SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014 Commission File No. 000-23537
PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Registrant's telephone number (908) 234-0700
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes oNo x.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes xNo o.
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the shares held by unaffiliated stockholders was approximately $240,402,535 on June 30, 2014.
As of March 4, 2015, 15,296,337 shares of no par value Common Stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2015 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III. The Company will file the 2015 Proxy Statement within 120 days of December 31, 2014.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
PART I
The disclosures set forth in this Form 10-K are qualified by Item 1A-Risk Factors and the section captioned “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this report and other cautionary statements set forth elsewhere in this report. The terms “Peapack,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise.
The Corporation
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Holding Company Act”). The Company was organized under the laws of New Jersey in August 1997 by the Board of Directors of Peapack-Gladstone Bank (the “Bank”), its principal subsidiary, to become a holding company for the Bank. The Bank is a state chartered commercial bank founded in 1921 under the laws of the State of New Jersey. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System. The Bank provides innovative private banking services to businesses, non-profits and consumers through its private banking locations in Bedminster, Morristown, Princeton and Teaneck, New Jersey, its wealth management division and its branch network in Somerset, Morris, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Union counties
Our commercial loan customers are business people, including business owners, professionals, retailers, contractors and real estate investors. Most forms of commercial lending are offered, including working capital lines of credit, term loans for fixed asset acquisitions, commercial mortgages, multifamily mortgages and other forms of asset-based financing.
In addition to commercial lending activities, we offer a wide range of consumer banking services, including: checking and savings accounts, money market and interest-bearing checking accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts held in certificates of deposit. We also offer residential and construction mortgages, home equity lines of credit and other second mortgage loans. Automated teller machines are available at 23 locations. Internet banking, including an online bill payment option and mobile phone banking, is available to customers.
Employees
As of December 31, 2014, the Company employed 306 full-time equivalent persons. Management considers relations with employees to be satisfactory.
Peapack-Gladstone Bank’s Private Wealth Management Division
The Bank’s Private Wealth Management Division, is one of the largest New Jersey-based trust and investment businesses with $2.99 billion of assets under administration as of December 31, 2014. It is headquartered in Bedminster, with additional private banking locations in Morristown, Princeton and Teaneck, NJ, as well as at the Bank’s subsidiary, PGB Trust & Investments of Delaware, in Greenville, DE. The Bank’s Private Wealth Management Division is known for its integrity, client service and broad range of fiduciary, investment management and tax services, designed specifically to meet the needs of high net-worth individuals, families, foundations and endowments.
We believe our wealth management business differentiates us from our competition and adds significant value. We intend to grow this business further both in and around our market areas through our Delaware Trust subsidiary; through our existing wealth, loan and depository client base; and through our innovative private banking service model, which utilizes private bankers working together to provide fully integrated client solutions. Throughout the wealth management division and all other business lines, we will continue to provide the unparalleled personalized, high-touch service our valued clients have come to expect.
Our Markets
Our current market is defined as the NY-NJ-PA metropolitan statistical area. Our primary market areas are located in New Jersey and New York City, among the most attractive banking markets in the United States, each with a total population exceeding 8.5 million and a median household income of $71,629 for New Jersey and $58,003 for New York City as of 2009-2013, above the U.S. median household income of $53,053 as of 2009-2013, according to estimates from the United States Census Bureau. Somerset County, where we are headquartered, is among one of the wealthiest in New Jersey, with a 2009-2013 median household income of $99,020 according to estimates from the United States Census Bureau. We believe that these markets have economic and competitive dynamics that are consistent with our objectives and favorable to executing our growth strategy.
Our Business Strategy
The key elements of our business strategy include:
In particular, we intend to focus on the following areas of our business:
· Commercial Lending. We have been helping businesses emerge, expand and evolve for many years. We plan to continue this by moving more aggressively and growing our multifamily and other commercial real estate lending businesses. We have introduced a more comprehensive C&I lending program designed to service individuals, professional service firms, foundations, and privately owned businesses. This C&I lending program, similar to our wealth management business, has been fully integrated into our private banking platform. Private bankers focus holistically on C&I lending, wealth advisory and deposit solutions to provide a high-touch, “white-glove” client service.
· Retail Banking – Deposits. We see a lot of opportunity for growth in our core markets. We continued with the concept of high-touch relationship-style banking, which we introduced in 2013, to support the affluent segment of our branch network. Much like the private banking service model, this team has intimate knowledge of all Bank products and services and serves as the primary contact for clients seeking wealth, lending and deposit solutions. The structure of this team enables our existing branch network to maintain its primary objective of providing unique and unparalleled client service. Additionally, our private banking platform has and we believe it will continue to contribute significantly to our retail deposit growth, not only through stand-alone deposit relationships, but through comprehensive new relationships associated with C&I lending.
· Wealth Management. We have been in the wealth management business since 1972. The business adds significant value to our Company and differentiates us from many of our competitors. Conversations with all clients and potential clients across all lines of business include a wealth management discussion. The market value of the assets under administration of the wealth management division was $2.99 billion at December 31, 2014.
Governmental Policies and Legislation
The banking industry is highly regulated. Statutory and regulatory controls increase a bank holding company’s cost of doing business and limit the options of its management to deploy assets and maximize income. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the operations and taxation of banks, bank holding companies and other financial institutions are frequently made in Congress, in state legislatures and before various bank regulatory agencies. The likelihood of any major changes and the impact such changes might have on the Company or the Bank is impossible to predict. The following discussion is not intended to be a complete list of all the activities regulated by the banking laws or of the impact of such laws and regulations on the Bank. It is intended only to briefly summarize some material provisions.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law on July 21, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly changed the bank regulatory landscape and has impacted and will continue to impact the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.
Generally, the Dodd-Frank Act was effective the day after it was signed into law, but different effective dates apply to specific sections of the law. The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things:
The CFPB took over responsibility over the principal federal consumer protection laws, such as the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Saving Act, among others, on July 21, 2011. Institutions that have assets of $10 billion or less, such as the Bank, will continue to be supervised in this area by their primary federal regulators (in the case of the Bank, the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”)). The Act also gives the CFPB expanded data collecting powers for fair lending purposes for both small business and mortgage loans, as well as expanded authority to prevent unfair, deceptive and abusive practices.
In January 2013, the CFPB issued a series of final rules related to mortgage loan origination and mortgage loan servicing. In particular, the CFPB issued a final rule amending Regulation Z to implement certain amendments to the Truth in Lending Act. The rule implements statutory changes that lengthen the time for which a mandatory escrow account established for a higher-priced mortgage loan must be maintained. The rule also exempts certain transactions from the statute’s escrow requirement. The CFPB issued a final rule implementing amendments to the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. The rule amends Regulation Z by expanding the types of mortgage loans that are subject to the protections of the Home Ownership and Equity Protections Act of 1994 ("HOEPA"), revising and expanding the tests for coverage under HOEPA, and imposing additional restrictions on mortgages that are covered by HOEPA, including a pre-loan counseling requirement. The rule also amends Regulation Z and Regulation X by imposing other requirements related to homeownership counseling.
In addition, the CFPB amended Regulation B to implement changes to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The revisions to Regulation B require creditors to provide applicants with free copies of all appraisals and other written valuations developed in connection with an application for a loan to be secured by a first lien on a dwelling, and require creditors to notify applicants in writing that copies of appraisals will be provided to them promptly. The CFPB also amended Regulation Z to implement requirements and restrictions to the Truth in Lending Act concerning loan originator
compensation, qualifications of, and registration or licensing of loan originators, compliance procedures for depository institutions, mandatory arbitration, and the financing of single-premium credit insurance. These amendments revise or provide additional commentary on Regulation Z’s restrictions on loan originator compensation, including application of these restrictions to prohibitions on dual compensation and compensation based on a term of a transaction or a proxy for a term of a transaction, and to recordkeeping requirements. This rule also establishes tests for when loan originators can be compensated through certain profits-based compensation arrangements. The amendments to § 1026.36(h) and (i) became effective on June 1, 2013, while the other provisions of the rule became effective on January 10, 2014.
The final rules also implement the ability-to-repay and qualified mortgage (QM) provisions of the Truth in Lending Act, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act (the “QM Rule”). The ability-to-repay provision requires creditors to make reasonable, good faith determinations that borrowers are able to repay their mortgages before extending the credit based on a number of factors and consideration of financial information about the borrower from reasonably reliable third-party documents. Under the Dodd-Frank Act and the QM Rule, loans meeting the definition of “qualified mortgage” are entitled to a presumption that the lender satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. The presumption is a conclusive presumption/safe harbor for prime loans meeting the QM requirements, and a rebuttable presumption for higher-priced/subprime loans meeting the QM requirements. The definition of a “qualified mortgage” incorporates the statutory requirements, such as not allowing negative amortization or terms longer than 30 years. The QM Rule also adds an explicit maximum 43 percent debt-to-income ratio for borrowers if the loan is to meet the QM definition, though some mortgages that meet GSE, FHA and VA underwriting guidelines may, for a period not to exceed seven years, meet the QM definition without being subject to the 43 percent debt-to-income limits.
The CFPB may issue additional final rules regarding mortgages in the future. We cannot assure you that existing or future regulations will not have a material adverse impact on our residential mortgage loan business.
On December 10, 2013, the FRB, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and the SEC issued final rules to implement the Volcker Rule contained in section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, generally to become effective on July 21, 2015. The Volcker Rule prohibits an insured depository institution and its affiliates (referred to as “banking entities”) from: (i) engaging in “proprietary trading” and (ii) investing in or sponsoring certain types of funds (“covered funds”) subject to certain limited exceptions. The rule also effectively prohibits short-term trading strategies by any U.S. banking entity if those strategies involve instruments other than those specifically permitted for trading and prohibits the use of some hedging strategies.
The Dodd-Frank Act contains numerous other provisions affecting financial institutions of all types, many of which may have an impact on our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. Consequently, the Dodd-Frank Act is likely to continue to increase our cost of doing business, it may limit or expand our permissible activities, and it may affect the competitive balance within our industry and market areas. The nature and extent of future legislative and regulatory changes affecting financial institutions, including as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, remains very unpredictable at this time.
Capital Requirements
Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA), each federal banking agency has promulgated regulations, specifying the levels at which a financial institution would be considered “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” or “critically undercapitalized,” and to take certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions based on the capital level of the institution. To qualify to engage in financial activities under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, all depository institutions must be “well capitalized.” The financial holding company of a national bank will be put under directives to raise its capital levels or divest its activities if the depository institution falls from that level.
In July 2013, the FRB published final rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, referred to herein as the Basel Rules. The FDIC and the OCC have adopted substantially identical rules (in the case of the FDIC, as interim final rules). The Basel Rules implement the Basel Committee’s December 2010 framework, commonly referred to as Basel III, for strengthening international capital standards as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, as discussed below. The Basel Rules substantially revise the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and depository institutions, including Corporation and the Bank, compared to the current U.S. risk-based capital rules. The Basel Rules define the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The Basel Rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios and replace the existing risk-weighting approach,
which was derived from Basel I capital accords of the Basel Committee, with a more risk-sensitive approach based, in part, on the standardized approach in the Basel Committee’s 2004 Basel II capital accords. The Basel Rules also implement the requirements of Section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Act to remove references to credit ratings from the federal banking agencies’ rules. The Basel Rules became effective for us on January 1, 2015 (subject to phase-in periods for certain components).
The Basel Rules, among other things, (i) introduce a new capital measure called “Common Equity Tier 1,” or CET1, (ii) specify that Tier 1 capital consist of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) apply most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures to CET1 and not to the other components of capital, thus potentially requiring higher levels of CET1 in order to meet minimum ratios, and (iv) expand the scope of the reductions/adjustments from capital as compared to existing regulations.
Under the Basel Rules, the minimum capital ratios for the Company and the Bank as of January 1, 2015 are as follows:
When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the Basel Rules will also require the Company and the Bank to maintain a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer”, composed entirely of CET1, on top of the minimum risk-weighted asset ratios, effectively resulting in minimum ratios of (i) CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0%, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.5%, and (iii) total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10.5%. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of (i) CET1 to risk-weighted assets, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets or (iii) total capital to risk-weighted assets above the respective minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers based on the amount of the shortfall. The implementation of the capital conservation buffer will begin on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and increase by 0.625% on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019.
The Basel Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in common equity issued by nonconsolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1.
Under current capital standards, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income items included in capital are excluded for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios. Under the Basel Rules, the effects of certain accumulated other comprehensive items are not excluded; however, non-advanced approaches banking organizations, including the Company and the Bank, may make a one-time permanent election to continue to exclude these items effective as of January 1, 2015.
The deductions and other adjustments to CET1 will be phased in incrementally between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2018.
With respect to the Bank, the Basel Rules also revise the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, by (i) introducing a CET1 ratio requirement at each capital quality level (other than critically undercapitalized); (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category; and (iii) requiring a leverage ratio of 5% to be well-capitalized. Effective as of January 1, 2015, an institution will be classified as “well capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of at least 6.5 percent, (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5.0 percent, and (v) meets certain other requirements. An institution will be classified as “adequately capitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of at least 4.5 percent, (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 4.0 percent, and (v) does not meet the definition of “well capitalized.” An institution will be classified as “undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (iii) has a CETI ratio of less than 4.5 percent or (iv) has a Tier I leverage ratio of less than 4.0 percent. An institution will be classified as “significantly undercapitalized” if it (i) has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0 percent, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0 percent, (iii) has a CET1 ratio of less than 3.0 percent or (iv) has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 3.0 percent. An institution will be classified as “critically undercapitalized” if it has a tangible equity to total assets ratio that is equal to or less than 2.0 percent. An insured depository institution may be deemed to be in
a lower capitalization category if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating. Similar categories apply to bank holding companies. When the capital conservation buffer is fully phased in, the capital ratios applicable to depository institutions under the Basel Rules will exceed the ratios to be considered well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action regulations.
The Basel Rules prescribe a standardized approach for calculating risk-weighted assets that expand the risk-weighting categories from the current four Basel I-derived categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. Government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset categories. In addition, the Basel Rules also provide more advantageous risk weights for derivatives and repurchase-style transactions cleared through a qualifying central counterparty and increase the scope of eligible guarantors and eligible collateral for purposes of credit risk mitigation.
The Bank’s capital ratios were all above the minimum levels required for it to be considered a “well capitalized” financial institution at December 31, 2014 under the “prompt corrective action” regulations in effect as of such date. We believe that, as of December 31, 2014, the Company and the Bank would meet all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel Rules on a fully phased-in basis if such requirements were currently effective including after giving effect to the deductions described above.
Insurance Funds Legislation
The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). The Deposit Insurance Fund is the successor to the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, which were merged in 2006. Under the FDIC’s risk-based system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors with less risky institutions paying lower assessments on their deposits.
In February 2011, as required by the Dodd Frank Act, the FDIC approved a final rule that revised the assessment base to consist of average consolidated total assets during the assessment period minus the average tangible equity during the assessment period. In addition, the final revisions eliminated the adjustment for secured borrowings, including Federal Home Loan Bank advances, and made certain other changes to the impact of unsecured borrowings and brokered deposits on an institution’s deposit insurance assessment. The final rule also revised the assessment rate schedule to provide initial base assessment rates ranging from 5 to 35 basis points and total base assessment rates ranging from 2.5 to 45 basis points after adjustment.
As previously noted above, the Dodd-Frank Act makes permanent the $250 thousand limit for federal deposit insurance. The FDIC has authority to further increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance premiums may have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.
Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends
The holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of funds legally available. The only statutory limitation is that such dividends may not be paid when the Company is insolvent. Since the principal source of income for the Company will be dividends on Bank common stock paid to the Company by the Bank, the Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders will depend on whether the Bank pays dividends to it. As a practical matter, restrictions on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends act as restrictions on the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends by the Company. As a New Jersey chartered commercial bank, the Bank is subject to the restrictions on the payment of dividends contained in the New Jersey Banking Act of 1948, as amended (the “Banking Act”). Under the Banking Act, the Bank may pay dividends only out of retained earnings, and out of surplus to the extent that surplus exceeds 50% of stated capital. Under the Financial Institutions Supervisory Act, the FDIC has the authority to prohibit a state-chartered bank from engaging in conduct that, in the FDIC’s opinion, constitutes an unsafe or unsound banking practice. Under certain circumstances, the FDIC could claim that the payment of a dividend or other distribution by the Bank to the Company constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice. The Company is also subject to FRB policies, which may, in certain circumstances, limit its ability to pay dividends. The FRB policies require, among other things, that a bank holding company maintain a minimum capital base and serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary bank. The FRB by supervisory letters has advised holding corporations that it is has supervisory concerns when the level of dividends is too high and would seek to prevent dividends if the dividends paid by the holding company exceeded its earnings. The FRB would most likely seek to prohibit any dividend payment that would reduce a holding company’s capital below these minimum amounts.
Incentive Compensation
The Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies and the SEC to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities, such as the Company and the Bank, with at least $1 billion in total assets that encourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits or that could lead to material financial loss to the entity. In addition, these regulators must establish regulations or guidelines requiring enhanced disclosure to regulators of incentive-based compensation arrangements. The agencies proposed such regulations in April 2011, but the regulations have not been finalized. If the regulations are adopted in the form initially proposed, they will impose limitations on the manner in which the Company may structure compensation for its executives.
In June 2010, the FRB, OCC and FDIC issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors. These three principles are incorporated into the proposed joint compensation regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act, discussed in the immediately preceding paragraph.
The FRB will review, as part of its regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.
Consumer Protection Regulations
The Bank is subject to federal consumer protection statutes and regulations promulgated under those laws, including, but not limited to the following:
The Bank’s deposit operations are also subject to the following federal statutes and regulations, among others:
Many of the foregoing laws and regulations are subject to change resulting from the provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act, which in many cases calls for revisions to implementing regulations, such as the amendments described above in the discussion on the Dodd-Frank Act.
Holding Company Supervision
The Company is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Holding Company Act. As a bank holding company, the Company is supervised by the FRB and is required to file reports with the FRB and provide such additional information as the FRB may require.
The Holding Company Act prohibits the Company, with certain exceptions, from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of more than five percent of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank and from engaging in any business other than that of banking, managing and controlling banks or furnishing services to subsidiary banks, except that it may, upon application, engage in, and may own shares of companies engaged in, certain businesses found by the FRB to be so closely related to banking “as to be a proper incident thereto.” The Holding Company Act requires prior approval by the FRB of the acquisition by the Company of more than five percent of the voting stock of any additional bank. Satisfactory capital ratios, Community Reinvestment Act ratings and anti-money laundering policies are generally prerequisites to obtaining federal regulatory approval to make acquisitions. The policy of the FRB provides that a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support the subsidiary bank in circumstances in which it might not do so absent that policy. Acquisitions through the Bank require the approval of the FRB and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“NJDOBI”).
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) added new legal requirements for public companies affecting corporate governance, accounting and corporate reporting.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act provides for, among other things:
Each of the national stock exchanges, including the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) Global Select Market where the Company’s securities are listed, have implemented corporate governance listing standards, including rules strengthening director independence requirements for boards, and requiring the adoption of charters for the nominating and audit committees. As noted above, in 2012, the SEC adopted rules under the Dodd-Frank Act requiring the stock exchanges to adopt rules addressing the independence of Compensation Committee members and consideration of the independence of compensation advisers, and each of the exchanges, including the NASDAQ Global Select Market, have adopted such rules.
USA PATRIOT Act
As part of the USA PATRIOT Act, Congress adopted the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Anti Money Laundering Act”). The Anti Money Laundering Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the heads of other government agencies, to adopt special measures applicable to financial institutions such as banks, bank holding companies, broker-dealers and insurance companies. Among its other provisions, the Anti Money Laundering Act requires each financial institution: (i) to establish an anti-money laundering program; (ii) to establish due diligence policies, procedures and controls that are reasonably designed to detect and report instances of money laundering in United States private banking accounts and correspondent accounts maintained for non-United States persons or their representatives; and (iii) to avoid establishing, maintaining, administering, or managing correspondent accounts in the United States for, or on behalf of, a foreign shell bank that does not have a physical presence in any country. In addition, the Anti Money Laundering Act expands the circumstances under which funds in a bank account may be forfeited and requires covered financial institutions to respond under certain circumstances to requests for information from federal banking agencies within 120 hours.
Regulations implementing the due diligence requirements, require minimum standards to verify customer identity and maintain accurate records, encourage cooperation among financial institutions, federal banking agencies, and law enforcement authorities regarding possible money laundering or terrorist activities, prohibit the anonymous use of “concentration accounts,” and requires all covered financial institutions to have in place an anti-money laundering compliance program. Federal and state banking agencies have strictly enforced various anti-money laundering and suspicious activity reporting requirements using formal and informal enforcement tools to cause banks to comply with these provisions.
The Anti Money Laundering Act amended the Holding Company Act and the Bank Merger Act to require the federal banking agencies to consider the effectiveness of any financial institution involved in a proposed merger transaction in combating money laundering activities when reviewing an application under these acts.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 (“Modernization Act”) became effective in early 2000. The Modernization Act:
If a bank holding company elects to become a financial holding company, it files a certification, effective in 30 days, and thereafter may engage in certain financial activities without further approvals. The Company has not elected to become a financial holding company.
The Modernization Act modified other financial laws, including laws related to financial privacy and community reinvestment.
The material risks and uncertainties that management believes affect the Company are described below. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones affecting the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is not aware of or focused on or that management currently deems immaterial may also impair the Company’s business operations. This report is qualified in its entirety by these risk factors. If any one or more of the following risks actually occur, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock
We may not be able to continue to grow our business, which may adversely impact our results of operations.
Our business strategy calls for continued expansion. Our ability to continue to grow depends, in part, upon our ability to successfully attract deposits and identify favorable loan and investment opportunities. We expect to add personnel to assist in this growth. In the event that we do not continue to grow, or the new personnel do not produce sufficient new revenues, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
We may not be able to manage our growth, which may adversely impact our financial results.
As part of our expansion strategy, we plan to broaden and expand our multifamily, commercial real estate, and C&I lending in both existing and new geographic markets. In addition, as part of our expansion strategy, we may add new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. We may invest significant time and resources to develop and market new lines of business and/or products and services. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives, and shifting customer preferences may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. Additionally, any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our ability to implement our expansion strategy will depend upon a variety of factors, including our ability to attract and retain experienced personnel, the continued availability of desirable business opportunities and locations, the competitive responses from other financial institutions in the new market areas and our ability to manage growth. In order to implement our expansion strategy, we plan to hire new personnel in our existing and target markets. However, we may be unable to hire qualified management. In addition, the organizational and overhead costs may be greater than we anticipated. Moreover, we may not be able to obtain the regulatory approvals necessary. New business expansion efforts may take longer than expected to reach profitability, and we cannot assure that they will become profitable. The additional costs of adding new personnel may adversely impact our financial results.
Our ability to manage growth successfully will depend on whether we can continue to fund this growth while maintaining cost controls and asset quality, as well as on factors beyond our control, such as national and regional economic conditions and interest rate trends. If we are not able to control costs and maintain asset quality, such growth could adversely impact our earnings and financial condition.
The Company is required by Federal regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support its operations. The Company may at some point need to raise additional capital to support continued growth. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside the Company’s control, and on its financial performance. Accordingly, the Company cannot assure you of its ability to raise additional capital if needed or on terms acceptable to the Company. If the Company cannot raise additional capital when needed, the ability to further expand its operations could be materially impaired.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act may adversely affect our business activities, financial position and profitability by increasing our regulatory compliance burden and associated costs, placing restrictions on certain products and services, and limiting our future capital raising strategies.
On July 21, 2010, the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act, which implements significant changes in the financial regulatory landscape and will impact all financial institutions, including the Company and the Bank. The Dodd-Frank Act has and is likely to continue to increase our regulatory compliance burden.
Among the Dodd-Frank Act’s significant regulatory changes, it created the CFPB that is empowered to promulgate new consumer protection regulations and revise existing regulations in many areas of consumer protection. The CFPB has exclusive authority to issue regulations, orders and guidance to administer and implement the objectives of federal consumer protection laws. Moreover, the Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt stricter consumer protection laws and state attorney generals may enforce consumer protection rules issued by the CFPB. The Dodd-Frank Act also changes the scope of federal deposit insurance coverage, and increases the FDIC assessment payable by the Bank. The CFPB and these other changes have increased, and will continue to increase, our regulatory compliance burden and costs and may restrict the financial products and services we offer to our customers.
The Dodd-Frank Act also imposed more stringent capital requirements on bank holding companies by, among other things, imposing leverage ratios on bank holding companies and prohibiting new trust preferred issuances from counting as Tier I capital. These restrictions may limit our future capital strategies. The Dodd-Frank Act also increases regulation of derivatives and hedging transactions, which could limit our ability to enter into, or increase the costs associated with, interest rate and other hedging transactions.
Although certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, such as required direct supervision by the CFPB, will not apply to banking organizations with less than $10 billion of assets, such as the Company and the Bank, the changes resulting from the legislation will impact our business. New consumer protection rules issued by the CFPB will apply to us. These changes will require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes.
Negative developments in the financial services industry and U.S. and global credit markets may adversely impact our operations and results.
Our businesses and operations, which primarily consist of lending money to customers in the form of loans, borrowing money from customers in the form of deposits and investing in securities, are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States. If the U.S. economy weakens, our growth and profitability from our lending, deposit and investment operations could be constrained. Uncertainty about the federal fiscal policymaking process, the medium and long-term fiscal outlook of the federal government and future tax rates is a concern for businesses, consumers and investors in the United States. In addition, economic conditions in foreign countries could affect the stability of global financial markets, which could hinder U.S. economic growth. Weak economic conditions are often characterized by deflation,
fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets, a lack of liquidity and/or depressed prices in the secondary market for mortgage loans, increased delinquencies on mortgage, consumer and commercial loans, residential and commercial real estate price declines and lower home sales and commercial activity.
The current economic environment is also characterized by interest rates at historically low levels, which impacts our ability to attract deposits and to generate attractive earnings through our investment portfolio. All of these factors are detrimental to our business, and the interplay between these factors can be complex and unpredictable. Our business is also significantly affected by monetary and related policies of the U.S. federal government and its agencies. Changes in any of these policies are influenced by macroeconomic conditions and other factors that are beyond our control. Adverse economic conditions and government policy responses to such conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Uncertainty in the financial markets in general continued during 2014. Loan portfolio performances have deteriorated at many institutions resulting from, amongst other factors, a weak economy and a decline in the value of the collateral supporting their loans. The competition for our deposits has increased significantly due to liquidity concerns at many of these same institutions. Stock prices of bank holding companies, like ours, have been negatively affected by the current condition of the financial markets, as has our ability, if needed, to raise capital or borrow in the debt markets compared to recent years. As a result, there is potential for new federal or state laws and regulations regarding lending and funding practices and liquidity standards, and financial institution regulatory agencies are expected to be very aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, including the expected issuance of many formal enforcement actions. Negative developments in the financial services industry and the impact of new legislation in response to those developments could negatively impact our operations by restricting our business operations, including our ability to originate or sell loans, and adversely impact our financial performance.
We are more sensitive than our more geographically diversified competitors to adverse changes in the local economy.
Much of our business is with customers located within Central and Northern New Jersey, as well as New York City. Our business loans are generally made to small to mid-sized businesses, most of whose success depends on the regional economy. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities. Adverse economic and business conditions in our market area could reduce our growth rate, affect our borrowers' ability to repay their loans and, consequently, adversely affect our financial condition and performance. Further, we place substantial reliance on real estate as collateral for our loan portfolio. A sharp downturn in real estate values in our market area could leave many of our loans under-secured, which could adversely affect our earnings.
If our allowance for loan losses were not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings would decrease.
We maintain an allowance for loan losses based on, among other things, the level of non-performing loans, loan growth, national and regional economic conditions, historical loss experience, delinquency trends among loan types and various qualitative factors. However, we cannot predict loan losses with certainty and we cannot assure you that charge-offs in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan losses. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, review our allowance for loan losses and may require additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination. Factors that require an increase in our allowance for loan losses could reduce our earnings.
Changes in interest rates may adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.
Our net income depends primarily upon our net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on loans, investments and other interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred on deposits and borrowed funds.
Different types of assets and liabilities may react differently, and at different times, to changes in market interest rates. We expect that we will periodically experience “gaps” in the interest rate sensitivities of our assets and liabilities. That means either our interest-bearing liabilities will be more sensitive to changes in market interest rates than our interest-earning assets, or vice versa. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than interest-earning assets, an increase in market rates of interest could reduce our net interest income. Likewise, when interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could reduce our net interest income. We are unable to predict changes in market interest rates, which are affected by many factors beyond our control, including inflation, recession, unemployment, money supply, domestic and international events and changes in the United States and other financial markets.
Our exposure to credit risk could adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.
There are certain risks inherent in making loans, including risks that the principal of or interest on the loan will not be repaid timely or at all or that the value of any collateral supporting the loan will be insufficient to cover our outstanding exposure. These risks may be affected by the strength of the borrower’s business sector and local, regional and national market and economic conditions. Our risk management practices, such as monitoring the concentration of our loans within specific industries and our credit approval practices, may not adequately reduce credit risk, and our credit administration personnel, policies and procedures may not adequately adapt to changes in economic or any other conditions affecting customers and the quality of the loan portfolio. Finally, many of our loans are made to small and medium-sized businesses that are less able to withstand competitive, economic and financial pressures than larger borrowers. A failure to effectively measure and limit the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Competition from other financial institutions in originating loans and attracting deposits may adversely affect our profitability.
We face substantial competition in originating loans. This competition comes principally from other banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking companies and other lenders. Many of our competitors enjoy advantages, including greater financial resources and higher lending limits, a wider geographic presence, and more accessible branch office locations.
In attracting deposits, we face substantial competition from other insured depository institutions such as banks, savings institutions and credit unions, as well as institutions offering uninsured investment alternatives, including money market funds. Many of our competitors enjoy advantages, including greater financial resources, more aggressive marketing campaigns, better brand recognition and more branch locations. These competitors may offer higher interest rates than we do, which could decrease the deposits that we attract or require us to increase our rates to retain existing deposits or attract new deposits. Increased deposit competition could adversely affect our ability to generate the funds necessary for lending operations and increase our cost of funds.
We also compete with non-bank providers of financial services, such as brokerage firms, consumer finance companies, insurance companies and governmental organizations, which may offer more favorable terms. Some of our non-bank competitors are not subject to the same extensive regulations that govern our operations. As a result, such non-bank competitors may have advantages over us in providing certain products and services. This competition may reduce or limit our margins on banking services, reduce our market share and adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.
Our commercial real estate loan portfolio exposes us to risks that may be greater than the risks related to our other mortgage loans.
Our loan portfolio includes non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans for individuals and businesses for various purposes, which are secured by commercial properties, as well as real estate construction and development loans. These loans typically involve repayment dependent upon income generated, or expected to be generated, by the property securing the loan in amounts sufficient to cover operating expenses and debt service. This may be adversely affected by changes in the economy or local market conditions. These loans expose a lender to greater credit risk than loans secured by residential real estate because the collateral securing these loans typically cannot be liquidated as easily as residential real estate. If we foreclose on these loans, our holding period for the collateral typically is longer than for a single or multifamily residential property because there are fewer potential purchasers of the collateral. Additionally, non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans generally involve relatively large balances to single borrowers or related groups of borrowers. Accordingly, charge-offs on non-owner-occupied commercial real estate loans may be larger on a per loan basis than those incurred with our residential or consumer loan portfolios. Unexpected deterioration in the credit quality of our commercial real estate loan portfolio would require us to increase our provision for loan losses, which would reduce our profitability and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with our lending activities.
In the course of our business, we may purchase real estate, or we may foreclose on and take title to real estate. As a result, we could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In
addition, if we are the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. Any significant environmental liabilities could cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Lack of seasoning of our loan portfolio could increase risk of credit defaults in the future.
A large portion of loans in our loan portfolio and of our lending relationships are of relatively recent origin. In general, loans do not begin to show signs of credit deterioration or default until they have been outstanding for some period of time, a process referred to as “seasoning.” As a result, a portfolio of older loans will usually behave more predictably than a newer portfolio. Because a large portion of our portfolio is relatively new, the current level of delinquencies and defaults may not represent the level that may prevail as the portfolio becomes more seasoned. If delinquencies and defaults increase, we may be required to increase our provision for loan losses, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Deterioration in the fiscal position of the U.S. federal government could adversely affect us and our banking operations.
The long-term outlook for the fiscal position of the U.S. federal government is uncertain, as illustrated by the budget negotiations and partial shutdown of the U.S. government in October 2013. In addition to causing economic and financial market disruptions, any future failure to raise the U.S. statutory debt limit, or deterioration in the fiscal outlook of the U.S. federal government, could, among other things, materially adversely affect the market value of the U.S. and other government and governmental agency securities that we hold, the availability of those securities as collateral for borrowing, and our ability to access capital markets on favorable terms. In particular, it could increase interest rates and disrupt payment systems, money markets, and long-term or short-term fixed income markets, adversely affecting the cost and availability of funding, which could negatively affect our profitability. Any of these developments could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Government regulation significantly affects our business.
The banking industry is extensively regulated. Banking regulations are intended primarily to protect depositors, and the FDIC deposit insurance funds, not the shareholders of the Company. We are subject to regulation and supervision by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Federal Reserve Bank. Regulatory requirements affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth. The bank regulatory agencies possess broad authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law. We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements, which involve both quantitative measures of our assets and liabilities and qualitative judgments by regulators regarding risks and other factors. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements or comply with other regulations could result in actions by regulators that could adversely affect our ability to pay dividends or otherwise adversely impact operations. In addition, changes in laws, regulations and regulatory practices affecting the banking industry may limit the manner in which we conduct our business. Such changes may adversely affect us, including our ability to offer new products and services, obtain financing, attract deposits, make loans and achieve satisfactory spreads and may impose additional costs on us.
The Bank is also subject to a number of Federal laws, which, among other things, require it to lend to various sectors of the economy and population, and establish and maintain comprehensive programs relating to anti-money laundering and customer identification. The Bank's compliance with these laws will be considered by the Federal banking regulators when reviewing bank merger and bank holding company acquisitions or commencing new activities or making new investments in reliance on the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. As a public company, we are also subject to the corporate governance standards set forth in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as any rules or regulations promulgated by the SEC or the NASDAQ Stock Market.
The short-term and long-term impact of the newly proposed regulatory capital rules is uncertain.
In July 2013, the FRB published final rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, referred to herein as the Rules. For a detailed description of the Rules, please refer to “Governmental Policies and Legislation – Capital Requirements” beginning on page 7. The FDIC and the OCC have adopted substantially identical rules (in the case of the FDIC, as interim final rules). The Rules implement the Basel Committee’s December 2010 framework, commonly referred to as Basel III, for strengthening international capital standards as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Basel III creates a new regulatory capital standard based on Tier 1 common equity and increases the minimum leverage and risk-based capital ratios applicable to all banking organizations. Basel III
also changes how a number of the regulatory capital components are calculated. A significant increase in our capital requirement could reduce our growth and profitability and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We are subject to liquidity risk.
Liquidity risk is the potential that we will be unable to meet our obligations as they become due, capitalize on growth opportunities as they arise, or pay regular dividends because of an inability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding in a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances.
Liquidity is required to fund various obligations, including credit commitments to borrowers, mortgage and other loan originations, withdrawals by depositors, repayment of borrowings, dividends to shareholders, operating expenses and capital expenditures.
Liquidity is derived primarily from retail deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments; sale, maturity and prepayment of investment securities; net cash provided from operations and access to other funding sources.
Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our access to liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn or adverse regulatory action against us. Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a severe disruption of the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole as banking organizations face turmoil and domestic and worldwide credit markets deteriorate. Our ability to borrow from alternative sources, such as brokered deposits could also be impaired should the Bank’s regulatory capital falls below well capitalized.
Our information systems may experience a security breach, computer virus, or disruption of service.
We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business, and provide customers with various products and services, including the ability to bank online. Despite positioning our communications and information systems environment to be capable of controlling, monitoring and proactively preventing security breaches, our network could become vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes and other security problems. We may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against the threat of security breaches and computer viruses, or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or viruses. To the extent that our activities or the activities of our customers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose us to claims, litigation and other possible liabilities. Any failure, interruption, or breach in security or operational integrity of our systems could also result in failures or disruptions in our general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems, and could subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny. Any inability to prevent security breaches or computer viruses could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in our systems and could adversely affect our reputation.
The price of our common stock may fluctuate.
The price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market constantly changes and recently, given the uncertainty in the financial markets, has fluctuated widely. We expect that the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate. Holders of our common stock will be subject to the risk of volatility and changes in prices.
Our common stock price can fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:
In addition, recently the stock market generally has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations, and industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of our operating results.
Our ability to pay dividends to our common shareholders is limited.
Since the principal source of income for the Company is dividends paid to the Company by the Bank, the Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders will depend on whether the Bank pays dividends to it. As a practical matter, restrictions on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends act as restrictions on the amount of funds available for the payment of dividends by the Company. As a New Jersey-chartered commercial bank, the Bank is subject to the restrictions on the payment of dividends contained in the New Jersey Banking Act of 1948, as amended. Under the Banking Act, the Bank may pay dividends only out of retained earnings, and out of surplus to the extent that surplus exceeds 50% of stated capital. The Company is also subject to FRB policies, which may, in certain circumstances, limit its ability to pay dividends. The FRB policies require, among other things, that a bank holding company maintain a minimum capital base and the FRB in supervisory guidance has cautioned bank holding companies about paying out too much of their earnings in dividends and has stated that banks should not pay out more in dividends than they earn. The FRB would most likely seek to prohibit any dividend payment that would reduce a holding company's capital below these minimum amounts.
We may lose lower-cost funding sources.
Checking, savings, and money market deposit account balances and other forms of customer deposits can decrease when customers perceive alternative investments, such as the stock market, as providing a better risk/return tradeoff. If customers move money out of bank deposits and into other investments, we could lose a relatively low cost source of funds, increasing our funding costs and reducing our net interest income and net income.
There may be changes in accounting policies or accounting standards.
Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our financial results and condition. Some of these policies require use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of our assets or liabilities and financial results. We identified our accounting policies regarding the allowance for loan losses, goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes to be critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain. Under each of these policies, it is possible that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions, using different assumptions, or as new information becomes available.
From time to time the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and the SEC change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the form and content of our external financial statements. In addition, accounting standard setters and those who interpret the accounting standards (such as the FASB, SEC, banking regulators and our independent auditors) may change or even reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how these standards should be applied. Changes in financial accounting and reporting standards and changes in current interpretations may be beyond our control, can be hard to predict and could materially impact how we report our financial results and condition. In certain cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively or apply an existing standard differently (also retroactively) which may result in our restating prior period financial statements in material amounts.
We encounter continuous technological change.
The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to operational risk.
We face the risk that the design of our controls and procedures, including those to mitigate the risk of fraud by employees or outsiders, may prove to be inadequate or are circumvented, thereby causing delays in detection of errors or inaccuracies in data and information. Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may also be subject to disruptions of our systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond our control (including, for example, computer viruses or electrical or telecommunications outages), which may give rise to losses in service to customers and to financial loss or liability. We are further exposed to the risk that our external vendors may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same risk of fraud or operational errors by their respective employees as we are) and to the risk that our (or our vendors’) business continuity and data security systems prove to be inadequate.
Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. There is intense competition in the financial services industry for qualified employees. In addition, we face increasing competition with businesses outside the financial services industry for the most highly skilled individuals. Our business operations could be adversely affected if we were unable to attract new employees and retain and motivate our existing employees.
There may be claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility.
From time to time as part of the Company’s normal course of business, customers make claims and take legal action against the Company based on its actions or inactions. If such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to the Company, they may result in financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception of the Company and its products and services. This may also impact customer demand for the Company’s products and services. Any financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
None.
The Company owns 10 branches and leases 12 branches. The Company leases an administrative and operations office building in Bedminster, New Jersey, two private banking offices in Princeton and Teaneck, New Jersey and a trust office in Greenville, Delaware.
In the normal course of its business, lawsuits and claims may be brought against the Company and its subsidiaries. There is no currently pending or threatened litigation or proceedings against the Company or its subsidiaries, which assert claims that if adversely decided, we believe would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Not applicable.
PART II
The Common Stock of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol of PGC. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low sale prices on known trades and cash dividends declared per share by the Company.
Future dividends payable by the Company will be determined by the Board of Directors after consideration of earnings and financial condition of the Company, need for capital and such other matters as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. The payment of dividends is subject to certain restrictions, see Part I, Item 1, “Business - Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends.”
Performance
The following graph compares the cumulative total return on a hypothetical $100 investment made on December 31, 2009 in (a) the Company’s common stock; (b) the Russell 3000 Stock Index, and (c) the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods KBW 50 Index (top 50 U.S. banks). The graph is calculated assuming that all dividends are reinvested during the relevant periods. The graph shows how a $100 investment would increase or decrease in value over time, based on dividends (stock or cash) and increases or decreases in the market price of the stock.
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation
On December 31, 2014, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock was $18.56. Also, on March 4, 2015, there were approximately 796 registered shareholders of record.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Sales of Unregistered Securities
The following is selected consolidated financial data for the Company and its subsidiaries for the years indicated. This information is derived from the historical consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes.
OVERVIEW: The following discussion and analysis is intended to provide information about the financial condition and results of operations of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes and supplemental financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (the “Company”), formed in 1997, is the parent holding company for Peapack-Gladstone Bank (the “Bank”), formed in 1921, a commercial bank providing innovative private banking services to businesses, non-profits and consumers which help them to establish, maintain and expand their legacy. Through its private banking locations in Bedminster, Morristown, Princeton and Teaneck, its wealth management division, and its branch network in Somerset, Hunterdon, Morris, Middlesex and Union counties, the Bank offers a strong commitment to client service.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation recorded net income of $14.9 million, and diluted earnings per share of $1.22. During 2014, the Company continued to focus on executing its Strategic Plan – known as “Expanding Our Reach” – which focuses on the client experience and organic growth across all lines of business. The Strategic Plan calls for expansion of existing lines of business, and establishment of a new commercial and industrial (C&I) lending platform, through the use of private bankers, who lead with deposit gathering and wealth management discussions. The Strategic Plan further calls for establishment of a sales force that supports our branches and serves as a primary point of contact for clients.
In addition to continuing to execute the Strategic Plan, the following are additional highlights for 2014:
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “PGC.”
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES:Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Note 1 to the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, contains a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
Management believes that the Company’s policy with respect to the methodology for the determination of the allowance for loan losses involves a higher degree of complexity and requires Management to make difficult and subjective judgments, which often require assumptions or estimates about highly uncertain matters. Changes in these judgments, assumption or estimates could materially impact results of operations. This critical policy and its application are periodically reviewed with the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.
The provision for loan losses is based upon Management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance, including an assessment of known and inherent risks in the portfolio, giving consideration to the size and composition of the loan portfolio, actual loan loss experience, level of delinquencies, detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectability may not be assured, the existence and estimated fair value of any underlying collateral and guarantees securing the loans, and current economic and market conditions. Although Management uses the best information available, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate, which is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to make additional provisions for loan losses based upon information available to them at the time of their examination. Furthermore, the majority of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate in the State of New Jersey and to a lesser extent New York City. Accordingly, the collectability of a substantial portion of the carrying value of the Company’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in local market conditions and may experience continuing adverse economic conditions. Future adjustments to the provision for loan losses and allowance for loan losses may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond the Company’s control.
The Company accounts for its securities in accordance with “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” which was codified into Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320. Debt securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when Management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Debt securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity due to changes in interest rates, prepayment risk, liquidity or other factors. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, all securities were classified as available for sale.
Securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis to determine whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary. To determine whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, Management considers the reasons underlying the decline, the near-term prospects of the issuer, the extent and duration of the decline and whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. “Other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the amount of the impairment is split into two components – other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss, which must be recognized through earnings. No impairment charges were recognized in 2014, 2013 or 2012. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings.
EARNINGS SUMMARY:
The following table presents certain key aspects of our performance for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
2014 compared to 2013
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded net income available to common shareholders of $14.9 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.22 compared to net income available to common shareholders of $9.3 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.01 for the year ended December 31, 2013. These results produced a return on average assets of 0.63 percent and 0.54 percent in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and a return on average shareholders’ equity of 7.96 percent and 7.37 percent in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Earnings for the 2014 year were benefitted by higher net interest income, offset by a higher provision for loan losses and by higher other operating expenses when compared to 2013. Higher operating expenses were principally due to costs associated with the Strategic Plan, described in the Overview section above.
2013 compared to 2012
For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded net income available to common shareholders of $9.3 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.01 as compared to net income available to common shareholders of $9.2 million and diluted earnings per share of $1.05 for the year ended December 31, 2012. These results produced a return on average assets of 0.54 percent and 0.61 percent in 2013 and 2012, respectively, and a return on average common shareholders’ equity of 7.37 percent and 8.03 percent in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Earnings for the 2013 year were benefitted by higher net interest income and a lower provision for loan losses, offset by higher other operating expenses when compared to 2012. Higher operating expenses were principally due to costs associated with the Strategic Plan, described in the Overview section above.
NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN
The primary source of the Company’s operating income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest and dividends earned on earning assets and fees earned on loans, and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Earning assets include loans to individuals and businesses, investment securities, interest-earning deposits and federal funds sold. Interest-bearing liabilities include interest-bearing checking, money market, savings and time deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings. Net interest income is determined by the difference between the yields earned on earning assets and the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities (“Net Interest Spread”) and the relative amounts of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Company’s net interest spread is affected by regulatory, economic and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand and deposit flows and general levels of nonperforming assets.
The following table summarizes the Company’s net interest income and related spread and margin for the periods indicated:
The following table compares the average balance sheets, net interest spreads and net interest margins for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (on a fully tax-equivalent basis-“FTE”):
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Year Ended December 31, 2013
Year Ended December 31, 2012
The effect of volume and rate changes on net interest income (on a tax-equivalent basis) for the periods indicated are shown below:
On a fully tax-equivalent basis, net interest income was $68.4 million in 2014, an increase of $15.0 million or 28 percent over net interest income of $53.4 million in 2013. For 2014 and 2013, the Company’s net interest margin was 3.01 percent and 3.26 percent, respectively, a decrease of 25 basis points year over year. Net interest income increased from 2013 to 2014 due to an increase in loan volumes, especially multifamily mortgages, offset by declines in the average investment portfolios, as well as the effect of lower market rates on loans and investments. The net interest margin for 2014 was impacted by the effect of low market yields, competitive pressures in attracting new loans and deposits, and the maintenance of larger interest bearing deposit/cash balances. The Company expects continued loan growth in this lower market rate and competitive environment.
Interest income on earning assets, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, increased $18.4 million or 32 percent to $76.1 million in 2014 from $57.7 million in 2013. Average earning assets for 2014 and 2013 totaled $2.27 billion and $1.64 billion, respectively, an increase of $634 million or 39 percent over 2013 average earning assets. The average rate earned on earning assets was 3.35 percent in 2014, compared to 3.52 percent in 2013, a decrease of 17 basis points.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, average interest-bearing liabilities totaled $1.79 billion, an increase of $520 million or 41 percent over the average interest-bearing liabilities for 2013 of $1.27 billion. The average rate paid increased to 0.43 percent for 2014 from 0.34 percent for 2013. The increase in the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities was due to competitive pressures in attracting new deposits to support loan growth, as well as the growth of brokered certificates of deposits. Brokered certificates of deposit are generally medium/longer term and have been used in the Company’s interest rate risk management practices. Brokered interest-bearing demand deposits have been utilized in the Company’s liquidity management. These brokered deposits are more cost effective than other alternatives and do not require any pledging of collateral. The Company utilized alternative sources to meet its funding needs to manage interest rate risk, as well as to retain a higher level of liquidity on its balance sheet.
The average balance of borrowings was $95.7 million for 2014 compared to $32.9 million during 2013, an increase of $62.8 million. Average Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased during 2014 to $83.1 million as the Company utilized medium term, fixed rate FHLB advances, from time to time, as an interest rate risk management tool. Average overnight borrowings increased $7.3 million during 2014 to $12.7 million. The average rates paid on total borrowings was 1.60 percent during 2014 compared to 1.83 percent during 2013, a decrease of 23 basis points. The average rates paid on the Company’s overnight borrowings during 2014 was 0.38 percent compared to 0.35 percent during 2013, while the average rates paid on Federal Home Loan Bank advances was 1.79 percent and 2.28 percent in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The average balance on capital lease obligations was $10.1 million and $8.9 million during 2014 and 2013, respectively, while the average rate paid on capital lease obligations was 4.79 percent and 4.75 percent in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
On a fully tax-equivalent basis, net interest income was $53.4 million in 2013, an increase of $1.3 million or three percent over net interest income of $52.0 million in 2012. For 2013 and 2012, the Company’s net interest margin was 3.26 percent and 3.50 percent, respectively, a decrease of 24 basis points. Net interest income increased from 2012 to 2013 due to an increase in loan volumes, especially multifamily mortgages, offset by the effect of lower market rates on loans and investments and declines in the average investment portfolios.
Interest income on earning assets, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, increased $932 thousand or 2 percent to $57.7 million in 2013 from $56.7 million in 2012. Average earning assets for 2013 and 2012 totaled $1.64 billion and $1.49 billion, respectively, an increase of $151 million or 10 percent over 2012 average earning assets. The average rate earned on earning assets was 3.52 percent in 2013, compared to 3.81 percent in 2012, a decrease of 29 basis points and due to continued decreases in market rates for all loan and investment types.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, average interest-bearing liabilities totaled $1.27 billion, an increase of $100 million or eight percent over the average interest-bearing liabilities for 2012 of $1.17 billion. The average rate paid declined to 0.34 percent for 2013 from 0.40 percent for 2012. The decline in the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities was due to the sustained low in market rates coupled with targeted growth of lower-costing core deposits and continued run-off of higher-paying certificates of deposit.
The average balance of borrowings was $32.9 million for 2013 compared to $25.3 million during 2012, an increase of $7.6 million or 30 percent. Average Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased during 2013 to $25.2 million as the Company utilized medium term, fixed rate FHLB advances, from time to time, as an interest rate risk management tool. Average overnight borrowings decreased $4.8 million during 2013 to $5.4 million. The average rates paid on total borrowings was 1.83 percent during 2013 compared to 2.17 percent during 2012, a decrease of 34 basis points. The average rates paid on the Company’s overnight borrowings during 2013 was 0.35 percent compared to 0.38 percent during 2012, while the average rates paid on Federal Home Loan Bank advances was 2.28 percent and 3.37 percent in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The average balance on capital lease obligations was $8.9 million and $9.1 million during 2013 and 2012, respectively, while the average rate on capital lease obligations during both 2013 and 2012 was 4.75 percent.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: Investment securities available for sale are purchased, sold and/or maintained as a part of the Company’s overall balance sheet management including liquidity and interest rate risk management strategies, and in response to changes in interest rates, liquidity needs, prepayment speeds and/or other factors. These securities are carried at estimated fair value, and unrealized changes in fair value are recognized as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of income taxes. Realized gains and losses are recognized in income at the time the securities are sold.
At December 31, 2014, the Company had investment securities available for sale with a fair value of $332.7 million, compared with $268.4 million at December 31, 2013. Net unrealized gains (net of income tax) of $1.3 million and $23 thousand were included in shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The carrying value of investment securities available for sale for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are shown below:
The following table presents the contractual maturities and yields of debt securities available for sale, stated at fair value, as of December 31, 2014:
Federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits are an additional part of the Company’s liquidity and interest rate risk management strategies. The combined average balance of these investments during 2014 was $111.7 million compared to $60.8 million in 2013.
LOANS: The loan portfolio represents the largest portion of the Company’s earning assets and is the primary source of interest and fee income. Loans are primarily originated in the State of New Jersey and, to a lesser extent, the New York City area.
Total loans were $2.25 billion and $1.57 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, an increase of $676.1 million, or 43 percent, over the previous year. During 2014, commercial mortgages and multifamily mortgages increased $556.8 million, or 67 percent, due to a company-wide focus on this type of business in both the New Jersey and the boroughs of New York City markets as well as continued demand from borrowers looking to refinance multifamily and other commercial mortgages held by other institutions. Commercial loans totaled $308.7 million at December 31, 2014, increasing $176.9 million, or 134 percent, from 2013, as the Company introduced a comprehensive commercial and industrial (C&I) lending program in 2013 and added seasoned bankers focused on C&I lending in both 2013 and 2014. This resulted in robust growth during the current year. Residential mortgage loans totaled $466.8 million at December 31, 2014, a decrease of $66.2 million, or 12 percent, from 2013. Throughout 2014 and continuing a trend that began in the middle of 2013 with an increase in mortgage rates, the Company experienced continued low levels of residential mortgage loans originations for which management had expected and planned. Additionally, a shift in the Company’s strategy,
emphasizing shorter duration mortgage loans for relationship purposes and de-emphasizing origination for sale, also contributed to lower levels of residential mortgages.
In December 2012, the Company transferred $19 million of classified loans to loans held for sale as these loans were being marketed for sale. Upon transfer, the Company recorded a charge-off on these loans totaling $5.4 million. In March 2013, the loans were sold for a gain of $522 thousand.
The following table presents an analysis of outstanding loans by loan type, net of unamortized discounts and deferred loan origination costs, as of December 31,
The following table presents the contractual repayments of the loan portfolio, by loan type, at December 31, 2014:
The following table presents the loans, by loan type, that have a predetermined interest rate and an adjustable interest rate due after one year at December 31, 2014:
The Company has not made nor invested in subprime loans or “Alt-A” type mortgages. At December 31, 2014, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans are classified as nonperforming.
DEPOSITS: At December 31, 2014, the Company reported total deposits of $2.30 billion, an increase of $651.4 million, or 39.5 percent, from the balance reported at December 31, 2013. The Company’s strategy is to fund a majority of loan growth with core deposits, which is an important factor in the generation of net interest income. The Company’s average deposits for 2014 increased $495.9 million, or 31.9 percent, over 2013 average levels. Over that period, the Company saw growth in average noninterest-bearing checking balances, average interest-bearing checking, money market account balances and brokered deposits. The Company has successfully focused on:
Brokered certificates of deposit were also utilized throughout 2014. The majority of these deposits were longer term and have been transacted as part of the Company’s interest rate risk management. These certificates of deposit are also a more cost effective alternative than other borrowings and also do not require pledging of collateral.
Brokered interest-bearing demand deposits continue to be maintained as an additional source of liquidity. Such deposits are generally a more cost effective alternative than other borrowings and do not require pledging of collateral, as wholesale borrowings do. These deposits increased to $188 million at December 31, 2014. The Company ensures, ample available collateralized liquidity as a backup to these short term brokered deposits.
The following table sets forth information concerning the composition of the Company’s average deposit base and average interest rates paid for the following years:
The Company is a participant in the Reich & Tang Demand Deposit Marketplace (“DDM”) program. The Company uses these deposit sweep services to place customer funds into interest-bearing demand checking accounts issued by other participating banks. Customer funds are placed at one or more participating bank to ensure that each deposit customer is eligible for the full amount of FDIC insurance. As a program participant, the Company receives reciprocal amounts of deposits from other participating banks. The DDM program is considered to be a source of brokered deposits for bank regulatory purposes. However, the Company considers these reciprocal deposit balances to be in-market customer deposits as distinguished from traditional out-of-market brokered deposits.
Certificates of deposit $100,000 and over are generally purchased by local municipal governments or individuals for periods of one year or less. The following table shows the remaining maturity for certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES AND OTHER BORROWINGS: At December 31, 2014 and 2013, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances totaled $83.7 million and $74.7 million, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 1.78 percent and 1.80 percent, respectively. The Company considers FHLB advances an added source of funding, and accordingly, may execute transactions from time to time as an additional part of Company’s liquidity and interest rate risk management strategies. The FHLB advances outstanding at December 31, 2014 have varying maturities, call dates and interest rates, as well as prepayment penalties. At December 31, 2014 and 2013 overnight borrowings totaled $54.6 and 54.9 million, respectively with a weighted average rate of 0.32% and 0.40% respectively.
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND RELATED PROVISION: The allowance for loan losses was $19.5 million at December 31, 2014 compared to $15.4 million at December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014, the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans outstanding was 0.87 percent compared to 0.98 percent at December 31, 2013. The provision for loan losses was $4.9 million for 2014, $3.4 million for 2013 and $8.3 million for 2012.
In determining an appropriate amount for the allowance, the Bank segments and evaluates the loan portfolio based on Federal call report codes, which are based on collateral. The following portfolio classes have been identified:
Primary risk characteristics associated with residential mortgage loans typically involve major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; divorce or death. In addition, residential mortgage loans that have adjustable rates could expose the borrower to higher debt service requirements in a rising interest rate environment. Further, real estate value could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential exposure for the Bank.
Bank management believes that the underwriting guidelines previously described address the primary risk characteristics. Further, the Bank has dedicated staff and system resources to monitor and collect on any potentially problematic residential mortgage loans.
Bank management believes that the underwriting guidelines previously described address the primary risk characteristics. Further, the Bank has dedicated staff and system resources to monitor and collect on any potentially problematic home equity lines of credit.
Bank management believes that the underwriting guidelines previously described address the primary risk characteristics. Further, the Bank has dedicated staff and system resources to monitor and collect on any potentially problematic junior lien loans.
Multifamily loans are expected to be repaid from the cash flow of the underlying property so the collective amount of rents must be sufficient to cover all operating expense, maintenance, taxes and debt service. The Bank includes debt service coverage covenants in these loans and the average ratio at original underwriting was about 1.63x. Increases in vacancy rates, interest rates or other changes in general economic conditions can all have an impact on the borrower and their ability to repay the loan. Certain markets, such as New York City, are rent regulated, and as such, feature rents that are considered to be below market rates. Generally, rent regulated properties are characterized by relatively stable occupancy levels and longer term tenants. As a loan asset class for many banks, multifamily loans have experienced much lower historical loss rates compared to other types of commercial lending.
The Bank’s Loan Policy allows loan to appraised value ratios of up to 80 percent, however, almost all loans are originated at a maximum loan to value of 75 percent and the overall portfolio average loan to value ratio was under 61 percent at year end 2014. Most multifamily loans are made on a fixed rate basis with interest rate resets every five or seven years over an underlying market index, however, the Bank periodically will provide fixed rate periods as short as three years or up to ten years. Multifamily loan terms include prepayment penalties for early payoffs and generally require that the Bank escrow for real estate taxes. Multifamily loans will typically have a minimum debt service coverage ratio that provides for an adequate cushion for unexpected or uncertain events and changes in market conditions. In the loan underwriting process, the Bank requires an independent appraisal and review, appropriate environmental due diligence and an assessment of the property’s condition. A high majority of multifamily borrowers also maintain some form of deposit relationship with the Bank.
Commercial real estate loans are generally considered to have a higher degree of credit risk than multifamily loans as they may be dependent on the ongoing success and operating viability of a fewer number of tenants who are occupying the property and who may have a greater degree of exposure to various industry or economic conditions. To mitigate this risk, the Bank will generally require an assignment of leases, direct recourse to the owners, and a risk appropriate interest rate and loan structure. In underwriting an investment commercial real estate loan, the Bank evaluates the property’s historical operating income as well as its projected sustainable cash flow and generally requires a minimum debt service coverage ratio that provides for an adequate cushion for unexpected or uncertain events and changes in market conditions.
With an owner occupied property, a detailed credit assessment is made of the operating business since its ongoing success and profitability will be the primary source of repayment. While owner occupied properties include the real estate as collateral, the risk assessment of the operating business is more similar to the underwriting of commercial and industrial loans (described below). The Bank will evaluate factors such as, but not limited to, the expected sustainability of profits and cash flow, the depth and experience of management and ownership, the nature of competition, and the impact of forces like regulatory change and evolving technology.
While the Bank’s policy allows loan to value ratios of up to 80 percent of an appraised value, the maximum is typically 75 percent, and more than half are at 65 percent or lower at origination. Commercial mortgage loans are generally made on a fixed rate basis with periodic rate resets every five or seven years over an underlying market index. Commercial mortgage loan terms include prepayment penalties for early payoffs and generally require that the Bank escrow for real estate taxes. The Bank requires an independent appraisal, an assessment of the property’s condition, and appropriate environmental due diligence. With all commercial real estate loans, the Bank’s standard practice is to require a depository relationship.
Commercial and industrial loans are typically repaid first by the cash flow generated by the borrower’s business operation. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the underlying business and its ability to generate sustainable profitability and resulting positive cash flow. Factors that may influence a business’s profitability include, but are not limited to, demand for its products or services, quality and depth of management, degree of competition, regulatory changes, and general economic conditions. Commercial and industrial loans are generally secured by business assets; however, the ability of the Bank to foreclose and realize sufficient value from the assets is often highly uncertain. To mitigate the risk characteristics of commercial and industrial loans, the Bank will often require more frequent reporting requirements from the borrower in order to better monitor its business performance.
The provision was based upon Management’s review and evaluation of the size and composition of the loan portfolio, actual loan loss experience, level of delinquencies, general market and economic conditions, detailed analysis of individual loans for which full collectability may not be assured, and the existence and fair value of the collateral and guarantees securing the loans. Although Management used the best information available, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate, which is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to make additional provisions for loan losses based upon information available to them at the time of their examination. Furthermore, the majority of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate in the State of New Jersey and, to a lesser extent, the New York City area. Accordingly, the collectability of a substantial portion of the carrying value of the Company’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in market conditions in the state and may be adversely affected should real estate values decline further or New Jersey or New York City experience continuing adverse economic conditions. Future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions beyond the Company’s control.
The following table presents the loan loss experience, by loan type, during the periods ended December 31, of the years indicated:
The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses and the percentage of each loan category, by collateral type, to total loans as of December 31, of years indicated:
The allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2014 totaled $19.5 million compared to $15.4 million at December 31, 2013. In spite of the increase, the allowance for loan loss as a percentage of loans declined to 0.87 percent at December 31, 2014 compared to 0.98 percent at December 31, 2013. The provision for loan losses made during 2014 totaled $4.9 million for 2014 compared with $3.4 million for 2013. The provision for loan losses made was primarily influenced by net charge offs taken during the year of $768 thousand and loan growth experienced during 2014. The Company believes that the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2014 represents a reasonable estimate for probable incurred losses in the portfolio.
The portion of the allowance for loan losses allocated to loans collectively evaluated for impairment, commonly referred to as general reserves, was $18.5 million at December 31, 2014 and $13.7 million at December 31, 2013. General reserves at December 31, 2014 and 2013 represent 0.83 percent and 0.88 percent, respectively, of loans collectively evaluated for impairment. The Company experienced growth in the loan portfolio of approximately $677 million of which $539 million was in the multifamily portfolio. As a result of the growth experienced, multifamily and residential loan classes make up 69 percent of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2014 compared to approximately 68 percent at December 31, 2013. This continued change in loan composition has resulted in the overall decline of the general reserve allowance as a percentage of loans collectively evaluated for impairment at December 31, 2014 when compared to December 31, 2013 as the multifamily and residential loan classes carry a lower general reserve allocation compared to the other non-homogeneous lending portfolios.
The specific reserve component of the allowance for loan losses decreased to $957 thousand at December 31, 2014 compared to $1.7 million as of December 31, 2013.
The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans increased, as the level of nonperforming loans also decreased during the year. Nonperforming loans are specifically evaluated for impairment. Also, Management commonly records partial charge-offs of the excess of the principal balance over the fair value, less costs to sell, of collateral for collateral dependent impaired loans; as a result, the allowance for loan losses does not always change proportionately with changes in nonperforming loans. Management charged off $935 thousand on loans identified as collateral-dependent impaired loans during 2014 and charged off $973 thousand on loans identified as collateral-dependent impaired loans during 2013.
ASSET QUALITY:
The following table presents various asset quality data for the years indicated. These tables do not include loans held for sale.
Due to the continued weakness in the housing markets and economic environment during 2014, some borrowers have found it difficult to make their loan payments under contractual terms. In certain of these cases, the Company has chosen to grant concessions and modify certain loan terms.
The following table presents the troubled debt restructured loans, by collateral, at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
At December 31, 2014 there were $1.4 million of troubled debt restructured loans included in nonaccrual loans above compared to $2.9 million at December 31, 2013. All troubled debt restructured loans are considered and included in impaired loans at December 31, 2014 and had specific reserves of $892 thousand. At December 31, 2013, all troubled debt restructured loans were considered and included in impaired loans and had specific reserves of $1.7 million.
Except as disclosed, the Company does not have any potential problem loans that causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may result in disclosure of such loans.
Impaired loans totaled $20.5 million and $17.7 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans of $6.9 million and $6.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Impaired loans also include accruing troubled debt restructuring loans of $13.6 million at December 31, 2014 and $11.1 million at December 31, 2013.
The following table presents impaired loans, by collateral type, at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS: The following table shows the significant contractual obligations of the Company by expected payment period, as of December 31, 2014:
Long-term debt obligations include borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank with defined terms. The table reflects scheduled repayments of principal.
Leases represent obligations entered into by the Company for the use of land and premises. The leases generally have escalation terms based upon certain defined indexes. Common area maintenance charges may also apply and are adjusted annually based on the terms of the lease agreements.
Purchase obligations represent legally binding and enforceable agreements to purchase goods and services from third parties and consist of contractual obligations under data processing service agreements. The Company also enters into various routine rental and maintenance contracts for facilities and equipment. These contracts are generally for one year.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS: The following table shows the amounts and expected maturities of significant commitments, consisting primarily of letters of credit, as of December 31, 2014.
Commitments under standby letters of credit, both financial and performance, do not necessarily represent future cash requirements, in that these commitments often expire without being drawn upon.
OTHER INCOME: The following table presents the major components of other income:
The Company recorded total other income, excluding wealth management fee income of $5.6 million in 2014, reflecting a decrease of $1.2 million or 18 percent compared to 2013 levels. The decrease in 2014 was attributable to decreases in net securities gains and gains on sale of loans, offset in part by an increase in service charges and fees.
Securities gains were $260 thousand for 2014 compared to $840 thousand for 2013. Sales of securities have been generally employed to benefit interest rate risk, prepayment risk, and/or liquidity risk. Given the short duration of the securities portfolio, sales have been employed much less often in 2014 compared to 2013.
The decrease in loan sale gains is due to decreased levels of mortgage loans originated for sale. This decline in originations for sale was caused by market changes, most notably a rise in rates in mid-2013, as well as a shift in strategy, emphasizing mortgage loans for relation purposes.
The Company sold $67 million of longer-duration, lower-coupon residential first mortgage loans during 2014 as part of its strategy to de-emphasize residential first mortgage lending, while benefitting its liquidity and interest rate risk positions. Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, included the gain on sale of $166 thousand.
The Company recorded total other income, excluding income from the Bank’s Private Wealth Management Division, of $6.8 million in 2013, reflecting a decrease of $2.3 million or 25 percent over 2012 levels. The decrease in 2013 was attributable to decreases in mortgage late fees and net securities gains, offset in part by an increase in gains on sales of loans and net gains on sales of OREO properties.
The gain on the sale of classified loans totaled $522 thousand for 2013, which, was due to the sale of classified loans held for sale as of December 31, 2012. The decrease in securities gains was due to the sale of the Company’s entire pooled trust preferred security portfolio in December 2012 for a net gain of $2.9 million. The Company continues to strategically sell investments to reduce prepayment risk and/or interest rate risk and/or to benefit future yield or current capital.
OPERATING EXPENSES: The following table presents the major components of operating expenses:
Operating expenses totaled $59.5 million in 2014, compared to $55.2 million in 2013, resulting in an increase of $4.4 million, or 8 percent. Salaries and benefits expense, which accounts for the largest portion of operating expenses, totaled $36.2 million in 2014, reflecting an increase of $4.0 million or 12 percent, when compared to 2013. This is largely due to strategic hiring in line with the Strategic Plan. In 2014, in addition to the normal salary increases and the additional compensation associated with additions to staff, the Company saw increases in bonus and incentive accruals, associated with the Company’s growth.
Wealth management division other expense totaled $1.9 million in 2014, increasing $194 thousand, or 11 percent, from 2013 due to increased system expenses related to increased volume. Professional and legal fees decreased $212 thousand, or 10 percent, from $2.1 million in 2013 to $1.9 million in 2014, due primarily to fees in 2013 associated with the search for a new head of Wealth Management.
Loan expense totaled $532 thousand in 2014, decreasing $144 thousand, or 21 percent, when compared to 2013 expense due to lower expenses associated with problem loans. Provision for ORE expense was $400 thousand and $1.0 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively, and both were as a result of an adjustment necessary relating to one large ORE property.
The Company strives to operate in an efficient manner and control costs; however, given its plans to grow its core businesses, it expects higher operating expenses in 2015 compared to prior periods. The Company anticipates that revenue and related profitability associated with these plans will begin to improve after lagging expenses by several quarters.
Operating expenses totaled $55.2 million in 2013, compared to $48.3 million in 2012, resulting in an increase of $6.9 million, or 14 percent. Salaries and benefits expense, which accounts for the largest portion of operating expenses, totaled $32.2 million in 2013, reflecting an increase of $4.7 million or 17 percent, when compared to 2012. This is largely due to strategic hiring in line with the Strategic Plan. In addition, the Company recorded a $933 thousand compensation expense accrual related to certain staff restructurings during the third quarter of 2013. In 2013, in addition to the normal salary increases and the additional compensation associated with additions to staff, the Company saw increases in bonus, incentive and profit sharing accruals.
In 2013, premises and equipment expense totaled $9.9 million compared to $9.5 million in 2012, an increase of $447 thousand, or 5 percent. This was due to accelerated depreciation expense related to the consolidation of the operations center staff and equipment, as previously described.
Wealth management division other expense totaled $1.7 million in 2013, increasing $240 thousand, or 16 percent, from 2012 due to increased system expenses related to increased volume. Professional and legal fees increased $784 thousand, or 60 percent, from $1.3 million in 2012 to $2.1 million in 2013, due primarily to fees associated with the search for a new head of Wealth Management and various training and consulting expenses, much of which was associated with the Strategic Plan.
Loan expense totaled $676 thousand in 2013, decreasing $201 thousand, or 23 percent, when compared to 2012 expense due to lower expenses associated with problem loans. Provision for ORE expense was $1.0 million in 2013 compared to $145 thousand in 2012, as one large ORE property required a $1.0 million provision for ORE based on its appraisal in 2013.
INCOME TAXES: For the year ended December 31, 2014, income tax expense was $9.4 million compared to income tax expense of $5.5 million for the same period of 2013. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 38.69 percent compared to 36.27 percent for the year ended December 31, 2013. The effective tax rate for 2014 was greater than 2013 due to increase in income before income taxes compared to the prior year resulting in a higher tax rate applied.
CAPITAL RESOURCES: A solid capital base provides the Company with the ability to support future growth and financial strength and is essential to executing the Company’s Strategic Plan – “Expanding Our Reach.” The Company’s capital strategy is intended to provide stability to expand its businesses, even in stressed environments. The Company strives to maintain capital levels in excess of those considered to be well capitalized under regulatory guidelines applicable to banks. Maintaining an adequate capital position supports the Company’s goal of providing shareholders an attractive and stable long-term return on investment.
At December 31, 2014, the Company’s equity to total assets ratio was 8.96 percent, up from 8.68 percent at December 31, 2013. Also at December 31, 2014, the Company’s Tier 1 and total capital ratios were 14.38 percent and 15.55 percent, respectively, and its capital leverage ratio was 9.11 percent at December 31, 2014, all above the required levels necessary to be considered well capitalized under regulatory guidelines applicable to banks.
In December 2014, the Company successfully completed the sale of 2,776,215 common shares under its “at-the-market” equity offering program announced on October 23, 2014. The common shares in the offering were sold at a weighted average price of $18.01 per share, representing gross proceeds to the Company of $50 million, $48.2 million after sales agent commissions and offering expenses. The Board of Directors authorized the Company to contribute $48.2 million of the proceeds received from the equity offering to the Bank as equity. The cash was transferred from the Company to the Bank before year end 2014.
In December 2013, the Company completed the sale of 2,470,588 common shares in its rights offering and sale to standby investors. The common shares in the offering were all sold at a price of $17.00 per share, representing proceeds to the Company of $41.1 million, net of offering costs of $900 thousand. On December 19, 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to contribute $40.5 million of the proceeds received from the rights offering to the Bank as equity. At December 31, 2013, the Company entered into a note agreement with the Bank, which resulted in a capital contribution of $40.5 million to the Bank. The cash was transferred from the Company to the Bank on January 2, 2014 to satisfy the note agreement.
As noted under Capital Requirements of Part I, Item 1, Basel III rules are effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, subject to phase-in periods for certain components. As also noted in that section, the Company believes the Company and the Bank would meet all capital adequacy requirements under Basel III if such requirements were currently effective.
The Dividend Reinvestment Plan of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation, or the “Reinvestment Plan,” allows shareholders of the Company to purchase additional shares of common stock using cash dividends without payment of any brokerage commissions or other charges. Shareholders may also make voluntary cash payments of up to $50,000 per quarter to purchase additional shares of common stock. The Reinvestment Plan provided $7.4 million of capital to the Company in 2014.
Management believes the Company’s capital position and capital ratios are adequate.
LIQUIDITY: Liquidity refers to an institution’s ability to meet short-term requirements including loan fundings, deposit withdrawals and maturing obligations, as well as long-term obligations, including potential capital expenditures. The Company’s liquidity risk management is intended to ensure the Company has adequate funding and liquidity to support its assets across a range of market environments and conditions, including stressed conditions. Principal sources of liquidity include cash, temporary investments, securities available for sale, customer deposit inflows, brokered deposits, loan repayments and secured borrowings. Other liquidity sources include loan sales and loan participations.
Management actively monitors and manages the Company’s liquidity position and believes it is sufficient to meet future needs. Cash and cash equivalents, including federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits, totaled $31.2 million at December 31, 2014. In addition, the Company had $332.7 million in securities designated as available for sale at December 31, 2014. These securities can be sold, or used as collateral for borrowings, in response to liquidity concerns. In addition, the Company generates significant liquidity from scheduled and unscheduled principal repayments of loans and mortgage-backed securities.
A further source of liquidity is borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2014, unused borrowing commitments totaled $672.4 million from the FHLB and $28.4 million from correspondent banks.
Asset growth for 2014 was funded by a diversified source of funding alternatives, including customer deposits, brokered CDs, short term brokered interest-bearing demand deposits, multifamily loan participations, residential 1-4 family first mortgage loan sales and capital growth. The short term brokered interest-bearing demand deposit balances also assist in the Company’s liquidity management. These deposits are more cost effective than other short term alternatives and do not require any pledging of collateral. These deposits have generally funded the Company’s larger average interest earning deposit/cash balances maintained in 2014, as the Company had decided to maintain greater liquidity on its balance sheet, in light of its growth. The Company ensures ample available collateralized liquidity as a backup to these short term brokered deposits.
The Company has a Board-approved Contingency Funding Plan in place. This document provides a framework for managing adverse liquidity stress and contingent sources of liquidity. The Company conducts liquidity stress testing on a regular basis to ensure sufficient liquidity in a stressed environment.
Management believes the Company’s liquidity position and sources are adequate.
EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES:The financial statements and related financial data presented herein have been prepared in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution’s performance than do general levels of inflation.
PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT DIVISION: This division has served in the roles of executor and trustee while providing investment management, custodial, tax, retirement and financial services to its growing client base. Officers from the Private Wealth Management Division are available to provide wealth management, trust and investment services at the Bank’s corporate headquarters in Bedminster, at private banking locations in Morristown, Princeton and Teaneck, New Jersey and at the Bank’s subsidiary, PGB Trust & Investments of Delaware in Greenville, Delaware.
The following table presents certain key aspects of the Private Wealth Management Division’s performance for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
The market value of assets under administration at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2.99 billion and $2.69 billion, respectively, an increase of $296 million or 11 percent over the prior year as the result of improving values in the markets as well as new business activity.
The Company realized wealth management fees totaling $15.24 million in 2014, an increase of $1.4 million or 10 percent, over the levels in 2013. The increase reflects increased relationships, a greater mix of higher margin business and an improvement in the market value of assets under management.
While the “Operating Expenses” section above offers an overall discussion of the Company’s expenses including the Private Wealth Management Division, expenses for the division totaled $12.7 million compared to $10.8 million for the same period in 2013, an increase of $1.9 million, or 18 percent. For the 2014 year, salaries and benefits expense increased $1.8 million, or 32 percent to $7.6 million when compared to the same period in 2013. Other operating expenses totaled $5.2 million and $5.0 million for the years ended 2014 and 2013, respectively, increasing $131 thousand, or 3 percent when compared to 2013. Expenses increased due to strategic hiring in line with the Company’s Strategic Plan, as well as growth in the business.
The Private Wealth Management Division currently generates adequate revenue to support the salaries, benefits and other expenses of the Division; however, Management believes that the Bank generates adequate liquidity to support the expenses of the Division should it be necessary.
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the market value of assets under administration was $2.69 billion and $2.30 billion, an increase of $387 million or 17 percent and can be attributed to improving values in the markets and new business activity. Fee income generated by PGB Trust Investments was $13.8 million and $12.3 million in 2013 and 2012 respectively, an increase of $1.6 million or 13 percent.
As explained previously, the “Operating Expenses” section above offers an overall discussion of the Company’s expenses. Other expenses for the Private Wealth Management Division totaled $10.8 million and $10.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, an increase of $614 thousand or 6 percent, when compared to the 2012 year.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This Annual Report on Form 10-K, both in the foregoing discussion and elsewhere, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about Management’s confidence and strategies and Management’s expectations about new and existing programs and products, investments, relationships, opportunities and market conditions. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,”, “may,” “will” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to
The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT: The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee (ALCO) is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring asset/liability management strategies and reports and advising the Board of Directors on such, as well as the related level of interest rate risk. In this regard, interest rate risk simulation models are prepared on a quarterly basis. These models have the ability to demonstrate balance sheet gaps, and predict changes to net interest income and economic/market value of portfolio equity under various interest rate scenarios. In addition, these models, as well as ALCO processes and reporting, are subject to annual independent third-party review.
ALCO is generally authorized to manage interest rate risk through management of capital and management of cash flows and duration of assets and liabilities, including sales and purchases of assets, as well as additions of wholesale borrowings, brokered deposits and other sources of medium/longer term funding. ALCO is authorized to engage in interest rate swaps as a means of extending duration of shorter term liabilities and the Company entered into one such contract during 2014.
The following strategies are among those used to manage interest rate risk:
During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company initiated a program of using interest rate swaps as a tool in the management of interest rate risk. The swap program is administered by ALCO and follows procedures and documentation in accordance with regulatory guidance and standards as set forth in ASC 815 for cash flow hedges. The program incorporates pre-purchase analysis, liability designation, sensitivity analysis and correlation analysis, daily mark-to-market and collateral posting as required. The Board is advised of all swap activity. The Company executed one swap, receiving floating and paying fixed with a notional value of $25.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.
As noted above, ALCO uses simulation modeling to analyze the Company’s net interest income sensitivity, as well as the Company’s economic value of portfolio equity under various interest rate scenarios. The model is based on the actual maturity and repricing characteristics of rate sensitive assets and liabilities. The model incorporates certain prepayment and interest rate assumptions, which management believes to be reasonable as of December 31, 2014. The model assumes changes in interest rates without any proactive change in the balance sheet by management. In the model, the forecasted shape of the yield curve remains static as of December 31, 2014.
In an immediate and sustained 200 basis point increase in market rates at December 31, 2014, net interest income for 2015 would decline approximately 10.5 percent. This sensitivity improves in 2016 to a further decline of only 3.3 percent, when compared to a flat interest rate scenario. The sensitivity is positive for years beyond 2016.
In an immediate and sustained 100 basis point decrease in market rates at December 31, 2014, net interest income would decline approximately 2.8 percent for 2015 and 6.0 percent for 2016, compared to a flat interest rate scenario.
The Company expected it would be slightly more sensitive to rising interest rates as of December 31, 2014 compared to prior periods. The fourth quarter of 2014 included record quarterly loan origination levels, and also included several larger clients withdrawing funds for varying needs at year end. These withdrawals were expected and were only a portion of each client’s relationship with the Company. During the first two months of 2015, some of these amounts have been re-deposited into the Company. This, combined with growth in medium and longer term CDs and transacting additional pay fixed/receive floating interest rate swaps, has benefitted the Company’s interest rate risk position in early 2015.
The table below shows the estimated changes in the Company’s economic value of portfolio equity (“EVPE”) that would result from an immediate parallel change in the market interest rates at December 31, 2014.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in determining interest rate risk. Simulation modeling requires making certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the modeling assumes that the composition of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assume that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the information provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income and will differ from actual results.
Management believes the Company’s interest rate risk position is reasonable.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of condition of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. We also have audited Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting located in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Livingston, New Jersey
March 13, 2015
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation and Organization:The consolidated financial statements of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation (the “Company”) are prepared on the accrual basis and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Peapack-Gladstone Bank (the “Bank”). The consolidated statements also include the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, PGB Trust & Investments of Delaware and Peapack-Gladstone Mortgage Group, Inc. While the following footnotes include the collective results of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation and Peapack-Gladstone Bank, these footnotes primarily reflect the Bank’s and its subsidiaries’ activities. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated from the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Business: Peapack-Gladstone Bank, the subsidiary of the Company, is a commercial bank that provides innovative private banking services to businesses, non-profits and consumers which help them to establish, maintain and expand their legacy. Wealth management services are also provided through its subsidiary, PGB Trust & Investments of Delaware. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions, is regulated by certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.
Basis of Financial Statement Presentation: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In preparing the financial statements, Management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the statement of condition and revenues and expenses for that period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Information: The Company’s business is conducted through its banking subsidiary and involves the delivery of loan and deposit products and wealth management services to customers. Management uses certain methodologies to allocate income and expense to the business segments.
The Banking segment includes commercial, commercial real estate, multifamily, residential and consumer lending activities; deposit generation; operation of ATMs; telephone and internet banking services; merchant credit card services and customer support sales.
Peapack-Gladstone Bank’s Private Wealth Management Division includes asset management services provided for individuals and institutions; personal trust services, including services as executor, trustee, administrator, custodian and guardian; corporate trust services including services as trustee for pension and profit sharing plans; and other financial planning and advisory services. This segment also includes the activity from the Delaware subsidiary.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: For purposes of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, interest-earning deposits and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods. Cash equivalents are of original maturities of 90 days or less. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions and overnight borrowings.
Interest-Earning Deposits in Other Financial Institutions: Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions mature within one year and are carried at cost.
Securities: All securities are classified as available for sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax.
Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium of discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.
Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, Management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: 1) other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and 2) other-than-temporary impairment related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings.
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) Stock: The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock, based on the level of borrowings and other factors. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Cash dividends are reported as income.
The Bank is also a member of the Federal Reserve Bank and required to own a certain amount of stock. FRB stock is carried at cost and classified as a restricted security. Cash dividends are reported as income.
Loans Held for Sale: Mortgage loans originated with the intent to sell in the secondary market are carried at fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged in earnings.
Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with servicing rights released; therefore, no servicing rights are recorded. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.
Loans originated with the intent to hold and subsequently transferred to loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. These are loans that the Company no longer has the intent to hold for the foreseeable future.
Loans: Loans that Management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are stated at the principal amount outstanding. Interest on loans is recognized based upon the principal amount outstanding. Loans are stated at face value, less purchased premium and discounts and net deferred fees. Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment, on a level-yield method, to the loan’s yield. The definition of recorded investment in loans includes accrued interest receivable, however, for the Company’s loan disclosures, accrued interest was excluded as the impact was not material.
Loans are considered past due when they are not paid in accordance with contractual terms. The accrual of income on loans, including impaired loans, is discontinued if, in the opinion of Management, principal or interest is not likely to be paid in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, or when principal or interest is past due 90 days or more and collateral, if any, is insufficient to cover principal and interest. All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Payments received on nonaccrual loans are recorded as principal payments. A nonaccrual loan is returned to accrual status only when interest and principal payments are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured, generally when the Bank receives contractual payments for a minimum of six months. Commercial loans are generally charged off after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt. Consumer loans are generally charged off after they become 120 days past due. Subsequent payments are credited to income only if collection of principal is not in doubt. If principal and interest payments are brought contractually current and future collectability is reasonably assured, loans are returned to accrual status. Nonaccrual mortgage loans are generally charged off when the value of the underlying collateral does not cover the outstanding principal balance. The majority of the Company’s loans are secured by real estate in the State of New Jersey and, to a lesser extent, in New York.
Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when Management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in Management’s judgment, should be charged off.
The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component of the allowance relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired.
A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by Management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
All loans are individually evaluated for impairment when loans are classified as substandard by Management. If a loan is considered impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral less estimated disposition costs if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. If and when a residential mortgage is placed on nonaccrual status and in the process of collection, such as through a foreclosure action, then they are evaluated for impairment on an individual basis and the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral less estimated disposition costs.
A troubled debt restructuring is a renegotiated loan with concessions made by the lender to a borrower who is experiencing financial difficulty. Troubled debt restructurings are impaired and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception. If a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral, less estimated disposition costs. For troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default, the Company determines the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses.
The general component of the allowance covers non-impaired loans and is based primarily on the Bank’s historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual loss history experience by the Company on a weighted average basis over the previous three years. This actual loss experience is adjusted by other qualitative factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These economic factors include consideration of the following: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentrations. For loans that are graded as non-impaired, the Company allocates a higher general reserve percentage then pass-rated loans through utilization of a multiple, which is calculated annually through a migration analysis. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the multiple was 5 times for non-impaired substandard loans and 2.5 times for non-impaired special mention loans.
Significant changes to the allowance for loan losses methodology are evaluated by the Company at each reporting period. For the period ended December 31, 2013, the Company enhanced its methodology utilized to determine the historical loss experience. In previous periods, the Company utilized a three-year look back period for actual loss experience with the most recent year being allocated a higher weighting than the previous years. For the period ended December 31, 2013, the Company determined that applying equal weighting to each of the three years represented a more appropriate reflection of its historical loss experience and continued using this method as of December 31, 2014.
In addition, the Company also enhanced its methodology utilized to compute the escalation multiple used for loans that are graded as special mention and substandard (non-impaired). The methodology utilized was based on a migration analysis. Similar to the historical loss experience computation, in previous periods, the Company utilized a disproportionate weighting approach in computing its escalation multiple for loans graded as special mention and substandard (non-impaired), while as of December 31, 2013, the Company moved to an equal weighting approach. Management concluded that equal weighting provided a more representative estimate of the losses in the criticized and classified portions of the portfolio than disproportionate weighting and continued using this method as of December 31, 2014.
The impact of these changes to the methodology resulted in approximately a $1 million increase to the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2013.
Primary Residential Mortgages. The Bank originates one to four family residential mortgage loans within or near its primary geographic market area. Loans are secured by first liens on the primary residence or investment property. Primary risk characteristics associated with residential mortgage loans typically involve major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; divorce or death. In addition, residential mortgage loans that have adjustable rates could expose the borrower to higher debt service requirements in a rising interest rate environment. Further, real estate value could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential exposure for the Bank.
Home Equity Lines of Credit. The Bank provides revolving lines of credit against one to four family residences within or near its primary geographic market. Primary risk characteristics associated with home equity lines of credit typically involve major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; divorce or death. In addition, home equity lines of credit typically are made with variable or floating interest rates, such as the Prime Rate, which could expose the borrower to higher debt service requirements in a rising interest rate environment. Further, real estate value could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential exposure for the Bank.
Junior Lien Loan on Residence. The Bank provides junior lien loans (“JLL”) against one to four family properties within or near its primary geographic market area. Junior liens loans can be either in the form of an amortizing home equity loan or a revolving home equity line of credit. These loans are subordinate to a first mortgage which may be from another lending institution. Primary risk characteristics associated with junior lien loans typically involve major living or lifestyle changes to the borrower, including unemployment or other loss of income; unexpected significant expenses, such as for major medical issues or catastrophic events; divorce or death. Further, real estate value could drop significantly and cause the value of the property to fall below the loan amount, creating additional potential exposure for the Bank.
Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate Loans. The Bank provides mortgage loans for multifamily properties (i.e. buildings which have five or more residential units) and other commercial real estate that is either owner occupied or managed as an investment property within or near its market area, including New York City. Commercial real estate properties primarily include office and medical buildings, retail space, and warehouse or flex space. Some properties are considered “mixed use” as they are a combination of building types, such as an apartment building that may also have retail space. Multifamily loans are expected to be repaid from the cash flow of the underlying property so the collective amount of rents must be sufficient to cover all operating expenses, property management and maintenance, taxes and debt service. Increases in vacancy rates, interest rates or other changes in general economic conditions can all have an impact on the borrower and their ability to repay the loan. Commercial real estate loans are generally considered to have a higher degree of credit risk than multifamily loans as they may be dependent on the ongoing success and operating viability of a fewer number of tenants who are occupying the property and who may have a greater degree of exposure to economic conditions.
Commercial and Industrial Loans. The Bank provides lines of credit and term loans to operating companies for business purposes. The loans are generally secured by business assets such as accounts receivable, inventory, business vehicles and equipment. Commercial and industrial loans are typically repaid first by the cash flow generated by the borrower’s business operation. The primary risk characteristics are specific to the underlying business and its ability to generate sustainable profitability and resulting positive cash flow. Factors that may influence a business’s profitability include, but are not limited to, demand for its products or services, quality and depth of management, degree of competition, regulatory changes, and general economic conditions. Commercial and industrial loans are generally secured by business assets; however, the ability of the Bank to foreclose and realize sufficient value from the assets is often highly uncertain.
Commercial Construction. The Bank has substantially wound down its commercial construction lending activity given the current economic environment. New construction loans would be considered only to experienced and reputable local builders and developers that have the capital and liquidity to carry a project to completion and stabilization. Construction loans are considered riskier than commercial financing on improved and established commercial real estate. The risk of potential loss increases if the original cost estimates or time to complete are significantly off.
Consumer and Other. These are loans to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures as well as obligations of states and political subdivisions in the U.S. This also represents all other loans that cannot be categorized in any of the previous mentioned loan segments.
Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are states at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation charges are computed using the straight-line method. Equipment and other fixed assets are depreciated over the estimated useful lives, which range from three to ten years. Premises are depreciated over the estimated useful life of 40 years, while leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the lease. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The cost of major renewals and improvements are capitalized. Gains or losses realized on routine dispositions are recorded as other income or other expense.
Other Real Estate Owned (OREO): Other real estate owned is initially recorded at fair value, less costs to sell. When a property is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over the estimated fair value is charged to the allowance for loan losses. A valuation allowance is recorded through earnings for any subsequent decline in fair value and any gains or losses on the sale of properties are recorded through earnings. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.
Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI): The Bank has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. BOLI is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments:Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.
Derivatives: At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative as one of three types based on the Company’s intentions and belief as to likely effectiveness as a hedge. These three types are (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”), (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”), or (3) an instrument with no hedging designation (“stand-alone derivative”). For a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item, are recognized in current earnings as fair values change. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For both types of hedges, changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings, as non-interest income.
Net cash settlements on derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest income or interest expense, based on the item being hedged. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in non-interest income. Cash flows on hedges are classified in the cash flow statement the same as the cash flows of the items being hedged.
The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company discontinues hedge accounting when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative is settled or terminates, a hedged forecasted transaction is no longer probable, a hedged firm commitment is no longer firm, or treatment of the derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate or intended.
When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as non-interest income. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.
Income Taxes: The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return. Separate state income tax returns are filed for each subsidiary based on current laws and regulations.
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in its financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on the enacted tax rates. Such tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effect of a change in tax rates in the period of enactment.
The Company recognizes a tax position as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.
The Company is no longer subject to examination by the U.S. Federal tax authorities for years prior to 2012 or by New Jersey tax authorities for years prior to 2010. In 2014, the Company was audited by U.S. Federal tax authorities for the tax years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012. No changes to the tax returns were made.
The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Benefit Plans: The Company has a 401(K) profit-sharing and investment plan, which covers substantially all salaried employees over the age of 21 with at least 12 months of service.
Stock-Based Compensation: Compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees and non-employee directors, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation expense is recognized over the required service or performance period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The stock options granted under these plans are exercisable at a price equal to the fair value of common stock on the date of grant and expire not more than ten years after the date of grant.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”):On April 22, 2014, the shareholders of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation approved the 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The ESPP provides for the granting of purchase rights of up to 150,000 shares of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation common stock. Subject to certain eligibility requirements and restrictions, the ESPP allows employees to purchase shares during four three- month Offering Periods. Each participant in the Offering Period is granted an option to purchase a number of shares and may contribute between one percent and 15 percent of their compensation. At the end of each Offering Period on the Purchase Date, the number of shares to be purchased by the employee is determined by dividing the employee’s contributions accumulated during the Offering Period by the applicable Purchase Price. The Purchase Price is an amount equal to 85 percent of the closing market price of a share of common stock on the Purchase Date. Participation in the ESPP is entirely voluntary and employees can cancel their purchases at any time during the period without penalty. The fair value of each share purchase right is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the Company recorded $49 thousand of expense in salaries and employee benefits expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. Total shares issued under the ESPP were 10,698 during 2014.
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”):In calculating earnings per share, there are no adjustments to net income available to common shareholders, which is the numerator of both the Basic and Diluted EPS. The weighted average number of shares outstanding used in the denominator for Diluted EPS is increased over the denominator used for Basic EPS by the effect of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents utilizing the treasury stock method. Common stock options outstanding are common stock equivalents, as are restricted stock until vested. Earnings and dividends per share are restated for all stock splits and stock dividends through the date of issuance of the financial statements.
The following table shows the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
Stock options and restricted stock totaling 167,004, 478,389 and 546,950 shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because they were considered antidilutive.
Loss Contingencies: Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonable estimated. Management does not believe there are any such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.
Restrictions on Cash: Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements.
Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income consists of net income and the change during the period in the Company’s net unrealized gains or losses on securities available for sale and unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedge, net of tax, less adjustments for realized gains and losses, net amortization of the unrealized loss on securities transferred to held to maturity from available for sale and accretion of the non-credit component on certain held to maturity securities with other-than-temporary impairment charges in previous periods.
Equity: Stock dividends in excess of 20 percent are reported by transferring the par value of the stock issued from retained earnings to common stock. Stock dividends for 20 percent or less are reported by transferring the fair value, as of the ex-dividend date, of the stock issued from retained earnings to common stock and additional paid-in capital. Fractional share amounts are paid in cash with a reduction in retained earnings. Treasury stock is carried at cost.
Reclassification: Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior periods’ financial statements in order to conform to the 2013 presentation and had no effect on the consolidated income statements or shareholders’ equity.
New Accounting Policies: Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-04, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40) – Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure. In January 2014, the FASB amended existing guidance to clarify when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan should be derecognized and the real estate recognized. These amendments clarify that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and 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. Additional disclosures are required. The amendment is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2014. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the financial statements of the Company.
ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606).
In May 2014 the FASB amended existing guidance related to revenue from contracts with customers. This amendment supersedes and replaces nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance, establishes a new control-based revenue recognition model, changes the basis for deciding when revenue is recognized over time or at a point in time, provides new and more detailed guidance on specific topics and expands and improves disclosures about revenue. In addition, this amendment specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is considering the impact of ASU 2014-09.
2. INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
A summary of amortized cost and approximate fair value of investment securities available for sale included in the consolidated statements of condition as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:
The amortized cost and approximate fair value of investment securities available for sale as of December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity, such as mortgage-backed securities, marketable equity securities and the CRA Investment Fund, are shown separately.
Securities available for sale with fair value of $46.4 million and $65.3 million as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, were pledged to secure public funds and for other purposes required or permitted by law.
The following is a summary of the gross gains, gross losses and net tax expense related to proceeds on sales of securities available for sale for the years ended December 31,
The following table presents the Company’s available for sale securities with continuous unrealized losses and the approximate fair value of these investments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Management believes that the unrealized losses on investment securities available for sale are temporary and due to interest rate fluctuations and/or volatile market conditions rather than the credit worthiness of the issuers. The Company does not intend to sell these securities nor is it likely that it will be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery.
At December 31, 2014, the unrealized loss of $599 thousand is related to a single-issuer trust preferred security issued by a large bank holding company that has experienced declines in fair value on all its securities due to the turmoil in the financial markets and a merger. The investment continues to be rated below investment grade and was rated in November 2014 at Ba1 by Moody’s, the same rating as at December 31, 2013. Management monitors the performance of the issuer on a quarterly basis to determine if there are any credit events that could result in deferral or default of the security. The fair value of this security at December 31, 2014, is higher than the fair value at December 31, 2013. Management believes the depressed valuation is a result of the nature of the bond, a trust preferred security, and the bond’s very low yield. At December 31 2014, Management does not intend to sell the security nor is it likely that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery.
No other-than-temporary impairment charges were recognized in 2014, 2013 or 2012.
3. LOANS
The following table presents loans outstanding, by type of loan, as of December 31:
In determining an appropriate amount for the allowance, the Bank segments and evaluates the loan portfolio based on Federal call report codes. The following portfolio classes have been identified as of December 31:
At December 31, 2014 there was no longer an unamortized discount. Included in the totals above for December 31, 2013 is $396 thousand of unamortized discount.
In June of 2014, the Company sold $67 million of longer-duration, lower-coupon residential first mortgage loans as part of its strategy to de-emphasize residential first mortgage lending, while benefitting its liquidity and interest rate risk positions. Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, included the gain on sale of $166 thousand.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company, through the Bank, may extend credit to officers, directors or their associates. These loans are subject to the Company’s normal lending policy and Federal Reserve Bank Regulation O.
The following table shows the changes in loans to officers, directors or their associates:
The following tables present the loan balances by portfolio segment, based on impairment method, and the corresponding balances in the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
December 31, 2013
Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans of $6.9 million at December 31, 2014 and $6.6 million at December 31, 2013. Impaired loans also include performing troubled debt restructured loans of $13.6 million at December 31, 2014 and $11.1 million at December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014, the allowance allocated to troubled debt restructured loans totaled $892 thousand of which $204 thousand was allocated to nonaccrual loans. At December 31, 2013, the allowance allocated to troubled debt restructured loans totaled $1.7 million of which $740 thousand was allocated to nonaccrual loans. All accruing troubled debt restructured loans were paying in accordance with restructured terms as of December 31, 2014. The Company has not committed to lend additional amounts as of December 31, 2014 to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as loan restructurings.
The following tables present loans individually evaluated for impairment by class of loans as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Cash basis interest income recognized during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was not material.
The following tables present the recorded investment in nonaccrual and loans past due over 90 days still on accrual by class of loans as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
The following tables present the recorded investment in past due loans as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 by class of loans, excluding nonaccrual loans:
Credit Quality Indicators:
The Company places all commercial loans into various credit risk rating categories based on an assessment of the expected ability of the borrowers to properly service their debt. The assessment considers numerous factors including, but not limited to, current financial information on the borrower, historical payment experience, strength of any guarantor, nature of and value of any collateral, acceptability of the loan structure and documentation, relevant public information and current economic trends. This credit risk rating analysis is performed when the loan is initially underwritten. The credit risk rating is re-evaluated annually by credit underwriters for all loans $500,000 and over; annually through a limited review by Portfolio Managers with the Chief Credit Officer for loans in an amount of $250,000 up to $500,000; annually by an external independent loan review firm for all loans $3,500,000 and over, on a proportional basis by the review firm for loans from $500,000 up to $3,499,999, and on a random sampling basis by the review firm for loans under $500,000; or whenever Management otherwise identifies a positive or negative trend or issue relating to a borrower. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
Special Mention: Loans subject to special mention have a potential weakness that deserves Management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weakness inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be pass-rated loans.
The table below presents, based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans for December 31, 2014 and 2013.
December 31, 2014
At December 31, 2014, $20.5 million of the special mention and the substandard loans were also considered impaired as compared to December 31, 2013, when $17.7 million of the special mention and the substandard loans were also considered impaired.
The tables below present a rollforward of the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Troubled Debt Restructurings: The Company has allocated $892 thousand and $1.6 million of specific reserves to customers whose loan terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. There were no unfunded commitments to lend additional amounts to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as troubled debt restructurings.
During the period ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the terms of certain loans were modified as troubled debt restructurings. The modification of the terms of such loans included one or a combination of the followings: a reduction of the stated interest rate of the loan; an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; or a permanent reduction of the recorded investment in the loan.
The following table presents loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2014:
The following table presents loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2013:
The following table presents loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2012:
The identification of the troubled debt restructured loans did not have a significant impact on the allowance for loan losses. In addition, there were no charge-offs as a result of the classification of these loans as troubled debt restructuring during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
There were no payment defaults on loans modified as troubled debt restructurings within twelve months of modification during the year ending December 31, 2014.
The following table presents loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings during the year ended December 31, 2013 for which there was a payment default during the same period:
The following table presents loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings during the year ended December 31, 2012 for which there was a payment default during the same period:
The defaults described above did not have a material impact on the allowance for loan losses during 2014, 2013 and 2012.
In order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification. This evaluation is performed under the Company’s internal underwriting policy. At the time a loan is restructured, the Bank performs a full re-underwriting analysis, which includes, at a minimum, obtaining current financial statements and tax returns, copies of all leases, and an updated independent appraisal of the property. A loan will continue to accrue interest if it can be reasonably determined that the borrower should be able to perform under the modified terms, that the loan has not been chronically delinquent (both to debt service and real estate taxes) or in nonaccrual status since its inception, and that there have been no charge-offs on the loan. Restructured loans with previous charge-offs would not accrue interest at the time of the troubled debt restructuring. At a minimum, six months of contractual payments would need to be made on a restructured loan before returning a loan to accrual status. Once a loan is classified as a TDR, the loan is reported as a TDR until the loan is paid in full, sold or charged-off. In rare circumstances, a loan may be removed from TDR status, if it meets the requirements of ASC 310-40-50-2.
4. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
The following table presents premises and equipment as of December 31,
The Company has included leases in premises and equipment as follows:
Projects in progress represents costs associated with renovations to the Company’s headquarters in addition to smaller renovation or equipment installation projects at other locations.
The Company recorded depreciation expense of $3.0 million, $3.5 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The Company leases its corporate headquarters building under a capital lease and in 2014, leased additional space it the building. The lease arrangement requires monthly payments through 2025. Related depreciation expense and accumulated depreciation of $531 thousand, $400 thousand and $400 thousand is included in the results of 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The Company also leases its Gladstone branch after completing a sale-leaseback transaction involving the property in 2011. The lease arrangement requires monthly payments through 2031. The gain on the sale of $764 thousand was deferred and will be accreted to income over the life of the lease. Related depreciation expense and accumulated depreciation of $141 thousand is included in each of the 2014, 2013 and 2012 results.
The following is a schedule by year of future minimum lease payments under capitalized leases, together with the present value of net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2014:
5. OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had other real estate owned, net of valuation allowances, totaling $1.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively.
The following table shows the activity in other real estate owned, excluding the valuation allowance, for the years ended December 31,
The following table shows the activity in the valuation allowance for the years ended December 31,
The following table shows expenses related to other real estate owned for the years ended December 31,
6. DEPOSITS
Time deposits over $250,000 totaled $23.1 million and $16.7 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The following table sets forth the details of total deposits as of December 31,
The scheduled maturities of time deposits as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
7. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES AND OTHER BORROWINGS
Advances from FHLB totaled $83.7 million and $74.7 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, with a weighted average interest rate of 1.78 percent and 1.80 percent, respectively.
At December 31, 2014 advances totaling $71.7 million with a weighted average rate of 1.57 percent, have fixed maturity dates, while at December 31, 2013 advances totaling $62.7 million with a weighted average rate of 1.57 percent, have a fixed maturity. At December 31, 2014 the fixed rate advances are secured by blanket pledges of certain 1-4 family residential mortgages totaling 388.5 million and multifamily totaling 815.6 million. The fixed rate advances at December 31, 2013 are secured by blanket pledges of certain 1-4 family residential mortgages totaling $449.9 million.
At both December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $12.0 million in variable rate advances, with a weighted average rate of 3.01 percent, that are noncallable for two or three years and then callable quarterly with final maturities of ten years from the original date of the advance. All of these advances are beyond their initial noncallable periods. These advances are secured by pledges of investment securities totaling $13.4 million at December 31, 2014 and $13.3 million at December 31, 2013.
The advances have prepayment penalties.
The scheduled principal repayments and maturities of advances as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
At December 31, 2014 there were overnight borrowings with the FHLB of $54.6 million with a weighted average rate of 0.32 percent and at December 31, 2013 there were overnight borrowings with the FHLB of $54.9 million with a weighted average rate of 0.40 percent. At December 31, 2014, unused short-term or overnight borrowing commitments totaled $672.4 million from the FHLB and $28.4 million from correspondent banks.
8. FAIR VALUE
Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:
The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair value:
Investment Securities: The fair values for investment securities are determined by quoted market prices (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2). For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3).
Loans Held for Sale, at Fair Value:The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using quoted prices for similar assets, adjusted for specific attributes of that loan or other observable market data, such as outstanding commitments from third party investors (Level 2).
Derivatives: The fair values of derivatives are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (Level 2). Our derivatives are traded in an over-the-counter market where quoted market prices are not always available. Therefore, the fair values of derivatives are determined using quantitative models that utilize multiple market inputs. The inputs will vary based on the type of derivative, but could include interest rates, prices and indices to generate continuous yield or pricing curves, prepayment rates, and volatility factors to value the position. The majority of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services.
Impaired Loans: The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is generally based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.
Other Real Estate Owned: Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate owned (OREO) are measured at fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may use a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.
Appraisals for both collateral-dependent impaired loans and other real estate owned are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by Management. Once received, a member of the Credit Department reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal, as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. Appraisals on collateral dependent impaired loans and other real estate owned (consistent for all loan types) are obtained on an annual basis, unless a significant change in the market or other factors warrants a more frequent appraisal. On an annual basis, Management compares the actual selling price of any collateral that has been sold to the most recent appraised value to determine what additional adjustment should be made to the appraisal value to arrive at fair value for other properties. The most recent analysis performed indicated that a discount up to 15 percent should be applied to appraisals on properties. The discount is determined based on the nature of the underlying properties, aging of appraisal and other factors. For each collateral-dependent impaired loan we consider other factors, such as certain indices or other market information, as well as property specific circumstances to determine if an adjustment to the appraised value is needed. In situations where there is evidence of change in value, the Bank will determine if there is need for an adjustment to the specific reserve on the collateral dependent impaired loans. When the Bank applies an interim adjustment, it generally shows the adjustment as an incremental specific reserve against the loan until it has received the full updated appraisal. As of December 31, 2014, all collateral-dependent impaired loans and other real estate owned valuations were supported by an appraisal less than 12 months old, except for one property that has an appraisal that is 14 months old. An updated appraisal had been ordered on the property. The loan has been performing and was current at December 31, 2014.
The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including financial assets for which the Company has elected the fair value option:
The Company has elected the fair value option for loans held for sale. These loans are intended for sale and the Company believes that the fair value is the best indicator of the resolution of these loans. Interest income is recorded based on the contractual terms of the loan and in accordance with the Company’s policy on loans held for investment. None of these loans are 90 days or more past due nor on nonaccrual as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
The following tables present residential loans held for sale, at fair value for the periods indicated:
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:
Impaired loans that are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a recorded investment of $648 thousand, with a valuation allowance of $105 thousand at December 31, 2014. Impaired loans that are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a recorded investment of $2.1 million, with a valuation allowance of $471 thousand at December 31, 2013.
At both December 31, 2014 and 2013, OREO at fair value represents one commercial property. The Company recorded a valuation allowance of $400 thousand and $1.01 million during 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments at December 31, 2013 are as follows:
The methods and assumptions, not previously presented, used to estimate fair values are described as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values and are classified as either Level 1 or Level 2. Cash and due from banks is classified as Level 1. Certificates of deposit are classified as Level 2.
FHLB and FRB stock: It is not practicable to determine the fair value of FHLB or FRB stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.
Loans: For variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values resulting in a Level 3 classification. Fair values for other loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality resulting in a Level 3 classification. Impaired loans are valued at the lower of cost or fair value as described previously. The methods utilized to estimate the fair value of loans do not necessarily represent an exit price.
Deposits: The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest checking, savings and money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date, (i.e., the carrying amount) resulting in a Level 1 classification. The carrying amounts of variable-rate certificates of deposit approximate the fair values at the reporting date resulting in Level 2 classification. Fair values for fixed rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits resulting in a Level 2 classification.
Overnight borrowings: The carrying amounts of overnight borrowings approximate fair values and are classified as Level 2.
Federal Home Loan Bank advances:The fair values of the Company’s long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements resulting in a Level 2 classification.
Accrued interest receivable/payable:The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value resulting in a Level 2 or Level 3 classification. Accrued interest on deposits and securities are included in Level 2. Accrued interest on loans are included in Level 3.
Off-balance sheet instruments: Fair values for off-balance sheet, credit-related financial instruments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing. The fair value of commitments is not material.
9. OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
The following table presents the major components of other operating expenses for the years ended December 31,
10. INCOME TAXES
The income tax expense included in the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, is allocated as follows:
Total income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 35 percent to income before taxes as a result of the following:
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:
The net deferred tax asset in 2013 includes the tax effect of nearly $19.0 million of New Jersey net operating loss carryforwards, which was used in 2014.
In 2012, the Company sold the pooled trust preferred securities resulting in a federal tax loss carryback refund claim of $8.1 million. The remaining deferred tax asset for OTTI was converted to deferred tax assets relating to federal and state net operating loss carryforwards.
Based upon taxes paid and projected future taxable income, Management believes that it is more likely than not that the gross deferred tax assets will be realized.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.
The Company is subject to U.S. Federal income tax as well as New Jersey income tax. The Company is no longer subject to federal examination for tax years prior to 2011. The tax years of 2011, 2012 and 2013 remains open to federal examination. The Company is no longer subject to New Jersey examination for tax years prior to 2010. The tax years of 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 remain open for state examination.
11. BENEFIT PLANS
The Company sponsors a profit sharing plan and a savings plan under Section 401(K) of the Internal Revenue Code, covering substantially all salaried employees over the age of 21 with at least 12 months of service. Under the savings plan, the Company contributes three percent of salary for each employee regardless of the employees’ contributions as well as partially matching employee contributions. The Company contributed to an enhanced benefit plan to employees who were previously in the defined benefit plan, which was discontinued in 2008. This enhanced benefit was discretionary and was eliminated in 2014. In 2013 and 2012, the enhanced benefit was approximately $850 thousand and $856 thousand, respectively. Expense for the savings plan totaled approximately $1.4 million, $1.9 million and $1.8 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Contributions to the profit sharing plan are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and all funds are invested solely in Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation common stock. The Company did not contribute to the profit sharing plan in 2014. The aggregate contribution to the profit sharing plan was $200 thousand in each of 2013 and 2012.
12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company’s 2006 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and 2012 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan allow the granting of shares of the Company’s common stock as incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights to directors, officers, employees and independent contractors of the Company and its subsidiaries. The total number of shares initially available to grant in active plans was 820,000. There are no shares remaining for issuance with respect to stock option plans approved in 1995, 1998 and 2002; however, options granted under those plans are still included in the numbers below. At December 31, 2014, there were 406,250 additional shares available for grant under the unexpired plans.
Options granted under the long-term stock incentive plans are, in general, exercisable not earlier than one year after the date of grant, at a price equal to the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant, and expire not more than ten years after the date of grant. Stock options may vest during a period of up to five years after the date of grant. Some options granted to officers at or above the senior vice president level were immediately exercisable at the date of grant. The Company has a policy of using new shares to satisfy option exercises.
Changes in options outstanding during 2014 were as follows:
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options). The Company’s closing stock price on December 31, 2014 was $18.56.
The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $109 thousand in 2014, $20 thousand in 2013 and $8 thousand in 2012.
The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $7.50, $4.58 and $3.91, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model with the following weighted average assumptions:
As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $280 thousand of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s stock incentive plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years.
The Company issued stock awards in 2014, 2013 and 2012. The stock awards were either service based awards or performance based awards. The service based awards vest ratably over a three or five year’s period. The performance based awards are dependent upon the Company meeting certain performance criteria and cliff vest at the end of the performance period. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has determined that the performance targets will be met and therefore, the performance awards are being expensed over the vesting period. As of December 31, 2014, there was $4.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares, which is expected to vest over 3.0 years.
Changes in nonvested shares dependent on performance criteria for 2014 were as follows:
Changes in nonvested shares not dependent on performance criteria for 2014 were as follows:
Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in 2014 totaled $1.5 million for stock awards and $234 thousand for stock options. Total compensation expense for stock awards was $590 thousand and $549 thousand in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company recognized total compensation expense for stock options of $319 thousand and $336 thousand in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company, in the ordinary course of business, is a party to litigation arising from the conduct of its business. Management does not consider that these actions depart from routine legal proceedings and believes that such actions will not affect its financial position or results of its operations in any material manner. There are various outstanding commitments and contingencies, such as guarantees and credit extensions, including mostly variable-rate loan commitments of $223.0 million and $159.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which are not included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. These commitments include unused commercial and home equity lines of credit.
The Company issues financial standby letters of credit that are irrevocable undertakings by the Company to guarantee payment of a specified financial obligation. Most of the Company’s financial standby letters of credit arise in connection with lending relations and have terms of one year or less. The maximum potential future payments the Company could be required to make equals the contract amount of the standby letters of credit and amounted to $3.2 million and $3.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s liability for financial standby letters of credit was insignificant at December 31, 2014.
For commitments to originate loans, the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Those commitments represent ultimate exposure to credit risk only to the extent that they are subsequently drawn upon by customers. The Company uses the same credit policies and underwriting standards in making loan commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. For loan commitments, the Company would generally be exposed to interest rate risk from the time a commitment is issued with a defined contractual interest rate.
At December 31, 2014, the Company was obligated under non-cancelable operating leases for certain premises. Rental expense aggregated $2.5 million, $2.5 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively, which is included in premises and equipment expense in the consolidated statements of income.
The minimum annual lease payments under the terms of the operating lease agreements, as of December 31, 2014, were as follows:
The Company is also obligated under legally binding and enforceable agreements to purchase goods and services from third parties, including data processing service agreements.
14. REGULATORY CAPITAL
The Company through the Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company and the Bank’s consolidated financial statements. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required.
Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). At year-end 2014 and 2013, the Bank maintained capital levels which met or exceeded the levels required to be considered well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There are no conditions or events since that notification that Management believes have changed the institution’s category.
To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table.
The Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table:
The Company’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table:
15. DERIVATIVES
The Company utilizes interest rate swap agreements as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage its interest rate risk position. The notional amount of the interest rate swaps does not represent amounts exchanged by the parties. The amount exchanged is determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the individual interest rate swap agreements.
Interest Rate Swap Designated as Cash Flow Hedge: An interest rate swap with a notional amount of $25.0 million as of December 31, 2014, was designated as a cash flow hedge of certain interest-bearing demand brokered deposits and was determined to be fully effective during 2014. As such, no amount of ineffectiveness has been included in net income. Therefore, the aggregate fair value of the swap is recorded in other liabilities with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income. The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income would be reclassified to current earnings should the hedge no longer be considered effective. The Company expects the hedge to remain fully effective during the remaining terms of the swap.
The following information about the interest rate swap designated as cash flow hedge as of December 31, 2014 is presented in the following table:
Interest expense recorded on this swap transaction totaled $1 thousand for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and is reported as a component of interest expense.
Cash Flow Hedge
The following table presents the net gains/(losses) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and the consolidated financial statements relating to the cash flow derivative instruments for the year ended December 31:
The following table reflects the cash flow hedge included in the financial statements as of December 31:
16. PREFERRED STOCK
On January 9, 2009, as part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury) Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) Capital Purchase Program, the Company sold 28,685 shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, having a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, and a ten-year warrant to purchase up to 150,296 shares of the Company’s common stock, no par value at an exercise price of $28.63 per share, after adjusting for the five percent stock dividend declared on June 18, 2009, for an aggregate purchase price of $28.7 million in cash, allocated $1.6 million to warrants and $27.1 million to preferred stock.
Cumulative dividends on the preferred shares accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5 percent per annum for the first five years, and at a rate of 9 percent per annum thereafter. Subject to the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the preferred shares are redeemable at the option of the Company at 100 percent of their liquidation preference. If the Company redeems the preferred shares and the Treasury still owns the warrant, the Company could repurchase the warrant from the Treasury for its fair market value. Unless both the holder and the Company agree otherwise, the exercise of the warrant will be a net exercise (i.e., the holder does not pay cash but gives up shares with a market value at the time of exercise equal to the exercise price, resulting in a net settlement with significantly fewer than the 150,296 shares of common stock being issued).
The Securities Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the preferred shares and the warrant were sold, contains limitations on the payment of dividends on the common stock, including with respect to the payment of quarterly cash dividends in excess of $0.16 per share, which was the amount of the last regular dividend declared by the Company prior to October 14, 2008 and on the Company’s ability to repurchase its Common Stock. The Company is also subject to certain executive compensation limitations included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “EESA”).
On January 6, 2010 and March 2, 2011, the Company redeemed 25 percent of the preferred shares issued under the Treasury’s CPP, each time repaying approximately $7.2 million to the Treasury, including accrued and unpaid dividends of approximately $51 thousand and $17 thousand, respectively. As a result of the repurchase, the accretion related to the preferred stock was accelerated and approximately $330 thousand and $246 thousand was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings in the first quarters of 2010 and 2011, respectively. The Company’s redemption of the shares was not subject to additional conditions or stipulations from the Treasury.
On January 11, 2012, the Company redeemed the remaining 50 percent of the preferred shares issued under the Treasury’s CPP, repaying approximately $14.5 million to the Treasury, including accrued and unpaid dividends of approximately $112 thousand. The Company’s redemption of the shares was not subject to additional conditions or stipulations from the Treasury. As a result of the repurchase, the accretion related to the preferred stock was accelerated and approximately $362 thousand was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings in the first quarter of 2012. The 150,296 common share warrant remained outstanding after the redemption; however, the Company paid $109 thousand to the U.S. Treasury on April 5, 2012 to repurchase it.
17. SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
In December 2014, the Company successfully completed the sale of 2,776,215 common shares in its “at-the-market” equity offering program announced on October 23, 2014. The common shares in the offering were sold at a weighted average price of $18.01 per share, representing proceeds to the Company of $48.4 million, net of offering costs of $216 thousand. The Board of Directors authorized the Company to contribute $48.2 million of the proceeds received from the equity offering to the Bank as equity. The Company contributed the cash prior to year end 2014.
In December 2013, the Company successfully completed the sale of 2,470,588 common shares in its rights offering and sale to standby investors. The common shares in the offering were all sold at a price of $17.00 per share, representing proceeds to the Company of $41.1 million, net of offering costs of $900 thousand. On December 19, 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to contribute $40.5 million of the proceeds received from the rights offering to the Bank as equity. At December 31, 2013, the Company entered into a note agreement with the Bank, which resulted in a capital contribution of $40.5 million to the Bank. The note matured on January 10, 2014 and the cash was transferred from the Company to the Bank on January 2, 2014 to satisfy the note agreement.
In addition, the Dividend Reinvestment Plan of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation, or the Plan, allows shareholders of the Company to purchase additional shares of common stock using cash dividends without payment of any brokerage commissions or other charges. In addition, shareholders may also make voluntary cash payments of up to $50,000 per quarter to purchase additional shares of common stock. The Plan provides that shares may be purchased directly from the Company out of its authorized but unissued or treasury shares, or in the open market. During 2013 and 2014 the shares purchased under the Plan were from authorized but unissued shares. The price of shares purchased under the Plan will be the average price paid for such shares by the Plan’s administrator, Computershare Investor Services. The price to the Plan administrator of shares purchased directly from Peapack-Gladstone with reinvested dividends or voluntary cash payments will be 97% of their “fair market value,” as that term is herein defined in the Plan. The 3% discount will continue until terminated or modified by action of the Board of Directors. Total shares issued through the Plan in 2014 totaled 416,057 that resulted in additional capital of $7.4 million, of which 404,000 shares were issued through the voluntary purchase portion of the Plan. Total shares issued through the Plan in 2013 totaled 200,265 that resulted in additional capital of $3.2 million, of which 194,000 shares were issued through the voluntary purchase portion of the Plan.
18. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Company assesses its results among two operating segments, Banking and Peapack-Gladstone Bank’s Private Wealth Management Division. Management uses certain methodologies to allocate income and expense to the business segments. A funds transfer pricing methodology is used to assign interest income and interest expense. Certain indirect expenses are allocated to segments. These include support unit expenses such as technology and operations and other support functions. Taxes are allocated to each segment based on the effective rate for the period shown.
Banking
The Banking segment includes commercial, commercial real estate, multifamily, residential and consumer lending activities; deposit generation; operation of ATMs; telephone and internet banking services; merchant credit card services and customer support and sales.
Private Wealth Management Division
Peapack-Gladstone Bank’s Private Wealth Management Division includes asset management services provided for individuals and institutions; personal trust services, including services as executor, trustee, administrator, custodian and guardian; corporate trust services including services as trustee for pension and profit sharing plans; and other financial planning and advisory services.
The following table presents the statements of income and total assets for the Company’s reportable segments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
19. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The following is a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
The following represents the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
20. CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
21. SUPPLEMENTAL DATA (unaudited)
The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly financial data for the periods indicated:
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” which, consistent with Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is defined to mean controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have also concluded that there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2014.
The Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, provides reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. The design of a control system reflects resource constraints; the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because there are inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been or will be detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. There can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2014, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As of December 31, 2014 management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”) of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operating effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit and Risk Committee.
Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2014, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm
Crowe Horwath LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s December 31, 2014 consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an audit report expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. The report is included in Item 8 under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
PART III
The information set forth under the captions “Director Information,” “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Mr. Kennedy joined the Bank in October 2012 as Chief Executive Officer. He is a career banker with over 37 years of commercial banking experience. Previously, Mr. Kennedy served as Executive Vice President and Market President at Capital One Bank/North Fork and held key executive level positions with Summit Bank and Bank of American/Fleet Bank. Mr. Kennedy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a MBA from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Mr. Caspersen has nearly 20 years of experience, including 11 years in the Banking industry. Mr. Caspersen joined the Bank as Chief Risk Officer in March 2004 and was promoted to General Counsel in May 2006. He was elected to the Board of Directors in April 2012. Mr. Caspersen was named Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel in 2013. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Caspersen worked in the fields of venture capital, investment banking and corporate law. Mr. Caspersen is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard College.
Mr. Carfora joined the Bank in April 2009 as Chief Financial Officer having previously served as a Transitional Officer with New York Community Bank from April 2007 until January 2008 as a result of a merger with PennFed Financial Services Inc. and Penn Federal Savings Bank (collectively referred to as “PennFed”). Previous to the merger, Mr. Carfora served as Chief Operating Officer of PennFed from October 2001 until April 2007 and Chief Financial Officer from December 1993 to October 2001. Mr. Carfora has nearly 35 years of experience, including 32 years in the Banking industry. Mr. Carfora has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a MBA in Finance, both from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Spero joined the Bank in June 2008 as Senior Vice President and Senior Commercial Lender and has over 26 years of banking experience. Previously Mr. Spero served as Senior Vice President and Commercial Loan Team Leader at Lakeland Bank, a subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp from May 2000 to May 2008. Mr. Spero is a graduate of Wagner College and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in their MBA program.
Ms. Rockoff joined the Bank in April 2013 as Chief Risk Officer and is head of the Bank’s Enterprise Risk Management. Ms. Rockoff has 31 years of experience in financial services. Previously she worked for Morgan Stanley in Credit Risk Management for 16 years, covering the full spectrum of Morgan Stanley’s capital markets and loan products. Prior to her tenure at Morgan Stanley, Ms. Rockoff held positions at Nomura Securities International and Republic National Bank. Ms. Rockoff has Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and French from Penn State and a MBA from Columbia University.
Mr. Bilotta joined the Bank in September 2013 as director of retail banking and marketing. Mr. Bilotta has over 31 years of banking experience, most recently with Oritani Bank where he was responsible for the retail banking and marketing functions. Mr. Bilotta is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College and the Bank Administration Institute at the University of Wisconsin.
Mr. Babcock joined the Bank on March 10, 2014 as Senior Executive Vice President and President of Private Wealth Management of Peapack-Gladstone Bank. Mr. Babcock has more than 34 years of experience in wealth management and private banking, most recently serving as managing director and the regional head of the Northeast Mid-Atlantic region for the HSBC Private Bank. Prior to HSBC, Mr. Babcock held senior level positions at U.S. Trust/Bank of America, The Bank of New York and Summit/Fleet Bank. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
The information set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
The following table shows information at December 31, 2014 for all equity compensation plans under which shares of our common stock may be issued:
The information set forth under the captions “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock” in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
The information set forth under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons” and “Corporate Governance” in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
The information set forth under the captions “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Audit Committee Pre-approval Procedures” in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
The Consolidated Financial Statements of Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation as set forth in Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 are incorporated by reference herein.
All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are either inapplicable or not required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto contained in this 2014 Annual Report.
(a) Subsidiaries of the Company:
Name
Jurisdiction
of Incorporation
Percentage of Voting
Securities Owned by
the Parent
(b) Subsidiaries of the Bank:
New Jersey
100%
* Filed herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Douglas L. Kennedy
Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey J. Carfora
Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dated: March 13, 2015
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated.