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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

or

 

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 000-26481

 

 

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

NEW YORK		16-0816610
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
220 LIBERTY STREET, WARSAW, NEW YORK		14569
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (585)786-1100

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

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

 

Large accelerated filer		¨		Accelerated filer		x
Non-accelerated filer		¨  (Do not check if a smaller company)		Smaller reporting company		¨

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

The registrant had 14,189,535 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of October 28, 2015.

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Table of Contents

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				PAGE
PART I.		FINANCIAL INFORMATION			3
ITEM 1.		Financial Statements			3
		Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited) - at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014			3
		Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014			4
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014			5
		Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) - Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014			6
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014			7
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)			8
ITEM 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			32
ITEM 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			52
ITEM 4.		Controls and Procedures			53
PART II.		OTHER INFORMATION			54
ITEM 1.		Legal Proceedings			54
ITEM 1A.		Risk Factors			54
ITEM 6.		Exhibits			54
		Signatures			55

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)		September 30,				December 31,
		2015				2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	51,334			$	58,151
Securities available for sale, at fair value			577,509				622,494
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $496,751 and $298,695, respectively)			490,638				294,438
Loans held for sale			1,568				755
Loans (net of allowance for loan losses of $26,455 and $27,637, respectively)			2,009,781				1,884,365
Company owned life insurance			62,486				61,004
Premises and equipment, net			38,032				36,394
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net			67,925				68,639
Other assets			58,335				63,281
Total assets		$	3,357,608			$	3,089,521
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand		$	623,296			$	571,260
Interest-bearing demand			563,731				490,190
Savings and money market			942,673				795,835
Certificates of deposit			623,800				593,242
Total deposits			2,753,500				2,450,527
Short-term borrowings			241,400				334,804
Long-term borrowings, net of issuance costs of $1,028			38,972				—
Other liabilities			28,302				24,658
Total liabilities			3,062,174				2,809,989
Shareholders’ equity:
Series A 3% preferred stock, $100 par value; 1,533 shares authorized and 1,492 shares issued and outstanding			149				149
Series B-1 8.48% preferred stock, $100 par value; 200,000 shares authorized and 171,906 shares issued and outstanding			17,191				17,191
Total preferred equity			17,340				17,340
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized and 14,397,509 shares issued			144				144
Additional paid-in capital			72,427				72,955
Retained earnings			215,470				203,312
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(6,052	)			(9,011	)
Treasury stock, at cost – 208,674 and 279,461 shares, respectively			(3,895	)			(5,208	)
Total shareholders’ equity			295,434				279,532
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	3,357,608			$	3,089,521

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans		$	21,210			$	20,671			$	61,793			$	61,168
Interest and dividends on investment securities			5,797				4,458				16,170				13,903
Total interest income			27,007				25,129				77,963				75,071
Interest expense:
Deposits			1,917				1,627				5,364				4,729
Short-term borrowings			342				244				785				706
Long-term borrowings			617				—				1,132				—
Total interest expense			2,876				1,871				7,281				5,435
Net interest income			24,131				23,258				70,682				69,636
Provision for loan losses			754				2,015				4,783				5,879
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			23,377				21,243				65,899				63,757
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposits			2,037				2,277				5,880				6,768
Insurance income			1,265				922				3,930				979
ATM and debit card			1,297				1,263				3,773				3,694
Investment advisory			523				524				1,551				1,647
Company owned life insurance			488				421				1,448				1,249
Investments in limited partnerships			336				187				865				894
Loan servicing			153				120				416				450
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale			53				76				161				231
Net gain on disposal of investment securities			286				515				1,348				1,777
Net gain on disposal of other assets			—				72				20				61
Amortization of tax credit investment			(390	)			—				(390	)			—
Other			957				884				2,755				2,445
Total noninterest income			7,005				7,261				21,757				20,195
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits			10,278				9,725				31,107				28,044
Occupancy and equipment			3,417				3,131				10,491				9,505
Professional services			1,064				976				2,898				3,332
Computer and data processing			779				725				2,291				2,225
Supplies and postage			540				507				1,611				1,554
FDIC assessments			444				390				1,277				1,200
Advertising and promotions			312				216				789				609
Other			2,484				2,285				7,101				6,507
Total noninterest expense			19,318				17,955				57,565				52,976
Income before income taxes			11,064				10,549				30,091				30,976
Income tax expense			2,748				3,365				8,389				9,541
Net income		$	8,316			$	7,184			$	21,702			$	21,435
Preferred stock dividends			366				366				1,097				1,097
Net income available to common shareholders		$	7,950			$	6,818			$	20,605			$	20,338
Earnings per common share (Note 3):
Basic		$	0.56			$	0.49			$	1.46			$	1.47
Diluted		$	0.56			$	0.49			$	1.46			$	1.46
Cash dividends declared per common share		$	0.20			$	0.19			$	0.60			$	0.57
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			14,087				13,953				14,076				13,840
Diluted			14,139				14,007				14,124				13,890

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Net income		$	8,316			$	7,184			$	21,702			$	21,435
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale			5,492				(1,745	)			2,546				4,683
Pension and post-retirement obligations			138				19				413				58
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			5,630				(1,726	)			2,959				4,741
Comprehensive income		$	13,946			$	5,458			$	24,661			$	26,176

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

Nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		Preferred Equity				Common Stock				Additional Paid-in Capital				Retained Earnings				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss				Treasury Stock				Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at January 1, 2014		$	17,342			$	142			$	67,574			$	186,137			$	(10,187	)		$	(6,169	)		$	254,839
Comprehensive income:
Net income			—				—				—				21,435				—				—				21,435
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			—				—				—				—				4,741				—				4,741
Issuance of common stock for acqusition			—				2				5,398				—				—				—				5,400
Purchases of common stock for treasury			—				—				—				—				—				(195	)			(195	)
Repurchase of Series B-1 8.48% preferred stock			(2	)															—				—				(2	)
Share-based compensation plans:
Share-based compensation			—				—				383				—				—				—				383
Stock options exercised			—				—				2				—				—				158				160
Restricted stock awards issued, net			—				—				(554	)			—				—				554				—
Cash dividends declared:
Series A 3% Preferred-$2.25 per share			—				—				—				(3	)			—				—				(3	)
Series B-1 8.48% Preferred-$6.36 per share			—				—				—				(1,094	)			—				—				(1,094	)
Common-$0.57 per share			—				—				—				(7,906	)			—				—				(7,906	)
Balance at September 30, 2014		$	17,340			$	144			$	72,803			$	198,569			$	(5,446	)		$	(5,652	)		$	277,758
Balance at January 1, 2015		$	17,340			$	144			$	72,955			$	203,312			$	(9,011	)		$	(5,208	)		$	279,532
Comprehensive income:
Net income			—				—				—				21,702				—				—				21,702
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			—				—				—				—				2,959				—				2,959
Purchases of common stock for treasury			—				—				—				—				—				(41	)			(41	)
Share-based compensation plans:
Share-based compensation			—				—				520				—				—				—				520
Stock options exercised			—				—				1				—				—				251				252
Restricted stock awards issued, net			—				—				(1,060	)			—				—				1,060				—
Stock awards			—				—				11				—				—				43				54
Cash dividends declared:
Series A 3% Preferred-$2.25 per share			—				—				—				(3	)			—				—				(3	)
Series B-1 8.48% Preferred-$6.36 per share			—				—				—				(1,094	)			—				—				(1,094	)
Common-$0.60 per share			—				—				—				(8,447	)			—				—				(8,447	)
Balance at September 30, 2015		$	17,340			$	144			$	72,427			$	215,470			$	(6,052	)		$	(3,895	)		$	295,434

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands)		Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	21,702			$	21,435
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			4,065				3,247
Net amortization of premiums on securities			2,355				2,435
Provision for loan losses			4,783				5,879
Share-based compensation			520				383
Deferred income tax expense			318				802
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale			10,370				12,649
Originations of loans held for sale			(11,022	)			(10,919	)
Increase in company owned life insurance			(1,448	)			(1,249	)
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale			(161	)			(231	)
Net gain on disposal of investment securities			(1,348	)			(1,777	)
Amortization of tax credit investment			390				—
Net gain on sale and disposal of other assets			(20	)			(61	)
Decrease in other assets			2,830				5,420
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities			1,819				(61	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			35,153				37,952
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available for sale securities			(271,899	)			(179,203	)
Purchases of held to maturity securities			(53,768	)			(50,394	)
Proceeds from principal payments, maturities and calls on available for sale securities			118,378				123,625
Proceeds from principal payments, maturities and calls on held to maturity securities			23,826				26,432
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale			37,620				76,100
Net loan originations			(130,485	)			(79,138	)
Purchases of company owned life insurance			(34	)			(5,034	)
Proceeds from sales of other assets			167				1,289
Purchases of premises and equipment			(4,957	)			(4,448	)
Cash consideration paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired			—				(7,995	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(281,152	)			(98,766	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits			302,973				218,768
Net decrease in short-term borrowings			(93,404	)			(121,075	)
Issuance of long-term debt			40,000				—
Debt issuance costs			(1,060	)			—
Repurchase of preferred stock			—				(2	)
Purchase of common stock for treasury			(41	)			(195	)
Proceeds from stock options exercised			252				160
Cash dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders			(9,538	)			(8,952	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			239,182				88,704
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents			(6,817	)			27,890
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			58,151				59,692
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	51,334			$	87,582
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest		$	5,566			$	5,056
Cash paid for income taxes			4,257				9,739
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Real estate and other assets acquired in settlement of loans			286				394
Accrued and declared unpaid dividends			3,183				3,032
Increase in net unsettled security purchases			2,232				1,724
Securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity (at fair value)			165,238				12,802
Loans transferred from held for sale to held for investment			—				853
Common stock issued for acquisition			—				5,400

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(1.) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

Financial Institutions, Inc., (the “Company”) is a financial holding company organized in 1931 under the laws of New York State. The Company offers a broad array of deposit, lending and other financial services to individuals, municipalities and businesses in Western and Central New York through its wholly-owned New York chartered banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank (the “Bank”). The Company has also expanded its indirect lending network to include relationships with franchised automobile dealers in the Capital District of New York and Northern Pennsylvania. On August 1, 2014, the Company acquired Scott Danahy Naylon Co., Inc., a full service insurance agency located in Amherst, New York. The Company provides insurance and risk consulting services through its wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, Scott Danahy Naylon, LLC (“SDN”).

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Financial Institutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, in the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated statements of financial condition, income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading. Prior years’ consolidated financial statements are re-classified whenever necessary to conform to the current year’s presentation. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The results of operations for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire year.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the day the financial statements were issued and determined that there were no subsequent events.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the carrying value of goodwill and deferred tax assets, the valuation and other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) considerations related to the securities portfolio, and assumptions used in the defined benefit pension plan accounting.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 implements a common revenue standard that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The effective date was recently deferred for one year to the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date – interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2014-09 on the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The pronouncement was issued to clarify the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. ASU 2014-12 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, though early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(1.) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) – Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items, which, among other things, required an entity to segregate extraordinary items considered to be unusual and infrequent from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. ASU 2015-01 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, though early adoption is permitted. ASU 2015-01 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. Under ASU 2015-03, the Company will present debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a reduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of such costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, though early adoption is permitted. Retrospective adoption is required. The Company early adopted this standard during the quarter ended June 30, 2015, concurrent with the issuance of the Subordinated Notes described in Note 7. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $1.0 million are included in the net balance of long-term borrowings reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Retrospective application of this standard did not impact previously issued financial statements.

(2.) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

SDN Acquisition

On August 1, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Scott Danahy Naylon Co., Inc., a full service insurance agency located in Amherst, New York. Consideration for the acquisition included both cash and stock totaling $16.9 million, including up to $3.4 million of future payments, contingent upon SDN meeting certain revenue targets through 2017. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration at the date of acquisition was $3.2 million, which was estimated using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $12.6 million and other intangible assets of $6.6 million. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because the effect of this acquisition was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

This acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Scott Danahy Naylon Co., Inc. and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

 

Consideration paid:
Cash		$	8,100
Stock			5,400
Contingent consideration			3,227
Fair value of total consideration transferred			16,727
Fair value of assets acquired:
Cash			105
Identified intangible assets			6,640
Premises and equipment, accounts receivable and other assets			1,094
Total identifiable assets acquired			7,839
Fair value of liabilities assumed:
Deferred tax liability			2,556
Other liabilities			1,173
Total liabilities assumed			3,729
Fair value of net assets acquired			4,110
Goodwill resulting from acquisition		$	12,617

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(3.) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (“EPS”)

The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Net income available to common shareholders		$	7,950			$	6,818			$	20,605			$	20,338
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Total shares issued			14,398				14,318				14,398				14,214
Unvested restricted stock awards			(100	)			(64	)			(92	)			(64	)
Treasury shares			(211	)			(301	)			(230	)			(310	)
Total basic weighted average common shares outstanding			14,087				13,953				14,076				13,840
Incremental shares from assumed:
Exercise of stock options			23				26				22				25
Vesting of restricted stock awards			29				28				26				25
Total diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			14,139				14,007				14,124				13,890
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.56			$	0.49			$	1.46			$	1.47
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.56			$	0.49			$	1.46			$	1.46
For each of the periods presented, average shares subject to the following instruments were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because the effect would be antidilutive:
Stock options			—				—				—				5
Restricted stock awards			—				—				1				1
			—				—				1				6

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(4.) INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities are summarized below (in thousands):

 

		Amortized Cost				Unrealized Gains				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value
September 30, 2015
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	261,364			$	2,539			$	351			$	263,552
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			220,626				3,482				468				223,640
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			27,371				582				73				27,880
Government National Mortgage Association			33,533				1,399				3				34,929
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			20,798				408				5				21,201
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			5,181				1				6				5,176
Privately issued			—				920				—				920
Total mortgage-backed securities			307,509				6,792				555				313,746
Asset-backed securities			—				211				—				211
Total available for sale securities		$	568,873			$	9,542			$	906			$	577,509
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			289,986				6,110				70				296,026
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			9,293				81				11				9,363
Government National Mortgage Association			26,121				112				109				26,124
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			59,490				—				—				59,490
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			84,350				—				—				84,350
Government National Mortgage Association			21,398				—				—				21,398
Total mortgage-backed securities			200,652				193				120				200,725
Total held to maturity securities		$	490,638			$	6,303			$	190			$	496,751
December 31, 2014
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	160,334			$	1,116			$	975			$	160,475
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			184,857				2,344				1,264				185,937
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			29,478				799				7				30,270
Government National Mortgage Association			48,800				2,022				—				50,822
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			76,247				489				944				75,792
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			89,623				199				2,585				87,237
Government National Mortgage Association			29,954				598				40				30,512
Privately issued			—				1,218				—				1,218
Total mortgage-backed securities			458,959				7,669				4,840				461,788
Asset-backed securities			—				231				—				231
Total available for sale securities		$	619,293			$	9,016			$	5,815			$	622,494
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			277,273				4,231				120				281,384
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			3,279				24				—				3,303
Government National Mortgage Association			13,886				122				—				14,008
Total mortgage-backed securities			17,165				146				—				17,311
Total held to maturity securities		$	294,438			$	4,377			$	120			$	298,695

Investment securities with a total fair value of $810.6 million at September 30, 2015 were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(4.) INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company transferred $165.2 million of available for sale mortgage backed securities to the held to maturity category, reflecting the Company’s intent to hold those securities to maturity. Transfers of investment securities into the held to maturity category from the available for sale category are made at fair value at the date of transfer. The related $1.1 million of unrealized holding losses that were included in the transfer are retained in accumulated other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the held to maturity securities. This amount will be amortized as an adjustment to interest income over the remaining life of the securities. This will offset the impact of amortization of the net premium created in the transfer. There were no gains or losses recognized as a result of this transfer.

Sales and calls of securities available for sale were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Proceeds from sales		$	8,112			$	14,672			$	37,620			$	76,100
Gross realized gains			286				515				1,359				1,777
Gross realized losses			—				—				11				—

The scheduled maturities of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at September 30, 2015 are shown below (in thousands). Actual expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.

 

		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
Debt securities available for sale:
Due in one year or less		$	25,099			$	25,201
Due from one to five years			172,819				174,865
Due after five years through ten years			296,229				300,942
Due after ten years			74,726				76,501
		$	568,873			$	577,509
Debt securities held to maturity:
Due in one year or less		$	21,222			$	21,325
Due from one to five years			167,246				170,997
Due after five years through ten years			119,314				121,512
Due after ten years			182,856				182,917
		$	490,638			$	496,751

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(4.) INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

Unrealized losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Less than 12 months								12 months or longer								Total
		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses
September 30, 2015
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	52,180			$	268			$	26,640			$	83			$	78,820			$	351
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			36,563				428				9,768				40				46,331				468
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			5,967				73				—				—				5,967				73
Government National Mortgage Association			1,525				3				—				—				1,525				3
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			2,542				5				—				—				2,542				5
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			5,086				6				—				—				5,086				6
Total mortgage-backed securities			51,683				515				9,768				40				61,451				555
Total available for sale securities			103,863				783				36,408				123				140,271				906
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			11,985				70				—				—				11,985				70
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			1,369				11				—				—				1,369				11
Government National Mortgage Association			8,888				109				—				—				8,888				109
Total mortgage-backed securities			10,257				120				—				—				10,257				120
Total held to maturity securities			22,242				190				—				—				22,242				190
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	126,105			$	973			$	36,408			$	123			$	162,513			$	1,096
December 31, 2014
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	34,995			$	77			$	41,070			$	898			$	76,065			$	975
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			2,242				8				62,592				1,256				64,834				1,264
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			3,387				7				—				—				3,387				7
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			11,228				24				25,644				920				36,872				944
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			—				—				76,126				2,585				76,126				2,585
Government National Mortgage Association			—				—				2,510				40				2,510				40
Total mortgage-backed securities			16,857				39				166,872				4,801				183,729				4,840
Total available for sale securities			51,852				116				207,942				5,699				259,794				5,815
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			18,036				120				—				—				18,036				120
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	69,888			$	236			$	207,942			$	5,699			$	277,830			$	5,935

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(4.) INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

The total number of security positions in the investment portfolio in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2015 was 82 compared to 122 at December 31, 2014. At September 30, 2015, the Company had positions in 10 investment securities with a fair value of $36.4 million and a total unrealized loss of $123 thousand that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. At September 30, 2015, there were a total of 72 securities positions in the Company’s investment portfolio with a fair value of $126.1 million and a total unrealized loss of $973 thousand that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. At December 31, 2014, the Company had positions in 51 investment securities with a fair value of $207.9 million and a total unrealized loss of $5.7 million that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. At December 31, 2014, there were a total of 71 securities positions in the Company’s investment portfolio with a fair value of $69.9 million and a total unrealized loss of $236 thousand that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months.

The unrealized loss on investment securities was predominantly caused by changes in market interest rates subsequent to purchase. The fair value of most of the investment securities in the Company’s portfolio fluctuates as market interest rates change. The Company reviews investment securities on an ongoing basis for the presence of OTTI with formal reviews performed quarterly. When evaluating debt securities for OTTI, management considers many factors, including: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (3) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) whether the Company has the intention to sell the debt security or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. The assessment of whether OTTI exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information then available to management. There was no OTTI recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

Based on management’s review and evaluation of the Company’s debt securities as of September 30, 2015, the debt securities with unrealized losses were not considered to be other-than-temporarily imparied. As of September 30, 2015, the Company did not intend to sell any of the securities in a loss position and believes that it is not likely that it will be required to sell any such securities before the anticipated recovery of amortized cost. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2015, management has concluded that unrealized losses on its investment securities are temporary and no further impairment loss has been realized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS

The Company’s loan portfolio consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Principal Amount Outstanding				Net Deferred Loan Costs (Fees)				Loans, Net
September 30, 2015
Commercial business		$	297,640			$	236			$	297,876
Commercial mortgage			549,911				(1,382	)			548,529
Residential mortgage			96,298				(19	)			96,279
Home equity			401,103				7,531				408,634
Consumer indirect			641,453				24,261				665,714
Other consumer			19,020				184				19,204
Total		$	2,005,425			$	30,811				2,036,236
Allowance for loan losses											(26,455	)
Total loans, net										$	2,009,781
December 31, 2014
Commercial business		$	267,377			$	32			$	267,409
Commercial mortgage			476,407				(1,315	)			475,092
Residential mortgage			100,241				(140	)			100,101
Home equity			379,774				6,841				386,615
Consumer indirect			636,357				25,316				661,673
Other consumer			20,915				197				21,112
Total		$	1,881,071			$	30,931				1,912,002
Allowance for loan losses											(27,637	)
Total loans, net										$	1,884,365

Loans held for sale (not included above) were comprised entirely of residential real estate mortgages and totaled $1.6 million and $755 thousand as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

Past Due Loans Aging

The Company’s recorded investment, by loan class, in current and nonaccrual loans, as well as an analysis of accruing delinquent loans is set forth as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		30-59 Days Past Due				60-89 Days Past Due				Greater Than 90 Days				Total Past Due				Nonaccrual				Current				Total Loans
September 30, 2015
Commercial business		$	657			$	—			$	—			$	657			$	3,064			$	293,919			$	297,640
Commercial mortgage			383				9				—				392				1,802				547,717				549,911
Residential mortgage			99				—				—				99				1,523				94,676				96,298
Home equity			709				122				—				831				792				399,480				401,103
Consumer indirect			1,710				338				—				2,048				1,292				638,113				641,453
Other consumer			100				62				8				170				12				18,838				19,020
Total loans, gross		$	3,658			$	531			$	8			$	4,197			$	8,485			$	1,992,743			$	2,005,425
December 31, 2014
Commercial business		$	28			$	—			$	—			$	28			$	4,288			$	263,061			$	267,377
Commercial mortgage			83				—				—				83				3,020				473,304				476,407
Residential mortgage			321				—				—				321				1,194				98,726				100,241
Home equity			799				67				—				866				463				378,445				379,774
Consumer indirect			2,429				402				—				2,831				1,169				632,357				636,357
Other consumer			148				48				8				204				11				20,700				20,915
Total loans, gross		$	3,808			$	517			$	8			$	4,333			$	10,145			$	1,866,593			$	1,881,071

There were no loans past due greater than 90 days and still accruing interest as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. There were $8 thousand in consumer overdrafts which were past due greater than 90 days as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Consumer overdrafts are overdrawn deposit accounts which have been reclassified as loans but by their terms do not accrue interest.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A modification of a loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the modification constitutes a concession. Commercial loans modified in a TDR may involve temporary interest-only payments, term extensions, reducing the interest rate for the remaining term of the loan, extending the maturity date at an interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk, collateral concessions, forgiveness of principal, forebearance agreements, or substituting or adding a new borrower or guarantor.

The following table presents information related to loans modified in a TDR during the periods indicated (dollars in thousands).

 

		Quarter-to-Date												Year-to-Date
		Number of Contracts				Pre- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Number of Contracts				Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
September 30, 2015
Commercial business			—			$	—			$	—				2			$	1,342			$	1,342
Commercial mortgage			—				—				—				1				682				330
Total			—			$	—			$	—				3			$	2,024			$	1,672
September 30, 2014
Commercial business			—			$	—			$	—				1			$	1,381			$	1,381
Commercial mortgage			—				—				—				—				—				—
Total			—			$	—			$	—				1			$	1,381			$	1,381

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

The loans identified as a TDR by the Company during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were previously on nonaccrual status and reported as impaired loans prior to restructuring. The modifications during the reported periods primarily related to extending amortization periods, forebearance agreements, requesting additional collateral and, in one instance, forgiveness of principal. Nonaccrual loans that are restructured remain on nonaccrual status, but may move to accrual status after they have performed according to the restructured terms for a period of time. The TDR classification did not have a material impact on the Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses because the modified loans were impaired and evaluated for a specific reserve both before and after restructuring.

There were two commercial business loans with an aggregate pre-default balance of $1.3 million restructured in the 12 months prior to September 30, 2015 that went into default during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. There were no loans modified as a TDR in the 12 months prior to September 30, 2014 that defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. For purposes of this disclosure, a loan modified as a TDR is considered to have defaulted when the borrower becomes 90 days past due.

Impaired Loans

Management has determined that specific commercial loans on nonaccrual status and all loans that have had their terms restructured in a TDR are impaired loans. The following table presents the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance of impaired loans as of the dates indicated, and average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the year-to-date periods ended as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Recorded Investment(1)				Unpaid Principal Balance(1)				Related Allowance				Average Recorded Investment				Interest Income Recognized
September 30, 2015
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial business		$	1,291			$	2,750			$	—			$	1,314			$	—
Commercial mortgage			912				1,260				—				1,077				—
			2,203				4,010				—				2,391				—
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial business			1,773				1,773				806				2,152				—
Commercial mortgage			890				890				278				1,147				—
			2,663				2,663				1,084				3,299				—
		$	4,866			$	6,673			$	1,084			$	5,690			$	—
December 31, 2014
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial business		$	1,408			$	1,741			$	—			$	1,431			$	—
Commercial mortgage			781				920				—				1,014				—
			2,189				2,661				—				2,445				—
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial business			2,880				2,880				1,556				1,998				—
Commercial mortgage			2,239				2,239				911				1,560				—
			5,119				5,119				2,467				3,558				—
		$	7,308			$	7,780			$	2,467			$	6,003			$	—

 

(1)	Difference between recorded investment and unpaid principal balance represents partial charge-offs.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors such as the fair value of collateral. The Company analyzes commercial business and commercial mortgage loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. Risk ratings are updated any time the situation warrants. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

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, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loans that do not meet the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the process described above are considered “uncriticized” or pass-rated loans and are included in groups of homogeneous loans with similar risk and loss characteristics.

The following table sets forth the Company’s commercial loan portfolio, categorized by internally assigned asset classification, as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Commercial Business				Commercial Mortgage
September 30, 2015
Uncriticized		$	282,900			$	532,892
Special mention			4,763				9,247
Substandard			9,977				7,772
Doubtful			—				—
Total		$	297,640			$	549,911
December 31, 2014
Uncriticized		$	250,961			$	460,880
Special mention			5,530				5,411
Substandard			10,886				10,116
Doubtful			—				—
Total		$	267,377			$	476,407

The Company utilizes payment status as a means of identifying and reporting problem and potential problem retail loans. The Company considers nonaccrual loans and loans past due greater than 90 days and still accruing interest to be non-performing. The following table sets forth the Company’s retail loan portfolio, categorized by payment status, as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Residential Mortgage				Home Equity				Consumer Indirect				Other Consumer
September 30, 2015
Performing		$	94,775			$	400,311			$	640,161			$	19,000
Non-performing			1,523				792				1,292				20
Total		$	96,298			$	401,103			$	641,453			$	19,020
December 31, 2014
Performing		$	99,047			$	379,311			$	635,188			$	20,896
Non-performing			1,194				463				1,169				19
Total		$	100,241			$	379,774			$	636,357			$	20,915

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans and the related allowance for loan losses are presented below as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Commercial Business				Commercial Mortgage				Residential Mortgage				Home Equity				Consumer Indirect				Other Consumer				Total
September 30, 2015
Loans:
Ending balance		$	297,640			$	549,911			$	96,298			$	401,103			$	641,453			$	19,020			$	2,005,425
Evaluated for impairment:
Individually		$	3,064			$	1,802			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	4,866
Collectively		$	294,576			$	548,109			$	96,298			$	401,103			$	641,453			$	19,020			$	2,000,559
Allowance for loan losses:
Ending balance		$	5,281			$	8,888			$	456			$	1,177			$	10,264			$	389			$	26,455
Evaluated for impairment:
Individually		$	806			$	278			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,084
Collectively		$	4,475			$	8,610			$	456			$	1,177			$	10,264			$	389			$	25,371
September 30, 2014
Loans:
Ending balance		$	275,027			$	470,566			$	103,183			$	376,062			$	630,441			$	21,096			$	1,876,375
Evaluated for impairment:
Individually		$	3,258			$	2,460			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	5,718
Collectively		$	271,769			$	468,106			$	103,183			$	376,062			$	630,441			$	21,096			$	1,870,657
Allowance for loan losses:
Ending balance		$	5,758			$	7,488			$	592			$	1,658			$	11,292			$	456			$	27,244
Evaluated for impairment:
Individually		$	1,331			$	269			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,600
Collectively		$	4,427			$	7,219			$	592			$	1,658			$	11,292			$	456			$	25,644

The following table sets forth the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 (in thousands):

 

		Commercial Business				Commercial Mortgage				Residential Mortgage				Home Equity				Consumer Indirect				Other Consumer				Total
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Beginning balance		$	5,334			$	9,358			$	465			$	1,198			$	10,676			$	469			$	27,500
Charge-offs			106				56				37				98				2,380				239				2,916
Recoveries			38				44				34				34				905				62				1,117
Provision (credit)			15				(458	)			(6	)			43				1,063				97				754
Ending balance		$	5,281			$	8,888			$	456			$	1,177			$	10,264			$	389			$	26,455
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Beginning balance		$	5,621			$	8,122			$	570			$	1,485			$	11,383			$	456			$	27,637
Charge-offs			1,260				866				114				336				6,643				652				9,871
Recoveries			172				140				80				53				3,206				255				3,906
Provision			748				1,492				(80	)			(25	)			2,318				330				4,783
Ending balance		$	5,281			$	8,888			$	456			$	1,177			$	10,264			$	389			$	26,455

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 (in thousands):

 

		Commercial Business				Commercial Mortgage				Residential Mortgage				Home Equity				Consumer Indirect				Other Consumer				Total
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Beginning balance		$	5,402			$	7,633			$	618			$	1,607			$	11,446			$	460			$	27,166
Charge-offs			105				111				16				73				2,606				272				3,183
Recoveries			61				45				5				7				1,029				99				1,246
Provision (credit)			400				(79	)			(15	)			117				1,423				169				2,015
Ending balance		$	5,758			$	7,488			$	592			$	1,658			$	11,292			$	456			$	27,244
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Beginning balance		$	4,273			$	7,743			$	676			$	1,367			$	12,230			$	447			$	26,736
Charge-offs			176				276				163				335				7,392				765				9,107
Recoveries			158				58				34				47				3,129				310				3,736
Provision (credit)			1,503				(37	)			45				579				3,325				464				5,879
Ending balance		$	5,758			$	7,488			$	592			$	1,658			$	11,292			$	456			$	27,244

Risk Characteristics

Commercial business loans primarily consist of loans to small to midsize businesses in our market area in a diverse range of industries. These loans are typically made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. Risk arises primarily due to a difference between expected and actual cash flows of the borrowers. Further, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value. The credit risk related to commercial loans is largely influenced by general economic conditions and the resulting impact on a borrower’s operations or on the value of underlying collateral, if any.

Commercial mortgage loans generally have larger balances and involve a greater degree of risk than residential mortgage loans, potentially resulting in higher losses on an individual customer basis. Loan repayment is often dependent on the successful operation and management of the properties, as well as on the collateral securing the loan. Economic events or conditions in the real estate market could have an adverse impact on the cash flows generated by properties securing the Company’s commercial real estate loans and on the value of such properties.

Residential mortgage loans and home equities (comprised of home equity loans and home equity lines) are generally made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income, but are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable. Credit risk for these types of loans is generally influenced by general economic conditions, the characteristics of individual borrowers, and the nature and sufficiency of the loan collateral.

Consumer indirect and other consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans and home equities, particularly in the case of other consumer loans which are unsecured or, in the case of indirect consumer loans, secured by depreciable assets, such as automobiles or boats. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances such as job loss, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(6.) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying amount of goodwill totaled $61.2 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company performs a goodwill impairment test on an annual basis or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant.

The Company has other intangible assets that are amortized, consisting of core deposit intangibles and other intangibles (primarily related to customer relationships acquired in connection with the Company’s insurance agency acquisition). Changes in the gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net book value, were as follows (in thousands):

 

		September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
Other intangibles assets:
Gross carrying amount		$	8,682			$	8,682
Accumulated amortization			(1,910	)			(1,196	)
Net book value		$	6,772			$	7,486

Amortization expense for total other intangible assets was $233 thousand and $714 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, and $196 thousand and $372 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. As of September 30, 2015, the estimated amortization expense of other intangible assets for the remainder of 2015 and each of the next five years is as follows (in thousands):

 

2015 (remainder of year)		$	228
2016			864
2017			778
2018			689
2019			611
2020			533

(7.) BORROWINGS

The Company classifies borrowings as short-term or long-term in accordance with the original terms of the agreement. Outstanding borrowings consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
Short-term borrowings:
Short-term FHLB borrowings		$	241,400			$	295,300
Repurchase agreements			—				39,504
Total short-term borrowings			241,400				334,804
Long-term borrowings:
Subordinated notes, net			38,972				—
Total borrowings		$	280,372			$	334,804

Subordinated Notes

On April 15, 2015, the Company issued $40.0 million of 6.0% fixed to floating rate subordinated notes due April 15, 2030 (the “Subordinated Notes”) in a registered public offering. The Subordinated Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per year, payable semi-annually, for the first 10 years. From April 15, 2025 to the April 15, 2030 maturity date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then current three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 3.944%, payable quarterly. The Subordinated Notes are redeemable by the Company at any quarterly interest payment date beginning on April 15, 2025 to maturity at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Proceeds, net of debt issuance costs of $1.1 million, were $38.9 million. The net proceeds from this offering were used for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank to support both organic growth and opportunistic acquisitions. The Subordinated Notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 that requires debt issuance costs to be reported as a direct deduction from the face of the Notes and not as a deferred charge. Refer to Note 1 for additional information. The debt issuance costs will be amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over 15 years.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(8.) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

The changes in shares of common stock were as follows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

 

		Outstanding				Treasury				Issued
September 30, 2015
Shares outstanding at December 31, 2014			14,118,048				279,461				14,397,509
Restricted stock awards issued			59,834				(59,834	)			—
Restricted stock awards forfeited			(3,041	)			3,041				—
Stock options exercised			13,422				(13,422	)			—
Treasury stock purchases			(1,791	)			1,791				—
Stock awards			2,363				(2,363	)			—
Shares outstanding at September 30, 2015			14,188,835				208,674				14,397,509
September 30, 2014
Shares outstanding at December 31, 2013			13,829,355				332,242				14,161,597
Shares issued for the SDN acquisition			235,912				—				235,912
Restricted stock awards issued			43,242				(43,242	)			—
Restricted stock awards forfeited			(13,609	)			13,609				—
Stock options exercised			8,467				(8,467	)			—
Treasury stock purchases			(9,102	)			9,102				—
Shares outstanding at September 30, 2014			14,094,265				303,244				14,397,509

(9.) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

		Pre-tax Amount				Tax Effect				Net-of-tax Amount
September 30, 2015
Securities available for sale and transferred securities:
Change in unrealized gain/loss during the period		$	5,693			$	2,197			$	3,496
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income (1)			(1,546	)			(596	)			(950	)
Total securities available for sale and transferred securities			4,147				1,601				2,546
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:
Prior service credit			(36	)			(14	)			(22	)
Net actuarial losses			708				273				435
Total pension and post-retirement obligations			672				259				413
Other comprehensive income		$	4,819			$	1,860			$	2,959
September 30, 2014
Securities available for sale and transferred securities:
Change in unrealized gain/loss during the period		$	9,923			$	3,931			$	5,992
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income (1)			(2,167	)			(858	)			(1,309	)
Total securities available for sale and transferred securities			7,756				3,073				4,683
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:
Prior service credit			(36	)			(14	)			(22	)
Net actuarial losses			132				52				80
Total pension and post-retirement obligations			96				38				58
Other comprehensive income		$	7,852			$	3,111			$	4,741

 

(1)

Includes amounts related to the amortization/accretion of unrealized net gains and losses resulting from the Company’s reclassification of available for sale investment securities to the held to maturity category. The remaining unrealized net gains/losses will be amortized/accreted over the remaining life of the investment securities as an adjustment of yield.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(9.) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Continued)

 

Activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands):

 

		Securities Available for Sale and Transferred Securities				Pension and Post- retirement Obligations				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
September 30, 2015
Balance at beginning of year		$	1,625			$	(10,636	)		$	(9,011	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			3,496				—				3,496
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(950	)			413				(537	)
Net current period other comprehensive income			2,546				413				2,959
Balance at end of period		$	4,171			$	(10,223	)		$	(6,052	)
September 30, 2014
Balance at beginning of year		$	(5,337	)		$	(4,850	)		$	(10,187	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			5,992				—				5,992
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(1,309	)			58				(1,251	)
Net current period other comprehensive income			4,683				58				4,741
Balance at end of period		$	(654	)		$	(4,792	)		$	(5,446	)

The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss								Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Income
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014
Realized gain on sale of investment securities		$	1,348			$	1,777			Net gain on disposal of investment securities
Amortization of unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity			198				390			Interest income
			1,546				2,167			Total before tax
			(596	)			(858	)		Income tax expense
			950				1,309			Net of tax
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:
Prior service credit (1)			36				36			Salaries and employee benefits
Net actuarial losses (1)			(708	)			(132	)		Salaries and employee benefits
			(672	)			(96	)		Total before tax
			259				38			Income tax benefit
			(413	)			(58	)		Net of tax
Total reclassified for the period		$	537			$	1,251

 

(1)	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension expense. See Note 11 – Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(10.) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company maintains certain stock-based compensation plans that were approved by the Company’s shareholders and are administered by the Company’s Board of Directors, or the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board. The share-based compensation plans were established to allow for the grant of compensation awards to attract, motivate and retain employees, executive officers and non-employee directors who contribute to the success and profitability of the Company by giving such persons a proprietary interest in the Company, thereby enhancing their personal interest in the Company’s success.

The Company awarded grants of 36,384 shares of restricted common stock to certain members of management during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Thirty percent of the shares subject to each grant will be earned based upon achievement of an EPS performance requirement for the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. The remaining seventy percent of the shares will be earned based on the Company’s achievement of a relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance requirement, on a percentile basis, compared to the SNL Small Cap Bank & Thrifts Index over a three-year performance period ended December 31, 2017. The shares earned based on the achievement of the EPS and TSR performance requirements, if any, will vest on February 25, 2018 assuming the recipient’s continuous service to the Company.

The grant-date fair value of the TSR portion of the award granted during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant, assuming the following (i) expected term of 2.85 years, (ii) risk free interest rate of 0.92%, (iii) expected dividend yield of 3.53% and (iv) expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the TSR award of 26.8%. The grant-date fair value of all other restricted stock awards is equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

The Company granted 12,700 additional shares of restricted common stock to management during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. These shares will vest after completion of a three-year service requirement. The average market price of the restricted stock awards on the date of grant was $22.79.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company issued a total of 2,363 shares of common stock in-lieu of cash for the annual retainer of three non-employee directors and granted a total of 10,750 restricted shares of common stock to non-employee directors, of which 5,380 shares vested immediately and 5,370 shares will vest after completion of a one-year service requirement. The market price of the stock and restricted stock on the date of grant was $23.25.

The restricted stock awards granted to management and directors in 2015 do not have rights to dividends or dividend equivalents.

The following is a summary of restricted stock award activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2015:

 

						Weighted
						Average
						Market
		Number of Shares				Price at Grant Date
Outstanding at beginning of year			59,113			$	17.24
Granted			59,834				17.66
Vested			(16,458	)			20.80
Forfeited			(3,041	)			20.39
Outstanding at end of period			99,448			$	16.81

As of September 30, 2015, there was $885 thousand of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

The Company amortizes the expense related to restricted stock awards over the vesting period. Share-based compensation expense is recorded as a component of salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income for awards granted to management and as a component of other noninterest expense for awards granted to directors. The share-based compensation expense included in the consolidated statements of income is as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended								Nine months ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Salaries and employee benefits		$	118			$	52			$	309			$	208
Other noninterest expense			32				26				211				175
Total share-based compensation expense		$	150			$	78			$	520			$	383

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(10.) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Continued)

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation method to estimate the fair value of its stock option awards. There were no stock options awarded during 2015 or 2014. The following is a summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

										Weighted
						Weighted				Average
						Average				Remaining				Aggregate
		Number of				Exercise				Contractual				Intrinsic
		Options				Price				Term				Value
Outstanding at beginning of year			135,416			$	19.25
Exercised			(13,422	)			18.74
Expired			(14,245	)			19.87
Outstanding and exercisable at end of period			107,749			$	19.23				1.6			$	598

The aggregate intrinsic value (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the date of exercise exceeded the market price of the stock on the date of grant) of option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $70 thousand and $35 thousand, respectively. The total cash received as a result of option exercises under stock compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $252 thousand and $160 thousand, respectively.

(11.) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit expense for its pension and post-retirement obligations were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Service cost		$	581			$	479			$	1,743			$	1,438
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation			583				573				1,749				1,720
Expected return on plan assets			(1,205	)			(1,029	)			(3,615	)			(3,088	)
Amortization of prior service credit			(12	)			(12	)			(36	)			(36	)
Amortization of net actuarial losses			237				44				708				132
Net periodic pension expense		$	184			$	55			$	549			$	166

The net periodic benefit expense is recorded as a component of salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute, at a minimum, an actuarially determined amount that will satisfy the minimum funding requirements determined under the appropriate sections of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company has no minimum required contribution for the 2015 fiscal year.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(12.) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk established in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk extending beyond amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers. The Company uses the same credit underwriting policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for on-balance sheet instruments.

Off-balance sheet commitments consist of the following (in thousands):

 

		September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
Commitments to extend credit		$	515,443			$	450,343
Standby letters of credit			12,625				8,578

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 which may require payment by the customer of a termination fee. Commitments may expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if any, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Standby letters of credit are conditional lending commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.

The Company also extends rate lock agreements to borrowers related to the origination of residential mortgage loans. To mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in these rate lock agreements, the Company may enter into forward commitments to sell individual residential mortgages. Rate lock agreements and forward commitments are considered derivatives and are recorded at fair value. Forward sales commitments totaled $1.1 million and $1.2 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. In addition, the net change in the fair values of these derivatives was recognized as other noninterest income or other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income.

(13.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Determination of Fair Value – Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis

Valuation Hierarchy

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received to sell that asset or paid to transfer that liability in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. There have been no changes in the valuation techniques used during the current period. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

•

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

•

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

 

•

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recorded as of the end of the reporting period.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(13.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the issuer’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Furthermore, the reported fair value amounts have not been comprehensively revalued since the presentation dates, and therefore, estimates of fair value after the balance sheet date may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. A more detailed description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

Securities available for sale: Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Loans held for sale: The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using quoted secondary market prices and investor commitments. Loans held for sale are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Collateral dependent impaired loans: Fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Collateral may be real estate and/or business assets including equipment, inventory and/or accounts receivable and collateral value is determined based on appraisals performed by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Appraised and reported values may be discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and the client’s business. Such discounts are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Impaired loans are reviewed and evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above.

Loan servicing rights: Loan servicing rights do not trade in an active market with readily observable market data. As a result, the Company estimates the fair value of loan servicing rights by using a discounted cash flow model to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model are those that we believe market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of loan prepayment rates, servicing costs, ancillary income, impound account balances, and discount rates. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s loan servicing rights are the constant prepayment rates and weighted average discount rate. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Although the constant prepayment rate and the discount rate are not directly interrelated, they will generally move in opposite directions. Loan servicing rights are classified as Level 3 measurements due to the use of significant unobservable inputs, as well as significant management judgment and estimation.

Other real estate owned (Foreclosed assets): Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate owned are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third party appraisals of the property, resulting in a Level 3 classification. The appraisals are sometimes further discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business. Such discounts are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.

Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit: Commitments to extend credit and fund letters of credit are principally at current interest rates, and, therefore, the carrying amount approximates fair value. The fair value of commitments is not material.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(13.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

Assets Measured at Fair Value

The following tables present for each of the fair-value hierarchy levels the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of the dates indicated (in thousands).

 

		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)				Total
September 30, 2015
Measured on a recurring basis:
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	263,552			$	—			$	263,552
Mortgage-backed securities			—				313,746				—				313,746
Asset-backed securities			—				211				—				211
		$	—			$	577,509			$	—			$	577,509
Measured on a nonrecurring basis:
Loans:
Loans held for sale		$	—			$	1,568			$	—			$	1,568
Collateral dependent impaired loans			—				—				1,579				1,579
Other assets:
Loan servicing rights			—				—				1,241				1,241
Other real estate owned			—				—				286				286
		$	—			$	1,568			$	3,106			$	4,674
December 31, 2014
Measured on a recurring basis:
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	160,475			$	—			$	160,475
Mortgage-backed securities			—				461,788				—				461,788
Asset-backed securities			—				231				—				231
		$	—			$	622,494			$	—			$	622,494
Measured on a nonrecurring basis:
Loans:
Loans held for sale		$	—			$	755			$	—			$	755
Collateral dependent impaired loans			—				—				2,652				2,652
Other assets:
Loan servicing rights			—				—				1,359				1,359
Other real estate owned			—				—				194				194
		$	—			$	755			$	4,205			$	4,960

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(13.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value (dollars in thousands).

 

Asset		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Unobservable Input Value or Range
Collateral dependent impaired loans		$	1,579			Appraisal of collateral (1)		Appraisal adjustments (2)		0% - 100% discount
Loan servicing rights			1,241			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		4.9% (3)
								Constant prepayment rate		12.7% (3)
Other real estate owned			286			Appraisal of collateral (1)		Appraisal adjustments (2)		20% - 70% discount

 

(1)	Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which generally include various Level 3 inputs which are not identifiable.

(2)	Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses.

(3)	Weighted averages.

Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

There were no assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of or during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The assumptions used below are expected to approximate those that market participants would use in valuing these financial instruments.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about the financial instrument, including estimates of timing, amount of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer. Such estimates do not consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized gains or losses. In some cases, the fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets. In addition, the disclosed fair value may not be realized in the immediate settlement of the financial instrument. Care should be exercised in deriving conclusions about our business, its value or financial position based on the fair value information of financial instruments presented below.

The estimated fair value approximates carrying value for cash and cash equivalents, Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock, accrued interest receivable, non-maturity deposits, short-term borrowings and accrued interest payable. Fair value estimates for other financial instruments not included elsewhere in this disclosure are discussed below.

Securities held to maturity: The fair value of the Company’s investment securities held to maturity is primarily measured using information from a third-party pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Loans: The fair value of the Company’s loans was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans would be made for the same remaining maturities. Loans were first segregated by type such as commercial, residential mortgage, and consumer, and were then further segmented into fixed and variable rate and loan quality categories. Expected future cash flows were projected based on contractual cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments.

Time deposits: The fair value of time deposits was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments. The fair values of the Company’s time deposit liabilities do not take into consideration the value of the Company’s long-term relationships with depositors, which may have significant value.

Long-term borrowings: Long-term borrowings consist of $40 million of subordinated notes issued during the second quarter of 2015. The subordinated notes are publicly traded and are valued based on market prices, which are characterized as Level 2 liabilities in the fair value hierarchy.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(13.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The following presents (in thousands) the carrying amount, estimated fair value, and placement in the fair value measurement hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments as of the dates indicated.

 

		Level in		September 30, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Fair Value						Estimated								Estimated
		Measurement		Carrying				Fair				Carrying				Fair
		Hierarchy		Amount				Value				Amount				Value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		Level 1		$	51,334			$	51,334			$	58,151			$	58,151
Securities available for sale		Level 2			577,509				577,509				622,494				622,494
Securities held to maturity		Level 2			490,638				496,751				294,438				298,695
Loans held for sale		Level 2			1,568				1,568				755				755
Loans		Level 2			2,008,202				2,015,542				1,881,713				1,887,959
Loans (1)		Level 3			1,579				1,579				2,652				2,652
Accrued interest receivable		Level 1			9,822				9,822				8,104				8,104
FHLB and FRB stock		Level 2			17,664				17,664				19,014				19,014
Financial liabilities:
Non-maturity deposits		Level 1			2,129,700				2,129,700				1,857,285				1,857,285
Time deposits		Level 2			623,800				625,288				593,242				593,793
Short-term borrowings		Level 1			241,400				241,400				334,804				334,804
Long-term borrowings		Level 2			38,972				39,105				—				—
Accrued interest payable		Level 1			5,577				5,577				3,862				3,862

 

(1)	Comprised of collateral dependent impaired loans.

(14.) SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company has two reportable operating segments, banking and insurance, which are delineated by the consolidated subsidiaries of Financial Institutions, Inc. The banking segment includes all of the Company’s retail and commercial banking operations. The insurance segment includes the activities of SDN, a full service insurance agency that provides a broad range of insurance services to both personal and business clients. The Company operated as one business segment until the acquisition of SDN on August 1, 2014, at which time the new “Insurance” segment was created for financial reporting purposes. Holding company amounts are the primary differences between segment amounts and consolidated totals, and are reflected in the “Holding Company and Other” column below, along with amounts to eliminate balances and transactions between segments.

The following tables present information regarding the Company’s business segments as of and for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

		Banking				Insurance				Holding Company and Other				Consolidated Totals
September 30, 2015
Goodwill		$	48,536			$	12,617			$	—			$	61,153
Other intangible assets, net			899				5,873				—				6,772
Total assets			3,336,234				20,520				854				3,357,608
December 31, 2014
Goodwill		$	48,536			$	12,617			$	—			$	61,153
Other intangible assets, net			1,125				6,361				—				7,486
Total assets			3,065,109				20,368				4,044				3,089,521

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(14.) SEGMENT REPORTING (Continued)

 

		Banking				Insurance				Holding Company and Other				Consolidated Totals
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income		$	24,748			$	—			$	(617	)		$	24,131
Provision for loan losses			(754	)			—				—				(754	)
Noninterest income			6,010				1,124				(129	)			7,005
Noninterest expense			(17,679	)			(1,152	)			(487	)			(19,318	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			12,325				(28	)			(1,233	)			11,064
Income tax (expense) benefit			(3,361	)			10				603				(2,748	)
Net income (loss)		$	8,964			$	(18	)		$	(630	)		$	8,316
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income		$	71,814			$	—			$	(1,132	)		$	70,682
Provision for loan losses			(4,783	)			—				—				(4,783	)
Noninterest income			18,363				3,750				(356	)			21,757
Noninterest expense			(52,626	)			(3,389	)			(1,550	)			(57,565	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			32,768				361				(3,038	)			30,091
Income tax (expense) benefit			(9,417	)			(144	)			1,172				(8,389	)
Net income (loss)		$	23,351			$	217			$	(1,866	)		$	21,702

 

		Banking				Insurance(1)				Holding Company and Other				Consolidated Totals
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income		$	23,258			$	—			$	—			$	23,258
Provision for loan losses			(2,015	)			—				—				(2,015	)
Noninterest income			6,684				670				(93	)			7,261
Noninterest expense			(16,794	)			(640	)			(521	)			(17,955	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			11,133				30				(614	)			10,549
Income tax (expense) benefit			(3,584	)			(12	)			231				(3,365	)
Net income (loss)		$	7,549			$	18			$	(383	)		$	7,184
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income		$	69,636			$	—			$	—			$	69,636
Provision for loan losses			(5,879	)			—				—				(5,879	)
Noninterest income			19,779				670				(254	)			20,195
Noninterest expense			(50,315	)			(640	)			(2,021	)			(52,976	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			33,221				30				(2,275	)			30,976
Income tax (expense) benefit			(10,480	)			(12	)			951				(9,541	)
Net income (loss)		$	22,741			$	18			$	(1,324	)		$	21,435

 

(1)	Reflects activity from SDN since August 1, 2014, the date of acquisition.

 

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ITEM 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the more detailed and comprehensive disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, please read this section in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Statements and financial analysis contained in this document that are based on other than historical data are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and include, among others:

 

•

statements with respect to the beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, anticipations, and future financial condition, results of operations and performance of Financial Institutions, Inc. and our subsidiaries; and

 

•

statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “projects,” or similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this document and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which we refer to as the Form 10-K, including, but not limited to, those presented in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

 

•

greater credit losses than anticipated;

 

•

changes in our tax strategies and the value of our deferred tax assets;

 

•

limited geographic concentration;

 

•

failure to obtain accurate and complete information about or from customers and counterparties;

 

•

insurance industry risks on our insurance brokerage subsidiary;

 

•

environmental liability risk associated with our lending activities;

 

•

changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios;

 

•

risks through our indirect lending;

 

•

changes in banking laws, regulations and regulatory practices;

 

•

new or changing tax and accounting rules and interpretations;

 

•

legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters;

 

•

a breach in security of our information systems, including the occurrence of a cyber incident or a deficiency in cyber security;

 

•

technological changes;

 

•

failure of other companies to provide key components of our business infrastructure;

 

•

incorrect modeling assumptions for business planning purposes;

 

•

the failure to attract and retain skilled people;

 

•

interest rate risk, changes in interest rate risk and changes in real estate values;

 

•

conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally;

 

•

the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies;

 

•

goodwill impairment;

 

•

competition in our market area; and

 

•

severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advise readers that various factors, including those described above, could affect our financial performance and could cause our actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. See also Item 1A, Risk Factors in the Form 10-K for further information. Except as required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim any obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

GENERAL

Financial Institutions, Inc. (the “Parent”) is a financial holding company headquartered in New York State, providing banking and nonbanking financial services to individuals, municipalities and businesses primarily in Western and Central New York. We offer a broad array of deposit, lending and other financial services to individuals, municipalities and businesses primarily in Western and Central New York through our wholly-owned New York chartered banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank. Our indirect lending network includes relationships with franchised automobile dealers in Western and Central New York, the Capital District of New York and Northern Pennsylvania. We also offer insurance services through our wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, Scott Danahy Naylon, LLC (“SDN”), a full service insurance agency which we acquired during the third quarter of 2014. References in this report to “the Company”, “we”, “our” or “us” mean the consolidated reporting entity and references to “the Bank” mean Five Star Bank.

Our primary sources of revenue are net interest income (interest earned on our loans and securities, net of interest paid on deposits and other funding sources) and noninterest income, particularly fees and other revenue from insurance and financial services provided to customers or ancillary services tied to loans and deposits. Business volumes and pricing drive revenue potential, and tend to be influenced by overall economic factors, including market interest rates, business spending, consumer confidence, economic growth, and competitive conditions within the marketplace. We are not able to predict market interest rate fluctuations with certainty and our asset/liability management strategy may not prevent interest rate changes from having a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our business strategy has been to maintain a community bank philosophy, which consists of focusing on and understanding the individualized banking needs of individuals, municipalities and businesses of the local communities surrounding our primary service areas. We believe this focus allows us to be more responsive to our customers’ needs and provide a high level of personal service that differentiates us from larger competitors, resulting in long-standing and broad based banking relationships. Our core customers are primarily small to medium-sized businesses, individuals and community organizations, which prefer to build banking and insurance relationships with a community bank that combines high quality, competitively-priced products and services with personalized service. Because of our identity and origin as a locally operated bank, we believe that our level of personal service provides a competitive advantage over larger banks, which tend to consolidate decision-making authority outside local communities.

A key aspect of our current business strategy is to foster a community-oriented culture where our customers and employees establish long-standing and mutually beneficial relationships. We believe that we are well-positioned to be a strong competitor within our market area because of our focus on community banking needs and customer service, our comprehensive suite of deposit, loan and insurance products typically found at larger banks, our highly experienced management team and our strategically located banking centers. We believe that the foregoing factors all help to grow our core deposits, which supports a central element of our business strategy – the growth of a diversified and high-quality loan portfolio.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Summary of 2015 Third Quarter Results

Net income increased $1.1 million or 16% to $8.3 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $7.2 million for the third quarter of 2014. Net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2015 was $8.0 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, compared with $6.8 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the third quarter of last year. Return on average common equity was 11.60% and return on average assets was 0.99% for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 10.55% and 0.95%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2014.

Competitive pricing pressure in all loan categories and the continuation of a low interest-rate environment, along with our diminishing ability to reduce our cost of funds, continues to place pressure on our net interest margin and net interest income. Net interest income totaled $24.1 million in the third quarter 2015, up $873 thousand or 4% from $23.3 million in the third quarter 2014. Average earning assets were up $335.5 million, led by a $213.8 million increase in investment securities and an $121.7 million increase in loans in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter in 2014. The growth in earning assets was partially offset by a lower net interest margin. Third quarter 2015 net interest margin was 3.20%, a decrease of 26 basis points from 3.46% reported in the third quarter of 2014. The decrease in net interest margin reflects lower yields on average earning assets as a result of the low interest rate environment, a slight shift in the composition of average earnings assets as well as increased interest expense related to the subordinated debt issued in April 2015. Average loans and average securities totaled 65.5% and 34.5%, respectively, of average earning assets for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared with 69.0% and 31.0%, respectively for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The provision for loans losses was $754 thousand in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2014. The decrease in the provision for loan losses reflects the reversal of a $1.1 million specific reserve related to a non-performing $2.5 million commercial credit relationship that paid off during the third quarter 2015. Net charge-offs were $1.8 million during the third quarter of 2015, a $138 thousand decrease from the third quarter of 2014. Net charge-offs expressed as an annualized percentage of average loans outstanding were 0.35% during the third quarter of 2015 compared with 0.40% in the third quarter of 2014. See the “Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Non-Performing Assets and Potential Problem Loans” sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion regarding the decreases in the provision for loan losses and net-charge-offs.

Noninterest income totaled $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared to $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2014. Included in these totals are gains realized from the sale of investment securities. Exclusive of those securities gains and $390 thousand of tax credit amortization included in the third quarter of 2015, noninterest income was $7.1 million in the recently completed quarter and $6.7 million in the third quarter of 2014, primarily a result of increased income from insurance and investments in limited partnerships, partially offset by lower service charges on deposits.

Noninterest expense in the third quarter of 2015 totaled $19.3 million compared with $18.0 million in the third quarter of 2014. The increase in noninterest expense was primarily the result of higher salaries and employee benefits expense, occupancy and equipment expense and other noninterest expense. Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2015 also includes an additional month of expense related to SDN, which was acquired on August 1, 2014.

The regulatory common equity Tier 1 ratio and total risk-based capital ratio were 9.74%, and 13.37%, respectively, for the third quarter of 2015. See the “Liquidity and Capital Management” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion regarding regulatory capital and the Basel III capital rules, which became effective January 1, 2015.

Issuance of Subordinated Notes

On April 15, 2015, the Parent issued $40.0 million of 6.0% fixed to floating rate subordinated notes due April 15, 2030 (the “Subordinated Notes”) to certain accredited investors. The Subordinated Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per year, payable semi-annually, for the first 10 years. From April 15, 2025 to April 15, 2030, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then current three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 3.944%, payable quarterly. The Subordinated Notes are redeemable by us at any quarterly interest payment date beginning on April 15, 2025 to maturity at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The net proceeds from this offering were intended for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank to support both organic growth as well as opportunistic acquisitions. The Parent company contributed $34.0 million of net proceeds from this offering to the Bank as capital to support general corporate purposes. The notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

We used the proceeds of the Subordinated Notes to purchase high-quality investment securities, comprised of mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprise bonds and tax-exempt municipal bonds. All of the securities purchased were of high credit quality with a low to moderate duration.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income is the primary source of our revenue. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the interest expense on interest-bearing deposits and other borrowings used to fund interest-earning and other assets or activities. Net interest income is affected by changes in interest rates and by the amount and composition of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the sensitivity of the balance sheet to changes in interest rates, including characteristics such as the fixed or variable nature of the financial instruments, contractual maturities and repricing frequencies.

We use interest rate spread and net interest margin to measure and explain changes in net interest income. Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield on earning assets and the rate paid for interest-bearing liabilities that fund those assets. The net interest margin is expressed as the percentage of net interest income to average earning assets. The net interest margin exceeds the interest rate spread because noninterest-bearing sources of funds (“net free funds”), principally noninterest-bearing demand deposits and shareholders’ equity, also support earning assets. To compare tax-exempt asset yields to taxable yields, we compute the yield on tax-exempt investment securities on a taxable equivalent basis. Net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin are discussed on a taxable equivalent basis.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The following table reconciles interest income per the consolidated statements of income to interest income adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent basis (dollars in thousands):

 

		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Interest income per consolidated statements of income		$	27,007			$	25,129			$	77,963			$	75,071
Adjustment to fully taxable equivalent basis			781				721				2,310				2,117
Interest income adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent basis			27,788				25,850				80,273				77,188
Interest expense per consolidated statements of income			2,876				1,871				7,281				5,435
Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis		$	24,912			$	23,979			$	72,992			$	71,753

2015 Leverage Strategy

During the second quarter of 2015, we used the proceeds of short-term FHLB advances to purchase high-quality investment securities of approximately $50 million. Our purchase of investment securities was comprised of mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprise bonds and tax-exempt municipal bonds. All of the securities purchased were of high credit quality with a low to moderate duration. This strategy allowed us to increase net interest income by taking advantage of the positive interest rate spread between the FHLB advances and the newly acquired investment securities.

Analysis of Net Interest Income for the Three Months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis for the three months ended September 30, 2015, was $24.9 million, an increase of $933 thousand or 4% versus the comparable quarter last year. The increase in net interest income was due to an increase in average earning assets of $335.5 million or 12% compared to the third quarter of 2014.

The net interest margin for the third quarter of 2015 was 3.20%, 26 basis points lower than 3.46% for the same period in 2014. This comparable period decrease was a function of a 28 basis point decrease in interest rate spread, partially offset by a higher contribution from net free funds of 2 basis points (due principally to increases in average noninterest-bearing deposits and other net free funds). The lower interest rate spread was a result of a 16 basis point decrease in the yield on earning assets and a 12 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

For the third quarter of 2015, the yield on average earning assets of 3.57% was 16 basis points lower than the third quarter of 2014. Loan yields decreased 15 basis points during the third quarter of 2015 to 4.16%. Commercial mortgage loan yields in particular, down 39 basis points, experienced lower yields because of competitive pricing pressures in a low interest rate environment. The yield on investment securities increased 3 basis points during the third quarter of 2015 to 2.46%. Overall, the earning asset rate changes reduced interest income by $586 thousand during the third quarter of 2015, but that was more than offset by a favorable volume variance that increased interest income by $2.5 million, which collectively drove a $1.9 million increase in interest income.

Average interest-earning assets were $3.09 billion for the third quarter 2015, an increase of $335.5 million or 12% from the comparable quarter last year, with average loans up $121.7 million and average securities up $213.8 million. The growth in average loans reflected increases in most loan categories, with commercial and consumer loans up $96.7 million and $33.5 million, respectively, partially offset by a $8.5 million decrease in residential mortgage loans. Loans represented 65.5% of average interest-earning assets during third quarter of 2015 compared to 69.0% during the third quarter of 2014. The yield on average loans was 4.16% for the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of 15 basis points compared to 4.31% for the third quarter of 2014. The yield on average loans was negatively impacted by lower average spreads due to increased competition in loan pricing during 2015 compared to 2014. The growth in average securities was primarily a result of securities purchased with proceeds from our previously described leverage strategy and issuance of the Subordinated Notes. Securities represented 34.5% of average interest-earning assets during third quarter of 2015 compared to 31.0% during the third quarter of 2014. The increase in the volume of average securities resulted in a $1.2 million increase in interest income, coupled with a $161 thousand increase due to the favorable rate variance.

The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities of 0.47% in the third quarter of 2015 was 12 basis points higher than the third quarter of 2014. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits increased 3 basis points to 0.37% and the cost of short-term borrowings increased 4 basis points to 0.41% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter of 2014. The cost of long-term borrowings for the third quarter of 2015 was 6.34% due to the issuance of the Subordinated Notes in April. Overall, interest-bearing liability rate and volume increases resulted in $1.0 million of higher interest expense.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Average interest-bearing liabilities of $2.41 billion in the third quarter of 2015 were $268.4 million or 13% higher than the third quarter of 2014. On average, interest-bearing deposits grew $160.4 million, while noninterest-bearing demand deposits (a principal component of net free funds) were up $68.6 million. The increase in average deposits was due in part to seasonal inflows of municipal deposits and an increase in deposits from our Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) programs. For further discussion of the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and ICS programs, refer to the “Funding Activities – Deposits” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Overall, interest-bearing deposit rate and volume changes resulted in $290 thousand of higher interest expense during the third quarter of 2015. Average short-term and long-term borrowings increased $69.1 million and $39.0 million, respectively, between the third quarter periods. Overall, short and long-term borrowing rate and volume changes resulted in $715 thousand of higher interest expense during the third quarter of 2015. The increase in average long-term borrowings for the third quarter of 2015 was due to the issuance of the Subordinated Notes in April.

Analysis of Net Interest Income for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis for the first nine months of 2015 was $73.0 million compared to $71.8 million for the same period last year. The increase in net interest income was due to an increase in average earning assets of $216.1 million or 8% compared to the first nine months of 2014.

The net interest margin of 3.28% for the first nine months of 2015 was 20 basis points lower than 3.48% for the same period last year. This comparable period decrease was a function of a 22 basis point decrease in interest rate spread to 3.19% during the first nine months of 2015, partially offset by a 2 basis point higher contribution from net free funds. The lower interest rate spread was a net result of a 14 basis point decrease in the yield on earning assets and an 8 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

The yield on earning assets was 3.61% for the first nine months of 2015, 14 basis points lower than the same period last year, primarily attributable to a decrease in the yields on the loan portfolio during the period (down 16 basis points to 4.20%), partially offset by an increase in the yields on the investment securities portfolio (up 3 basis points, to 2.46%). Overall, earning asset rate changes reduced interest income by $1.9 million during the first nine months of 2015, but that was more than offset by a favorable volume variance that increased interest income by $5.0 million, which collectively drove a $3.1 million increase in interest income.

Average interest-earning assets were $2.97 billion for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $216.1 million or 8% from the comparable period last year, with average loans up $91.8 million and average securities up $124.4 million. The growth in average loans reflected increases in most loan categories, with commercial and consumer loans up $49.4 million and $53.9 million, respectively, partially offset by an $11.5 million decrease in residential mortgage loans.

The cost on interest-bearing liabilities of 0.42% for the first nine months of 2015 was 8 basis points higher than the same period in 2014. Rates on interest-bearing deposits were up 2 basis points to 0.35%. The cost of long-term borrowings for the first nine months of 2015 was 6.25% due to the issuance of the Subordinated Notes in April. Overall, interest-bearing liability rate and volume increases resulted in $1.8 million of higher interest expense.

Average interest-bearing liabilities of $2.34 billion in the first nine months of 2015 were $187.5 million or 9% higher than the first nine months of 2014. On average, interest-bearing deposits grew $147.0 million, while noninterest-bearing demand deposits and average short-term borrowings were up $52.9 million and $16.4 million, respectively. Average long-term borrowings increased $24.1 million during the first nine months of 2015 due to the issuance of the Subordinated Notes in April.

 

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The following tables set forth certain information relating to the consolidated balance sheets and reflects the average yields earned on interest-earning assets, as well as the average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

		Three months ended September 30,
		2015												2014
		Average Balance				Interest				Average Rate				Average Balance				Interest				Average Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits		$	—			$	—				—	%		$	51			$	—				0.28	%
Investment securities (1):
Taxable			778,380				4,347				2.23				589,054				3,117				2.12
Tax-exempt (2)			289,435				2,231				3.09				264,976				2,062				3.11
Total investment securities			1,067,815				6,578				2.46				854,030				5,179				2.43
Loans:
Commercial business			297,216				3,085				4.12				273,239				2,878				4.18
Commercial mortgage			545,875				6,210				4.51				473,168				5,847				4.90
Residential mortgage			96,776				1,069				4.42				105,255				1,247				4.74
Home equity			402,368				3,859				3.81				377,360				3,685				3.88
Consumer indirect			663,884				6,436				3.85				653,192				6,420				3.90
Other consumer			18,680				551				11.71				20,847				594				11.30
Total loans			2,024,799				21,210				4.16				1,903,061				20,671				4.31
Total interest-earning assets			3,092,614				27,788				3.57				2,757,142				25,850				3.73
Allowance for loan losses			(27,836	)											(27,853	)
Other noninterest-earning assets			279,024												256,631
Total assets		$	3,343,802											$	2,985,920
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand		$	516,448			$	199				0.15	%		$	486,311			$	151				0.12	%
Savings and money market			903,491				321				0.14				758,306				222				0.12
Time deposits			619,459				1,397				0.89				634,400				1,254				0.78
Total interest-bearing deposits			2,039,398				1,917				0.37				1,879,017				1,627				0.34
Short-term borrowings			329,050				342				0.41				259,995				244				0.37
Long-term borrowings			38,962				617				6.34				—				—				—
Total borrowings			368,012				959				1.04				259,995				244				0.37
Total interest-bearing liabilities			2,407,410				2,876				0.47				2,139,012				1,871				0.35
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits			625,131												556,485
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities			22,032												16,777
Shareholders’ equity			289,229												273,646
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	3,343,802											$	2,985,920
Net interest income (tax-equivalent)						$	24,912											$	23,979
Interest rate spread											3.10	%											3.38	%
Net earning assets		$	685,204											$	618,130
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)											3.20	%											3.46	%
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities											128.46	%											128.90	%

 

(1)	Investment securities are shown at amortized cost and include non-performing securities.

(2)	The interest on tax-exempt securities is calculated on a tax equivalent basis assuming a Federal tax rate of 35%.

 

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		Nine months ended September 30,
		2015												2014
		Average Balance				Interest				Average Rate				Average Balance				Interest				Average Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits		$	50			$	—				0.30	%		$	153			$	—				0.10	%
Investment securities (1):
Taxable			717,330				11,879				2.21				621,605				9,971				2.14
Tax-exempt (2)			285,031				6,601				3.09				256,318				6,049				3.15
Total investment securities			1,002,361				18,480				2.46				877,923				16,020				2.43
Loans:
Commercial business			282,307				8,731				4.13				271,190				8,701				4.29
Commercial mortgage			511,545				17,584				4.60				473,263				17,045				4.82
Residential mortgage			97,496				3,377				4.62				109,030				3,926				4.80
Home equity			392,909				11,304				3.85				351,212				10,396				3.96
Consumer indirect			663,286				19,143				3.86				648,901				19,301				3.98
Other consumer			19,084				1,654				11.59				21,251				1,799				11.32
Total loans			1,966,627				61,793				4.20				1,874,847				61,168				4.36
Total interest-earning assets			2,969,038				80,273				3.61				2,752,923				77,188				3.75
Allowance for loan losses			(27,881	)											(27,389	)
Other noninterest-earning assets			300,489												249,560
Total assets		$	3,241,646											$	2,975,094
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand		$	543,045			$	552				0.14	%		$	502,170			$	462				0.12	%
Savings and money market			891,039				827				0.12				770,008				689				0.12
Time deposits			612,637				3,985				0.87				627,550				3,578				0.76
Total interest-bearing deposits			2,046,721				5,364				0.35				1,899,728				4,729				0.33
Short-term borrowings			269,415				785				0.39				253,017				706				0.37
Long-term borrowings			24,148				1,132				6.25				—				—				—
Total borrowings			293,563				1,917				0.87				253,017				706				0.37
Total interest-bearing liabilities			2,340,284				7,281				0.42				2,152,745				5,435				0.34
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits			592,564												539,693
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities			21,603												14,803
Shareholders’ equity			287,195												267,853
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	3,241,646											$	2,975,094
Net interest income (tax-equivalent)						$	72,992											$	71,753
Interest rate spread											3.19	%											3.41	%
Net earning assets		$	628,754											$	600,178
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)											3.28	%											3.48	%
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities											126.87	%											127.88	%

 

(1)	Investment securities are shown at amortized cost and include non-performing securities.

(2)	The interest on tax-exempt securities is calculated on a tax equivalent basis assuming a Federal tax rate of 35%.

 

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The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, the relative contribution of changes in volumes and changes in rates to changes in net interest income for the periods indicated. The change in net interest income not solely due to changes in volume or rate has been allocated in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended September 30, 2015 vs. 2014												Nine months ended September 30, 2015 vs. 2014
		Volume				Rate				Total				Volume				Rate				Total
Increase (decrease) in:
Interest income:
Federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—
Investment securities:
Taxable			1,049				181				1,230				1,576				332				1,908
Tax-exempt			189				(20	)			169				667				(115	)			552
Total investment securities			1,238				161				1,399				2,243				217				2,460
Loans:
Commercial business			250				(43	)			207				350				(320	)			30
Commercial mortgage			851				(488	)			363				1,339				(800	)			539
Residential mortgage			(97	)			(81	)			(178	)			(404	)			(145	)			(549	)
Home equity			241				(67	)			174				1,207				(299	)			908
Consumer indirect			104				(88	)			16				422				(580	)			(158	)
Other consumer			(63	)			20				(43	)			(187	)			42				(145	)
Total loans			1,286				(747	)			539				2,727				(2,102	)			625
Total interest income			2,524				(586	)			1,938				4,970				(1,885	)			3,085
Interest expense:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand			10				38				48				40				50				90
Savings and money market			47				52				99				111				27				138
Time deposits			(31	)			174				143				(87	)			494				407
Total interest-bearing deposits			26				264				290				64				571				635
Short-term borrowings			70				28				98				47				32				79
Long-term borrowings			309				308				617				566				566				1,132
Total borrowings			379				336				715				613				598				1,211
Total interest expense			405				600				1,005				677				1,169				1,846
Net interest income		$	2,119			$	(1,186	)		$	933			$	4,293			$	(3,054	)		$	1,239

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is based upon credit loss experience, growth or contraction of specific segments of the loan portfolio, and the estimate of losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. There were provisions for loan losses of $754 thousand and $4.8 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, compared with provisions of $2.0 million and $5.9 million for the corresponding periods in 2014, respectively. The decrease in the provision for loan losses reflects the reversal of a $1.1 million specific reserve related to a non-performing $2.5 million commercial credit relationship that paid off during the third quarter 2015. See the “Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Non-Performing Assets and Potential Problem Loans” sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.

 

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Noninterest Income

The following table details the major categories of noninterest income for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Service charges on deposits		$	2,037			$	2,277			$	5,880			$	6,768
Insurance income			1,265				922				3,930				979
ATM and debit card			1,297				1,263				3,773				3,694
Investment advisory			523				524				1,551				1,647
Company owned life insurance			488				421				1,448				1,249
Investments in limited partnerships			336				187				865				894
Loan servicing			153				120				416				450
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale			53				76				161				231
Net gain on disposal of investment securities			286				515				1,348				1,777
Net gain on disposal of other assets			—				72				20				61
Amortization of tax credit investment			(390	)			—				(390	)			—
Other			957				884				2,755				2,445
Total noninterest income		$	7,005			$	7,261			$	21,757			$	20,195

Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $240 thousand or 11% in the third quarter of 2015 and $888 thousand or 13% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods a year earlier. The decreases were primarily due to a decrease in the amount of checking account overdraft activity.

Insurance income increased $343 thousand and $3.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, over the same periods in 2014. The increases reflect the contributions from SDN, which was acquired at the beginning of August last year as part of the Company’s strategy to diversify its business lines and increase noninterest income through additional fee-based services.

Company owned life insurance increased by $67 thousand or 16% in the third quarter of 2015 and $199 thousand or 16% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods a year earlier. The increases were primarily due to new policies purchased during the third and fourth quarters of 2014.

We have investments in limited partnerships, primarily small business investment companies, and account for these investments under the equity method. Income from investments in limited partnerships was $336 thousand and $865 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The income from these equity method investments fluctuates based on the performance of the underlying investments.

During the third quarter of 2015 we recognized net gains on investment securities totaling $286 thousand from the sale of one mortgage backed security. During the first quarter of 2015 we recognized net gains on investment securities totaling $1.1 million from the sale of six agency securities and nine mortgage backed securities. There were no sales of securities during the second quarter of 2015. We recognized pre-tax gains on investment securities of $515 thousand from the sale of two agency securities during the third quarter of 2014. During the first and second quarters of 2014 we recognized pre-tax gains on investment securities of $313 thousand and $949 thousand, respectively, from the sale of one pooled trust preferred security which had been classified as non-performing, three mortgage backed securities and 17 agency securities. The amount and timing of our sale of investments securities is dependent on a number of factors, including our prudent efforts to realize gains while managing duration, premium and credit risk.

During the third quarter 2015 the Company recognized $390 thousand of amortization of a historic tax investment in a community-based project. The amortization was included in noninterest income, recorded as contra-income, with an offsetting tax benefit that reduced income tax expense.

Other noninterest income increased $73 thousand or 8% in the third quarter of 2015 and $310 thousand or 13% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods a year earlier. Merchant services income and credit card correspondent income comprised the majority of the comparable increases.

 

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Noninterest Expense

The following table details the major categories of noninterest expense for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Salaries and employee benefits		$	10,278			$	9,725			$	31,107			$	28,044
Occupancy and equipment			3,417				3,131				10,491				9,505
Professional services			1,064				976				2,898				3,332
Computer and data processing			779				725				2,291				2,225
Supplies and postage			540				507				1,611				1,554
FDIC assessments			444				390				1,277				1,200
Advertising and promotions			312				216				789				609
Other			2,484				2,285				7,101				6,507
Total noninterest expense		$	19,318			$	17,955			$	57,565			$	52,976

During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, salaries and employee benefits increased by $553 thousand and $3.1 million, respectively, when compared to the same periods one year earlier. Salaries expense increased $400 thousand and $2.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, when compared to the same periods one year earlier. The increases in salaries expense reflect the SDN acquisition and the hiring of additional personnel associated with our expansion initiatives. Employee benefits expense increased $153 thousand and $610 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, when compared to the same periods one year earlier. The increases in employee benefits expense were primarily due to higher expense related to our retirement plans. We recognized a combined net periodic pension expense of $184 thousand and $549 thousand on our pension and post-retirement obligations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to $55 thousand and $166 thousand during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Defined benefit pension expense increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014 primarily due to increased benefit plan cost from the use of a lower discount rate and the impact of changes in mortality assumptions.

Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $286 thousand in the third quarter of 2015 and $986 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, when compared to the same periods one year earlier. The increases were primarily related to higher contractual service and depreciation expenses and incremental expenses from the SDN facility.

Professional fees increased by $88 thousand in the third quarter of 2015 and decreased by $434 thousand in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods a year earlier. The year-to-date expense decrease was due to additional professional services associated with the acquisition of SDN during the first nine months of 2014.

FDIC assessments increased $54 thousand or 14% in the third quarter of 2015 and $77 thousand or 6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods a year earlier. The increased assessments are a direct result of the growth in our balance sheet.

Advertising and promotions costs were up $96 thousand in the third quarter of 2015 and $180 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods a year earlier, due to an increase in marketing campaigns and promotions. We proactively market our products but vary the timing based on projected benefits and needs.

Other noninterest expense was $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 and $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, representing increases of $199 thousand and $594 thousand, respectively, from the same periods in 2014. Other noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 included increases of $37 thousand and $341 thousand, respectively, in intangible asset amortization attributable to the SDN acquisition.

The efficiency ratio for the third quarter of 2015 was 59.46% compared with 57.65% for the third quarter of 2014, and 60.56% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 58.24% for the same period a year ago. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing total noninterest expense, excluding other real estate expense and amortization of intangible assets, by net revenue, defined as the sum of tax-equivalent net interest income and noninterest income before net gains and impairment charges on investment securities. The broadening of our financial services and accompanying increased spending has resulted in a shift in our efficiency ratio as a measure of productivity. As we begin to provide more diversified financial services our efficiency ratio is expected to be in the low 60% range. This approach will decrease our sensitivity to traditional banking revenues which are subject to interest rate changes.

 

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Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared to of $3.4 million in the third quarter of 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, income tax expense totaled $8.4 million compared to $9.5 million in the same period of 2014. The effective tax rates for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 were 24.8% and 27.9%, respectively, in comparison to 31.9% and 30.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Effective tax rates are impacted by items of income and expense that are not subject to federal or state taxation. Our effective tax rates reflect the impact of these items, which include, but are not limited to, interest income from tax-exempt securities and earnings on company owned life insurance. In addition, the lower effective tax rates in 2015 reflects the previously mentioned historic tax credit benefit combined with New York State tax savings generated by the full year impact in 2015 of our real estate investment trust, which commenced operations during February 2014.

In March 2014, the New York legislature approved changes in the state tax law that will be phased-in over two years, beginning in 2015. The primary changes that impact us include the repeal of the Article 32 franchise tax on banking corporations (“Article 32”) for 2015, expanded nexus standards for 2015 and a reduction in the corporate tax rate for 2016. We expect the repeal of Article 32 and the expanded nexus standards to lower our taxable income apportioned to New York to 85% in 2015 from 100% in 2014. In addition, the New York state income tax rate will be reduced from 7.1% to 6.5% in 2016.

 

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ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Investment Securities

The following table sets forth selected information regarding the composition of our investment securities portfolio as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Investment Securities Portfolio Composition
		September 30, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Amortized				Fair				Amortized				Fair
		Cost				Value				Cost				Value
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government-sponsored enterprise securities		$	261,364			$	263,552			$	160,334			$	160,475
Mortgage-backed securities:
Agency mortgage-backed securities			307,509				312,826				458,959				460,570
Non-Agency mortgage-backed securities			—				920				—				1,218
Asset-backed securities			—				211				—				231
Total available for sale securities			568,873				577,509				619,293				622,494
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			289,986				296,026				277,273				281,384
Mortgage-backed securities			200,652				200,725				17,165				17,311
Total held to maturity securities			490,638				496,751				294,438				298,695
Total investment securities		$	1,059,511			$	1,074,260			$	913,731			$	921,189

The available for sale (“AFS”) investment securities portfolio decreased $45.0 million or 7%, from $622.5 million at December 31, 2014 to $577.5 million at September 30, 2015. The decrease was largely attributable to the transfer of available for sale mortgage-backed securities to the held to maturity category during the third quarter of 2015 and scheduled principal paydowns on amortizing securities, party offset by the purchase of securities and a change in the net unrealized gain/loss on the AFS portfolio. The AFS portfolio had net unrealized gains totaling $8.6 million and $3.2 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of most of the investment securities in the AFS portfolio fluctuates as market interest rates change.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company transferred $165.2 million of available for sale mortgage backed securities to the held to maturity category, reflecting the Company’s intent to hold those securities to maturity. Transfers of investment securities into the held to maturity category from the available for sale category are made at fair value at the date of transfer. The related $1.1 million of unrealized holding losses that were included in the transfer are retained in accumulated other comprehensive income and in the carrying value of the held to maturity securities. This amount will be amortized as an adjustment to interest income over the remaining life of the securities. This will offset the impact of amortization of the net premium created in the transfer. There were no gains or losses recognized as a result of this transfer.

Impairment Assessment

We review investment securities on an ongoing basis for the presence of other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) with formal reviews performed quarterly. Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses or the security is intended to be sold or will be required to be sold. The amount of the impairment related to non-credit related factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. Evaluating whether the impairment of a debt security is other than temporary involves assessing the intent to sell the debt security or the likelihood of being required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. In determining whether the OTTI includes a credit loss, we use our best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security considering factors such as: the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area, the historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security, the payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that increase in the future, failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date. The assessment of whether OTTI exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.

 

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Securities Deemed to be Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired

There were no securities deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

LENDING ACTIVITIES

The following table sets forth selected information regarding the composition of our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated (in thousands).

 

		Loan Portfolio Composition
		September 30, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Amount				% of Total				Amount				% of Total
Commercial business		$	297,876				14.6	%		$	267,409				14.0	%
Commercial mortgage			548,529				27.0				475,092				24.9
Total commercial			846,405				41.6				742,501				38.9
Residential mortgage			96,279				4.7				100,101				5.2
Home equity			408,634				20.1				386,615				20.2
Consumer indirect			665,714				32.7				661,673				34.6
Other consumer			19,204				0.9				21,112				1.1
Total consumer			1,093,552				53.7				1,069,400				55.9
Total loans			2,036,236				100.0	%			1,912,002				100.0	%
Allowance for loan losses			26,455								27,637
Total loans, net		$	2,009,781							$	1,884,365

Total loans increased $124.2 million, or 7%, to $2.04 billion at September 30, 2015 from $1.91 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in loans was attributable to organic growth, primarily in the commercial loan portfolios.

Commercial loans increased $103.9 million, or 14%, and represented 41.6% of total loans as of September 30, 2015, a result of our continued commercial business development efforts that generated both business and mortgage loans in both our Buffalo and Rochester markets.

Residential mortgage loans decreased $3.8 million, or 4%, to $96.3 million as of September 30, 2015 in comparison to $100.1 million as of December 31, 2014. This category of loans decreased as we continue to sell the majority of our newly originated and refinanced residential mortgages to the secondary market rather than adding them to our portfolio.

Our home equity portfolio, which consists of home equity loans and lines, totaled $408.6 million and represented 20.1% of total loans as of September 30, 2015. Approximately 81% of the loans in the home equity portfolio were first lien positions as of September 30, 2015.

The consumer indirect portfolio totaled $665.7 million as of September 30, 2015 and represented 32.7% of total loans as of September 30, 2015. During the first nine months of 2015, we originated $218.1 million in indirect auto loans with a mix of approximately 40% new auto and 60% used auto. This compares with $234.1 million in indirect auto loans with a mix of approximately 42% new auto and 58% used auto for the same period in 2014. Our origination volumes and mix of new and used vehicles financed fluctuates depending on general market conditions.

Loans Held for Sale and Loan Servicing Rights

Loans held for sale (not included in the loan portfolio composition table) were entirely comprised of residential real estate mortgages and totaled $1.6 million and $755 thousand as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

We sell certain qualifying newly originated or refinanced residential real estate mortgages on the secondary market. Residential real estate mortgages serviced for others, which are not included in the consolidated statements of financial condition, amounted to $198.0 million and $215.2 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as runoff outpaced production in the first nine months of 2015.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table sets forth an analysis of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

		Loan Loss Analysis
		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2015				2014				2015				2014
Balance as of beginning of period		$	27,500			$	27,166			$	27,637			$	26,736
Charge-offs:
Commercial business			106				105				1,260				176
Commercial mortgage			56				111				866				276
Residential mortgage			37				16				114				163
Home equity			98				73				336				335
Consumer indirect			2,380				2,606				6,643				7,392
Other consumer			239				272				652				765
Total charge-offs			2,916				3,183				9,871				9,107
Recoveries:
Commercial business			38				61				172				158
Commercial mortgage			44				45				140				58
Residential mortgage			34				5				80				34
Home equity			34				7				53				47
Consumer indirect			905				1,029				3,206				3,129
Other consumer			62				99				255				310
Total recoveries			1,117				1,246				3,906				3,736
Net charge-offs			1,799				1,937				5,965				5,371
Provision for loan losses			754				2,015				4,783				5,879
Balance at end of period		$	26,455			$	27,244			$	26,455			$	27,244
Net loan charge-offs to average loans (annualized)			0.35	%			0.40	%			0.41	%			0.38	%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans			1.30	%			1.43	%			1.30	%			1.43	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans			311	%			333	%			311	%			333	%

The allowance for loan losses represents the estimated amount of probable credit losses inherent in our loan portfolio. We perform periodic, systematic reviews of the loan portfolio to estimate probable losses in the respective loan portfolios. In addition, we regularly evaluate prevailing economic and business conditions, industry concentrations, changes in the size and characteristics of the portfolio and other pertinent factors. Based on this analysis, we believe the overall allowance for loan losses is adequate as of September 30, 2015.

Assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses involves substantial uncertainties and is based upon management’s evaluation of the amounts required to meet estimated charge-offs in the loan portfolio after weighing a variety of factors, including the risk-profile of our loan products and customers.

The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is subject to ongoing management review. While management evaluates currently available information in establishing the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluations. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review a financial institution’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the financial institution to increase the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

Net charge-offs of $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2015 represented 0.35% of average loans on an annualized basis compared to $1.9 million or 0.40% in the third quarter of 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 net charge-offs of $6.0 million represented 0.41% of average loans compared to $5.4 million or 0.38% of average loans for same period in 2014. The year-to-date increase in net charge-offs was primarily driven by the charge-off during the first quarter of 2015 of two commercial loan relationships totaling $1.7 million that had been previously reserved by the Company.

The allowance for loan losses was $26.5 million at September 30, 2015, compared with $27.6 million at December 31, 2014. The decrease in allowance for loan losses reflects the reversal of a $1.1 million specific reserve related to a non-performing $2.5 million commercial credit relationship that paid off during the third quarter of 2015. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.30% at September 30, 2015, compared with 1.45% at December 31, 2014. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 311% at September 30, 2015, compared with 272% at December 31, 2014.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Non-Performing Assets and Potential Problem Loans

The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated (in thousands).

 

		Non-Performing Assets
		September 30,				December 31,
		2015				2014
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial business		$	3,064			$	4,288
Commercial mortgage			1,802				3,020
Residential mortgage			1,523				1,194
Home equity			792				463
Consumer indirect			1,292				1,169
Other consumer			12				11
Total nonaccrual loans			8,485				10,145
Accruing loans 90 days or more delinquent			8				8
Total non-performing loans			8,493				10,153
Foreclosed assets			286				194
Total non-performing assets		$	8,779			$	10,347
Non-performing loans to total loans			0.42	%			0.53	%
Non-performing assets to total assets			0.26	%			0.33	%

Changes in the level of nonaccrual loans typically represent increases for loans that reach a specified past due status, offset by reductions for loans that are charged-off, paid down, sold, transferred to foreclosed real estate, or are no longer classified as nonaccrual because they have returned to accrual status. Activity in nonaccrual loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months				Nine months
		ended				ended
		September 30, 2015				September 30, 2015
Nonaccrual loans, beginning of period		$	10,699			$	10,145
Additions			4,895				15,278
Payments			(3,744	)			(6,331	)
Charge-offs			(2,821	)			(9,580	)
Returned to accruing status			(388	)			(741	)
Transferred to other real estate or repossessed assets			(156	)			(286	)
Nonaccrual loans, end of period		$	8,485			$	8,485

Non-performing assets include non-performing loans and foreclosed assets. Non-performing assets at September 30, 2015 were $8.8 million, a decrease of $1.5 million from $10.3 million at December 31, 2014. The primary component of non-performing assets is non-performing loans, which were $8.5 million or 0.42% of total loans at September 30, 2015, a decrease of $1.6 million from $10.1 million or 0.53% of total loans at December 31, 2014. The decrease in non-performing loans was primarily driven by the third quarter 2015 payoff of a $2.5 million commercial credit relationship which we classified as nonaccrual during the first quarter of 2015. At the time of payoff, the credit relationship consisted of a $1.5 million commercial business loan with a specific reserve of $664 thousand and a $1.0 million commercial mortgage loan with a specific reserve of $444 thousand.

Approximately $1.2 million, or 14%, of the $8.5 million in non-performing loans as of September 30, 2015 were current with respect to payment of principal and interest, but were classified as non-accruing because repayment in full of principal and/or interest was uncertain. Included in nonaccrual loans are troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) of $2.5 million and $3.0 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. We had no TDRs that were accruing interest as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

Foreclosed assets consist of real property formerly pledged as collateral for loans, which we have acquired through foreclosure proceedings or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Foreclosed asset holdings represented eight properties totaling $286 thousand at September 30, 2015 and four properties totaling $194 thousand at December 31, 2014.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Potential problem loans are loans classified as substandard that are currently performing, but information known about possible credit problems of the borrowers causes us to have concern as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan payment terms and may result in disclosure of such loans as nonperforming at some time in the future. These loans remain in a performing status due to a variety of factors, including payment history, the value of collateral supporting the credits, and/or personal or government guarantees. We identified $12.9 million and $13.7 million in loans that continued to accrue interest which were classified as substandard as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

FUNDING ACTIVITIES

Deposits

The following table summarizes the composition of our deposits at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

		Deposit Composition
		September 30, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Amount				% of Total				Amount				% of Total
Noninterest-bearing demand		$	623,296				22.6	%		$	571,260				23.3	%
Interest-bearing demand			563,731				20.5				490,190				20.0
Savings and money market			942,673				34.2				795,835				32.5
Certificates of deposit < $100,000			343,830				12.5				347,899				14.2
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more			279,970				10.2				245,343				10.0
Total deposits		$	2,753,500				100.0	%		$	2,450,527				100.0	%

We offer a variety of deposit products designed to attract and retain customers, with the primary focus on building and expanding long-term relationships. At September 30, 2015, total deposits were $2.75 billion, representing an increase of $303.0 million in comparison to $2.45 billion as of December 31, 2014. Certificates of deposit were approximately 23% and 24% of total deposits at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Nonpublic deposits, the largest component of our funding sources, totaled $2.00 billion and $1.84 billion at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and represented 73% and 75% of total deposits as of the end of each period, respectively. We have managed this segment of funding through a strategy of competitive pricing that minimizes the number of customer relationships that have only a single service high cost deposit account.

As an additional source of funding, we offer a variety of public (municipal) deposit products to the towns, villages, counties and school districts within our market. Public deposits generally range from 20% to 30% of our total deposits. There is a high degree of seasonality in this component of funding, because the level of deposits varies with the seasonal cash flows for these public customers. We maintain the necessary levels of short-term liquid assets to accommodate the seasonality associated with public deposits. Total public deposits were $753.9 million and $607.5 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and represented 27% and 25% of total deposits as of the end of each period, respectively. The increase in public deposits during 2015 was due in part to seasonal inflows of municipal deposits in conjunction with successful business development efforts.

We had no traditional brokered deposits at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014; however, we do participate in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) programs, which enable depositors to receive FDIC insurance coverage for deposits otherwise exceeding the maximum insurable amount. CDARS and ICS deposits are considered brokered deposits for regulatory reporting purposes. Through these programs, deposits in excess of the maximum insurable amount are placed with multiple participating financial institutions. Reciprocal CDARS deposits and ICS deposits totaled $91.3 million and $128.5 million, respectively, at September 30, 2015, compared to $79.7 million and $67.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014. The year-to-date increase in ICS deposits is primarily due to customer balances transferred from the customer repurchase agreement product. See the “Borrowings” section below for further discussion.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Borrowings

The Company classifies borrowings as short-term or long-term in accordance with the original terms of the applicable agreement. Outstanding borrowings consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		September 30,				December 31,
		2015				2014
Short-term borrowings:
Short-term FHLB borrowings		$	241,400			$	295,300
Repurchase agreements			—				39,504
Total short-term borrowings			241,400				334,804
Long-term borrowings:
Subordinated notes			38,972				—
Total borrowings		$	280,372			$	334,804

Short-term Borrowings

We have credit capacity with the FHLB and can borrow through facilities that include amortizing and term advances or repurchase agreements. We had approximately $146 million of immediate credit capacity with the FHLB as of September 30, 2015. We had approximately $490 million in secured borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) discount window, none of which was outstanding at September 30, 2015. The FHLB and FRB credit capacity are collateralized by securities from our investment portfolio and certain qualifying loans. We had approximately $120 million of credit available under unsecured federal funds purchased lines with various banks as of September 30, 2015. Additionally, we had approximately $260 million of unencumbered liquid securities available for pledging.

Federal funds purchased are short-term borrowings that typically mature within one to ninety days. Short-term repurchase agreements are secured overnight borrowings with customers. Short-term FHLB borrowings have original maturities of up to one year and include overnight borrowings which we typically utilize to address short term funding needs as they arise. Short-term FHLB borrowings at September 30, 2015 consisted of $62.9 million in overnight borrowings and $178.5 million in short-term advances. Short-term FHLB borrowings at December 31, 2014 consisted of $129.0 million in overnight borrowings and $166.3 million in short-term advances. During the second quarter of 2015, we discontinued the customer repurchase agreement product and transferred most of those customers into the ICS deposit product.

The Parent has a revolving line of credit with a commercial bank allowing borrowings up to $20.0 million in total as an additional source of working capital. At September 30, 2015, no amounts have been drawn on the line of credit.

Long-term Borrowings

On April 15, 2015, the Company issued the Subordinated Notes to certain investors. The Subordinated Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per year, payable semi-annually, for the first 10 years. From April 15, 2025 to April 15, 2030, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then current three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 3.944%, payable quarterly. The Subordinated Notes are redeemable by the Company at any quarterly interest payment date beginning on April 15, 2025 to maturity at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Debt issuance costs totaled $1.1 million and are being amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over 15 years. The Subordinated Notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes. The net proceeds from this offering were intended for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank to support both organic growth and opportunistic acquisitions.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Liquidity

The objective of maintaining adequate liquidity is to assure that we meet our financial obligations. These obligations include the withdrawal of deposits on demand or at their contractual maturity, the repayment of matured borrowings, the ability to fund new and existing loan commitments and the ability to take advantage of new business opportunities. We achieve liquidity by maintaining a strong base of core customer funds, maturing short-term assets, our ability to sell or pledge securities, lines-of-credit, and access to the financial and capital markets.

Liquidity for the Bank is managed through the monitoring of anticipated changes in loans, the investment portfolio, core deposits and wholesale funds. The strength of the Bank’s liquidity position is a result of its base of core customer deposits. These core deposits are supplemented by wholesale funding sources that include credit lines with the other banking institutions, the FHLB and the FRB. The primary source of our non-deposit borrowings is FHLB advances, of which we had $241.4 million outstanding at September 30, 2015. In addition to this amount, we have additional collateralized wholesale borrowing capacity of approximately $750 million from various funding sources which include the FHLB, Federal Reserve Bank, and commercial banks that we can use to fund lending activities, liquidity needs, and/or to adjust and manage our asset and liability position.

The Parent’s funding requirements consist primarily of dividends to shareholders, debt service, income taxes, operating expenses, funding of nonbank subsidiaries, repurchases of our stock, and acquisitions. The Parent obtains funding to meet obligations from dividends received from the Bank, net taxes collected from subsidiaries included in the federal consolidated tax return, and the issuance of debt and equity securities. In addition, the Parent maintains a revolving line of credit with a commercial bank for an aggregate amount of up to $20.0 million, all of which was available at September 30, 2015. The line of credit has a one year term and matures in May 2016. Funds drawn will be used for general corporate purposes and backup liquidity.

Cash and cash equivalents were $51.3 million as of September 30, 2015, a decrease of $6.9 million from $58.2 million as of December 31, 2014. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $35.2 million and the principal source of operating activity cash flow was net income adjusted for noncash income and expense items. Net cash used in investing activities totaled $281.2 million, which included outflows of $130.5 million for net loan originations and $145.8 million from net investment securities transactions. Net cash provided by financing activities of $239.2 million was attributed to a $303.0 million increase in deposits and net proceeds of $38.9 million from the Subordinated Notes issuance, partly offset by a $93.4 million decrease in short-term borrowings and $9.5 million in dividend payments.

Capital Management

We actively manage capital, commensurate with our risk profile, to enhance shareholder value. We also seek to maintain capital levels for the Company and the Bank at amounts in excess of the regulatory “well-capitalized” thresholds. Periodically, we may respond to market conditions by implementing changes to our overall balance sheet positioning to manage our capital position.

Banks and financial holding companies are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.

On April 15, 2015, the Parent issued the Subordinated Notes in a registered public offering. See the “Executive Overview” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion regarding the issuance of the Subordinated Notes. The Parent contributed $34.0 million of the net proceeds from the Subordinated Notes offering to the Bank as capital to support both organic growth and opportunistic acquisitions.

Shareholders’ equity was $295.4 million at September 30, 2015, an increase of $15.9 million from $279.5 million at December 31, 2014. Net income for the year increased shareholders’ equity by $21.7 million, which was partially offset by common and preferred stock dividends declared of $9.5 million. Accumulated other comprehensive income included in shareholders’ equity increased $3.0 million during the first nine months of 2015 due primarily to higher net unrealized gains on securities available for sale.

The final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s (“BCBS”) capital guidelines for U.S. banks became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule, to be fully phased-in by January 1, 2019. As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s capital levels remained characterized as “well-capitalized” under the new rules. We continue to evaluate the potential impact that regulatory rules may have on our liquidity and capital management strategies, including Basel III and those required under the Dodd-Frank Act. See the “Basel III Capital Rules” section below for further discussion.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The following table reflects the ratios and their components (dollars in thousands):

 

		September 30,				December 31,
		2015				2014
Common shareholders’ equity		$	278,094			$	262,192
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets (1)			62,105				68,639
Net unrealized gain on investment securities (2)			4,171				1,625
Net periodic pension & postretirement benefits plan adjustments			(10,223	)			(10,636	)
Other			152				—
Common equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) capital			221,889				n/a
Plus: Preferred stock			17,340				17,340
Less: Other			227				—
Tier 1 Capital			239,002				219,904
Plus: Qualifying allowance for loan losses			26,455				26,262
Subordinated Notes			38,972				—
Total regulatory capital (3)		$	304,429			$	246,166
Adjusted average total assets (for leverage capital purposes) (3)		$	3,280,517			$	2,993,050
Total risk-weighted assets (3)		$	2,277,529			$	2,099,626
Regulatory Capital Ratios (3)
Tier 1 leverage (Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets)			7.29	%			7.35	%
CET1 capital (CET1 capital to total risk-weighted assets)			9.74				n/a
Tier 1 capital (Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets)			10.49				10.47
Total risk-based capital (Total risk-based capital to total risk-weighted assets)			13.37				11.72

 

(1)	September 30, 2015 calculated net of deferred tax liabilities.

(2)	Includes unrealized gains and losses related to the Company’s reclassification of available for sale investment securities to the held to maturity category.

(3)	September 30, 2015 calculated under Basel III rules, which became effective January 1, 2015.

The Company’s and the Bank’s actual and required regulatory capital ratios were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

												For Capital
				Actual								Adequacy Purposes								Well Capitalized
				Amount				Ratio				Amount				Ratio				Amount				Ratio
September 30, 2015
Tier 1 leverage:		Company		$	239,002				7.29	%		$	131,221				4.00	%		$	164,026				5.00	%
		Bank			262,279				8.01				130,931				4.00				163,663				5.00
CET1 capital:		Company			221,889				9.74				102,489				4.50				148,039				6.50
		Bank			262,279				11.55				102,168				4.50				147,576				6.50
Tier 1 capital:		Company			239,002				10.49				136,652				6.00				182,202				8.00
		Bank			262,279				11.55				136,224				6.00				181,632				8.00
Total risk-based capital:		Company			304,429				13.37				182,202				8.00				227,753				10.00
		Bank			288,734				12.72				181,632				8.00				227,040				10.00
December 31, 2014
Tier 1 leverage:		Company		$	219,904				7.35	%		$	119,722				4.00	%		$	149,653				5.00	%
		Bank			215,672				7.21				119,671				4.00				149,588				5.00
Tier 1 capital:		Company			219,904				10.47				83,985				4.00				125,977				6.00
		Bank			215,672				10.28				83,889				4.00				125,834				6.00
Total risk-based capital:		Company			246,166				11.72				167,970				8.00				209,962				10.00
		Bank			241,905				11.53				167,779				8.00				209,723				10.00

As previously discussed, the Parent company contributed $34.0 million of net proceeds from the Subordinated Notes offering to the Bank as capital to support both organic growth and opportunistic acquisitions. The Bank’s leverage ratio and total risk-based capital ratio increased to 8.01% and 12.72%, respectively, at September 30, 2015, compared to 7.21% and 11.53%, respectively, at December 31, 2014, all of which exceeded the regulatory thresholds required to be classified as a “well capitalized” institution as established by the Bank’s primary banking regulators.

 

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Basel III Capital Rules

In July 2013, the FRB and the FDIC approved the final rules implementing the BCBS’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks. Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Company. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A new capital conservation buffer is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and will increase each subsequent year by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules. The final rules also revise the definition and calculation of Tier 1 capital, total capital, and risk-weighted assets.

The phase-in period for the final rules became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rules’ requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule, to be fully phased-in by January 1, 2019. As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s capital levels remained characterized as “well-capitalized” under the new rules.

Dividend Restrictions

In the ordinary course of business we are dependent upon dividends from the Bank to provide funds for the payment of dividends to shareholders and to provide for other cash requirements. Banking regulations may limit the amount of dividends that may be paid. Approval by regulatory authorities is required if the effect of dividends declared would cause the regulatory capital of the Bank to fall below specified minimum levels. Approval is also required if dividends declared exceed the net profits for that year combined with the retained net profits for the preceding two years. Under the foregoing dividend restrictions and while maintaining its well-capitalized status, at September 30, 2015, the Bank could pay aggregate dividends of up to approximately $34 million to the Parent without prior regulatory approval.

 

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ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk were presented at December 31, 2014 in Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2015. The following is an update of the discussion provided therein.

Portfolio Composition

With the exception of the $40.0 million of 6.0% fixed to floating rate subordinated notes issued by the Company on April 15, 2015, there was no material change in the composition of assets, deposit liabilities or borrowings from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015. See the section titled “Analysis of Financial Condition” in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a discussion of asset, deposit and borrowing activity during the period.

Net Interest Income at Risk

A primary tool used to manage interest rate risk is “rate shock” simulation, which measures rate sensitivity. Rate shock simulation is a modeling technique used to estimate the impact of changes in rates on net interest income as well as economic value of equity. At September 30, 2015, the Company was slightly asset sensitive, meaning that net interest income increases in rising rate conditions.

Net interest income at risk is measured by estimating the changes in net interest income resulting from instantaneous and sustained parallel shifts in interest rates of different magnitudes over a period of 12 months. The following table sets forth the estimated changes to net interest income over the 12-month period ending September 30, 2016 assuming instantaneous changes in interest rates for the given rate shock scenarios (dollars in thousands):

 

		Changes in Interest Rate
		-100 bp				+100 bp				+200 bp				+300 bp
Change in net interest income		$	(640	)		$	1,066			$	2,475			$	1,309
% Change			(0.66	)%			1.10	%			2.56	%			1.36	%

In addition to the changes in interest rate scenarios listed above, other scenarios are typically modeled to measure interest rate risk. These scenarios vary depending on the economic and interest rate environment.

The simulations referenced above and below are based on management’s assumption as to the effect of interest rate changes on assets and liabilities and assumes a parallel shift of the yield curve. It also includes certain assumptions about the future pricing of loans and deposits in response to changes in interest rates. Further, it assumes that delinquency rates would not change as a result of changes in interest rates, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. While this simulation is a useful measure as to net interest income at risk due to a change in interest rates, it is not a forecast of the future results and is based on many assumptions that, if changed, could cause a different outcome.

Economic Value of Equity At Risk

The economic (or “fair”) value of financial instruments on our balance sheet will also vary under the interest rate scenarios previously discussed. This is measured by simulating changes in our economic value of equity (“EVE”), which is calculated by subtracting the estimated fair value of liabilities from the estimated fair value of assets. Fair values for financial instruments are estimated by discounting projected cash flows (principal and interest) at current replacement rates for each account type, while fair values of non-financial assets and liabilities are assumed to equal book value and do not vary with interest rate fluctuations. An economic value simulation is a static measure for balance sheet accounts at a given point in time, but this measurement can change substantially over time as the characteristics of our balance sheet evolve and as interest rate and yield curve assumptions are updated.

The amount of change in economic value under different interest rate scenarios depends on the characteristics of each class of financial instrument, including the stated interest rate or spread relative to current market rates or spreads, the likelihood of prepayment, whether the rate is fixed or floating, and the maturity date of the instrument. As a general rule, fixed-rate financial assets become more valuable in declining rate scenarios and less valuable in rising rate scenarios, while fixed-rate financial liabilities gain in value as interest rates rise and lose value as interest rates decline. The longer the duration of the financial instrument, the greater the impact a rate change will have on its value. In our economic value simulations, estimated prepayments are factored in for financial instruments with stated maturity dates, and decay rates for non-maturity deposits are projected based on historical data (back-testing).

 

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The analysis that follows presents the estimated EVE resulting from market interest rates prevailing at a given quarter-end (“Pre-Shock Scenario”), and under other interest rate scenarios (each a “Rate Shock Scenario”) represented by immediate, permanent, parallel shifts in interest rates from those observed at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The analysis additionally presents a measurement of the interest rate sensitivity at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. EVE amounts are computed under each respective Pre- Shock Scenario and Rate Shock Scenario. An increase in the EVE amount is considered favorable, while a decline is considered unfavorable.

 

		September 30, 2015												December 31, 2014
		EVE				Change				Percentage Change				EVE				Change				Percentage Change
Rate Shock Scenario:
Pre-Shock Scenario		$	527,261											$	476,735
- 100 Basis Points			538,164			$	10,903				2.07	%			489,184			$	12,449				2.61	%
+ 100 Basis Points			507,316				(19,945	)			(3.78	)			466,983				(9,752	)			(2.05	)
+ 200 Basis Points			486,936				(40,325	)			(7.65	)			453,868				(22,867	)			(4.80	)

The Pre-Shock Scenario EVE was $527.3 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $476.7 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in the Pre-Shock Scenario EVE at September 30, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014 resulted primarily from a more favorable valuation of non-maturity deposits that reflected alternative funding used for discounting future cash flows.

The +200 basis point Rate Shock Scenario EVE increased from $453.9 million at December 31, 2014 to $486.9 million at September 30, 2015, reflecting asset valuations that reflected investment and loan rate changes offset by a more favorable valuation of non-maturity deposits. The percentage change in the EVE amount from the Pre-Shock Scenario to the +200 basis point Rate Shock Scenario decreased from to (4.80)% at December 31, 2014 to (7.65)% at September 30, 2015. The change in sensitivity resulted from a reduced benefit in the asset valuations in the +200 basis point Rate Shock Scenario EVE as of September 30, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014.

 

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

As of September 30, 2015, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b), as adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

The Company has experienced no material developments in its legal proceedings from the disclosure included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

The Company has experienced no material changes in its risk factors from the disclosure included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

 

(a)

The following is a list of all exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Report:

 

Exhibit Number		Description		Location
31.1		Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Principal Executive Officer			Filed Herewith
31.2		Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Principal Financial Officer			Filed Herewith
32		Certification pursuant to18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002			Filed Herewith
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

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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.

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.
/s/ Martin K. Birmingham		, November 4, 2015
Martin K. Birmingham
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Kevin B. Klotzbach		, November 4, 2015
Kevin B. Klotzbach
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Michael D. Grover		, November 4, 2015
Michael D. Grover
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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