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EX-32.0 - EXHIBIT 32.0 - United Financial Bancorp, Inc.ubnk2016033116ex320.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - United Financial Bancorp, Inc.ubnk2016033116ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - United Financial Bancorp, Inc.ubnk2016033116ex311.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
ý
 
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016.
Commission File Number: 001-35028
United Financial Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Connecticut
 
27-3577029
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
45 Glastonbury Boulevard, Glastonbury, Connecticut
 
06033
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(860) 291-3600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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.    ý  Yes    ¨  No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter prior that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12B-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
ý
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12B-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of April 29, 2016, there were 50,165,957 shares of Registrant’s no par value common stock outstanding.

 


Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Net Income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
Exhibits
 




Part 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 - Interim Financial Statements
United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Condition
(Unaudited)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
(In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
46,618

 
$
47,602

Short-term investments
40,616

 
47,574

Total cash and cash equivalents
87,234

 
95,176

Available-for-sale securities - at fair value
1,090,498

 
1,059,169

Held-to-maturity securities - at amortized cost
14,434

 
14,565

Loans held for sale
7,560

 
10,136

Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $35,500
at March 31, 2016 and $33,887 at December 31, 2015)
4,621,988

 
4,587,062

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock
55,989

 
51,196

Accrued interest receivable
16,922

 
15,740

Deferred tax asset, net
32,222

 
33,094

Premises and equipment, net
53,685

 
54,779

Goodwill
115,281

 
115,281

Core deposit intangible
7,073

 
7,506

Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
125,920

 
125,101

Other assets
90,438

 
59,736

Total assets
$
6,319,244

 
$
6,228,541

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
Non-interest-bearing
$
693,144

 
$
672,008

Interest-bearing
3,840,901

 
3,765,063

Total deposits
4,534,045

 
4,437,071

Mortgagors’ and investors’ escrow accounts
9,696

 
13,526

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
926,175

 
949,003

Other borrowings
146,859

 
150,017

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
69,191

 
53,403

Total liabilities
5,685,966

 
5,603,020

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock (no par value; 2,000,000 authorized; no shares issued)

 

Common stock (no par value; authorized 120,000,000 and 60,000,000 shares; 50,108,049 and 49,941,428 shares issued and outstanding, at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)
521,622

 
519,587

Additional paid-in capital
10,280

 
10,722

Unearned compensation - ESOP
(5,865
)
 
(5,922
)
Retained earnings
117,911

 
112,013

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(10,670
)
 
(10,879
)
Total stockholders’ equity
633,278

 
625,521

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
6,319,244

 
$
6,228,541


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
3
 


United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Net Income
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands, except share data)
Interest and dividend income:
 
 
 
Loans
$
45,472

 
$
40,527

Securities - taxable interest
5,096

 
5,269

Securities - non-taxable interest
2,010

 
2,092

Securities - dividends
923

 
374

Interest-bearing deposits
73

 
33

Total interest and dividend income
53,574

 
48,295

Interest expense:
 
 
 
Deposits
6,266

 
4,740

Borrowed funds
3,906

 
2,212

Total interest expense
10,172

 
6,952

Net interest income
43,402

 
41,343

Provision for loan losses
2,688

 
1,511

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
40,714

 
39,832

Non-interest income:
 
 
 
Service charges and fees
4,594

 
3,831

Gain on sales of securities, net
1,452

 
338

Income from mortgage banking activities
860

 
2,371

Bank-owned life insurance income
818

 
834

Net loss on limited partnership investments
(936
)
 
(430
)
Other loss
(61
)
 
(109
)
Total non-interest income
6,727

 
6,835

Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
17,791

 
16,572

Service bureau fees
2,029

 
1,820

Occupancy and equipment
3,900

 
4,458

Professional fees
881

 
917

Marketing and promotions
592

 
636

FDIC insurance assessments
939

 
1,078

Core deposit intangible amortization
433

 
481

FHLB prepayment penalties
1,454

 

Other
5,744

 
4,695

Total non-interest expense
33,763

 
30,657

Income before income taxes
13,678

 
16,010

Provision for income taxes
1,784

 
2,985

Net income
$
11,894

 
$
13,025

 
 
 
 
Net income per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.24

 
$
0.27

Diluted
$
0.24

 
$
0.26

Weighted-average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
Basic
49,423,218

 
48,715,992

Diluted
49,652,632

 
49,275,942


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
4
 


United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
 
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Net income
 
$
11,894

 
$
13,025

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains
 
10,569

 
9,000

Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in operations (1)
 
(1,452
)
 
(338
)
Net unrealized gains
 
9,117

 
8,662

Tax effect - expense
 
(3,284
)
 
(3,116
)
Net-of-tax amount - securities available for sale
 
5,833

 
5,546

Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
Unrealized losses
 
(8,297
)
 
(3,350
)
Reclassification adjustment for expense (benefit) realized in operations (2)
 
(619
)
 
12

Net unrealized losses
 
(8,916
)
 
(3,338
)
Tax effect - benefit
 
3,212

 
1,203

Net-of-tax amount - interest rate swaps
 
(5,704
)
 
(2,135
)
Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost (3)
 
124

 
184

Tax effect - benefit (expense)
 
(45
)
 
69

Net-of-tax amount - pension plans
 
79

 
253

Post-retirement plans:
 
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for prior service costs recognized in net periodic benefit cost (4)
 

 
2

Reclassification adjustment for losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost (4)
 
1

 
6

Change in losses and prior service costs
 
1

 
8

Tax effect - benefit
 

 
3

Net-of-tax amount - post-retirement plans
 
1

 
11

Net-of-tax amount - pension and post-retirement plans
 
80

 
264

Total other comprehensive income
 
209

 
3,675

Comprehensive income
 
$
12,103

 
$
16,700

 
(1)
Amounts are included in gain on sales of securities, net in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Net Income. Income tax expense associated with the reclassification adjustment was $523 and $122 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(2)
Amounts are included in borrowed funds expense in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Net Income. Income tax (expense) benefit associated with the reclassification adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $(223) and $4, respectively.
(3)
Amounts are included in salaries and employee benefits (expense) in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Net Income. Income tax expense associated with the reclassification adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $45 and $66, respectively.
(4)
Amounts are included in salaries and employee benefits expense in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Net Income. Income tax benefit associated with the reclassification adjustment for prior period service costs for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0 and $1, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Income tax benefit associated with the reclassification adjustment of the losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0 and $2, respectively.

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
5
 


United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Unearned
Compensation
 - ESOP
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands, except share data)
Balance at December 31, 2015
49,941,428

 
$
519,587

 
$
10,722

 
$
(5,922
)
 
$
112,013

 
$
(10,879
)
 
$
625,521

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
11,894

 
209

 
12,103

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 
500

 

 

 

 
500

ESOP shares released or committed to be released

 

 
9

 
57

 

 

 
66

Shares issued for stock options exercised and SARs
138,171

 
1,685

 
(609
)
 

 

 

 
1,076

Shares issued for restricted stock grants
30,973

 
350

 
(350
)
 

 

 

 

Cancellation of shares for tax withholding
(2,523
)
 

 
(29
)
 

 

 

 
(29
)
Tax benefit from stock-based awards

 

 
37

 

 

 

 
37

Dividends paid ($0.12 per common share)

 

 

 

 
(5,996
)
 

 
(5,996
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
50,108,049

 
$
521,622

 
$
10,280

 
$
(5,865
)
 
$
117,911

 
$
(10,670
)
 
$
633,278

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
49,537,700

 
$
514,189

 
$
16,007

 
$
(6,150
)
 
$
84,852

 
$
(6,490
)
 
$
602,408

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
13,025

 
3,675

 
16,700

Common stock repurchased
(377,700
)
 
(5,171
)
 

 

 

 

 
(5,171
)
Stock-based compensation expense

 

 
267

 

 

 

 
267

ESOP shares released or committed to be released

 

 
17

 
57

 

 

 
74

Shares issued for stock options exercised and SARs
110,115

 
1,529

 
(954
)
 

 

 

 
575

Shares issued for restricted stock grants
27,330

 
340

 
(340
)
 

 

 

 

Cancellation of shares for tax withholding
(12,923
)
 
(184
)
 

 

 

 

 
(184
)
Tax benefit from stock-based awards

 

 
381

 

 

 

 
381

Dividends paid ($0.10 per common share)

 

 

 

 
(4,927
)
 

 
(4,927
)
Balance at March 31, 2015
49,284,522

 
$
510,703

 
$
15,378

 
$
(6,093
)
 
$
92,950

 
$
(2,815
)
 
$
610,123


See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
6
 


United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
11,894

 
$
13,025

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments, net
1,284

 
967

Accretion of intangible assets and purchase accounting marks
(1,462
)
 
(2,946
)
Amortization of subordinated debt issuance costs
32

 
32

Stock-based compensation expense
500

 
267

ESOP expense
66

 
74

Loss on extinguishment of debt
1,454

 

Tax benefit from stock-based awards
37

 
(381
)
Provision for loan losses
2,688

 
1,511

Gain on sales of securities, net
(1,452
)
 
(338
)
Loans originated for sale
(87,182
)
 
(72,842
)
Principal balance of loans sold
89,758

 
68,060

(Increase) decrease in mortgage servicing asset
803

 
(192
)
Gain on sales of other real estate owned
(8
)
 
45

Net change in mortgage banking fair value adjustments
(441
)
 
(613
)
(Gain) loss on disposal of equipment
(17
)
 
44

Write-downs of other real estate owned

 
57

Depreciation and amortization
1,351

 
1,307

Loss on limited partnerships
936

 
430

Deferred income tax expense
755

 
2,036

Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
(818
)
 
(834
)
Net change in:
 
 
 
Deferred loan fees and premiums
(594
)
 
(624
)
Accrued interest receivable
(1,182
)
 
(746
)
Other assets
(41,510
)
 
(6,548
)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
15,893

 
1,278

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(7,215
)
 
3,069

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
108,152

 
116,285

Proceeds from calls and maturities of available-for-sale securities

 
14,404

Principal payments on available-for-sale securities
15,302

 
19,321

Principal payments on held-to-maturity securities
124

 
157

Purchases of available-for-sale securities
(145,435
)
 
(181,726
)
Purchase of FHLBB stock
(4,793
)
 
(2,056
)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned
509

 
684

Purchases of loans
(25,454
)
 
(3,255
)
Loan originations, net of principal repayments
(10,437
)
 
(2,364
)
Purchases of premises and equipment
(263
)
 
(1,409
)
Proceeds from sale of equipment
1

 

Net cash used in investing activities
(62,294
)
 
(39,959
)

(Continued)
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
7
 


United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Concluded
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in non-interest-bearing deposits
21,136

 
(4,202
)
Net increase in interest-bearing deposits
76,197

 
127,085

Net decrease in mortgagors’ and investors’ escrow accounts
(3,830
)
 
(4,189
)
Net increase in short-term FHLBB advances
(43,000
)
 
(45,000
)
Repayments of long-term FHLBB advances
(4,366
)
 
(2,321
)
Repayments of FHLBB borrowings and penalty
(37,796
)
 

Proceeds from long-term FHLBB advances
61,342

 
10,000

Net change in other borrowings
(3,204
)
 
(32,225
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and SARs
1,076

 
575

Common stock repurchased

 
(5,694
)
Cancellation of shares for tax withholding
(29
)
 
(184
)
Tax benefit from stock-based awards
37

 
381

Cash dividend paid on common stock
(5,996
)
 
(4,927
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
61,567

 
39,299

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(7,942
)
 
2,409

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
95,176

 
86,952

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
87,234

 
$
89,361

 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
Cash paid (refunded) during the year for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
9,809

 
$
7,347

Income taxes, net
1,445

 
(6,641
)
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned
405

 
258

Decrease in due to broker, investment purchases

 
(1,105
)
Decrease in due to broker, common stock buyback

 
(523
)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
8
 


United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “United”) is headquartered in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and through United Bank (“the Bank”) and various subsidiaries, delivers financial services to individuals, families and businesses primarily throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts through 53 banking offices, its commercial loan production offices, its mortgage loan production offices, 63 ATMs, telephone banking, mobile banking and online banking (www.bankatunited.com).
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated interim financial statements and the accompanying notes presented in this report include the accounts of the Company, the Bank and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, United Bank Mortgage Company, United Bank Investment Corp., Inc., United Bank Commercial Properties, Inc., United Bank Residential Properties, Inc., United Northeast Financial Advisors, Inc., United Bank Investment Sub, Inc., UCB Securities, Inc. II, UB Properties, LLC, United Financial Realty HC, Inc. and United Financial Business Trust I. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
The consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016 or any future period. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2015 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in United Financial Bancorp, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Common Share Repurchases
The Company is chartered in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut law does not provide for treasury shares, rather shares repurchased by the Company constitute authorized but unissued shares. GAAP states that accounting for treasury stock shall conform to state law. Therefore, the cost of shares repurchased by the Company has been allocated to common stock balances.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made in prior periods’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2016 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or net change in cash equivalents.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Actual results in the future could vary from the amounts derived from management’s estimates and assumptions. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, realizability of deferred tax assets, the evaluation of securities for other-than-temporary impairment, the valuation of derivative instruments and hedging activities and goodwill impairment valuations.
Note 2.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Compensation
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09 Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative aimed at reducing complexity in accounting standards. This ASU simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions for both public and nonpublic entities, including; accounting for income taxes; classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; forfeitures; statutory tax withholding requirements; classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and; classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must


9
 


adopt all of the amendments in the same period. This ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Financial Statements.
Derivatives and Hedging
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06 Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments as part of the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force. This ASU addresses inconsistent interpretations of whether an event that triggers an entity’s ability to exercise the embedded contingent option must be indexed to interest rates or credit risk for that option to qualify as clearly and closely related. The ASU clarifies that in assessing whether an embedded contingent put or call option is clearly and closely related to the debt host, an entity is required to perform only the four-step decision sequence in ASC 815-15-25-42 as amended by the ASU. The entity does not have to separately assess whether the event that triggers its ability to exercise the contingent option is itself indexed only to interest rates or credit risk. For public business entities, the amendments in the ASU are effective for annual reporting periods, and interim period therein, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Note 3.
Securities
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investment securities at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and government-sponsored enterprise obligations
$
9,929

 
$
71

 
$

 
$
10,000

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
202,294

 
1,448

 
(188
)
 
203,554

Government-sponsored residential collateralized debt obligations
226,025

 
3,162

 
(69
)
 
229,118

Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities
27,417

 
380

 

 
27,797

Government-sponsored commercial collateralized debt obligations
147,712

 
2,405

 
(10
)
 
150,107

Asset-backed securities
161,202

 
160

 
(4,580
)
 
156,782

Corporate debt securities
63,333

 
556

 
(2,111
)
 
61,778

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
206,811

 
2,845

 
(1,175
)
 
208,481

Total debt securities
1,044,723

 
11,027

 
(8,133
)
 
1,047,617

Marketable equity securities, by sector:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks
39,376

 
1,050

 
(821
)
 
39,605

Industrial
109

 
54

 

 
163

Mutual funds
2,863

 
73

 
(2
)
 
2,934

Oil and gas
131

 
48

 

 
179

Total marketable equity securities
42,479

 
1,225

 
(823
)
 
42,881

Total available-for-sale securities
$
1,087,202

 
$
12,252

 
$
(8,956
)
 
$
1,090,498

Held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
12,350

 
$
1,056

 
$

 
$
13,406

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
2,084

 
240

 

 
2,324

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
14,434

 
$
1,296

 
$

 
$
15,730




10
 


 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(In thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and government-sponsored enterprise obligations
$
10,159

 
$
13

 
$
(83
)
 
$
10,089

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
146,434

 
731

 
(1,304
)
 
145,861

Government-sponsored residential collateralized debt obligations
287,515

 
855

 
(1,403
)
 
286,967

Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities
21,144

 
21

 
(200
)
 
20,965

Government-sponsored commercial collateralized debt obligations
128,617

 
626

 
(271
)
 
128,972

Asset-backed securities
162,895

 
43

 
(3,037
)
 
159,901

Corporate debt securities
62,356

 
91

 
(2,487
)
 
59,960

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
201,217

 
1,561

 
(1,663
)
 
201,115

Total debt securities
1,020,337

 
3,941

 
(10,448
)
 
1,013,830

Marketable equity securities, by sector:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks
41,558

 
1,099

 
(544
)
 
42,113

Industrial
109

 
34

 

 
143

Mutual funds
2,854

 
65

 
(4
)
 
2,915

Oil and gas
132

 
36

 

 
168

Total marketable equity securities
44,653

 
1,234

 
(548
)
 
45,339

Total available-for-sale securities
$
1,064,990

 
$
5,175

 
$
(10,996
)
 
$
1,059,169

Held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
12,360

 
$
884

 
$
(10
)
 
$
13,234

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
2,205

 
244

 

 
2,449

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
14,565

 
$
1,128

 
$
(10
)
 
$
15,683


At March 31, 2016, the net unrealized gain on securities available for sale of $3.3 million, net of an income tax expense of $1.2 million, or $2.1 million, was included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the unaudited Consolidated Statement of Condition. The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at March 31, 2016 by contractual maturities are presented below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some securities may be called or repaid without any penalties. Also, because mortgage-backed securities require periodic principal paydowns, they are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary.


11
 


 
Available for Sale
 
Held to Maturity
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(In thousands)
Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Within 1 year
$
428

 
$
428

 
$

 
$

After 1 year through 5 years
16,548

 
16,438

 
1,190

 
1,227

After 5 years through 10 years
60,986

 
61,294

 

 

After 10 years
202,111

 
202,099

 
11,160

 
12,179

 
280,073

 
280,259

 
12,350

 
13,406

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
202,294

 
203,554

 
2,084

 
2,324

Government-sponsored residential collateralized debt obligations
226,025

 
229,118

 

 

Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities
27,417

 
27,797

 

 

Government-sponsored commercial collateralized debt obligations
147,712

 
150,107

 

 

Asset-backed securities
161,202

 
156,782

 

 

Total debt securities
$
1,044,723

 
$
1,047,617

 
$
14,434

 
$
15,730

At March 31, 2016, the Company had 136 securities with a fair value of $564.0 million pledged as derivative collateral, collateral for reverse repurchase borrowings and collateral for Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”) borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2015, the Company had 114 securities with a fair value of $446.0 million pledged as derivative collateral, collateral for reverse repurchase borrowings, and collateral for FHLBB borrowing capacity.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, gross gains of $1.7 million were realized on the sales of available-for-sale securities for both periods. There were gross losses of $202,000 and $1.3 million realized on the sale of available-for-sale securities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company did not have any exposure to private-label mortgage-backed securities. The Company also did not own any single security with an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity.
As of March 31, 2016, the fair value of the obligations of states and political subdivisions portfolio was $221.9 million, with no significant geographic or issuer exposure concentrations. Of the total revenue and general obligations of $221.9 million, $108.2 million were representative of general obligation bonds for which $82.6 million are general obligations of political subdivisions of the respective state, rather than general obligations of the state itself. 


12
 


The following table summarizes gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by category and length of time the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
$
56,300

 
$
(188
)
 
$
7

 
$

 
$
56,307

 
$
(188
)
Government-sponsored residential collateralized debt obligations

 

 
6,899

 
(69
)
 
6,899

 
(69
)
Government-sponsored commercial collateralized debt obligations

 

 
3,508

 
(10
)
 
3,508

 
(10
)
Asset-backed securities
100,743

 
(1,999
)
 
47,248

 
(2,581
)
 
147,991

 
(4,580
)
Corporate debt securities
16,429

 
(324
)
 
8,126

 
(1,787
)
 
24,555

 
(2,111
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
10,466

 
(41
)
 
57,666

 
(1,134
)
 
68,132

 
(1,175
)
Total debt securities
183,938

 
(2,552
)
 
123,454

 
(5,581
)
 
307,392

 
(8,133
)
Marketable equity securities
17,495

 
(539
)
 
6,095

 
(284
)
 
23,590

 
(823
)
Total available-for-sale securities
$
201,433

 
$
(3,091
)
 
$
129,549

 
$
(5,865
)
 
$
330,982

 
$
(8,956
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and government-sponsored enterprise obligations
$
4,867

 
$
(66
)
 
$
4,977

 
$
(17
)
 
$
9,844

 
$
(83
)
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
107,142

 
(1,183
)
 
7,195

 
(121
)
 
114,337

 
(1,304
)
Government-sponsored residential collateralized debt obligations
152,278

 
(1,357
)
 
3,506

 
(46
)
 
155,784

 
(1,403
)
Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities
16,207

 
(200
)
 

 

 
16,207

 
(200
)
Government-sponsored commercial collateralized debt obligations
38,151

 
(221
)
 
3,496

 
(50
)
 
41,647

 
(271
)
Asset-backed securities
93,723

 
(1,233
)
 
49,462

 
(1,804
)
 
143,185

 
(3,037
)
Corporate debt securities
42,102

 
(797
)
 
6,720

 
(1,690
)
 
48,822

 
(2,487
)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
47,878

 
(946
)
 
42,685

 
(717
)
 
90,563

 
(1,663
)
Total debt securities
502,348

 
(6,003
)
 
118,041

 
(4,445
)
 
620,389

 
(10,448
)
Marketable equity securities
18,449

 
(287
)
 
6,176

 
(261
)
 
24,625

 
(548
)
Total available-for-sale securities
$
520,797

 
$
(6,290
)
 
$
124,217

 
$
(4,706
)
 
$
645,014

 
$
(10,996
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Held to Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
1,104

 
$
(10
)
 

 

 
$
1,104

 
$
(10
)
Total held to maturity securities
$
1,104

 
$
(10
)
 

 

 
$
1,104

 
$
(10
)
Of the securities summarized above as of March 31, 2016, 58 issues had unrealized losses equaling 1.5% of the amortized cost basis for less than twelve months and 92 issues had an unrealized loss of 4.3% of the amortized cost basis for twelve months


13
 


or more. There were no unrealized losses on debt securities held to maturity at March 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2015, 146 issues had unrealized losses equaling 1.2% of the cost basis for less than twelve months and 96 issues had unrealized losses equaling 3.7% of the amortized cost basis for twelve months or more.
Management believes that no individual unrealized loss as of March 31, 2016 represents an other-than-temporary impairment, based on its detailed quarterly review of the securities portfolio. Among other things, the other-than-temporary impairment review of the investment securities portfolio focuses on the combined factors of percentage and length of time by which an issue is below book value as well as consideration of issuer specific information (present value of cash flows expected to be collected, issuer rating changes and trends, credit worthiness and review of underlying collateral), broad market details and the Company’s intent to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before recovering its cost. The Company also considers whether the depreciation is due to interest rates, market changes, or credit risk.
The following paragraphs outline the Company’s position related to unrealized losses in its investment securities portfolio at March 31, 2016.
Government-sponsored collateralized mortgage obligations and commercial mortgage- backed securities. The unrealized losses on the Company’s U.S. Government and government-sponsored collateralized debt obligations and commercial mortgage backed securities were caused by the continued pickup of prepayment speeds given the overall drop in the government curve over the period, which encouraged further refinancing. The Company monitors this risk, and therefore, strives to minimize premiums within this security class. The Company does not expect these securities to settle at a price less than the par value of the securities.
Asset-backed securitiesThe unrealized losses on the Company’s asset-backed securities were largely driven by increases in the spreads of the respective sectors’ asset classes over comparable securities relative to the time of purchase. The majority of these securities have resetting coupons that adjust on a quarterly basis and the market spreads on similar securities have increased. Based on the credit profiles and asset qualities of the individual securities, management does not believe that the securities have suffered from any credit related losses. The Company does not expect these securities to settle at a price less than the par value of the securities. 
Corporate debt securities. The unrealized losses on corporate debt securities is primarily related to one pooled trust preferred security, Preferred Term Security XXVIII, Ltd (“PRETSL XXVIII”). The unrealized loss on this security is caused by the low interest rate environment, as the security reprices quarterly to the three month LIBOR and market spreads on similar newly issued securities have increased. No loss of principal is projected. Based on the existing credit profile, management does not believe that this security has suffered from any credit related losses. The unrealized loss on the remainder of the corporate credit portfolio has been driven primarily by overall wider credit spreads.
Obligations of states and political subdivisions. The unrealized loss on obligations of states and political subdivisions relates to several securities, with no geographic concentration. The unrealized loss was largely due to a shift in the credit spreads relative to the spreads on the bonds at the time of purchase.
Marketable equity securities. The unrealized loss on marketable equity securities largely pertains to widening credit spreads for trust preferred and preferred equity investments (similar to the corporate debt investments mentioned above) that resulted in a negative impact to the respective securities’ pricing, relative to the time of purchase.
The Company will continue to review its entire portfolio for other-than-temporarily impaired securities with additional attention being given to high risk securities such as the one pooled trust preferred security that the Company owns.


14
 


Note 4.
Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses
A summary of the Company’s loan portfolio is as follows:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
376,511

 
8.1
%
 
$
322,084

 
7.0
%
Investor non-owner occupied
1,648,321

 
35.4

 
1,673,248

 
36.3

Construction
128,007

 
2.8

 
129,922

 
2.8

Total commercial real estate loans
2,152,839

 
46.3

 
2,125,254

 
46.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business loans
614,235

 
13.2

 
603,332

 
13.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,176,357

 
25.3

 
1,179,915

 
25.6

Home equity
446,515

 
9.6

 
431,282

 
9.3

Residential construction
42,205

 
0.9

 
41,084

 
0.9

Other consumer
217,725

 
4.7

 
233,064

 
5.1

Total consumer loans
1,882,802

 
40.5

 
1,885,345

 
40.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans
4,649,876

 
100
%
 
4,613,931

 
100
%
Net deferred loan costs and premiums
7,612

 
 
 
7,018

 
 
Allowance for loan losses
(35,500
)
 
 
 
(33,887
)
 
 
Loans - net
$
4,621,988

 
 
 
$
4,587,062

 
 
Purchased Credit Impaired Loans
The purchased credit impaired loans (“PCI”) are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310-30”). At March 31, 2016, the net recorded carrying amount of loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 was $6.1 million and the aggregate outstanding principal balance was $11.5 million.
The following table summarizes the activity in the the accretable yield balance for PCI loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
(413
)
 
$
(1,587
)
Accretion
 

 
99

Reclassification to nonaccretable balance
 
174

 
780

Balance at end of period
 
$
(239
)
 
$
(708
)
Reclassifications of $174,000 and $780,000 from the accretable balance to the nonaccretable balance occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, due to reductions in expected cash flows for the ASC 310-30 loans.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Management has established a methodology to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) that assesses the risks and losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The ALL is established as embedded losses are estimated to have occurred through the provisions for losses charged against operations and is maintained at a level that management considers adequate to absorb losses in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment in determining the adequacy of the allowance is inherently subjective and is based on past loan loss experience, known and inherent losses and size of the loan portfolios, an assessment of current economic and real estate market conditions, estimates of the current value of underlying collateral, review of regulatory authority


15
 


examination reports and other relevant factors. An allowance is maintained for impaired loans to reflect the difference, if any, between the carrying value of the loan and the present value of the projected cash flows, observable fair value or collateral value. Loans are charged-off against the ALL when management believes that the uncollectibility of principal is confirmed. Any subsequent recoveries are credited to the ALL when received. In connection with the determination of the ALL, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties, when considered necessary.
The ALL is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide for probable losses inherent within the loan portfolio. Probable losses are estimated based upon a quarterly review of the loan portfolio, which includes historic default and loss experience, specific problem loans, risk rating profile, economic conditions and other pertinent factors which, in management’s judgment, warrant current recognition in the loss estimation process.
The adequacy of the ALL is subject to considerable assumptions and judgment used in its determination. Therefore, actual losses could differ materially from management’s estimate if actual conditions differ significantly from the assumptions utilized. These conditions include economic factors in the Company’s market and nationally, industry trends and concentrations, real estate values and trends, and the financial condition and performance of individual borrowers.
The Company’s general practice is to identify problem credits early and recognize full or partial charge-offs as promptly as practicable when it is determined that the collection of loan principal is unlikely. The Company recognizes full or partial charge-offs on collateral dependent impaired loans when the collateral is deemed to be insufficient to support the carrying value of the loan. The Company does not recognize a recovery when an updated appraisal indicates a subsequent increase in value.
At March 31, 2016, the Company had a loan loss allowance of $35.5 million, or 0.76%, of total loans as compared to a loan loss allowance of $33.9 million, or 0.73%, of total loans at December 31, 2015. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate and consistent with asset quality indicators and that it represents the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.
There are three components for the allowance for loan loss calculation:
General component
The general component of the ALL is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors stratified by the loan segments. Management uses a rolling average of historical losses based on a three-year loss history to capture relevant loss data for each loan segment. This historical loss factor is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: levels and trends in delinquencies; level and trend of charge-offs and recoveries; trends in volume and types of loans; effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards, changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; experience and depth of lending weighted average risk rating; and national and local economic trends and conditions. There were no changes in the Company’s methodology pertaining to the general component of the ALL during 2016.
The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
Residential real estate and home equity loans – The Bank establishes maximum loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratios and minimum credit scores as an integral component of the underwriting criteria. Loans in these segments are collateralized by owner-occupied residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the income and credit quality of the individual borrower. Within the qualitative allowance factors, national and local economic trends including unemployment rates and potential declines in property value, are key elements reviewed as a component of establishing the appropriate allocation. Overall economic conditions, unemployment rates and housing price trends will influence the underlying credit quality of these segments.
Owner-occupied and investor non-owner occupied commercial real estate (“Owner-occupied CRE” and “Investor CRE”) – Loans in this segment are primarily income-producing properties throughout Connecticut, western Massachusetts, and other select markets in the Northeast. The underlying cash flows generated by the properties could be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by increased vacancy rates, which in turn, will have an effect on the credit quality in this segment. Management obtains rent rolls annually, continually monitors the cash flows of these loans and performs stress testing.
Commercial and residential construction loans – Loans in this segment primarily include commercial real estate development and residential subdivision loans for which payment is derived from the sale of the property. Credit risk is affected by cost overruns, time to sell at an adequate price, and market conditions.
Commercial business loans – Loans in this segment are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy and its effect on business profitability and cash flow could have an effect on the credit quality in this segment.
Other Consumer – Loans in this segment are secured or unsecured and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. A significant portion of these loans are secured by boats.


16
 


For acquired loans, our ALL is estimated based upon our evaluation of the credit quality of the acquired loan portfolio or expected cash flows for the acquired PCI loans. To the extent that we experience a deterioration in borrower credit quality resulting in a decrease in our expected cash flows subsequent to the acquisition of the loans, an allowance for loan losses would be established based on our estimate of future credit losses over the remaining life of the loans, in excess of any existing purchase accounting discounts.
Allocated component
The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial, commercial real estate and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if the loan is collateral dependent. An allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. Residential and other consumer loans are evaluated for impairment if payments are 90 days or more delinquent. Updated property evaluations are obtained at time of impairment and serve as the basis for the loss allocation if foreclosure is probable or the loan is collateral dependent.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when 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.
When a loan is determined to be impaired the Company makes a determination if the repayment of the obligation is collateral dependent. As a majority of impaired loans are collateralized by real estate, appraisals on the underlying value of the property securing the obligation are utilized in determining the specific impairment amount that is allocated to the loan as a component of the allowance calculation. If the loan is collateral dependent, an updated appraisal is obtained within a short period of time from the date the loan is determined to be impaired; typically no longer than 30 days for a residential property and 90 days for a commercial real estate property. The appraisal and the appraised value are reviewed for adequacy and then further discounted for estimated disposition costs and the period of time until resolution, in order to determine the impairment amount. The Company updates the appraised value at least annually and on a more frequent basis if current market factors indicate a potential change in valuation.
The majority of the Company’s loans are collateralized by real estate located in central and eastern Connecticut and western Massachusetts in addition to a portion of the commercial real estate loan portfolio located in the Northeast region of the United States. Accordingly, the collateral value of a substantial portion of the Company’s loan portfolio and real estate acquired through foreclosure is susceptible to changes in market conditions in these areas.
Unallocated component
An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio.
Credit Quality Information
The Company utilizes a nine-grade internal loan rating system for residential and commercial real estate, construction, commercial and other consumer loans as follows:
Loans rated 1 – 5: Loans in these categories are considered “pass” rated loans with low to average risk.
Loans rated 6: Loans in this category are considered “special mention.” These loans reflect signs of potential weakness and are being closely monitored by management.
Loans rated 7: Loans in this category are considered “substandard.” Generally, a loan is considered substandard if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor and there is a distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the weakness is not corrected.
Loans rated 8: Loans in this category are considered “doubtful.” Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses 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, highly questionable and improbable.


17
 


Loans rated 9: Loans in this category are considered uncollectible (“loss”) and of such little value that their continuance as loans is not warranted.
At the time of loan origination, a risk rating based on this nine point grading system is assigned to each loan based on the loan officer’s assessment of risk. For residential real estate and other consumer loans, the Company considers factors such as updated FICO scores, employment status, home prices, loan to value and geography. Residential real estate and other consumer loans are pass rated unless their payment history reveals signs of deterioration, which may result in modifications to the original contractual terms. In situations which require modification to the loan terms, the internal loan grade will typically be reduced to substandard. More complex loans, such as commercial business loans and commercial real estate loans require that our internal credit area further evaluate the risk rating of the individual loan, with the credit area and Chief Credit Officer having final determination of the appropriate risk rating. These more complex loans and relationships receive an in-depth analysis and periodic review to assess the appropriate risk rating on a post-closing basis with changes made to the risk rating as the borrower’s and economic conditions warrant. The credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio is reviewed by a third-party risk assessment firm throughout the year and by the Company’s internal credit management function. The internal and external analysis of the loan portfolio is utilized to identify and quantify loans with higher than normal risk. Loans having a higher risk profile are assigned a risk rating corresponding to the level of weakness identified in the loan. All loans risk rated Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful are reviewed by management not less than on a quarterly basis to assess the level of risk and to ensure that appropriate actions are being taken to minimize potential loss exposure. Loans identified as being loss are normally fully charged off.
The following table presents the Company’s loans by risk rating at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
Owner-Occupied CRE
 
Investor CRE
 
Construction
 
Commercial Business
 
Residential Real Estate
 
Home Equity
 
Other Consumer
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans rated 1-5
$
345,802

 
$
1,596,510

 
$
166,106

 
$
579,523

 
$
1,157,840

 
$
441,497

 
$
217,698

Loans rated 6
17,174

 
25,312

 
962

 
8,235

 
1,333

 
24

 

Loans rated 7
13,535

 
26,499

 
3,144

 
26,477

 
17,184

 
4,992

 
27

Loans rated 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans rated 9

 

 

 

 

 
2

 

 
$
376,511

 
$
1,648,321

 
$
170,212

 
$
614,235

 
$
1,176,357

 
$
446,515

 
$
217,725

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans rated 1-5
$
298,509

 
$
1,610,582

 
$
156,607

 
$
568,248

 
$
1,162,393

 
$
426,702

 
$
233,054

Loans rated 6
10,074

 
38,448

 
10,860

 
8,382

 
1,355

 
24

 

Loans rated 7
13,501

 
24,218

 
3,539

 
26,655

 
16,167

 
4,553

 
10

Loans rated 8

 

 

 
47

 

 

 

Loans rated 9

 

 

 

 

 
3

 

 
$
322,084

 
$
1,673,248

 
$
171,006

 
$
603,332

 
$
1,179,915

 
$
431,282

 
$
233,064



18
 


Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 
Owner-Occupied CRE
 
Investor CRE
 
Construction
 
Commercial
Business
 
Residential Real Estate
 
Home Equity
 
Other Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
2,174

 
$
12,859

 
$
1,895

 
$
5,827

 
$
7,801

 
$
2,391

 
$
146

 
$
794

 
$
33,887

Provision (credit) for loan losses
749

 
936

 
(57
)
 
640

 
99

 
177

 
113

 
31

 
2,688

Loans charged off
(82
)
 
(542
)
 

 
(221
)
 
(180
)
 
(191
)
 
(122
)
 

 
(1,338
)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off

 
4

 

 
128

 
53

 
36

 
42

 

 
263

Balance, end of period
$
2,841

 
$
13,257

 
$
1,838

 
$
6,374

 
$
7,773

 
$
2,413

 
$
179

 
$
825

 
$
35,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
1,281

 
$
8,137

 
$
1,470

 
$
5,808

 
$
5,998

 
$
1,929

 
$
75

 
$
111

 
$
24,809

Provision (credit) for loan losses
15

 
1,062

 
433

 
(915
)
 
404

 
13

 
9

 
490

 
1,511

Loans charged off

 
(508
)
 
(440
)
 
(223
)
 
(224
)
 

 
(86
)
 

 
(1,481
)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off

 
132

 

 
221

 
69

 

 
36

 

 
458

Balance, end of period
$
1,296

 
$
8,823

 
$
1,463

 
$
4,891

 
$
6,247

 
$
1,942

 
$
34

 
$
601

 
$
25,297



19
 


Further information pertaining to the allowance for loan losses and impaired loans at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 follows:
 
Owner-Occupied CRE
 
Investor CRE
 
Construction
 
Commercial
Business
 
Residential Real Estate
 
Home Equity
 
Other Consumer
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance related to loans individually evaluated and deemed impaired
$

 
$

 
$
108

 
$
293

 
$
72

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
473

Allowance related to loans collectively evaluated and not deemed impaired
2,841

 
13,257

 
1,730

 
5,852

 
7,701

 
2,413

 
179

 
825

 
34,798

Allowance related to loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

 

 

 
229

 

 

 

 

 
229

Total allowance for loan losses
$
2,841

 
$
13,257

 
$
1,838

 
$
6,374

 
$
7,773

 
$
2,413

 
$
179

 
$
825

 
$
35,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans deemed impaired
$
4,181

 
$
11,470

 
$
4,424

 
$
14,575

 
$
16,844

 
$
5,126

 
$
24

 
$

 
$
56,644

Loans not deemed impaired
371,992

 
1,635,275

 
165,788

 
598,348

 
1,159,513

 
441,389

 
214,807

 

 
4,587,112

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
338

 
1,576

 

 
1,312

 

 

 
2,894

 

 
6,120

Total loans
$
376,511

 
$
1,648,321

 
$
170,212

 
$
614,235

 
$
1,176,357

 
$
446,515

 
$
217,725

 
$

 
$
4,649,876

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance related to loans individually evaluated and deemed impaired
$

 
$

 
$
147

 
$
121

 
$
74

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
342

Allowance related to loans collectively evaluated and not deemed impaired
2,174

 
12,859

 
1,748

 
5,531

 
7,727

 
2,391

 
146

 
794

 
33,370

Allowance related to loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

 

 

 
175

 

 

 

 

 
175

Total allowance for loan losses
$
2,174

 
$
12,859

 
$
1,895

 
$
5,827

 
$
7,801

 
$
2,391

 
$
146

 
$
794

 
$
33,887

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans deemed impaired
$
4,037

 
$
13,923

 
$
4,660

 
$
13,035

 
$
16,036

 
$
4,556

 
$
8

 
$

 
$
56,255

Loans not deemed impaired
317,628

 
1,657,721

 
166,346

 
588,982

 
1,163,879

 
426,726

 
230,061

 

 
4,551,343

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
419

 
1,604

 

 
1,315

 

 

 
2,995

 

 
6,333

Total loans
$
322,084

 
$
1,673,248

 
$
171,006

 
$
603,332

 
$
1,179,915

 
$
431,282

 
$
233,064

 
$

 
$
4,613,931

Management has established the allowance for loan loss in accordance with GAAP at March 31, 2016 based on the current risk assessment and level of loss that is believed to exist within the portfolio. This level of reserve is deemed an appropriate estimate of probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of March 31, 2016 based upon the analysis conducted and given the portfolio composition, delinquencies, charge offs and risk rating changes experienced during the first three months of 2016 and the three-year evaluation period utilized in the analysis. Based on the qualitative assessment of the portfolio and in thorough consideration of non-performing loans, management believes that the allowance for loan losses properly supports the level of associated loss and risk.


20
 


The following is a summary of past due and non-accrual loans at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, including purchased credit impaired loans:
 
30-59 Days Past Due
 
60-89 Days Past Due
 
Past Due 90
Days or More
 
Total Past Due
 
Past Due
90 Days or
More and
Still Accruing
 
Loans on
Non-accrual
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied CRE
$
806

 
$

 
$
2,024

 
$
2,830

 
$

 
$
3,223

Investor CRE
3,670

 
887

 
4,400

 
8,957

 
990

 
5,643

Construction
442

 
223

 
1,892

 
2,557

 

 
2,557

Commercial business loans
3,861

 
1,618

 
2,618

 
8,097

 

 
4,604

Residential real estate
7,510

 

 
6,999

 
14,509

 
253

 
15,572

Home equity
710

 
813

 
1,935

 
3,458

 

 
4,805

Other consumer
15

 

 
11

 
26

 
2

 
24

Total
$
17,014

 
$
3,541

 
$
19,879

 
$
40,434

 
$
1,245

 
$
36,428

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied CRE
$
900

 
$
191

 
$
1,505

 
$
2,596

 
$

 
$
3,055

Investor CRE
3,154

 
2,498

 
4,519

 
10,171

 

 
8,565

Construction
214

 
449

 
2,135

 
2,798

 

 
2,808

Commercial business loans
526

 
266

 
2,804

 
3,596

 
66

 
4,244

Residential real estate
8,507

 
2,112

 
6,936

 
17,555

 
238

 
14,056

Home equity
2,009

 
646

 
1,549

 
4,204

 

 
5,066

Other consumer
17

 
3

 
8

 
28

 
3

 
8

Total
$
15,327

 
$
6,165

 
$
19,456

 
$
40,948

 
$
307

 
$
37,802

    
Loans reported as past due 90 days or more and still accruing represent loans that were evaluated by management and maintained on accrual status based on an evaluation of the borrower. Additionally, at December 31, 2015, there was a U.S. Government fully guaranteed loan reported as past due 90 days or more and still accruing in addition to accruing purchased credit impaired loans.


21
 


The following is a summary of impaired loans with and without a valuation allowance as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
(In thousands)
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied CRE
$
4,181

 
$
5,590

 
$

 
$
4,037

 
$
5,370

 
$

Investor CRE
11,470

 
13,041

 

 
13,923

 
15,011

 

Construction
4,301

 
7,027

 

 
4,442

 
6,869

 

Commercial business loans
13,687

 
16,787

 

 
12,634

 
14,477

 

Residential real estate
15,571

 
18,672

 

 
14,056

 
16,876

 

Home equity
5,126

 
5,884

 

 
5,259

 
5,953

 

Other consumer
24

 
12

 

 
8

 
11

 

Total
54,360

 
67,013

 

 
54,359

 
64,567

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction
123

 
123

 
108

 
218

 
218

 
147

Commercial business loans
888

 
888

 
293

 
401

 
401

 
121

Residential real estate
1,273

 
1,288

 
72

 
1,277

 
1,292

 
74

Total
2,284

 
2,299

 
473

 
1,896

 
1,911

 
342

Total impaired loans
$
56,644

 
$
69,312

 
$
473

 
$
56,255

 
$
66,478

 
$
342

The following is a summary of average recorded investment in impaired loans and interest income recognized on those loans for the periods indicated:
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31, 2016
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31, 2015
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(In thousands)
Owner-occupied CRE
$
4,109

 
$
30

 
$
201

 
$
2

Investor CRE
12,697

 
81

 
19,034

 
294

Construction
4,986

 
18

 
3,261

 
48

Commercial business loans
13,361

 
107

 
6,594

 
80

Residential real estate
16,089

 
111

 
13,101

 
156

Home equity
5,193

 
30

 
3,042

 
20

Other consumer
16

 

 
38

 

Total
$
56,451

 
$
377

 
$
45,271

 
$
600


Troubled Debt Restructurings
The restructuring of a loan is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if both (i) the restructuring constitutes a concession by the creditor and (ii) the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. A TDR may include (i) a transfer from the debtor to the creditor of receivables from third parties, real estate, or other assets to satisfy fully or partially a debt, (ii) issuance or other granting of an equity interest to the creditor by the debtor to satisfy fully or partially a debt unless the equity interest is granted pursuant to existing terms for converting debt into an equity interest, and (iii) modifications of terms of a debt.


22
 


The following table provides detail of TDR balances for the periods presented:
 
At March 31,
2016
 
At December 31,
2015
 
(In thousands)
Recorded investment in TDRs:
 
 
 
Accrual status
$
20,216

 
$
18,453

Non-accrual status
7,143

 
5,611

Total recorded investment in TDRs
$
27,359

 
$
24,064

 
 
 
 
Accruing TDRs performing under modified terms more than one year
$
7,760

 
$
5,821

Specific reserves for TDRs included in the balance of allowance for loan losses
$
303

 
$
223

Additional funds committed to borrowers in TDR status
$
14

 
$
513

Loans restructured as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are set forth in the following table:
 
Number
of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded Investment
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied CRE
5

 
$
654

 
$
666

Construction
2

 
67

 
67

Commercial business
3

 
2,491

 
2,491

Residential real estate
4

 
394

 
394

Home equity
8

 
406

 
408

Total TDRs
22

 
$
4,012

 
$
4,026

 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business
1

 
$
200

 
$
200

Home equity
1

 
75

 
75

Total TDRs
2

 
$
275

 
$
275

The following table provides information on loan balances modified as TDRs during the period:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Extended
Maturity
 
Adjusted
Interest
Rates
 
Adjusted Rate and Extended Maturity
 
Payment Deferral
 
Other
 
Extended
Maturity
 
Adjusted
Interest
Rates
 
Adjusted Rate and Extended Maturity
 
Payment Deferral
 
Other
 
(In thousands)
Owner-occupied CRE
$
510

 
$

 
$
86

 
$

 
$
58

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Construction
23

 

 
44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial business
2,000

 

 
143

 
348

 

 
200

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate

 

 
21

 
373

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity

 

 
336

 
70

 

 

 

 
75

 

 

 
$
2,533

 
$

 
$
630

 
$
791

 
$
58

 
$
200

 
$

 
$
75

 
$

 
$



23
 


The following table provides information on loans modified as TDRs within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default during the periods presented:
 
March 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2015
 
Number of
Loans
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of
Loans
 
Recorded
Investment
 
(In thousands)
Owner-occupied CRE

 
$

 
3

 
$
762

Investor CRE

 

 
2

 
3,352

Commercial business
3

 
1,201

 

 

Residential real estate
7

 
1,157

 
2

 
48

Total
10

 
$
2,358

 
7

 
$
4,162

The majority of restructured loans were on accrual status as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The financial impact of TDR loans has been minimal to date. Typically, residential loans are restructured with a modification and extension of the loan amortization and maturity at substantially the same interest rate as contained in the original credit extension. As part of the TDR process, the current value of the property is compared to the general ledger loan balance and if not fully supported, a charge-off is processed through the allowance for loan losses. Commercial real estate loans, commercial construction loans and commercial business loans also contain payment modification agreements and a like assessment of the underlying collateral value if the borrower’s cash flow may be inadequate to service the entire obligation.
Loan Servicing
The Company services certain loans for third parties. The aggregate balance of loans serviced for others was $921.1 million and $863.7 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The balances of these loans are not included on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Condition.
The risks inherent in mortgage servicing rights relate primarily to changes in prepayments that result from shifts in mortgage interest rates. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was determined using pretax internal rates of return ranging from 9.5% to 11.6% and the Public Securities Association Standard Prepayment model to estimate prepayments on the portfolio with an average prepayment speed of 255 and 183, respectively. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is obtained from a third party provider.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company received servicing income in the amount of $440,000 and $301,000, respectively. This income is included in income from mortgage banking activities in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income.
Mortgage servicing rights are included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Condition. Changes in the fair value of mortgage servicing rights are included in income from mortgage banking activities in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income. The following table summarizes mortgage servicing rights activity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Mortgage servicing rights:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
7,074

 
$
4,729

Change in fair value recognized in net income
(1,315
)
 
(385
)
Issuances
512

 
577

Fair value of mortgage servicing rights at end of period
$
6,271

 
$
4,921



24
 


Note 5.
Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and core deposit intangible assets are summarized as follows:
 
 
Goodwill
 
Core Deposit Intangibles
 
 
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
115,240

 
$
9,302

Adjustments
 
41

 

Amortization expense
 

 
(1,796
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
115,281

 
$
7,506

Amortization expense
 

 
(433
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
 
$
115,281

 
$
7,073

 
 
 
 
 
Estimated amortization expense for the years ending December 31,
 
 
 
 
2016 (remaining nine months)
 
 
 
$
1,171

2017
 
 
 
1,411

2018
 
 
 
1,219

2019
 
 
 
1,026

2020
 
 
 
834

2021 and thereafter
 
 
 
1,412

Total remaining
 
 
 
$
7,073

On April 30, 2014, Rockville Financial, Inc. completed its merger with United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (“Legacy United”). Discussions throughout this report related to the merger with Legacy United are referred to as (“the Merger”). The goodwill associated with the Merger is not tax deductible. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized, but will be subject to an annual review of qualitative factors to determine if an impairment test is required. The amortizing intangible asset associated with the acquisition consists of the core deposit intangible. The core deposit intangible is being amortized using the sum of the years’ digits method over its estimated life of 10 years. Amortization expense of the core deposit intangible was $433,000 and $481,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
Note 6.
Borrowings
FHLBB Advances
The Bank is a member of the FHLBB. Contractual maturities and weighted-average rates of outstanding advances from the FHLBB as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized below:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amount
 
Weighted-
Average
Rate
 
Amount
 
Weighted-
Average
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
$
562,043

 
0.66
%
 
$
637,580

 
0.60
%
2017
163,000

 
1.36

 
151,000

 
1.76

2018
140,546

 
1.48

 
120,795

 
1.54

2019
20,000

 
1.45

 
20,000

 
1.63

2020 and thereafter
37,550

 
0.81

 
16,130

 
2.21

 
$
923,139

 
0.93
%
 
$
945,505

 
0.95
%
The total carrying value of FHLBB advances at March 31, 2016 was $926.2 million, which includes a remaining fair value adjustment of $3.0 million on acquired advances. At December 31, 2015, the total carrying value of FHLBB advances was $949.0 million, with a remaining fair value adjustment of $3.5 million.
At March 31, 2016, six advances totaling $48.0 million with interest rates ranging from 0.04% to 4.49%, which are scheduled to mature between 2017 and 2020, are callable by the FHLBB. Advances are collateralized by first mortgage loans and investment


25
 


securities with an estimated eligible collateral value of $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
In addition to the outstanding advances, the Bank has access to an unused line of credit with the FHLBB amounting to $10.0 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. In accordance with an agreement with the FHLBB, the qualified collateral must be free and clear of liens, pledges and have a discounted value equal to the aggregate amount of the line of credit and outstanding advances. At March 31, 2016, the Bank could borrow immediately an additional $454.1 million from the FHLBB, inclusive of the line of credit.
Other Borrowings
The following table presents other borrowings by category as of the dates indicated:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
(In thousands)
Subordinated debentures
$
79,544

 
$
79,489

Wholesale repurchase agreements
45,000

 
45,000

Customer repurchase agreements
17,843

 
19,278

Other
4,472

 
6,250

Total other borrowings
$
146,859

 
$
150,017

Subordinated Debentures
At both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the carrying value of the Company’s subordinated debentures totaled $79.5 million.
On September 23, 2014, the Company closed its public offering of $75.0 million of its 5.75% Subordinated Notes due October 1, 2024 (the “Notes”). The Notes were offered to the public at par. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on April 1, 2015. Issuance costs totaled $1.3 million and are being amortized over the life of the Notes as a component of interest expense.
In connection with the Merger, the Company has assumed junior subordinated debt in the form of trust preferred securities issued through a private placement offering with a face amount of $7.7 million. The Company recorded a fair value acquisition discount of $2.3 million on May 1, 2014. The remaining unamortized discount was $2.1 million at March 31, 2016. This issue has a maturity date of March 15, 2036 and bears a floating rate of interest that reprices quarterly at the 3-month LIBOR rate plus 1.85%. A special redemption provision allows the Company to redeem this issue at par on March 15, June 15, September 15, or December 15 of any year subsequent to March 15, 2011.
Repurchase Agreements
The following table presents the Company’s outstanding borrowings under repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
 
 
Overnight
 
Up to 1 Year
 
1 - 3 Years
 
Greater than 3 Years
 
Total
 
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Agency Securities
 
$
17,843

 
$
25,000

 
$
20,000

 
$

 
$
62,843

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Agency Securities
 
$
19,278

 
$
25,000

 
$
20,000

 
$

 
$
64,278

At both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, advances outstanding under wholesale reverse repurchase agreements totaled $45.0 million. The outstanding advances at March 31, 2016 consisted of three individual borrowings with remaining terms of three years or less and a weighted average cost of 1.67%. The outstanding advances at December 31, 2015 had a weighted average cost


26
 


of 1.51%. The Company pledged investment securities with a market value of $51.8 million and $34.6 million as collateral for these borrowings at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
Retail repurchase agreements primarily consist of transactions with commercial and municipal customers, are for a term of one day and are backed by the purchasers’ interest in certain U.S. Government Agency securities or government-sponsored securities. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, retail repurchase agreements totaled $17.8 million and $19.3 million, respectively. The Company pledged investment securities with a market value of $32.3 million and $34.6 million as collateral for these borrowings at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
Given that the repurchase agreements are secured by investment securities valued at market value, the collateral position is susceptible to change based upon variation in the market vale of the securities that can arise due to fluctuations in interest rates, among other things. In the event that the interest rate changes result in a decrease in the value of the pledged securities, additional securities will be required to be pledged in order to secure the borrowings. Due to the short term nature of the majority of the repurchase agreements, Management believes the risk of further encumbered securities pose a minimal impact to the Company’s liquidity position.
Other
Other borrowings consist of a secured borrowing and capital lease obligations. The secured borrowing relates to the transfer of a financial asset that did not meet the definition of a participating interest and did not meet sale accounting criteria; therefore, it is accounted for as a secured borrowing and classified as long-term debt on the Consolidated Statements of Condition. The Company has capital lease obligations for three of its leased banking branches.
Other Sources of Wholesale Funding
The Bank has relationships with brokered sweep deposit providers by which funds are deposited by the counterparties at the Bank’s request. Amounts outstanding under these agreements are reported as interest-bearing deposits and totaled $116.3 million at a cost of 0.49% at March 31, 2016 and $123.1 million at a cost of 0.45% at December 31, 2015. The Bank maintains open dialogue with the brokered sweep providers and has the ability to increase the deposit balances upon request, up to certain limits based upon internal policy requirements.
Additionally, the Company has unused federal funds lines of credit with four counterparties totaling $107.5 million at March 31, 2016.
Note 7.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposure to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s investments and borrowings. The Company also has interest rate derivatives that result from a service provided to certain qualifying customers. The Company manages a matched book with respect to these derivative instruments in order to minimize its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.


27
 


Information about interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is as follows:
 
Notional Amount
 
Weighted-Average Remaining Maturity
 
Weighted-Average Rate
 
Estimated Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability)
 
 
 
Received
 
Paid
 
 
(In thousands)
 
(In years)
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward starting interest rate swaps on future borrowings
$
125,000

 
7.94
 
TBD

(1) 
2.49
%
 
$
(6,051
)
Interest rate swaps
305,000

 
2.76
 
0.63
%
 
1.37
%
 
(6,957
)
Fair value hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
35,000

 
1.47
 
1.04
%
 
0.50
%
(2) 
173

Non-hedging derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward loan sale commitments
49,039

 
0.00
 
 
 
 
 
(282
)
Derivative loan commitments
7,281

 
0.00
 
 
 
 
 
903

Loan level swaps - dealer(3)
379,611

 
8.55
 
2.08
%
 
3.84
%
 
(24,273
)
Loan level swaps - borrowers(3)
379,611

 
8.55
 
3.84
%
 
2.08
%
 
24,228

Total
$
1,280,542

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(12,259
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward starting interest rate swaps on future borrowings
$
150,000

 
7.99
 
TBD

(1) 
2.46
%
 
$
(2,072
)
Interest rate swaps
280,000

 
2.65
 
0.46
%
 
1.28
%
 
(2,020
)
Fair value hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
35,000

 
1.72
 
1.04
%
 
0.48
%
(2) 
24

Non-hedging derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward loan sale commitments
25,060

 
0.00
 
 
 
 
 
(13
)
Derivative loan commitments
9,403

 
0.00
 
 
 
 
 
223

Loan level swaps - dealer(3)
333,971

 
9.05
 
1.94
%
 
3.93
%
 
(12,059
)
Loan level swaps - borrowers(3)
333,981

 
9.05
 
3.93
%
 
1.94
%
 
12,152

Total
$
1,167,415

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(3,765
)
(1)
The receiver leg of the cash flow hedges is floating rate and indexed to the 3-month USD-LIBOR-BBA, as determined two London banking days prior to the first day of each calendar quarter, commencing with the earliest effective trade. The earliest effective trade date for these forward starting cash flow hedges is July 1, 2016.
(2)
The paying leg is one month LIBOR plus a fixed spread; above rate in effect as of the date indicated.
(3)
The Company offers a loan level hedging product to qualifying commercial borrowers that seek to mitigate risk to rising interest rates. As such, the Company enters into equal and offsetting trades with dealer counterparties.
Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted


28
 


transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company did not record any hedge ineffectiveness.
Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. The Company expects to reclassify $2.3 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense during the next 12 months.
The Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions over a period of approximately 60 months (excluding forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments).
As of March 31, 2016, the Company had ten outstanding interest rate derivatives with a notional value of $430.0 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.
Fair Value Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company is exposed to changes in the fair value of certain of its fixed rate obligations due to changes in benchmark interest rates. The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in fair value on these instruments attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate. Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges involve the receipt of fixed-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making variable rate payments over the life of the agreements without the exchange of the underlying notional amount.
For derivatives designated and that qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. The Company includes the gain or loss on the hedged items in the same line item as the offsetting gain or loss on the related derivatives. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized a negligible net reduction to interest expense.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company had three outstanding interest rate derivatives with a notional amount of $35.0 million that were designated as a fair value hedge of interest rate risk.
Non-Designated Hedges
Qualifying derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and result from a service the Company provides to certain customers. The Company executes interest rate derivatives with commercial banking customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. Those interest rate derivatives are simultaneously hedged by offsetting derivatives that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. As the interest rate derivatives associated with this program do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer derivatives and the offsetting derivatives are recognized directly in earnings.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company had 56 borrower-facing interest rate derivatives with an aggregate notional amount of $379.6 million and 56 broker derivatives with an aggregate notional value amount of $379.6 million related to this program.
As of March 31, 2016, the Company had four risk participation agreements with two counterparties related to a loan level interest rate swap with four of its commercial banking customers. Of these agreements, three were entered into in conjunction with credit enhancements provided to the borrowers by the counterparties; therefore, if the borrowers default, the counterparties are responsible for a percentage of the exposure. During the third quarter of 2015, one agreement was entered into in conjunction with credit enhancements provided to the borrower by the Bank, whereby the Bank is responsible for a percentage of the exposure to the counterparty. At March 31, 2016, the notional amount of this risk participation agreement was $6.2 million, reflecting the counterparty participation of 3.1%. The risk participation agreements are a guarantee of performance on a derivative and accordingly, are recorded at fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Condition. At March 31, 2016, the notional amount of the remaining three risk participation agreements was $16.3 million, reflecting the counterparty participation level of 46.9%.
Derivative Loan Commitments
Additionally, the Company enters into mortgage loan commitments that are also referred to as derivative loan commitments if the loan that will result from exercise of the commitment will be held for sale upon funding. The Company enters into commitments to fund residential mortgage loans at specified rates and times in the future, with the intention that these loans will subsequently be sold in the secondary market.
Outstanding derivative loan commitments expose the Company to the risk that the price of the loans arising from exercise of the loan commitment might decline from inception of the rate lock to funding of the loan due to increases in mortgage interest


29
 


rates. If interest rates increase, the value of these loan commitments decreases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, the value of these loan commitments increases.
Forward Loan Sale Commitments

To protect against the price risk inherent in derivative loan commitments, the Company utilizes To Be Announced (“TBA”) as well as cash (“mandatory delivery” and “best efforts”) forward loan sale commitments to mitigate the risk of potential decreases in the values of loans that would result from the exercise of the derivative loan commitments.

With TBA and mandatory cash contracts, the Company commits to deliver a certain principal amount of mortgage loans to an investor/counterparty at a specified price on or before a specified date. If the market improves (rate decline) and the Company fails to deliver the amount of mortgages necessary to fulfill the commitment by the specified date, it is obligated to pay a “pair-off” fee, based on then-current market prices, to the investor/counterparty to compensate the investor for the shortfall. Conversely if the market declines (rates worsen) the investor/counterparty is obligated to pay a “pair-off” fee to the Company based on then-current market prices.

With best effort cash contracts, the Company commits to deliver an individual mortgage loan of a specified principal amount and quality to an investor if the loan to the underlying borrower closes. Generally best efforts cash contracts have no pair off risk regardless of market movement. The price the investor will pay the seller for an individual loan is specified prior to the loan being funded (e.g., on the same day the lender commits to lend funds to a potential borrower). The Company expects that these forward loan sale commitments will experience changes in fair value opposite to the change in fair value of derivative loan commitments.
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Condition
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Statements of Condition as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Mar 31, 2016
 
Dec 31,
2015
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Mar 31, 2016
 
Dec 31,
2015
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap - cash flow hedge
Other Assets
 
$

 
$
478

 
Other Liabilities
 
$
13,008

 
$
4,570

Interest rate swap - fair value hedge
Other Assets
 
173

 
50

 
Other Liabilities
 

 
26

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
$
173

 
$
528

 
 
 
$
13,008

 
$
4,596

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward loan sale commitments
Other Assets
 
$

 
$
7

 
Other Liabilities
 
$
282

 
$
20

Derivative loan commitments
Other Assets
 
903

 
223

 
 
 

 

Interest rate swap - with customers
Other Assets
 
24,228

 
12,152

 
 
 

 

Interest rate swap - with counterparties
 
 

 

 
Other Liabilities
 
24,273

 
12,059

Total derivatives not designated as hedging
 
 
$
25,131

 
$
12,382

 
 
 
$
24,555

 
$
12,079

Effect of Derivative Instruments in the the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Net Income and Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the Company’s Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity designated as hedging instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:



30
 


Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI  (Effective Portion)
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps
$
(8,916
)
 
$
(3,338
)

 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Interest rate swaps
$
619

 
$
(12
)

The tables below present information pertaining to the Company’s derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income designated as hedging instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
Fair Value Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Loss Recognized in Income for Derivatives
Derivatives Designated as Fair Value
Hedging Instruments
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Interest Rate Swaps
Interest income
 
$
149

 
$
203

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Loss Recognized in Income for Hedged Items
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Interest Rate Swaps
Interest income
 
$
(149
)
 
$
(205
)
The table below presents information pertaining to the Company’s derivatives not designated as hedging instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income as of March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
Derivative loan commitments
$
680

 
$
509

Forward loan sale commitments
(269
)
 
(25
)
Interest rate swaps
138

 
(73
)
 
$
549

 
$
411

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the counterparty defaults on any of its indebtedness or fails to maintain a well-capitalized rating, then the counterparty could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations and could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty.
As of March 31, 2016, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $37.9 million. As of March 31, 2016, the Company has


31
 


minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties and has posted collateral of $37.9 million against its obligations under these agreements. A degree of netting occurs on occasions where the Company has exposure to a counterparty and the counterparty has exposure to the Company. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2016, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value and would have been required to pay any additional amounts due in excess of amounts previously posted as collateral with the respective counterparty.
Note 8.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The Company maintains and operates the Rockville Financial, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Award Plan (the “2006 Plan”) as approved by the Company’s Board and stockholders. The 2006 Plan allows the Company to use stock options, stock awards, stock appreciation rights and performance awards to attract, retain and reward performance of qualified employees and others who contribute to the success of the Company.
The Company maintains and operates the Rockville Financial, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) as approved by the Company’s Board and shareholders. The 2012 Plan allows the Company to use stock options, stock awards, and performance awards to attract, retain and reward performance of qualified employees and others who contribute to the success of the Company.
In connection with a merger, the Company assumed the following stock-based compensation plans: (a) United Financial Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock-Based Incentive Plan, (b) United Financial Bancorp, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, (c) CNB Financial Corp. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, and (d) CNB Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan collectively referred to as “the Legacy United Stock Plans.”
On October 29, 2015, a special meeting of shareholders was held and the shareholders approved the 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan allows the Company to use stock options, stock awards, and performance awards to attract, retain and reward performance of qualified employees and others who contribute to the success of the Company. The 2015 Plan reserves a total of up to 4,050,000 shares (the “Cap”) of Company common stock for issuance upon the grant or exercise of awards made pursuant to the 2015 Plan. Of these shares, the Company may grant shares in the form of restricted stock, performance shares and other share-based awards and may grant stock options. However, the number of shares issuable will be adjusted by a “fungible ratio” of 2.35. This means that for each share award other than a stock option share or a stock appreciation right share, each 1 share awarded shall be deemed to be 2.35 shares awarded. The 2015 Plan became effective as of the date of approval by the Company’s shareholders, and upon shareholder approval no other awards may be granted from the previously approved or assumed plans. As of March 31, 2016, 3,348,920 shares remained available for future grants under the 2015 Plan.
For the three-month period ended March 31, 2016, total employee and Director stock-based compensation expense recognized for stock options and restricted stock was $31,000 with a related tax benefit of $11,000 and $469,000 with a related tax benefit of $169,000, respectively. Of the total expense amount for the three-month period, the amount for Director stock-based compensation expense recognized (in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income as other non-interest expense) was $104,000, and the amount for officer stock-based compensation expense recognized (in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income as salaries and employee benefit expense) was $396,000. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, total employee and Director stock-based compensation expense recognized for stock options and restricted stock was $39,000 with a related tax benefit of $14,000 and $228,000 with a related tax benefit of $82,000, respectively.
The fair values of stock option and restricted stock awards, measured at grant date, are amortized to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
Stock Options
The following table presents the activity related to stock options outstanding, including options that have stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), under the Plans for the three months ended March 31, 2016:
 
Number of
Stock
Options
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2015
2,649,735

 
$
10.88

 
 
 
 
Granted

 

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(138,171
)
 
7.80

 
 
 
 
Forfeited or expired

 

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2016
2,511,564

 
$
11.05

 
5.4
 
$
3.2

Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2016
2,308,400

 
$
10.81

 
5.2
 
$
3.5



32
 


As of March 31, 2016, the unrecognized cost related to outstanding stock options was $284,000 and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years.
There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
Options exercised may include awards that were originally granted as tandem SARs. Therefore, if the SAR component is exercised, it will not equate to the number of shares issued due to the conversion of the SAR option value to the actual share value at exercise date. There were no SAR options included in total options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock provides grantees with rights to shares of common stock upon completion of a service period. During the restriction period, all shares are considered outstanding and dividends are paid on the restricted stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company issued 30,973 shares of restricted stock from shares available under the Company’s 2015 Plan to certain executives. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the weighted-average grant date fair value was $11.30 per share and the restricted stock awards vest in either equal annual installments on the anniversary date over a 3 year period or cliff vest at the end of the 3 year period. The following table presents the activity for restricted stock for the three months ended March 31, 2016:
 
Number
of Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Unvested as of December 31, 2015
326,013

 
$
13.20

Granted
30,973

 
11.30

Vested
(6,699
)
 
12.44

Forfeited

 

Unvested as of March 31, 2016
350,287

 
$
13.04

As of March 31, 2016, there was $3.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
As part of the second-step conversion and stock offering completed in 2011, the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)borrowed an additional $7.1 million from the Company to purchase 684,395 shares of common stock during the initial public offering and in the open market. The outstanding loan balance of $6.3 million at March 31, 2016 will be repaid principally from the Bank’s discretionary contributions to the ESOP over a remaining period of 25 years.
The Company accounts for its ESOP in accordance with FASB ASC 718-40, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Under this guidance, unearned ESOP shares are not considered outstanding and are shown as a reduction of stockholders’ equity as unearned compensation. The Company will recognize compensation cost equal to the fair value of the ESOP shares during the periods in which they are committed to be allocated. To the extent that the fair value of the Company’s ESOP shares differs from the cost of such shares, this difference will be credited or debited to equity. As the loan is internally leveraged, the loan receivable from the ESOP to the Company is not reported as an asset nor is the debt of the ESOP shown as a liability in the Company’s financial statements. Dividends on unallocated shares are used to pay the ESOP debt.
At March 31, 2016, the remaining loan had an outstanding balance of $6.3 million and the interest rate is the prime rate plus one percent. The unallocated ESOP shares are pledged as collateral on the loans. As the loans are repaid to the Company, shares will be released from collateral and will be allocated to the accounts of the participants. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, ESOP compensation expense was $66,000 and $74,000 respectively.
The ESOP shares as for the period indicated were as follows:
 
March 31, 2016
Allocated shares
1,175,239

Shares allocated for release
5,703

Unreleased shares
564,626

Total ESOP shares
1,745,568

Market value of unreleased shares (in thousands)
$
7,180



33
 


Note 9.
Regulatory Matters
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by 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’s financial statements. The regulations require the Company and the Bank to meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and 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 weightings, and other factors. At March 31, 2016, the Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and is considered “well-capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.


34
 


Basel III
In July 2013, federal banking regulators approved final rules that implement changes to the regulatory capital framework for U.S. banks. The rules set minimum requirements for both the quantity and quality of capital held by community banking institutions. The final rule includes a new minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets of 4.5%, raises the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4% to 6%, and includes a minimum leverage ratio of 4% for all banking organizations. Additionally, community banking institutions must maintain a capital conservation buffer of common equity Tier 1 capital in an amount greater than 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets to avoid being subject to limitations on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The phase-in period for the rules began for the Company on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rules’ requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule. Management believes that the Company’s capital levels will remain characterized as “well-capitalized” under the new rules.
The following is a summary of the Company’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital amounts and ratios as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 compared to the FDIC’s requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution and for minimum capital adequacy:
 
Actual
 
Minimum For
Capital
Adequacy
Purposes
 
Minimum To Be
Well-Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
(Dollars in thousands)
United Bank:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets
$
572,431

 
11.4
%
 
$
401,706

 
8.0
%
 
$
502,132

 
10.0
%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
535,525

 
10.6

 
227,346

 
4.5

 
328,388

 
6.5

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
535,525

 
10.6

 
303,127

 
6.0

 
404,170

 
8.0

Tier 1 capital to total average assets
535,525

 
8.6

 
249,081

 
4.0

 
311,352

 
5.0

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets
$
558,969

 
11.2
%
 
$
398,552

 
8.0
%
 
$
498,190

 
10.0
%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
523,786

 
10.5

 
224,266

 
4.5

 
323,940

 
6.5

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
523,786

 
10.5

 
299,022

 
6.0

 
398,695

 
8.0

Tier 1 capital to total average assets
523,786

 
8.9

 
234,882

 
4.0

 
293,602

 
5.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
United Financial Bancorp, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets
$
635,413

 
12.6
%
 
$
403,437

 
8.0
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
523,507

 
10.3

 
228,717

 
4.5

 
N/A

 
N/A

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
523,507

 
10.3

 
304,956

 
6.0

 
N/A

 
N/A

Tier 1 capital to total average assets
523,507

 
8.5

 
246,356

 
4.0

 
N/A

 
N/A

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets
$
628,915

 
12.5
%
 
$
401,542

 
8.0
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
518,732

 
10.3

 
225,972

 
4.5

 
N/A

 
N/A

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
518,732

 
10.3

 
301,296

 
6.0

 
N/A

 
N/A

Tier 1 capital to total average assets
518,732

 
8.9

 
233,926

 
4.0

 
N/A

 
N/A

Connecticut law restricts the amount of dividends that the Bank can pay the Company based on retained earnings for the current year and the preceding two years.


35
 


Note 10.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, included in stockholders’ equity, are as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Benefit plans:
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
 
$
(6,955
)
 
$
(7,080
)
Tax effect
 
2,506

 
2,551

Net-of-tax amount
 
(4,449
)
 
(4,529
)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain (loss)
 
3,296

 
(5,821
)
Tax effect
 
(1,196
)
 
2,088

Net-of-tax amount
 
2,100

 
(3,733
)
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized loss
 
(13,008
)
 
(4,092
)
Tax effect
 
4,687

 
1,475

Net-of-tax amount
 
(8,321
)
 
(2,617
)
 
 
$
(10,670
)
 
$
(10,879
)
Note 11.
Net Income Per Share
The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands, except share data)
Net income available to common stockholders
$
11,894

 
$
13,025

Weighted-average common shares outstanding
49,991,583

 
49,307,169

Less: average number of unallocated ESOP award shares
(568,365
)
 
(591,177
)
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding
49,423,218

 
48,715,992

Dilutive effect of stock options
229,414

 
559,950

Weighted-average diluted shares
49,652,632

 
49,275,942

Net income per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.24

 
$
0.27

Diluted
$
0.24

 
$
0.26

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the weighted-average number of anti-dilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share were 717,501. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the weighted-average number of anti-dilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share were 700,003 shares. For the periods shown, the stock options are anti-dilutive because the strike price is greater than the average fair value of the Company’s common stock for the periods presented.
Note 12.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time based on the characteristics of the assets and liabilities and relevant market information. In accordance with FASB ASC 820, the fair value estimates are measured within the fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1:
Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets and liabilities as of the reporting date. The quoted price is not adjusted because of the size of the position relative to trading volume.


36
 


Level 2:
Pricing inputs are observable for assets and liabilities, either directly or indirectly, but are not the same as those used in Level 1. Fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.
Level 3:
Pricing inputs are unobservable for assets and liabilities and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity and the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such instances, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given asset and liability is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value of the asset and liability.
When available, quoted market prices are used. In other cases, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques involve uncertainties and are significantly affected by the assumptions used and judgments made regarding risk characteristics of various financial instruments, discount rates, estimates of future cash flows, future expected loss experience and other factors. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect these estimates and could be material. Derived fair value estimates may not be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in certain cases, could not be realized in an immediate sale of the instrument.
Fair value estimates for financial instrument fair value disclosures are based on existing financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not financial instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not purport to represent the underlying market value of the Company.
Loans Held for Sale
The Company has elected the fair value option for its portfolio of residential real estate mortgage loans held for sale to reduce certain timing differences and better match changes in fair value of the loans with changes in the fair value of the derivative loan sale contracts used to economically hedge them.
The aggregate principal amount of the residential real estate mortgage loans held for sale was $7.4 million and $9.8 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The aggregate fair value of these loans as of the same dates was $7.6 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
There were no residential real estate mortgage loans held for sale 90 days or more past due at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
The following table presents the gains (losses) in fair value related to mortgage loans held for sale for the periods indicated. Changes in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale are reported as a component of income from mortgage banking activity in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income.
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Mortgage loans held for sale
 
$
30

 
$
(129
)
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables detail the assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine the fair value. There were no transfers in and out of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 measurements during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.


37
 


 
Total
Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and government-sponsored enterprise obligations
$
10,000

 
$

 
$
10,000

 
$

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
203,554

 

 
203,554

 

Government-sponsored residential collateralized debt obligations
229,118

 

 
229,118

 

Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities
27,797

 

 
27,797

 

Government-sponsored commercial collateralized debt obligations
150,107

 

 
150,107

 

Asset-backed securities
156,782

 

 
14,043

 
142,739

Corporate debt securities
61,778

 

 
60,311

 
1,467

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
208,481

 

 
208,481

 

Marketable equity securities
42,881

 
3,276

 
39,605

 

Total available-for-sale securities
$
1,090,498

 
$
3,276

 
$
943,016

 
$
144,206

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loan derivative assets
$
903

 
$

 
$
903

 
$

Mortgage loan derivative liabilities
282

 

 
282

 

Loans held for sale
7,560

 

 
7,560

 

Mortgage servicing rights
6,271

 

 

 
6,271

Interest rate swap assets
24,401

 

 
24,401

 

Interest rate swap liabilities
37,281

 

 
37,281

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-Sale Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and government-sponsored enterprise obligations
$
10,089

 
$

 
$
10,089

 
$

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
145,861

 

 
145,861

 

Government-sponsored residential collateralized-debt obligations
286,967

 

 
286,967

 

Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities
20,965

 

 
20,965

 

Government-sponsored commercial collateralized-debt obligations
128,972

 

 
128,972

 

Asset-backed securities
159,901

 

 
15,388

 
144,513

Corporate debt securities
59,960

 

 
58,403

 
1,557

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
201,115

 

 
201,115

 

Marketable equity securities
45,339

 
3,227

 
42,112

 

Total available-for-sale securities
$
1,059,169

 
$
3,227

 
$
909,872

 
$
146,070

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage loan derivative assets
$
230

 
$

 
$
230

 
$

Mortgage loan derivative liabilities
20

 

 
20

 

Loans held for sale
10,136

 

 
10,136

 

Mortgage servicing rights
7,074

 

 

 
7,074

Interest rate swap assets
12,680

 

 
12,680

 

Interest rate swap liabilities
16,655

 

 
16,655

 



38
 


The following table presents additional information about assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Balance of available-for-sale securities, at beginning of period
$
146,070

 
$
137,207

Purchases

 
9,799

Principal payments
(384
)
 
(183
)
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income/loss
(1,480
)
 
758

Balance at end of period
$
144,206

 
$
147,581


 
 
 
Balance of mortgage servicing rights, at beginning of period
$
7,074

 
$
4,729

Issuances
512

 
577

Change in fair value recognized in net income
(1,315
)
 
(385
)
Balance at end of period
$
6,271

 
$
4,921

The following valuation methodologies are used for certain assets that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.
Available-for-Sale Securities: Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using an independent pricing service. Level 1 securities are those traded on active markets for identical securities including U.S. treasury securities, equity securities and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Government agency obligations, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate and other debt securities. Level 3 securities include private placement securities and thinly traded equity securities. All fair value measurements are obtained from a third party pricing service and are not adjusted by management.
Matrix pricing is used for pricing most obligations of states and political subdivisions, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities but rather by relying on securities relationships to other benchmark quoted securities. The grouping of securities is completed according to insurer, credit support, state of issuance and rating to incorporate additional spreads and municipal bond yield curves.
The valuation of the Company’s asset-backed securities is obtained from a third party pricing provider and is determined utilizing an approach that combines advanced analytics with structural and fundamental cash flow analysis based upon observed market based yields. The third party provider’s model analyzes each instrument’s underlying collateral given observable collateral characteristics and credit statistics to extrapolate future performance and project cash flows, by incorporating expectations of default probabilities, recovery rates, prepayment speeds, loss severities and a derived discount rate. The Company has determined that due to the liquidity and significance of unobservable inputs, that asset-backed securities are classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.
The Company holds one pooled trust preferred security. The security’s fair value is based on unobservable issuer-provided financial information and discounted cash flow models derived from the underlying structured pool and therefore is classified as Level 3.
Loans Held for Sale: The fair value of residential mortgage loans held for sale is estimated using quoted market prices for loans with similar characteristics provided by government-sponsored entities. Any changes in the valuation of mortgage loans held for sale is based upon the change in market interest rates between closing the loan and the measurement date and an immaterial portion attributable to changes in instrument-specific credit risk. The Company has determined that loans held for sale are classified in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
Mortgage Servicing Rights: A mortgage servicing right (“MSR”) asset represents the amount by which the present value of the estimated future net cash flows to be received from servicing loans are expected to more than adequately compensate the Company for performing the servicing. The fair value of servicing rights is provided by a third party and is estimated using a present value cash flow model. The most important assumptions used in the valuation model are the anticipated rate of the loan prepayments and discount rates. Adjustments are recorded monthly. (See Note 4, “Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this report) as the cash flows derived from the valuation model change the fair value of the asset. Although some assumptions in determining fair value are based on standards used by market participants, some are based on unobservable inputs and therefore are classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.


39
 


Derivatives: Derivative instruments related to commitments for loans to be sold are carried at fair value. Fair value is determined through quotes obtained from actively traded mortgage markets. Any change in fair value for rate lock commitments to the borrower is based upon the change in market interest rates between making the rate lock commitment and the measurement date and, for forward loan sale commitments to the investor, is based upon the change in market interest rates from entering into the forward loan sales contract and the measurement date. Both the rate lock commitments to the borrowers and the forward loan sale commitments to investors are derivatives pursuant to the requirements of FASB ASC 815-10; however, the Company has not designated them as hedging instruments. Accordingly, they are marked to fair value through earnings.
The Company’s intention is to sell the majority of its fixed rate mortgage loans with original terms of 30 years on a servicing retained basis as well as certain 10, 15 and 20 year loans. The servicing value has been included in the pricing of the rate lock commitments. The Company estimates a fallout rate of approximately 14.5% based upon historical averages in determining the fair value of rate lock commitments. Although the use of historical averages is based upon unobservable data, the Company believes that this input is insignificant to the valuation and, therefore, has concluded that the fair value measurements meet the Level 2 criteria. The Company continually reassesses the significance of the fallout rate on the fair value measurement and updates the fallout rate accordingly.
Hedging derivatives include interest rate swaps as part of management’s strategy to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of the Company’s interest rate swaps is obtained from a third-party pricing service and is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The pricing analysis is based on observable inputs for the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity and interest rate curves. The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its interest rate derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value at March 31, 2016:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair
Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
(Weighted Average)
Asset-backed securities
 
$
142,739

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Discount Rates
 
1.6% - 4.5% (4.5%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative Default %
 
6.4% - 9.1% (9.1%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss Given Default
 
1.9% - 3.3% (3.3%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt - pooled trust
 
$
1,467

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Discount Rate
 
6.8% (6.8%)
preferred security
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative Default %
 
2.8% - 42.0% (12.0%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss Given Default
 
85% - 100% (94.2%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage servicing rights
 
$
6,271

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Discount Rate
 
9.0% - 18.0% (10.5%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost to Service
 
$50 - $110 ($61.22)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Float Earnings Rate
 
0.25% (0.25%)
Asset-backed securities: Given the level of market activity for the asset backed securities in the portfolio, the discount rates utilized in the fair value measurement were derived by analyzing current market yields for comparable securities and research reports issued by brokers and dealers in the financial services industry. Adjustments were then made for credit and structural differences between these types of securities. There is an inverse correlation between the discount rate and the fair value measurement. When the discount rate increases, the fair value decreases.
Other significant unobservable inputs to the fair value measurement of the asset backed securities in the portfolio included prospective defaults and recoveries.  The cumulative default percentage represents the lifetime defaults assumed. The loss given default percentage represents the percentage of current and projected defaults assumed to be lost. There is an inverse correlation between the default percentages and the fair value measurement. When default percentages increase, the fair value decreases. 
Corporate debt: Given the level of market activity for the trust preferred securities in the form of collateralized debt obligations, the discount rate utilized in the fair value measurement were derived by analyzing current market yields for trust preferred securities of individual name issuers in the financial services industry. Adjustments were then made for credit and structural differences between these types of securities. There is an inverse correlation between the discount rate and the fair value measurement. When the discount rate increases, the fair value decreases.
Other significant unobservable inputs to the fair value measurement of the collateralized debt obligations included prospective defaults and recoveries. The cumulative default percentage represents the lifetime defaults assumed, excluding currently defaulted


40
 


collateral and including all performing and currently deferring collateral.  As a result, the cumulative default percentage also reflects assumptions of the possibility of currently deferring collateral curing and becoming current.  The loss given default percentage represents the percentage of current and projected defaults assumed to be lost. There is an inverse correlation between the cumulative default and loss given default percentages and the fair value measurement. When default percentages increase, the fair value decreases. 
Mortgage servicing rights: Given the low level of market activity in the MSR market and the general difficulty in price discovery, even when activity is at historic norms, the discount rate utilized in the fair value measurement was derived by analyzing recent and historical pricing for MSRs. Adjustments were then made for various loan and investor types underlying these MSRs. There is an inverse correlation between the discount rate and the fair value measurement. When the discount rate increases, the fair value decreases.
Other significant unobservable inputs to the fair value measurement of MSR’s include cost to service, an input that is not as simple as taking total costs and dividing by a number of loans. It is a figure informed by marginal cost and pricing for MSRs by competing firms, taking other assumptions into consideration. It is different for different loan types. There is an inverse correlation between the cost to service and the fair value measurement. When the cost assumption increase, the fair value decreases.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
The Company may also be required, from time to time, to measure certain other assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. The following tables detail the assets carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation technique utilized by the Company to determine fair value. There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
 
Total
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
 
Other
Observable
Inputs
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 
 
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
 
$
2,323

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,323

Other real estate owned
 
659

 

 

 
659

Total
 
$
2,982

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,982

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
 
$
2,096

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,096

Other real estate owned
 
755

 

 

 
755

Total
 
$
2,851

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,851

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for certain assets that are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
Other Real Estate Owned: The Company classifies property acquired through foreclosure or acceptance of deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, as other real estate owned (“OREO”) in its financial statements. Upon foreclosure, the property securing the loan is recorded at fair value as determined by real estate appraisals less the estimated selling expense. Appraisals are based upon observable market data such as comparable sales within the real estate market. Assumptions are also made based on management’s judgment of the appraisals and current real estate market conditions and therefore these assets are classified as non-recurring Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy.
Impaired Loans: Accounting standards require that a creditor recognize the impairment of a loan if the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate (or, alternatively, the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral) is less than the recorded investment in the impaired loan. Non-recurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent loans are recorded, when necessary, to reflect partial write-downs and the specific reserve allocations based upon observable market price or current appraised value of the collateral less selling costs and discounts based on management’s judgment of current conditions. Based on the significance of management’s judgment, the Company records collateral dependent impaired loans as non-recurring Level 3 fair value measurements.


41
 


Losses on assets recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Impaired loans
$
(185
)
 
$
(450
)
Other real estate owned
(8
)
 
(45
)
Total
$
(193
)
 
$
(495
)
Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
The following methods and assumptions were used by management to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments not recorded at fair value for which it is practicable to estimate that value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Carrying value is assumed to represent fair value for cash and due from banks and short-term investments, which have original maturities of 90 days or less.
Loans Receivable – net: The fair value of the net loan portfolio is determined by discounting the estimated future cash flows using the prevailing interest rates and appropriate credit and prepayment risk adjustments as of period-end at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. The fair value of non-performing loans is estimated using the Bank’s prior credit experience.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”) stock: FHLBB stock is a non-marketable equity security which is assumed to have a fair value equal to its carrying value due to the fact that it can only be redeemed by the FHLB Boston at par value.
Accrued Interest Receivable: Carrying value is assumed to represent fair value.
Deposits and Mortgagors’ and Investors’ Escrow Accounts: The fair value of demand, non-interest- bearing checking, savings and certain money market deposits is determined as the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposits is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using rates offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities as of period-end.
FHLBB Advances and Other Borrowings: The fair value of borrowed funds is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using market rates for similar borrowings.



42
 


As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the carrying value and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as described below:
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
87,234

 
$
87,234

 
$

 
$

 
$
87,234

Available-for-sale securities
1,090,498

 
3,276

 
943,016

 
144,206

 
1,090,498

Held-to-maturity securities
14,434

 

 
15,730

 

 
15,730

Loans held for sale
7,560

 

 
7,560

 

 
7,560

Loans receivable-net
4,621,988

 

 

 
4,668,990

 
4,668,990

FHLBB stock
55,989

 

 

 
55,989

 
55,989

Accrued interest receivable
16,922

 

 

 
16,922

 
16,922

Derivative assets
25,304

 

 
25,304

 

 
25,304

Mortgage servicing rights
6,271

 

 

 
6,271

 
6,271

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
4,534,045

 

 

 
4,541,932

 
4,541,932

Mortgagors’ and investors’ escrow accounts
9,696

 

 

 
9,696

 
9,696

FHLBB advances and other borrowings
1,073,034

 

 
1,074,404

 

 
1,074,404

Derivative liabilities
37,563

 

 
37,563

 

 
37,563

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
95,176

 
$
95,176

 
$

 
$

 
$
95,176

Available-for-sale securities
1,059,169

 
3,227

 
909,872

 
146,070

 
1,059,169

Held-to-maturity securities
14,565

 

 
15,683

 

 
15,683

Loans held for sale
10,136

 

 
10,136

 

 
10,136

Loans receivable-net
4,587,062

 

 

 
4,629,243

 
4,629,243

FHLBB stock
51,196

 

 

 
51,196

 
51,196

Accrued interest receivable
15,740

 

 

 
15,740

 
15,740

Derivative assets
12,910

 

 
12,910

 

 
12,910

Mortgage servicing rights
7,074

 

 

 
7,074

 
7,074

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
4,437,071

 

 

 
4,436,456

 
4,436,456

Mortgagors’ and investors’ escrow accounts
13,526

 

 

 
13,526

 
13,526

FHLBB advances and other borrowings
1,099,020

 

 
1,096,452

 

 
1,096,452

Derivative liabilities
16,675

 

 
16,675

 

 
16,675

Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial investments are exempt from disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value of amounts presented above may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.
Note 13.
Commitments and Contingencies
Financial Instruments With Off-Balance Sheet Risk
In the normal course of business, the Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit through issuing standby letters of credit and undisbursed portions of construction loans and involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Condition. The contractual amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.
The contractual amounts of commitments to extend credit represent the amounts of potential accounting loss should the contract be fully drawn upon, the customer defaults and the value of any existing collateral obligations is deemed worthless. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Off-balance sheet financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk are as follows at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit:
 
 
 
Commitment to grant loans
$
317,543

 
$
219,407

Undisbursed construction loans
100,466

 
103,140

Undisbursed home equity lines of credit
337,547

 
320,140

Undisbursed commercial lines of credit
314,384

 
302,700

Standby letters of credit
10,326

 
9,477

Unused credit card lines
8,393

 
6,725

Unused checking overdraft lines of credit
1,328

 
1,293

Total
$
1,089,987

 
$
962,882

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Since these commitments could expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include residential and commercial property, accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, deposits, and securities.
Other Commitments
The Company invests in partnerships, including low income housing tax credit, new markets housing tax credit, and alternative energy tax credit partnerships. The net carrying balance of these investments totaled $33.4 million at March 31, 2016 and is included in other assets in the consolidated statement of condition. At March 31, 2016, the Company was contractually committed under these limited partnership agreements to make additional capital contributions of $6.4 million, which constitutes our maximum potential obligation to these partnerships.
Legal Matters
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of business. The Company is not involved in any legal proceedings deemed to be material as of March 31, 2016.
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this document that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (referred to as the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (referred to as the Securities Exchange Act), and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements from the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including among other things, changes in general economic and business conditions, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, legislative and regulatory change, changes in the financial markets, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in documents that United Financial Bancorp files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and the Risk Factors in Item 1A of this report. Because of these and other uncertainties, United’s actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, United’s past results of operations do not necessarily indicate United’s combined future results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by applicable law or regulation,


43
 


management undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statements were made.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD & A”) is intended to help the reader understand the Company’s operations and present business environment. Management believes accuracy, transparency and clarity are the primary goals of successful financial reporting. Management remains committed to transparency in the Company’s financial reporting, providing the Company’s stockholders with informative financial disclosures and presenting an accurate view of the Company’s financial disclosures, financial position and operating results.
The MD & A is provided as a supplement to—and should be read in conjunction with—the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes thereto contained in Part I, Item 1, of this report as well as the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The following sections are included in the MD & A:
Business – a general description of the Company’s business, objectives and regulatory considerations.
Critical Accounting Estimates – a discussion of accounting estimates that require critical judgments and estimates.
Operating Results – an analysis of the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the periods presented in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
Comparison of Financial Liquidity and Capital Resources – an overview of financial condition and market interest rate risk.
Business
General
By assets, United Financial Bancorp, Inc. is the third largest publicly traded banking institution headquartered in Connecticut with consolidated assets of $6.32 billion and stockholders’ equity of $633.3 million at March 31, 2016.
The Company is a commercially-focused financial institution delivering financial services primarily to small- to mid-sized businesses and individuals throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts through 53 banking offices, commercial loan production offices, mortgage loan production offices, 63 ATMs, telephone banking, mobile banking, and online banking (www.bankatunited.com).
The Company’s vision is to pursue excellence in all things with respect to its customers, employees, shareholders and communities. This pursuit of excellence has helped the Company fulfill the financial needs of its customers while delivering an exceptional banking experience in the market areas that it has served since 1858. The structure of United Bank supports the vision with community banking teams in each market that provide traditional banking products and services to business organizations and individuals, including commercial business loans, commercial and residential real estate loans, consumer loans, financial advisory services and a variety of deposit products.
Our business philosophy is to remain a community-oriented franchise and continue to focus on organic growth supplemented through acquisitions and provide superior customer service to meet the financial needs of the communities in which we operate. The Company’s three year strategic plan includes:
Continuing to expand commercial business, owner-occupied commercial real estate and consumer lending activities while meeting the Company’s designated risk adjusted return on capital levels;
Decreasing the exposure to residential and investor non-owner occupied commercial real estate lending;
Growing the Company’s low cost core deposit base particularly in commercial deposits;
Increasing the non-interest income component of total revenues through development of banking-related fee income and the sale of insurance and investment products; and
Remaining focused on improving operating efficiencies.
The Company’s results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the income earned on its loan and securities portfolios and its cost of funds, consisting of the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Results of operations are also affected by the Company’s provision for loan losses, gains and losses from sales of loans and securities, and non-interest income and expenses. Non-interest income primarily consists of fee income from depositors, mortgage servicing income, mortgage origination and loan sale income, loan swap fees and increases in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”). Non-interest expenses consist principally of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, service bureau fees, core deposit intangible amortization, marketing, professional fees, FDIC insurance assessments, and other operating expenses.


44
 


Results of operations are also significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions and changes in interest rates as well as government policies and actions of regulatory authorities. Future changes in applicable laws, regulations or government policies may materially affect the Company. Uncertainty and challenges surrounding future economic growth, consumer confidence, credit availability, competition and corporate earnings remains.
The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select MarketSM under the ticker symbol “UBNK”.
Our Objectives
The Company seeks to continually deliver superior value to its customers, stockholders, employees and communities through achievement of its core operating objectives which are to:
Align our earning asset growth rate with organic capital and low cost core deposit generation to maintain strong capital and liquidity ratios;
Re-mix cash flows into better yielding risk adjusted earning assets and reduce funding costs relative to our peer group. Transition from a thrift deposit base to a commercial bank deposit base with more DDA and low cost core deposits;
Build high quality, profitable loan portfolios using primarily organic growth and also purchase strategies, while also continuing to maintain and improve efficiencies in our secondary mortgage banking business;
Build and diversify revenue streams through development of banking-related fee income, in particular, through the expansion of its financial advisory services;
Maintain expense discipline and improve operating efficiencies;
Invest in technology to enhance superior customer service and products to grow revenues while maintaining an attractive cost structure;
Grow operating revenue, maximize operating earnings and grow tangible book value; and
Maintain a rigorous risk identification and management process.
Significant factors management reviews to evaluate achievement of the Company’s operating objectives and its operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: net income and earnings per share, return on tangible common equity and assets, net interest margin, non-interest income, operating expenses related to total average assets and efficiency ratio, asset quality, loan and deposit growth, capital management, liquidity and interest rate sensitivity levels, customer service standards, market share and peer comparisons.
Regulatory Considerations
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to numerous examinations by federal and state banking regulators, as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission. Please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for additional disclosures with respect to laws and regulations affecting the Company’s businesses.

Critical Accounting Estimates
The accounting policies followed by the Company and its subsidiaries conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and with general practices within the banking industry. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company bases its assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time the Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that the financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP.
Management believes that the most critical accounting policies, which involve the most complex subjective decisions or assessments, relate to the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary impairment of investment securities, derivative instruments and hedging activities, goodwill, and income taxes. Management has reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Additional accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” presented in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. A brief description of the Company’s current policies involving significant judgment follows:


45
 


Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is established as embedded losses are estimated to have occurred through the provisions for losses charged against operations and is maintained at a level that management considers adequate to absorb losses in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment in determining the adequacy of the allowance is inherently subjective and is based on past loan loss experience, known and inherent losses and size of the loan portfolios, an assessment of current economic and real estate market conditions, estimates of the current value of underlying collateral, review of regulatory authority examination reports and other relevant factors.
Management has determined that the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment, which consists of residential real estate for loans collateralized by owner-occupied residential real estate, commercial real estate, construction, commercial business, and other consumer loans. Management further segregates these portfolios between loans which are accounted for under the amortized cost method (referred to as “covered” loans) and loans acquired (referred to as “acquired” loans), as acquired loans were originally recorded at fair value, which included an estimate of credit losses, resulting in no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. An allowance for loan losses on acquired loans is only established to the extent that there is deterioration in loan quality exceeding the original estimates of credit loss established upon acquisition.
Although management believes it uses appropriate available information to establish the allowance for loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary if certain future events occur that cause actual results to differ from the assumptions used in making the evaluation.
Other-than-Temporary Impairment of Securities
The Company maintains a securities portfolio that is classified into two major categories: available for sale and held to maturity. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost. Management determines the classifications of a security at the time of purchase.
Quarterly, securities with unrealized losses are reviewed as deemed appropriate to assess whether the decline in fair value is temporary or other-than-temporary. The assessment is to determine whether the decline in value is from company-specific events, industry developments, general economic conditions, credit losses on debt or other reasons. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities below their cost or amortized cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings for equity securities and for debt securities that have an identified credit loss. Unrealized losses on debt securities with no identified credit loss component are reflected in other comprehensive income. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company did not experience any losses which were deemed to be other-than-temporary.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company uses derivatives to manage a variety of risks, including risks related to interest rates. Accounting for derivatives as hedges requires that, at inception and over the term of the arrangement, the hedged item and related derivative meet the requirements for hedge accounting. The rules and interpretations related to derivatives accounting are complex. Failure to apply this complex guidance correctly will result in the changes in the fair value of the derivative being reported in earnings.
The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payment) and the expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payment (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rates curves.
At March 31, 2016, derivative assets and liabilities were $25.3 million and $37.6 million, respectively. Further information about our use of derivatives is provided in Note 7, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities” in Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.
Goodwill
The Company is required to record certain assets and liabilities it has acquired in a business combination, including identifiable intangible assets such as core deposit intangibles, at fair value, which may involve making estimates based on third-party valuations, such as appraisals or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques. The resulting goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill may be impaired.
When goodwill is evaluated for impairment, qualitative factors considered include, but are not limited to, industry and market conditions, overall financial performance, and events affecting the reporting unit. If there are no qualitative factors that indicate goodwill may be impaired, the quantitative analysis is not considered necessary. For a quantitative analysis, if the carrying amount


46
 


exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to income. The fair value is based on observable market prices, when practicable. Other valuation techniques may be used when market prices are unavailable, including estimated discounted cash flows and market multiples analyses. These types of analyses contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. In the event of future changes in fair value, the Company may be exposed to an impairment charge that could be material.
The carrying value of goodwill at March 31, 2016 was $115.3 million. For further discussion on goodwill see Note 5, “Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles” in Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.
Income Taxes
The Company recognizes income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
Significant management judgment is required in determining income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities. Some judgments are subjective and involve estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. In determining the valuation allowance, we use forecasted future operating results, based upon approved business plans, including a review of the eligible carry forward periods, tax planning opportunities and other relevant considerations. Management believes that the accounting estimate related to the valuation allowance is a critical accounting estimate because the underlying assumptions can change from period to period. For example, tax law changes or variances in future projected operating performance could result in a change in the valuation allowance.
The reserve for tax contingencies contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the exposures associated with our various tax positions. The effective income tax rate is also affected by changes in tax law, entry into new tax jurisdictions, the level of earnings and the results of tax audits.



47
 


Operating Results
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to evaluating the Company’s results of operations in accordance with GAAP, management periodically supplements this evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP measures are intended to provide the reader with additional perspectives on operating results, financial condition, and performance trends, while facilitating comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. Non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures, rather, they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial information.
The following is a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures by major category for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2016
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Net income (GAAP)
$
11,894

 
$
13,025

Adjustments:
 
 
 
Net interest income:
 
 
 
Accretion of loan mark
(1,094
)
 
(1,871
)
Accretion of deposit mark
359

 
1,079

Accretion of borrowings mark
447

 
482

Net adjustment to net interest income
(1,900
)
 
(3,432
)
Non-interest income:
 
 
 
Net gain on sales of securities
(1,452
)
 
(338
)
Net adjustment to non-interest income
(1,452
)
 
(338
)
Non-interest expense:
 
 
 
Core deposit intangible amortization expense
(433
)
 
(481
)
Amortization of fixed assets fair value mark
(6
)
 
(5
)
FHLB prepayment penalties
(1,454
)
 

Net adjustment to non-interest expense
(1,893
)
 
(486
)
Total adjustments
(1,459
)
 
(3,284
)
Income tax expense adjustment
511

 
1,152

Operating net income (Non-GAAP)
$
10,946

 
$
10,893



48
 


The following table is a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures for select average balances, interest income and expense, and average yields and cost for the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
GAAP
 
Mark to Market
 
Operating
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/Cost
 
Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/Cost
 
Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/Cost
 
 
(In thousands)
Total loans
 
$
4,657,058

 
$
45,978

 
3.96
%
 
$
(577
)
 
$
1,094

 
0.09
 %
 
$
4,657,635

 
$
44,884

 
3.87
%
Total interest-earning assets
 
5,849,517

 
55,190

 
3.79

 
(577
)
 
1,094

 
0.08

 
5,850,094

 
54,096

 
3.71

Time deposits
 
1,747,654

 
4,409

 
1.01

 
2,112

 
(358
)
 
(0.09
)
 
1,745,542

 
4,767

 
1.10

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
956,819

 
2,481

 
1.04

 
3,285

 
(462
)
 
(0.20
)
 
953,534

 
2,943

 
1.24

Other borrowings
 
150,387

 
1,425

 
3.81

 
(1,767
)
 
14

 
0.08

 
152,154

 
1,411

 
3.73

Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
4,927,217

 
10,172

 
0.83

 
3,630

 
(806
)
 
(0.07
)
 
4,923,587

 
10,978

 
0.90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax-equivalent net interest margin
 
 
 
 
 
3.09
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.95
%
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
GAAP
 
Mark to Market
 
Operating
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/Cost
 
Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/Cost
 
Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Yield/Cost
 
 
(In thousands)
Total loans
 
$
3,907,655

 
$
40,527

 
4.15
%
 
$
(16,940
)
 
$
1,871

 
0.17
 %
 
$
3,924,595

 
$
38,656

 
3.98
%
Total interest-earning assets
 
5,084,717

 
49,450

 
3.92

 
(16,940
)
 
1,871

 
0.16

 
5,101,657

 
47,579

 
3.76

Time deposits
 
1,543,727

 
3,127

 
0.82

 
5,012

 
(1,079
)
 
(0.29
)
 
1,538,715

 
4,206

 
1.11

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
590,409

 
822

 
0.56

 
5,212

 
(490
)
 
(0.35
)
 
585,197

 
1,312

 
0.91

Other borrowings
 
179,087

 
1,390

 
3.15

 
(1,810
)
 
8

 
0.06

 
180,897

 
1,382

 
3.09

Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
4,258,496

 
6,952

 
0.66

 
8,414

 
(1,561
)
 
(0.15
)
 
4,250,082

 
8,513

 
0.81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax-equivalent net interest margin
 
 
 
 
 
3.37
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.08
%

Executive Overview
Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $11.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to net income of $13.0 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the same period in 2015. Operating net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $10.9 million (Non-GAAP), adjusted for $1.9 million (pre-tax) of merger-related and FHLBB prepayment penalties in non-interest expense, $1.9 million (pre-tax) net impact of the amortization and accretion of the fair value adjustments on loans, deposits and borrowings as a result of the Merger, and $1.5 million (pre-tax) net gains on sales of securities. Operating net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $10.9 million (Non-GAAP), adjusted for $486,000 (pre-tax) of expenses related to the Merger, $3.4 million (pre-tax) net impact of the amortization and accretion of the fair value adjustments on loans, deposits, and borrowings as a result of the merger, and $338,000 (pre-tax) net gains on sales of securities. The Company is presenting operating net income as management believes it gives a more accurate picture of the results for the period and will benefit investors in their understanding of the Company.
Net interest income increased $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015 due to balance sheet growth which was mostly comprised of strong loan originations and loan portfolio purchases. The Company


49
 


intends to continue to increase the level of owner-occupied commercial real estate while decreasing the level of investor-owner commercial real estate to generate more favorable risk-adjusted returns and enhance the net interest margin in a flat interest rate environment. Interest income on dividends and loans increased $5.3 million, partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $3.2 million compared to the same period in 2015. The Company’s tax-equivalent net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 3.09%, a decrease of 28 basis points over the same period in the prior year. Excluding the $1.9 million net impact of the amortization and accretion of the fair value adjustments on loans, deposits and borrowings as a result of the Merger, operating net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 2.95%. The general year-over-year trends impacting the margin include decreased yields on loans due to the low interest rate environment, partially offset by slightly higher yields on securities due to an increase in investment grade collateralized loan obligations. Additionally, the Company implemented an optimization of our investment portfolio whereby investments with longer durations were added to increase income for the remainder of the year as well as reducing higher-cost borrowings.
Non-interest income decreased $108,000 to $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $6.8 million for the same period in 2015. Income from mortgage banking activities decreased $1.5 million inclusive of gains on sale of loans, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, mainly due to a decrease in the MSR valuation. This decrease was partially offset by increases in service charges and fees of $763,000 and increases in gains on sales of investment securities of $1.1 million for three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
Non-interest expense increased $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. The largest increases in non-interest expense were in FHLBB prepayment penalties and salaries and employee benefits in which increased $1.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively. FHLBB prepayment penalties increased as a result of the investment portfolio optimization strategy which allowed the Company to pay off higher costing FHLBB advances. Salaries and employee benefits increased due to increased number of employees period-over-period. In April 2016, the Company implemented an organizational restructure to centralize operational responsibilities throughout the Company which will enhance the service level to customers. These changes will result in approximately $3.0 million of pre-tax cost savings annually and $1.5 million of pre-tax restructuring charges to occur in the quarter ending June 30, 2016. The increases in FHLBB prepayment penalties and salaries and employee benefits was partially offset by decreases in occupancy and equipment of $558,000 due to fewer branches in our network. The Company strategically closed five branches in May of 2015.
The asset quality of our loan portfolio has remained strong. The allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio was 0.76% and 0.73%, the allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans ratio was 97.45% and 89.64%, and the ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was 0.78% and 0.82% at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Acquired loans are recorded at fair value with no carryover of the allowance for loan losses. A provision for loan losses of $2.7 million was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to $1.5 million for the same prior year period, reflecting growth in our covered loan portfolio, the ongoing assessment of asset quality measures including the estimated exposure on impaired loans and organic loan growth.



50
 


The following table presents selected financial data and ratios:
Selected Financial Data
At or For the Three Months 
 Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Share Data:
 
 
 
Basic net income per share
$
0.24

 
$
0.27

Diluted net income per share
0.24

 
0.26

Dividends declared per share
0.12

 
0.10

Key Statistics:
 
 
 
Total revenue
$
50,129

 
$
48,178

Total expense
33,763

 
30,657

Key Ratios (annualized):
 
 
 
Return on average assets
0.76
%
 
0.95
%
Return on average equity
7.59
%
 
8.63
%
Tax-equivalent net interest margin
3.09
%
 
3.37
%
Non-interest expense to average assets
2.15
%
 
2.23
%
Cost of interest-bearing deposits
0.66
%
 
0.55
%
Non-performing Assets:
 
 
 
Total non-accrual loans, excluding troubled debt restructures
$
29,285

 
$
30,631

Troubled debt restructures - non-accruing
7,143

 
5,034

Total non-performing loans
36,428

 
35,665

Other real estate owned
659

 
1,711

Total non-performing assets
$
37,087

 
$
37,376

Asset Quality Ratios:
 
 
 
Non-performing loans to total loans
0.78
%
 
0.91
%
Non-performing assets to total assets
0.59
%
 
0.68
%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
97.45
%
 
70.93
%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
0.76
%
 
0.65
%
Non-GAAP Ratio:
 
 
 
Efficiency ratio (1)
61.98
%
 
60.82
%
(1)
The efficiency ratio represents the ratio of non-interest expense before other real estate owned expense and amortization of intangibles, as a percent of net interest income (fully taxable equivalent) and non-interest income, excluding gains from securities transactions, losses on partnerships and other nonrecurring items.

Average Balances, Interest, Average Yields\Cost and Rate\Volume Analysis
The tables below sets forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. A tax-equivalent yield adjustment was made for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. All average balances are daily average balances. Loans held for sale and non-accrual loans are included in the computation of interest-earning average balances, with non-accrual loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth above include the effect of deferred costs, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.


51
 


Average Balance Sheets for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
 Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Annualized Yield/Cost
 
 Average Balance
 
Interest and Dividends
 
Annualized Yield/Cost
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate loans
$
1,207,005

 
$
10,200

 
3.38
%
 
$
1,099,437

 
$
9,696

 
3.53
%
Commercial real estate loans
2,010,589

 
20,501

 
4.10

 
1,677,202

 
18,954

 
4.58

Construction loans
171,268

 
1,876

 
4.41

 
179,866

 
2,357

 
5.31

Commercial business loans
607,331

 
6,732

 
4.46

 
610,569

 
6,858

 
4.56

Home equity loans
432,208

 
3,712

 
3.44

 
335,207

 
2,623

 
3.13

Other consumer loans
228,657

 
2,957

 
5.17

 
5,374

 
39

 
2.89

       Total loans (1)
4,657,058

 
45,978

 
3.96

 
3,907,655

 
40,527

 
4.18

Securities
1,134,723

 
9,139

 
3.22

 
1,125,510

 
8,890

 
3.16

Other earning assets
57,736

 
73

 
0.51

 
51,552

 
33

 
0.26

Total interest-earning assets
5,849,517

 
55,190

 
3.79

 
5,084,717

 
49,450

 
3.92

Allowance for loan losses
(35,134
)
 
 
 
 
 
(25,421
)
 
 
 
 
Non-interest-earning assets
472,379

 
 
 
 
 
449,687

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
6,286,762

 
 
 
 
 
$
5,508,983

 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOW and money market accounts
$
1,553,093

 
1,783

 
0.46

 
$
1,411,240

 
1,531

 
0.44

Saving deposits (2)
519,264

 
74

 
0.06

 
534,033

 
82

 
0.06

Time deposits
1,747,654

 
4,409

 
1.01

 
1,543,727

 
3,127

 
0.82

Total interest-bearing deposits
3,820,011

 
6,266

 
0.66

 
3,489,000

 
4,740

 
0.55

Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
956,819

 
2,481

 
1.04

 
590,409

 
822

 
0.56

Other borrowings
150,387

 
1,425

 
3.81

 
179,087

 
1,390

 
3.15

Total interest-bearing liabilities
4,927,217

 
10,172

 
0.83
%
 
4,258,496

 
6,952

 
0.66
%
Non-interest-bearing deposits
656,013

 
 
 
 
 
578,897

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
76,472

 
 
 
 
 
67,771

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
5,659,702

 
 
 
 
 
4,905,164

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
627,060

 
 
 
 
 
603,819

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
6,286,762

 
 
 
 
 
$
5,508,983

 
 
 
 
Net interest-earning assets (3)
$
922,300

 
 
 
 
 
$
826,221

 
 
 
 
Tax-equivalent net interest income
 
 
45,018

 
 
 
 
 
42,498

 
 
Tax-equivalent net interest rate spread (4)
 
 
 
 
2.96
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.26
%
Tax-equivalent net interest margin (5)
 
 
 
 
3.09
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.37
%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
118.72
%
 
 
 
 
 
119.40
%
Less tax-equivalent adjustment
 
 
1,616

 
 
 
 
 
1,155

 
 
 
 
 
$
43,402

 
 
 
 
 
$
41,343

 
 
(1)
Total loans excludes loans held for sale and includes nonperforming loans.
(2)
Includes mortgagors’ and investors’ escrow accounts.
(3)
Tax-equivalent net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)
Net interest rate spread represents the difference between yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5)
Tax-equivalent net interest rate margin represents tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.


52
 


Rate\Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The net column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to changes in both rate and volume that cannot be segregated have been allocated proportionately based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016 compared to
March 31, 2015
 
Increase (Decrease)
Due to
 
 
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Net
 
(In thousands)
Interest and dividend income:
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable
$
7,961

 
$
(2,510
)
 
$
5,451

Securities (1)
73

 
176

 
249

Other earning assets
4

 
36

 
40

Total earning assets
8,038

 
(2,298
)
 
5,740

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
NOW and money market accounts
159

 
93

 
252

Savings accounts
(2
)
 
(6
)
 
(8
)
Time deposits
448

 
834

 
1,282

Total interest-bearing deposits
605

 
921

 
1,526

FHLBB advances
693

 
966

 
1,659

Other borrowings
(243
)
 
278

 
35

Total interest-bearing liabilities
1,055

 
2,165

 
3,220

Change in tax-equivalent net interest income
$
6,983

 
$
(4,463
)
 
$
2,520

(1)
Includes FHLBB stock
Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
The following discussion provides a summary and comparison of the Company’s operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the amount that interest and fees on earning assets (loans and investments) exceeds the cost of funds, interest paid to the Company’s depositors and interest on external borrowings. Net interest margin is the difference between the income on earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing funds as a percentage of average earning assets. Growth in net interest income has resulted from growth in interest-earning assets and liabilities, primarily reflecting organic loan growth and portfolio purchases.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, tax-equivalent net interest income increased $2.5 million from the comparative 2015 period. This was mainly due to the significant increase in average earning assets of $764.8 million and an increase of $668.7 million in interest-bearing liabilities due to loan growth which was primarily funded by borrowings and deposits. In addition, there was a benefit of $1.9 million recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2016 in net interest income related to fair value adjustments as a result of purchase accounting adjustments compared to $3.4 million for the same period in 2015. The increase in interest and dividends of $5.7 million was partially offset by the increase in interest expense of $3.2 million. The net interest margin decreased 28 basis points, the yield on average earnings assets decreased 13 basis points, and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 17 basis points from the same period in 2015.
Excluding the benefit of the purchase accounting adjustments, the net interest margin and the yield on average earning assets would have declined 13 basis points and five basis points, respectively, and the cost of interest of interest-bearing liabilities would have increased nine basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Primarily reflecting loan growth and portfolio purchases, the average balance of total loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $4.66 billion, and had an average yield of 3.96%. On an operating basis, the average yield on total loans was 3.87%


53
 


for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The largest increases in the average balances for loans were recorded in commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans and other consumer loans. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the average balance of commercial real estate loans totaled $2.01 billion, an increase of $333.4 million from the prior year period. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, residential real estate loans totaled $1.21 billion, an increase of $107.6 million, compared to the same period in 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the average balance of other consumer loans totaled $228.7 million, an increase of $223.3 million from the prior year period primarily reflecting portfolio purchases that occurred late in the fourth quarter of 2015.
The average balance of investment securities increased $9.2 million, and the average yield earned on these securities increased six basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015. The increase is largely reflective of continued maintenance of the Company’s barbell management strategy, with bond purchases focused on maintaining investment portfolio duration while also adding diversification to the portfolio holdings of corporate and municipal sleeves. Portfolio activity during the first quarter primarily stemmed from a bond repositioning into slightly longer agency mortgage securities in order to obtain better duration adjusted returns, and the purchases of cash flowing government sponsored pass through and collateralized mortgage-backed obligations.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to three months ended March 31, 2015, the average balance of total interest-bearing deposits increased $331.0 million, while the average cost increased 11 basis points. FHLBB advances increased $366.4 million while the average cost increased 48 basis points. Average other borrowings decreased $28.7 million while the average cost increased 66 basis points. These changes were primarily due to short-term interest rates being elevated in the quarter, growth in time deposits and the Company’s continued focus to grow low cost deposits. Additionally, the increase in FHLBB advances was to fund new loan growth and loan portfolio purchases.
Net interest income is affected by changes in interest rates, loan and deposit pricing strategies, competitive conditions, the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities as well as the level of non-performing assets. The Company manages the risk of changes in interest rates on its net interest income through an Asset/Liability Management Committee and through related interest rate risk monitoring and management policies.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses is a charge to earnings in an amount sufficient to maintain the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) at a level deemed adequate by the Company. The level of the allowance is a critical accounting estimate, which is subject to uncertainty. Acquired loans are recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition, with no carryover of the allowance for loan losses, and included adjustments for market interest rates and expected credit losses. Increases in the probable loss related to acquired loans are included in the calculation of the required allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2016.
Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a quarterly basis. The adequacy of the loan loss allowance is based on such interrelated factors as the composition of the loan portfolio and its inherent risk characteristics, the level of non-performing loans and charge-offs, both current and historic, local economic and credit conditions, the direction of real estate values, and regulatory guidelines. The provision is charged against earnings in order to maintain an allowance for loan losses that reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.
Management recorded a provision for loan losses of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $1.5 million for the same period of 2015. The primary factors that influenced management’s decision to record these provisions were organic growth during the period, the on-going assessment of estimated exposure on impaired loans, level of delinquencies, and general economic conditions. Impaired loans totaled $56.6 million at March 31, 2016 compared to $56.3 million at December 31, 2015, an increase of $389,000, or 0.7%, reflecting an increase in total troubled debt restructured (“TDR”) loans of $3.3 million, offset by a decrease in nonaccrual loans (excluding nonaccrual TDRs) of $2.9 million. At March 31, 2016, the allowance for loan losses totaled $35.5 million, representing 0.76% of total loans and 97.45% of non-performing loans compared to an allowance for loan losses of $33.9 million, which represented 0.73% of total loans and 89.64% of non-performing loans as of December 31, 2015. As loans move from the those covered by purchase accounting into the covered portfolio, the ALL is anticipated to increase as a percentage of total loans. There is no carryover of the allowance for loan losses on acquired loans. The repayment of these impaired loans is largely dependent upon the sale and value of collateral that may be impacted by current real estate conditions.

Non-interest Income
Total non-interest income was $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, with non-interest income representing 13.4% of total net revenues. The following is a summary of non-interest income by major category for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:


54
 


 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Service charges and fees
$
4,594

 
$
3,831

 
$
763

 
19.9
 %
Gains on sale of securities, net
1,452

 
338

 
1,114

 
329.6

Income from mortgage banking activities
860

 
2,371

 
(1,511
)
 
(63.7
)
Bank-owned life insurance income
818

 
834

 
(16
)
 
(1.9
)
Net loss on limited partnership investments
(936
)
 
(430
)
 
(506
)
 
117.7

Other loss
(61
)
 
(109
)
 
48

 
44.0

Total non-interest income
$
6,727

 
$
6,835

 
$
(108
)
 
(1.6
)%
As displayed in the above table, non-interest income decreased $108,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the prior period. The decrease from the prior year period is mainly due to decreases in mortgage banking activities and the Company recording higher impairment charges on its partnership investments, partially offset by increases in gains on sale of securities and increases in services charges and fees.
Service Charges and Fees: Service charges and fees were $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $763,000 from the comparable 2015 period. The most significant increases were recorded in loan swap fee income, debit card fees and revenue generated by the Company’s investment advisory subsidiary, United Northeast Financial Advisors, Inc. (“UNFA”).
The increases in loan swap fee income and debit cards fees were a direct result of greater transactional volumes. Loan swap fee income is generated as part of the Company’s loan level hedge program that is offered to certain commercial banking customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. However, we do not anticipate that the loan level hedge program will be as meaningful a contributor to non-interest income in 2016 as it was in 2015. The increased revenue generated by UNFA is due to a shift in strategy in running this business line. The Company has shifted focus to assets under management (AUM) for ongoing revenue versus a transactional approach; the result should be more recurring fee revenue driven by increasing AUM versus one-time fees generated by transactions. The Company expects to see this business line improvement continue throughout the year due to increasing AUM.
Gains (Loss) on Sales of Securities, Net: For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded $1.5 million in net gains on security sales compared to $338,000 of net gains in the same period in 2015.
The gains recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2016 are a result of an optimization strategy of our investment portfolio in which we took advantage of the shape of the yield curve, selling shorter-term securities and adding longer duration investments in the portfolio to optimize income for the remainder of the year as well as reducing higher-cost borrowings. The Company incurred approximately $1.5 million in prepayment penalty expense from the extinguishment of FHLBB debt as part of the optimization strategy which is recorded as a separate line item in non-interest expense.
Income From Mortgage Banking Activities: The Company recorded a decrease of $1.5 million in income from mortgage banking activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily driven by (a) less gains on the sales of loans as the Company’s residential mortgage origination volume in the first quarter of 2015 was greater than the origination volume in 2016 due to a higher level of refinance activity in the 2015 period, (b) a decrease in the fair value recognized in net income for mortgage serving rights due to a decline on long-term interest rates and (c) the decrease in value of forward loan sales contracts. These decreases were partially offset by the increases in the Company’s derivative rate lock commitments and loan servicing income resulting from increases in loan sales to the secondary market with servicing retained since the prior year.
BOLI Income: For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded BOLI income of $818,000 compared to $834,000 in the same period in 2015, a decrease of $16,000. The decrease for three months ended March 31, 2016 was due to a decline in the average yield earned on the BOLI policies as a result of current market interest rates.
Net loss on limited partnership investments: The Company has investments in low income housing tax credit, new markets housing tax credit and alternative energy tax credit partnerships. In March 2016, the Company invested an additional $12.7 million in an alternative energy tax credit partnerships.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded a net loss of $936,000 on limited partnership investments, $391,000 of which is related to tax credit partnerships for alternative energy and $545,000 is related to acquired investments in other partnerships. In conjunction with the losses realized on the tax credit partnerships, the Company recorded an offsetting benefit of $2.6 million as reflected in the tax provision for the quarter.


55
 


Non-interest Expense
Non-interest expense increased $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The major categories driving the change from the prior year period were increases incurred for FHLB prepayment penalties, salaries and employee benefits, service bureau fees and other expenses, partially offset by a decrease in occupancy and equipment expenses.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, annualized non-interest expense represented 2.15% and 2.23% of average assets, respectively. The following table summarizes non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits
 
$
17,791

 
$
16,572

 
$
1,219

 
7.4
 %
Service bureau fees
 
2,029

 
1,820

 
209

 
11.5

Occupancy and equipment
 
3,900

 
4,458

 
(558
)
 
(12.5
)
Professional fees
 
881

 
917

 
(36
)
 
(3.9
)
Marketing and promotions
 
592

 
636

 
(44
)
 
(6.9
)
FDIC insurance assessments
 
939

 
1,078

 
(139
)
 
(12.9
)
Core deposit intangible amortization
 
433

 
481

 
(48
)
 
(10.0
)
FHLB prepayment penalties
 
1,454

 

 
1,454

 
100.0

Other
 
5,744

 
4,695

 
1,049

 
22.3

Total non-interest expense
 
$
33,763

 
$
30,657

 
$
3,106

 
10.1
 %
Salaries and Employee Benefits: Salaries and employee benefits was $17.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, an increase of $1.2 million from the comparable 2015 period.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the $1.2 million increase in salaries and benefits was primarily due to (a) an increase in salaries of additional managerial staff as well as the on-boarding of LH-Finance (b) an increase in FICA related to higher salary expenses; (c) an increase in the use of temporary help to maintain compensation expense flexibility while responding to growth requirements; (d) an increase in commissions and incentives reflecting changes in the compensation model for the wealth management group and (e) an increase in restricted stock expense related to implementation of new officers restricted stock plan.
These increases were partially offset by (a) increases in deferred expenses from originating loans, (b) decreases in accruals for expected year-end bonus payments and (c) a decrease in health care costs in the Company’s self-insurance plan.
Service Bureau Fees: Service bureau fees increased $209,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015. The increase was mainly driven by implementation of Europay and MasterCard (“EMV”) chip-enabled credit cards to mitigate potential fraud exposure to the Company’s credit and debit card users, expiration of a service credit from the Company’s core operating system provider and the expenses associated with several enhancement projects.
Occupancy and Equipment: For the three months ended March 31, 2016, occupancy and equipment expense decreased $558,000 to $3.9 million from the same period in the prior year. Occupancy and equipment expense decreased as the Company reported decreased maintenance costs related to snow removal during the three months ended March 31, 2015. In addition, the Company had fewer branches in 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. In May of 2015, the Company strategically closed five branches.
Professional Fees: For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded professional fees of $881,000, a decrease of $36,000 from the comparable 2015 period. The decrease is primarily related to higher consultant fees in the three months ended March 31, 2015 as the Company entered into certain consulting contracts and incurred additional expenses for a review of the Company’s compensation plans. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in outsourced internal audit fees and legal fees.
Marketing and Promotions: Marketing and promotion expense was $592,000 and $636,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, a decrease of $44,000. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to lower newspaper advertising expenses partially offset by expenses related to a branding campaign in TV and radio.
FDIC Insurance Assessments: The expense for FDIC insurance assessments decreased $139,000 to $939,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to a decrease in the assessment rate.


56
 


Core Deposit Intangible Amortization: For the three months ended March 31, 2016, core deposit intangible amortization recorded by the Company was $433,000, a decrease of $48,000 compared to the same period in 2015. The Company is amortizing the core deposit intangible, initially recorded at $10.6 million, over 10 years using the sum-of-the-years-digits method.
FHLBB Prepayment Penalties: For the three months ended March 31, 2016, FHLBB prepayment penalties recorded by the Company were $1.5 million. There were no prepayment penalties in the same period in 2015. As part of the Company’s investment portfolio optimization strategy, the Company sold investment securities and recorded gains of $1.5 million and prepaid advances with prepayment penalties amounting to $1.5 million.
Other Expenses: For the three months ended March 31, 2016, other expenses recorded by the Company were $5.7 million, an increase of $1.0 million from the comparable 2015 period. The increase was driven by increases in (a) computer software reflecting multiple efficiency projects; (b) sales and use tax as the Company incurred expenses associated with a sales and use tax audit; and (c) human resources on-boarding expenses related to new hires.
Income Tax Provision
The provision for income taxes was $1.8 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was 13.0% and 18.6%, respectively. The decrease in the tax expense and the effective tax rate over the prior year is primarily due to additional alternative energy tax credit investments in the first quarter of 2016 and lower pre-tax income as compared to the prior year period. The effective tax rate for March 31, 2016 differs from combined statutory rates as a result of favorable permanent differences for tax-exempt income, BOLI, and investment tax credits, as well as reduced state tax expense due to tax planning strategies that have been implemented.
The Company continually monitors and evaluates the potential impact of current events and circumstances on the estimates used in the analysis of its income tax positions, and accordingly, the Company’s effective tax rate may fluctuate in the future. The Company evaluates its income tax positions based on tax laws and appropriate regulations and financial reporting considerations, and records adjustments as appropriate. This evaluation takes into consideration the status of current taxing authorities’ examinations of the Company’s tax returns and recent positions taken by the taxing authorities on similar transactions, if any. Accordingly, the results of these examinations may alter the timing or amount of taxable income or deductions taken by the Company.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Summary
The Company had total assets of $6.32 billion at March 31, 2016 and $6.23 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $90.7 million, or 1.5%, primarily due to the increase in net loans of $34.9 million, or 0.8%, an increase in available-for-sale securities of $31.3 million, and an increase in other assets of $30.7 million, which is mainly due to increases in the loan level hedge derivative asset and a new partnership agreement that the Company entered into this quarter. The Company utilized deposit growth to fund the growth in loans and securities.
Total net loans of $4.62 billion, with allowance for loan losses of $35.5 million at March 31, 2016, increased $34.9 million, or 0.8%, when compared to total net loans of $4.59 billion, with allowance for loan losses of $33.9 million at December 31, 2015. The increase in loans is due to both organic loan growth and the purchased loan portfolios. Net loans increased primarily due to growth in owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, and home equity lines of credit, partially offset by decreases in investor non-owner occupied commercial real estate and other consumer balances. Residential mortgages also declined, reflecting the Company's strategy to reduce on-balance sheet exposure to residential mortgage loans. The Company expects loan growth in 2016 to be in the mid-single-digit range.
Total deposits of $4.53 billion at March 31, 2016 increased $97.0 million, or 2.2%, when compared to total deposits of $4.44 billion at December 31, 2015. The increase in deposits is mainly due to growth in money market deposits, demand accounts and certificates of deposit and is reflective of the Company’s new product specials and a continued focus on building commercial relationships. The Bank’s net loan-to-deposit ratio was 101.9% at March 31, 2016, compared to 103.4% at December 31, 2015.
At March 31, 2016, total equity of $633.3 million increased $7.8 million when compared to total equity of $625.5 million at December 31, 2015. The change in equity for the period ended March 31, 2016 consisted primarily of year to date net income, partially offset by dividends paid to common shareholders. At March 31, 2016, the tangible common equity ratio was 8.24% compared to 8.23% at December 31, 2015.
See Note 9, “Regulatory Matters” in Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report for information on the Bank and the Company’s regulatory capital levels and ratios.


57
 


Securities
The Company maintains a securities portfolio that is primarily structured to generate interest income, manage interest-rate sensitivity, and provide a source of liquidity for operating needs. The securities portfolio is managed in accordance with regulatory guidelines and established internal corporate investment policies.
The following table sets forth information regarding the amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investment portfolio at the dates indicated:
Securities
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(In thousands)
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government and government-sponsored enterprise obligations
$
9,929

 
$
10,000

 
$
10,159

 
$
10,089

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
202,294

 
203,554

 
146,434

 
145,861

Government-sponsored residential collateralized debt obligations
226,025

 
229,118

 
287,515

 
286,967

Government-sponsored commercial mortgage-backed securities
27,417

 
27,797

 
21,144

 
20,965

Government-sponsored commercial collateralized debt obligations
147,712

 
150,107

 
128,617

 
128,972

Asset-backed securities
161,202

 
156,782

 
162,895

 
159,901

Corporate debt securities
63,333

 
61,778

 
62,356

 
59,960

Obligations of states and political subdivisions
206,811

 
208,481

 
201,217

 
201,115

Total debt securities
1,044,723

 
1,047,617

 
1,020,337

 
1,013,830

Marketable equity securities, by sector:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Banks
39,376

 
39,605

 
41,558

 
42,113

Industrial
109

 
163

 
109

 
143

Mutual funds
2,863

 
2,934

 
2,854

 
2,915

Oil and gas
131

 
179

 
132

 
168

Total marketable equity securities
42,479

 
42,881

 
44,653

 
45,339

Total available-for-sale securities
$
1,087,202

 
$
1,090,498

 
$
1,064,990

 
$
1,059,169

Held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
$
12,350

 
$
13,406

 
$
12,360

 
$
13,234

Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
2,084

 
2,324

 
2,205

 
2,449

Total held to maturity securities
$
14,434

 
$
15,730

 
$
14,565

 
$
15,683

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the available-for-sale securities portfolio increased $31.3 million to $1.09 billion, representing 17.3% of total assets at March 31, 2016, from $1.06 billion and 17.0% of total assets at December 31, 2015. The increase is largely reflective of continued maintenance of the Company’s barbell management strategy, with bond purchases focused on maintaining investment portfolio duration while also adding diversification to the portfolio holdings of corporate and municipal sleeves. Portfolio activity during the first quarter primarily stemmed from a bond repositioning into longer agency mortgage securities in order to obtain better duration adjusted returns, and the purchases of cash flowing government sponsored pass through and collateralized mortgage-backed obligations.
Accounting guidance requires the Company to designate its securities as held to maturity, available for sale, or trading depending on the Company’s intent regarding its investments at the time of purchase. The Company does not currently maintain a portfolio of trading securities. As of March 31, 2016, $1.09 billion, or 98.7% of the portfolio, was classified as available for sale, and $14.4 million of the portfolio was classified as held to maturity.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded no write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments of its available-for-sale securities. The Company held $331.0 million in securities that are in an unrealized loss position at March 31,


58
 


2016; $201.4 million of this total had been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months with the remaining $129.5 million in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer. These securities were evaluated by management and were determined not to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities, and it is more-likely-than-not that it will not have to sell the securities before the recovery of their cost basis. To the extent that changes in interest rates, credit spread movements and other factors that influence the fair value of securities continue, the Company may be required to record additional impairment charges for other-than-temporary impairment in future periods. For additional information on the securities portfolio, see Note 3, “Securities” in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this report.
The Company monitors investment exposures continually, performs credit assessments based on market data available at the time of purchase, and performs ongoing credit due diligence for all collateralized loan obligations, corporate exposures, and municipal securities. The Company’s investment portfolio is regularly monitored for performance enhancements and interest rate risk profiles, with dynamic strategies implemented accordingly.
The Company has the ability to use the investment portfolio, as well as interest-rate financial instruments within internal policy guidelines, to hedge and manage interest-rate risk as part of its asset/liability strategy. See Note 7, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this report for additional information concerning derivative financial instruments.
Lending Activities
The table below displays the balances of the Company’s loan portfolio as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
Loan Portfolio Analysis
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Owner-occupied
$
376,511

 
8.1
%
 
$
322,084

 
7.0
%
Investor non-owner occupied
1,648,321

 
35.4

 
1,673,248

 
36.3

Construction
128,007

 
2.8

 
129,922

 
2.8

Total commercial real estate loans
2,152,839

 
46.3

 
2,125,254

 
46.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial business loans
614,235

 
13.2

 
603,332

 
13.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,176,357

 
25.3

 
1,179,915

 
25.6

Home equity
446,515

 
9.6

 
431,282

 
9.3

Residential construction
42,205

 
0.9

 
41,084

 
0.9

Other consumer
217,725

 
4.7

 
233,064

 
5.1

Total consumer loans
1,882,802

 
40.5

 
1,885,345

 
40.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total loans
4,649,876

 
100.0
%
 
4,613,931

 
100.0
%
Net deferred loan costs and premiums
7,612

 
 
 
7,018

 
 
Allowance for loan losses
(35,500
)
 
 
 
(33,887
)
 
 
Loans - net
$
4,621,988

 
 
 
$
4,587,062

 
 
As shown above, gross loans were $4.65 billion, an increase of $35.9 million, or 0.8%, at March 31, 2016 from December 31, 2015.
Total commercial real estate loans represent the largest segment of our loan portfolio at 46.3% of total loans and increased $27.6 million, or 1.3%, to $2.15 billion from December 31, 2015, reflecting increased production from the Company’s expanded commercial banking division. Commercial real estate loans is comprised of owner-occupied commercial real estate (“OOCRE”) and investor non-owner occupied commercial real estate (“Investor CRE”) and to a lesser extent commercial construction. Investor CRE represents the largest segment of the Company’s loan portfolio as of March 31, 2016, comprising of 35.4% of total loans and OOCRE represents 8.1% of the portfolio. The Company plans to continue to increase the level of OOCRE while decreasing the


59
 


level of Investor CRE to generate more favorable risk-adjusted returns and enhance net interest margin. Commercial real estate construction loans are made for developing commercial real estate properties such as office complexes, apartment buildings and residential subdivisions. Commercial real estate construction loans totaled $128.0 million at March 31, 2016, approximately $46.0 million of which is residential use and $82.0 million is commercial use, compared to total commercial real estate construction loans of $129.9 million at December 31, 2015, $44.5 million of which was residential use and $85.4 million was commercial use.
Commercial business loans increased to $614.2 million at March 31, 2016 from $603.3 million at December 31, 2015. This category includes production from the Shared National Credit program. These loans generate earning assets to increase profitability of the Company and diversify commercial loan portfolios by providing opportunities to participate in loans to borrowers in other regions or industries the Company might otherwise have no access. The commercial division continues to experience momentum in origination activity and has a strong loan pipeline. Mid-sized businesses continue to look to community banks for relationship banking and personalized lending services.
Residential real estate continue to represent a major segment of the Company’s loan portfolio as of March 31, 2016, comprising 25.3% of total loans. The decrease of $3.6 million from December 31, 2015 reflects the Company’s strategy to reduce the level of residential mortgages on the balance sheet. The Company had originations of both adjustable and fixed rate mortgages of $124.1 million during the first three months of the year, reflecting both refinancing activity and loans for new home purchases. The Company opportunistically sells a majority of its originated fixed rate residential real estate loans with terms of 15 to 30 years.
Residential real estate construction loans are made to individuals for home construction whereby the borrower owns the parcel of land and the funds are advanced in stages until completion. Residential real estate construction loans totaled $42.2 million at March 31, 2016 compared to $41.1 million at December 31, 2015.
The Company also offers home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”), both of which are secured by owner-occupied one-to-four family residences. At March 31, 2016 the home equity portfolio totaled $446.5 million compared to $431.3 million at December 31, 2015. Home equity loans are offered with fixed rates of interest and with terms up to 15 years. In December 2015 and March 2016, the Company purchased HELOC portfolios totaling $100.4 million and $24.6 million, respectively. The total balance of the HELOC purchased portfolios outstanding at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016 was $98.6 million and $116.5 million, respectively. These loans are not serviced by the Company. The purchased HELOC portfolios are secured by second liens. The Company plans to continue purchasing HELOCs throughout 2016.
Other consumer loans totaled $217.7 million, or 4.7%, of our total loan portfolio at March 31, 2016. Other consumer loans generally consist of loans on retail boats, HUD Title I loans, new and used automobiles, including indirect automobile loans, loans collateralized by deposit accounts and unsecured personal loans. During December 2015, the Company purchased two consumer loan portfolios consisting of marine retail loans and Title 1 home improvement loans. Total loans purchased were $229.2 million. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, $209.8 million and $224.8 million was outstanding, respectively. The marine retail loans are based on premium brands and the borrowers are financially strong. The Title I home improvement loans are 90% backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and consist of loans to install energy efficient upgrades to the borrowers’ one-to-four family residences. The Company’s plan seeks to increase the level of consumer loans throughout 2016, given these loan types have favorable rate characteristics that will positively impact the net interest margin.
The Company has employed specific parameters taking into account: geographical considerations; exposure hold levels; qualifying financial partners; and most importantly sound credit quality with strong metrics. A thorough independent analysis of the credit quality of each borrower is made for every transaction whether it is an assignment or participation.
Asset Quality
The Company’s lending strategy focuses on direct relationship lending within its primary market area as the quality of assets underwritten is an important factor in the successful operation of a financial institution. Non-performing assets, loan delinquency and credit loss levels are considered to be key measures of asset quality. Management strives to maintain asset quality through its underwriting standards, servicing of loans and management of non-performing assets since asset quality is a key factor in the determination of the level of the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”). See Note 4, “Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses” contained elsewhere in this report for further information concerning the Allowance for Loan Losses.


60
 


The following table details asset quality ratios for the following periods:
Asset Quality Ratios
 
At March 31, 2016
 
At December 31, 2015
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans
0.78
%
 
0.82
%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets
0.59
%
 
0.62
%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (1)
0.09
%
 
0.10
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans
0.76
%
 
0.73
%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans
97.45
%
 
89.64
%
(1)
Calculated based on year to date net charge-offs annualized
Non-performing Assets
Generally loans are placed on non-accrual if collection of principal or interest in full is in doubt, if the loan has been restructured, or if any payment of principal or interest is past due 90 days or more. A loan may be returned to accrual status if it has demonstrated sustained contractual performance for six continuous months or if all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period. There are, on occasion, circumstances that cause commercial loans to be placed in the 90 days delinquent and accruing category, for example, loans that are considered to be well secured and in the process of collection or renewal. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, loans totaling $1.2 million and $307,000, respectively, were greater than 90 days past due and accruing. The loans reported as past due 90 days or more and still accruing represent loans that were evaluated by management and maintained on accrual status based on an evaluation of the borrower. At December 31, 2015, there was a U.S. Government fully guaranteed loan reported as past due 90 days or more and still accruing in addition to accruing purchased credit impaired loans.
The following table details non-performing assets for the periods presented:
 
At March 31, 2016
 
At December 31, 2015
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
$
11,725

 
30.4
%
 
$
11,193

 
29.0
%
Home equity
3,036

 
7.9

 
2,786

 
7.2

Investor-owned commercial real estate
5,297

 
13.7

 
8,565

 
22.2

Owner-occupied commercial real estate
3,115

 
8.1

 
2,939

 
7.6

Construction
2,114

 
5.5

 
2,808

 
7.3

Commercial business
3,979

 
10.3

 
3,898

 
10.1

Other consumer loans
19

 

 
2

 

Total non-accrual loans, excluding troubled debt restructured loans
29,285

 
75.9
%
 
32,191

 
83.4
%
Troubled debt restructurings - non-accruing
7,143

 
19.3

 
5,611

 
14.6

Total non-performing loans
36,428

 
98.2

 
37,802

 
98.0

Other real estate owned
659

 
1.8

 
755

 
2.0

Total non-performing assets
$
37,087

 
100.0
%
 
$
38,557

 
100.0
%
As displayed in the table above, non-performing assets at March 31, 2016 decreased to $37.1 million compared to $38.6 million at December 31, 2015.
Non-accruing TDR loans increased by $1.5 million since December 31, 2015, primarily due to an increase of $472,000 for residential real estate and home equity TDR loans, an increase in commercial real estate TDR loans of $789,000 and an increase in commercial business TDRs of $271,000. The increase in the residential real estate and home equity category reflects, in part, an increase in the number of home equity line of credit loans that have reached maturity and converted from interest only to principal and interest payments. Difficulty making these larger payments combined with a decline in home values related to these loans, is a driver of this increase. There has also been a slight shift from accrual to non-accrual status in residential real estate TDR loans.


61
 


Residential real estate non-accrual loans increased $532,000 to $11.7 million at March 31, 2016. The Company continues to originate loans with strong credit characteristics and routinely updates non-performing loans in terms of FICO scores and LTV ratios. Through continued heightened account monitoring, collections and workout efforts, the Bank is committed to mortgage solution programs designed to assist homeowners to remain in their homes. As has been its practice historically, the Company does not originate subprime loans.
Home equity non-accrual loans increased $250,000 to $3.0 million at March 31, 2016.
Commercial real estate non-accrual loans decreased $3.1 million and commercial business non-accrual loans increased $81,000. The increase in non-accruing commercial business and commercial real estate TDR’s is the result of several larger loans which were restructured during the period. The majority of the increase during the quarter was due to an increase in accruing business loans restructured during the quarter, in which the borrower exhibited financial difficulties and the loans were designated as TDR’s.
Non-accrual construction loans decreased $694,000, primarily reflecting 13 commercial relationships totaling $2.1 million, of which all relates to construction for residential subdivisions. At December 31, 2015 nonaccrual construction loans consisted of 14 commercial relationships and totaled $2.8 million.
Troubled Debt Restructuring
Loans are considered restructured in a troubled debt restructuring when the Company has granted concessions to a borrower due to the borrower’s financial condition that it otherwise would not have considered. These concessions include modifications of the terms of the debt such as reduction of the stated interest rate other than normal market rate adjustments, extension of maturity dates, or reduction of principal balance or accrued interest. The decision to restructure a loan, versus aggressively enforcing the collection of the loan, may benefit the Company by increasing the ultimate probability of collection.
Restructured loans are classified as accruing or non-accruing based on management’s assessment of the collectability of the loan. Loans which are already on non-accrual status at the time of the restructuring generally remain on non-accrual status for a minimum of six months before management considers such loans for return to accruing TDR status. Accruing restructured loans are placed into non-accrual status if and when the borrower fails to comply with the restructured terms and management deems it unlikely that the borrower will return to a status of compliance in the near term. Once a loan is classified as a TDR it retains that classification for the life of the loan; however, some TDRs may demonstrate acceptable performance allowing the TDR loan to be placed on accruing TDR status. The increase in TDRs is primarily attributable to the addition of two loans restructured during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
The following table provides detail of TDR balances for the periods presented:
 
 
At March 31,
2016
 
At December 31,
2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Recorded investment in TDRs:
 
 
 
 
Accrual status
 
$
20,216

 
$
18,453

Non-accrual status
 
7,143

 
5,611

Total recorded investment
 
$
27,359

 
$
24,064

 
 
 
 
 
Accruing TDRs performing under modified terms for more than one year
 
$
7,760

 
$
5,821

TDR allocated reserves included in the balance of allowance for loan losses
 
303

 
223

Additional funds committed to borrowers in TDR status
 
14

 
513




62
 


The following table provides detail of TDR activity for the periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
TDRs, beginning of period
$
24,064

 
$
15,807

New TDR status
2,871

 
275

Paydowns/draws on existing TDRs, net
430

 
(169
)
Charge-offs post modification
(6
)
 

TDRs, end of period
$
27,359

 
$
15,913

Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded credit commitments are maintained at a level estimated by management to provide for probable losses inherent within the loan portfolio. Probable losses are estimated based upon a quarterly review of the loan portfolio, which includes historic default and loss experience, specific problem loans, risk rating profile, economic conditions and other pertinent factors which, in management’s judgment, warrant current recognition in the loss estimation process. The Company’s Risk Management Committee meets quarterly to review and conclude on the adequacy of the reserves and to present their recommendation to executive management and the Board of Directors.
Management considers the adequacy of the ALL a critical accounting estimate. The adequacy of the ALL is subject to considerable assumptions and judgment used in its determination. Therefore, actual losses could differ materially from management’s estimate if actual conditions differ significantly from the assumptions utilized. These conditions include economic factors in the Company’s market and nationally, industry trends and concentrations, real estate values and trends, and the financial condition and performance of individual borrowers. While management believes the ALL is adequate as of March 31, 2016, actual results may prove different and the differences could be significant.
The Company’s general practice is to identify problem credits early and recognize full or partial charge-offs as promptly as practicable when it is determined that the collection of loan principal is unlikely. The Company recognized full or partial charge-offs on collateral dependent impaired loans when the collateral is deemed to be insufficient to support the carrying value of the loan. The Company does not recognize a recovery when an updated appraisal indicates a subsequent increase in value.
The Company had a loan loss allowance of $35.5 million, or 0.76%, of total loans at March 31, 2016 as compared to a loan loss allowance of $33.9 million, or 0.73%, of total loans at December 31, 2015. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate and consistent with asset quality indicators and that it represents the best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio.
The unallocated portion of the ALL represents general valuation allowances that are not allocated to a specific loan portfolio. The unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses and reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. The unallocated portion of the ALL at March 31, 2016 increased $31,000 to $825,000 compared to December 31, 2015. See Note 4, “Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses” in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report for a table providing the activity in the Company’s allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
In addition to the ALL, the Company maintains a reserve for unfunded credit commitments in other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Condition. The allowance for credit losses analysis includes consideration of the risks associated with unfunded loan commitments. The reserve calculation includes factors that are consistent with ALL methodology for funded loans. The combination of ALL and unfunded reserves is calculated in a manner to capture the entirety of the underlying business relationship of the customer. The amounts of unfunded commitments and the associated reserves may be subject to fluctuations due to originations, the timing and volume of loan funding, as well as changes in risk ratings. At March 31, 2016, the reserve for unfunded credit commitments was $1.3 million compared to a reserve for unfunded credit commitments of $1.2 million at December 31, 2015.
Sources of Funds
The primary source of the Company’s cash flows, for use in lending and meeting its general operational needs, is deposits. Additional sources of funds are from FHLBB advances, reverse repurchase agreements, federal funds lines, loan and mortgage-backed securities repayments, securities sales proceeds and maturities, subordinated debt, and earnings. While scheduled loan and


63
 


securities repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, loan and investment security prepayments and deposit inflows are influenced by prevailing interest rates and local economic conditions and are inherently uncertain.
Deposits
The Company offers a wide variety of deposit products to consumer, business and municipal customers. Deposit customers can access their accounts in a variety of ways including branch banking, ATM’s, online banking, mobile banking and telephone banking. Effective advertising, direct mail, well-designed product offerings, customer service and competitive pricing policies have been successful in attracting and retaining deposits. A key strategic objective is to grow the base of checking customers by retaining existing relationships while attracting new customers.
Deposits provide an important source of funding for the Bank as well as an ongoing stream of fee revenue. The Company attempts to control the flow of funds in its deposit accounts according to its need for funds and the cost of alternative sources of funding. A Retail Pricing Committee meets weekly and a Management ALCO Committee meets monthly, to determine pricing and marketing initiatives. Actions of these committees influence the flow of funds primarily by the pricing of deposits, which is affected to a large extent by competitive factors in its market area and asset/liability management strategies.
The following table presents deposits by category as of the dates indicated:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
(In thousands)
Demand deposits
$
693,144

 
$
672,008

NOW accounts
349,058

 
347,153

Regular savings and club accounts
522,353

 
508,377

Money market and investment savings
1,200,957

 
1,182,422

Total core deposits
2,765,512

 
2,709,960

Time deposits
1,768,533

 
1,727,111

Total deposits
$
4,534,045

 
$
4,437,071

Deposits totaled $4.53 billion at March 31, 2016, up $97.0 million compared to December 31, 2015. Core deposits increased $55.6 million, or 2.0%, from year end reflecting the promotion of retail and commercial money market products offered in a select market area.
Time deposits included brokered certificate of deposits of $347.3 million and $392.0 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company utilizes out-of-market brokered time deposits as part of its overall funding program along with other sources. Excluding out-of-market brokered certificates of deposits, in-market time deposits totaled $1.42 billion at March 31, 2016.
Borrowings
The Company also uses various types of short-term and long-term borrowings in meeting funding needs. While customer deposits remain the primary source for funding loan originations, management uses short-term and long-term borrowings as a supplementary funding source for loan growth and other liquidity needs when the cost of these funds are favorable compared to alternative funding, including deposits.
The following table presents borrowings by category as of the dates indicated:
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
(In thousands)
FHLBB advances (1)
$
926,175

 
$
949,003

Subordinated debt (2)
79,544

 
79,489

Wholesale repurchase agreements
45,000

 
45,000

Customer repurchase agreements
17,843

 
19,278

Other
4,472

 
6,250

Total borrowings
$
1,073,034

 
$
1,099,020

(1)FHLBB advances include $3.0 million and $3.5 million of purchase accounting discounts at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.


64
 


(2)Subordinated debt includes $7.7 million of acquired junior subordinated debt, net of mark to market discounts of $2.1 million, and $75.0 million of Subordinated Notes, net of associated deferred costs of $1.1 million at both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
United Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of twelve district Federal Home Loan Banks, each subject to the supervision and regulation of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Members are required to own capital stock in the FHLBB in order for the Bank to access advances and borrowings which are collateralized by certain home mortgages or securities of the U.S. Government and its agencies. The capital stock investment is restricted in that there is no market for it, and it can only be redeemed by the FHLBB.
Total FHLBB advances decreased $22.4 million to $923.1 million at March 31, 2016, exclusive of the purchase accounting mark adjustment on the advances, compared to $945.5 million at December 31, 2015. This decrease is a result of a portfolio optimization strategy that occurred in February 2016 whereby, in response to a flatter yield curve and lower interest rates, the Company took actions to terminate $36.3 million of FHLBB advances, offsetting the debt extinguishment expense with gains from the sale of securities. At March 31, 2016, $823.1 million of the Company’s $923.1 million outstanding FHLB advances were at fixed coupons ranging from 0.45% to 7.15%, with an average cost of 0.98%. Additionally, the Company has two advances with the FHLBB totaling $75.0 million that are underlying hedge instruments; the interest is based on the three 3-month LIBOR and adjusts quarterly. The Company also has one Flipper advance with the FHLBB totaling $25.0 million, effective March 18, 2016, with an initial interest rate of 0.04% per annum.  The advance reprices to 3-month LIBOR minus 60 basis points on a quarterly basis until March 2017, at which point the advance converts to a fixed rate of 1.62% and is callable on a quarterly basis. The average cost of funds including these adjustable advances is 0.93%. FHLBB borrowings represented 14.7% and 15.2% of assets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
Borrowings under reverse purchase agreements totaled $45.0 million as of both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The outstanding borrowings consisted of three individual agreements with remaining terms of three years or less and a weighted-average cost of 1.67%. Retail repurchase agreements, which have a term of one day and are backed by the purchasers’ interest in certain U.S. Government or government-sponsored securities, totaled $17.8 million and $19.3 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
Subordinated debentures totaled $79.5 million at both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability to meet cash needs at all times with available cash or by conversion of other assets to cash at a reasonable price and in a timely manner. The Company maintains liquid assets at levels the Company considers adequate to meet its liquidity needs. The Company adjusts its liquidity levels to fund loan commitments, repay its borrowings, fund deposit outflows, pay escrow obligations on all items in the loan portfolio and to fund operations. The Company also adjusts liquidity as appropriate to meet asset and liability management objectives.
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans, the sale in the secondary market of loans held for sale, maturities and sales of investment securities and other short-term investments, periodic pay downs of mortgage-backed securities, and earnings and funds provided from operations. While scheduled principal repayments on loans are a relatively predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competition. The Company sets the interest rates on our deposits to maintain a desired level of total deposits. In addition, the Company invests excess funds in short-term interest-earning assets, which provide liquidity to meet lending requirements.
A portion of the Company’s liquidity consists of cash and cash equivalents, which are a product of our operating, investing and financing activities. At March 31, 2016, $87.2 million of the Company’s assets were held in cash and cash equivalents compared to $95.2 million at December 31, 2015. The Company’s primary sources of cash are principal repayments on loans, proceeds from the calls and maturities of investment securities, increases in deposit accounts, proceeds from residential loan sales and advances from the FHLBB.
Liquidity management is both a daily and longer-term function of business management. If the Company requires funds beyond its ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the FHLBB, which provide an additional source of funds. At March 31, 2016, the Company had $923.1 million in advances from the FHLBB and an additional available borrowing limit of $454.1 million based on collateral requirements of the FHLBB inclusive of the line of credit. In addition, the Bank has relationships with brokered sweep deposit providers with outstanding balances of $116.3 million at March 31, 2016. Internal policies limit wholesale borrowings to 40% of total assets, or $2.53 billion, at March 31, 2016. In addition, the Company has uncommitted federal funds line of credit with four counterparties totaling $107.5 million at March 31, 2016. No federal funds purchased were outstanding at March 31, 2016.


65
 


The Company has established access to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s discount window through a borrower in custody agreement. As of March 31, 2016, the Bank had pledged 26 commercial loans, with outstanding balances totaling $170.1 million. Based on the amount of pledged collateral, the Bank had available liquidity of $132.7 million.
At March 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding commitments to originate loans of $317.5 million and unfunded commitments under construction loans, lines of credit, stand-by letters of credit, unused checking overdraft lines of credit, and unused credit card lines of $772.4 million. At March 31, 2016, time deposits scheduled to mature in less than one year totaled $1.10 billion. Based on prior experience, management believes that a significant portion of such deposits will remain with the Company, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. In the event a significant portion of its deposits are not retained by the Company, it will have to utilize other funding sources, such as FHLBB advances in order to maintain its level of assets. Alternatively, we would reduce our level of liquid assets, such as our cash and cash equivalents in order to meet funding needs. In addition, the cost of such deposits may be significantly higher if market interest rates are higher or there is an increased amount of competition for deposits in our market area at the time of renewal.
The main sources of liquidity at the parent company level are dividends from United Bank and proceeds received from the Company’s issuance of $75.0 million of subordinated notes in September 2014. The main uses of liquidity are payments of dividends to common stockholders, repurchase of United Financial’s common stock, payment of subordinated note interest, and corporate operating expenses. There are certain restrictions on the payment of dividends. See Note 18, “Regulatory Matters” in the Company’s 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for further information on dividend restrictions.
The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements. As of March 31, 2016, the Company and the Bank are categorized as “well-capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. See Note 9, “Regulatory Matters” in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contained elsewhere in this report for discussion of capital requirements.
The liquidity position of the Company is continuously monitored and adjustments are made to balance between sources and uses of funds as deemed appropriate. Management is not aware of any events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, capital resources or operations. In addition, management is not aware of any regulatory recommendations regarding liquidity, which if implemented would have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has a detailed liquidity contingency plan which is designed to respond to liquidity concerns in a prompt and comprehensive manner. It is designed to provide early detection of potential problems and details specific actions required to address liquidity stress scenarios.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
General: The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. Consequently, our most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Our assets, consisting primarily of mortgage loans, in general have longer contractual maturities than our liabilities, consisting primarily of deposits. As a result, a principal part of our business strategy is to manage interest rate risk and reduce the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Accordingly, our Board of Directors has established a Risk Committee which is responsible for evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for determining the level of risk that is appropriate given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. Management monitors the level of interest rate risk on a regular basis and the Risk Committee meets at least quarterly to review our asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position.
We have sought to manage our interest rate risk in order to minimize the exposure of our earnings and capital to changes in interest rates. During the low interest rate environment that has existed in recent years, we have implemented the following strategies to manage our interest rate risk: (i) emphasizing adjustable rate loans including, adjustable rate one-to-four family, commercial and consumer loans, (ii) selling longer-term 1-4 family fixed rate mortgage loans in the secondary market, (iii) reducing and shortening the expected average life of the investment portfolio and (iv) a forward starting hedge strategy for future dated wholesale funding and (v) a loan level hedging program. These measures should serve to reduce the volatility of our future net interest income in different interest rate environments.
Quantitative Analysis
Income Simulation: Simulation analysis is used to estimate our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time. The Company models a stable balance sheet (both size and mix) projected throughout the modeling horizon. This adoption was made in a continued effort to align with regulatory best practices and to highlight the current level of risk in the Company’s positions without the effects of growth assumptions. We utilize the income simulation method to analyze our interest rate sensitivity position to manage the risk associated with interest rate movements. At least quarterly, our Risk Committee of the Board of Directors


66
 


reviews the potential effect changes in interest rates could have on the repayment or repricing of rate sensitive assets and funding requirements of rate sensitive liabilities. Our most recent simulation uses projected repricing of assets and liabilities at March 31, 2016 on the basis of contractual maturities, anticipated repayments and scheduled rate adjustments. Prepayment rate assumptions as well as deposit characterization assumptions can have a significant impact on interest income simulation results. Because of the large percentage of loans and mortgage-backed assets we hold, rising or falling interest rates may have a significant impact on the actual prepayment speeds of our mortgage related assets that may in turn effect our interest rate sensitivity position. When interest rates rise, prepayment speeds slow and the average expected life of our assets would tend to lengthen more than the expected average life of our liabilities and therefore would most likely result in a decrease to our asset sensitive position.
 
Percentage Decrease in Estimated
Net Interest Income
 
Over 12 Months
 
Over 12 -24 Months
300 basis point increase in rates
3.48
 %
 
(2.49
)%
50 basis point decrease in rates
(4.83
)%
 
(6.73
)%
United Bank’s Asset/Liability policy currently limits projected changes in net interest income based on a matrix of projected total risk-based capital relative to the interest rate change for each twelve month period measured compared to the flat rate scenario. As a result, the higher a level of projected risk-based capital, the higher the limit of projected net interest income volatility the Company will accept. As the level of projected risk-based capital is reduced, the policy requires that net interest income volatility also is reduced, making the limit dynamic relative to the capital level needed to support it. These policy limits are re-evaluated on a periodic basis (not less than annually) and may be modified, as appropriate. Because of the liability-sensitivity of our balance sheet, income is projected to decrease if interest rates rise. Also included in the decreasing rate scenario is the assumption that further declines are reflective of a deeper recession as well as narrower credit spreads from Federal Open Market Committee actions. At March 31, 2016, income at risk over the next twelve months (i.e., the change in net interest income) increased 3.48% and decreased 4.83% based on a 300 basis point average increase or a 50 basis point average decrease, respectively. While we believe the assumptions used are reasonable, there can be no assurance that assumed prepayment rates will approximate actual future mortgage-backed security and loan repayment activity.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information the Company must disclose in its reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis. Our management has evaluated, with the participation and under the supervision of our chief executive officer (“CEO”) and chief financial officer (“CFO”), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of such date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Controls: During the quarter under report, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of business. The Company is not involved in any legal proceedings deemed to be material as of March 31, 2016.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the Risk Factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2015.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds



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The Company obtained approval for and initiated a third buyback plan on October 15, 2014. Under this plan, the Company was authorized to repurchase up to 2,566,283 shares, or 5% of the outstanding shares at the time the plan was approved and had a remaining authorization to purchase an additional 254,394 shares. On January 26, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a fourth share repurchase plan authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 2.5% of outstanding shares, or 1,248,536 shares. In connection with this authorization, the third share repurchase program was suspended and the remaining shares are no longer available for repurchase. There were no purchases of equity securities during the first quarter of 2016 made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser”, as defined by Section 240.10b-18(a)(3) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of shares of the Company’s common stock.
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5.
Other Information
None.
Item 6.
 

2.1
Amended and Restated Plan of Conversion and Reorganization (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registration Statement filed on the Form S-1 for Rockville Financial New, Inc. on September 16, 2010)
2.2
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Rockville Financial, Inc. and United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2013)
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2014)
3.1.1
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation increasing authorized common stock from 60,000,000 shares to 120,000,000 shares (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit B in the Definitive Proxy Statement filed on March 23, 2015)
3.2
The Bylaws, as amended and restated, (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2014)
10.5
Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan of United Bank as amended and restated effective December 31, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed for Rockville Financial, Inc. (now United Financial Bancorp, Inc.) filed on December 18, 2007)
10.6
United Bank Officer Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed on March 31, 2006 (File No. 000-52139))
10.9
United Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as amended and restated effective December 31, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed for Rockville Financial, Inc. (now United Financial Bancorp, Inc.) filed on December 18, 2007)
10.10
United Financial Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Award Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B in the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A for Rockville Financial, Inc. (now United Financial Bancorp, Inc.) filed on July 3, 2006 (File No. 000-51239))
10.11.2
Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement of United Bank for William H.W. Crawford, IV effective December 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11.2 to the Current Report on the Company’s Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2013)
10.11.4
On November 14, 2013, United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary United Bank entered into an Employment Agreement with William H.W. Crawford, IV effective on the date of the consummation of the Merger (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.11.4 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on November 20, 2013)
10.12
Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement of United Bank for Mark A. Kucia effective December 6, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on March 10, 2011)
10.12.1
Employment Agreement as amended and restated by and among United Financial Bancorp, Inc., United Bank and Mark A. Kucia, effective January 1, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed March 7, 2016)


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10.14
United Financial Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Award Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A in the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A for Rockville Financial, Inc. (now United Financial Bancorp, Inc.) filed on April 4, 2012 (File No. 0001193125-12-149948))
10.17
Employment Agreement as amended and restated by and among United Financial Bancorp, Inc., United Bank and Eric R. Newell, effective January 1, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed March 7, 2016)
10.18
Employment Agreement as amended and restated by and among United Financial Bancorp, Inc., United Bank and David Paulson, effective January 1, 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed March 7, 2016)
10.19
Form of United Financial Bancorp, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Plan, effective January 21, 2015 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed on March 9, 2015)
10.20
United Financial Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A in the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A for the Company filed September 8, 2015)
14.0
United Financial Bancorp, Inc., United Bank, Standards of Conduct Policy Employees (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed on March 9, 2015)
21.
Subsidiaries of United Financial Bancorp, Inc. and United Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21. to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed on March 7, 2016)
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer filed herewith
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer filed herewith
32.0
Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer attached hereto
101.
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Condition, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Net Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements filed herewith


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
United Financial Bancorp, Inc.
By:
 
/s/ Eric R. Newell
 
 
Eric R. Newell
 
 
EVP, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date: May 6, 2016


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