dependent impaired loans are then compared to the property’s updated fair value. We consider fair value of collateral dependent loans to be 85% of the appraised or internally estimated value of the property. The balance which exceeds fair value is generally charged-off. When evaluating a loan for impairment, we do not rely on guarantees, and the amount of impairment, if any, is based on the fair value of the collateral. We do not carry loans at a value in excess of the fair value due to a guarantee from the borrower. Impaired collateral dependent loans that were written down resulted from quarterly reviews or updated appraisals that indicated the properties’ estimated value had declined from when the loan was originated.  The Board of Directors reviews and approves the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis.

In assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loan portfolio by separate categories which have similar risk and collateral characteristics, e.g., multi-family residential, commercial real estate, one-to-four family mixed-use property, one-to-four family residential, co-operative apartment, construction, SBA, commercial business, taxi medallion and consumer loans. General provisions are established against performing loans in our portfolio in amounts deemed prudent based on our qualitative analysis of the factors, including the historical loss experience, delinquency trends and local economic conditions. We incurred total net charge-offs of $0.3 million and $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Non-performing loans totaled $32.5 million and $48.6 million at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Bank’s underwriting standards generally require a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 75% at the time the loan is originated. At March 31, 2015, the average loan-to-value ratio for our non-performing loans collateralized by real estate was 47.4%.  A benefit for loan losses of $0.7 million and $1.1 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Management has concluded, and the Board of Directors has concurred, that at March 31, 2015, the allowance for loan losses was sufficient to absorb losses inherent in our loan portfolio.

 
 
55

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations


The following table sets forth the activity in the Company's allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:
 

   
For the three months ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2015
  
2014
 
        
Balance at beginning of period
 $25,096  $31,776 
          
Provision (benefit) for loan losses
  (734)  (1,119)
          
Loans charged-off:
        
    Multi-family residential
  (97)  (605)
    Commercial real estate
  (18)  (47)
    One-to-four family – mixed-use property
  (78)  (83)
    One-to-four family – residential
  (153)  (42)
    Commercial business and other
  (51)  (124)
        Total loans charged-off
  (397)  (901)
          
Recoveries:
        
    Multi-family residential
  23   7 
    Commercial real estate
  72   382 
    One-to-four family – mixed-use property
  3   40 
    One-to-four family – residential
  -   68 
    Co-operative apartments
  -   7 
    Small Business Administration
  20   10 
    Commercial business and other
  8   - 
        Total recoveries
  126   514 
          
Net charge-offs
  (271)  (387)
          
Balance at end of period
 $24,091  $30,270 
          
Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to
        
   average loans outstanding during the period
  0.03 %  0.05 %
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to gross loans at end of period
  0.60 %  0.87 %
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing
        
   assets at end of period
  63.78 %  60.24 %
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing
        
   loans at end of period
  74.08 %  62.34 %


 
56

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATIOMTION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES


ITEM 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For a discussion of the qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk, see the information under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Interest Rate Risk."

ITEM 4.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2015, the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  During the period covered by this Quarterly Report, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



 
57

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATIOMTION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES

 

ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits.  Management of the Company, after consultation with outside legal counsel, believes that the resolution of these various matters will not result in any material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.


ITEM 2.     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table sets forth information regarding the shares of common stock repurchased by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2015:

            
Maximum
 
         
Total Number of
  
Number of
 
   
Total
     
Shares Purchased
  
Shares That May
 
   
Number
     
as Part of Publicly
  
Yet Be Purchased
 
   
of Shares
  
Average Price
  
Announced Plans
  
Under the Plans
 
Period
 
Purchased
  
Paid per Share
  
or Programs
  
or Programs
 
January 1 to January 31, 2015
  11,000  $18.51   11,000   624,199 
February 1 to February 28, 2015
  45,000   19.29   45,000   579,199 
March 1 to March 31, 2015
  86,315   19.63   86,315   492,884 
     Total
  142,315  $19.44   142,315     

On August 19, 2014, the Company announced the authorization by the Board of Directors of a new common stock repurchase program, which authorizes the purchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 142,315 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average cost of $19.44 per share. At March 31, 2015, 492,884 shares may still be repurchased under the currently authorized stock repurchase program. Stock will be purchased under the current stock repurchase program from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, subject to market conditions. There is no expiration or maximum dollar amount under this authorization.
 
ITEM 3.     DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.     MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.     OTHER INFORMATION

None.
 
58

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATIOMTION



ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS

Exhibit  No. 
Description
     
 
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Flushing Financial Corporation (1)
 
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Flushing Financial Corporation (3)
 
3.3
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Flushing Financial Corporation (6)
 
3.4
Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Flushing Financial Corporation (4)
 
3.5
Certificate of Increase of Shares Designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Flushing Financial Corporation (2)
 
3.6
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Flushing Financial Corporation (7)
 
4.1
Rights Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2006, between Flushing Financial Corporation and Computershare Trust Company N.A., as Rights Agent, which includes the form of Certificate of Increase of Shares Designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as Exhibit A, form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C (5)
 
4.2
Flushing Financial Corporation has outstanding certain long-term debt. None of such debt exceeds ten percent of Flushing Financial Corporation's total assets; therefore, copies of constituent instruments defining the rights of the holders of such debt are not included as exhibits. Copies of instruments with respect to such long-term debt will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
 10.1Amended and Restated Flushing Bank Supplemental Savings Incentive Plan (8)
 
31.1
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith)
 
31.2
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith)
 
32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Executive Officer (furnished herewith)
 
32.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Financial Officer (furnished herewith)
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith)
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith)
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed September 1, 1995, Registration No. 33-96488.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 8-K filed September 27, 2006.
(3) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with Form S-8 filed May 31, 2002.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.
(5) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 8-K filed September 11, 2006.
(6) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(7) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.
(8) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
 
 
59

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATIOMTION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 
 
Flushing Financial Corporation,
 
 
 
   
Dated: May 11, 2015
By: /s/John R. Buran
 
 John R. Buran 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
  
Dated: May 11, 2015
By: /s/David Fry
 
 David Fry 
 
Senior Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
 

 
 
60

 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATIOMTION
FLUSHING FINANCIAL CORPORATION and SUBSIDIARIES
 

Exhibit No.
Description
   
 
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of Flushing Financial Corporation (1)
 
3.2
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Flushing Financial Corporation (3)
 
3.3
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Flushing Financial Corporation (6)
 
3.4
Certificate of Designations of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Flushing Financial Corporation (4)
 
3.5
Certificate of Increase of Shares Designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Flushing Financial Corporation (2)
 
3.6
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Flushing Financial Corporation (7)
 
4.1
Rights Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2006, between Flushing Financial Corporation and Computershare Trust Company N.A., as Rights Agent, which includes the form of Certificate of Increase of Shares Designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as Exhibit A, form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as Exhibit C (5)
 
4.2
Flushing Financial Corporation has outstanding certain long-term debt. None of such debt exceeds ten percent of Flushing Financial Corporation's total assets; therefore, copies of constituent instruments defining the rights of the holders of such debt are not included as exhibits. Copies of instruments with respect to such long-term debt will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
 10.1Amended and Restated Flushing Bank Supplemental Savings Incentive Plan (8)
 
31.1
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith)
 
31.2
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith)
 
32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Executive Officer (furnished herewith)
 
32.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 by the Chief Financial Officer (furnished herewith)
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith)
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith)
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith)
(1) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed September 1, 1995, Registration No. 33-96488.
(2) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 8-K filed September 27, 2006.
(3) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with Form S-8 filed May 31, 2002.
(4) Incorporated by reference to Exhibits filed with Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.
(5) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 8-K filed September 11, 2006.
(6) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(7) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.
(8) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit filed with Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 


 
61