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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES INC /DE/ - Annual Report: 2015 (Form 10-K)




UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
Commission File Number: 001-16715
____________________________________________________
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________________
Delaware
 
56-1528994
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
 
 
4300 Six Forks Road
 
 
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices, ZIP code)
 
 
 
 
 
(919) 716-7000
 
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
____________________________________________________

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, Par Value $1
 
NASDAQ Global Select Market

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Class B Common Stock, Par Value $1
(Title of class)
  _________________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x    No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨    No x
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 twelve 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 ninety 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 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer ¨
 
Non-accelerated filer ¨
 
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 aggregate market value of the Registrant’s common equity held by nonaffiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $1,930,557,160.

On February 23, 2016, there were 11,005,220 outstanding shares of the Registrant's Class A Common Stock and 1,005,185 outstanding shares of the Registrant's Class B Common Stock.
Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated in Part III of this report.





 
 
 
Page
 
 
CROSS REFERENCE INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
PART I
Item 1
 
Item 1A
 
Item 1B
Unresolved Staff Comments
None
 
Item 2
 
Item 3
PART II
Item 5
 
Item 6
 
Item 7
 
Item 7A
 
Item 8
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 9
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None
 
Item 9A
 
Item 9B
Other Information
None
PART III
Item 10
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
*
 
Item 11
Executive Compensation
*
 
Item 12
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
*
 
Item 13
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
*
 
Item 14
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
*
PART IV
Item 15
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
 
 
(1)
Financial Statements (see Item 8 for reference)
 
 
(2)
All Financial Statement Schedules normally required for Form 10-K are omitted since they are not applicable, except as referred to in Item 8.
 
 
(3)

* Information required by Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the information that appears under the headings or captions ‘Proposal 1: Election of Directors,’ ‘Code of Ethics,’ ‘Committees of our Board—General’ and ‘—Audit Committee’, ‘Executive Officers’ and ‘Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance’ from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (2016 Proxy Statement).
Information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference to the information that appears under the headings or captions ‘Compensation, Nominations and Governance Committee Report,’ ‘Compensation Discussion and Analysis,’ ‘Executive Compensation,’ and ‘Director Compensation,’ of the 2016 Proxy Statement.
Information required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference to the information that appears under the captions ‘Beneficial Ownership of Our Common Stock—Directors and Executive Officers’ and '—Principal Shareholders' of the 2016 Proxy Statement.
Information required by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the information that appears under the headings or captions ‘Corporate Governance—Director Independence’ and ‘Transactions with Related Persons’ of the 2016 Proxy Statement.
Information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference to the information that appears under the caption ‘Services and Fees During 2015 and 2014' of the 2016 Proxy Statement.



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Part I
Business
 
General
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (BancShares) was incorporated under the laws of Delaware on August 7, 1986, to become the holding company of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB), its banking subsidiary. FCB opened in 1898 as the Bank of Smithfield, Smithfield, North Carolina, and later became First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company. BancShares has expanded through de novo branching and acquisitions and now operates in 18 states and the District of Columbia providing a broad range of financial services to individuals, businesses and professionals. As of December 31, 2015, BancShares had total assets of $31.48 billion.

Throughout its history, the operations of BancShares have been significantly influenced by descendants of Robert P. Holding, who came to control FCB during the 1920s. Robert P. Holding’s children and grandchildren have served as members of the Board of Directors, as chief executive officers and in other executive management positions and, since our formation in 1986, have remained shareholders controlling a large percentage of our common stock.

Our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Frank B. Holding, Jr., is the grandson of Robert P. Holding. Hope Holding Bryant, Vice Chairman of BancShares, is Robert P. Holding’s granddaughter. Frank B. Holding, son of Robert P. Holding and father of Frank B. Holding, Jr. and Hope Holding Bryant, was Executive Vice Chairman until his retirement in 2014. Peter M. Bristow, President and Corporate Sales Executive of BancShares, is Frank B. Holding's son-in-law. On February 14, 2014, Frank Holding announced that he would retire from his position as a director effective April 29, 2014, and retired from his positions as an officer of BancShares and FCB effective September 2, 2014.

FCB seeks to meet the financial needs of both individuals and commercial entities in its market areas. Services offered at most offices include taking of deposits, cashing of checks and providing for individual and commercial cash needs; numerous checking and savings plans; commercial, business and consumer lending; a full-service trust department; wealth management services; and other activities incidental to commercial banking. FCB’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. (FCIS), First Citizens Securities Corporation Inc. (FCSC) and First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. (FCAM), provide various investment products including annuities, discount brokerage services and third-party mutual funds to customers primarily through the bank's branch network, as well as investment advisory services. FCSC merged into FCIS effective January 1, 2016.

A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from our operations throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia and in certain urban areas of Georgia, Florida, California and Texas. We deliver products and services to our customers through our extensive branch network as well as online banking, telephone banking, mobile banking and various ATM networks. Business customers may conduct banking transactions through the use of remote image technology.

FCB’s primary deposit markets are North Carolina and South Carolina. FCB’s deposit market share in North Carolina was 4.0 percent as of June 30, 2015, based on the FDIC Deposit Market Share Report, which makes FCB the fourth largest bank in North Carolina. The three banks larger than FCB based on deposits in North Carolina as of June 30, 2015, controlled 78.3 percent of North Carolina deposits. In South Carolina, FCB was the 4th largest bank in terms of deposit market share with 9.0 percent at June 30, 2015. The three larger banks represent 45.5 percent of total deposits in South Carolina as of June 30, 2015.
FCB's market areas enjoy a diverse employment base, including, in various locations, manufacturing, service industries, healthcare, agricultural, wholesale and retail trade, technology and financial services. We believe the current market areas will support future growth in loans, deposits and our other banking services. We maintain a community bank approach to providing customer service, a competitive advantage that strengthens our ability to effectively provide financial products and services to individuals and businesses in our markets. However, like larger banks, we have the capacity to offer most financial products and services that our customers require.

Statistical information regarding our business activities is found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Geographic Locations and Employees
As of December 31, 2015, FCB operated 559 branches in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia and the District of Columbia. BancShares and its subsidiaries employ approximately 5,734 full-time staff and approximately 498 part-time staff for a total of 6,232 employees.


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Business Combinations
On February 13, 2015, FCB entered into an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), as Receiver, to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Capitol City Bank & Trust (CCBT). The acquisition expanded FCB's presence in Georgia as CCBT operated eight branch locations in Atlanta, Stone Mountain, Albany, Augusta and Savannah, Georgia. In June of 2015, FCB closed one of the branches in Atlanta.

On October 1, 2014, BancShares completed the merger of First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. (Bancorporation) with and into BancShares pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 10, 2014, as amended on July 29, 2014. For the period October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, Bancshares maintained two banking subsidiaries. On January 1, 2015, First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. (FCB-SC) merged with and into FCB. FCB remains the single banking subsidiary of BancShares. Other non-bank subsidiary operations do not have a significant effect on BancShares consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2014, FCB completed its merger with 1st Financial Services Corporation (1st Financial) of Hendersonville, NC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mountain 1st Bank & Trust Company (Mountain 1st).

Regulatory Considerations
The business and operations of BancShares and FCB are subject to significant federal and state regulation and supervision. BancShares is a financial holding company registered with the Federal Reserve Board (Federal Reserve) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. It is subject to supervision and examination by, and the regulations and reporting requirements of, the Federal Reserve.

FCB is a state-chartered bank, subject to supervision and examination by, and the regulations and reporting requirements of, the FDIC and the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks. Deposit obligations are insured by the FDIC to the maximum legal limits.

Various regulatory authorities supervise all areas of BancShares' and FCB's business including loans, allowances for loan and lease losses, mergers and acquisitions, the payment of dividends, various compliance matters and other aspects of its operations. The regulators conduct regular examinations, and BancShares and FCB must furnish periodic reports to its regulators containing detailed financial and other information.

Numerous statutes and regulations apply to and restrict the activities of FCB, including limitations on the ability to pay dividends, capital requirements, reserve requirements, deposit insurance requirements and restrictions on transactions with related persons and entities controlled by related persons. The impact of these statutes and regulations is discussed below and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in 2010, significantly restructured the financial regulatory regime in the United States and has a broad impact on the financial services industry. Although a significant number of the rules and regulations mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act have been promulgated, certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act have yet to be implemented. Given these uncertainties to how the federal bank regulatory agencies will implement the Dodd-Frank Act's requirements, the full extent of the impact of the Act on the operations of BancShares and FCB is unclear. The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may affect the profitability of business activities, require changes to certain business practices, impose more stringent regulatory requirements or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial condition of BancShares and its subsidiaries. These changes may also require BancShares to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.

The Dodd-Frank Act mandated that stress tests be developed and performed to ensure that financial institutions have sufficient capital to absorb losses and support operations during multiple economic and bank scenarios. Bank holding companies with total consolidated assets between $10 billion and $50 billion, including BancShares, undergo annual company-run stress tests. As directed by the Federal Reserve, summaries of BancShares’ results in the severely adverse stress tests were available to the public effective June 2015. The results of stress testing activities will be considered by our Risk Committee in combination with other risk management and monitoring practices as part of our risk management program.

Consumer Financial Protections Bureau Regulation and Supervision. The Dodd-Frank Act established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a new agency with centralized responsibility for consumer financial protection. The CFPB has the authority to examine FCB for compliance with a broad range of federal consumer financial laws and regulations, including the laws and regulations that relate to credit card, deposit, mortgage and other consumer financial products and services we offer.

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In addition, Dodd-Frank Act gives the CFPB broad authority to take corrective action against FCB as it deems appropriate. The CFPB also has powers that it was assigned in Dodd-Frank Act to issue regulations and take enforcement actions to prevent and remedy acts and practices relating to consumer financial products and services that it deems to be unfair, deceptive or abusive. The agency also has authority to impose new disclosure requirements for any consumer financial product or service. These authorities are in addition to the authorities the CFPB assumed on July 21, 2011 under then-existing consumer financial laws governing the provision of consumer financial products and services. The CFPB has concentrated much of its initial rulemaking efforts on a variety of mortgage related topics required under Dodd-Frank Act, including ability-to-repay and qualified mortgage standards, mortgage servicing standards, loan originator compensation standards, high-cost mortgage requirements, appraisal and escrow standards and requirements for higher-priced mortgages. On October 3, 2015, the CFPB’s final rules on integrated mortgage disclosures under the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act became effective which simplified and improved disclosure forms for mortgage transactions.

BancShares
General. As a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act (BHCA), BancShares is subject to supervision, regulation, and examination by the Federal Reserve. BancShares is also registered under the bank holding company laws of North Carolina and is subject to supervision, regulation, and examination by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks (NCCB).

Permitted Activities. A bank holding company is limited to managing or controlling banks, furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiaries, and engaging in other activities that the Federal Reserve determines by regulation or order to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. In addition, bank holding companies that qualify and elect to be financial holding companies, such as BancShares, may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (i) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity (as determined by the Federal Reserve in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury) or (ii) complementary to a financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally (as solely determined by the Federal Reserve), without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting and making merchant banking investments.

Status Requirements. To maintain financial holding company status, a financial holding company and all of its depository institution subsidiaries must be “well capitalized” and “well managed.” A depository institution subsidiary is considered to be “well capitalized” if it satisfies the requirements for this status under applicable Federal Reserve capital requirements. A depository institution subsidiary is considered “well managed” if it received a composite rating and management rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination. A financial holding company’s status will also depend upon it maintaining its status as “well capitalized” and “well managed” under applicable Federal Reserve regulations. If a financial holding company ceases to meet these capital and management requirements, the Federal Reserve may impose limitations or conditions on the conduct of its activities, and the company may not commence any of the broader financial activities permissible for financial holding companies or acquire a company engaged in such financial activities without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. If the company does not return to compliance within 180 days, the Federal Reserve may require divestiture of the holding company’s depository institutions.

Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve imposes certain capital requirements on bank holding companies under the BHCA, including a minimum leverage ratio and a minimum ratio of “qualifying” capital to risk-weighted assets. These requirements are described below under “The Subsidiary Bank - FCB - Current Capital Requirements (Basel III)”. As of December 31, 2015, the risk-based Tier 1, common equity Tier 1, total capital, and leverage capital ratios of BancShares were 12.65 percent, 12.51 percent, 14.03 percent and 8.96 percent, respectively, and each capital ratio listed above exceeded the applicable minimum requirements as well as the well-capitalized standards. Subject to its capital requirements and certain other restrictions, BancShares is able to borrow money to make capital contributions to FCB and such loans may be repaid from dividends paid by FCB to BancShares.

Source of Strength. Federal Reserve policy has historically required bank holding companies to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks. The Dodd-Frank Act codified this policy as a statutory requirement. Under this requirement, BancShares is expected to commit resources to support FCB, including times when BancShares may not be in a financial position to provide such resources. Any capital loans made by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to depositors and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment.


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Safety and Soundness. The federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards. These guidelines establish general standards relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth and compensation, fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risk and exposures specified in the guidelines. There are a number of obligations and restrictions imposed on bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks by law and regulatory policy that are designed to minimize potential loss to the depositors of such depository institutions and the FDIC insurance fund in the event of a depository institution default.

Limits on Dividends and Other Payments. BancShares is a legal entity, separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. Revenues of BancShares primarily result from dividends paid to it by FCB. There are various legal limitations applicable to the payment of dividends by FCB to BancShares and to the payment of dividends by BancShares to its shareholders. The payment of dividends by FCB or BancShares may be limited by certain factors, such as requirements to maintain capital above regulatory guidelines. Bank regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit FCB or BancShares from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting their business. The payment of dividends, depending on the financial condition of FCB or BancShares, could be deemed to constitute such an unsafe or unsound practice.

Under the FDIA, insured depository institutions such as FCB are prohibited from making capital distributions, including the payment of dividends, if, after making such distributions, the institution would become “undercapitalized” (as such term is used in the statute). Based on the FCB’s current financial condition, BancShares does not expect this provision will have any impact on its ability to receive dividends from FCB. BancShares' non-bank subsidiaries pay dividends to BancShares periodically on a non-regulated basis.

Subsidiary Bank - FCB
General. FCB is a state-chartered bank, subject to supervision and examination by, and the regulations and reporting requirements of, the FDIC and the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.

The various laws and regulations administered by the bank regulatory agencies affect corporate practices, such as the payment of dividends, incurrence of debt, and acquisition of financial institutions and other companies; they also affect business practices, such as the payment of interest on deposits, the charging of interest on loans, types of business conducted, and location of offices.

Current Capital Requirements (Basel III). On June 7, 2012, the Federal Reserve issued a series of proposed rules that would revise and strengthen its risk-based and leverage capital requirements and its method for calculating risk-weighted assets. The rules were proposed to implement the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve approved certain revisions to the proposals and finalized new capital requirements for banking organizations.

Effective January 1, 2015, the final rules required BancShares and FCB to comply with the following new minimum capital ratios: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5 percent of risk-weighted assets; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0 percent of risk-weighted assets; (iii) a total capital ratio of 8.0 percent of risk-weighted assets; and (iv) a leverage ratio of 4.0 percent of total average assets. These are the initial capital requirements, which will be phased in over a four-year period. When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the rules will require BancShares and FCB to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5 percent, plus a 2.5 percent “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5 percent common equity Tier 1 ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0 percent upon full implementation), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0 percent, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0 percent Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5 percent upon full implementation), (iii) a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0 percent, plus the capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0 percent total capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5 percent upon full implementation), and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0 percent, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to total average assets.

The capital conservation buffer requirement is being phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625 percent of risk-weighted assets, increasing each year until fully implemented at 2.5 percent on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.


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With respect to FCB, the rules also revised the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the FDIA by (i) introducing a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio requirement at each level (other than critically undercapitalized), with the required ratio being 6.5 percent for well-capitalized status; (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category, with the minimum ratio for well-capitalized status being 8.0 percent (as compared to the previous 6.0 percent); and (iii) eliminating the current provision that provides that a bank with a composite supervisory rating of 1 may have a 3.0 percent Tier 1 leverage ratio and still be well-capitalized. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements may result in certain actions by regulators that could have a direct material effect on the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2015, FCB exceeded the applicable minimum requirements as well as the well-capitalized standards.

Prompt Corrective Action. Federal banking regulators are authorized and, under certain circumstances, required to take certain actions against banks that fail to meet their capital requirements. The federal bank regulatory agencies have additional enforcement authority with respect to undercapitalized depository institutions. “Well capitalized” institutions may generally operate without supervisory restriction. With respect to “adequately capitalized” institutions, such banks cannot normally pay dividends or make any capital contributions that would leave it undercapitalized, they cannot pay a management fee to a controlling person if, after paying the fee, it would be undercapitalized, and they cannot accept, renew or roll over any brokered deposit unless the bank has applied for and been granted a waiver by the FDIC.

Transactions with Affiliates. Pursuant to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W, the authority of FCB to engage in transactions with related parties or “affiliates” or to make loans to insiders is limited. Loan transactions with an affiliate generally must be collateralized and certain transactions between FCB and its affiliates, including the sale of assets, the payment of money or the provision of services, must be on terms and conditions that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to FCB, as those prevailing for comparable nonaffiliated transactions. In addition, FCB generally may not purchase securities issued or underwritten by affiliates.

FCB receives management fees from its subsidiaries and BancShares for expenses incurred for performing various functions on their behalf. These fees are charged to each company based upon the estimated cost for usage of services by that company. The fees are eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

Community Reinvestment Act. FCB is subject to the requirements of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (CRA). The CRA imposes on financial institutions an affirmative and ongoing obligation to meet the credit needs of the local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. If FCB receives a rating from the Federal Reserve of less than “satisfactory” under the CRA, restrictions on operating activities would be imposed. In addition, in order for a financial holding company, like BancShares, to commence any new activity permitted by the BHCA, or to acquire any company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the CRA. FCB currently has a “satisfactory” CRA rating.

Privacy Legislation. Several recent laws, including the Dodd-Frank Act, and related regulations issued by the federal bank regulatory agencies, provide new protections against the transfer and use of customer information by financial institutions. A financial institution must provide to its customers information regarding its policies and procedures with respect to the handling of customers’ personal information. Each institution must conduct an internal risk assessment of its ability to protect customer information. These privacy provisions generally prohibit a financial institution from providing a customer’s personal financial information to unaffiliated parties without prior notice and approval from the customer.

USA Patriot Act of 2001. In October 2001, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (Patriot Act) was enacted in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia. The Patriot Act is intended to strengthen U. S. law enforcement and the intelligence communities’ abilities to work cohesively to combat terrorism. The continuing impact on financial institutions of the Patriot Act and related regulations and policies is significant and wide ranging. The Patriot Act contains sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws, and imposes various regulations, including standards for verifying customer identification at account opening, and rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities to identify persons who may be involved in terrorism or money laundering.

Volcker Rule. The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits insured depository institutions and their holding companies from engaging in proprietary trading except in limited circumstances, and prohibits them from owning equity interests in excess of 3 percent of Tier 1 capital in private equity and hedge funds (Volcker Rule). On December 10, 2013, the federal bank regulatory agencies adopted final rules implementing the Volcker Rule. These final rules prohibit banking entities from (i) engaging in short-term proprietary trading for their own accounts, and (ii) having certain ownership interests in and relationships with hedge funds or private equity funds. The final rules are intended to provide greater clarity with respect to both the extent of those primary prohibitions and of the related exemptions and exclusions. The final rules also require each regulated entity to establish an

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internal compliance program that is consistent with the extent to which it engages in activities covered by the Volcker Rule, which must include (for the largest entities) making regular reports about those activities to regulators. Although the final rules provide some tiering of compliance and reporting obligations based on size, the fundamental prohibitions of the Volcker Rule apply to banking entities of any size, including BancShares and FCB. The final rules were effective April 1, 2014, but the conformance period was extended from its statutory end date of July 21, 2014 to July 21, 2015. The adoption of the Volcker Rule did not have any material effect on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.

Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage Rule. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB issued a final rule on January 10, 2013 (effective January 10, 2014), amending Regulation Z as implemented by the Truth in Lending Act, requiring creditors to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms. Creditors are required to determine consumers’ ability to repay in one of two ways. The first alternative requires the creditor to consider the following eight underwriting factors when making the credit decision: (i) current or reasonably expected income or assets; (ii) current employment status; (iii) the monthly payment on the covered transaction; (iv) the monthly payment on any simultaneous loan; (v) the monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations; (vi) current debt obligations, alimony, and child support; (vii) the monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income; and (viii) credit history. Alternatively, the creditor can originate “qualified mortgages,” which are entitled to a presumption that the creditor making the loan satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. In general, a “qualified mortgage” is a mortgage loan without negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments, or terms exceeding 30 years. In addition, to be a qualified mortgage the points and fees paid by a consumer cannot exceed 3 percent of the total loan amount. Qualified mortgages that are “higher-priced” (e.g. subprime loans) garner a rebuttable presumption of compliance with the ability-to-repay rules, while qualified mortgages that are not “higher-priced” (e.g. prime loans) are given a safe harbor of compliance. All mortgage loans originated by FCB meet Ability-to-Repay standards and a substantial majority also meet Qualified Mortgage standards.  This mix provides the ability to serve the needs of a broad customer base.

Consumer Laws and Regulations. FCB is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are designed to protect consumers in transactions with banks. These laws include the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Housing Act and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, among others. The laws and related regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions transact business with customers. FCB must comply with the applicable provisions of these consumer protection laws and regulations as part of its ongoing customer relations.
Available Information

BancShares does not have its own separate Internet website. However, FCB’s website (www.firstcitizens.com) includes a hyperlink to the SEC’s website where the public may obtain copies of BancShares’ annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Interested parties may also directly access the SEC’s website that contains reports and other information that BancShares files electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is www.sec.gov.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risks and uncertainties that management believes are material are described below. The risks listed are not the only risks that BancShares faces. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that management does not currently deem material could also have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and/or the results of our operations or our business. If such risks and uncertainties were to become reality or the likelihoods of those risks were to increase, the market price of our common stock could significantly decline.
We operate in a highly regulated industry and the laws and regulations that govern our operations, corporate governance, executive compensation and financial accounting, or reporting, including changes in them, or our failure to comply with them, may adversely affect us.
We are subject to extensive regulation and supervision that govern almost all aspects of our operations. In addition to a multitude of regulations designed to protect customers, depositors and consumers, we must comply with other regulations that protect the deposit insurance fund and the stability of the U.S. financial system, including laws and regulations which, among other matters, prescribe minimum capital requirements, impose limitations on our business activities and investments, limit the dividend or distributions that we can pay, restrict the ability of our bank subsidiaries to guarantee our debt and impose certain specific accounting requirements that may be more restrictive and may result in greater or earlier charges to earnings or

8




reductions in our capital than accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Compliance with laws and regulations can be difficult and costly, and changes in laws and regulations often impose additional compliance costs. We continue to face increased regulation and supervision of our industry as a result of the last financial crisis that impacted the banking and financial markets. Such additional regulation and supervision may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities. Further, our failure to comply with these laws and regulations, even if the failure was inadvertent or reflects a difference in interpretation, could subject us to restrictions on our business activities, mergers and acquisitions, fines and other penalties, any of which could adversely affect our results of operations, capital base and the price of our common stock. Any new laws, rules and regulations could make compliance more difficult or expensive, or otherwise adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The Dodd-Frank Act heightened the regulation of the financial services industry. One key component of the Dodd-Frank Act was the establishment of the CFPB. The CFPB, in consultation with the Federal banking agencies, has been given primary federal jurisdiction for consumer protections in the financial services markets. Within certain limitations, the CFPB is charged with creating, revising or restating the consumer protection regulations applicable to commercial banks. We are subject to examination and supervision by the CFPB with respect to compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations.
Certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act still require rulemaking and interpretation by regulatory authorities. In several cases, authorities have extended implementation periods and delayed effective dates. Accordingly, in some respects the ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act and its effects on the U.S. financial system and us will not be known for some period of time. Nevertheless, the Dodd-Frank Act, and current and future rules implementing its provisions and the interpretation of those rules, could result in a loss of revenue, require us to change certain of our business practices, limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities, increase our capital and liquidity requirements, impose additional assessments and costs on us, and otherwise adversely affect our business operations and have other negative consequences.
We are subject to capital adequacy and liquidity guidelines and, if we fail to meet these guidelines, our financial condition would be adversely affected.
Under regulatory capital adequacy guidelines and other regulatory requirements, BancShares, together with FCB, must meet certain capital and liquidity guidelines, subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
In July 2013, the Federal Reserve issued final capital rules that replaced existing capital adequacy rules and implemented Basel III and certain requirements imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. When fully phased-in, these rules will result in higher and more stringent capital requirements for us and FCB. Basel III increased our capital requirements and changed the risk-weighting of many of our assets.
Under Basel III, Tier 1 capital consists of Common Equity Tier (CET) 1 Capital and additional Tier 1 capital, with Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital constituting total risk-based capital. Basel III set minimum capital requirements of a CET 1 ratio of 4.5 percent; a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0 percent, and a total capital ratio of 8.0 percent. In addition, a Tier 1 leverage ratio to average consolidated assets of 4.0 percent applies. Further, we are required to maintain a capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent of additional CET 1. If we do not maintain the capital conservation buffer once it is fully phased in, then our ability to pay dividends and discretionary bonuses, and to make share repurchases, will be restricted. We implemented Basel III effective January 1, 2015, and are required to comply with the minimum regulatory capital ratios; on that same date, the transition period for other requirements of the final rules and the capital conservation buffer also began. If the risk weightings of certain assets we hold should change and we are required to hold increased amounts of capital, the profitability of those assets and underlying businesses may change, which could result in changes in our business mix over the long-term.
Basel III will also gradually eliminate the contribution of certain trust preferred and other hybrid debt securities to Tier 1 capital. Under the phased-in approach, the affected securities will lose Tier 1 capital status on January 1, 2016; the securities will, however, qualify for Tier 2 capital treatment.
We encounter significant competition which may reduce our market share and profitability
We compete with other banks and specialized financial service providers in our market areas. Our primary competitors include local, regional and national banks; credit unions; commercial finance companies; various wealth management providers; independent and captive insurance agencies; mortgage companies; and non-bank providers of financial services. Some of our larger competitors, including banks that have a significant presence in our market areas, have the capacity to offer products and services we do not offer. Some of our competitors operate in less stringent regulatory environments, and certain competitors are not subject to federal and/or state income taxes. The fierce competitive pressures that we face adversely affect pricing for many of our products and services.

9




Our financial condition could be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions
Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty and/or other relationships. We have exposure to numerous financial service providers, including banks, securities brokers and dealers, and other financial service providers. Although we monitor the financial conditions of financial institutions with which we have credit exposure, transactions with such institutions expose us to credit risk through the possibility of counterparty default.
Our ability to grow is contingent on capital adequacy
Based on existing capital levels, BancShares and FCB are well-capitalized under current leverage and risk-based capital standards. Our ability to grow is contingent on our ability to generate sufficient capital to remain well-capitalized under current and future capital adequacy guidelines.
Historically, our primary capital sources have been retained earnings and debt issued through both private and public markets, including trust preferred securities and subordinated debt. Effective January 1, 2015, provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act eliminated 75 percent of our trust preferred capital securities from tier 1 capital with the remaining 25 percent phased out on January 1, 2016.
Rating agencies regularly evaluate our creditworthiness and assign credit ratings to our debt and the debt of FCB. The ratings of the agencies are based on a number of factors, some of which are outside our control. In addition to factors specific to our financial strength and performance, the rating agencies also consider conditions generally affecting the financial services industry. There can be no assurance that we will maintain our current credit ratings. Rating reductions could adversely affect our access to funding sources and the cost of obtaining funding.
If we fail to effectively manage credit risk and interest rate risk, our business and financial condition will suffer
We must effectively manage credit risk. There are risks inherent in making any loan, including risks of repayment, risks with respect to the period of time over which the loan may be repaid, risks relating to proper loan underwriting and guidelines, risks resulting from changes in economic and industry conditions, risks inherent in dealing with individual borrowers and risks resulting from uncertainties as to the future value of collateral. There is no assurance that our credit risk monitoring and loan approval procedures are or will be adequate or will reduce the inherent risks associated with lending. Our credit administration personnel, policies and procedures may not adequately adapt to changes in economic or any other conditions affecting customers and the quality of our loan portfolio. Any failure to manage such credit risks may materially adversely affect our business and our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Our results of operations and cash flows are highly dependent upon net interest income. Interest rates are sensitive to economic and market conditions that are beyond our control, including the actions of the Federal Reserve Board’s Federal Open Market Committee. Changes in monetary policy could influence interest income and interest expense as well as the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities. If changes in interest rates on our interest-earning assets are not equal to the changes in interest rates on our interest-bearing liabilities, our net interest income and, therefore, our net income could be adversely impacted.
Although we maintain an interest rate risk monitoring system, the forecasts of future net interest income are estimates and may be inaccurate. Actual interest rate movements may differ from our forecasts, and unexpected actions by the Federal Open Market Committee may have a direct impact on market interest rates.
If our current level of balance sheet liquidity were to experience pressure, that could affect our ability to pay deposits and fund our operations
Our deposit base represents our primary source of core funding and balance sheet liquidity. We normally have the ability to stimulate core deposit growth through reasonable and effective pricing strategies. However, in circumstances where our ability to generate needed liquidity is impaired, we need access to noncore funding such as borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve, Federal Funds purchased lines and brokered deposits. While we maintain access to these noncore funding sources, for some of them we are dependent on the availability of collateral and the counterparty’s willingness and ability to lend.
The Dodd-Frank Act rescinded the long-standing prohibition on the payment of interest on commercial demand deposit accounts. Recent historically low interest rates, as well as relatively low levels of competition among banks for demand deposit accounts, have made it difficult to determine the impact on our deposit base, if any, of this repeal. As interest rates begin to rise, our interest expense will increase and our net interest margins may decrease, negatively impacting our performance and, potentially, our financial condition. To the extent banks and other financial service providers were to compete for commercial demand deposit accounts through higher interest rates, our deposit base could be reduced if we are unwilling to

10




pay those higher rates; if we should determine to compete with those higher interest rates, our cost of funds could increase and our net interest margins could be reduced.
Accounting for acquired assets may result in earnings volatility
Fair value discounts that are recorded at the time an asset is acquired are accreted into interest income based on United States GAAP. The rate at which those discounts are accreted is unpredictable, the result of various factors including prepayments and credit quality improvements. Post-acquisition deterioration results in the recognition of provision expense and allowance for loan and lease losses. Additionally, the income statement impact of adjustments to the indemnification asset recorded in certain FDIC-assisted transactions may occur over a shorter period of time than the adjustments to the covered assets.
Fair value discount accretion, post-acquisition impairment and adjustments to the indemnification asset may result in significant volatility in our earnings. Volatility in earnings could unfavorably influence investor interest in our common stock thereby depressing the market value of our stock and the market capitalization of our company.
Reimbursements under loss share agreements are subject to FDIC oversight and interpretation and contractual term limitations
Some of our FDIC-assisted transactions include loss share agreements that provide significant protection to FCB from the exposures to prospective losses on certain assets. Generally, losses on single family residential loans are covered for ten years. All other loans are generally covered for five years. During 2016, loss share protection will expire for non-single family residential loans acquired from United Western Bank, Colorado Capital Bank, and Atlantic Bank and Trust. In 2014 and 2015, loss share protection expired for all other non-single family residential loans. Protection for all covered single family residential loans extends beyond December 31, 2017.
The loss share agreements impose certain obligations on us, including obligations to manage covered assets in a manner consistent with prudent business practices and in accordance with the procedures and practices that we customarily use for assets that are not covered by loss share agreements. We are required to report detailed loan level information and file requests for reimbursement of covered losses and expenses on a quarterly basis. In the event of noncompliance, delay or disallowance of some or all of our rights under those agreements could occur, including the denial of reimbursement for losses and related collection costs. Certain loss share agreements contain contingencies that require that we pay the FDIC in the event aggregate losses are less than a pre-determined amount.
Loans and leases covered under loss share agreements represent 1.3 percent of total loans and leases as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, we expect to receive cash payments from the FDIC totaling $4.1 million over the remaining lives of the respective loss share agreements, exclusive of $126.5 million we will owe the FDIC for settlement of the contingent payments.
The loss share agreements are subject to differing interpretations by the FDIC and FCB; therefore, disagreements may arise regarding coverage of losses, expenses and contingencies. Additionally, losses that are currently projected to occur during the loss share term may not occur until after the expiration of the applicable agreement and those losses could have a material impact on the results of operations in future periods. The carrying value of the FDIC receivable includes only those losses that we project to occur during the loss share period and for which we believe we will receive reimbursement from the FDIC at the applicable reimbursement rate.
The value of our goodwill may decline in the future
As of December 31, 2015, we had $139.8 million of goodwill recorded as an asset on our balance sheet. We test goodwill for impairment at least annually, comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its net book value. We also test goodwill for impairment when certain events occur, such as a significant decline in our expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the business climate, or a sustained decline in the price of our common stock. These tests may result in a write-off of goodwill deemed to be impaired, which could have a significant impact on our financial results; any such write-off would not impact our regulatory capital ratios, however, given that regulatory capital ratios are calculated using tangible capital amounts.
Our allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb losses in our loan portfolio
We maintain an allowance for loan losses that is designed to cover losses on loans that borrowers may not repay in their entirety. We believe that we maintain an allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the corresponding balance sheet date, and in compliance with applicable accounting and regulatory guidance. However, the allowance may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses, and future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect our operating results. Accounting measurements related to impairment and the allowance

11




require significant estimates that are subject to uncertainty and changes relating to new information and changing circumstances. The significant uncertainties surrounding our borrowers' abilities to conduct their businesses successfully through changing economic environments, competitive challenges, and other factors complicate our estimates of the risk and/or amount of loss on any loan. Due to the degree of uncertainty and the susceptibility to change, the actual losses may vary from current estimates. We expect fluctuations in the allowance due to the uncertain economic conditions.
As an integral part of their examination process, our banking regulators periodically review the allowance and may require us to increase it for loan losses by recognizing additional provisions for loan losses charged to expense or to decrease the allowance by recognizing loan charge-offs, net of recoveries. Any such required additional loan loss provisions or charge-offs could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
BancShares has been monitoring the impact of the October 2015 flooding in South Carolina. We have assessed how this situation may impact our customers and the areas in which they operate. However, we have not identified any significant impact to the credit quality of the loans in these areas that would cause us to adjust the allowance for loan losses.
Economic conditions in real estate markets and our reliance on junior liens may adversely impact our business and our results of operations 
Real property collateral values may be impacted by economic conditions in the real estate market and may result in losses on loans that, while adequately collateralized at the time of origination, become inadequate. Our reliance on junior liens is concentrated in our non-commercial revolving mortgage loan portfolio. Approximately two-thirds of the revolving mortgage portfolio is secured by junior lien positions and lower real estate values for collateral underlying these loans may cause the outstanding balance of the senior lien to exceed the value of the collateral, resulting in a junior lien loan that is in effect unsecured. Inadequate collateral values, rising interest rates and unfavorable economic conditions could result in greater delinquency, write-downs or charge-offs in future periods, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and capital adequacy.
Our concentration of loans to borrowers within the medical industry could impair our revenue if that industry experiences economic difficulties
If regulatory changes (e.g., Affordable Care Act) in the market negatively impact the borrowers' businesses and their ability to repay their loans with us, this could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We could be required to increase our allowance for loan losses through provisions for loan loss on our income statement that would reduce reported net income.
Our concentration of credit exposure in loans to dental practices could increase credit risk
Dentists and dental practices generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities, and generally have a heightened vulnerability to negative economic conditions. If economic conditions in the market negatively impact the borrowers’ businesses and their ability to repay their loans with us, this could have a material adverse effect on BancShares’ financial condition and results of operations.
Our financial performance depends upon our ability to attract and retain clients for our products and services, which ability may be adversely impacted by weakened consumer and/or business confidence, and by any inability on our part to predict and satisfy customers’ needs and demands
Our financial performance is subject to risks associated with the loss of client confidence and demand. A fragile or weakening economy, or ambiguity surrounding the economic future, may lessen the demand for our products and services. Our performance may also be negatively impacted if we should fail to attract and retain customers because we are not able to successfully anticipate, develop and market products and services that satisfy market demands. Such events could impact our performance through fewer loans, reduced fee income, and fewer deposits, each of which could result in reduced net income.
Our business is highly quantitative and requires widespread use of financial models for day-to-day operations; these models may produce inaccurate predictions that significantly vary from actual results
We rely on quantitative models to measure risks and to estimate certain financial values. Such models may be used in many processes including, but not limited to, the pricing of various products and services, classifications of loans, setting interest rates on loans and deposits, quantifying interest rate and other market risks, forecasting losses, measuring capital adequacy, and calculating economic and regulatory capital levels. Models may also be used to estimate the value of financial instruments and balance sheet items. Inaccurate or erroneous models present the risk that business decisions relying on the models will prove inefficient or ineffective. Additionally, information we provide to our investors and regulators may be negatively impacted by

12




inaccurately designed or implemented models. For further information on models, see the Risk Management section included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
We face significant operational risks in our businesses
Safely conducting and growing our business requires that we create and maintain an appropriate operational and organizational control infrastructure. Operational risk can arise in numerous ways, including employee fraud, customer fraud, and control lapses in bank operations and information technology. Our dependence on our employees, and internal and third party automated systems, to record and process transactions may further increase the risk that technical failures or system-tampering will result in losses that are difficult to detect. We may be subject to disruptions of our operating systems arising from events that are wholly or partially beyond our control. Failure to maintain appropriate operational infrastructure and oversight can lead to loss of service to customers, legal actions and noncompliance with various laws and regulations. We have implemented internal controls to safeguard and maintain our operational and organizational infrastructure and information.
Failure to maintain effective systems of internal controls over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition and disclosures
We must have effective internal controls over financial reporting in order to provide reliable financial reports, to effectively prevent fraud, and to operate successfully as a public company. If we were unable to provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. As part of our ongoing monitoring of our internal controls over financial reporting, we may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies requiring remediation. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal controls over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
We continually work to improve our internal controls; however, we cannot be certain that these measures will ensure appropriate and adequate controls over our future financial processes and reporting. Any failure to maintain effective controls or to timely implement any necessary improvement of our internal controls could, among other things, result in losses from fraud or error, harm our reputation, or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, each of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and the market value of our common stock.
Breaches of our and our vendor's information security systems could expose us to hacking and the loss of customer information, which could damage our business reputation and expose us to significant liability
We maintain and transmit large amounts of sensitive information electronically, including personal and financial information of our customers. In addition to our own systems, we also rely on external vendors to provide certain services and are, therefore, exposed to their information security risks. While we seek to mitigate internal and external information security risks, the volume of business conducted through electronic devices continues to grow, and our computer systems and network infrastructure, as well as the systems of external vendors and customers, present security risks including susceptibility to hacking and/or identity theft.
We are also subject to risks arising from a broad range of attacks by doing business on the internet, which arise from both domestic and international sources and seek to obtain customer information for fraudulent purposes or, in some cases, to disrupt business activities. Information security risks could result in reputational damage and lead to a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and financial results of operations.
We may not be able to utilize technology to efficiently and effectively develop, market, and deliver new products and services to our customers
The continuous, widespread adoption of new technologies, including internet services, smart phones and other mobile devices, requires us to evaluate our product and service offerings to ensure they remain competitive. Our success depends in part on our ability to adapt our products and services, as well as our distribution of them, to evolving industry standards and consumer preferences. The increasing pressure from our competitors, both bank and non-bank, to keep pace and adopt new technologies and products and services may require us to further incur substantial expense. We may be unsuccessful at developing or introducing new products or services, modifying our existing products and services, adapting to changing customer preferences, achieving market acceptance or regulatory approval, sufficiently developing or maintaining a loyal customer base or offering products and services at prices and service levels competitive with those offered by our non-bank and bank competitors. These risks may affect our ability to grow and could reduce both our revenue streams from certain products and services and our revenues generated by our net interest margins. Our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

13




Unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business
Our business is subject to periodic fluctuations based on national, regional and local economic conditions. These fluctuations are not predictable, cannot be controlled, and may have a material adverse impact on our operations and financial condition. Our banking operations are locally oriented and community-based. Our retail and commercial banking activities are primarily concentrated within the same geographic footprint. Our markets include the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Western United States, with our deepest presence in North Carolina and South Carolina. Worsening economic conditions within our markets, particularly within North Carolina and South Carolina, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Accordingly, we expect to continue to be dependent upon local business conditions as well as conditions in the local residential and commercial real estate markets we serve. Unfavorable changes in unemployment, real estate values, interest rates and other factors could weaken the economies of the communities we serve. In recent years, economic growth and business activity across a wide range of industries has been slow and uneven and there can be no assurance that economic conditions will continue to improve, and these conditions could worsen. In addition, oil price volatility, the level of U.S. debt and global economic conditions have had a destabilizing effect on financial markets. Weakness in any of our market areas could have an adverse impact on our earnings, and consequently our financial condition and capital adequacy.
Our business and financial performance could be impacted by natural disasters, acts of war or terrorist activities
Natural disasters (including but not limited to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, explosions), acts of war and terrorist activities could hurt our performance (i) directly through damage to our facilities or other impact to our ability to conduct business in the ordinary course, and (ii) indirectly through such damage or impacts to our customers, suppliers or other counterparties. In particular, a significant amount of our business is concentrated in North Carolina and South Carolina, including in coastal areas where our retail and commercial customers could be impacted by hurricanes. We could also suffer adverse results to the extent that disasters, wars or terrorist activities affect the broader markets or economy. Our ability to minimize the consequences of such events is in significant measure reliant on the quality of our disaster recovery planning and our ability, if any, to forecast the events.
Our business could suffer if we fail to attract and retain skilled employees
Our success depends to a great extent on our ability to attract and retain key employees. Competition is intense for employees whom we believe will be successful in developing and attracting new business and/or managing critical support functions. We may not be able to hire the best employees or, if successful, retain them after their employment.
We rely on external vendors
Third party vendors provide key components of our business infrastructure, including certain data processing and information services. A number of our vendors are large national entities with dominant market presence in their respective fields, and their services could be difficult to quickly replace in the event of failure or other interruption in service. Failures of certain vendors to provide services could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers. External vendors also present information security risks. We monitor vendor risks, including the financial stability of critical vendors. The failure of a critical external vendor could disrupt our business and cause us to incur significant expense.
Accounting standards may change and increase our operating costs and/or otherwise adversely affect our results
The Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission periodically modify the standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. The nature of these changes is not predictable and could impact how we record transactions in our financial statements, which could lead to material changes in assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity, revenues, expenses and net income. In some cases, we could be required to apply new or revised standards retroactively, resulting in changes to previously-reported financial results or a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. Application of new accounting rules or standards could require us to implement costly technology changes.
Certain provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may prevent a change in management or a takeover attempt that you might consider to be in your best interests
Certain provisions contained in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws could delay or prevent the removal of directors and other management. The provisions could also delay or make more difficult a tender offer, merger, or proxy contest that you might consider to be in your best interests. For example, the Certificate of Incorporation and/or Bylaws:
allow our Board of Directors to issue and set the terms of preferred shares without further shareholder approval;
limit who can call a special meeting of shareholders; and

14




establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the Board of Directors and proposals of other business to be considered at annual meetings of shareholders.
These provisions, as well as provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act and other relevant statutes and regulations which require advance notice and/or applications for regulatory approval of changes in control of banks and bank holding companies, and additionally the fact that the Holding family holds or controls shares representing a majority of the voting power of our common stock, may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over market price, and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
The market price of our stock may be volatile
Although publicly traded, our common stock has less liquidity and public float than other large publicly traded financial services companies. Low liquidity increases the price volatility of our stock and could make it difficult for our shareholders to sell or buy our common stock at specific prices.
Excluding the impact of liquidity, the market price of our common stock can fluctuate widely in response to other factors including expectations of financial and operating results, actual operating results, actions of institutional shareholders, speculation in the press or the investment community, market perception of acquisitions, rating agency upgrades or downgrades, stock prices of other companies that are similar to us, general market expectations related to the financial services industry, and the potential impact of government actions affecting the financial services industry.
We rely on dividends from FCB
As a financial holding company, we are a separate legal entity from FCB. We derive most of our revenue and cash flow from dividends paid by FCB. These dividends are the primary source on which we pay dividends on our common stock and interest and principal on our debt obligations. State and federal laws impose restrictions on the dividends that FCB may pay to us. In the event FCB is unable to pay dividends to us for an extended period of time, we may not be able to service our debt obligations or pay dividends on our common stock.
We are subject to litigation risks, and our expenses related to litigation may adversely affect our results
We are subject to litigation risks in the ordinary course of our business. Claims and legal actions, including supervisory actions by our regulators, that may be initiated against us from time to time could involve large monetary sums and significant defense costs. During the last credit crisis, we saw both the number of cases and our expenses related to those cases increase. The outcomes of such cases are always uncertain until finally adjudicated or resolved.
We establish reserves for legal claims when payments associated with the claims become probable and our liability can be reasonably estimated. We may still incur legal costs for a matter even if we have not established a reserve. In addition, the actual amount paid in resolution of a legal claim may be substantially higher than any amounts reserved for the matter. The ultimate resolution of a legal proceeding, depending on the remedy sought and any relief granted, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Substantial legal claims or significant regulatory action against us could have material adverse financial effects or cause significant reputational harm to us, which in turn could seriously harm our business prospects. We may be exposed to substantial uninsured legal liabilities and/or regulatory actions, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. For additional information, see Note U, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Item 2. Properties
As of December 31, 2015, BancShares operated branch offices at 559 locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia and the District of Columbia. FCB owns many of the buildings and leases other facilities from third parties.
BancShares' headquarters facility, a nine-story building with approximately 163,000 square feet, is located in suburban Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition, we occupy separate facilities in Raleigh and Columbia, South Carolina that serve as our data and operations centers.
Additional information relating to premises, equipment and lease commitments is set forth in Note F of BancShares’ Notes to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
BancShares and various subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various legal actions arising from our normal business activities in which damages in various amounts are claimed. Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to those other matters cannot be determined, in the opinion of management, no legal action currently exists that is expected to have a material effect on BancShares’ consolidated financial statements. Additional information related to legal proceedings is set forth in Note U "Commitments and Contingencies" of BancShares’ Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
BancShares has two classes of common stock—Class A common and Class B common. Shares of Class A common have one vote per share, while shares of Class B common have 16 votes per share. BancShares’ Class A common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FCNCA. The Class B common stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol FCNCB. As of December 31, 2015, there were 1,508 holders of record of the Class A common stock and 238 holders of record of the Class B common stock. The market volume for Class B common stock is extremely limited. On many days, there is no trading and, to the extent there is trading, it is generally low.
 
The average monthly trading volume for the Class A common stock was 489,200 shares for the fourth quarter of 2015 and 510,075 shares for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Class B common stock monthly trading volume averaged 1,267 shares in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 1,875 shares for the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
The per share cash dividends declared by BancShares on both the Class A and Class B common stock, the high and low sales prices per share of BancShares Class A common stock, as reported on NASDAQ, and the high and low bid prices for BancShares Class B common stock, as reported in the OTC Bulletin Board, for each quarterly period during 2015 and 2014, are set forth in the following table. Over-the-counter bid prices for BancShares Class B common stock represent inter-dealer prices without retail markup, markdown or commissions, and may not represent actual transactions.
 
2015
 
2014
 
Fourth
quarter
 
Third
quarter
 
Second
quarter
 
First
quarter
 
Fourth
quarter
 
Third
quarter
 
Second
quarter
 
First
quarter
Cash dividends (Class A and Class B)
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

Class A sales price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
263.62

 
266.01

 
261.27

 
264.95

 
271.97

 
247.45

 
260.10

 
240.46

Low
215.98

 
213.74

 
226.09

 
221.61

 
206.14

 
214.53

 
214.93

 
215.22

Class B bid price
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High
245.00

 
246.01

 
244.66

 
246.74

 
247.40

 
230.50

 
244.50

 
219.01

Low
202.05

 
197.05

 
228.01

 
212.00

 
208.00

 
206.00

 
199.93

 
198.01

 
A cash dividend of 30 cents per share was declared by the Board of Directors on January 26, 2016, payable on April 4, 2016, to holders of record as of March 21, 2016. Payment of dividends is made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and is contingent upon satisfactory earnings as well as projected future capital needs. BancShares’ principal source of liquidity for payment of shareholder dividends is the dividend it receives from FCB. FCB is subject to various requirements under federal and state banking laws that restrict the payment of dividends and its ability to lend to BancShares. Subject to the foregoing, it is currently management’s expectation that comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid in the future.

During the third quarter of 2014, our board approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock from 11,000,000 to 16,000,000. In connection with the Bancorporation merger, BancShares repurchased and retired 167,600 and 45,900 shares of Class A and Class B common stock on October 1, 2014, respectively, that were previously held by Bancorporation.

On October 27, 2015, our board approved a stock repurchase plan that provides for the purchase of up to 100,000 shares of Class A common stock. The shares may be purchased from time to time from November 1, 2015 through October 31, 2016. The board's action approving share purchases does not obligate BancShares to acquire any particular amount of shares and purchases may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Any shares of stock that are purchased will be canceled. As of December 31, 2015, no purchases had occurred pursuant to that authorization.

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There were no shares of Class A or Class B common stock purchased by BancShares during the three months ended December 31, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return (CTSR) of our Class A common stock during the previous five years with the CTSR over the same measurement period of the NASDAQ – Banks Index and the NASDAQ – U.S. Index. Each trend line assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2010, and that dividends were reinvested for additional shares.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Table 1
FINANCIAL SUMMARY AND SELECTED AVERAGE BALANCES AND RATIOS
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
969,209

 
$
760,448

 
$
796,804

 
$
1,004,836

 
$
1,015,159

Interest expense
44,304

 
50,351

 
56,618

 
90,148

 
144,192

Net interest income
924,905

 
710,097

 
740,186

 
914,688

 
870,967

Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
20,664

 
640

 
(32,255
)
 
142,885

 
232,277

Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
904,241

 
709,457

 
772,441

 
771,803

 
638,690

Gain on acquisition
42,930

 

 

 

 
150,417

Noninterest income
424,158

 
343,213

 
267,382

 
192,254

 
316,472

Noninterest expense
1,038,915

 
849,076

 
771,380

 
766,933

 
792,925

Income before income taxes
332,414

 
203,594

 
268,443

 
197,124

 
312,654

Income taxes
122,028

 
65,032

 
101,574

 
64,729

 
118,361

Net income
$
210,386

 
$
138,562

 
$
166,869

 
$
132,395

 
$
194,293

Net interest income, taxable equivalent
$
931,231

 
$
714,085

 
$
742,846

 
$
917,664

 
$
874,727

PER SHARE DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
17.52

 
$
13.56

 
$
17.35

 
$
12.92

 
$
18.72

Cash dividends
1.20

 
1.20

 
1.20

 
1.20

 
1.20

Market price at period end (Class A)
258.17

 
252.79

 
222.63

 
163.50

 
174.99

Book value at period end
239.14

 
223.77

 
215.35

 
193.29

 
180.73

SELECTED PERIOD AVERAGE BALANCES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
31,072,235

 
$
24,104,404

 
$
21,295,587

 
$
21,073,061

 
$
21,133,142

Investment securities
7,011,767

 
5,994,080

 
5,206,000

 
4,698,559

 
4,215,761

Loans and leases (PCI and non-PCI) (1)
19,528,153

 
14,820,126

 
13,163,743

 
13,560,773

 
14,050,453

Interest-earning assets
28,893,157

 
22,232,051

 
19,433,947

 
18,974,915

 
18,824,668

Deposits
26,485,245

 
20,368,275

 
17,947,996

 
17,727,117

 
17,776,419

Interest-bearing liabilities
18,986,755

 
15,273,619

 
13,910,299

 
14,298,026

 
15,044,889

Long-term obligations
547,378

 
403,925

 
462,203

 
574,721

 
766,509

Shareholders' equity
$
2,797,300

 
$
2,256,292

 
$
1,936,895

 
$
1,910,886

 
$
1,809,090

Shares outstanding
12,010,405

 
10,221,721

 
9,618,952

 
10,244,472

 
10,376,445

SELECTED PERIOD-END BALANCES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
31,475,934

 
$
30,075,113

 
$
21,193,878

 
$
21,279,269

 
$
20,994,868

Investment securities
6,861,548

 
7,172,435

 
5,388,610

 
5,227,570

 
4,058,245

Loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
950,516

 
1,186,498

 
1,029,426

 
1,809,235

 
2,362,152

Non-PCI
19,289,474

 
17,582,967

 
12,104,298

 
11,576,115

 
11,581,637

Interest-earning assets
29,224,436

 
27,730,515

 
19,428,929

 
19,142,433

 
18,529,548

Deposits
26,930,755

 
25,678,577

 
17,874,066

 
18,086,025

 
17,577,274

Interest-bearing liabilities
18,955,173

 
18,930,297

 
13,654,436

 
14,213,751

 
14,548,389

Long-term obligations
704,155

 
351,320

 
510,769

 
444,921

 
687,599

Shareholders' equity
$
2,872,109

 
$
2,687,594

 
$
2,071,462

 
$
1,859,624

 
$
1,858,698

Shares outstanding
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
9,618,941

 
9,620.914

 
10,284.119

SELECTED RATIOS AND OTHER DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rate of return on average assets
0.68
%
 
0.57
%
 
0.78
%
 
0.63
%
 
0.92
%
Rate of return on average shareholders' equity
7.52

 
6.14

 
8.62

 
6.93

 
10.74

Average equity to average assets ratio
9.00

 
9.36

 
9.10

 
9.07

 
8.56

Net yield on interest-earning assets (taxable equivalent)
3.22

 
3.21

 
3.82

 
4.84

 
4.65

Allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
1.72

 
1.82

 
5.20

 
7.74

 
3.78

Non-PCI
0.98

 
1.04

 
1.49

 
1.55

 
1.56

Nonperforming assets to total loans and leases and other real estate at period end:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Covered
3.51

 
9.84

 
7.02

 
9.26

 
17.95

Noncovered
0.79

 
0.66

 
0.74

 
1.15

 
0.89

Total
0.83

 
0.91

 
1.25

 
2.30

 
3.92

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
12.65

 
13.61

 
14.89

 
14.24

 
15.40

Common equity Tier 1 ratio
12.51

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total risk-based capital ratio
14.03

 
14.69

 
16.39

 
15.92

 
17.26

Leverage capital ratio
8.96

 
8.91

 
9.80

 
9.21

 
9.89

Dividend payout ratio
6.85

 
8.85

 
6.92

 
9.29

 
6.41

Average loans and leases to average deposits
73.73

 
72.76

 
73.34

 
76.50

 
79.04

(1) Average loan and lease balances include nonaccrual loans and leases.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s discussion and analysis of earnings and related financial data are presented to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (BancShares). This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes presented within this report. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. See Note A in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Report for more detail. Although certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform to statement presentations for 2015, the reclassifications had no material effect on shareholders’ equity or net income as previously reported. Unless otherwise noted, the terms "we", "us" and "BancShares" refer to the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations for BancShares.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this Report and exhibits relating to plans, strategies, economic performance and trends, projections of results of specific activities or investments, expectations or beliefs about future events or results and other statements that are not descriptions of historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Forward-looking information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include, but are not limited to, factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other documents filed by us from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-looking statements may be identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “potential” or “continue,” or similar terms or the negative of these terms, or other statements concerning opinions or judgments of BancShares’ management about future events.

Factors that could influence the accuracy of those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the financial success or changing strategies of our customers, customer acceptance of our services, products and fee structure, the competitive nature of the financial services industry, our ability to compete effectively against other financial institutions in our banking markets, actions of government regulators, the level of market interest rates and our ability to manage our interest rate risk, changes in general economic conditions that affect our loan and lease portfolio, the abilities of our borrowers to repay their loans and leases, the values of real estate and other collateral, the impact of the FDIC-assisted transactions and other developments or changes in our business that we do not expect.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, BancShares undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The accounting and reporting policies of BancShares are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions to arrive at the carrying value of assets and liabilities and amounts reported for revenues and expenses. Our financial position and results of operations can be materially affected by these estimates and assumptions. Critical accounting policies are those policies that are most important to the determination of our financial condition and results of operations or that require management to make assumptions and estimates that are subjective or complex. The most critical accounting and reporting policies include those related to the allowance for loan and lease losses, fair value estimates, the receivable from and payable to the FDIC for loss share agreements, pension plan assumptions, and income taxes. Significant accounting policies are discussed in Note A in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following is a summary of our critical accounting policies that are material to our consolidated financial statements and are highly dependent on estimates and assumptions.

Allowance for loan and lease losses. The allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) reflects the estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required loan and lease payments. The ALLL is based on management's evaluation of the risk characteristics of the loan and lease portfolio under current economic conditions and considers such factors as the financial condition of the borrower, fair market value of collateral and other items that, in our opinion, deserve current

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recognition in estimating possible loan and lease losses. Our evaluation process is based on historical evidence and current trends among delinquencies, defaults and nonperforming assets.
BancShares' methodology for calculating the ALLL includes estimating a general allowance for pools of performing loans and specific allocations for significant individual impaired loans. It also includes establishing an ALLL for purchased credit-impaired loans (PCI) that have deteriorated since acquisition. The general allowance is based on net historical loan loss experience for homogeneous groups of loans based mostly on loan type then aggregated on the basis of similar risk characteristics and performance trends. This allowance estimate contains qualitative components that allow management to adjust reserves based on historical loan loss experience for changes in the economic environment, portfolio trends and other factors. The methodology also considers the remaining discounts recognized upon acquisition associated with purchased non-impaired loans in estimating a general allowance. The specific allowance component is determined when management believes that the collectability of an individually reviewed loan has been impaired and a loss is probable.
The ALLL for PCI loans is estimated based on the expected cash flows approach. Over the life of PCI loans, BancShares continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected on individual loans and leases or on pools of loans sharing common risk characteristics. BancShares evaluates at each balance sheet date whether the estimated cash flows and corresponding present value of its loans and leases determined using the effective interest rates has decreased and if so, recognizes provision for loan and lease losses. For any increases in cash flows expected to be collected, BancShares adjusts any prior recorded allowance for loan and lease losses first and then the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the loan's or pool's remaining life.

Management continuously monitors and actively manages the credit quality of the entire loan portfolio and recognizes provision expense to maintain the ALLL at an appropriate level. Specific allowances for impaired loans are determined by analyzing estimated cash flows discounted at a loan's original rate or collateral values in situations where we believe repayment is dependent on collateral liquidation. Substantially all impaired loans are collateralized by real property or tangible personal property.
Management considers the established ALLL adequate to absorb losses that relate to loans and leases outstanding at December 31, 2015, although future additions may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, collateral values, erosion of the borrower's access to liquidity and other factors. If the financial condition of our borrowers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, our estimates would be updated and additions to the allowance may be required. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the ALLL. These agencies may require the recognition of additions to the ALLL based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination. See Note E in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures.
Fair value estimates. Fair value is the price that could be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date under current market conditions. Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Examples of recurring uses of fair value include the interest rate swap that is accounted for as a cash flow hedge, available for sale securities, and loans held for sale. At December 31, 2015, the percentage of total assets and total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis was 22.0 percent and less than 1.0 percent, respectively. We also measure certain assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis either to evaluate assets for impairment or for disclosure purposes. Examples of non-recurring uses of fair value include impaired loans, other real estate owned (OREO), goodwill, and intangible assets, including mortgage serving rights (MSRs). Depending on the nature of the asset or liability, we use various valuation techniques and assumptions when estimating fair value. As required under GAAP, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations are recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition dates. Fair values estimated as part of a business combination are determined using valuation methods and assumptions established by management.

The objective of fair value is to use market-based inputs or assumptions, when available, to estimate the fair value. Where observable market prices from transactions for identical assets or liabilities are not available, we identify what we believe to be similar assets or liabilities. If observable market prices are unavailable or impracticable to obtain for any such similar assets or liabilities, we look to other techniques by obtaining third party quotes or using modeling techniques, such as discounted cash flows, while attempting to utilize market observable assumptions to the extent available which may require making a number of significant judgments in the estimation of fair value. Fair value estimates requiring significant judgments are determined using various inputs developed by management with the appropriate skills, understanding and knowledge of the underlying asset or liability for which the fair value is being estimated to ensure the development of fair value estimates is sound. Typical pricing sources used in estimating fair values include, but are not limited to, active markets with high trading volume, third party pricing services, external appraisals, valuation models, and commercial and residential evaluation reports. In certain cases, our assessments with respect to assumptions that market participants would make may be inherently difficult to determine, and the

20




use of different assumptions could result in material changes to these fair value measurements. See Note M in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures regarding fair value.

 Receivable from and payable to the FDIC for loss share agreements. The receivable from the FDIC for loss share agreements is measured separately from the related covered assets and is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date using projected cash flows related to the loss share agreements based on the expected reimbursements for losses and expenses at the applicable loss share coverage percentages. The receivable from the FDIC is reviewed and updated quarterly as loss estimates and timing of estimated cash flows related to covered loans and OREO change. Post-acquisition adjustments for covered loans represent the net change in loss estimates related to loans and OREO as a result of changes in expected cash flows and the ALLL related to covered loans. For loans covered by loss share agreements, subsequent decreases in the amount expected to be collected from the borrower or collateral liquidation may result in a provision for loan and lease losses, an increase in the ALLL and a proportional adjustment to the FDIC receivable for the estimated amount to be reimbursed. Subsequent increases in the amount expected to be collected from the borrower or collateral liquidation result in the reversal of any previously recorded provision for loan and lease losses and related ALLL, or prospective adjustment to the accretable yield if no provision for loan and lease losses had been recorded previously. Reversal of previously-established ALLL result in immediate adjustments to the FDIC receivable to remove amounts that were expected to be reimbursed prior to the improvement. For improvements that increase accretable yield, the FDIC receivable is reduced over the shorter of the remaining term of the loss share agreement or the life of the covered loan. Other adjustments to the FDIC receivable result from unexpected recoveries of amounts previously charged off, servicing costs that exceed initial estimates and changes to the estimated fair value of OREO.

Certain loss share agreements include clawback provisions that require payments to the FDIC if actual losses and expenses do not exceed a calculated amount. Our estimate of the clawback payments based on current loss and expense projections are recorded as a payable to the FDIC. Projected cash flows are discounted to reflect the estimated timing of the payments to the FDIC. See Note U in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures.
 
Pension plan assumptions. BancShares has a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers qualifying employees (BancShares plan) and certain legacy Bancorporation employees are covered by a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan (Bancorporation plan). The calculation of the benefit obligations, the future value of plan assets, funded status and related pension expense under the pension plans require the use of actuarial valuation methods and assumptions. The valuations and assumptions used to determine the future value of plan assets and liabilities are subject to management judgment and may differ significantly depending upon the assumptions used. The discount rate used to estimate the present value of the benefits to be paid under the pension plans reflect the interest rate that could be obtained for a suitable investment used to fund the benefit obligations. For the calculation of pension expense, the assumed discount rate was 4.27 percent for BancShares' plan and 4.27 percent for Bancorporation's plan during 2015, compared to 4.90 percent and 4.35 percent during 2014, respectively.
 
We also estimate a long-term rate of return on pension plan assets that is used to estimate the future value of plan assets. We consider such factors as the actual return earned on plan assets, historical returns on the various asset classes in the plans and projections of future returns on various asset classes. The calculation of pension expense was based on an assumed expected long-term return on plan assets of 7.50 percent for both the BancShares and Bancorporation plans during 2015 and 2014.
 
The assumed rate of future compensation increases is reviewed annually based on actual experience and future salary expectations. We used an assumed rate of compensation increase of 4.00 percent for both the BancShares and Bancorporation plans to calculate pension expense during 2015 and 2014. Assuming other variables remain unchanged, an increase in the rate of future compensation increases results in higher pension expense for periods following the increase in the assumed rate of future compensation increases. See Note N in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures.

Income taxes. Management estimates income tax expense using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the amount of assets and liabilities reported in the consolidated financial statements and their respective tax bases. In estimating the liabilities and corresponding expense related to income taxes, management assesses the relative merits and risks of various tax positions considering statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance. Because of the complexity of tax laws and regulations, interpretation is difficult and subject to differing judgments. Accrued income taxes payable represents an estimate of the net amounts due to or from taxing jurisdictions based upon various estimates, interpretations and judgments.
 
We evaluate our effective tax rate on a quarterly basis based upon the current estimate of net income, the favorable impact of various credits, statutory tax rates expected for the year and the amount of tax liability in each jurisdiction in which we operate. Annually, we file tax returns with each jurisdiction where we have tax nexus and settle our return liabilities.
 
Changes in estimated income tax liabilities occur periodically due to changes in actual or estimated future tax rates and projections of taxable income, interpretations of tax laws, the complexities of multi-state income tax reporting, the status of

21




examinations being conducted by various taxing authorities and the impact of newly enacted legislation or guidance as well as income tax accounting pronouncements. See Note P in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures.

CURRENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements
The amendments in this ASU represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance and make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Additionally, some of the amendments will make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies, providing needed clarifications, and improving the presentation of guidance in the Codification.
The transition guidance varies based on the amendments in this ASU. The amendments in this ASU that require transition guidance are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All other amendments were effective upon issuance. We adopted the amendments effective second quarter of 2015. The adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.
FASB ASU 2015-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting - Amendments to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115
The amendments in this ASU remove references to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 5.J as the SEC staff previously rescinded its guidance with the issuance of SAB No. 115 when the FASB issued its own pushdown accounting guidance in ASU 2014-17, an amendment we adopted effective fourth quarter of 2014. We adopted the amendments in ASU 2015-08 effective second quarter of 2015. The adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.
FASB ASU 2014-14, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure
This ASU requires a reporting entity to derecognize a mortgage loan and recognize a separate other receivable upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure; (2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and (3) the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim and at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance expected to be recovered from the guarantor.
The amendments in this ASU were effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted this guidance effective first quarter of 2015. The initial adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.
FASB ASU 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860)
This ASU aligns the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as a repurchase financing with the accounting for other typical repurchase agreements. Going forward, these transactions would all be accounted for as secured borrowings. The guidance eliminates sale accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and supersedes the guidance under which a transfer of a financial asset and a contemporaneous repurchase financing could be accounted for on a combined basis as a forward agreement, which has resulted in outcomes referred to as off-balance-sheet accounting. The ASU requires a new disclosure for transactions economically similar to repurchase agreements in which the transferor retains substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial assets throughout the term of the transaction. The ASU also requires expanded disclosures about the nature of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings.
The accounting changes in this ASU were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014. In addition, the disclosures for certain transactions accounted for as a sale were effective for the fiscal period beginning after December 15, 2014, while the disclosures for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings were required to be presented for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. We adopted the guidance effective first quarter of 2015.

22




The initial adoption did not have any effect on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations. The new disclosures required by this ASU are included in Note J in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FASB ASU 2014-04, Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40)
This ASU clarifies that an in-substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction.
The amendments in this ASU were effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted the guidance effective first quarter of 2015. The initial adoption did not have any effect on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations. The new disclosures required by this ASU are included in Note G in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
FASB ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The amendments in this ASU (1) require equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (2) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair value; (3) require public business entities to use exit prices, rather than entry prices, when measuring fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (4) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial assets on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; (5) eliminate the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (6) require separate presentation in other comprehensive income of the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; and (7) state that a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to available-for-sale securities should be evaluated in combination with other deferred tax assets.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU only permits early adoption of the instrument-specific credit risk provision. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard and we will adopt during the first quarter of 2018.
FASB ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments
This ASU eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination and requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts must be calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this ASU with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. We will adopt the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2016 and do not anticipate any impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of adoption.
FASB ASU 2015-03, Interest–Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
This ASU simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update.
This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 for public business entities, and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2016 and do not anticipate any impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of adoption.

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FASB ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
This ASU improves targeted areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. In addition to reducing the number of consolidation models from four to two, the new standard places more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest, reducing the frequency of the application of related-party guidance when determining a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (VIE), and changing consolidation conclusions for public and private companies in several industries that typically make use of limited partnerships or VIEs.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 for public business entities. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2016 and do not anticipate any significant impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of adoption.
FASB ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
In May 2014, the FASB issued a standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers with the core principle being for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also results in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improves guidance for multiple-element arrangements.
Per ASU 2015-14, Deferral of the Effective Date, this guidance was deferred and is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard and we will adopt during the first quarter of 2018 using one of two retrospective application methods.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

BancShares’ earnings and cash flows are primarily derived from our commercial and retail banking activities. We gather deposits from retail and commercial customers and secure funding through various non-deposit sources. We invest the liquidity generated from these funding sources in interest-earning assets, including loans and leases, investment securities and overnight investments. We also invest in bank premises, hardware, software, furniture, and equipment used to conduct our commercial banking business. We provide treasury services products, cardholder and merchant services, wealth management services and various other products and services typically offered by commercial banks.

BancShares conducts its banking operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB), a state-chartered bank organized under the laws of the state of North Carolina.

For the period October 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, Bancshares also conducted banking activities through First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. (FCB-SC), a subsidiary acquired through the merger of First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. (Bancorporation). On October 1, 2014, Bancorporation was merged with and into BancShares pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 10, 2014, as amended on July 29, 2014. On January 1, 2015, FCB-SC merged with and into FCB. FCB remains the single banking subsidiary of BancShares. Other non-bank subsidiary operations did not have a significant effect on BancShares consolidated financial statements.

On February 13, 2015, FCB entered into an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), as Receiver, to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Capitol City Bank & Trust (CCBT). As a result of the CCBT transaction, FCB recorded loans with a fair value of $154.5 million and investment securities with a fair value of $35.4 million. The fair value of deposits assumed was $266.4 million. In accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, all assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair value as of the acquisition dates. As a result, an acquisition gain of $42.9 million was recorded in 2015. Per the acquisition method of accounting, these fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the acquisition date as additional information relative to closing date fair values become available.

Interest rates have presented significant challenges to commercial banks’ efforts to generate earnings and shareholder value. Management has embarked on several strategic initiatives to better position the company to counter these challenges. The initiatives focus on core revenue growth through broader products and services, control of noninterest expenses, optimization of our branch network, and further enhancements to our technology. Additionally, we continue to pursue strategic acquisitions and mergers to expand our customer base and increase efficiency and productivity.


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In lending, our revenue generating initiatives concentrate on broadening and diversifying the loan portfolio through loan products with high growth potential. These efforts include expanded product offerings in the commercial real estate construction and non-owner occupied commercial real estate markets. We have also expanded our efforts in non-real estate secured commercial and industrial lending and have enhanced our product menu for high net worth individuals.

Our initiatives also pursue additional non-interest fee income through expanded wealth management services and enhanced credit card offerings. In wealth management, we have broadened our products and services to better align with the specialized needs and wants of those customers. We have redesigned our credit card programs to offer more competitive products, intended to both increase the number of accounts and frequency of card usage. Enhancements include more comprehensive reward programs (our cash back card was released in September of 2015) and improved card benefits.

Management is pursuing opportunities to improve our operational efficiency and increase profitability through expense reductions. Such cost management initiatives include the automation of certain manual processes, elimination of duplicated and outdated systems, and reduction of discretionary spending. We review vendor agreements and larger third party contracts for cost savings. In the third quarter of 2015, we completed the conversion of legacy Bancorporation systems and customer accounts, which included 172 branches in South Carolina and Georgia.

We also seek to increase profitability through optimizing our branch network. Our goals are to increase efficiencies and control costs while effectively executing an operating model that best serves our customers’ needs. We seek the appropriate footprint and staffing levels to take efficient advantage of the revenue opportunities in each of our markets.

Following a comprehensive evaluation of our core technology systems and related business processes, we concluded that significant investments were required to ensure we are able to meet changing business requirements and to support a growing organization. The projects to modernize our systems and associated facilities began in 2013 and have been substantially completed at the end of 2015. The projects strengthened our business continuity and disaster recovery efforts and ultimately reduced operational risk. The magnitude and scope of this effort was significant with total costs of approximately $115.0 million, and we expect operating expenses to increase as the completed projects are amortized over their expected useful lives.

Recent Economic and Industry Developments
Various external factors influence the focus of our business efforts, and the results of our operations can change significantly based on those external factors. Based on the latest real gross domestic product (GDP) information available, the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ advance estimate of fourth quarter 2015 GDP growth is 0.7 percent, showing less growth compared to the 2.0 percent growth during the third quarter of 2015. The estimated decline in real GDP growth in the fourth quarter was due to a drop in exports and slowed consumer spending. Fourth quarter results indicated positive contributions from residential fixed investments and federal government spending. Consumer spending also positively contributed to fourth quarter GDP growth although at a lower rate in comparison to the prior quarter. For all of 2015, the economy grew by 2.4 percent, matching 2014 growth.
The unemployment rate dropped from 5.6 percent in December 2014 to 5.0 percent in December 2015, the lowest rate since April 2008. However, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, payroll employment growth in 2015 was 2.7 million, compared to 3.1 million in 2014.
The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) indicated in the fourth quarter that “economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace.” In light of the cumulative progress made, the FOMC decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points. In determining the timing and size of future adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the FOMC will assess realized and expected economic conditions relative to its objectives of maximum employment and 2 percent inflation. The FOMC expects that economic conditions will evolve in a manner that will warrant only gradual increases in the federal funds rate in the future.
The housing market remained solid during the year, fueled by low mortgage interest rates, economic growth and job creation. An estimated 501,000 new homes were purchased in 2015, up 14.5 percent, from the 2014 figure of 437,000. Purchases of existing homes were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.5 million, up 7.7 percent, compared to the 2014 rate of 5.1 million.
The trends in the banking industry are similar to those of the broader economy as shown in the latest national banking results from the third quarter of 2015. FDIC-insured institutions reported a 5.1 percent increase in aggregate net income compared to the third quarter of 2014, mainly attributable to an increase in net operating revenue and a 2.9 percent decline in noninterest expense. Across the industry, bank average net interest margin declined to 3.08 percent in the third quarter of 2015 from 3.15 percent in the same quarter a year ago and increased slightly from 3.06 percent in the second quarter of 2015. This was the second quarter in a row that the industry net interest margin was higher than the 30-year low of 3.02 percent, reached in the first quarter of 2015. Despite the net interest margin decline, 58.9 percent of banks reported year-over-year growth in

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quarterly earnings. Net charge-offs and delinquent loans and lease balances continue to decline across most major loan categories.
EARNINGS PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
For the year ended December 31, 2015, net income was $210.4 million, or $17.52 per share, compared to $138.6 million, or $13.56 per share, during 2014. The $71.8 million, or 51.8 percent, increase in net income was primarily due to higher net interest income resulting from strong core loan growth, the full year impact of the Bancorporation merger and the gain from the acquisition of CCBT. The impacts of the October 1, 2014 Bancorporation merger and the CCBT acquisition, which occurred February 13, 2015, are reflected in Bancshares’ financial results from the respective acquisition dates.
Additionally, the Bancorporation merger positively impacted the balance sheet, adding investment securities of $2.01 billion, loans and leases of $4.49 billion, and deposits of $7.17 billion as of the October 1, 2014 acquisition date.
Key financial drivers for 2015 include:
Loan growth was strong during 2015, as net balances increased by $1.47 billion to $20.24 billion, primarily driven by originated portfolio growth.
Deposit growth continued in 2015, up $1.25 billion to $26.93 billion, primarily due to organic growth in low-cost demand accounts.
The yield on the investment portfolio continued to improve, while deposit funding costs remained low.
BancShares recorded a gain of $42.9 million recognized in connection with the CCBT acquisition.
Net charge-offs were $18.9 million, or 0.10 percent of average loans and leases in 2015, compared to $29.6 million, or 0.20 percent during 2014.
BancShares implemented Basel III guidelines effective January 1, 2015. BancShares remains well capitalized with a leverage capital ratio of 8.96 percent, Tier 1 risk-based capital of 12.65 percent, common equity Tier 1 ratio of 12.51 percent and total risk-based capital ratio of 14.03 percent at December 31, 2015.
The return on average assets was 0.68 percent during 2015, compared to 0.57 percent during 2014. The return on average shareholders' equity was 7.52 percent and 6.14 percent for the respective periods.
Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by $214.8 million, or 30.3 percent. Interest income was up $208.8 million benefiting from a full year impact of the Bancorporation merger, core originated loan growth and increased investment portfolio yield. The year-to-date taxable-equivalent net interest margin for 2015 was 3.22 percent, compared to 3.21 percent during 2014. The margin improvement was primarily due to originated loan growth, higher investment securities yields and lower funding costs, partially offset by loan yield compression and continued PCI loan portfolio runoff.
BancShares recorded net provision expense of $20.7 million for loan and lease losses for the full year of 2015, compared to $0.6 million net provision expense for 2014. The net provision expense on non-PCI loans and leases was $22.9 million for 2015, compared to $15.3 million in 2014. The PCI loan portfolio net provision credit was $2.3 million for the year ended 2015, compared to a net provision credit of $14.6 million during the same period of 2014.
Year-to-date, noninterest income was $467.1 million for 2015, compared to $343.2 million for 2014. The increase in noninterest income was a result of the full year impact of the Bancorporation merger, $42.9 million gain recognized from the CCBT acquisition and gains on sales of securities of $10.8 million. Noninterest income was also positively impacted by a $13.1 million reduction in FDIC receivable adjustments, higher recoveries of PCI loans previously charged off, an increase in mortgage income, and higher merchant and cardholder services income. These increases were offset by a decline in fees from processing services as substantially all fees recorded in 2014 related to payments received from Bancorporation prior to the merger and a $29.1 million gain recognized in 2014 on Bancorporation shares of stock owned by BancShares that were canceled on the merger date.
Noninterest expense was $1.04 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to $849.1 million for 2014. The increase was a result of the full year impact of the Bancorporation merger, higher incentives, pension costs and core deposit intangible amortization, offset by lower foreclosure-related and collection expenses.
Income tax expense was $122.0 million and $65.0 million for the years ended 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Loan balances increased by a net $1.47 billion, or 7.8 percent, since December 31, 2014. Growth was primarily driven by $1.71 billion of net organic growth in the non-PCI portfolio. The PCI portfolio declined during the year by $236.0 million.

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The allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.02 percent at December 31, 2015 compared to 1.09 percent at December 31, 2014. The decline in the allowance ratio was due primarily to continued credit quality improvement. Net charge-offs declined $10.7 million from $29.6 million in 2014 to $18.9 million in 2015. As of December 31, 2015, BancShares’ nonperforming assets, including nonaccrual loans and OREO, declined $1.9 million to $169.0 million from $170.9 million at December 31, 2014.
At December 31, 2015, total deposits were $26.93 billion, an increase of $1.25 billion since December 31, 2014 primarily due to organic growth in demand, checking with interest and savings accounts, offset by runoff in time deposits.
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

The Dodd-Frank Act mandated that stress tests be developed and performed to ensure that financial institutions have sufficient capital to absorb losses and support operations during multiple economic and shock scenarios. Bank holding companies with total consolidated assets between $10 billion and $50 billion, including BancShares, will undergo annual company-run stress tests. As directed by the Federal Reserve, summaries of BancShares’ results in the severely adverse stress tests are available to the public. The results of stress testing activities will be considered in combination with other risk management and monitoring practices as part of our risk management program.

The Dodd-Frank Act also imposed new regulatory capital requirements for banks which has resulted in the disallowance of qualified trust preferred capital securities as Tier 1 capital. As of December 31, 2015, BancShares had $128.5 million in trust preferred capital securities that were outstanding and, based on the Inter-Agency Capital Rule Notice, 75 percent, or $96.4 million of these trust preferred capital securities were excluded from Tier 1 capital beginning January 1, 2015, with the remaining 25 percent, or $32.1 million, to be excluded beginning January 1, 2016.

In July 2013, Bank regulatory agencies approved new global regulatory capital guidelines (Basel III) aimed at strengthening existing capital requirements for bank holding companies through a combination of higher minimum capital requirements, new capital conservation buffers and more conservative definitions of capital and balance sheet exposure. BancShares implemented the requirements of Basel III effective January 1, 2015, subject to a transition period for several aspects of the rule. Table 2 describes the minimum and well-capitalized requirements for the transitional period beginning during 2016 and the fully-phased-in requirements that become effective during 2019. As of December 31, 2015, BancShares' common equity Tier 1 ratio, was 12.51 percent, compared to the fully-phased in well-capitalized minimum of 9.00 percent, which includes the 2.50 percent minimum conservation buffer.

Management is not aware of any further recommendations or proposals by regulatory authorities that, if implemented, would have or would be reasonably likely to have a material effect on liquidity, capital ratios or results of operations.

Table 2
BASEL III CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
 
Basel III minimum requirement
2016
 
Basel III well-capitalized
2016
 
Basel III minimum requirement
2019
 
Basel III well-capitalized
2019
Leverage ratio
4.00%
 
5.00%
 
4.00%
 
5.00%
Common equity Tier 1
4.50
 
6.50
 
4.50
 
6.50
Common equity Tier 1 plus conservation buffer
5.13
 
7.13
 
7.00
 
9.00
Tier 1 capital ratio
6.00
 
8.00
 
6.00
 
8.00
Tier 1 capital ratio plus conservation buffer
6.63
 
8.63
 
8.50
 
10.50
Total capital ratio
8.00
 
10.00
 
8.00
 
10.00
Total capital ratio plus conservation buffer
8.63
 
10.63
 
10.50
 
12.50

Although we are unable to control the external factors that influence our business, by maintaining high levels of balance sheet liquidity, prudently managing our interest rate exposures, ensuring our capital positions remain strong and actively monitoring asset quality, we seek to minimize the potentially adverse risks of unforeseen and unfavorable economic trends and take advantage of favorable economic conditions and opportunities when appropriate.


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BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Capitol City Bank & Trust Company
In February 2015, FCB entered into an agreement with the FDIC to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of CCBT. The transaction allowed FCB to expand its presence in Georgia as CCBT operated eight branches in Atlanta, Stone Mountain, Albany, Augusta and Savannah. In June of 2015, FCB closed one of the branches in Atlanta. This is an FDIC-assisted transaction; however, it has no loss share agreement.
The CCBT transaction was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding closing date fair values becomes available.
During the second quarter of 2015, adjustments were made to the acquisition fair values primarily based upon updated collateral valuations resulting in an increase of $5.4 million to the gain on acquisition. These adjustments were applied retroactively to the first quarter of 2015 and brought the total gain on the transaction to $42.9 million which is included in noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The total after-tax impact of the gain was $26.4 million.
Table 3 provides the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date.
Table 3
CAPITOL CITY NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AND NET LIABILITIES ASSUMED
(Dollars in thousands)
 
As recorded by FCB
Assets
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
19,622

Investment securities
 
35,413

Loans
 
154,496

Intangible assets
 
690

Other assets
 
1,714

Total assets acquired
 
211,935

Liabilities
 
 
Deposits
 
266,352

Short-term borrowings
 
5,501

Other liabilities
 
667

Total liabilities assumed
 
272,520

Fair value of net liabilities assumed
 
(60,585
)
Cash received from FDIC
 
103,515

Gain on acquisition of CCBT
 
$
42,930

Merger-related expenses of $1.9 million were recorded for the CCBT transaction in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2015. Loan-related interest income generated from CCBT was approximately $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. and First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc.
On October 1, 2014, BancShares completed the merger of Bancorporation with and into BancShares pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 10, 2014, as amended on July 29, 2014. FCB-SC merged with and into FCB on January 1, 2015. The conversion of systems and customer accounts acquired from Bancorporation was completed in the third quarter of 2015 which included the systems integration of 172 branches in South Carolina and Georgia.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Bancorporation common stock converted into the right to receive 4.00 shares of BancShares' Class A common stock and $50.00 cash, unless the holder elected for each share to be converted into the right to receive 3.58 shares of BancShares' Class A common stock and 0.42 shares of BancShares' Class B common stock. BancShares issued 2,586,762 Class A common shares at a fair value of $560.4 million and 18,202 Class B common shares at a fair value of $3.9 million to Bancorporation shareholders. Also, cash paid to Bancorporation shareholders was $30.4 million. At the time of the merger, BancShares owned 32,042 shares of common stock in Bancorporation with an approximate fair value of $29.6 million. The fair value of common stock owned by BancShares in Bancorporation was considered part of the purchase price, and the shares ceased to exist after completion of the merger.


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In accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, all assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Per the acquisition method of accounting, these fair values were subject to refinement for up to one year after the acquisition date. As a result of the Bancorporation transaction, during the 4th quarter of 2014, BancShares recorded loans with a fair value of $4.49 billion, investment securities with a fair value of $2.01 billion and assumed deposits with a fair value of $7.17 billion. BancShares recorded $4.2 million of goodwill and $109.4 million of identifiable intangible assets of which $88.0 million was core deposit intangibles.
 
Table 4 summarizes the purchase price as of acquisition date and the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values.

Table 4
BANCORPORATION PURCHASE PRICE, NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AND NET LIABILITIES ASSUMED
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
Purchase Price
 
 
 
Value of shares of BancShares Class A common stock issued to Bancorporation shareholders
 
 
$
560,370

Value of shares of BancShares Class B common stock issued to Bancorporation shareholders
 
 
3,877

Cash paid to Bancorporation shareholders
 
 
30,394

Fair value of Bancorporation shares owned by BancShares
 
 
29,551

Total purchase price
 
 
624,192

 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
194,570

 
 
Overnight investments
1,087,325

 
 
Investment securities available for sale
2,011,263

 
 
Loans held for sale
30,997

 
 
Loans and leases
4,491,067

 
 
Premises and equipment
238,646

 
 
Other real estate owned
35,344

 
 
Income earned not collected
15,266

 
 
FDIC loss share receivable
5,106

 
 
Other intangible assets
109,416

 
 
Other assets
56,367

 
 
Total assets acquired
8,275,367

 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Deposits
7,174,817

 
 
Short-term borrowings
295,681

 
 
Long-term obligations
124,852

 
 
FDIC loss share payable
224

 
 
Other liabilities
59,834

 
 
Total liabilities assumed
$
7,655,408

 
 
Retirement of BancShares common stock acquired from Bancorporation

 
 
Fair value of net assets acquired
 
 
619,959

Goodwill recorded for Bancorporation
 
 
$
4,233

BancShares incurred merger-related expenses of $12.3 million and $8.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for the Bancorporation transaction. Total cumulative merger-related costs incurred through December 31, 2015 were $20.3 million for this transaction. As of December 31, 2015, all merger related activities are complete and no further merger-related expenses are anticipated.

The amount of goodwill recorded from the Bancorporation merger reflects the increased market share and related synergies that are expected to result from the acquisition, and represents the excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired. None of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes as the merger is accounted for as a tax-free exchange.
1st Financial Services Corporation and Mountain 1st Bank & Trust Company
On January 1, 2014, FCB completed its merger with 1st Financial Services Corporation (1st Financial) and its wholly-owned banking subsidiary Mountain 1st Bank & Trust Company. FCB paid $10.0 million to acquire 1st Financial, including $8.0

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million to acquire and subsequently retire the 1st Financial securities that had been issued under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

The 1st Financial transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, as such, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at estimated fair value on the acquisition date. Assets acquired, excluding goodwill, were $612.9 million, including $307.9 million in loans and leases, $237.4 million of investment securities available for sale, $28.2 million in cash and $3.8 million in core deposit intangibles. Liabilities assumed were $635.8 million, including $631.9 million of deposits. Goodwill of $32.9 million was recorded equaling the excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired on the acquisition date and is deductible for income tax purposes as the 1st Financial transaction is a taxable asset acquisition.
 
 
 
 
Merger costs related to the 1st Financial transaction were $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Certain loans resulting from the CCBT, 1st Financial and Bancorporation transactions were recognized upon acquisition date with a discount attributable, at least in part, to credit quality, and are therefore accounted for under ASC 310-30.

Additional information related to the mergers listed above is included in Note B to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

FDIC-ASSISTED TRANSACTIONS

BancShares completed six FDIC-assisted transactions during the period beginning in 2009 through 2011, and it acquired CCBT in its seventh such transaction during the first quarter of 2015. These transactions provided us significant growth opportunities, have continued to provide significant contributions to our results of operations and have allowed us to increase our presence in existing markets and expand our banking presence to adjacent markets. Prior to its merger into BancShares, Bancorporation completed three FDIC-assisted transactions: Georgian Bank of Atlanta, Georgia (acquired in 2009); Williamsburg First National Bank of Williamsburg, South Carolina (acquired in 2010); and Atlantic Bank & Trust of Charleston, South Carolina (acquired in 2011). Nine of the ten FDIC-assisted transactions (including the three completed by Bancorporation) included loss share agreements that, for their terms, protect us from a substantial portion of the credit and asset quality risk we would otherwise incur. The CCBT transaction did not include a loss share agreement.
Table 5 provides information regarding loans acquired in the ten FDIC-assisted transactions consummated during 2015, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Table 5
FDIC-ASSISTED TRANSACTIONS
Entity
 
Date of
transaction
 
Fair value at acquisition date
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Capitol City Bank & Trust (CCBT)
 
February 13, 2015
 
$
154,496

Colorado Capital Bank (CCB)
 
July 8, 2011
 
320,789

Atlantic Bank & Trust (ABT) (1)
 
June 3, 2011
 
112,238

United Western Bank (United Western)
 
January 21, 2011
 
759,351

Williamsburg First National Bank (WFNB) (1)
 
July 23, 2010
 
55,054

Sun American Bank (SAB)
 
March 5, 2010
 
290,891

First Regional Bank (First Regional)
 
January 29, 2010
 
1,260,249

Georgian Bank (GB) (1)
 
September 25, 2009
 
979,485

Venture Bank (VB)
 
September 11, 2009
 
456,995

Temecula Valley Bank (TVB)
 
July 17, 2009
 
855,583

Total
 
 
 
$
5,245,131

Carrying value of FDIC-assisted acquired loans as of December 31, 2015
 
 
 
$
659,982

(1) Date of transaction and fair value of loans acquired represent when Bancorporation acquired the entities and the fair value of the loans on that date.

Acquisition accounting and issues affecting comparability of financial statements. As estimated exposures related to the acquired assets in FDIC-assisted transactions change based on post-acquisition events, our adherence to GAAP and accounting policy elections we have made affect the comparability of our current results of operations to earlier periods. Several of the key issues affecting comparability are as follows:

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When post-acquisition events suggest that the amount of cash flows we will ultimately receive for an FDIC-assisted loan is less than originally expected:
An ALLL is established for the post-acquisition exposure that has emerged with a corresponding charge to provision for loan and lease losses;
For FDIC-assisted transactions with loss share agreements, if the expected loss is projected to occur during the relevant loss share period, the FDIC receivable is increased to reflect the indemnified portion of the post-acquisition exposure with a corresponding increase to noninterest income;
When post-acquisition events suggest that the amount of cash flows we will ultimately receive for an FDIC-assisted loan is greater than originally expected:
Any ALLL that was previously established for post-acquisition exposure is reversed with a corresponding reduction to provision for loan and lease losses; if no ALLL was established in earlier periods, the amount of the improvement in the cash flow projection results in a reclassification from the nonaccretable difference created at the acquisition date to an accretable yield; the newly-identified accretable yield is accreted into income over the remaining life of the loan as interest income;
For FDIC-assisted transactions with loss share agreements, the FDIC receivable is adjusted immediately to reverse previously recognized impairment and prospectively by amortizing the improvement in cash flows through the shorter of the termination date of loss share coverage or the life of the loan;
Recoveries on these loans that have been previously charged-off are additional sources of noninterest income; BancShares records these recoveries as noninterest income rather than as an adjustment to the allowance for loan and lease losses since charge-offs on these loans are primarily recorded through the nonaccretable difference.
When actual payments received on FDIC-assisted loans are greater than initial estimates, large nonrecurring discount accretion or reductions in the ALLL may be recognized during a specific period; discount accretion is recognized as an increase to interest income; reductions in the ALLL are recorded as a reduction in the provision for loan and lease losses;
For FDIC-assisted transactions with loss share agreements, adjustments to the FDIC receivable resulting from changes in estimated cash flows are based on the reimbursement provision of the applicable loss share agreement with the FDIC. Adjustments to the FDIC receivable partially offset the adjustment to the FDIC-assisted loan carrying value, but the rate of the change to the FDIC receivable relative to the change in the acquired loan carrying value is not constant. The loss share agreements establish reimbursement rates for losses incurred within certain ranges. In some loss share agreements, higher loss estimates result in higher reimbursement rates, while in other loss share agreements, higher loss estimates trigger a reduction in the reimbursement rates. In addition, some of the loss share agreements include clawback provisions that require the purchaser to remit a payment to the FDIC in the event that the aggregate amount of losses is less than a loss estimate established by the FDIC. The adjustments to the FDIC receivable based on changes in loss estimates are measured based on the actual reimbursement rates.

Receivable from FDIC for loss share agreements. The various terms of each loss share agreement and the components of the receivable from the FDIC are provided in Table 6. As of December 31, 2015, the FDIC receivable included $5.0 million of expected payments to the FDIC and $9.1 million we expect to recover through prospective amortization of the asset due to post-acquisition improvements in the related loans. Generally, losses on single family residential loans are covered for ten years. All other loans are generally covered for five years. During the year, loss share protection expired for loans acquired from First Regional Bank and non-single family residential loans acquired from Sun American Bank and Williamsburg First National Bank. During 2016, loss share protection will expire for non-single family residential loans acquired from United Western Bank, Atlantic Bank & Trust and Colorado Capital Bank. Protection for all other covered assets extends beyond December 31, 2016.

The timing of expected losses on the FDIC-assisted assets with loss share agreements is monitored by management to ensure the losses will occur during the respective loss share terms. When projected losses are expected to occur after expiration of the relevant loss share agreement, the FDIC receivable is adjusted to reflect the forfeiture of loss share protection.

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Table 6
LOSS SHARE PROVISIONS FOR FDIC-ASSISTED TRANSACTIONS
 
 
Fair value at acquisition date (1)
Losses/expenses incurred through 12/31/2015 (2)
Cumulative amount reimbursed by FDIC through 12/31/2015 (3)
Carrying value at
December 31, 2015
Current portion of receivable due from (to) FDIC for 12/31/2015 filings
Prospective amortization (accretion) (4)
(Dollars in thousands)
Receivable from FDIC
Payable to FDIC
Entity
TVB - combined losses
$
103,558

$
195,968

$
3,396

$
(906
)
$

$
(1,253
)
$
197

VB - combined losses
138,963

156,159

125,178

725


(253
)
23

GB - combined losses
279,310

900,683

466,550

(515
)

(748
)
27

First Regional - combined losses
378,695

219,639

144,076

(1,821
)
86,840

(1,821
)

SAB - combined losses
89,734

91,409

75,105

(1,915
)
3,044

(2,354
)
(51
)
WFNB - combined losses
6,225

8,805

6,981

263


22

95

United Western
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-single family residential losses
112,672

99,631

82,736

(1,332
)
21,949

(2,629
)
1,189

Single family residential losses
24,781

5,685

4,393

8,443



5,975

ABT - combined losses
14,531

21,214

16,878

1,564


88

1,175

CCB - combined losses
155,070

186,608

151,574

(452
)
14,620

(2,004
)
470

Total
$
1,303,539

$
1,885,801

$
1,076,867

$
4,054

$
126,453

$
(10,952
)
$
9,100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)  
Fair value at acquisition date represents the initial fair value of the receivable from FDIC, excluding the payable to FDIC. For GB, WFNB and ABT the acquisition date is when Bancorporation initially acquired the banks.
(2)  
For GB, WFNB and ABT the losses/expenses incurred through 12/31/2015 include amounts prior to BancShares' acquisition through merger with Bancorporation.
(3)  
For GB, WFNB and ABT the cumulative amount reimbursed by FDIC through 12/31/2015 include amounts prior to BancShares' acquisition through merger with Bancorporation.
(4)  
Prospective amortization (accretion) reflects balances that, due to post-acquisition credit quality improvement, will be amortized over the shorter of the covered asset's life or the term of the loss share period.
 
 
Except where noted, each FDIC-assisted transaction has a separate loss share agreement for Single-Family Residential loans (SFR) and Non-Single-Family Residential loans (NSFR).
 
For TVB, combined losses are covered at 0 percent up to $193.3 million, 80 percent for losses between $193.3 million and $464.0 million and 95 percent for losses above $464.0 million. The loss share agreement expired on July 17, 2014 for all TVB NSFR loans and will expire on July 17, 2019 for the SFR loans.
 
For VB, combined losses are covered at 80 percent up to $235.0 million and 95 percent for losses above $235.0 million. The loss share agreement expired on September 11, 2014 for all VB NSFR loans and will expire on September 11, 2019 for the SFR loans.
 
For GB, combined losses are covered at 0 percent up to $327.0 million, 80 percent for losses between $327.0 million and $853.0 million and 95 percent above $853.0 million. The loss share agreement expired on September 25, 2014 for all GB NSFR loans and will expire on September 25, 2019 for the SFR loans.
 
For First Regional, NSFR losses were covered at 0 percent up to $41.8 million, 80 percent for losses between $41.8 million and $1.02 billion and 95 percent for losses above $1.02 billion. The loss share agreement expired on January 29, 2015 for all First Regional NSFR loans. First Regional has no SFR loans.
 
For SAB, combined losses are covered at 80 percent up to $99.0 million and 95 percent for losses above $99.0 million. The loss share agreement expired on March 5, 2015 for all SAB NSFR loans and will expire on March 5, 2020 for the SFR loans.
 
For WFNB, combined losses are covered at 80 percent. The loss share agreement expired on July 23, 2015 for all WFNB NSFR loans and will expire on July 23, 2020 for the SFR loans.
 
For United Western NSFR loans, losses are covered at 80 percent up to $111.5 million, 30 percent between $111.5 million and $227.0 million and 80 percent for losses above $227.0 million. The loss share agreement expires on January 21, 2016.
 
For United Western SFR loans, losses are covered at 80 percent up to $32.5 million, 0 percent between $32.5 million and $57.7 million and 80 percent for losses above $57.7 million. The loss share agreement expires on January 21, 2021.
 
For ABT, combined losses are covered at 80 percent. The loss share agreement expires on June 3, 2016 for all ABT NSFR loans and June 3, 2021 for the SFR loans.
 
For CCB, combined losses are covered at 80 percent up to $231.0 million, 0 percent between $231.0 million and $285.9 million and 80 percent for losses above $285.9 million. The loss share agreement expires on July 8, 2016 for all CCB NSFR loans and July 8, 2021 for the SFR loans.

32





Table 7
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, taxable equivalent)
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and leases
$
19,528,153

 
$
880,381

 
4.51

%
$
14,820,126

 
$
703,716

 
4.75

%
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2,065,750

 
15,918

 
0.77

 
1,690,186

 
12,139

 
0.72

 
Government agency
801,408

 
7,095

 
0.89

 
1,509,868

 
7,717

 
0.51

 
Mortgage-backed securities
4,141,703

 
65,815

 
1.59

 
2,769,255

 
36,492

 
1.32

 
State, county and municipal
903

 
53

 
5.85

 
295

 
21

 
7.12

 
Other
2,003

 
206

 
10.29

 
24,476

 
639

 
2.61

 
Total investment securities
7,011,767

 
89,087

 
1.27

 
5,994,080

 
57,008

 
0.95

 
Overnight investments
2,353,237

 
6,067

 
0.26

 
1,417,845

 
3,712

 
0.26

 
Total interest-earning assets
28,893,157

 
$
975,535

 
3.38

 
22,232,051

 
$
764,436

 
3.44

 
Cash and due from banks
469,270

 
 
 
 
 
493,947

 
 
 
 
 
Premises and equipment
1,125,159

 
 
 
 
 
943,270

 
 
 
 
 
Receivable from FDIC for loss share agreements
18,637

 
 
 
 
 
61,605

 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
(206,342
)
 
 
 
 
 
(210,937
)
 
 
 
 
 
Other real estate owned
76,845

 
 
 
 
 
87,944

 
 
 
 
 
Other assets
695,509

 
 
 
 
 
496,524

 
 
 
 
 
 Total assets
$
31,072,235

 
 
 
 
 
$
24,104,404

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking with interest
$
4,170,598

 
$
856

 
0.02

%
$
2,988,287

 
$
779

 
0.03

%
Savings
1,838,531

 
479

 
0.03

 
1,196,096

 
624

 
0.05

 
Money market accounts
8,236,160

 
7,051

 
0.09

 
6,733,959

 
6,527

 
0.10

 
Time deposits
3,359,794

 
12,844

 
0.38

 
3,159,510

 
16,856

 
0.53

 
Total interest-bearing deposits
17,605,083

 
21,230

 
0.12

 
14,077,852

 
24,786

 
0.18

 
Repurchase obligations
606,357

 
1,481

 
0.24

 
159,696

 
350

 
0.22

 
Other short-term borrowings
227,937

 
3,179

 
1.39

 
632,146

 
8,827

 
1.40

 
Long-term obligations
547,378

 
18,414

 
3.36

 
403,925

 
16,388

 
4.06

 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
18,986,755

 
$
44,304

 
0.23

%
15,273,619

 
$
50,351

 
0.33

%
Demand deposits
8,880,162

 
 
 
 
 
6,290,423

 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
408,018

 
 
 
 
 
284,070

 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity
2,797,300

 
 
 
 
 
2,256,292

 
 
 
 
 
 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
31,072,235

 
 
 
 
 
$
24,104,404

 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate spread
 
 
 
 
3.15

%
 
 
 
 
3.11

%
Net interest income and net yield
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
on interest-earning assets
 
 
$
931,231

 
3.22

%
 
 
$
714,085

 
3.21

%
Loans and leases include PCI and non-PCI loans, nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale. Interest income on loans and leases includes accretion income and loan fees. Loan fees were $30.9 million, $16.4 million, $14.1 million, $14.2 million and $16.0 million for the years ended 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Yields related to loans, leases and securities exempt from both federal and state income taxes, federal income taxes only, or state income taxes only are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming statutory federal income tax rates of 35.0 percent for each period and state income tax rates of 5.5 percent, 6.2 percent, 6.9 percent, 6.9 percent, and 6.9 percent for the years ended 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $6,326, $3,988, $2,660, $2,976 and $3,760 for the years ended 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

33




Table 7
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Yield/
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands, taxable equivalent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
13,163,743

 
$
759,261

 
5.77
%
$
13,560,773

 
$
969,802

 
7.15
%
$
14,050,453

 
$
970,225

 
6.91
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
610,327

 
1,714

 
0.28
 
935,135

 
2,574

 
0.28
 
1,347,874

 
8,591

 
0.64
 
2,829,328

 
12,783

 
0.45
 
2,857,714

 
16,339

 
0.57
 
2,084,627

 
20,672

 
0.99
 
1,745,540

 
22,642

 
1.30
 
757,296

 
14,388

 
1.90
 
320,611

 
9,235

 
2.88
 
276

 
20

 
7.25
 
829

 
57

 
6.88
 
3,841

 
279

 
7.26
 
20,529

 
321

 
1.56
 
147,585

 
2,914

 
1.97
 
458,808

 
8,523

 
1.86
 
5,206,000

 
37,480

 
0.72
 
4,698,559

 
36,272

 
0.77
 
4,215,761

 
47,300

 
1.12
 
1,064,204

 
2,723

 
0.26
 
715,583

 
1,738

 
0.24
 
558,454

 
1,394

 
0.25
 
19,433,947

 
$
799,464

 
4.12
%
18,974,915

 
$
1,007,812

 
5.31
%
18,824,668

 
$
1,018,919

 
5.41
%
483,186

 
 
 
 
 
529,224

 
 
 
 
 
486,812

 
 
 
 
 
874,862

 
 
 
 
 
876,802

 
 
 
 
 
846,989

 
 
 
 
 
168,281

 
 
 
 
 
350,933

 
 
 
 
 
628,132

 
 
 
 
 
(257,791
)
 
 
 
 
 
(272,105
)
 
 
 
 
 
(241,367
)
 
 
 
 
 
119,694

 
 
 
 
 
172,269

 
 
 
 
 
193,467

 
 
 
 
 
473,408

 
 
 
 
 
441,023

 
 
 
 
 
394,441

 
 
 
 
 
$
21,295,587

 
 
 
 
 
$
21,073,061

 
 
 
 
 
$
21,133,142

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,346,192

 
$
600

 
0.03
%
$
2,105,587

 
$
1,334

 
0.06
%
$
1,933,723

 
$
1,679

 
0.09
%
968,251

 
482

 
0.05
 
874,311

 
445

 
0.05
 
826,881

 
1,118

 
0.14
 
6,338,622

 
9,755

 
0.15
 
5,985,562

 
16,185

 
0.27
 
5,514,920

 
21,642

 
0.39
 
3,198,606

 
23,658

 
0.74
 
4,093,347

 
39,604

 
0.97
 
5,350,249

 
77,449

 
1.45
 
12,851,671

 
34,495

 
0.27
 
13,058,807

 
57,568

 
0.44
 
13,625,773

 
101,888

 
0.75
 
108,612

 
316

 
0.29
 
143,140

 
504

 
0.35
 
177,983

 
863

 
0.48
 
487,813

 
2,408

 
0.49
 
521,358

 
4,603

 
0.88
 
474,624

 
5,130

 
1.08
 
462,203

 
19,399

 
4.20
 
574,721

 
27,473

 
4.78
 
766,509

 
36,311

 
4.74
 
13,910,299

 
$
56,618

 
0.41
%
14,298,026

 
$
90,148

 
0.63
%
15,044,889

 
$
144,192

 
0.96
%
5,096,325

 
 
 
 
 
4,668,310

 
 
 
 
 
4,150,646

 
 
 
 
 
352,068

 
 
 
 
 
195,839

 
 
 
 
 
128,517

 
 
 
 
 
1,936,895

 
 
 
 
 
1,910,886

 
 
 
 
 
1,809,090

 
 
 
 
 
$
21,295,587

 
 
 
 
 
$
21,073,061

 
 
 
 
 
$
21,133,142

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.71
%
 
 
 
 
4.68
%
 
 
 
 
4.45
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
742,846

 
3.82
%
 
 
$
917,664

 
4.84
%
 
 
$
874,727

 
4.65
%

NET INTEREST INCOME

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by $214.8 million, or 30.3 percent, compared to the same period in 2014. Interest income was up $208.8 million benefiting from a full year impact of the Bancorporation merger and core originated loan growth and a higher yield on the investment portfolio. Interest expense declined by $6.0 million primarily due to runoff of high cost time deposits and payoffs of short-term borrowings. Net interest income for 2014 was $710.1 million, a $30.1 million decline from 2013, primarily due to decreased PCI portfolio interest income due to continued loan runoff, partially offset by originated loan growth, the contribution from the Bancorporation merger, higher investment portfolio yields and lower funding costs.
The year-to-date taxable-equivalent net interest margin for 2015 was 3.22 percent, compared to 3.21 percent during 2014. The margin improvement was primarily due to originated loan growth, higher investment securities yields and lower funding costs, offset by loan yield compression and continued PCI loan portfolio runoff. Loan yields continue to be impacted by low interest

34




rates and competitive loan pricing. Investment yields improved 32 basis points compared to 2014 primarily due to reinvesting matured investments and proceeds from investment sales into higher yielding investments. The year-to-date taxable equivalent net interest margin declined 61 basis points to 3.21 percent in 2014, compared to 2013, primarily due to loan yield compression as a result of continued PCI loan runoff, offset by improvements in investment yields, originated loan growth and lower funding costs.
Average interest-earning assets increased by $6.66 billion, or by 30.0 percent, for the year ended December 31, 2015. Growth in average interest-earning assets during 2015 was funded primarily by deposit growth and was also impacted by the Bancorporation merger. Within interest-earning assets, loans experienced the most significant increase, primarily due to originated loan growth. The year-to-date taxable-equivalent yield on interest-earning assets declined 6 basis points to 3.38 percent compared to 2014. The decline was primarily the result of PCI loan yield being replaced with higher quality, lower yielding originated loans, partially offset by improvement in the investment yield. Average interest-earning assets increased $2.80 billion between 2014 and 2013 primarily due to the impact of the Bancorporation merger.
Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $3.71 billion for the full year of 2015 when compared to 2014 and increased $1.36 billion between 2014 and 2013. The rate on interest-bearing liabilities decreased 10 basis points to 0.23 percent for the full year 2015, compared to the same period of 2014 and decreased 8 basis points between 2014 and 2013. The decline for both periods was the result of lower borrowing levels and funding costs.
Interest income was $969.2 million during 2015, an increase of $208.8 million, or by 27.5 percent, when compared to 2014. Interest income from loans and leases increased by $174.4 million, or 24.9 percent, to $874.9 million. The 2015 increase in loan interest income was primarily the result of strong originated loan growth and the full year impact from the Bancorporation merger. Interest income decreased by $36.4 million between 2014 and 2013 primarily as a result of lower accretion income, offset by the positive impact of the Bancorporation merger and originated loan growth.
Accretion income on acquired loans increased in 2015 by $15.0 million to $133.3 million, due primarily to non-PCI accretion income. Non-PCI accretion income was $18.7 million compared to $5.9 million in 2014 due to the full year impact of non-PCI loans acquired in the Bancorporation merger.
PCI accretion income was $114.6 million, compared to $112.4 million in 2014. The increase in 2015 was due to the full year impact of the PCI loans acquired in the Bancorporation merger and the contribution from the CCBT acquisition, offset by the continued reduction in PCI loan balances. Additionally, PCI accretion income increased by $3.9 million in 2015 due to a reclassification between accretable yield and the allowance for loan losses. Both accretion income and provision expense increased by $3.9 million due to this reclassification, which resulted in no net impact on earnings. The PCI portfolio declined from December 31, 2014 by $236.0 million, reflecting continued loan runoff of $373.6 million offset by net loans acquired from CCBT which totaled $137.6 million at December 31, 2015. Other factors affecting the amount of PCI accretion income include unscheduled loan payments and changes in estimated cash flows and impairment.
Accretion income on acquired loans decreased by $106.4 million between 2014 and 2013. PCI accretion income was $112.4 million in 2014, compared to $224.7 million in 2013. The decrease was primarily due to the continued reduction in PCI loan balances. Non-PCI accretion income was $5.9 million in 2014 resulting from loans and leases acquired in the Bancorporation merger. There was no non-PCI accretion income in 2013.
Interest income earned on investment securities was $88.3 million, $56.2 million, and $36.9 million during 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The $32.0 million increase in 2015 was the result of higher average balances and improved yields. Higher average balances contributed $16.4 million to interest income earned on investment securities, primarily due to the full year impact of the Bancorporation merger. Additionally, reinvesting proceeds from matured securities and investment securities sales into higher yielding investments contributed to the 32 basis points improvement in investment yields. Interest income earned on investment securities in 2014 increased $19.3 million from $36.9 million recorded during 2013, primarily due to investment securities added from the Bancorporation merger, coupled with a 23 basis point increase in the taxable-equivalent yield. The increase in taxable-equivalent yield in 2014 on the investment portfolio was due to reinvesting the proceeds from maturing government agency securities into U.S. Treasury securities and government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities at higher yields.
Interest expense was $44.3 million in 2015, a $6.0 million, or 12.0 percent, decrease from 2014, the result of a 10 basis point decrease in the rate on interest-bearing liabilities, offset by an increase of $3.53 billion in average deposits. The increase in average deposits was primarily due to the Bancorporation merger and organic growth in low-cost demand, checking with interest and savings accounts, offset by runoff in time deposits. Much of the reduction in funding costs results from a change in the deposit mix. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits was $21.2 million in 2015, a decrease of $3.6 million, compared to $24.8 million in 2014. Interest expense on borrowings decreased $2.5 million from 2014 to $23.1 million in 2015. Interest

35




expense was $50.4 million in 2014, a $6.3 million decrease compared to 2013, primarily the result of an 8 basis-point decrease in the rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
Table 8 isolates the changes in taxable-equivalent net interest income due to changes in volume and interest rates for 2015 and 2014.
Table 8
CHANGES IN CONSOLIDATED TAXABLE EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME

 
2015
 
2014
 
Change from previous year due to:
 
Change from previous year due to:
 
 
 
Yield/
 
Total
 
 
 
Yield/
 
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Volume
 
Rate
 
Change
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Change
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and leases
$
217,932

 
$
(41,267
)
 
$
176,665

 
$
87,149

 
$
(142,694
)
 
$
(55,545
)
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
2,819

 
960

 
3,779

 
5,382

 
5,043

 
10,425

Government agency
(4,986
)
 
4,364

 
(622
)
 
(6,351
)
 
1,285

 
(5,066
)
Mortgage-backed securities
19,981

 
9,342

 
29,323

 
13,405

 
445

 
13,850

State, county and municipal
40

 
(8
)
 
32

 
1

 

 
1

Other
(1,450
)
 
1,017

 
(433
)
 
82

 
236

 
318

Total investment securities
16,404

 
15,675

 
32,079

 
12,519

 
7,009

 
19,528

Overnight investments
2,394

 
(39
)
 
2,355

 
954

 
35

 
989

Total interest-earning assets
$
236,730

 
$
(25,631
)
 
$
211,099

 
$
100,622

 
$
(135,650
)
 
$
(35,028
)
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking with interest
$
365

 
$
(288
)
 
$
77

 
$
186

 
$
(7
)
 
$
179

Savings
208

 
(353
)
 
(145
)
 
128

 
14

 
142

Money market accounts
1,350

 
(826
)
 
524

 
267

 
(3,495
)
 
(3,228
)
Time deposits
894

 
(4,906
)
 
(4,012
)
 
(187
)
 
(6,615
)
 
(6,802
)
Total interest-bearing deposits
2,817

 
(6,373
)
 
(3,556
)
 
394

 
(10,103
)
 
(9,709
)
Repurchase obligations
1,041

 
90

 
1,131

 
130

 
(96
)
 
34

Other short-term borrowings
(5,622
)
 
(26
)
 
(5,648
)
 
1,352

 
5,067

 
6,419

Long-term obligations
5,339

 
(3,313
)
 
2,026

 
(2,406
)
 
(605
)
 
(3,011
)
Total interest-bearing liabilities
3,575

 
(9,622
)
 
(6,047
)
 
(530
)
 
(5,737
)
 
(6,267
)
Change in net interest income
$
233,155

 
$
(16,009
)
 
$
217,146

 
$
101,152

 
$
(129,913
)
 
$
(28,761
)
Loans and leases include PCI loans, non-PCI loans, nonaccrual loans, and loans held for sale. Interest income on loans and leases includes accretion income and loan fees. The rate/volume variance is allocated equally between the changes in volume and rate.



36




NONINTEREST INCOME

Table 9
NONINTEREST INCOME
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Gain on acquisitions
$
42,930

 
$

 
$

Cardholder services
77,342

 
59,607

 
48,360

Merchant services
84,207

 
64,075

 
56,024

Service charges on deposit accounts
90,546

 
69,100

 
60,661

Wealth management services
82,865

 
66,115

 
59,628

Fees from processing services
180

 
17,989

 
22,821

Securities gains
10,817

 
29,096

 

Other service charges and fees
23,807

 
17,760

 
15,696

Mortgage income
18,168

 
5,828

 
11,065

Insurance commissions
11,757

 
11,129

 
10,694

ATM income
7,119

 
5,388

 
5,026

Adjustments to FDIC receivable and payable for loss share agreements
(19,009
)
 
(32,151
)
 
(72,342
)
Recoveries of PCI loans previously charged off
21,169

 
16,159

 
29,699

Other
15,190

 
13,118

 
20,050

Total noninterest income
$
467,088

 
$
343,213

 
$
267,382


Noninterest income is an essential component of our total revenue and is critical to our ability to sustain adequate profitability levels. The primary sources of noninterest income have traditionally consisted of cardholder services income, merchant services income, service charges on deposit accounts, revenues derived from wealth management services and fees from processing services. Recoveries on PCI loans that have been previously charged-off are additional sources of noninterest income. BancShares records the portion of recoveries not covered under loss share agreements as noninterest income rather than as an adjustment to the allowance for loan losses since charge-offs on PCI loans are recorded against the discount recognized on the date of acquisition versus the allowance for loan losses.

During 2015, noninterest income was $467.1 million, compared to $343.2 million in 2014. The $123.9 million increase from 2014 was primarily driven by the full year impact of the Bancorporation merger and the $42.9 million CCBT acquisition gain. Additionally, the year-to-date change was attributable to the following drivers:
Sales volumes for both merchant and cardholder services increased approximately 9.0 percent, excluding the full year impact of Bancorporation, as recent revenue generating initiatives focused on growing these products.
Mortgage income benefited in 2015 from a low rate environment resulting in higher production and sales volumes as well as improved execution on sales of mortgage loans into the secondary market.
Gains on sales of securities were $10.8 million in 2015 triggered in response to changing market conditions and to better position the investment portfolio for a rising rate environment. In 2014, a $29.1 million gain was recognized on Bancorporation shares of stock owned by BancShares that were canceled on the merger date.
Lower FDIC receivable adjustments of $13.1 million resulting from lower amortization expense as three loss share agreements expired since 2014.
A $5.0 million increase in recoveries of PCI loans previously charged off.
Fees from processing services declined $17.8 million, as substantially all fees recorded in 2014 related to payments received from Bancorporation prior to the merger.
Noninterest income was $343.2 million in 2014, compared to $267.4 million in 2013. The $75.8 million increase includes the impact of the Bancorporation merger in the fourth quarter of 2014 and the recognition of the $29.1 million gain on Bancorporation shares of stock owned by BancShares. Additionally, loss share protection expired for three loss share agreements in 2014 resulting in a $40.2 million reduction in FDIC receivable adjustments. During 2014 and 2013, substantially all fees from processing services relate to payments received from Bancorporation. Other noninterest income in 2013 included $7.5 million generated from the sale of our rights and most of our obligations under various service agreements with client banks.



37




NONINTEREST EXPENSE

Table 10
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Salaries and wages
$
429,742

 
$
349,279

 
$
308,936

Employee benefits
113,309

 
79,898

 
90,479

Occupancy expense
98,191

 
86,775

 
75,713

Equipment expense
92,639

 
79,084

 
75,538

Merchant processing
58,231

 
42,661

 
35,279

FDIC insurance expense
18,340

 
12,979

 
10,175

Foreclosure-related expenses
2,662

 
17,368

 
17,134

Cardholder processing
21,735

 
15,133

 
13,780

Collection
9,649

 
11,595

 
21,209

Processing fees paid to third parties
18,779

 
17,089

 
15,095

Cardholder reward programs
11,069

 
8,252

 
6,266

Telecommunications
14,406

 
10,834

 
10,033

Consultant
8,925

 
10,168

 
9,740

Advertising
12,431

 
11,461

 
8,286

Core deposit amortization
18,892

 
6,955

 
2,308

Merger-related expenses
14,174

 
13,064

 
391

Other
95,741

 
76,481

 
71,018

Total noninterest expense
$
1,038,915

 
$
849,076

 
$
771,380


The primary components of noninterest expense are salaries and related employee benefits, occupancy costs, facilities and equipment and merchant processing expenses. Noninterest expense was $1.04 billion for 2015, a $189.8 million or 22.4 percent increase from the $849.1 million in 2014. The overall increase was due primarily to the full year impact of the Bancorporation merger. In addition to the impact from the Bancorporation merger, the following other items impacted various noninterest expense categories:
Employee benefits included a $6.1 million increase for higher pension costs. The increase in pension cost was due to a decline in the discount rate used to estimate the pension liability and pension expense in 2015.
Processing expenses for merchant and cardholder services, adjusted for the impact of the Bancorporation merger, were up an approximate 8.0 percent corresponding with higher sales volumes.
Equipment expense increased $5.4 million for depreciation primarily related to new technology systems placed in service during 2015.
Core deposit amortization increased $11.9 million from 2014 primarily due to intangibles recognized in the Bancorporation merger.
Foreclosure-related expenses and collection costs decreased by $16.7 million, or 57.5 percent, in 2015 due to lower losses on real estate sold and lower legal remediation expenses associated with managing fewer OREO properties.
Noninterest expense in 2014 increased $77.7 million from the $771.4 million recorded during 2013, the net result of the Bancorporation merger during the fourth quarter of 2014, higher salaries and wages, occupancy expense, merger-related costs, and cardholder and merchant processing expenses, offset by lower pension expense and collection costs. During 2014, merger-related expenses included in noninterest expense for the 1st Financial and Bancorporation transactions were $5.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively. Merger-related expenses of $391 thousand in 2013 related to the 1st Financial transaction. Salaries and wages increased $40.3 million in comparison to 2013 primarily as a result of the workforce acquired in the Bancorporation merger and annual merit increases. Employee benefits, however, decreased $10.6 million in comparison to 2013 primarily due to lower pension expense as a result of applying a higher discount rate to calculate our pension obligation in 2014. Additionally, collection expense declined $9.6 million during 2014 due to lower legal remediation expenses associated with managing fewer nonperforming assets.

INCOME TAXES

For 2015, income tax expense was $122.0 million compared to $65.0 million during 2014 and $101.6 million during 2013, reflecting effective tax rates of 36.7 percent, 31.9 percent and 37.8 percent during the respective periods. The lower effective

38




tax rate during 2014 was primarily due to the impact of the $29.1 million gain from the Bancorporation shares of stock owned by BancShares that were canceled on the merger date.

We monitor and evaluate the potential impact of current events on the estimates used to establish income tax expense and income tax liabilities. On a periodic basis, we evaluate our income tax positions based on current tax law, positions taken by various tax auditors within the jurisdictions where BancShares is required to file income tax returns, as well as potential or pending audits or assessments by tax auditors.

INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS

Interest-earning assets include loans and leases, investment securities, and overnight investments, all of which reflect varying interest rates based on the risk level and repricing characteristics of the underlying asset. Riskier investments typically carry a higher interest rate but expose us to higher levels of market risk.

We have historically focused on maintaining high-asset quality, which results in a loan and lease portfolio subjected to strenuous underwriting and monitoring procedures. We avoid high-risk industry concentrations, but we do maintain a concentration of owner-occupied real estate loans to borrowers in medical and medical-related fields. Our focus on asset quality also influences the composition of our investment securities portfolio.

Interest-earning assets averaged $28.89 billion in 2015, compared to $22.23 billion in 2014. The increase of $6.66 billion, or 30.0 percent, was funded primarily by deposit growth and was also impacted by the Bancorporation merger. Within interest-earning assets, loans experienced the most significant increase, primarily due to originated loan growth.

Investment securities

Investment securities were $6.86 billion at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $310.9 million, or 4.3 percent, when compared to $7.17 billion at December 31, 2014. The decrease in 2015 was attributable to reinvesting a portion of the proceeds from sales, maturities and calls into overnight investments rather than investment securities. This follows an increase of $1.78 billion, or 33.1 percent, in total investment securities from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 primarily related to the Bancorporation merger.

Available for sale securities are reported at fair value and unrealized gains and losses are included as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes. As of December 31, 2015, investment securities available for sale had a net pre-tax unrealized loss of $24.5 million, compared to a net pre-tax unrealized gain of $8.3 million as of December 31, 2014. After evaluating the securities with unrealized losses, management concluded that no other than temporary impairment existed as of December 31, 2015.

Sales of investment securities in 2015 were $1.29 billion resulting in a net realized gain of $10.8 million compared to the realized gain of $29.1 million in 2014. The securities gain in 2014 primarily relates to the Bancorporation shares of stock owned by BancShares that were canceled on the merger date.

At December 31, 2015, mortgage-backed securities represented 68.0 percent of investment securities available for sale, compared to U.S. Treasury, government agency securities, equity securities and other, which represented 24.4 percent, 7.3 percent, 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent of the portfolio, respectively. Overnight investments are with the Federal Reserve Bank and other financial institutions.

During 2015, cash flows from the sales, maturities and calls of U.S. Treasury and government agency securities were reinvested into mortgage-backed securities, equity securities and other investments in order to optimize earnings and overall risk of the investment portfolio. As a result, the carrying value of mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored enterprises, equity securities and other investments increased by $1.03 billion, $8.9 million and $10.7 million, respectively, while U.S. Treasury securities decreased $954.8 million, and government agency securities declined $410.2 million. Other investments consist primarily of corporate bonds. The effective duration of the investment portfolio was 2.7 years at December 31, 2015, compared to 2.4 years at December 31, 2014.

The primary objective of the investment portfolio is to generate incremental income by deploying excess funds into securities that have minimal liquidity and credit risk and low to moderate interest rate risk. Other objectives include acting as a stable source of liquidity, serving as a tool for asset and liability management and maintaining an interest rate risk profile compatible with BancShares' objectives. Changes in the total balance of our investment securities portfolio result from trends among loans

39




and leases, deposits and short-term borrowings. Generally, when inflows arising from deposit and treasury services products exceed loan and lease demand, we invest excess funds into the securities portfolio or into overnight investments. Conversely, when loan demand exceeds growth in deposits and short-term borrowings, we allow any overnight investments to decline and use proceeds from maturing securities and prepayments to fund loan demand. Details of investment securities at December 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, are provided in Table 11. Also see Note C in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures.

Table 11
INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
December 31
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
Average maturity
(Yrs./mos.)
 
Taxable equivalent yield
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 Cost
 
Fair value
 
 
 
 Cost
 
Fair value
 
Cost
 
Fair value
 Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 U.S. Treasury
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Within one year
$
847,622

 
$
847,023

 
0/9
 
1.06
%
 
$
88,174

 
$
88,197

 
$
245,510

 
$
245,667

 One to five years
828,374

 
827,859

 
1/2
 
0.89

 
2,538,726

 
2,541,473

 
127,713

 
127,770

 Total
1,675,996

 
1,674,882

 
0/11
 
0.97

 
2,626,900

 
2,629,670

 
373,223

 
373,437

 Government agency
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Within one year
408,092

 
408,071

 
0/8
 
1.11

 
359,567

 
359,669

 
594,446

 
595,216

 One to five years
90,712

 
90,589

 
3/0
 
2.04

 
548,795

 
549,148

 
1,948,777

 
1,949,013

 Total
498,804

 
498,660

 
1/1
 
1.28

 
908,362

 
908,817

 
2,543,223

 
2,544,229

Mortgage-backed securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Within one year
7,839

 
7,859

 
0/8
 
1.36

 
47,169

 
47,317

 
10,703

 
10,743

 One to five years
4,453,084

 
4,428,968

 
3/11
 
2.35

 
3,458,197

 
3,461,950

 
2,221,351

 
2,192,285

 Five to ten years
231,524

 
231,371

 
5/10
 
2.33

 
122,821

 
124,037

 
254,243

 
243,845

 Total
4,692,447

 
4,668,198

 
4/0
 
2.35

 
3,628,187

 
3,633,304

 
2,486,297

 
2,446,873

 Municipal securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Within one year

 

 
 

 
125

 
126

 

 

 One to five years

 

 
 

 

 

 
186

 
187

 Total

 

 
 

 
125

 
126

 
186

 
187

Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One to five years

 

 
 

 

 

 
863

 
830

Five to ten years
8,500

 
8,500

 
10/0
 
6.5

 

 

 

 

Over ten years
2,115

 
2,160

 
34/0
 
3.75

 

 

 

 

 Total
10,615

 
10,660

 
14/10
 
5.94

 

 

 
863

 
830

 Equity securities
7,935

 
8,893

 
 

 

 

 
543

 
22,147

 Total investment securities available for sale
6,885,797

 
6,861,293

 
 
 
 
 
7,163,574

 
7,171,917

 
5,404,335

 
5,387,703

 Investment securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Within one year
164

 
166

 
0/6
 
5.58

 
416

 
433

 
2

 
2

 One to five years
91

 
99

 
3/11
 
6.77

 
102

 
111

 
831

 
891

 Five to ten years

 

 

 

 

 

 
74

 
81

 Total investment securities held to maturity
255

 
265

 
1/9
 
6.02

 
518

 
544

 
907

 
974

 Total investment securities
$
6,886,052

 
$
6,861,558

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,164,092

 
$
7,172,461

 
$
5,405,242

 
$
5,388,677



40




Table 12 provides information on investment securities issued by any one issuer exceeding ten percent of shareholders' equity.

Table 12
INVESTMENT SECURITIES - ISSUERS EXCEEDING TEN PERCENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Cost
 
Fair Value
Federal Home Loan Bank
$
353,805

 
$
353,688

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
1,343,425

 
1,337,396

Federal National Mortgage Association
4,982,828

 
2,965,188


Loans and leases

Loans and leases were $20.24 billion at December 31, 2015, a net increase of $1.47 billion, or 7.8 percent, when compared to December 31, 2014. Growth was primarily driven by $1.71 billion of net organic growth in the non-PCI portfolio. The PCI portfolio declined during the year by $236.0 million, reflecting continued loan runoff of $373.6 million, offset by net loans acquired from CCBT which totaled $137.6 million at December 31, 2015. Loans and leases increased by $5.64 billion, or 42.9 percent, from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 primarily due to the Bancorporation merger contribution of $4.49 billion and originated portfolio growth of $1.30 billion.

BancShares reports PCI and non-PCI loan portfolios separately and each portfolio is further divided into commercial and non-commercial. Additionally, loans are assigned to loan classes, which further disaggregate loans based upon common risk characteristics, such as commercial real estate, commercial & industrial or residential mortgage. Table 13 provides the composition of PCI and non-PCI loans and leases for the past five years.

PCI Loans

The PCI portfolio includes loans acquired in a transfer, including business combinations, where there is evidence of credit
deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that we will not collect all contractually required
principal and interest payments. All nonrevolving loans are evaluated at acquisition and where a discount is required at least in part due to credit quality, the loans are accounted for under the guidance in ASC Topic 310-30. PCI loans and leases are valued at fair value at the date of acquisition.

PCI loans at December 31, 2015 were $950.5 million, representing 4.7 percent of total loans and leases, a decrease of $236.0 million from $1.19 billion at December 31, 2014 reflecting continued loan portfolio runoff.

PCI commercial loans were $593.6 million at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $132.5 million, or 18.2 percent, since December 31, 2014, following a decrease of $55.2 million, or 7.1 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The current year reduction in commercial loans reflects runoff in the PCI portfolio offset by the contribution from the CCBT acquisition.

At December 31, 2015, PCI noncommercial loans were $356.9 million, a decrease of $103.5 million, or 22.5 percent, since December 31, 2014. This follows an increase of $212.3 million, or 85.5 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The current year decrease results from runoff in the PCI portfolio, offset by the contribution from the CCBT acquisition. The growth in the prior year reflects the Bancorporation contribution and acquired 1st Financial commercial loans, offset by runoff.

Non-PCI Loans and Leases

The non-PCI portfolio includes loans that management has the intent and ability to hold and is reported at the principal balance
outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs. Non-PCI loans include originated loans, purchased non-impaired loans, purchased leases and certain purchased revolving credit. For purchased non-impaired loans to be included as non-PCI, it must be determined that the loans do not have a discount at least in part due to credit quality at the time of acquisition. Purchased non-impaired loans are initially recorded at their fair value at the date of acquisition.

Non-PCI loans at December 31, 2015 were $19.29 billion, an increase of $1.71 billion from $17.58 billion at December 31, 2014. Non-PCI loans represented 95.3 percent and 93.7 percent of total loans and leases at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

41





The non-PCI commercial loan portfolio is composed of Commercial Mortgage, Commercial and Industrial, Construction and Land Development, Lease Financing, Other Commercial Real Estate and Other Commercial loans. Non-PCI commercial loans were $12.63 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $1.42 billion, or 12.7 percent, compared to December 31, 2014 resulting from continued loan growth. This follows an increase of $2.71 billion, or 31.8 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 primarily due to the Bancorporation merger and originated loan growth.

Non-PCI commercial mortgage loans were $8.27 billion at December 31, 2015. The December 31, 2015 balance increased $721.6 million, or 9.6 percent, since December 31, 2014, following an increase of $1.19 billion, or 18.7 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. We attribute the growth in 2015 to improving confidence among small business customers and our revenue generating initiatives.

Non-PCI commercial and industrial loans were $2.37 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $380.0 million, or 19.1 percent, since December 31, 2014, following an increase of $907.8 million, or 84.0 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. We observed improved demand for commercial and industrial lending during 2015, which we attribute to our continued focus on small business customers, particularly among medical, dental or other professional customers.

The non-PCI noncommercial loan portfolio is composed of Residential Mortgage, Revolving Mortgage, Consumer and Construction and Land Development loans. Non-PCI noncommercial loans were $6.66 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $281.7 million, or 4.4 percent, compared to December 31, 2014. This follows an increase of $2.77 billion, or 76.9 percent between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 primarily due to the Bancorporation merger and originated loan growth.

At December 31, 2015, residential mortgage loans were $2.70 billion, an increase of $202.9 million or 8.1 percent since December 31, 2014, following an increase of $1.51 billion, or 153.8 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The 2015 increase reflects originated loan growth. While the majority of residential mortgage loans originated in 2015 were sold to investors, other loans, including affordable housing loans, medical mortgage loans and certain construction loans, were originated based on our intent to retain them in the loan portfolio.

At December 31, 2015, revolving mortgage loans were $2.52 billion, decreasing $38.7 million, or 1.5 percent since December 31, 2014, following an increase of $448.5 million, or 21.2 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The decrease in 2015 was primarily due to competitive loan pricing. The increase in 2014 was primarily due to the Bancorporation merger.

At December 31, 2015, consumer loans were $1.22 billion, an increase of $102.4 million, or 9.2 percent, compared to December 31, 2014, following an increase of $731.0 million, or 189.2 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The 2015 growth primarily reflects increases in indirect auto lending and our credit card portfolio. The increase in 2014 was primarily due to the Bancorporation merger.

Management believes 2015 organic loan growth resulted from improved economic conditions and revenue growth initiatives. Revenue growth initiatives contributed approximately $825.0 million to loan growth in 2015. Management has maintained sound underwriting standards across all loan products while achieving this growth. Continued originated loan growth in 2016 will be dependent on overall economic conditions and will continue to be impacted by intense competition for loans and other external factors. Loan growth projections are subject to change due to further economic deterioration or improvement and other external factors.



42




Table 13
LOANS AND LEASES
 
December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Non-PCI loans and leases(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development
$
620,352

 
$
493,133

 
$
319,847

 
$
309,190

 
$
381,163

Commercial mortgage
8,274,548

 
7,552,948

 
6,362,490

 
6,029,435

 
5,850,245

Other commercial real estate
321,021

 
244,875

 
178,754

 
160,980

 
144,771

Commercial and industrial
2,368,958

 
1,988,934

 
1,081,158

 
1,038,530

 
1,019,155

Lease financing
730,778

 
571,916

 
381,763

 
330,679

 
312,869

Other
314,832

 
353,833

 
175,336

 
125,681

 
158,369

Total commercial loans
12,630,489

 
11,205,639

 
8,499,348

 
7,994,495

 
7,866,572

Noncommercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
2,695,985

 
2,493,058

 
982,421

 
822,889

 
784,118

Revolving mortgage
2,523,106

 
2,561,800

 
2,113,285

 
2,210,133

 
2,296,306

Construction and land development
220,073

 
205,016

 
122,792

 
131,992

 
137,271

Consumer
1,219,821

 
1,117,454

 
386,452

 
416,606

 
497,370

Total noncommercial loans
6,658,985

 
6,377,328

 
3,604,950

 
3,581,620

 
3,715,065

Total non-PCI loans and leases
$
19,289,474

 
$
17,582,967

 
$
12,104,298

 
$
11,576,115

 
$
11,581,637

PCI loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development
$
33,880

 
$
78,079

 
$
78,915

 
$
237,906

 
$
338,873

Commercial mortgage
525,468

 
577,518

 
642,891

 
1,054,473

 
1,260,589

Other commercial real estate
17,076

 
40,193

 
41,381

 
107,119

 
158,394

Commercial and industrial
15,182

 
27,254

 
17,254

 
49,463

 
113,442

Lease financing

 

 

 

 
57

Other
2,008

 
3,079

 
866

 
1,074

 
1,330

Total commercial loans
593,614

 
726,123

 
781,307

 
1,450,035

 
1,872,685

Noncommercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
302,158

 
382,340

 
213,851

 
297,926

 
327,568

Revolving mortgage
52,471

 
74,109

 
30,834

 
38,710

 
51,552

Construction and land development

 
912

 
2,583

 
20,793

 
105,536

Consumer
2,273

 
3,014

 
851

 
1,771

 
4,811

Total noncommercial loans
356,902

 
460,375

 
248,119

 
359,200

 
489,467

Total PCI loans
950,516

 
1,186,498

 
1,029,426

 
1,809,235

 
2,362,152

Total loans and leases
20,239,990

 
18,769,465

 
13,133,724

 
13,385,350

 
13,943,789

Less allowance for loan and lease losses
(206,216
)
 
(204,466
)
 
(233,394
)
 
(319,018
)
 
(270,144
)
Net loans and leases
$
20,033,774

 
$
18,564,999

 
$
12,900,330

 
$
13,066,332

 
$
13,673,645

(1) Non-PCI loans include originated and purchased non-impaired loans, including non-accrual and TDR loans.


Allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL)

The ALLL was $206.2 million at December 31, 2015, representing an increase of $1.8 million and a decrease of $27.2 million since December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The ALLL as a percentage of total loans was 1.02 percent at December 31, 2015, compared to 1.09 percent and 1.78 percent at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

43




The decline in the ALLL ratio was due to credit quality improvements in the non-PCI portfolio and the continued runoff in the PCI loan portfolio. Additionally, the decline between 2014 and 2013 was primarily due to the Bancorporation merger where the acquired loan portfolio was recorded at fair market value at acquisition date, thus replacing the historical allowance with a fair value discount.

At December 31, 2015, the ALLL allocated to non-PCI loans was $189.9 million, or 0.98 percent of non-PCI loans and leases, compared to $182.8 million, or 1.04 percent, at December 31, 2014, and $179.9 million, or 1.49 percent, at December 31, 2013.
The increase in reserves was primarily attributable to originated loan growth offset by lower reserves needed due to credit quality improvements. Credit quality improvements are the primary driver of the decline in the ALLL ratio resulting in lower reserve rates applied to loans in the ALLL calculation.

Several credit quality indicators for the non-PCI loan portfolio improved during 2015 which impacted the ALLL calculation. In the commercial non-PCI loan portfolio, credit quality improvements included sustained low net charge-off ratios, lower loan defaults and migration of loans with higher credit risk ratings to lower ratings. The noncommercial non-PCI loan portfolio also experienced low net charge-off trends as well as improved delinquency trends. Additionally, impaired non-PCI loan reserves of $8.5 million were released in 2015 due to improved cash flow, higher collateral values for impaired loans and refinements made to discounted cash flow rate assumptions based on actual historical experience. In accordance with our allowance methodology, reserve factors related to the qualitative component of the ALLL were updated in 2015 resulting in a release of approximately $4.8 million of reserves.

The ALLL allocated to originated non-PCI loans and leases was 1.14 percent of originated non-PCI loans and leases at December 31, 2015, compared to 1.33 percent and 1.49 percent at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The decline in the allowance ratio was related to credit improvement in the originated non-PCI loan portfolio and the continued low net charge-off trends discussed above. Originated non-PCI loans were $16.60 billion, $13.72 billion, and $12.10 billion at December 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and do not include purchased revolving, purchased non-PCI loans or PCI loans.

The ALLL of $16.3 million for PCI loans at December 31, 2015 results from post-acquisition deterioration in credit quality for PCI loans. The ALLL for PCI loans was $21.6 million at December 31, 2014, and $53.5 million at December 31, 2013. The ALLL for PCI loans has decreased from both periods primarily due to reversals of previously recorded credit- and timing-related impairment and charge-offs, as well as continued portfolio runoff. The continued decline in 2015 was partially offset by the $3.9 million reclassification between accretable yield and ALLL as previously discussed.

BancShares recorded a $20.7 million net provision expense for loan and lease losses during 2015, compared to net provision expense of $640 thousand for 2014 and a net provision credit of $32.3 million for 2013. The increase in provision expense was due primarily to originated non-PCI loan growth and lower impairment reversals in the PCI loan portfolio.

Provision expense on non-PCI loans was $22.9 million during 2015, compared to $15.3 million and $19.3 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in provision expense during the current year primarily resulted from originated loan growth and, to a lesser extent, higher net charge-offs. Net charge-offs on non-PCI loans were $15.9 million, $12.3 million, and $25.8 million for 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. On an annualized basis, net charge-offs of non-PCI loans represented 0.09 percent of average non-PCI loans and leases during 2015, compared to 0.09 percent during 2014 and 0.22 percent during 2013.

The PCI loan portfolio net provision credit was $2.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to a net provision credit of $14.6 million and $51.5 million during the same periods of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The lower net provision credit was attributable to the continued decline in this portfolio. The decline in provision during 2015 was offset by the $3.9 million reclassification between accretable yield and the ALLL as previously discussed. Net charge-offs on PCI loans were $3.0 million during 2015, compared to $17.3 million and $34.9 million for the same periods of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net charge-offs of PCI loans represented 0.27 percent, 1.44 percent, and 2.49 percent of average PCI loans for 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. PCI loan net charge-offs declined from 2014 in most loan classes, with significant reductions noted in commercial mortgage, commercial and industrial and construction and land development loans.

Management considers the ALLL adequate to absorb estimated probable losses that relate to loans and leases outstanding at December 31, 2015, although future additions may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions and other factors. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the ALLL. Such agencies may require adjustments to the ALLL based on information available to them at the time of their examination. See "Critical Accounting Policies" and Note A in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of our accounting policies for the ALLL.


44




Table 14 provides details of the ALLL and provision components by loan class for the past five years. Table 17 details the allocation of the ALLL among the various loan types.

Table 14
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Allowance for loan and lease losses at beginning of period
$
204,466

 
$
233,394

 
$
319,018

 
$
270,144

 
$
227,765

Reclassification (1)

 

 
7,368

 

 

Non-PCI provision for loan and lease losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development
4,773

 
1,735

 
2,809

 
9,665

 
5,926

Commercial mortgage
(15,822
)
 
(16,746
)
 
(4,485
)
 
18,198

 
8,744

Other commercial real estate
1,569

 
(401
)
 
(32
)
 
130

 
(30
)
Commercial and industrial
17,432

 
10,441

 
4,333

 
(4,982
)
 
4,488

Lease financing
1,602

 
(473
)
 
1,646

 
498

 
350

Other
(1,420
)
 
3,007

 
308

 
(116
)
 
(71
)
Total commercial loans
8,134

 
(2,437
)
 
4,579

 
23,393

 
19,407

Noncommercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
4,202

 
1,219

 
2,786

 
(782
)
 
6,447

Revolving mortgage
(927
)
 
6,301

 
6,296

 
8,783

 
22,316

Construction and land development
541

 
245

 
(379
)
 
1,161

 
2,104

Consumer
10,987

 
9,932

 
6,085

 
7,763

 
7,266

Nonspecific

 

 
(78
)
 
1,728

 
259

Total noncommercial loans
14,803

 
17,697

 
14,710

 
18,653

 
38,392

Total non-PCI provision
22,937

 
15,260

 
19,289

 
42,046

 
57,799

PCI provision for loan losses
(2,273
)
 
(14,620
)
 
(51,544
)
 
100,839

 
174,478

Non-PCI Charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development
(1,012
)
 
(316
)
 
(4,685
)
 
(9,546
)
 
(11,189
)
Commercial mortgage
(1,498
)
 
(1,147
)
 
(3,904
)
 
(7,081
)
 
(6,975
)
Other commercial real estate
(178
)
 

 
(312
)
 
(254
)
 
(24
)
Commercial and industrial
(5,952
)
 
(3,014
)
 
(4,785
)
 
(5,472
)
 
(5,879
)
Lease financing
(402
)
 
(100
)
 
(272
)
 
(361
)
 
(579
)
Other

 
(13
)
 
(6
)
 
(28
)
 
(89
)
Total commercial loans
(9,042
)
 
(4,590
)
 
(13,964
)
 
(22,742
)
 
(24,735
)
Noncommercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
(1,619
)
 
(1,260
)
 
(2,387
)
 
(4,790
)
 
(5,566
)
Revolving mortgage
(2,925
)
 
(4,744
)
 
(6,064
)
 
(11,341
)
 
(13,940
)
Construction and land development
(22
)
 
(118
)
 
(392
)
 
(1,047
)
 
(2,617
)
Consumer
(11,696
)
 
(9,787
)
 
(10,311
)
 
(10,288
)
 
(12,429
)
Total noncommercial loans
(16,262
)
 
(15,909
)
 
(19,154
)
 
(27,466
)
 
(34,552
)
Total non-PCI charge-offs
(25,304
)
 
(20,499
)
 
(33,118
)
 
(50,208
)
 
(59,287
)
Non-PCI Recoveries:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development
566

 
207

 
1,039

 
445

 
218

Commercial mortgage
2,027

 
2,825

 
996

 
1,626

 
945

Other commercial real estate
45

 
124

 
109

 
14

 
23

Commercial and industrial
909

 
938

 
1,213

 
781

 
1,025

Lease financing
38

 
110

 
107

 
96

 
133

Other
91

 

 
1

 
4

 
2

Total commercial loans
3,676

 
4,204

 
3,465

 
2,966

 
2,346

Noncommercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
861

 
191

 
559

 
529

 
989

Revolving mortgage
1,173

 
854

 
660

 
698

 
653

Construction and land development
74

 
84

 
209

 
180

 
189

Consumer
3,650

 
2,869

 
2,396

 
1,952

 
1,677

Total noncommercial loans
5,758

 
3,998

 
3,824

 
3,359

 
3,508

Total non-PCI recoveries
9,434

 
8,202

 
7,289

 
6,325

 
5,854

Non-PCI loans and leases charged off, net
(15,870
)
 
(12,297
)
 
(25,829
)
 
(43,883
)
 
(53,433
)
PCI loans charged off, net
(3,044
)
 
(17,271
)
 
(34,908
)
 
(50,128
)
 
(136,465
)
Allowance for loan and lease losses at end of period
$
206,216

 
$
204,466

 
$
233,394

 
$
319,018

 
$
270,144

Reserve for unfunded commitments (1)
$
379

 
$
333

 
$
357

 
$
7,692

 
$
7,789

(1) During 2013, BancShares modified the ALLL model and the methodology for estimating losses on unfunded commitments. As a result of these modifications, $7.4 million of the balance previously reported as a reserve of unfunded commitments was reclassified to the ALLL.

The provision expense for commercial construction and land development non-PCI loans was $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to provision expense of $1.7 million for the same period of 2014. The increase in provision expense was primarily due to higher loan growth in 2015 compared to the prior year.


45




Commercial mortgage non-PCI loans had a net provision credit of $15.8 million in 2015, compared to a net provision credit of $16.7 million in 2014. The net provision credit in both years was primarily the result of improvements in credit risk ratings and lower loan defaults.

The provision expense for other commercial real estate non-PCI loans was $1.6 million in 2015, compared to a net provision credit of $401 thousand in 2014. The increase in provision expense was due to higher loan growth and loan defaults in the current year.

The provision expense for commercial and industrial non-PCI loans was $17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to higher loan growth in the current year compared to the prior year.

The provision expense for lease financing non-PCI loans was $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to a net provision credit of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in provision expense was due to higher loan growth and net charge-offs compared to the prior year. The prior year net provision credit resulted from improved credit quality trends, similar to the improvements previously discussed.

The other non-PCI loan class had a net provision credit of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to provision expense of $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The net provision credit in 2015 was primarily the result of the reversal of previously identified impairment on individually impaired loans.

Provision expense for residential mortgage non-PCI loans was $4.2 million in 2015, compared to $1.2 million in 2014. The increase in provision expense was due to higher loan growth in the current year.

Revolving mortgage non-PCI loans had a net provision credit of $927 thousand in 2015, compared to net provision expense of $6.3 million in 2014. Lower reserves on individually impaired loans and credit quality improvements as previously discussed were the primary drivers of the decline in provision expense.

Table 15 provides trends of the ALLL ratios for the past five years.

Table 15
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES RATIOS
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Average loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
$
1,112,286

 
$
1,195,238

 
$
1,403,341

 
$
1,991,091

 
$
2,484,482

Non-PCI
18,415,867

 
13,624,888

 
11,760,402

 
11,569,682

 
11,565,971

Loans and leases at period end:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
950,516

 
1,186,498

 
1,029,426

 
1,809,235

 
2,362,152

Non-PCI
19,289,474

 
17,582,967

 
12,104,298

 
11,576,115

 
11,581,637

Allowance for loan and lease losses allocated to loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
$
16,312

 
$
21,629

 
$
53,520

 
$
139,972

 
$
89,261

Non-PCI
189,904

 
182,837

 
179,874

 
179,046

 
180,883

Total
$
206,216

 
$
204,466

 
$
233,394

 
$
319,018

 
$
270,144

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
0.27
%
 
1.44
%
 
2.49
%
 
2.52
%
 
5.49
%
Non-PCI
0.09

 
0.09

 
0.22

 
0.38

 
0.46

Total
0.10

 
0.20

 
0.46

 
0.69

 
1.35

Allowance for loan and lease losses to total loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
1.72

 
1.82

 
5.20

 
7.74

 
3.78

Non-PCI
0.98

 
1.04

 
1.49

 
1.55

 
1.56

Total
1.02

 
1.09

 
1.78

 
2.38

 
1.94


46




The ALLL as a percentage of total loans at December 31, 2015 was 1.02 percent, compared to 1.09 percent and 1.78 percent for December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The adjusted ALLL (non-GAAP), which includes the ALLL as well as remaining net acquisition fair value adjustments for acquired loans, declined from 2.29 percent of total loans and leases at December 31, 2014 to 1.90 percent of total loans and leases at December 31, 2015. The reduction in the adjusted ALLL resulted primarily from credit quality improvements and continued accretion of acquisition accounting fair value adjustments.

The following non-GAAP reconciliation in Table 16 provides a calculation of the adjusted ALLL and the related adjusted ALLL as a percentage of total loans and leases for the periods presented. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to monitor performance and believes this measure provides meaningful information as the remaining unamortized discounts provide coverage for losses similar to the ALLL. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of BancShares' results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

Table 16
ADJUSTED ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASES LOSSES (NON-GAAP)
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
ALLL on non-PCI loans and leases (GAAP)
$
189,904

 
$
182,837

 
$
179,874

 
$
179,046

 
$
180,883

Unamortized discount related to non-PCI loans and leases (GAAP)
41,124

 
61,173

 

 

 

Adjusted ALLL on non-PCI loans and leases (non-GAAP)
231,028

 
244,010

 
179,874

 
179,046

 
180,883

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALLL on PCI loans (GAAP)
16,312

 
21,629

 
53,520

 
139,972

 
89,261

Unamortized discount related to PCI loans (GAAP)
137,819

 
164,538

 
157,258

 
314,935

 
688,467

Adjusted ALLL on PCI loans (non-GAAP)
154,131

 
186,167

 
210,778

 
454,907

 
777,728

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total ALLL (GAAP)
206,216

 
204,466

 
233,394

 
319,018

 
270,144

Net acquisition accounting fair value discounts on loans and leases (GAAP)
178,943

 
225,711

 
157,258

 
314,935

 
688,467

Adjusted ALLL (non-GAAP)
385,159

 
430,177

 
390,652

 
633,953

 
958,611

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted ALLL to total loans and leases (non-GAAP):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-PCI
1.20
%
 
1.39
%
 
1.49
%
 
1.55
%
 
1.56
%
PCI
16.22

 
15.69

 
20.48

 
25.14

 
32.92

Total
1.90

 
2.29

 
2.97

 
4.74

 
6.87


Table 17 details the allocation of the ALLL among the various loan types. See Note E in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures regarding the ALLL.


47




Table 17
ALLOCATION OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

 
December 31
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(dollars in thousands)
Allowance
for loan
and lease
losses
 
Percent
of loans
to total
loans
 
Allowance
for loan
and lease
losses
 
Percent
of loans
to total
loans
 
Allowance
for loan
and lease
losses
 
Percent
of loans
to total
loans
 
Allowance
for loan
and lease
losses
 
Percent
of loans
to total
loans
 
Allowance
for loan
and lease
losses
 
Percent
of loans
to total
loans
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses allocated to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-PCI loans and leases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
16,288

 
3.1
%
$
11,961

 
2.9
%
$
10,335

 
2.4
%
$
6,031

 
2.3
%
$
5,467

 
2.7
%
Commercial mortgage
69,896

 
40.8
 
85,189

 
40.3
 
100,257

 
48.5
 
80,229

 
45.0
 
67,486

 
36.6
 
Other commercial real estate
2,168

 
1.6
 
732

 
1.3
 
1,009

 
1.4
 
2,059

 
1.2
 
2,169

 
1.0
 
Commercial and industrial
43,116

 
11.7
 
30,727

 
10.6
 
22,362

 
8.2
 
14,050

 
7.8
 
23,723

 
12.7
 
Lease financing
5,524

 
3.6
 
4,286

 
3.0
 
4,749

 
2.9
 
3,521

 
2.5
 
3,288

 
2.2
 
Other
1,855

 
1.6
 
3,184

 
1.9
 
190

 
1.3
 
1,175

 
0.9
 
1,315

 
1.2
 
Total commercial
138,847

 
62.4
 
136,079

 
60.0
 
138,902

 
64.7
 
107,065

 
59.7
 
103,448

 
56.4
 
Noncommercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
14,105

 
13.3
 
10,661

 
13.4
 
10,511

 
7.5
 
3,836

 
6.1
 
8,879

 
5.6
 
Revolving mortgage
15,971

 
12.5
 
18,650

 
13.7
 
16,239

 
16.1
 
25,185

 
16.6
 
27,045

 
16.5
 
Construction and land development - noncommercial
1,485

 
1.1
 
892

 
0.6
 
681

 
1.0
 
1,721

 
1.0
 
1,427

 
1.0
 
Consumer
19,496

 
6.0
 
16,555

 
6.0
 
13,541

 
2.9
 
25,389

 
3.1
 
25,962

 
3.6
 
Total noncommercial
51,057

 
32.9
 
46,758

 
33.7
 
40,972

 
27.5
 
56,131

 
26.8
 
63,313

 
26.7
 
Nonspecific(1)

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
15,850

 
 
 
14,122

 
 
 
Total allowance for non-PCI loan and lease losses
189,904

 
95.3
 
182,837

 
93.7
 
179,874

 
92.2
 
179,046

 
86.5
 
180,883

 
83.1
 
PCI loans
16,312

 
4.7
 
21,629

 
6.3
 
53,520

 
7.8
 
139,972

 
13.5
 
51,248

 
16.9
 
Total allowance for loan and lease losses
$
206,216

 
100.0
%
$
204,466

 
100.0
%
$
233,394

 
100.0
%
$
319,018

 
100.0
%
$
232,131

 
100.0
%

(1) During 2013, in connection with modifications to the ALLL model, the balance previously identified as nonspecific was allocated to various loan classes.

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans and leases and OREO resulting from both PCI and non-PCI loans. The accrual of interest on non-PCI loans and leases is discontinued when we deem that collection of additional principal or interest is doubtful. Non-PCI loans and leases are generally removed from nonaccrual status when they become current as to both principal and interest and concern no longer exists as to the collectability of principal and interest. Accretion of income for PCI loans is discontinued when we are unable to estimate the amount or timing of cash flows. This designation may be made at acquisition date or subsequent to acquisition date, including at maturity when no formal repayment plan has been established. PCI loans may begin or resume accretion of income if information becomes available that allows us to estimate the amount and timing of future cash flows.

Potential problem loans include loans on nonaccrual status or past due as disclosed in Table 18 and troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) as disclosed in Table 19. In addition, impaired, accruing non-PCI loans less than 90 days past due that have not been restructured as a TDR are closely monitored by management and were $15.5 million at December 31, 2015


48




Table 18 provides details on nonperforming assets and other risk elements.

Table 18
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
 
December 31
(Dollars in thousands, except ratios)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Nonaccrual loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-PCI
$
95,854

 
$
44,005

 
$
53,170

 
$
89,845

 
$
52,741

PCI
7,579

 
33,422

 
28,493

 
74,479

 
302,102

Other real estate
65,559

 
93,436

 
83,979

 
146,090

 
198,998

Total nonperforming assets
$
168,992

 
$
170,863

 
$
165,642

 
$
310,414

 
$
553,841

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonaccrual loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Covered under loss share agreements
$
2,992

 
$
27,020

 
$
28,493

 
$
74,479

 
$
302,102

Not covered under loss share agreements
100,441

 
50,407

 
53,170

 
89,845

 
52,741

Other real estate owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Covered
6,817

 
22,982

 
47,081

 
102,577

 
148,599

Noncovered
58,742

 
70,454

 
36,898

 
43,513

 
50,399

Total nonperforming assets
$
168,992

 
$
170,863

 
$
165,642

 
$
310,414

 
$
553,841

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and leases at December 31:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Covered
$
272,554

 
$
485,308

 
$
1,029,426

 
$
1,809,235

 
$
2,362,152

Noncovered
19,967,436

 
18,284,157

 
12,104,298

 
11,576,115

 
11,581,637

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accruing loans and leases 90 days or more past due
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-PCI
3,315

 
11,250

 
8,784

 
11,272

 
14,840

PCI
73,751

 
104,430

 
193,892

 
281,000

 
292,194

Interest income recognized on nonperforming loans and leases
3,204

 
1,364

 
2,062

 
10,374

 
8,589

Interest income that would have been earned on nonperforming loans and leases had they been performing
9,628

 
6,600

 
18,430

 
27,397

 
23,326

Ratio of nonperforming assets to total loans, leases, and other real estate owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Covered
3.51
%
 
9.84
%
 
7.02
%
 
9.26
%
 
17.95
%
Noncovered
0.79

 
0.66

 
0.74

 
1.15

 
0.89

Total
0.83

 
0.91

 
1.25

 
2.29

 
3.92


For the year, nonperforming assets decreased by $1.9 million, or 1.1 percent, compared to December 31, 2014 and increased by $3.4 million, or 2.02 percent, compared to December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2015, BancShares’ nonperforming assets, including nonaccrual loans and OREO, amounted to $169.0 million, or 0.83 percent, of total loans and leases plus OREO, compared to $170.9 million, or 0.91 percent, at December 31, 2014 and $165.6 million, or 1.25 percent, at December 31, 2013.

The decline in nonperforming assets from December 31, 2014 results from a $27.9 million decline in OREO due to problem asset resolutions and a $25.8 million decline in nonaccrual PCI loans from December 31, 2014 due to resolutions of impaired loans. These reductions were offset by a $51.8 million increase in nonaccrual non-PCI loans and leases due to an increase in commercial mortgage and residential mortgage loans being placed on nonaccrual status. Additionally, approximately $8.4 million of residential and revolving mortgage loans were moved to nonaccrual status from past due resulting from system enhancements in the first quarter of 2015. The increase in nonperforming assets between December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 primarily resulted from OREO acquired in the Bancorporation merger and an increase in nonaccrual non-PCI loans.

OREO includes foreclosed property and branch facilities that we have closed, but not sold. Noncovered OREO was $58.7 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $70.5 million at December 31, 2014, and $36.9 million at December 31, 2013. The $11.7 million decrease from December 31, 2014 was primarily due to sales outpacing new additions, while the $33.6 million increase between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 primarily resulted from OREO acquired in the Bancorporation merger.


49




Once acquired, net book values of OREO are reviewed at least annually to evaluate if write-downs are required. Real estate appraisals are reviewed by the appraisal review department to ensure the quality of the appraised value in the report. The level of review is dependent on the value and type of the collateral, with higher value and more complex properties receiving a more detailed review. Changes to the value of the assets between scheduled valuation dates are monitored through continued communication with brokers and monthly reviews by the asset manager assigned to each asset. The asset manager uses the information gathered from brokers and other market sources to identify any significant changes in the market or the subject property as they occur. Valuations are then adjusted or new appraisals are ordered to ensure the reported values reflect the most current information. Decisions regarding write-downs are based on factors that include appraisals, previous offers received on the property, market conditions and the number of days the property has been on the market.


TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS

In an effort to assist customers experiencing financial difficulty, we have selectively agreed to modify existing loan terms to provide relief to customers who are experiencing liquidity challenges or other circumstances that could affect their ability to meet debt obligations. Typical modifications include short-term deferral of interest or modification of payment terms. The majority of restructured loans are to customers that are currently performing under existing terms but may be unable to do so in the near future without a modification. Nonperforming TDRs are not accruing interest and are included as nonperforming assets within nonaccrual loans and leases in Table 18. Nonperforming assets listed in Table 18 do not include performing TDRs, which are accruing interest based on the restructured terms. See Note A in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of our accounting policies for TDRs.
Total PCI and non-PCI loans classified as TDRs as of December 31, 2015 were $144.8 million, compared to $151.5 million at December 31, 2014 and $206.8 million at December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2015, accruing TDRs were $113.3 million, a decrease of $22.7 million and $62.7 million from December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. At December 31, 2015, nonaccruing TDRs were $31.5 million, reflecting respective increases of $16.0 million and $746 thousand from December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The increase in nonaccruing TDRs from the prior year was primarily related to a few significant commercial loan relationships restructured and placed on nonaccrual status in the current year, as well as an increase in residential and revolving mortgage TDRs on nonaccrual status.
Table 19 provides further details on performing and nonperforming TDRs for the last five years.

Table 19
TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS
 
December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Accruing TDRs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
$
29,231

 
$
44,647

 
$
90,829

 
$
164,256

 
$
126,240

Non-PCI
84,065

 
91,316

 
85,126

 
89,133

 
123,796

Total accruing TDRs
$
113,296

 
$
135,963

 
$
175,955

 
$
253,389

 
$
250,036

Nonaccruing TDRs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
$
1,420

 
$
2,225

 
$
11,479

 
$
28,951

 
$
43,491

Non-PCI
30,127

 
13,291

 
19,322

 
50,830

 
29,534

Total nonaccruing TDRs
$
31,547

 
$
15,516

 
$
30,801

 
$
79,781

 
$
73,025

All TDRs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
$
30,651

 
$
46,872

 
$
102,308

 
$
193,207

 
$
169,731

Non-PCI
114,192

 
104,607

 
104,448

 
139,963

 
153,330

Total TDRs
$
144,843

 
$
151,479

 
$
206,756

 
$
333,170

 
$
323,061


INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

Interest-bearing liabilities include interest-bearing deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term obligations. Interest-bearing liabilities were $18.96 billion as of December 31, 2015, an increase of $24.9 million from December 31, 2014, resulting from a $64.5 million increase in interest-bearing deposit accounts and $350.0 million in additional Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings during 2015. These increases were offset by subordinated debt maturities of $199.9 million, maturities of FHLB advances of $80.0 million and a reduction in other short-term borrowings. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $3.71 billion, or by 24.3 percent, from 2014 to 2015 primarily due to organic growth in interest-bearing deposits and the addition of

50




$1.88 billion in money market accounts and $864.0 million in time deposits from the full year impact of the Bancorporation merger.

DEPOSITS

At December 31, 2015, total deposits were $26.93 billion, an increase of $1.25 billion, or 4.9 percent, since December 31, 2014. The increase was due primarily to organic growth in demand, checking with interest and savings accounts, offset by runoff in time deposits. Demand deposits increased by $1.19 billion during 2015, following an increase of $2.84 billion during 2014. Time deposits decreased by $410.9 million during 2015, following an increase of $631.9 million in 2014. Total deposits increased by $7.80 billion, or 43.7 percent, between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of the Bancorporation merger.

Table 20 provides deposit balances as of December 31, 2015, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Table 20
DEPOSITS
 
December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Demand
$
9,274,470

 
$
8,086,784

 
$
5,241,817

Checking with interest
4,445,353

 
4,091,333

 
2,445,972

Money market accounts
8,205,705

 
8,264,811

 
6,306,942

Savings
1,909,021

 
1,728,504

 
1,004,097

Time
3,096,206

 
3,507,145

 
2,875,238

Total deposits
$
26,930,755

 
$
25,678,577

 
$
17,874,066


Due to our focus on maintaining a strong liquidity position, core deposit retention remains a key business objective. We believe that traditional bank deposit products remain an attractive option for many customers, but as economic conditions improve, we recognize that our liquidity position could be adversely affected as bank deposits are withdrawn and invested elsewhere. Our ability to fund future loan growth is significantly dependent on our success at retaining existing deposits and generating new deposits at a reasonable cost.

Table 21
MATURITIES OF TIME DEPOSITS OF $100,000 OR MORE
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015
Time deposits maturing in:
 
Three months or less
$
432,154

Over three months through six months
209,766

Over six months through 12 months
330,991

More than 12 months
292,833

Total
$
1,265,744

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
At December 31, 2015, short-term borrowings were $594.7 million compared to $987.2 million at December 31, 2014. The decline was due to maturities of $80.0 million in FHLB borrowings and $199.9 million in subordinated debt. Additionally, master notes declined by $410.3 million while repurchase agreements increased by $297.8 million, resulting from a migration from master notes to repurchase agreements as the master notes product was discontinued during 2015. Table 22 provides information on short-term borrowings.


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Table 22
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
(dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
Rate
Master notes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31
$

 
%
 
$
410,258

 
0.35
%
 
$
411,907

 
0.42
%
Average during year
133,001

 
0.35

 
479,937

 
0.34

 
463,933

 
0.4

Maximum month-end balance during year
417,924

 
 
 
544,084

 
 
 
487,126

 
 
Repurchase agreements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31
592,182

 
0.28

 
294,426

 
0.25

 
96,960

 
0.34

Average during year
606,357

 
0.24

 
159,696

 
0.22

 
108,612

 
0.29

Maximum month-end balance during year
747,206

 
 
 
328,452

 
 
 
120,167

 
 
Federal funds purchased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31
2,551

 
0.12

 
2,551

 
0.12

 
2,551

 
0.13

Average during year
2,551

 
0.12

 
2,551

 
0.13

 
2,551

 
0.13

Maximum month-end balance during year
2,551

 
 
 
2,551

 
 
 
2,551

 
 
Notes payable to Federal Home Loan Banks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31

 

 
80,000

 
3.34

 

 

Average during year
22,192

 
2.61

 
57,507

 
2.77

 
21,329

 
2.60

Maximum month-end balance during year
80,000

 
 
 
80,000

 
 
 
25,000

 
 
Subordinated notes payable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31

 

 
199,949

 
5.96

 

 

Average during year
70,193

 
2.34

 
92,179

 
3.22

 

 

Maximum month-end balance during year
200,000

 
 
 
199,949

 
 
 

 
 

Long-term obligations
Long-term obligations were $704.2 million at December 31, 2015, an increase of $352.8 million from December 31, 2014 primarily due to additional FHLB borrowings of $350.0 million in 2015 to mitigate interest rate risk from long-term fixed-rate loans.
At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, long-term obligations included $132.5 million in junior subordinated debentures representing obligations to FCB/NC Capital Trust III, FCB/SC Capital Trust II, and SCB Capital Trust I, special purpose entities and grantor trusts for $128.5 million of trust preferred securities. FCB/NC Capital Trust III, FCB/SC Capital Trust II and SCB Capital Trust I's (the Trusts) trust preferred securities mature in 2036, 2034 and 2034, respectively, and may be redeemed at par in whole or in part at any time. BancShares has guaranteed all obligations of the Trusts.
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY

We are committed to effectively managing our capital to protect our depositors, creditors and shareholders. We continually monitor the capital levels and ratios for BancShares and FCB to ensure they exceed the minimum requirements imposed by regulatory authorities and to ensure they are appropriate, given growth projections, risk profile and potential changes in the regulatory environment. Failure to meet certain capital requirements may result in actions by regulatory agencies that could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In accordance with GAAP, the unrealized gains and losses on certain assets and liabilities, net of deferred taxes, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) within shareholders' equity. These amounts are excluded from shareholders' equity in the calculation of our capital ratios under current regulatory guidelines. In the aggregate, these items represented a net decrease in shareholders' equity of $64.4 million at December 31, 2015, compared to a net reduction of $53.0 million at December 31, 2014. The $11.5 million reduction in AOCI from December 31, 2014 primarily reflects a decrease in unrealized gains on investment securities available for sale, net of the change in the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans.


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During the fourth quarter of 2015, our board approved a stock repurchase plan that provides for the purchase of up to 100,000 shares of Class A common stock beginning on November 1, 2015 and continuing through October 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2015, no purchases had occurred pursuant to that authorization.

During the third quarter of 2014, our shareholders approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock from 11,000,000 to 16,000,000. In connection with the Bancorporation merger, 167,600 and 45,900 shares of Class A and Class B common stock that were previously held by Bancorporation were retired.

Bank regulatory agencies have approved regulatory capital guidelines (Basel III) aimed at strengthening existing capital requirements for banking organizations. Under Basel III, minimum requirements increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by BancShares. Basel III includes a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.50 percent, raises the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.00 percent to 6.00 percent, requires a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.00 percent, and requires a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.00 percent. A new capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, was also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625 percent of risk-weighted assets and increase each subsequent year by an additional 0.625 percent until reaching its final level of 2.50 percent on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under Basel III. Basel III also revised the definition and calculation of Tier 1 capital, total capital, and risk-weighted assets.

The phase-in period for Basel III became effective for BancShares on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all Basel III requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule, to be fully phased-in by January 1, 2019. As of December 31, 2015, BancShares continues to exceed minimum capital standards and remains well-capitalized under the new rules. Table 23 provides information on capital adequacy for BancShares as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Table 23
ANALYSIS OF CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015 (1)
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Regulatory
minimum
(2)
 
Well-capitalized requirement (2)
Tier 1 risk-based capital
$
2,831,242

 
$
2,690,324

 
$
2,103,926

 
 
 
 
Tier 2 risk-based capital
308,970

 
213,799

 
211,653

 
 
 
 
Total risk-based capital
$
3,140,212

 
$
2,904,123

 
$
2,315,579

 
 
 
 
Common equity Tier 1 capital (3)
$
2,799,163

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
 
 
 
Risk-adjusted assets
22,376,034

 
19,770,656

 
14,129,065

 
 
 
 
Risk-based capital ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 risk-based capital
12.65
%
 
13.61
%
 
14.89
%
 
6.00
%
 
8.00
%
Common equity Tier 1 (3)
12.51

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
4.50

 
6.50

Total risk-based capital
14.03

 
14.69

 
16.39

 
8.00

 
10.00

Tier 1 leverage ratio
8.96

 
8.91

 
9.80

 
4.00

 
5.00

(1) December 31, 2015 calculated under Basel III guidelines, which became effective January 1, 2015.
(2) Regulatory minimum and well-capitalized requirements are based on 2015 Basel III regulatory capital guidelines.
(3) Common equity Tier 1 capital and ratio requirements were established under Basel III guidelines; therefore, this data is not applicable for periods prior to January 1, 2015.

The implementation of Basel III resulted in a decrease in our Tier 1 capital ratio and total capital ratio at December 31, 2015 due to the phasing out of trust preferred securities from Tier 1 to Tier 2 capital. Risk-weighted assets have also increased due to organic loan growth, increased unfunded commitments and the expiration of loss share coverage on lower risk-weighted covered loans. As aligned with expectations and incorporated in our capital planning process, BancShares remained well capitalized with a leverage capital ratio of 8.96 percent, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 12.65 percent, common equity Tier 1 ratio of 12.51 percent and total risk-based capital ratio of 14.03 percent under Basel III guidelines at December 31, 2015.

BancShares had $32.1 million of trust preferred capital securities included in Tier 1 capital at December 31, 2015, compared to $128.5 million and $93.5 million at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The decrease during 2015 was due to the implementation of Basel III. Effective January 1, 2015, 75 percent of our trust preferred capital securities were excluded from Tier 1 capital, with the remaining 25 percent to be phased out on January 1, 2016. Elimination of all trust preferred capital securities from the December 31, 2015 capital structure would result in a proforma Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 8.85 percent and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 12.51 percent. After the 2016 full phaseout, BancShares expects to

53




continue to remain well capitalized under current regulatory guidelines. The increase in trust preferred securities included in Tier 1 capital of $35.0 million from 2013 to 2014 was due to the Bancorporation merger.

At December 31, 2015, Tier 2 capital of BancShares included $6.0 million of qualifying subordinated debt acquired in the Bancorporation merger with a scheduled maturity date of June 1, 2018 and $96.4 million of trust preferred capital securities that were excluded from Tier 1 capital as a result of Basel III implementation. At December 31, 2014, Tier 2 capital of BancShares included $9.0 million of qualifying subordinated debt acquired in the Bancorporation merger with a scheduled maturity date of June 1, 2018. Under current regulatory guidelines, when subordinated debt is within five years of its scheduled maturity date, issuers must discount the amount included in Tier 2 capital by 20 percent for each year until the debt matures.


RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk is inherent in any business and, as is the case with other management functions, senior management has primary responsibility for day-to-day management of the risks we face.  The Board of Directors strive to ensure that risk management is part of the business culture and that policies and procedures for assessing, monitoring, and limiting risk are part of the daily decision-making process. The Board of Director’s role in risk oversight is an integral part of our overall enterprise risk management framework.  The Board of Directors administers its risk oversight function primarily through committees which may be established as separate or joint committees of the board, including a joint Risk Committee that oversees enterprise-wide risk management.
The Risk Committee structure is designed to allow for information flow and escalation of risk related issues. Among the duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Risk Committee is directed to monitor and advise the board regarding risk exposures, including credit, market, liquidity, operational, compliance, legal, strategic and reputational risks; review, approve and monitor adherence to risk appetite and supporting risk tolerance levels; evaluate, monitor and oversee the adequacy and effectiveness of the risk management framework; and review reports of examination by and communications from regulatory agencies, and the results of internal and third party testing, analyses and reviews, related to risks, risk management, and any other matters within the scope of the Risk Committee’s oversight responsibilities, and monitor and review management’s response to any noted issues. In addition, the Risk Committee may coordinate with the Audit Committee for the review of financial statements and related risks and other areas of joint responsibility.
The Dodd-Frank Act mandated that stress tests be developed and performed to ensure that financial institutions have sufficient capital to absorb losses and support operations during multiple economic and bank scenarios. Bank holding companies with total consolidated assets between $10 billion and $50 billion, including BancShares, will undergo annual company-run stress tests. As directed by the Federal Reserve, summaries of BancShares’ results in the severely adverse stress tests are available to the public. In combination with other risk management and monitoring practices, the results of stress testing activities will be considered as part of our risk management program.
Credit risk management
Credit risk is the risk of not collecting payments pursuant to the contractual terms of loans, leases and investment securities. Loans and leases, other than acquired loans, were underwritten in accordance with our credit policies and procedures and are subject to periodic ongoing reviews. Acquired loans, regardless of whether PCI or non-PCI, were recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date and are subject to periodic reviews to identify any further credit deterioration. Our independent credit review function conducts risk reviews and analyses of both acquired and originated loans to ensure compliance with credit policies and to monitor asset quality trends. The risk reviews include portfolio analysis by geographic location, industry, collateral type and product. We strive to identify potential problem loans as early as possible, to record charge-offs or write-downs as appropriate and to maintain an adequate ALLL that accounts for losses are inherent in the loan and lease portfolio.
We maintain a well-diversified loan and lease portfolio and seek to minimize the risks associated with large concentrations within specific geographic areas, collateral types or industries. Despite our focus on diversification, several characteristics of our loan portfolio subject us to significant risk, such as our concentrations of real estate secured loans, revolving mortgage loans and medical- and dental-related loans.
We have historically carried a significant concentration of real estate secured loans. Within our loan portfolio, we mitigate that exposure through our underwriting policies that primarily rely on borrower cash flow rather than underlying collateral values. When we do rely on underlying real property values, we favor financing secured by owner-occupied real property and, as a result, a large percentage of our real estate secured loans are owner occupied. At December 31, 2015, loans secured by real estate were $15.59 billion, or 77.0 percent, of total loans and leases compared to $14.70 billion, or 78.3 percent, of total loans and leases at December 31, 2014, and $11.09 billion, or 84.4 percent, at December 31, 2013.

54




Table 24
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF REAL ESTATE COLLATERAL
 
December 31, 2015
Collateral location
Percent of real estate secured loans with collateral located in the state
North Carolina
44.0%
South Carolina
19.6
California
8.5
Virginia
7.5
Georgia
4.6
Florida
3.7
Colorado
2.5
Washington
2.3
Tennessee
1.8
All other locations
5.5

Among real estate secured loans, our revolving mortgage loans (also known as Home Equity Lines of Credit or HELOCs) present a heightened risk due to long commitment periods during which the financial position of individual borrowers or collateral values may deteriorate significantly. In addition, a large percentage of our revolving mortgage loans are secured by junior liens. Substantial declines in collateral values could cause junior lien positions to become effectively unsecured. Revolving mortgage loans secured by real estate amounted to $2.58 billion, or 12.7 percent, of total loans at December 31, 2015, compared to $2.64 billion, or 14.0 percent, at December 31, 2014, and $2.14 billion, or 16.3 percent, at December 31, 2013.
Except for loans acquired through mergers and acquisitions, we have not purchased revolving mortgages in the secondary market nor have we originated these loans to customers outside of our market areas. All originated revolving mortgage loans were underwritten by us based on our standard lending criteria. The revolving mortgage loan portfolio consists largely of variable rate lines of credit which allow customer draws during the entire contractual period of the line of credit, typically 15 years. Approximately 80.3 percent of the revolving mortgage portfolio relates to properties in North Carolina and South Carolina. Approximately 35.7 percent of the loan balances outstanding are secured by senior collateral positions while the remaining 64.3 percent are secured by junior liens.
We actively monitor the portion our HELOC loans that are in the interest-only period and when they will mature. Approximately 82.4 percent of outstanding balances at December 31, 2015, require interest-only payments, while the remaining require monthly payments equal to the greater of 1.5 percent of the outstanding balance or $100. When HELOC loans switch from interest-only to fully amortizing, including principal and interest, some borrowers may not be able to afford the higher monthly payments. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 5 percent of the HELOC portfolio is due to mature by the end of 2017 with remaining loan maturities spread similarly over future years thereafter. In the normal course of business, the bank will work with each borrower as they approach the revolving period maturity date to discuss options for refinance or repayment.
Loans and leases to borrowers in medical, dental or related fields were $4.28 billion as of December 31, 2015, which represents 21.2 percent of total loans and leases, compared to $4.16 billion or 22.2 percent of total loans and leases at December 31, 2014, and $3.34 billion or 25.4 percent of total loans and leases at December 31, 2013. The credit risk of this industry concentration is mitigated through our underwriting policies that emphasize reliance on adequate borrower cash flow rather than underlying collateral value and our preference for financing secured by owner-occupied real property. Except for this single concentration, no other industry represented more than 10 percent of total loans and leases outstanding at December 31, 2015.
Interest rate risk management
Interest rate risk (IRR) results principally from assets and liabilities maturing or repricing at different points in time, from assets and liabilities repricing at the same point in time but in different amounts, and from short-term and long-term interest rates changing in different magnitudes.

We assess our short-term IRR by forecasting net interest income over 24 months under various interest rate scenarios and comparing those results to forecast net interest income assuming stable rates. Rate shock scenarios represent an instantaneous and parallel shift in rates, up or down, from a base yield curve. Due to the current low level of interest rates and competitive pressures that constrain our ability to further reduce deposit interest rates, it is unlikely that the rates on most interest-bearing

55




liabilities can decline materially from current levels. Our shock projections incorporate assumptions of likely customer migration from low rate deposit instruments to intermediate term fixed rate instruments, such as certificates of deposit, as rates rise. Various other IRR scenarios are modeled to supplement shock scenarios. This may include interest rate ramps, changes in the shape of the yield curve and changes in the relationships of FCB rates to market rates. Table 25 provides the impact on net interest income over 24 months resulting from various instantaneous interest rate shock scenarios as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Table 25
NET INTEREST INCOME SENSITIVITY SIMULATION ANAYLYSIS
 
Estimated increase (decrease) in net interest income
Change in interest rate (basis point)
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
+100
2.78
 %
 
2.90
%
+200
2.80

 
4.10

+300
(0.75
)
 
2.40


Long-term interest rate risk exposure is measured using the economic value of equity (EVE) sensitivity analysis to study the impact of long-term cash flows on earnings and capital. EVE represents the difference between the sum of the present value of all asset cash flows and the sum of the present value of the liability cash flows. EVE sensitivity analysis involves discounting cash flows of balance sheet items under different interest rate scenarios. Cash flows will vary by interest rate scenario, resulting in variations in EVE. The base-case measurement and its sensitivity to shifts in the yield curve allow management to measure longer-term repricing and option risk in the balance sheet. Table 26 presents the EVE profile as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Table 26
ECONOMIC VALUE OF EQUITY MODELING ANALYSIS
 
Estimated increase (decrease) in EVE
Change in interest rate (basis point)
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
+100
3.18
 %
 
2.80
 %
+200
1.53

 
2.20

+300
(3.92
)
 
(0.90
)

We do not typically utilize interest rate swaps, floors, collars or other derivative financial instruments to attempt to hedge our overall balance sheet rate sensitivity and interest rate risk. However, we have entered into an interest rate swap to synthetically convert the variable rate on $93.5 million of junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate of 5.50 percent through June 2016. The interest rate swap qualifies as a hedge under GAAP. See Note R in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, "Derivatives," for additional discussion of this interest rate swap.

Table 27 provides loan maturity distribution and information regarding the sensitivity of loans and leases to changes in interest rates.

Table 27
LOAN MATURITY DISTRIBUTION AND INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY
 
At December 31, 2015, maturing
(Dollars in thousands)
Within
One Year
 
One to Five
Years
 
After
Five Years
 
Total
Loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Secured by real estate
$
976,149

 
$
4,978,886

 
$
9,631,105

 
$
15,586,140

Commercial and industrial
659,930

 
869,539

 
854,670

 
2,384,139

Other
458,596

 
1,194,364

 
616,751

 
2,269,711

Total loans and leases
2,094,675

 
7,042,789

 
11,102,526

 
20,239,990

Loans maturing after one year with:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed interest rates
 
 
$
6,055,436

 
$
7,587,700

 
$
13,643,136

Floating or adjustable rates
 
 
987,353

 
3,514,826

 
4,502,179

Total
 
 
$
7,042,789

 
$
11,102,526

 
$
18,145,315



56




Liquidity risk management

Liquidity risk is the risk that an institution is unable to generate or obtain sufficient cash or its equivalents on a cost-effective basis to meet commitments as they fall due. The most common sources of liquidity risk arise from mismatches in the timing and value of on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet cash inflows and outflows. In general, on-balance sheet mismatches generate liquidity risk when the effective maturity of assets exceeds the effective maturity of liabilities. A commonly cited example of a balance sheet liquidity mismatch is when long-term loans (assets) are funded with short-term deposits (liabilities). Other forms of liquidity risk include market constraints on the ability to convert assets into cash at expected levels, an inability to access funding sources at sufficient levels at a reasonable cost, and changes in economic conditions or exposure to credit, market, operational, legal and reputation risks that can affect an institution’s liquidity risk profile.

We utilize various limit-based measures to monitor, measure and control liquidity risk across three different types of liquidity:
Tactical liquidity measures the risk of a negative cash flow position whereby cash outflows exceed cash inflows over a short-term horizon out to nine weeks;
Structural liquidity measures the amount by which illiquid assets are supported by long-term funding; and
Contingent liquidity utilizes cash flow stress testing across three crisis scenarios to determine the adequacy of our liquidity.

We aim to maintain a diverse mix of liquidity sources to support the liquidity management function, while aiming to avoid funding concentrations by diversifying our external funding with respect to maturities, counterparties and nature. Our primary sources of liquidity are our retail deposit book due to the generally stable balances and low cost it offers, cash in excess of our reserve requirement at the Federal Reserve Bank and various other corresponding bank accounts and unencumbered securities which were $3.96 billion at December 31, 2015 compared to $4.29 billion at December 31, 2014. Another source of available funds is advances from the FHLB of Atlanta. Outstanding FHLB advances were $520.3 million as of December 31, 2015, and we had sufficient collateral pledged to secure $5.57 billion of additional borrowings. We also maintain Federal Funds lines and other borrowing facilities which had $740.0 million of available capacity at December 31, 2015.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 
Table 28 identifies significant obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2015 representing required and potential cash outflows. See Note U for additional information regarding total commitments.

Table 28
COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Type of obligation
Payments due by period
(Dollars in thousands)
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
4-5 years
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Contractual obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time deposits
$
2,359,710

 
$
568,008

 
$
168,488

 
$

 
$
3,096,206

Short-term borrowings
594,733

 

 

 

 
594,733

Long-term obligations
3,401

 
148,672

 
507

 
551,575

 
704,155

Operating leases
18,543

 
25,432

 
13,629

 
43,407

 
101,011

Estimated payment to FDIC due to claw-back provisions under loss share agreements

 

 
106,622

 
45,495

 
152,117

Total contractual obligations
$
2,976,387

 
$
742,112

 
$
289,246

 
$
640,477

 
$
4,648,222

Commitments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan commitments
$
4,085,288

 
$
834,970

 
$
420,731

 
$
2,609,517

 
$
7,950,506

Standby letters of credit
63,819

 
13,954

 
166

 

 
77,939

Affordable housing partnerships
21,155

 
20,006

 
273

 
378

 
41,812

Total commitments
$
4,170,262

 
$
868,930

 
$
421,170

 
$
2,609,895

 
$
8,070,257



57




FOURTH QUARTER ANALYSIS
For the quarter ended December 31, 2015, BancShares reported consolidated net income of $42.7 million, compared to $62.9 million for the corresponding period of 2014. Per share income was $3.56 for the fourth quarter of 2015 and $5.24 for the same period a year ago.
Net interest income increased $13.5 million, or by 6.2 percent, to $230.7 million from the fourth quarter of 2014. Loan interest income was up $5.6 million as a result of higher interest income from originated loan growth, offset by loan yield compression as a result of the continued PCI loan portfolio runoff. The PCI portfolio yield continues to be replaced with higher quality, lower yielding loans. Investment securities interest income improved by $3.8 million as matured cash flows were reinvested into higher yielding investments. Interest expense declined by $3.7 million due to reduced borrowing and deposit funding costs.
The taxable-equivalent net interest margin for the fourth quarter of 2015 was 3.12 percent, an increase by 3 basis points from the same quarter in the prior year. The margin improvement was due to originated loan growth, improvement in investment yields and lower borrowing and deposit funding rates, partially offset by loan yield compression.
Provision expense for loan and lease losses was $7.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to $8.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2014. The decline was primarily due to improved credit quality in the loan portfolio, offset by higher net charge-offs on non-PCI loans and a lower net provision credit on PCI loans.
Noninterest income was $99.1 million, down by $36.6 million from the fourth quarter of 2014. The decline was primarily driven by the recognition of a $29.1 million gain in the fourth quarter of 2014 related to Bancorporation shares of stock owned by BancShares that were canceled on the merger date and higher 2015 adjustments to the FDIC receivable of $9.2 million. These decreases were partially offset by a $4.3 million increase in recoveries of PCI loans previously charged-off.
Noninterest expense was $255.9 million, down by $1.3 million from the same quarter last year. The decline was primarily the result of decreases in foreclosure-related and merger-related expenses of $5.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by a $6.7 million increase in employee benefits due to higher pension and healthcare costs.
Income tax expense was $24.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, down from $24.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, representing effective tax rates of 36.1 percent and 28.1 percent during the respective periods. The lower effective tax rate during the fourth quarter of 2014 resulted primarily from the impact of the tax benefit of the Bancorporation shares of stock owned by BancShares at the date of acquisition.
Table 29 provides quarterly information for each of the quarters in 2015 and 2014. Table 30 analyzes the components of changes in net interest income between the fourth quarter of 2015 and 2014.


58




Table 29
SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA
 
2015
 
2014
(Dollars in thousands, except share data and ratios)
Fourth
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
First
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
First
Quarter
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
241,861

 
$
249,825

 
$
246,013

 
$
231,510

 
$
232,122

 
$
177,621

 
$
177,311

 
$
173,394

Interest expense
11,142

 
10,454

 
11,363

 
11,345

 
14,876

 
11,399

 
11,613

 
12,463

Net interest income
230,719

 
239,371

 
234,650

 
220,165

 
217,246

 
166,222

 
165,698

 
160,931

Provision for loan and lease losses
7,046

 
107

 
7,719

 
5,792

 
8,305

 
1,537

 
(7,299
)
 
(1,903
)
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses
223,673

 
239,264

 
226,931

 
214,373

 
208,941

 
164,685

 
172,997

 
162,834

Gain on acquisition

 

 

 
42,930

 

 

 

 

Noninterest income
99,135

 
109,750

 
107,450

 
107,823

 
135,711

 
78,599

 
66,589

 
62,314

Noninterest expense
255,886

 
260,172

 
264,691

 
258,166

 
257,216

 
201,810

 
199,020

 
191,030

Income before income taxes
66,922

 
88,842

 
69,690

 
106,960

 
87,436

 
41,474

 
40,566

 
34,118

Income taxes
24,174

 
32,884

 
25,168

 
39,802

 
24,540

 
14,973

 
13,880

 
11,639

Net income
$
42,748

 
$
55,958

 
$
44,522

 
$
67,158

 
$
62,896

 
$
26,501

 
$
26,686

 
$
22,479

Net interest income, taxable equivalent
$
232,147

 
$
240,930

 
$
236,456

 
$
221,452

 
$
218,436

 
$
167,150

 
$
166,570

 
$
161,694

PER SHARE DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
3.56

 
$
4.66

 
$
3.71

 
$
5.59

 
$
5.24

 
$
2.76

 
$
2.77

 
$
2.34

Cash dividends
0.30

 
0.30

 
0.30

 
0.30

 
0.30

 
0.30

 
0.30

 
0.30

Market price at period end (Class A)
258.17

 
226.00

 
263.04

 
259.69

 
252.79

 
216.63

 
245.00

 
240.75

Book value at period end
239.14

 
238.34

 
232.62

 
230.53

 
223.77

 
224.75

 
222.91

 
218.29

SELECTED QUARTERLY AVERAGE BALANCES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
31,753,223

 
$
31,268,774

 
$
30,835,749

 
$
30,414,322

 
$
30,376,207

 
$
22,092,940

 
$
22,017,501

 
$
21,867,243

Investment securities
6,731,183

 
7,275,290

 
7,149,691

 
6,889,752

 
7,110,799

 
5,616,730

 
5,629,467

 
5,606,723

Loans and leases (PCI and non-PCI)
20,059,556

 
19,761,145

 
19,354,823

 
18,922,028

 
18,538,553

 
13,670,217

 
13,566,612

 
13,459,945

Interest-earning assets
29,565,715

 
29,097,839

 
28,660,246

 
28,231,922

 
28,064,279

 
20,351,369

 
20,304,777

 
20,139,131

Deposits
27,029,650

 
26,719,713

 
26,342,821

 
25,833,068

 
25,851,672

 
18,506,778

 
18,561,927

 
18,492,310

Long-term obligations
704,465

 
548,214

 
473,434

 
460,713

 
404,363

 
313,695

 
398,615

 
500,805

Interest-bearing liabilities
18,933,443

 
18,911,455

 
18,933,611

 
19,171,958

 
19,011,554

 
13,836,025

 
14,020,480

 
14,189,227

Shareholders’ equity
$
2,867,177

 
$
2,823,967

 
$
2,781,648

 
$
2,724,719

 
$
2,712,905

 
$
2,150,119

 
$
2,120,275

 
$
2,089,457

Shares outstanding
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
9,618,941

 
9,618,941

 
9,618,941

SELECTED QUARTER-END BALANCES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
31,475,934

 
$
31,449,824

 
$
30,896,855

 
$
30,862,932

 
$
30,075,113

 
$
21,937,665

 
$
22,057,876

 
$
22,149,897

Investment securities
6,861,548

 
6,690,879

 
7,350,545

 
7,045,550

 
7,172,435

 
5,648,701

 
5,538,859

 
5,677,019

Loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
950,516

 
1,044,064

 
1,123,239

 
1,252,545

 
1,186,498

 
996,280

 
1,109,933

 
1,270,818

Non-PCI
19,289,474

 
18,811,742

 
18,396,946

 
17,844,414

 
17,582,967

 
12,806,511

 
12,415,023

 
12,200,226

Deposits
26,930,755

 
26,719,375

 
26,511,896

 
26,300,830

 
25,678,577

 
18,406,941

 
18,556,758

 
18,763,545

Long-term obligations
704,155

 
705,418

 
475,568

 
468,180

 
351,320

 
313,768

 
314,529

 
440,300

Shareholders’ equity
$
2,872,109

 
$
2,862,528

 
$
2,793,890

 
$
2,768,719

 
$
2,687,594

 
$
2,161,881

 
$
2,144,181

 
$
2,099,730

Shares outstanding
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
12,010,405

 
9,618,941

 
9,618,941

 
9,618,941

SELECTED RATIOS AND OTHER DATA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rate of return on average assets (annualized)
0.53
%
 
0.71
%
 
0.58
%
 
0.90
%
 
0.82
%
 
0.48
%
 
0.49
%
 
0.42
%
Rate of return on average shareholders’ equity (annualized)
5.92

 
7.86

 
6.42

 
10.00

 
9.20

 
4.89

 
5.05

 
4.36

Net yield on interest-earning assets (taxable equivalent)
3.12

 
3.29

 
3.31

 
3.18

 
3.09

 
3.26

 
3.29

 
3.26

Allowance for loan and lease losses to loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI
1.72

 
1.68

 
1.38

 
1.41

 
1.82

 
2.59

 
2.64

 
3.54

Non-PCI
0.98

 
1.00

 
1.05

 
1.05

 
1.04

 
1.37

 
1.43

 
1.46

Nonperforming assets to total loans and leases and other real estate at period end:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Covered
3.51

 
3.72

 
4.70

 
8.42

 
9.84

 
11.98

 
10.97

 
9.34

Noncovered
0.79

 
0.77

 
0.73

 
0.77

 
0.66

 
0.73

 
0.64

 
0.73

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
12.65

 
12.77

 
12.66

 
12.92

 
13.61

 
14.23

 
14.58

 
14.53

Common equity Tier 1 ratio
12.51

 
12.63

 
12.52

 
12.77

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total risk-based capital ratio
14.03

 
14.18

 
14.10

 
14.42

 
14.69

 
15.57

 
15.93

 
16.02

Leverage capital ratio
8.96

 
8.97

 
8.92

 
8.90

 
8.91

 
9.77

 
9.69

 
9.63

Dividend payout ratio
8.43

 
6.44

 
8.09

 
5.37

 
5.73

 
10.87

 
10.83

 
12.82

Average loans and leases to average deposits
74.21

 
73.96

 
73.47

 
73.25

 
71.71

 
73.87

 
73.09

 
72.79



59




Table 30
CONSOLIDATED TAXABLE EQUIVALENT RATE/VOLUME VARIANCE ANALYSIS - FOURTH QUARTER

 
2015
 
2014
 
Increase (decrease) due to:
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average
 
Income/
 
Yield/
 
Average
 
Income/
 
Yield/
 
 
 
Yield/
 
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
 
Expense
 
 Rate
 
Balance
 
Expense
 
Rate
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Change
Assets
 
Loans and leases
$
20,059,556

 
$
218,048

 
4.32

%
$
18,538,553

 
$
212,058

 
4.54

%
$
16,838

 
$
(10,848
)
 
$
5,990

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U. S. Treasury
1,686,269

 
3,092

 
0.73

 
2,683,820

 
5,405

 
0.80

 
(1,925
)
 
(388
)
 
(2,313
)
Government agency
599,048

 
1,282

 
0.86

 
1,012,044

 
901

 
0.36

 
(628
)
 
1,009

 
381

Mortgage-backed securities
4,437,936

 
18,632

 
1.68

 
3,411,011

 
13,122

 
1.54

 
4,135

 
1,375

 
5,510

State, county and municipal

 

 

 
621

 
12

 
7.73

 
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
Other
7,930

 
205

 
10.30

 
3,303

 
126

 
15.13

 
148

 
(69
)
 
79

Total investment securities
6,731,183

 
23,211

 
1.38

 
7,110,799

 
19,566

 
1.10

 
1,718

 
1,927

 
3,645

Overnight investments
2,774,976

 
2,030

 
0.29

 
2,414,927

 
1,689

 
0.28

 
267

 
74

 
341

Total interest-earning assets
29,565,715

 
$
243,289

 
3.27

%
28,064,279

 
$
233,313

 
3.30

%
$
18,823

 
$
(8,847
)
 
$
9,976

Cash and due from banks
492,663

 
 
 
 
 
562,240

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premises and equipment
1,129,809

 
 
 
 
 
1,129,128

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receivable from FDIC for loss share agreements
11,773

 
 
 
 
 
45,980

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses
(205,876
)
 
 
 
 
 
(198,915
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other real estate owned
65,043

 
 
 
 
 
104,095

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other assets
694,096

 
 
 
 
 
669,400

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total assets
$
31,753,223

 
 
 
 
 
$
30,376,207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking with interest
$
4,234,147

 
$
204

 
0.02

%
$
4,332,424

 
$
379

 
0.03

%
$
(37
)
 
$
(138
)
 
$
(175
)
Savings
1,887,520

 
142

 
0.03

 
1,206,860

 
91

 
0.03

 
51

 

 
51

Money market accounts
8,175,228

 
1,605

 
0.08

 
8,332,418

 
1,721

 
0.08

 
(74
)
 
(42
)
 
(116
)
Time deposits
3,200,354

 
2,900

 
0.36

 
3,649,803

 
4,062

 
0.44

 
(462
)
 
(700
)
 
(1,162
)
Total interest-bearing deposits
17,497,249

 
4,851

 
0.11

 
17,521,505

 
6,253

 
0.14

 
(522
)
 
(880
)
 
(1,402
)
Repurchase agreements
728,526

 
471

 
0.26

 
328,470

 
139

 
0.17

 
214

 
118

 
332

Other short-term borrowings
3,203

 
7

 
1.39

 
757,216

 
4,208

 
2.21

 
(3,418
)
 
(783
)
 
(4,201
)
Long-term obligations
704,465

 
5,813

 
3.30

 
404,363

 
4,276

 
4.23

 
2,825

 
(1,288
)
 
1,537

Total interest-bearing liabilities
18,933,443

 
$
11,142

 
0.23

%
19,011,554

 
$
14,876

 
0.31

%
$
2,517

 
$
(2,833
)
 
$
467

Demand deposits
9,532,401

 
 
 
 
 
8,330,167

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
420,202

 
 
 
 
 
321,581

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity
2,867,177

 
 
 
 
 
2,712,905

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
31,753,223

 
 
 
 
 
$
30,376,207

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate spread
 
 
 
 
3.04

%
 
 
 
 
2.99

%
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income and net yield
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
on interest-earning assets
 
 
$
232,147

 
3.12
%
 
 
$
218,436

 
3.09

%
$
16,306

 
$
(6,014
)
 
$
10,292

Loans and leases include PCI loans, non-PCI loans, nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale. Interest income on loans and leases includes accretion income and loan fees. Loan fees were $8.0 million and $4.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Yields related to loans, leases and securities exempt from both federal and state income taxes, federal income taxes only, or state income taxes only are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming statutory federal income tax rates of 35.0 percent for each period and state income tax rates of 5.5 percent and 6.2 percent for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $1,428 and $1,190 for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The rate/volume variance is allocated equally between the changes in volume and rate.


60




Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

BancShares' management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of BancShares' disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, in accordance with Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that BancShares' disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that it is able to record, process, summarize and report in a timely manner the information required to be disclosed in the reports it files under the Exchange Act.

No changes in BancShares' internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, BancShares' internal control over financial reporting.

MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
The management of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (BancShares) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. BancShares’ internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
 
BancShares' management assessed the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on that assessment, BancShares' management believes that, as of December 31, 2015, BancShares' internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. A control deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of the company's financial reporting. A material weakness in internal control over financial reporting is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
 
BancShares' independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on the company's internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 62.



61





REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
First Citizens BancShares, Inc.

We have audited First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ (BancShares) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). BancShares’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the BancShares’ internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of BancShares as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated February 24, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina
February 24, 2016



62






REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
First Citizens BancShares, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries (BancShares) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of BancShares’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), BancShares’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 24, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina
February 24, 2016



63




First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
534,086

 
$
604,182

Overnight investments
2,063,132

 
1,724,919

Investment securities available for sale (cost of $6,885,797 at December 31, 2015 and $7,163,574 at December 31, 2014)
6,861,293

 
7,171,917

Investment securities held to maturity (fair value of $265 at December 31, 2015 and $544 at December 31, 2014)
255

 
518

Loans held for sale
59,766

 
63,696

Loans and leases
20,239,990

 
18,769,465

Allowance for loan and lease losses
(206,216
)
 
(204,466
)
Net loans and leases
20,033,774

 
18,564,999

Premises and equipment
1,135,829

 
1,125,081

Other real estate owned:
 
 
 
Covered under loss share agreements
6,817

 
22,982

Not covered under loss share agreements
58,742

 
70,454

Income earned not collected
70,036

 
57,254

FDIC loss share receivable
4,054

 
28,701

Goodwill
139,773

 
139,773

Other intangible assets
90,986

 
106,610

Other assets
417,391

 
394,027

Total assets
$
31,475,934

 
$
30,075,113

Liabilities
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing
$
9,274,470

 
$
8,086,784

Interest-bearing
17,656,285

 
17,591,793

Total deposits
26,930,755

 
25,678,577

Short-term borrowings
594,733

 
987,184

Long-term obligations
704,155

 
351,320

FDIC loss share payable
126,453

 
116,535

Other liabilities
247,729

 
253,903

Total liabilities
28,603,825

 
27,387,519

Shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
Common stock:
 
 
 
Class A - $1 par value (16,000,000 shares authorized; 11,005,220 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)
11,005

 
11,005

Class B - $1 par value (2,000,000 shares authorized; 1,005,185 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014)
1,005

 
1,005

Surplus
658,918

 
658,918

Retained earnings
2,265,621

 
2,069,647

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(64,440
)
 
(52,981
)
Total shareholders’ equity
2,872,109

 
2,687,594

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
31,475,934

 
$
30,075,113


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

64


First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and leases
$
874,892

 
$
700,525

 
$
757,197

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
U. S. Treasury
15,353

 
11,656

 
1,645

Government agency
6,843

 
7,410

 
12,265

Mortgage-backed securities
65,815

 
36,492

 
22,642

State, county and municipal
33

 
13

 
12

Other
206

 
640

 
320

Total investment securities interest and dividend income
88,250

 
56,211

 
36,884

Overnight investments
6,067

 
3,712

 
2,723

Total interest income
969,209

 
760,448

 
796,804

Interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
21,230

 
24,786

 
34,495

Short-term borrowings
4,660

 
9,177

 
2,724

Long-term obligations
18,414

 
16,388

 
19,399

Total interest expense
44,304

 
50,351

 
56,618

Net interest income
924,905

 
710,097

 
740,186

Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
20,664

 
640

 
(32,255
)
Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
904,241

 
709,457

 
772,441

Noninterest income
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on acquisition
42,930

 

 

Cardholder services
77,342

 
59,607

 
48,360

Merchant services
84,207

 
64,075

 
56,024

Service charges on deposit accounts
90,546

 
69,100

 
60,661

Wealth management services
82,865

 
66,115

 
59,628

Fees from processing services
180

 
17,989

 
22,821

Securities gains
10,817

 
29,096

 

Other service charges and fees
23,807

 
17,760

 
15,696

Mortgage income
18,168

 
5,828

 
11,065

Insurance commissions
11,757

 
11,129

 
10,694

ATM income
7,119

 
5,388

 
5,026

Adjustments to FDIC loss share receivable
(19,009
)
 
(32,151
)
 
(72,342
)
Other
36,359

 
29,277

 
49,749

Total noninterest income
467,088

 
343,213

 
267,382

Noninterest expense
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and wages
429,742

 
349,279

 
308,936

Employee benefits
113,309

 
79,898

 
90,479

Occupancy expense
98,191

 
86,775

 
75,713

Equipment expense
92,639

 
79,084

 
75,538

FDIC insurance expense
18,340

 
12,979

 
10,175

Foreclosure-related expenses
2,662

 
17,368

 
17,134

Merger-related expenses
14,174

 
13,064

 
391

Other
269,858

 
210,629

 
193,014

Total noninterest expense
1,038,915

 
849,076

 
771,380

Income before income taxes
332,414

 
203,594

 
268,443

Income taxes
122,028

 
65,032

 
101,574

Net income
$
210,386

 
$
138,562

 
$
166,869

Per share information
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share
$
17.52

 
$
13.56

 
$
17.35

Dividends declared per share
1.20

 
1.20

 
1.20

Average shares outstanding
12,010,405

 
10,221,721

 
9,618,952


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

65




First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


 
Year ended December 31
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net income
$
210,386

 
$
138,562

 
$
166,869

Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during period
(22,030
)
 
54,071

 
(50,441
)
Tax effect
8,486

 
(21,010
)
 
19,833

Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized and included in income before income taxes
(10,817
)
 
(29,096
)
 

Tax effect
4,138

 
11,224

 

Total change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax
(20,223
)
 
15,189

 
(30,608
)
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
Change in unrecognized loss on cash flow hedges
2,908

 
2,883

 
3,178

Tax effect
(1,136
)
 
(1,113
)
 
(1,320
)
Total change in unrecognized loss on cash flow hedges, net of tax
1,772

 
1,770

 
1,858

Change in pension obligation:
 
 
 
 
 
Change in pension obligation
691

 
(78,472
)
 
123,557

Tax effect
(297
)
 
30,526

 
(48,475
)
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service cost
11,586

 
5,358

 
17,195

Tax effect
(4,988
)
 
(2,084
)
 
(6,689
)
Total change in pension obligation, net of tax
6,992

 
(44,672
)
 
85,588

Other comprehensive (loss) income
(11,459
)
 
(27,713
)
 
56,838

Total comprehensive income
$
198,927

 
$
110,849

 
$
223,707



See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


66




First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
 

 
Class A
Common Stock
 
Class B
Common Stock
 
Surplus
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
8,588

 
$
1,033

 
$
143,766

 
$
1,788,343

 
$
(82,106
)
 
$
1,859,624

Net income

 

 

 
166,869

 

 
166,869

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 
56,838

 
56,838

Repurchase of 1,973 shares of Class A common stock
(2
)
 

 

 
(319
)
 

 
(321
)
Cash dividends ($1.20 per share)

 

 

 
(11,548
)
 

 
(11,548
)
Balance at December 31, 2013
8,586

 
1,033

 
143,766

 
1,943,345

 
(25,268
)
 
2,071,462

Net income

 

 

 
138,562

 

 
138,562

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 
(27,713
)
 
(27,713
)
Issuance of common stock in connection with the Bancorporation merger, net of issuance costs of $619
2,587

 
18

 
561,023

 

 

 
563,628

Repurchase and retirement of 167,600 shares of Class A common stock
(168
)
 

 
(36,140
)
 

 

 
(36,308
)
Repurchase and retirement of 45,900 shares of Class B common stock

 
(46
)
 
(9,731
)
 

 

 
(9,777
)
Cash dividends ($1.20 per share)

 

 

 
(12,260
)
 

 
(12,260
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
11,005

 
1,005

 
658,918

 
2,069,647

 
(52,981
)
 
2,687,594

Net income

 

 

 
210,386

 

 
210,386

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 
(11,459
)
 
(11,459
)
Cash dividends ($1.20 per share)

 

 

 
(14,412
)
 

 
(14,412
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
11,005

 
$
1,005

 
$
658,918

 
$
2,265,621

 
$
(64,440
)
 
$
2,872,109



See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


67




First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
 
Year ended December 31
(dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
Net income
$
210,386

 
$
138,562

 
$
166,869

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
20,664

 
640

 
(32,255
)
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
550

 
(33,339
)
 
47,646

Net change in current taxes
(19,477
)
 
72,274

 
(79,173
)
Depreciation
87,717

 
75,481

 
70,841

Net change in accrued interest payable
(2,481
)
 
1,457

 
(2,616
)
Net change in income earned not collected
(12,782
)
 
6,402

 
(724
)
Gain on acquisition
(42,930
)
 

 

Gain on branch sale
(216
)
 

 

Gain on sale of processing services, net

 

 
(4,085
)
Securities gains
(10,817
)
 
(29,096
)
 

Origination of loans held for sale
(685,631
)
 
(377,993
)
 
(393,908
)
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale
701,412

 
398,719

 
443,708

Gain on sale of loans
(11,851
)
 
(4,971
)
 
(10,738
)
Net writedowns/losses on other real estate
2,168

 
14,275

 
6,686

Gain on elimination of acquired debt

 
(1,988
)
 

Net amortization of premiums and discounts
(85,066
)
 
(48,374
)
 
(112,759
)
Amortization of intangible assets
22,894

 
6,955

 
2,309

Reduction in FDIC receivable for loss share agreements
47,044

 
27,666

 
71,771

Increase in FDIC payable for loss share agreements
9,918

 
6,933

 
7,821

Net change in other assets
(12,904
)
 
(72,680
)
 
100,437

Net change in other liabilities
14,458

 
1,319

 
49,177

Net cash provided by operating activities
233,056

 
182,242

 
331,007

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in loans outstanding
(1,311,447
)
 
(814,372
)
 
323,436

Purchases of investment securities available for sale
(2,467,993
)
 
(2,518,680
)
 
(2,671,420
)
Proceeds from maturities/calls of investment securities held to maturity
263

 
389

 
435

Proceeds from maturities/calls of investment securities available for sale
1,478,608

 
2,482,722

 
2,437,851

Proceeds from sales of investment securities available for sale
1,286,120

 
422,652

 

Net change in overnight investments
(338,213
)
 
221,730

 
(416,144
)
Cash (paid to) received from the FDIC for loss share agreements
(33,296
)
 
(1,286
)
 
19,373

Proceeds from sales of other real estate
80,932

 
89,485

 
147,550

Proceeds from sales of residential mortgage loans
45,862

 

 

Additions to premises and equipment
(89,734
)
 
(82,708
)
 
(66,037
)
Net cash used in branch sale
(22,242
)
 

 

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
123,137

 
182,370

 

Net cash used by investing activities
(1,248,003
)
 
(17,698
)
 
(224,956
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in time deposits
(590,773
)
 
(499,869
)
 
(699,005
)
Net increase in demand and other interest-bearing deposits
1,607,487

 
497,692

 
487,046

Net decrease in short-term borrowings
(397,952
)
 
(25,321
)
 
(57,087
)
Repayment of long-term obligations
(5,896
)
 
(54,301
)
 
(4,152
)
Origination of long-term obligations
350,000

 

 
70,000

Stock issuance costs

 
(619
)
 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 
(321
)
Cash dividends paid
(18,015
)
 
(11,543
)
 
(8,663
)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
944,851

 
(93,961
)
 
(212,182
)
Change in cash and due from banks
(70,096
)
 
70,583

 
(106,131
)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
604,182

 
533,599

 
639,730

Cash and due from banks at end of period
$
534,086

 
$
604,182

 
$
533,599

CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
$
46,785

 
$
48,894

 
$
59,234

Income taxes
136,900

 
127,970

 
102,890

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
Transfers of loans to other real estate
55,032

 
65,956

 
92,125

Dividends declared but not paid

 
3,603

 
2,885

Reclassification of reserve for unfunded commitments to allowance for loan and lease losses

 

 
7,368

Repurchase and retirement of common stock

 
(46,085
)
 

Issuance of common stock associated with Bancorporation merger

 
564,248

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

68




First Citizens BancShares, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
NOTE A
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
General
First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (BancShares) is a financial holding company organized under the laws of Delaware and conducts operations through its banking subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (FCB), which is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
On January 1, 2014, FCB completed its merger with 1st Financial Services Corporation (1st Financial) of Hendersonville, NC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mountain 1st Bank & Trust Company (Mountain 1st).
On October 1, 2014, BancShares completed the merger of First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. (Bancorporation) with and into BancShares pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 10, 2014, as amended on July 29, 2014. On January 1, 2015, First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. (FCB-SC) merged with and into FCB. As of December 31, 2015, FCB remained the single banking subsidiary of BancShares.
On February 13, 2015, FCB entered into an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), as Receiver, to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Capitol City Bank & Trust (CCBT). The CCBT merger was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The purchased assets, assumed liabilities, and identifiable intangible assets were recorded at their acquisition date estimated fair values. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the transaction as additional information regarding closing date fair values becomes available. See Note B for additional information regarding the CCBT merger.
The accounting and reporting policies of BancShares and its subsidiaries are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Additionally, where applicable, the policies conform to the accounting and reporting guidelines prescribed by bank regulatory authorities. The following is a summary of BancShares' more significant accounting policies.
Nature of Operations
FCB operates 559 branches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, California, Washington, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and the District of Columbia. FCB provides full-service banking services designed to meet the needs of retail and commercial customers in the markets in which they operate. The services provided include transaction and savings deposit accounts, commercial and consumer loans, trust and asset management. Investment services, including sales of annuities and third party mutual funds are offered through First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. (FCIS) and First Citizens Securities Corporation (FCSC), and title insurance is offered through Neuse Financial Services, Inc. FCSC merged into FCIS effective January 1, 2016.
Principles of Consolidation and Segment Reporting
The consolidated financial statements of BancShares include the accounts of BancShares and those subsidiaries that are majority owned by BancShares and over which BancShares exercises control. In consolidation, all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The results of operations of companies or assets acquired are included only from the dates of acquisition. All material wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated unless GAAP requires otherwise. BancShares operates with centralized management and combined reporting, thus BancShares operates as one consolidated reportable segment.
FCB has investments in certain partnerships and limited liability entities primarily for the purposes of fulfilling Community Reinvestment Act requirements and/or obtaining tax credits. The entities have been evaluated and determined to be variable interest entities (VIEs). VIEs are legal entities in which equity investors do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to independently finance its activities, or as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the power through voting or similar rights to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, or do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity or the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity. Consolidation of a VIE is considered appropriate if a reporting entity holds a controlling financial interest in the VIE. Analysis of these investments concluded that FCB is not the primary beneficiary and does not hold a controlling interest in the VIEs and, therefore, the assets and liabilities of these entities are not consolidated into the financial statements of FCB or BancShares. The recorded investment in these entities is reported within other assets in BancShares' Consolidated Balance Sheets.

69

Table of Contents
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Reclassifications
In certain instances, amounts reported in prior years' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on previously reported cash flows, shareholders' equity or net income.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and different assumptions in the application of these policies could result in material changes in BancShares' consolidated financial position, the consolidated results of its operations or related disclosures. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change include:
Allowance for loan and lease losses
Fair value of financial instruments, including acquired assets and assumed liabilities
Pension plan assumptions
Cash flow estimates on purchased credit-impaired (PCI) loans
Receivable from and payable to the FDIC for loss share agreements
Income tax assets, liabilities and expense
Business Combinations
BancShares accounts for all business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method of accounting, acquired assets and assumed liabilities are included with the acquirer's accounts as of the date of acquisition, with any excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired recognized as either finite lived intangibles or capitalized as goodwill. In addition, acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs are recognized as period expenses as incurred.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with banks and federal funds sold. Cash and cash equivalents have initial maturities of three months or less. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value due to its short-term nature.
Investment Securities
BancShares classifies marketable investment securities as held to maturity, available for sale or trading. Interest income and dividends on securities are recognized in interest income on an accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized as an adjustment to interest income using the interest method. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, BancShares had no investment securities held for trading purposes.
Debt securities are classified as held to maturity where BancShares has both the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. These securities are reported at amortized cost.
Investment securities that may be sold to meet liquidity needs arising from unanticipated deposit and loan fluctuations, changes in regulatory capital requirements or unforeseen changes in market conditions, are classified as available for sale. Securities available for sale are reported at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of deferred income taxes, in the shareholders' equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains or losses realized from the sale of securities available for sale are determined by specific identification on a trade date basis and are included in noninterest income.
BancShares evaluates each held to maturity and available for sale security in a loss position for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) at least quarterly. BancShares considers such factors as the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been below amortized cost, long term expectations and recent experience regarding principal and interest payments, BancShares' intent to sell, and whether it is more likely than not that it would be required to sell those securities

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before the anticipated recovery of the amortized cost basis. The credit component of an OTTI loss is recognized in earnings and the non-credit component is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income in situations where BancShares does not intend to sell the security, and it is more likely than not that BancShares will not be required to sell the security prior to recovery.
Nonmarketable Securities
Federal law requires a member institution of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system to purchase and hold restricted stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula. This stock is restricted in that it may only be sold to the FHLB and all sales must be at par. Accordingly, the FHLB restricted stock is carried at cost, less any applicable impairment charges.
Nonmarketable securities are periodically evaluated for impairment. BancShares considers positive and negative evidence, including the profitability and asset quality of the issuer, dividend payment history and recent redemption experience when determining the ultimate recoverability of the recorded investment. Nonmarketable securities are recorded within other assets in BancShares’ Consolidated Balance Sheets. FHLB and nonmarketable securities were $37.7 million and $52.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Loans Held For Sale
BancShares has elected to apply the fair value option for new originations of prime residential mortgage loans to be sold. BancShares elected the fair value option in 2014 and accounts for the forward commitments used to economically hedge the loans held for sale at fair value. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income in mortgage income. Origination fees collected are deferred and recorded in mortgage income in the period the corresponding loan is sold.  
Loans and Leases
BancShares' accounting methods for loans and leases differ depending on whether they are purchased credit impaired (PCI) or non-PCI.
Non-Purchased Credit Impaired (Non-PCI) Loans and Leases
Loans and leases for which management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future are classified as held for investment and carried at the principal amount outstanding net of any unearned income, charge-offs and unamortized fees and costs on non-PCI loans. Nonrefundable fees collected and certain direct costs incurred related to loan originations are deferred and recorded as an adjustment to loans and leases outstanding. The net amount of the nonrefundable fees and costs are amortized to interest income over the contractual lives using methods that approximate a constant yield. Net deferred fees on non-PCI loans, including unearned income and unamortized costs, fees, premiums and discounts, were $16.6 million and $20.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Non-PCI loans include originated commercial, originated noncommercial, purchased non-impaired loans, purchased leases and certain purchased revolving credit. For purchased non-impaired loans to be included as non-PCI, it must be determined that the loans do not have a discount at least in part due to credit quality at the time of acquisition. The difference between fair value and unpaid principal balance of the loan at the acquisition date is amortized or accreted to interest income over the estimated life of the loans using a method that approximates the interest method.
Purchased Credit Impaired (PCI) Loans and Leases
PCI loans and leases are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. No allowance for loan and lease losses is recorded on the acquisition date as the fair value of the acquired assets incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk.
PCI loans and leases are evaluated at acquisition and where a discount is required at least in part due to credit, the loans are accounted for under the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Purchased impaired loans and leases reflect credit deterioration since origination such that it is probable at acquisition that BancShares will be unable to collect all contractually required payments. As of the acquisition date, the difference between contractually required payments and the cash flows expected to be collected is the nonaccretable difference, which is included as a reduction to the carrying amount of PCI loans and leases. If the timing and amount of the future cash flows is reasonably estimable, any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is the accretable yield and is recognized in interest income over the asset's remaining life using the effective yield method.

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Over the life of PCI loans and leases, BancShares continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected on individual loans and leases or on pools of loans and leases sharing common risk characteristics. BancShares evaluates at each balance sheet date whether the estimated cash flows and corresponding present value of its loans and leases determined using the effective interest rates has decreased and if so, recognizes provision for loan and lease losses in its Consolidated Statements of Income. For any increases in cash flows expected to be collected, BancShares adjusts any prior recorded allowance for loan and lease losses first through a reversal of previously recognized allowance through provision expense, and then the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the loan's or pool's remaining life.
For non-pooled PCI loans and leases, accretion income is recognized except for situations when the timing and amount of future cash flows cannot be determined. PCI loans and leases with uncertain future cash flows are accounted for under the cost recovery method and those loans and leases are generally reported as nonaccrual.
For PCI loans and leases where the cash flow analysis was initially performed at the loan pool level, the amount of accretable yield and nonaccretable difference is determined at the pool level. Each loan pool is made up of assets with similar characteristics at the date of acquisition including loan type, collateral type and performance status. All loan pools that have accretable yield to be recognized in interest income are classified as accruing regardless of the status of individual loans within the pool.
Impaired Loans, Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDR) and Nonperforming Assets
Management will deem non-PCI loans and leases to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a borrower will be unable to pay all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Generally, management considers the following loans to be impaired: all TDR loans, commercial and consumer relationships which are nonaccrual or 90+ days past due and greater than $500,000 as well as any other loan management deems impaired. When the ultimate collectability of an impaired loan's principal is doubtful, all cash receipts are applied to principal. Once the recorded principal balance has been reduced to zero, future cash receipts are applied first to all previously charged off principal until fully collected, then to interest income, to the extent that any interest has been foregone.
A loan is considered a TDR when both of the following occur: (1) a modification to a borrower's debt agreement is made and (2) a concession is granted for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial difficulties that otherwise would not be granted. TDRs are undertaken in order to improve the likelihood of collection on the loan and may result in a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk, other modifications to the structure of the loan that fall outside of normal underwriting policies and procedures or, in certain limited circumstances, forgiveness of principal or interest. Modifications of PCI loans that are part of a pool accounted for as a single asset are not designated as TDRs. Modifications of non-pooled PCI loans are designated as TDRs in the same manner as non-PCI loans. TDRs can be loans remaining on nonaccrual, moving to nonaccrual or continuing on accruing status, depending on the individual facts and circumstances of the borrower. In circumstances where a portion of the loan balance is charged off, BancShares typically classifies the remaining balance as nonaccrual.
In connection with commercial TDRs, the decision to maintain a loan that has been restructured on accrual status is based on a current credit evaluation of the borrower's financial condition and prospects for repayment under the modified terms. This evaluation includes consideration of the borrower's current capacity to pay, which may include a review of the borrower's current financial statements, an analysis of cash flow documenting the borrower's capacity to pay all debt obligations and an evaluation of secondary sources of payment from the borrower and any guarantors. This evaluation also includes an evaluation of the borrower's current willingness to pay, which may include a review of past payment history, an evaluation of the borrower's willingness to provide information on a timely basis and consideration of offers from the borrower to provide additional collateral or guarantor support. The credit evaluation also reflects consideration of the adequacy of collateral to cover all principal and interest and trends indicating improving profitability and collectability of receivables.
Nonaccrual TDRs may be returned to accrual status based on a current credit evaluation of the borrower's financial condition and prospects for repayment under the modified terms. This evaluation includes consideration of the borrower's sustained historical repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally a minimum of six months, prior to the date on which the loan is returned to accrual status. Sustained historical repayment performance for a reasonable time prior to the restructuring may also be considered.
Nonperforming assets include nonaccrual loans and leases and foreclosed property. Foreclosed property consists of real estate and other assets acquired as a result of loan defaults.

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BancShares classifies all non-PCI loans and leases as past due when the payment of principal and interest based upon contractual terms is greater than 30 days delinquent. Generally, commercial loans are placed on nonaccrual status when principal or interest becomes 90 days past due or when it is probable that principal or interest is not fully collectible, whichever occurs first. Once a loan is placed on nonaccrual status it is evaluated for impairment and a charge-off is recorded in the amount of the impairment if the loss is deemed confirmed. Consumer loans are subject to mandatory charge-off at a specified delinquency date consistent with regulatory guidelines.
Generally, when loans and leases are placed on nonaccrual status all previously uncollected accrued interest is reversed from interest income. All payments received thereafter are applied as a reduction of the remaining principal balance as long as concern exists as to the ultimate collection of the principal. Loans and leases are generally removed from nonaccrual status when they become current as to both principal and interest and concern no longer exists as to the collectability of principal and interest.
Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) acquired as a result of foreclosure is carried at net realizable value (NRV). Net realizable value equals fair value less estimated selling costs. Any excess of recorded investment in the loan over NRV at the time of foreclosure is booked against the allowance for loan and lease losses as a charge-off. Any excess in NRV over recorded investment in the loan at the time of foreclosure is recorded as a recovery of prior charge-off, if any, up to the amount of prior charge-off with excess recorded as an offset to foreclosure-related expense.
OREO is subject to periodic revaluations of the underlying collateral, at least annually. The periodic revaluations are generally based on the appraised value of the property and may include additional adjustments based upon management's review of the valuation and specific knowledge of the OREO. Routine maintenance costs, subsequent declines in market value and net losses on disposal are included in foreclosure-related expense. Gains and losses resulting from the sale or write down of OREO and income and expenses related to its operation are recorded in foreclosure-related expense.
OREO covered by loss share agreements with the FDIC (covered OREO) is reported exclusive of expected reimbursement of cash flows from the FDIC at NRV. Subsequent downward adjustments to the estimated recoverable value of covered OREO result in a reduction in covered OREO, a charge to foreclosure-related expenses and an increase in the FDIC receivable for the estimated amount to be reimbursed, with a corresponding amount recorded as an adjustment to FDIC receivable. Covered OREO is discussed in more detail below.
Covered Assets and Receivable from FDIC for Loss Share Agreements
Assets subject to loss share agreements with the FDIC include certain loans and OREO. These loss share agreements afford BancShares significant protection as they cover realized losses on certain loans and other assets purchased from the FDIC during the time period specified in the agreements. Realized losses covered include loan contractual balances, accrued interest on loans for up to 90 days, the book value of foreclosed real estate acquired and certain direct costs, less cash or other consideration received by BancShares.
The FDIC receivable is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date of the indemnified assets and is measured on the same basis as the underlying loans, subject to collectability and/or contractual limitations. The fair value of the loss share agreements on the acquisition date reflects the discounted reimbursements expected to be received from the FDIC, using an appropriate discount rate, which is based on the market rate for a similar term security at the time of the acquisition adjusted for additional risk premium.
The loss share agreements continue to be valued on the same basis as the related indemnified assets. Because the PCI loans are subject to the accounting prescribed by ASC 310-30, subsequent changes to the basis of the loss share agreements also follow that model. Deterioration in the credit quality of the loans, which is immediately recorded as an adjustment to the allowance for loan and lease losses, would immediately increase the FDIC receivable, with the offset recorded through the Consolidated Statements of Income in other noninterest income. Improvements in the credit quality or cash flows of loans, which is reflected as an adjustment to yield and accreted into income over the remaining life of the loans, decrease the FDIC receivable, with such decrease being amortized into income over (1) the same period as the underlying loans or (2) the life of the loss share agreements, whichever is shorter. Loss assumptions used in the basis of the indemnified loans are consistent with the loss assumptions used to measure the indemnification asset. Discounts and premiums reflecting the estimated timing of expected reimbursements are accreted into income over the life of the loss share agreements.
Collection and other servicing costs related to loans covered under FDIC loss share agreements are charged to noninterest expense as incurred. A receivable from the FDIC is recorded for the estimated amount of such expenses that are expected to be reimbursed and results in an increase to noninterest income. The estimated amount of such reimbursements is determined by

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several factors including the existence of loan participation agreements with other financial institutions, the presence of partial guarantees from the Small Business Administration and whether a reimbursable loss has been recorded on the loan for which collection and servicing costs have been incurred. Future adjustments to the receivable from the FDIC may be necessary as additional information becomes available related to the amount of previously recorded collection and other servicing costs that will actually be reimbursed by the FDIC and the probable timing of such reimbursements.
Payable to the FDIC for Loss Share Agreements
The purchase and assumption agreements for certain FDIC-assisted transactions include payments that may be owed to the FDIC at the termination of the loss share agreements. The payment is due to the FDIC if actual cumulative losses on acquired covered assets are lower than the cumulative losses originally estimated by the FDIC at the time of acquisition. The liability is calculated by discounting estimated future payments and is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an FDIC loss share payable. The ultimate settlement amount of the payment is dependent upon the performance of the underlying covered loans, the passage of time and actual claims submitted to the FDIC.
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL)
The ALLL represents management's best estimate of probable credit losses within the loan and lease portfolio at the balance sheet date. Management determines the ALLL based on an ongoing evaluation. This evaluation is inherently subjective because it requires material estimates, including the amount and timing of cash flows expected to be received on PCI loans. Those estimates are susceptible to significant change. Adjustments to the ALLL are recorded with a corresponding entry to provision for loan and lease losses. Loan and lease balances deemed to be uncollectible are charged off against the ALLL. Recoveries of amounts previously charged off are generally credited to the ALLL.
Accounting standards require the presentation of certain information at the portfolio segment level, which represents the level at which the company has developed and documents a systematic methodology to determine its ALLL. BancShares evaluates its loan and lease portfolio using three portfolio segments; non-PCI commercial, non-PCI noncommercial and PCI. The non-PCI commercial segment includes commercial construction and land development, commercial mortgage, commercial and industrial, lease financing and other commercial real estate loans and the related ALLL is calculated based on a risk-based approach as reflected in credit risk grades assigned to individual loans. The non-PCI noncommercial segment includes noncommercial construction and land development, residential mortgage, revolving mortgage and consumer loans and the related ALLL is determined using a delinquency-based approach.
BancShares' methodology for calculating the ALLL includes estimating a general allowance for pools of unimpaired loans and specific allocations for significant individual impaired loans for non-PCI loans. It also includes establishing an ALLL for PCI loans that have deteriorated since acquisition. The general allowance is based on net historical loan loss experience for homogeneous groups of loans based mostly on loan type then aggregated on the basis of similar risk characteristics and performance trends. This allowance estimate contains qualitative components that allow management to adjust reserves based on historical loan loss experience for changes in the economic environment, portfolio trends and other factors. The methodology also considers the remaining discounts recognized upon acquisition associated with purchased non-impaired loans in estimating a general allowance. The specific allowance component is determined when management believes that the collectability of an individually reviewed loan has been impaired and a loss is probable.
A primary component of determining the general allowance for performing and classified loans not analyzed specifically is the actual loss history of the various classes. Loan loss factors based on historical experience may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio at the balance sheet date. For non-PCI commercial loans and leases, management incorporates historical net loss data to develop the applicable loan loss factors by utilizing information that considers the class of the commercial loan and associated risk rating. For the non-PCI noncommercial segment, management incorporates specific loan class and delinquency status trends into the loan loss factors. Loan loss factors may be adjusted quarterly based on changes in the level of historical net charge-offs and updates by management, such as the number of periods included in the calculation of loss factors, loss severity and portfolio attrition.
The qualitative framework used in estimating the general allowance considers economic conditions, composition of the loan portfolio, trends in delinquent and nonperforming loans, historical loss experience by categories of loans, concentrations of credit, changes in lending policies and underwriting standards, regulatory exam results and other factors indicative of inherent losses remaining in the portfolio. Management may adjust the ALLL calculated based on historical loan loss factors by the factors in the qualitative framework to address environmental factors not reflected in the historical experience. These adjustments are specific to the loan class level. In accordance with our allowance methodology, reserve factors related to the qualitative component of the ALLL were updated in 2015 resulting in a release of approximately $4.8 million of reserves.

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The ALLL for PCI loans is estimated based on the expected cash flows approach. Over the life of PCI loans, BancShares continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected on individual loans or pools of loans sharing common risk characteristics. BancShares evaluates at each balance sheet date whether the estimated cash flows and corresponding present value of its loans and leases determined using their effective interest rates has decreased and if so, recognizes provision for loan and lease losses. For any increases in cash flows expected to be collected, BancShares adjusts any prior recorded allowance for loan and lease losses first and then the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the loan's or pool's remaining life.
Prior to the second quarter of 2013, a portion of the allowance for loan and lease losses was not allocated to any specific class of loans. This nonspecific portion reflected management's best estimate of the elements of imprecision and estimation risk inherent in the calculation of the overall ALLL. During the second quarter of 2013, BancShares implemented enhancements to the process to estimate the ALLL and the reserve for unfunded commitments, described below. Through detailed analysis of historical loss data, the process enhancements enabled allocation of the previously unallocated "nonspecific" ALLL and a portion of the reserve for unfunded loan commitments to specific loan classes. The enhanced ALLL estimates implicitly include the risk of draws on open lines within each loan class. Other than the modifications described above, the enhancements to the methodology did not have a material impact on the ALLL.
Specific allocations are made for larger, individual impaired loans. All impaired loans are reviewed for potential impairment on a quarterly basis. Specific valuation allowances are established or partial charge-offs are recorded on impaired loans for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the estimated fair value. The fair value of impaired loans is based on the present value of expected cash flows, market prices of the loans, if available, or the value of the underlying collateral. Expected cash flows are discounted at the loans' effective interest rates.
Management continuously monitors and actively manages the credit quality of the entire loan portfolio and adjusts the ALLL to an appropriate level. By assessing the probable estimated incurred losses in the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis, management is able to adjust specific and general loss estimates based upon the most recent information available. Future adjustments to the ALLL may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review BancShares' ALLL. Such agencies may require the recognition of adjustments to the ALLL based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination. Management considers the established ALLL adequate to absorb probable losses that relate to loans and leases outstanding as of December 31, 2015.
Each portfolio segment and the classes within those segments are subject to risks that could have an adverse impact on the credit quality of the loan and lease portfolio and the related ALLL. Management has identified the most significant risks as described below that are generally similar among the segments and classes. While the list is not exhaustive, it provides a description of the risks management has determined are the most significant.
Non-PCI Commercial Loans and Leases
Non-PCI commercial loans or leases, excluding purchased non-impaired loans, purchased leases and certain purchased revolving credit, are centrally underwritten based primarily upon the customer's ability to generate the required cash flow to service the debt in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions of the loan agreement. A complete understanding of the borrower's business, including the experience and background of the principals, is obtained prior to approval. To the extent that the loan or lease is secured by collateral, which is true for the majority of commercial loans and leases, the likely value of the collateral and what level of strength the collateral brings to the transaction is evaluated. To the extent that the principals or other parties provide personal guarantees, the relative financial strength and liquidity of each guarantor is assessed.
The significant majority of relationships in the non-PCI commercial segment are assigned credit risk grades based upon an assessment of conditions that affect the borrower's ability to meet contractual obligations under the loan agreement. This process includes reviewing the borrowers' financial information, payment history, credit documentation, public information and other information specific to each borrower. Credit risk grades are reviewed annually, or at any point management becomes aware of information affecting the borrowers' ability to fulfill their obligations. Our credit risk grading standards are described in Note D.
The impairment assessment and determination of the related specific reserve for each impaired loan is based on the loan's characteristics. Impairment measurement for loans that are not collateral dependent is based on the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate. Specific valuation allowances are established or partial charge offs are recorded for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the estimated fair value for originated loans. Specific valuation allowances for purchased non-impaired loans are established or partial charge offs are recorded for the

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difference between the loan amount and the estimated fair value with consideration for the remaining discounts recognized upon acquisition. Impairment measurement for most real estate loans, particularly when a loan is considered to be a probable foreclosure, is based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. Collateral is appraised and market value, appropriately adjusted for an assessment of the sales and marketing costs as well as the expected holding period, are used to calculate an anticipated fair value.
General reserves for collective impairment are based on estimated incurred losses related to unimpaired commercial loans and leases as of the balance sheet date. Incurred loss estimates for the originated commercial segment are based on average loss rates by credit risk ratings, which are estimated using historical loss experience and credit risk rating migrations. Incurred loss estimates may be adjusted through a qualitative assessment to reflect current economic conditions and portfolio trends including credit quality, concentrations, aging of the portfolio and significant policy and underwriting changes.
Common risks to each class of commercial loans include general economic conditions within the markets BancShares serves, as well as risks that are specific to each transaction including demand for products and services, personal events, such as disability or change in marital status and reductions in the value of collateral. Due to the concentration of loans in the medical, dental and related fields, BancShares is susceptible to risks that governmental actions will fundamentally alter the medical care industry in the United States.
In addition to these common risks for the majority of the non-PCI commercial segment, additional risks are inherent in certain classes of non-PCI commercial loans and leases.
Commercial construction and land development
Commercial construction and land development loans are highly dependent on the supply and demand for commercial real estate in the markets served by BancShares as well as the demand for newly constructed residential homes and lots that customers are developing. Deterioration in demand could result in decreases in collateral values and could make repayment of the outstanding loans more difficult for customers.
Commercial mortgage, commercial and industrial and lease financing
Commercial mortgage loans, commercial and industrial loans and lease financing are primarily dependent on the ability of borrowers to achieve business results consistent with those projected at loan origination resulting in cash flow sufficient to service the debt. To the extent that a customer's business results are significantly unfavorable versus the original projections, the ability for the loan to be serviced on a basis consistent with the contractual terms may be at risk. While these loans and leases are generally secured by real property, personal property or business assets such as inventory or accounts receivable, it is possible that the liquidation of the collateral will not fully satisfy the obligation.
Other commercial real estate
Other commercial real estate loans consist primarily of loans secured by multifamily housing and agricultural loans. The primary risk associated with multifamily loans is the ability of the income-producing property that collateralizes the loan to produce adequate cash flow to service the debt. High unemployment or generally weak economic conditions may result in customers having to provide rental rate concessions to achieve adequate occupancy rates. The performance of agricultural loans is highly dependent on favorable weather, reasonable costs for seed and fertilizer and the ability to successfully market the product at a profitable margin. The demand for these products is also dependent on macroeconomic conditions that are beyond the control of the borrower.
Non-PCI Noncommercial Loans and Leases
Non-PCI noncommercial loans, excluding purchased non-impaired loans and certain purchased revolving credit, are centrally underwritten using automated credit scoring and analysis tools. These credit scoring tools take into account factors such as payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit currently in use and recent credit inquiries. To the extent that the loan is secured by collateral, the likely value of that collateral is evaluated.
The ALLL for the non-PCI noncommercial segment is primarily calculated on a pooled basis using a delinquency-based approach. Estimates of incurred losses are based on historical loss experience and the migration of receivables through the various delinquency pools applied to the current risk mix. These estimates may be adjusted through a qualitative assessment to reflect current economic conditions, portfolio trends and other factors. The remaining portion of the ALLL related to the non-PCI noncommercial segment results from loans that are deemed impaired. The impairment assessment and determination of the related specific reserve for each impaired loan is based on the loan's characteristics. Impairment measurement for loans that are

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not collateral dependent is based on the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate. Specific valuation allowances are established or partial charge-offs are recorded for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the estimated fair value for originated non-PCI loans. Specific valuation allowances for purchased non-impaired loans are established or partial charge offs are recorded for the difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the estimated fair value with consideration for the remaining discounts recognized upon acquisition. Impairment measurement for most real estate loans, particularly when a loan is considered to be a probable foreclosure, is based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. Collateral is appraised and market value, appropriately adjusted for an assessment of the sales and marketing costs as well as the expected holding period, are used to calculate an anticipated fair value.
Common risks to each class of noncommercial loans include risks that are not specific to individual transactions such as general economic conditions within the markets BancShares serves, particularly unemployment and potential declines in real estate values. Personal events such as disability or change in marital status also add risk to noncommercial loans.
In addition to these common risks for the majority of noncommercial loans, additional risks are inherent in certain classes of noncommercial loans.
Revolving mortgage
Revolving mortgage loans are often secured by second liens on residential real estate, thereby making such loans particularly susceptible to declining collateral values. A substantial decline in collateral value could render a second lien position to be effectively unsecured. Additional risks include lien perfection inaccuracies, disputes with first lienholders and uncertainty regarding the customer's performance with respect to the first lien that may further weaken the collateral position. Further, the open-end structure of these loans creates the risk that customers may draw on the lines in excess of the collateral value if there have been significant declines since origination.
Consumer
The consumer loan portfolio includes loans secured by personal property such as automobiles, marketable securities, other titled recreational vehicles including boats and motorcycles, as well as unsecured consumer debt. The value of underlying collateral within this class is especially volatile due to potential rapid depreciation in values since date of loan origination, potentially in excess of principal balances.
Residential mortgage and noncommercial construction and land development
Residential mortgage and noncommercial construction and land development loans are made to individuals and are typically secured by 1-4 family residential property, undeveloped land and partially developed land in anticipation of pending construction of a personal residence. Significant and rapid declines in real estate values can result in residential mortgage loan borrowers having debt levels in excess of the current market value of the collateral. Noncommercial construction and land development projects can experience delays in completion and cost overruns that exceed the borrower's financial ability to complete the project. Such cost overruns can routinely result in foreclosure of partially completed and unmarketable collateral.
PCI Loans
The risks associated with PCI loans are generally consistent with the risks identified for commercial and noncommercial non-PCI loans and the classes of loans within those segments. However, these loans were underwritten by other institutions, often with weaker lending standards. Additionally, in some cases, collateral for PCI loans is located in regions that have experienced erosion of real estate values. Therefore, there exists a significant risk that PCI loans are not adequately supported by borrower cash flow or the values of underlying collateral.
The ALLL for PCI loans is estimated based on the expected cash flows approach. Over the life of PCI loans, BancShares continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected on individual loans or pools of loans sharing common risk characteristics. BancShares evaluates at each balance sheet date whether the estimated cash flows and corresponding present value of its loans and leases determined using their effective interest rates has decreased and if so, recognizes provision for loan and lease losses. For any increases in cash flows expected to be collected, BancShares adjusts any prior recorded allowance for loan and lease losses first and then the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the loan's or pool's remaining life.

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Reserve for Unfunded Commitments
The reserve for unfunded commitments represents the estimated probable losses related to unfunded lending commitments, such as letters of credit, financial guarantees and similar binding commitments. The reserve is calculated in a manner similar to the loans evaluated collectively for impairment, while also considering the timing and likelihood that the available credit will be utilized as well as the exposure upon default. The reserve for unfunded commitments is presented within other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, distinct from the ALLL, and adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in other noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The reserve for unfunded commitments was not significant at December 31, 2015 or 2014.
Premises and Equipment
Premises, equipment and capital leases are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method and are expensed over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 7 to 40 years for premises and 3 to 10 years for furniture, software and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the respective leases, including renewal period if renewal period is reasonably assured (often through the presence of a bargain renewal option), or the useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Gains and losses on dispositions are recorded in other noninterest expense. Maintenance and repairs are charged to occupancy expense or equipment expense as incurred. Obligations under capital leases are amortized over the life of the lease using the effective interest method to allocate payments between principal and interest. Rent expense and rental income on operating leases are recorded in noninterest expense and noninterest income, respectively, using the straight-line method over the appropriate lease terms. 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
BancShares accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. Under acquisition accounting, if the purchase price of an acquired company exceeds the fair value of its net assets, the excess is carried on the acquirer's balance sheet as goodwill. An intangible asset is recognized as an asset apart from goodwill if it arises from contractual or other legal rights or if it is capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged. Intangible assets that are separately identifiable assets, such as core deposit intangibles, resulting from acquisitions are amortized on an accelerated basis over an estimated useful life and evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.
Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated at least annually for impairment or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that may trigger a decline in the value of the reporting unit or otherwise indicate that a potential impairment exists. Examples of such events or circumstances include deterioration of general economic conditions, limitations on accessing capital, other equity and credit market developments, adverse change(s) in the environment in which BancShares operates, regulatory or political developments and changes in management, key personnel, strategy or customers. The evaluation of goodwill is based on a variety of factors, including common stock trading multiples and data from comparable acquisitions. Potential impairment of goodwill exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, the fair value for the reporting unit is computed using various methods including market capitalization, price-earnings multiples, price-to-tangible book and market premium.
To the extent the reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit's goodwill may be impaired, which would require the second step of impairment testing to be performed. In the second step, the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is determined by allocating the reporting unit's fair value to all of its assets (recognized and unrecognized) and liabilities as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination at the date of the impairment test. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill is impaired and is written down to the implied fair value. The loss recognized is limited to the carrying amount of goodwill. Once an impairment loss is recognized, future increases in fair value will not result in the reversal of previously recognized losses.
Annual impairment tests are conducted as of July 31 each year. Based on the July 31, 2015, impairment test, management concluded there was no indication of goodwill impairment. In addition to the annual testing requirement, impairment tests are performed if various other events occur that may trigger a decline in value including significant adverse changes in the business climate, considering various qualitative and quantitative factors to determine whether impairment exists. As the stock market experienced volatility after the annual impairment test, management monitored the volatility and determined it did not indicate an impairment test triggering event. Additionally, there have been no other such events subsequent to the annual impairment test performed during 2015.

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Mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) are recognized separately when they are retained as loans are sold or acquired through acquisition. When mortgage loans are sold, servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value and gains on sale of loans are recorded within mortgage income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized against mortgage income in non-interest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans with the offset being a reduction in the cost basis of the servicing asset. MSRs are evaluated for impairment quarterly based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics and is recorded as a reduction of mortgage income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. If BancShares later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the valuation reserve may be recorded as an increase to mortgage income in the Consolidated Statements of Income, but only to the extent of previous impairment recognized.
Other intangible assets with estimable lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which are periodically reviewed for reasonableness. Identifiable intangible assets represent the estimated value of the core deposits acquired and certain customer relationships.
Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements
Securities sold under repurchase agreements generally have maturities of one day and are reflected as short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are recorded based on the amount of cash received in connection with the borrowing.
At December 31, 2015 and 2014, BancShares had $592.2 million and $294.4 million of securities sold under repurchase agreements included as short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively.
Fair Values
Fair value disclosures are required for all financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Under GAAP, individual fair value estimates are ranked on a three-tier scale based on the relative reliability of the inputs used in the valuation. Fair values determined using level 1 inputs rely on active and observable markets to price identical assets or liabilities. In situations where identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, fair values may be determined based on level 2 inputs, which represent observable data for similar assets and liabilities. Fair values for assets and liabilities that are not actively traded in observable markets are based on level 3 inputs, which are considered to be nonobservable. Fair value estimates derived from level 3 inputs cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, cannot be realized through immediate settlement of the instrument. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not necessarily represent the underlying value to BancShares. For additional information, see Note M. 
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are reported when different accounting methods have been used in determining income for income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes. Deferred taxes are computed using the asset and liability approach as prescribed in ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under this method, a deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the currently enacted tax rates applicable to the period in which the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in BancShares' income tax returns. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
BancShares continually monitors and evaluates the potential impact of current events on the estimates used to establish income tax expenses and income tax liabilities. On a periodic basis, BancShares evaluates its income tax positions based on current tax law, positions taken by various tax auditors within the jurisdictions that BancShares is required to file income tax returns, as well as potential or pending audits or assessments by such tax auditors.
BancShares files a consolidated federal income tax return and various combined and separate company state tax returns.
Derivative Financial Instruments 
A derivative is a financial instrument that derives its cash flows, and therefore its value, by reference to an underlying instrument, index or referenced interest rate. These instruments include interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars, options or other financial instruments designed to hedge exposures to interest rate risk or for speculative purposes.

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BancShares selectively uses interest rate swaps for interest rate risk management purposes. During 2011, BancShares entered into an interest rate swap that qualifies as a cash flow hedge under GAAP. This interest rate swap converts variable-rate exposure on outstanding debt to a fixed rate. The derivative is valued each quarter and changes in the fair value are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income for the effective portion and an offset to the Consolidated Statements of Income for any ineffective portion. The assessment of effectiveness is performed using the long-haul method. BancShares’ interest rate swap has been fully effective since inception; therefore, changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap have had no impact on net income. There are no speculative derivative financial instruments in any period presented.
In the event of a change in the forecasted cash flows of the underlying hedged item, the related hedge will be terminated, and management will consider the appropriateness of entering into another hedge for the remaining exposure. The fair value of the terminated hedge will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings over the original life of the terminated swap, provided the remaining cash flows are still probable.
Per Share Data
Net income per share has been computed by dividing net income by the average number of both classes of common shares outstanding during each period. BancShares had no potential common stock outstanding in any period.
Cash dividends per share apply to both Class A and Class B common stock. Shares of Class A common stock carry one vote per share, while shares of Class B common stock carry 16 votes per share.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
BancShares maintains noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain qualifying employees. The calculation of the obligations and related expenses under the plans require the use of actuarial valuation methods and assumptions. Actuarial assumptions used in the determination of future values of plan assets and liabilities are subject to management judgment and may differ significantly if different assumptions are used. The discount rate assumption used to measure the plan obligations is based on a yield curve developed from high-quality corporate bonds across a full maturity spectrum. The projected cash flows of the pension plans are discounted based on this yield curve, and a single discount rate is calculated to achieve the same present value. Refer to Note N for disclosures related to BancShares' defined benefit pension plans.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements
The amendments in this ASU represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance and make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Additionally, some of the amendments will make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies, providing needed clarifications, and improving the presentation of guidance in the Codification.
The transition guidance varies based on the amendments in this ASU. The amendments in this ASU that require transition guidance are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All other amendments were effective upon issuance. We adopted the amendments effective second quarter of 2015. The adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.
FASB ASU 2015-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting - Amendments to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115
The amendments in this ASU remove references to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 5.J as the SEC staff previously rescinded its guidance with the issuance of SAB No. 115 when the FASB issued its own pushdown accounting guidance in ASU 2014-17, an amendment we adopted effective fourth quarter of 2014. We adopted the amendments in ASU 2015-08 effective second quarter of 2015. The adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.

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FASB ASU 2014-14, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure
This ASU requires a reporting entity to derecognize a mortgage loan and recognize a separate other receivable upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure; (2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and (3) the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim and at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance expected to be recovered from the guarantor.
The amendments in this ASU were effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted this guidance effective first quarter of 2015. The initial adoption did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.
FASB ASU 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860)
This ASU aligns the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as a repurchase financing with the accounting for other typical repurchase agreements. Going forward, these transactions would all be accounted for as secured borrowings. The guidance eliminates sale accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and supersedes the guidance under which a transfer of a financial asset and a contemporaneous repurchase financing could be accounted for on a combined basis as a forward agreement, which has resulted in outcomes referred to as off-balance-sheet accounting. The ASU requires a new disclosure for transactions economically similar to repurchase agreements in which the transferor retains substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial assets throughout the term of the transaction. The ASU also requires expanded disclosures about the nature of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings.
The accounting changes in this ASU were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014. In addition, the disclosures for certain transactions accounted for as a sale were effective for the fiscal period beginning after December 15, 2014, while the disclosures for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings were required to be presented for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. We adopted the guidance effective first quarter of 2015. The initial adoption did not have any effect on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations. The new disclosures required by this ASU are included in Note K.
FASB ASU 2014-04, Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40)
This ASU clarifies that an in-substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction.
The amendments in this ASU were effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. We adopted the guidance effective first quarter of 2015. The initial adoption did not have any effect on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations. The new disclosures required by this ASU are included in Note G.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
FASB ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The amendments in this ASU (1) require equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (2) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair value; (3) require public business entities to use exit prices, rather than entry prices, when measuring fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (4) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial assets on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; (5) eliminate the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant

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assumptions used to estimate the fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (6) require separate presentation in other comprehensive income of the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; and (7) state that a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to available-for-sale securities should be evaluated in combination with other deferred tax assets.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The ASU only permits early adoption of the instrument-specific credit risk provision. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard and we will adopt during the first quarter of 2018.
FASB ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments
This ASU eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination and requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts must be calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this ASU with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. We will adopt the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2016 and do not anticipate any impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of adoption.
FASB ASU 2015-03, Interest–Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
This ASU simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update.
This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 for public business entities, and is to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2016 and do not anticipate any impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of adoption.
FASB ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis
This ASU improves targeted areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. In addition to reducing the number of consolidation models from four to two, the new standard places more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest, reducing the frequency of the application of related-party guidance when determining a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, and changing consolidation conclusions for public and private companies in several industries that typically make use of limited partnerships or VIEs.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 for public business entities. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt the guidance effective in the first quarter of 2016 and do not anticipate any significant impact on our consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations as a result of adoption.
FASB ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)
In May 2014, the FASB issued a standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers with the core principle being for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also results in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improves guidance for multiple-element arrangements.
Per ASU 2015-14, Deferral of the Effective Date, this guidance was deferred and is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new standard and we will adopt during the first quarter of 2018 using one of two retrospective application methods.

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NOTE B
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Capitol City Bank & Trust Company
On February 13, 2015, FCB entered into an agreement with the FDIC, as Receiver, to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of CCBT. The acquisition expanded FCB's presence in Georgia as CCBT operated eight branch locations in Atlanta, Stone Mountain, Albany, Augusta and Savannah, Georgia. In June of 2015, FCB closed one of the branches in Atlanta.
The CCBT transaction was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding closing date fair values becomes available.
The fair value of the assets acquired was $211.9 million, including $154.5 million in loans and $690 thousand of identifiable intangible assets. Liabilities assumed were $272.5 million of which $266.4 million were deposits. During the second quarter of 2015, adjustments were made to the acquisition fair values primarily based upon updated collateral valuations resulting in an increase of $5.4 million to the gain on acquisition. These adjustments were applied retroactively to the first quarter of 2015 and brought the total gain on the transaction to $42.9 million which is included in noninterest income in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The total after-tax impact of the gain was $26.4 million.
The following table provides the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date.
(Dollars in thousands)
 
As recorded by FCB
Assets
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
19,622

Investment securities
 
35,413

Loans
 
154,496

Intangible assets
 
690

Other assets
 
1,714

Total assets acquired
 
211,935

Liabilities
 
 
Deposits
 
266,352

Short-term borrowings
 
5,501

Other liabilities
 
667

Total liabilities assumed
 
272,520

Fair value of net liabilities assumed
 
(60,585
)
Cash received from FDIC
 
103,515

Gain on acquisition of CCBT
 
$
42,930

Merger-related expenses of $1.9 million were recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2015. Loan-related interest income generated from CCBT was approximately $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
All loans resulting from the CCBT transaction were recorded at the acquisition date with a discount attributable, at least in part, to credit quality, and are therefore accounted for as PCI loans under ASC 310-30.
Bancorporation Merger
On October 1, 2014, BancShares completed the merger of Bancorporation with and into BancShares pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 10, 2014, as amended on July 29, 2014. FCB-SC merged with and into FCB on January 1, 2015.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each share of Bancorporation common stock was converted into the right to receive 4.00 shares of BancShares' Class A common stock and $50.00 cash, unless the holder elected for each share to be converted into the right to receive 3.58 shares of BancShares' Class A common stock and 0.42 shares of BancShares' Class B common stock. BancShares issued 2,586,762 Class A common shares at a fair value of $560.4 million and 18,202 Class B common shares at a fair value of $3.9 million to Bancorporation shareholders. Also, cash paid to Bancorporation shareholders was $30.4 million. At the time of the merger, BancShares owned 32,042 shares of common stock in Bancorporation with an approximate fair value of $29.6 million. The fair value of common stock owned by BancShares in Bancorporation is considered part of the purchase

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price, and the shares ceased to exist after completion of the merger. A gain of $29.1 million was recognized on these shares as a result and is included in securities gains on the Consolidated Statement of Income for 2014.
In connection with the Bancorporation merger, BancShares completed an analysis of the control ownership of BancShares and Bancorporation and determined that common control did not exist.
The merger between BancShares and Bancorporation created a more diversified financial institution that is better equipped to respond to economic and industry developments. Additionally, cost savings, efficiencies and other benefits were expected from the combined operations.
The Bancorporation merger was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. The purchased assets, assumed liabilities and identifiable intangible assets were recorded at their acquisition date estimated fair values. Fair values were subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the transaction. The measurement period ended on October 1, 2015.
The following table provides the purchase price as of the acquisition date and the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values.
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
Purchase Price
 
 
 
Value of shares of BancShares Class A common stock issued to Bancorporation shareholders
 
 
$
560,370

Value of shares of BancShares Class B common stock issued to Bancorporation shareholders
 
 
3,877

Cash paid to Bancorporation shareholders
 
 
30,394

Fair value of Bancorporation shares owned by BancShares
 
 
29,551

Total purchase price
 
 
624,192

 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
194,570

 
 
Overnight investments
1,087,325

 
 
Investment securities available for sale
2,011,263

 
 
Loans held for sale
30,997

 
 
Loans and leases
4,491,067

 
 
Premises and equipment
238,646

 
 
Other real estate owned
35,344

 
 
Income earned not collected
15,266

 
 
FDIC loss share receivable
5,106

 
 
Other intangible assets
109,416

 
 
Other assets
56,367

 
 
Total assets acquired
8,275,367

 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Deposits
7,174,817

 
 
Short-term borrowings
295,681

 
 
Long-term obligations
124,852

 
 
FDIC loss share payable
224

 
 
Other liabilities
59,834

 
 
Total liabilities assumed
$
7,655,408

 
 
Fair value of net assets acquired
 
 
619,959

Goodwill recorded for Bancorporation
 
 
$
4,233

The amount of goodwill recorded reflects the increased market share and related synergies that are expected to result from the acquisition, and represents the excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired. There were no adjustments to goodwill based on the allowed one year measurement period. None of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes as the merger is accounted for as a tax-free exchange.
The operating results of BancShares for the year ended December 31, 2014 include the results from the operations acquired in the Bancorporation transaction since October 1, 2014. Bancorporation's operations contributed approximately $92.8 million in total revenue (interest income plus noninterest income) and an estimated $12.7 million in net income for the period from the acquisition date.

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Merger-related expenses of $12.3 million and $8.0 million were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, all merger related activities are complete and no further merger-related expenses are anticipated.
Based on such factors as past due status, nonaccrual status and credit risk ratings, the acquired loans were divided into loans with evidence of credit quality deterioration at the acquisition date, which are accounted for under ASC 310-30 (included in PCI loans), and loans that do not meet this criteria, which are accounted for under ASC 310-20 (included in non-PCI loans).
The following unaudited pro forma financial information reflects the consolidated results of operations of BancShares. These results combine the historical results of Bancorporation in the BancShares' Consolidated Statements of Income and, while certain adjustments were made for the estimated impact of certain fair value adjustments and other acquisition-related activity, they are not indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition taken place on January 1, 2013. The unaudited pro forma information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations that would have been achieved or the future results of operations of BancShares.
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands, unaudited)
2014
Total revenue (interest income plus noninterest income)
$
1,336,340

Net loss
$
(13,171
)
The merger transaction between BancShares and Bancorporation constituted a triggering event for which Bancorporation undertook a goodwill impairment assessment. Based on the analysis performed, Bancorporation determined that its fair value did not support the goodwill recorded; therefore, Bancorporation recorded a $166.8 million goodwill impairment charge to write-off a portion of goodwill prior to the October 1, 2014 effective date of the merger. This goodwill impairment is included in the pro forma financial results for the year ended December 31, 2014.
1st Financial Merger
On January 1, 2014, FCB completed its merger with 1st Financial of Hendersonville, NC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mountain 1st Bank & Trust Company (Mountain 1st). FCB paid $10.0 million to acquire 1st Financial, including payments of $8.0 million to the U.S. Treasury to acquire and subsequently retire 1st Financial's Troubled Asset Relief Program obligation and $2.0 million paid to the shareholders of 1st Financial.
The 1st Financial merger was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. These fair values were subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition. The measurement period ended on December 31, 2014. Assets acquired, excluding goodwill, were $612.9 million, including $307.9 million in loans and leases, $237.4 million of investment securities available for sale, $28.2 million in cash and $3.8 million in core deposit intangibles. Liabilities assumed were $635.8 million, including $631.9 million of deposits. Goodwill of $32.9 million was recorded equaling the excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired on the acquisition date.
Merger costs related to the 1st Financial transaction were $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Loan related interest income generated from 1st Financial was approximately $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
All loans resulting from the 1st Financial transaction were recognized upon acquisition date with a discount attributable, at least in part, to credit quality, and are therefore accounted for as PCI loans under ASC 310-30.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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NOTE C
INVESTMENTS
The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities classified as available for sale and held to maturity at December 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
Investment securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
1,675,996

 
$
4

 
$
1,118

 
$
1,674,882

Government agency
498,804

 
230

 
374

 
498,660

Mortgage-backed securities
4,692,447

 
5,120

 
29,369

 
4,668,198

Equity securities
7,935

 
968

 
10

 
8,893

Other
10,615

 
45

 

 
10,660

Total investment securities available for sale
$
6,885,797

 
$
6,367

 
$
30,871

 
$
6,861,293

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Cost
 
Gross
unrealized gains
 
Gross unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
U.S. Treasury
$
2,626,900

 
$
2,922

 
$
152

 
$
2,629,670

Government agency
908,362

 
702

 
247

 
908,817

Mortgage-backed securities
3,628,187

 
16,964

 
11,847

 
3,633,304

Municipal securities
125

 
1

 

 
126

Total investment securities available for sale
$
7,163,574

 
$
20,589

 
$
12,246

 
$
7,171,917

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
Cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
Investment securities held to maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
$
255

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
265

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Cost
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
Mortgage-backed securities
$
518

 
$
26

 
$

 
$
544


Investments in mortgage-backed securities primarily represent securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The following table provides the amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities on certain securities because borrowers and issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties. Repayments of mortgage-backed securities are dependent on the repayments of the underlying loan balances. Equity securities do not have a stated maturity date.

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Cost
 
Fair value
 
Cost
 
Fair value
Investment securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-amortizing securities maturing in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One year or less
$
1,255,714

 
$
1,255,094

 
$
447,866

 
$
447,992

One through five years
919,086

 
918,448

 
3,087,521

 
3,090,621

Five through 10 years
8,500

 
8,500

 

 

Over 10 years
2,115

 
2,160

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities
4,692,447

 
4,668,198

 
3,628,187

 
3,633,304

Equity securities
7,935

 
8,893

 

 

Total investment securities available for sale
$
6,885,797

 
$
6,861,293

 
$
7,163,574

 
$
7,171,917

Investment securities held to maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity
$
255

 
$
265

 
$
518

 
$
544

For each period presented, securities gains (losses) include the following:
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Gross gains on retirement/sales of investment securities available for sale
$
10,834

 
$
29,129

 
$

Gross losses on sales of investment securities available for sale
(17
)
 
(33
)
 

Total securities gains
$
10,817

 
$
29,096

 
$

The following table provides information regarding securities with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
December 31, 2015
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
1,539,637

 
$
1,118

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,539,637

 
$
1,118

Government agency
229,436

 
374

 

 

 
229,436

 
374

Mortgage-backed securities
3,570,470

 
23,275

 
280,126

 
6,094

 
3,850,596

 
29,369

Equity securities
728

 
10

 

 

 
728

 
10

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Total
$
5,340,271

 
$
24,777

 
$
280,126

 
$
6,094

 
$
5,620,397

 
$
30,871

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
338,612

 
$
151

 
$
1,015

 
$
1

 
$
339,627

 
$
152

Government agency
261,288

 
247

 

 

 
261,288

 
247

Mortgage-backed securities
573,374

 
1,805

 
831,405

 
10,042

 
1,404,779

 
11,847

Total
$
1,173,274

 
$
2,203

 
$
832,420

 
$
10,043

 
$
2,005,694

 
$
12,246

Investment securities with an aggregate fair value of $280.1 million have had continuous unrealized losses for more than 12 months as of December 31, 2015 with an aggregate unrealized loss of $6.1 million. As of December 31, 2015, all 39 of these investments are government sponsored enterprise-issued mortgage-backed securities. None of the unrealized losses identified as of December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014 relate to the marketability of the securities or the issuer’s ability to honor redemption obligations. For all periods presented, BancShares had the ability and intent to retain these securities for a period of time sufficient to recover all unrealized losses. Therefore, none of the securities were deemed to be other than temporarily impaired.
Investment securities having an aggregate carrying value of $4.73 billion at December 31, 2015 and $4.37 billion at December 31, 2014 were pledged as collateral to secure public funds on deposit and certain short-term borrowings, and for other purposes as required by law.

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE D
LOANS AND LEASES
BancShares' accounting methods for loans and leases differ depending on whether they are purchased credit-impaired (PCI) or non-PCI. Non-PCI loans include originated commercial, originated noncommercial, purchased revolving, and purchased non-impaired loans. For purchased non-impaired loans to be included as non-PCI, it must be determined that the loans do not have a discount due, at least in part, to credit quality at the time of acquisition. Conversely, loans for which it is probable at acquisition that all required payments will not be collected in accordance with contractual terms are considered PCI loans. PCI loans are evaluated at acquisition and where a discount is required at least in part due to credit quality, the non-revolving loans are accounted for under the guidance in ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.  PCI loans are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. No allowance for loan and lease losses is recorded on the acquisition date as the fair value of the acquired assets incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk. An allowance is recorded if there is additional credit deterioration after the acquisition date. Note A of BancShares' Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements provides additional information.
BancShares reports PCI and non-PCI loan portfolios separately, and each portfolio is further divided into commercial and non-commercial based on the type of borrower, purpose, collateral, and/or our underlying credit management processes. Additionally, loans are assigned to loan classes, which further disaggregate loans based upon common risk characteristics.
Commercial – Commercial loans include construction and land development, commercial mortgage, other commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, lease financing and other.
Construction and land development – Construction and land development consists of loans to finance land for development, investment, and use in a commercial business enterprise; multifamily apartments; and other commercial buildings that may be owner-occupied or income generating investments for the owner.
Commercial mortgage – Commercial mortgage consists of loans to purchase or refinance owner-occupied nonresidential and investment properties. Investment properties include office buildings and other facilities that are rented or leased to unrelated parties.
Other commercial real estate – Other commercial real estate consists of loans secured by farmland (including residential farms and other improvements) and multifamily (5 or more) residential properties.
Commercial and industrial – Commercial and industrial consists of loans or lines of credit to finance corporate credit cards, accounts receivable, inventory and other general business purposes.
Lease financing – Lease financing consists solely of lease financing agreements for business equipment, vehicles and other assets.
Other – Other consists of all other commercial loans not classified in one of the preceding classes. These typically include loans to non-profit organizations such as churches, hospitals, educational and charitable organizations.
Noncommercial – Noncommercial consist of residential and revolving mortgage, construction and land development, and consumer loans.
Residential mortgage – Residential real estate consists of loans to purchase, construct or refinance the borrower's primary dwelling, second residence or vacation home.
Revolving mortgage – Revolving mortgage consists of home equity lines of credit that are secured by first or second liens on the borrower's primary residence.
Construction and land development – Construction and land development consists of loans to construct the borrower's primary or secondary residence or vacant land upon which the owner intends to construct a single-family dwelling at a future date.
Consumer – Consumer loans consist of installment loans to finance purchases of vehicles, unsecured home improvements and revolving lines of credit that can be secured or unsecured, including personal credit cards.

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Loans and leases outstanding include the following as of the dates indicated:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Non-PCI loans and leases:
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
Construction and land development
$
620,352

 
$
493,133

Commercial mortgage
8,274,548

 
7,552,948

Other commercial real estate
321,021

 
244,875

Commercial and industrial
2,368,958

 
1,988,934

Lease financing
730,778

 
571,916

Other
314,832

 
353,833

Total commercial loans
12,630,489

 
11,205,639

Noncommercial:
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
2,695,985

 
2,493,058

Revolving mortgage
2,523,106

 
2,561,800

Construction and land development
220,073

 
205,016

Consumer
1,219,821

 
1,117,454

Total noncommercial loans
6,658,985

 
6,377,328

Total non-PCI loans and leases
19,289,474

 
17,582,967

PCI loans:
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
Construction and land development
$
33,880

 
$
78,079

Commercial mortgage
525,468

 
577,518

Other commercial real estate
17,076

 
40,193

Commercial and industrial
15,182

 
27,254

Other
2,008

 
3,079

Total commercial loans
593,614

 
726,123

Noncommercial:
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
302,158

 
382,340

Revolving mortgage
52,471

 
74,109

Construction and land development

 
912

Consumer
2,273

 
3,014

Total noncommercial loans
356,902

 
460,375

Total PCI loans
950,516

 
1,186,498

Total loans and leases
$
20,239,990

 
$
18,769,465


At December 31, 2015, $272.6 million in total loans were covered under loss share agreements, compared to $485.3 million at December 31, 2014. During 2015, loss share protection expired for non-single family residential loans acquired from Sun American Bank (SAB) and Williamsburg First National Bank (WFNB) and all loans acquired from First Regional Bank (FRB). The loan balances at December 31, 2015 for the expired agreements from SAB and WFNB were $26.7 million and $6.8 million, respectively. FRB loan balances at December 31, 2015 were insignificant. Loss share protection for United Western Bank (UWB), Atlantic Bank & Trust (ABT) and Colorado Capital Bank (CCB) non-single family residential loans with balances of $119.6 million, $9.7 million and $4.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015 will expire at the beginning of the second quarter of 2016, third quarter of 2016 and fourth quarter of 2016, respectively. The remaining decrease in covered loans is due to pay downs and payoffs.
At December 31, 2015, $8.58 billion in noncovered loans with a lendable collateral value of $6.08 billion were used to secure $510.3 million in FHLB of Atlanta advances, resulting in additional borrowing capacity of $5.57 billion. At December 31, 2014, $3.16 billion in noncovered loans with a lendable collateral value of $2.20 billion were used to secure $240.3 million in FHLB of Atlanta advances, resulting additional borrowing capacity of $1.96 billion.
To mitigate interest rate risk and credit risk, we sold $45.9 million of certain residential mortgage loans at par during 2015.
The unamortized discount related to non-PCI loans and leases acquired in the Bancorporation merger was $41.1 million and $61.2 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, accretion income on non-PCI loans was $18.7 million and $5.9 million, respectively.


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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Credit quality indicators
Loans and leases are monitored for credit quality on a recurring basis. The credit quality indicators used are dependent on the portfolio segment to which the loan relates. Commercial and noncommercial loans and leases have different credit quality indicators as a result of the unique characteristics of the loan segment being evaluated. The credit quality indicators for non-PCI and PCI commercial loans and leases are developed through a review of individual borrowers on an ongoing basis. Each commercial loan is evaluated annually with more frequent evaluation of more severely criticized loans or leases. The credit quality indicators for PCI and non-PCI noncommercial loans are based on the delinquency status of the borrower. As the borrower becomes more delinquent, the likelihood of loss increases. The indicators represent the rating for loans or leases as of the date presented based on the most recent assessment performed. These credit quality indicators are defined as follows:
Pass – A pass rated asset is not adversely classified because it does not display any of the characteristics for adverse classification.
Special mention – A special mention asset has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, such potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects or collateral position at some future date. Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not warrant adverse classification.
Substandard – A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets classified as substandard generally have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. These assets are characterized by the distinct possibility of loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful – An asset classified as doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in an asset classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values.
Loss – Assets classified as loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that it is inappropriate to be carried as an asset. This classification is not necessarily equivalent to any potential for recovery or salvage value, but rather that it is not appropriate to defer a full charge-off even though partial recovery may be affected in the future.
Ungraded – Ungraded loans represent loans that are not included in the individual credit grading process due to their relatively small balances or borrower type. The majority of ungraded loans at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 relate to business credit cards. Business credit card loans are subject to automatic charge-off when they become 120 days past due in the same manner as unsecured consumer lines of credit. The remaining balance is comprised of a small amount of commercial mortgage and other commercial real estate loans.
The composition of the loans and leases outstanding at December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, by credit quality indicator is provided below:
 
Non-PCI commercial loans and leases
(Dollars in thousands)
Construction and land
development
 
Commercial
mortgage
 
Other
commercial real estate
 
Commercial and
industrial
 
Lease financing
 
Other
 
Total non-PCI commercial loans and leases
Grade:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
611,314

 
$
8,024,831

 
$
318,187

 
$
2,219,606

 
$
719,338

 
$
311,401

 
$
12,204,677

Special mention
5,191

 
100,220

 
475

 
19,361

 
4,869

 
1,905

 
132,021

Substandard
3,847

 
146,071

 
959

 
21,322

 
6,375

 
1,526

 
180,100

Doubtful

 
599

 

 
408

 
169

 

 
1,176

Ungraded

 
2,827

 
1,400

 
108,261

 
27

 

 
112,515

Total
$
620,352

 
$
8,274,548

 
$
321,021

 
$
2,368,958

 
$
730,778

 
$
314,832

 
$
12,630,489

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
474,374

 
$
7,284,714

 
$
242,053

 
$
1,859,415

 
$
564,319

 
$
349,111

 
$
10,773,986

Special mention
13,927

 
129,247

 
909

 
27,683

 
3,205

 
1,384

 
176,355

Substandard
4,720

 
134,677

 
1,765

 
8,878

 
3,955

 
3,338

 
157,333

Doubtful

 
2,366

 

 
164

 
365

 

 
2,895

Ungraded
112

 
1,944

 
148

 
92,794

 
72

 

 
95,070

Total
$
493,133

 
$
7,552,948

 
$
244,875

 
$
1,988,934

 
$
571,916

 
$
353,833

 
$
11,205,639



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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 
Non-PCI noncommercial loans and leases
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential
mortgage
 
Revolving
mortgage
 
Construction
and land
development
 
Consumer
 
Total non-PCI noncommercial
loans and leases
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
$
2,651,209

 
$
2,502,065

 
$
214,555

 
$
1,210,832

 
$
6,578,661

30-59 days past due
23,960

 
11,706

 
3,211

 
5,545

 
44,422

60-89 days past due
7,536

 
3,704

 
669

 
1,822

 
13,731

90 days or greater past due
13,280

 
5,631

 
1,638

 
1,622

 
22,171

Total
$
2,695,985

 
$
2,523,106

 
$
220,073

 
$
1,219,821

 
$
6,658,985

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
$
2,454,797

 
$
2,542,807

 
$
202,344

 
$
1,110,153

 
$
6,310,101

30-59 days past due
23,288

 
11,097

 
1,646

 
4,577

 
40,608

60-89 days past due
6,018

 
2,433

 
824

 
1,619

 
10,894

90 days or greater past due
8,955

 
5,463

 
202

 
1,105

 
15,725

Total
$
2,493,058

 
$
2,561,800

 
$
205,016

 
$
1,117,454

 
$
6,377,328

 
 
PCI commercial loans
(Dollars in thousands)
Construction
and land
development
 
Commercial
mortgage
 
Other
commercial
real estate
 
Commercial
and
industrial
 
Other
 
Total PCI commercial
loans
Grade:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
14,710

 
$
262,579

 
$
7,366

 
$
9,302

 
$
706

 
$
294,663

Special mention
758

 
87,870

 
60

 
937

 

 
89,625

Substandard
14,131

 
163,801

 
9,229

 
4,588

 
1,302

 
193,051

Doubtful
4,281

 
10,875

 

 
282

 

 
15,438

Ungraded

 
343

 
421

 
73

 

 
837

Total
$
33,880

 
$
525,468

 
$
17,076

 
$
15,182

 
$
2,008

 
$
593,614

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
13,514

 
$
300,187

 
$
11,033

 
$
16,637

 
$
801

 
$
342,172

Special mention
6,063

 
98,724

 
16,271

 
4,137

 

 
125,195

Substandard
53,739

 
171,920

 
12,889

 
6,312

 
2,278

 
247,138

Doubtful
2,809

 
6,302

 

 
130

 

 
9,241

Ungraded
1,954

 
385

 

 
38

 

 
2,377

Total
$
78,079

 
$
577,518

 
$
40,193

 
$
27,254

 
$
3,079

 
$
726,123


 
PCI noncommercial loans
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential
mortgage
 
Revolving
mortgage
 
Construction
and land
development
 
Consumer
 
Total PCI noncommercial
loans
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
$
257,207

 
$
47,901

 
$

 
$
1,981

 
$
307,089

30-59 days past due
12,318

 
1,127

 

 
86

 
13,531

60-89 days past due
4,441

 
501

 

 
132

 
5,074

90 days or greater past due
28,192

 
2,942

 

 
74

 
31,208

Total
$
302,158

 
$
52,471

 
$

 
$
2,273

 
$
356,902

December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
$
326,589

 
$
68,548

 
$
506

 
2,582

 
$
398,225

30-59 days past due
11,432

 
1,405

 

 
147

 
12,984

60-89 days past due
10,073

 
345

 

 
25

 
10,443

90 days or greater past due
34,246

 
3,811

 
406

 
260

 
38,723

Total
$
382,340

 
$
74,109

 
$
912

 
$
3,014

 
$
460,375



91

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The aging of the outstanding non-PCI loans and leases, by class, at December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014 is provided in the table below.
The calculation of days past due begins on the day after payment is due and includes all days through which all required interest or principal has not been paid. Loans and leases 30 days or less past due are considered current as various grace periods that allow borrowers to make payments within a stated period after the due date and still remain in compliance with the loan agreement.
 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
30-59 days
past due
 
60-89 days
past due
 
90 days or greater
 
Total past
due
 
Current
 
Total loans
and leases
Non-PCI loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
987

 
$
283

 
$
463

 
$
1,733

 
$
618,619

 
$
620,352

Commercial mortgage
13,023

 
3,446

 
14,495

 
30,964

 
8,243,584

 
8,274,548

Other commercial real estate
884

 

 
142

 
1,026

 
319,995

 
321,021

Commercial and industrial
2,133

 
1,079

 
1,780

 
4,992

 
2,363,966

 
2,368,958

Lease financing
2,070

 
2

 
164

 
2,236

 
728,542

 
730,778

Residential mortgage
23,960

 
7,536

 
13,280

 
44,776

 
2,651,209

 
2,695,985

Revolving mortgage
11,706

 
3,704

 
5,631

 
21,041

 
2,502,065

 
2,523,106

Construction and land development - noncommercial
3,211

 
669

 
1,638

 
5,518

 
214,555

 
220,073

Consumer
5,545

 
1,822

 
1,622

 
8,989

 
1,210,832

 
1,219,821

Other
3

 
164

 
134

 
301

 
314,531

 
314,832

Total non-PCI loans and leases
$
63,522

 
$
18,705

 
$
39,349

 
$
121,576

 
$
19,167,898

 
$
19,289,474

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
30-59 days
past due
 
60-89 days
past due
 
90 days or greater
 
Total past
due
 
Current
 
Total loans
and leases
Non-PCI loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
520

 
$
283

 
$
330

 
$
1,133

 
$
492,000

 
$
493,133

Commercial mortgage
11,367

 
4,782

 
8,061

 
24,210

 
7,528,738

 
7,552,948

Other commercial real estate
206

 
70

 
102

 
378

 
244,497

 
244,875

Commercial and industrial
2,843

 
1,545

 
378

 
4,766

 
1,984,168

 
1,988,934

Lease financing
1,631

 
8

 
2

 
1,641

 
570,275

 
571,916

Residential mortgage
23,288

 
6,018

 
8,955

 
38,261

 
2,454,797

 
2,493,058

Revolving mortgage
11,097

 
2,433

 
5,463

 
18,993

 
2,542,807

 
2,561,800

Construction and land development - noncommercial
1,646

 
824

 
202

 
2,672

 
202,344

 
205,016

Consumer
4,577

 
1,619

 
1,105

 
7,301

 
1,110,153

 
1,117,454

Other
146

 
1,966

 

 
2,112

 
351,721

 
353,833

Total non-PCI loans and leases
$
57,321

 
$
19,548

 
$
24,598

 
$
101,467

 
$
17,481,500

 
$
17,582,967


The recorded investment, by class, in loans and leases on nonaccrual status, and loans and leases greater than 90 days past due and still accruing at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 for non-PCI loans, were as follows:
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual
loans and
leases
 
Loans and leases > 90 days and accruing
 
Nonaccrual
loans and
leases
 
Loans and
leases > 90 days and accruing
Non-PCI loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
425

 
$
273

 
$
343

 
$
56

Commercial mortgage
42,116

 
242

 
24,720

 
1,003

Commercial and industrial
6,235

 
953

 
1,741

 
239

Lease financing
389

 

 
374

 
2

Other commercial real estate
239

 

 
619

 
35

Construction and land development - noncommercial
2,164

 

 

 
202

Residential mortgage
29,977

 
838

 
14,242

 
3,191

Revolving mortgage
12,704

 

 

 
5,463

Consumer
1,472

 
1,007

 

 
1,059

Other
133

 
2

 
1,966

 

Total non-PCI loans and leases
$
95,854

 
$
3,315

 
$
44,005

 
$
11,250


92

Table of Contents
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Purchased credit-impaired (PCI) loans
The following table relates to PCI loans acquired in the CCBT merger for 2015 and in the Bancorporation and 1st Financial mergers for 2014. The table summarizes the contractually required payments, which include principal and interest, expected cash flows to be collected, and the fair value of PCI loans at the respective merger dates.
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Contractually required payments
$
247,812

 
$
828,156

Cash flows expected to be collected
$
207,688

 
$
735,381

Fair value of loans at acquisition
$
154,496

 
$
623,408

The recorded fair values of PCI loans acquired in the CCBT, Bancorporation and 1st Financial transaction as of their respective merger dates were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Commercial:
 
 
 
Construction and land development
$
4,116

 
$
69,789

Commercial mortgage
129,732

 
176,841

Other commercial real estate
3,202

 
15,425

Commercial and industrial
2,844

 
37,583

Other

 
2,219

Total commercial loans
139,894

 
301,857

Noncommercial:
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
13,251

 
287,675

Revolving mortgage

 
29,777

Construction and land development

 
199

Consumer
1,351

 
3,900

Total noncommercial loans
14,602

 
321,551

Total PCI loans
$
154,496

 
$
623,408

The following table provides changes in the carrying value of purchased credit-impaired loans during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Balance at January 1
$
1,186,498

 
$
1,029,426

Fair value of PCI loans acquired during the year
154,496

 
623,408

Accretion
114,580

 
112,368

Payments received and other changes, net
(505,058
)
 
(578,704
)
Balance at December 31
$
950,516

 
$
1,186,498

Unpaid principal balance at December 31
$
1,693,372

 
$
2,057,691


The carrying value of loans on the cost recovery method was $5.3 million at December 31, 2015, and $33.4 million at December 31, 2014. The cost recovery method is applied to loans when the timing of future cash flows is not reasonably estimable due to borrower nonperformance or uncertainty in the ultimate disposition of the asset. The recorded investment of PCI loans on nonaccrual status was $7.6 million and $33.4 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
For PCI loans, improved cash flow estimates and receipt of unscheduled loan payments result in the reclassification of nonaccretable difference to accretable yield. Accretable yield resulting from the improved ability to estimate future cash flows generally does not represent amounts previously identified as nonaccretable difference.
The following table documents changes to the amount of accretable yield for 2015 and 2014.
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Balance at January 1
$
418,160

 
$
439,990

Additions from acquisitions
53,192

 
111,973

Accretion
(114,580
)
 
(112,368
)
Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference
25,357

 
7,865

Changes in expected cash flows that do not affect nonaccretable difference
(38,273
)
 
(29,300
)
Balance at December 31
$
343,856

 
$
418,160


93

Table of Contents
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Purchased non-impaired loans and leases
The following table relates to purchased non-impaired loans and leases acquired in the Bancorporation merger for 2014 and provides the contractually required payments, estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected and fair value of the acquired loans at the merger date.
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
Contractually required payments
$
4,708,681

Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected
$
59,187

Fair value at acquisition date
$
4,175,586

The recorded fair values of purchased non-impaired loans and leases acquired in the Bancorporation transaction as of the merger date were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2014
Commercial:
 
Construction and land development
$
134,941

Commercial mortgage
951,794

Other commercial real estate
61,856

Commercial and industrial
431,367

Lease financing
72,563

Other
95,379

Total commercial loans and leases
1,747,900

Noncommercial:
 
Residential mortgage
1,305,140

Revolving mortgage
419,106

Construction and land development
7,165

Consumer
696,275

Total noncommercial loans and leases
2,427,686

Total non-PCI loans
$
4,175,586

NOTE E
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES

Activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses is as follows:
 
Non-PCI
 
PCI
 
Total
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
179,046

 
$
139,972

 
$
319,018

Reclassification (1)
7,368

 

 
7,368

Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
19,289

 
(51,544
)
 
(32,255
)
Loans and leases charged off
(33,118
)
 
(34,908
)
 
(68,026
)
Loans and leases recovered
7,289

 

 
7,289

Net charge-offs
(25,829
)
 
(34,908
)
 
(60,737
)
Balance at December 31, 2013
179,874

 
53,520

 
233,394

Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
15,260

 
(14,620
)
 
640

Loans and leases charged off
(20,499
)
 
(17,271
)
 
(37,770
)
Loans and leases recovered
8,202

 

 
8,202

Net charge-offs
(12,297
)
 
(17,271
)
 
(29,568
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
182,837

 
21,629

 
204,466

Provision (credit) for loan and lease losses
22,937

 
(2,273
)
 
20,664

Loans and leases charged off
(25,304
)
 
(3,044
)
 
(28,348
)
Loans and leases recovered
9,434

 

 
9,434

Net charge-offs
(15,870
)
 
(3,044
)
 
(18,914
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
189,904

 
$
16,312

 
$
206,216

(1) Reclassification results from enhancements to the ALLL calculation during the second quarter of 2013 that resulted in the allocation of $15.8 million previously designated as 'nonspecific' to other loan classes and the absorption of $7.4 million of the reserve for unfunded commitments related to unfunded, revocable loan commitments into the ALLL. Further discussion is contained in Note A.

94

Table of Contents
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses, ending balances of loans and leases and related allowance by class of loans is summarized as follows:
 
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Construction
and land
development
- commercial
 
Commercial
mortgage
 
Other
commercial
real estate
 
Commercial
and
industrial
 
Lease
financing
 
Other
 
Residential
mortgage
 
Revolving
mortgage
 
Construction
and land
development
- non-
commercial
 
Consumer
 
Non-
specific
 
Total
Non-PCI Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2013
$
6,031

 
$
80,229

 
$
2,059

 
$
14,050

 
$
3,521

 
$
1,175

 
$
3,836

 
$
25,185

 
$
1,721

 
$
25,389

 
$
15,850

 
$
179,046

Reclassification (1)
5,141

 
27,421

 
(815
)
 
7,551

 
(253
)
 
(1,288
)
 
5,717

 
(9,838
)
 
(478
)
 
(10,018
)
 
(15,772
)
 
7,368

Provision (credits)
2,809

 
(4,485
)
 
(32
)
 
4,333

 
1,646

 
308

 
2,786

 
6,296

 
(379
)
 
6,085

 
(78
)
 
19,289

Charge-offs
(4,685
)
 
(3,904
)
 
(312
)
 
(4,785
)
 
(272
)
 
(6
)
 
(2,387
)
 
(6,064
)
 
(392
)
 
(10,311
)
 

 
(33,118
)
Recoveries
1,039

 
996

 
109

 
1,213

 
107

 
1

 
559

 
660

 
209

 
2,396

 

 
7,289

Balance at December 31, 2013
10,335

 
100,257

 
1,009

 
22,362

 
4,749

 
190

 
10,511

 
16,239

 
681

 
13,541

 

 
179,874

Provision (credits)
1,735

 
(16,746
)
 
(401
)
 
10,441

 
(473
)
 
3,007

 
1,219

 
6,301

 
245

 
9,932

 

 
15,260

Charge-offs
(316
)
 
(1,147
)
 

 
(3,014
)
 
(100
)
 
(13
)
 
(1,260
)
 
(4,744
)
 
(118
)
 
(9,787
)
 

 
(20,499
)
Recoveries
207

 
2,825

 
124

 
938

 
110

 

 
191

 
854

 
84

 
2,869

 

 
8,202

Balance at December 31, 2014
11,961

 
85,189

 
732

 
30,727

 
4,286

 
3,184

 
10,661

 
18,650

 
892

 
16,555

 

 
182,837

Provision (credits)
4,773

 
(15,822
)
 
1,569

 
17,432

 
1,602

 
(1,420
)
 
4,202

 
(927
)
 
541

 
10,987

 

 
22,937

Charge-offs
(1,012
)
 
(1,498
)
 
(178
)
 
(5,952
)
 
(402
)
 

 
(1,619
)
 
(2,925
)
 
(22
)
 
(11,696
)
 

 
(25,304
)
Recoveries
566

 
2,027

 
45

 
909

 
38

 
91

 
861

 
1,173

 
74

 
3,650

 

 
9,434

Balance at December 31, 2015
$
16,288

 
$
69,896

 
$
2,168

 
$
43,116

 
$
5,524

 
$
1,855

 
$
14,105

 
$
15,971

 
$
1,485

 
$
19,496

 
$

 
$
189,904

(1) Reclassification results from enhancements to the ALLL calculation during the second quarter of 2013 that resulted in the allocation of $15.8 million previously designated as 'nonspecific' to other loan classes and the absorption of $7.4 million of the reserve for unfunded commitments related to unfunded, revocable loan commitments into the ALLL. Further discussion is contained in Note A.

 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Construction
and land
development
- commercial
 
Commercial
mortgage
 
Other
commercial
real estate
 
Commercial
and industrial
 
Lease
financing
 
Other
 
Residential
mortgage
 
Revolving
mortgage
 
Construction
and land
development
- non-commercial
 
Consumer
 
Total
Non-PCI Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALLL for loans and leases individually evaluated for impairment
$
123

 
$
3,370

 
$
289

 
$
1,118

 
$
213

 
$

 
$
1,212

 
$
299

 
$
49

 
$
527

 
$
7,200

ALLL for loans and leases collectively evaluated for impairment
16,165

 
66,526

 
1,879

 
41,998

 
5,311

 
1,855

 
12,893

 
15,672

 
1,436

 
18,969

 
182,704

Total allowance for loan and lease losses
$
16,288

 
$
69,896

 
$
2,168

 
$
43,116

 
$
5,524

 
$
1,855

 
$
14,105

 
$
15,971

 
$
1,485

 
$
19,496

 
$
189,904

Loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and leases individually evaluated for impairment
$
3,094

 
$
95,107

 
$
427

 
$
17,910

 
$
1,755

 
$
1,183

 
$
22,986

 
$
5,883

 
$
784

 
$
1,238

 
$
150,367

Loans and leases collectively evaluated for impairment
617,258

 
8,179,441

 
320,594

 
2,351,048

 
729,023

 
313,649

 
2,672,999

 
2,517,223

 
219,289

 
1,218,583

 
19,139,107

Total loan and leases
$
620,352

 
$
8,274,548

 
$
321,021

 
$
2,368,958

 
$
730,778

 
$
314,832

 
$
2,695,985

 
$
2,523,106

 
$
220,073

 
$
1,219,821

 
$
19,289,474


95

Table of Contents
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Construction
and land
development
- commercial
 
Commercial
mortgage
 
Other
commercial
real estate
 
Commercial
and industrial
 
Lease
financing
 
Other
 
Residential
mortgage
 
Revolving
mortgage
 
Construction
and land
development
- non-commercial
 
Consumer
 
Total
Non-PCI Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALLL for loans and leases individually evaluated for impairment
$
92

 
$
8,610

 
$
112

 
$
1,743

 
$
150

 
$
1,972

 
$
1,360

 
$
1,052

 
$
71

 
$
555

 
$
15,717

ALLL for loans and leases collectively evaluated for impairment
$
11,869

 
$
76,579

 
$
620

 
$
28,984

 
$
4,136

 
$
1,212

 
$
9,301

 
$
17,598

 
$
821

 
$
16,000

 
$
167,120

Total allowance for loan and lease losses
$
11,961

 
$
85,189

 
$
732

 
$
30,727

 
$
4,286

 
$
3,184

 
$
10,661

 
$
18,650

 
$
892

 
$
16,555

 
$
182,837

Loans and leases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and leases individually evaluated for impairment
$
1,620

 
$
82,803

 
$
584

 
$
11,040

 
$
623

 
$
2,000

 
$
14,913

 
$
3,675

 
$
1,340

 
$
995

 
$
119,593

Loans and leases collectively evaluated for impairment
491,513

 
7,470,145

 
244,291

 
1,977,594

 
571,293

 
351,833

 
2,478,145

 
2,558,125

 
203,676

 
1,116,459

 
17,463,074

Total loan and leases
$
493,133

 
$
7,552,948

 
$
244,875

 
$
1,988,634

 
$
571,916

 
$
353,833

 
$
2,493,058

 
$
2,561,800

 
$
205,016

 
$
1,117,454

 
$
17,582,667

 
 
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Construction
and land
development -
commercial
 
Commercial
mortgage
 
Other
commercial
real estate
 
Commercial
and
industrial
 
Residential
mortgage
 
Revolving
mortgage
 
Construction
and land
development -
noncommercial
 
Consumer
and other
 
Total
PCI Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2013
$
31,186

 
$
50,275

 
$
11,234

 
$
8,897

 
$
19,837

 
$
9,754

 
$
8,287

 
$
502

 
$
139,972

Provision (credits)
(22,942
)
 
(3,872
)
 
(8,949
)
 
470

 
(5,487
)
 
(6,399
)
 
(4,170
)
 
(195
)
 
(51,544
)
Charge-offs
(6,924
)
 
(16,497
)
 
(931
)
 
(4,092
)
 
(2,548
)
 
(396
)
 
(3,435
)
 
(85
)
 
(34,908
)
Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013
1,320

 
29,906

 
1,354

 
5,275

 
11,802

 
2,959

 
682

 
222

 
53,520

Provision (credits)
1,284

 
(7,903
)
 
(1,385
)
 
(2,023
)
 
(5,576
)
 
1,523

 
(395
)
 
(145
)
 
(14,620
)
Charge-offs
(2,454
)
 
(11,868
)
 
106

 
(2,012
)
 
(406
)
 
(483
)
 
(104
)
 
(50
)
 
(17,271
)
Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014
150

 
10,135

 
75

 
1,240

 
5,820

 
3,999

 
183

 
27

 
21,629

Provision (credits)
1,029

 
(1,426
)
 
698

 
(470
)
 
72

 
(2,720
)
 
(183
)
 
727

 
(2,273
)
Charge-offs
(97
)
 
(871
)
 

 
(325
)
 
(494
)
 
(756
)
 

 
(501
)
 
(3,044
)
Recoveries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2015
$
1,082

 
$
7,838

 
$
773

 
$
445

 
$
5,398

 
$
523

 
$

 
$
253

 
$
16,312

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALLL for loans and leases acquired with deteriorated credit quality
$
1,082

 
$
7,838

 
$
773

 
$
445

 
$
5,398

 
$
523

 
$

 
$
253

 
$
16,312

Loans and leases acquired with deteriorated credit quality
33,880

 
525,468

 
17,076

 
15,182

 
302,158

 
52,471

 

 
4,281

 
950,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALLL for loans and leases acquired with deteriorated credit quality
150

 
10,135

 
75

 
1,240

 
5,820

 
3,999

 
183

 
27

 
21,629

Loans and leases acquired with deteriorated credit quality
78,079

 
577,518

 
40,193

 
27,254

 
382,340

 
74,109

 
912

 
6,093

 
1,186,498


At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $469.3 million and $285.6 million, respectively, in PCI loans experienced an adverse change in expected cash flows since the date of acquisition. The corresponding valuation reserve was $16.3 million and $21.6 million, respectively.


96

Table of Contents
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following tables provide information on non-PCI impaired loans and leases, exclusive of loans and leases evaluated collectively as a homogeneous group, including interest income recognized in the period during which the loans and leases were considered impaired.
 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
With a
recorded
allowance
 
With no
recorded
allowance
 
Total
 
Unpaid
principal
balance
 
Related
allowance
recorded
Non-PCI impaired loans and leases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
1,623

 
$
1,471

 
$
3,094

 
$
4,428

 
$
123

Commercial mortgage
41,793

 
53,314

 
95,107

 
103,763

 
3,370

Other commercial real estate
305

 
122

 
427

 
863

 
289

Commercial and industrial
8,544

 
9,366

 
17,910

 
21,455

 
1,118

Lease financing
1,651

 
104

 
1,755

 
1,956

 
213

Other

 
1,183

 
1,183

 
1,260

 

Residential mortgage
10,097

 
12,889

 
22,986

 
25,043

 
1,212

Revolving mortgage
1,105

 
4,778

 
5,883

 
7,120

 
299

Construction and land development - noncommercial
693

 
91

 
784

 
784

 
49

Consumer
1,050

 
188

 
1,238

 
1,294

 
527

Total non-PCI impaired loans and leases
$
66,861

 
$
83,506

 
$
150,367

 
$
167,966

 
$
7,200

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
With a
recorded
allowance
 
With no
recorded
allowance
 
Total
 
Unpaid
principal
balance
 
Related
allowance
recorded
Non-PCI impaired loans and leases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
996

 
$
624

 
$
1,620

 
$
6,945

 
$
92

Commercial mortgage
57,324

 
25,479

 
82,803

 
87,702

 
8,610

Other commercial real estate
112

 
472

 
584

 
913

 
112

Commercial and industrial
10,319

 
721

 
11,040

 
12,197

 
1,743

Lease financing
319

 
304

 
623

 
623

 
150

Other
2,000

 

 
2,000

 
2,000

 
1,972

Residential mortgage
10,198

 
4,715

 
14,913

 
15,746

 
1,360

Revolving mortgage
3,675

 

 
3,675

 
4,933

 
1,052

Construction and land development - noncommercial
1,077

 
263

 
1,340

 
1,340

 
71

Consumer
987

 
8

 
995

 
1,067

 
555

Total non-PCI impaired loans and leases
$
87,007

 
$
32,586

 
$
119,593

 
$
133,466

 
$
15,717







97

Table of Contents
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following tables show the average non-PCI impaired loan balance and the interest income recognized by loan class for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
Year ended December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
YTD
Average
Balance
 
YTD Interest Income Recognized
Non-PCI impaired loans and leases:
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
3,164

 
$
146

Commercial mortgage
89,934

 
3,129

Other commercial real estate
481

 
12

Commercial and industrial
14,587

 
510

Lease financing
1,718

 
74

Other
1,673

 
37

Residential mortgage
18,524

 
557

Revolving mortgage
4,368

 
97

Construction and land development - noncommercial
829

 
38

Consumer
1,126

 
75

Total non-PCI impaired loans and leases
$
136,404

 
$
4,675

 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2014
Non-PCI impaired loans and leases:
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
1,689

 
$
83

Commercial mortgage
86,250

 
3,698

Other commercial real estate
2,125

 
80

Commercial and industrial
13,433

 
580

Lease financing
774

 
44

Other
528

 
29

Residential mortgage
15,487

 
593

Revolving mortgage
3,922

 
134

Construction and land development - noncommercial
1,678

 
98

Consumer
1,535

 
88

Total non-PCI impaired loans and leases
$
127,421

 
$
5,427

 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2013
Non-PCI impaired loans and leases:
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
6,414

 
$
270

Commercial mortgage
105,628

 
5,702

Other commercial real estate
2,658

 
144

Commercial and industrial
12,772

 
642

Lease financing
350

 
22

Other

 

Residential mortgage
15,470

 
444

Revolving mortgage
5,653

 
485

Construction and land development - noncommercial
958

 
55

Consumer
1,427

 
53

Total non-PCI impaired loans and leases
$
151,330

 
$
7,817

 
 
 
 




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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Troubled Debt Restructurings

BancShares accounts for certain loan modifications or restructurings as TDRs. In general, the modification or restructuring of a loan is considered a TDR if, for economic reasons or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial difficulties, a concession is granted to the borrower that creditors would not otherwise consider. Concessions may relate to the contractual interest rate, maturity date, payment structure or other actions. In accordance with GAAP, loans acquired under ASC 310-30, excluding pooled loans, are not initially considered to be TDRs, but can be classified as such if a modification is made subsequent to acquisition. Subsequent modification of a PCI loan accounted for in a pool that would otherwise meet the definition of a TDR is not reported, or accounted for, as a TDR since pooled PCI loans are excluded from the scope of TDR accounting.

The following table provides a summary of total TDRs by accrual status.
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Accruing
 
 Nonaccruing
 
 Total
 
 Accruing
 
 Nonaccruing
 
 Total
Commercial loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
$
3,624

 
$
257

 
$
3,881

 
$
2,591

 
$
446

 
$
3,037

Commercial mortgage
65,812

 
18,728

 
84,540

 
92,184

 
8,937

 
101,121

Other commercial real estate
1,751

 
89

 
1,840

 
2,374

 
449

 
2,823

Commercial and industrial
8,833

 
3,341

 
12,174

 
9,864

 
664

 
10,528

Lease
1,191

 
169

 
1,360

 
258

 
365

 
623

Other
1,183

 

 
1,183

 
34

 

 
34

Total commercial loans
82,394

 
22,584

 
104,978

 
107,305

 
10,861

 
118,166

Noncommercial
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential
25,427

 
7,129

 
32,556

 
22,597

 
4,655

 
27,252

Revolving mortgage
3,600

 
1,705

 
5,305

 
3,675

 

 
3,675

Construction and land development - noncommercial
784

 

 
784

 
1,391

 

 
1,391

Consumer and other
1,091

 
129

 
1,220

 
995

 

 
995

Total noncommercial loans
30,902

 
8,963

 
39,865

 
28,658

 
4,655

 
33,313

Total loans
$
113,296

 
$
31,547

 
$
144,843

 
$
135,963

 
$
15,516

 
$
151,479


Total troubled debt restructurings at December 31, 2015, were $144.8 million, of which $30.6 million were PCI and $114.2 million were non-PCI. TDRs at December 31, 2014, were $151.5 million, which consisted of $46.9 million PCI and $104.6 million non-PCI.

The majority of TDRs are included in the special mention, substandard or doubtful grading categories, which results in more elevated loss expectations when projecting the expected cash flows that are used to determine the allowance for loan losses associated with these loans. When a restructured loan subsequently defaults, it is evaluated and downgraded if appropriate. The more severely graded the loan, the lower the estimated expected cash flows and the greater the allowance recorded. Further, TDRs over $500,000 and graded substandard or lower are evaluated individually for impairment through a review of collateral values or analysis of cash flows.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following tables provide the types of TDRs made during the year ended December 31, 2015, and 2014, as well as a summary of loans that were modified as a TDR during the year ended December 31, 2015, and 2014 that subsequently defaulted during the year ended December 31, 2015, and 2014. BancShares defines payment default as movement of the TDR to nonaccrual status, which is generally 90 days past due for TDRs, foreclosure or charge-off, whichever occurs first.
 
Year ended December 31, 2015
 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
All restructurings
 
Restructurings with payment default
 
All restructurings
 
Restructurings with payment default
 
Number of Loans
Recorded investment at period end
 
Number of Loans
Recorded investment at period end
 
Number of Loans
Recorded investment at period end
 
Number of Loans
Recorded investment at period end
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-PCI loans and leases
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest only period provided
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage
3
$
185

 
$

 
6
$
1,973

 
2
$
364

Commercial and industrial
2
776

 

 
3
250

 

Lease financing

 

 
2
118

 

Construction and land development - noncommercial
1
91

 

 

 

Other

 

 
1
34

 

Total interest only
6
1,052

 

 
12
2,375

 
2
364

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan term extension
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
1
18

 
1
18

 
2
187

 

Commercial mortgage
12
3,144

 
2
316

 
18
4,848

 

Commercial and industrial
5
1,380

 

 
5
2,274

 

Lease financing
4
146

 

 
6
198

 

Residential mortgage
1
110

 

 
19
572

 

Revolving mortgage
1
8

 

 

 

Construction and land development - noncommercial

 

 
7
226

 

Consumer
3
52

 


 
6
99

 
1

Total loan term extension
27
4,858

 
3
334

 
63
8,404

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below market interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
21
992

 
3
122

 
11
372

 

Commercial mortgage
37
13,900

 
3
3,969

 
44
12,642

 
3
441

Commercial and industrial
15
2,301

 
2
1,619

 
13
751

 

Other commercial real estate
2
122

 

 
1
337

 

Residential mortgage
116
5,695

 
14
607

 
41
2,444

 
1
45

Revolving mortgage
6
136

 

 
5
217

 

Construction & land development - noncommercial
2
253

 

 
12
389

 

Consumer
18
146

 
2
10

 
10
193

 

Other
1
1,183

 

 

 

Total below market interest rate
218
24,728

 
24
6,327

 
137
17,345

 
4
486

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discharged from bankruptcy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial
4
38

 
1
3

 

 

Commercial mortgage
4
1,897

 
2
644

 
2
949

 
1

Commercial and industrial
3
146

 

 

 

Residential mortgage
29
1,454

 
4
242

 
12
1,067

 
2
268

Revolving mortgage
56
2,714

 
9
701

 
17
663

 
1

Construction & land development - noncommercial

 

 
1
62

 
1
62

Consumer
25
296

 
7
75

 
4
4

 

Total discharged from bankruptcy
121
6,545

 
23
1,665

 
36
2,745

 
5
330

Total non-PCI restructurings
372
$
37,183

 
50
$
8,326

 
248
$
30,869

 
12
$
1,180



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 
Year ended December 31, 2015
 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
All restructurings
 
Restructurings with payment default
 
All restructurings
 
Restructurings with payment default
 
Number of Loans
Recorded investment at period end
 
Number of Loans
Recorded investment at period end
 
Number of Loans
Recorded investment at period end
 
Number of Loans
Recorded investment at period end
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PCI loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest only period provided
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial mortgage
$

 
$

 
2
$

 
2
$

Total interest only

 

 
2

 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan term extension
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial

 

 
1
332

 

Residential mortgage
1
178

 

 
2
317

 
5
53

Construction and land development - noncommercial

 

 
1
51

 

Total loan term extension
1
178

 

 
4
700

 
5
53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below market interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land development - commercial

 

 
2
116

 

Commercial mortgage

 

 
16
5,783

 
3
138

Residential mortgage
14
1,187

 
2
96

 
29
3,948

 
3
23

Total below market interest rate
14
1,187

 
2
96

 
47
9,847

 
6
161

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discharged from bankruptcy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgage
2
282

 

 
26
1,659

 
2

Revolving mortgage
1
105

 

 

 

Total discharged from bankruptcy
3
387

 

 
26
1,659

 
2

Total PCI restructurings
18
$
1,752

 
2
$
96

 
79
$
12,206

 
15
$
214


NOTE F
PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
 
Major classifications of premises and equipment at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Land
$
279,932

 
$
284,682

Premises and leasehold improvements
1,089,644

 
1,056,126

Furniture and equipment
441,378

 
444,774

Total
1,810,954

 
1,785,582

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
675,125

 
660,501

Total premises and equipment
$
1,135,829

 
$
1,125,081

There were no premises pledged to secure borrowings at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
BancShares leases certain premises and equipment under various lease agreements that provide for payment of property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. Operating leases frequently provide for one or more renewal options on the same basis as current rental terms. However, certain leases require increased rentals under cost of living escalation clauses. Some leases also provide purchase options.
Future minimum rental commitments for noncancellable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one or more years consisted of the following at December 31, 2015:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year ended December 31
2016
$
18,543

2017
14,415

2018
11,017

2019
8,040

2020
5,589

Thereafter
43,407

Total minimum payments
$
101,011

 
Total rent expense for all operating leases amounted to $13.8 million in 2015, $18.5 million in 2014 and $21.4 million in 2013, net of rent income, which was $6.4 million, $2.7 million and $1.8 million during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE G
OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED (OREO)

The following table explains changes in other real estate owned during 2015 and 2014.
(Dollars in thousands)
Covered
 
Noncovered
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2014
$
47,081

 
$
36,898

 
$
83,979

Additions
29,708

 
36,574

 
66,282

Additions acquired in the Bancorporation merger
1,336

 
34,008

 
35,344

Additions acquired in the 1st Financial merger

 
11,591

 
11,591

Sales
(38,753
)
 
(48,935
)
 
(87,688
)
Writedowns
(10,853
)
 
(5,219
)
 
(16,072
)
Transfers (1)
(5,537
)
 
5,537

 

Balance at December 31, 2014
22,982

 
70,454

 
93,436

Additions
7,357

 
47,866

 
55,223

Sales
(19,629
)
 
(56,853
)
 
(76,482
)
Writedowns
(1,478
)
 
(5,140
)
 
(6,618
)
Transfers (1)
(2,415
)
 
2,415

 

Balance at December 31, 2015
$
6,817

 
$
58,742

 
$
65,559

(1) Transfers include OREO balances associated with expired loss share agreements.
At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, BancShares had $16.1 million and $29.0 million, respectively, of foreclosed residential real estate property in OREO. The recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property in the process of foreclosure totaled $15.6 million and $24.8 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
NOTE H
FDIC LOSS SHARE RECEIVABLE

The following table provides changes in the receivable from the FDIC for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Balance at January 1
$
28,701

 
$
93,397

 
$
270,192

Additional receivable from Bancorporation merger

 
5,106

 

Amortization
(10,899
)
 
(43,422
)
 
(85,651
)
Net cash payments to (from) the FDIC
33,296

 
1,286

 
(19,373
)
Post-acquisition adjustments
(47,044
)
 
(27,666
)
 
(71,771
)
Balance at December 31
$
4,054

 
$
28,701

 
$
93,397

The receivable from the FDIC for loss share agreements is measured separately from the related covered assets and is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date using projected cash flows based on the expected reimbursements for losses and the applicable loss share percentages. See Note U for information related to BancShares' recorded payable to the FDIC for loss share agreements.

Amortization reflects changes in the FDIC loss share receivable due to improvements in expected cash flows that are being recognized over the remaining term of the loss share agreement. Cash payments to (from) the FDIC represent the net impact of loss share loan recoveries, charge-offs and related expenses as calculated and reported in FDIC loss share certificates. Post-acquisition adjustments represent the net change in loss estimates related to acquired loans and covered OREO as a result of changes in expected cash flows and the ALLL related to those covered loans. For loans covered by loss share agreements, subsequent decreases in the amount expected to be collected from the borrower or collateral liquidation result in a provision for loan and lease losses, an increase in the ALLL and a proportional adjustment to the receivable from the FDIC for the estimated amount to be reimbursed. Subsequent increases in the amount expected to be collected from the borrower or collateral liquidation result in the reversal of some or all previously recorded provision for loan and lease losses, a decrease in the related ALLL and a proportional adjustment to the receivable from the FDIC, or prospective adjustment to the accretable yield and the related receivable from the FDIC if no provision for loan and lease losses had been recorded previously. The loss share agreements for non-single family residential loans for Temecula Valley Bank, Venture Bank and Georgian Bank expired during

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2014. At the beginning of the second quarter of 2015, the loss share agreements for First Regional Bank and non-single family residential loans acquired from Sun American Bank expired. The loss share agreement for non-single family residential loans for Williamsburg First National Bank expired at the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015. During 2016, the loss share agreements for non-single family residential loans for United Western Bank, Atlantic Bank & Trust and Colorado Capital Bank will expire at the beginning of the second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.

NOTE I
DEPOSITS
Deposits at December 31 are summarized as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Demand
$
9,274,470

 
$
8,086,784

Checking with interest
4,445,353

 
4,091,333

Money market accounts
8,205,705

 
8,264,811

Savings
1,909,021

 
1,728,504

Time
3,096,206

 
3,507,145

Total deposits
$
26,930,755

 
$
25,678,577

 
Time deposits with a denomination exceeding $250,000 were $578.1 million and $552.3 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

At December 31, 2015, the scheduled maturities of time deposits were:
(Dollars in thousands)
Year ended December 31
2016
$
2,359,710

2017
453,560

2018
114,448

2019
111,857

2020
56,631

Thereafter

Total time deposits
$
3,096,206


NOTE J
SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Short-term borrowings at December 31 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Master notes
$

 
$
410,258

Repurchase agreements
592,182

 
294,426

Notes payable to Federal Home Loan Banks

 
80,000

Federal funds purchased
2,551

 
2,551

Subordinated notes payable

 
199,949

Total short-term borrowings
$
594,733

 
$
987,184

At December 31, 2015, BancShares had unused credit lines allowing contingent access to overnight borrowings of up to $740.0 million on an unsecured basis. Additionally, under borrowing arrangements with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, BancShares has access to an additional $5.57 billion on a secured basis. The master notes product, or investments used by commercial customers as an investment option through a sweep account, was discontinued during 2015, resulting in a migration to repurchase agreements. Additionally, $80.0 million in FHLB borrowings and $199.9 million in subordinated debt matured in 2015.

NOTE K
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
We utilize securities sold under agreements to repurchase to facilitate the needs of our customers and secure long-term funding needs. Repurchase agreements are transactions whereby we offer to sell to a counterparty an undivided interest in an eligible security at an agreed upon purchase price, and which obligates BancShares to repurchase the security on an agreed upon date at

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

an agreed upon repurchase price plus interest at an agreed upon rate. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are recorded at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction and are generally reflected as short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We monitor collateral levels on a continuous basis and maintain records of each transaction specifically describing the applicable security and the counterparty’s fractional interest in that security, and we segregate the security from our general assets in accordance with regulations governing custodial holdings of securities. The primary risk with our repurchase agreements is market risk associated with the investments securing the transactions, as we may be required to provide additional collateral based on fair value changes of the underlying investments. Securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements are maintained with our safekeeping agents. The carrying value of available for sale investment securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements was $722.0 million and $418.3 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
The remaining contractual maturity of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase by class of collateral pledged included in short-term borrowings in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is presented in the following tables.
 
December 31, 2015
 
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
(Dollars in thousands)
Overnight and continuous
 
Up to 30 Days
 
30-90 Days
 
Greater than 90 Days
 
Total
Repurchase agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
592,182

 
$

 
$

 
$
25,724

 
$
617,906

Government agency

 

 

 
4,276

 
4,276

Total borrowings
$
592,182

 
$

 
$

 
$
30,000

 
$
622,182

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements
 
$
622,182

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
 
Overnight and continuous
 
Up to 30 Days
 
30-90 Days
 
Greater than 90 Days
 
Total
Repurchase agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
162,925

 
$

 
$

 
$
23,086

 
$
186,011

Government agency

 

 

 
6,914

 
6,914

Mortgage-backed securities
131,501

 

 

 

 
131,501

Total borrowings
$
294,426

 
$

 
$

 
$
30,000

 
$
324,426

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements
 
$
324,426


NOTE L
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Long-term obligations at December 31 include:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Junior subordinated debenture at 3-month LIBOR plus 1.75 percent maturing June 30, 2036
$
96,392

 
$
96,392

Junior subordinated debenture at 3-month LIBOR plus 2.25 percent maturing June 15, 2034
25,774

 
26,547

Junior subordinated debenture at 3-month LIBOR plus 2.85 percent maturing April 7, 2034
10,310

 
10,310

Subordinated notes payable 8.00 percent June 1, 2018
15,000

 
15,000

Obligations under capitalized leases extending to July 2026
9,226

 
3,150

Notes payable to Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta with rates ranging from 2.00 percent to 3.58 percent and maturing through March 2024
510,252

 
160,268

Note payable to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines(1) with a rate of 4.74 percent and a maturity date of July 2017
10,000

 
10,000

Unamortized purchase accounting adjustments
(2,907
)
 
(466
)
Other long-term debt
30,108

 
30,119

Total long-term obligations
$
704,155

 
$
351,320

(1) The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Seattle merged with and into the FHLB of Des Moines effective May 31, 2015. As a result, the note payable to the FHLB of Seattle at December 31, 2014 was owed to the FHLB of Des Moines at December 31, 2015.

104




At December 31, 2015, long-term obligations included $132.5 million in junior subordinated debentures representing obligations to FCB/NC Capital Trust III, FCB/SC Capital Trust II, and SCB Capital Trust I, special purpose entities and grantor trusts for $128.5 million of trust preferred securities. FCB/NC Capital Trust III, FCB/SC Capital Trust II and SCB Capital Trust I's (the Trusts) trust preferred securities mature in 2036, 2034 and 2034, respectively, and may be redeemed at par in whole or in part at any time. BancShares has guaranteed all obligations of the Trusts.

Long-term obligations maturing in each of the five years subsequent to December 31, 2015 and thereafter, include:
 
Year ended December 31
2016
$
3,401

2017
13,440

2018
135,232

2019
246

2020
261

Thereafter
551,575

Total long-term obligations
$
704,155


NOTE M
ESTIMATED FAIR VALUES

Fair value estimates are intended to represent the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. Where there is no active market for a financial instrument, BancShares has made estimates using discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. Inputs to these valuation methods are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and require significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Accordingly, the derived fair value estimates presented below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts BancShares could realize in a current market exchange.
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, indicates that assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value according to a fair value hierarchy comprised of three levels. The levels are based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The level within the fair value hierarchy for an asset or liability is based on the highest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (with level 1 considered highest and level 3 considered lowest). A brief description of each level follows:
Level 1 values are based on quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 values are based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
Level 3 values are generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include the use of discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.
Valuation adjustments, such as those pertaining to counterparty and BancShares' own credit quality and liquidity, may be necessary to ensure that assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value. Credit valuation adjustments are made when market pricing does not accurately reflect the counterparty's credit quality. As determined by BancShares management, liquidity valuation adjustments may be made to the fair value of certain assets to reflect the uncertainty in the pricing and trading of the instruments when we are unable to observe recent market transactions for identical or similar instruments.
BancShares management reviews any changes to its valuation methodologies to ensure they are appropriate and justified, and refines valuation methodologies as more market-based data becomes available. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the end of the reporting period.
The methodologies used to estimate the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below:
Investment securities available for sale. U.S.Treasury, government agency, mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities and trust preferred securities are generally measured at fair value using a third party pricing service or recent comparable market transactions in similar or identical securities and are classified as level 2 instruments. Equity securities are measured at fair value using observable closing prices and the valuation also considers the amount of market activity by examining the trade volume of each security. Equity securities are classified as Level 1 if they are traded on a heavily active market and as Level 2 if the observable closing price is from a less than active market.

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Loans held for sale. Certain residential real estate loans are originated to be sold to investors, which are carried at fair value as BancShares elected the fair value option on loans held for sale in 2014. The fair value is based on quoted market prices for similar types of loans. Accordingly, the inputs used to calculate fair value of residential real estate loans held for sale are classified as level 2 inputs.
Net loans and leases (PCI and Non-PCI). Fair value is estimated based on discounted future cash flows using the current interest rates at which loans with similar terms would be made to borrowers of similar credit quality. An additional valuation adjustment is made for liquidity. The inputs used in the fair value measurements for loans and leases are considered level 3 inputs.
FHLB stock. The carrying amount of FHLB stock is a reasonable estimate of fair value as these securities are not readily marketable and are evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. BancShares considers positive and negative evidence, including the profitability and asset quality of the issuer, dividend payment history and recent redemption experience, when determining the ultimate recoverability of the par value. BancShares believes its investment in FHLB stock is ultimately recoverable at par. The inputs used in the fair value measurement for the FHLB stock are considered level 2 inputs.
Mortgage servicing rights. Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of amortized cost or market and are, therefore, carried at fair value only when fair value is less than the asset cost. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is performed using a pooling methodology. Similar loans are pooled together and a model that relies on discount rates, estimates of prepayment rates and the weighted average cost to service the loans is used to determine the fair value. The inputs used in the fair value measurement for mortgage servicing rights are considered level 3 inputs.
Deposits. For non-time deposits, carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of time deposits is estimated by discounting future cash flows using the interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The inputs used in the fair value measurement for deposits are considered level 2 inputs.    
Long-term obligations. For fixed rate trust preferred securities, the fair values are determined based on recent trades of the actual security if available. For other long-term obligations, fair values are estimated by discounting future cash flows using current interest rates for similar financial instruments. The inputs used in the fair value measurement for long-term obligations are considered level 2 inputs.
Payable to the FDIC for loss share agreements. The fair value of the payable to the FDIC for loss share agreements is determined by the projected cash flows based on expected payments to the FDIC in accordance with the loss share agreements. Cash flows are discounted using current discount rates based on the expiration date of each loss share agreement to reflect the timing of the estimated amounts due to the FDIC. The inputs used in the fair value measurement for the payable to the FDIC are considered level 3 inputs.
Interest rate swap. Under the terms of the existing cash flow hedge, BancShares pays a fixed payment to the counterparty in exchange for receipt of a variable payment that is determined based on the three-month LIBOR rate. The fair value of the cash flow hedge is, therefore, based on projected LIBOR rates for the duration of the hedge, values that, while observable in the market, are subject to adjustment due to pricing considerations for the specific instrument. The inputs used in the fair value measurement of the interest rate swap are considered level 2 inputs.
Off-balance-sheet commitments and contingencies. Carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of the fair values for such financial instruments. Carrying amounts include unamortized fee income and, in some cases, reserves for any credit losses from those financial instruments. These amounts are not material to BancShares' financial position.
For all other financial assets and financial liabilities, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of the fair value as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The carrying value and fair value for these assets and liabilities are equivalent because they are relatively short term in nature and there is no interest rate or credit risk relating to them that would cause the fair value to differ from the carrying value. Cash and due from banks is classified on the fair value hierarchy as level 1. Overnight investments, income earned not collected, short-term borrowings and accrued interest payable are considered level 2. Lastly, the receivable from the FDIC for loss share agreements is designated as level 3.
 

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Carrying value
 
Fair value
 
Carrying value
 
Fair value
Cash and due from banks
$
534,086

 
$
534,086

 
$
604,182

 
$
604,182

Overnight investments
2,063,132

 
2,063,132

 
1,724,919

 
1,724,919

Investment securities available for sale
6,861,293

 
6,861,293

 
7,171,917

 
7,171,917

Investment securities held to maturity
255

 
265

 
518

 
544

Loans held for sale
59,766

 
59,766

 
63,696

 
63,696

Net loans and leases
20,033,774

 
19,353,325

 
18,564,999

 
18,046,497

Receivable from the FDIC for loss share agreements (1)
4,054

 
4,054

 
28,701

 
18,218

Income earned not collected
70,036

 
70,036

 
57,254

 
57,254

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
37,511

 
37,511

 
39,113

 
39,113

Mortgage servicing rights
19,351

 
19,495

 
16,688

 
16,736

Deposits
26,930,755

 
26,164,472

 
25,678,577

 
25,164,683

Short-term borrowings
594,733

 
594,733

 
987,184

 
987,184

Long-term obligations
704,155

 
718,102

 
351,320

 
367,732

Payable to the FDIC for loss share agreements
126,453

 
131,894

 
116,535

 
122,168

Accrued interest payable
5,713

 
5,713

 
8,194

 
8,194

Interest rate swap
1,429

 
1,429

 
4,337

 
4,337

(1) At December 31, 2015, the carrying value of the FDIC receivable approximates the fair value due to the short-term nature of the majority of loss share agreements. At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the FDIC receivable is estimated based on discounted future cash flows using current discount rates and excludes receivable related to accretable yield to be amortized in prospective periods.

Among BancShares’ assets and liabilities, investment securities available for sale, loans held for sale and interest rate swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges are reported at their fair values on a recurring basis. For assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis, the following table provides fair value information as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using:
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets measured at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
1,674,882

 
$

 
$
1,674,882

 
$

Government agency
498,660

 

 
498,660

 

Mortgage-backed securities
4,668,198

 

 
4,668,198

 

Equity securities
8,893

 
1,668

 
7,225

 

Other
10,660

 

 
10,660

 

Total investment securities available for sale
$
6,861,293

 
$
1,668

 
$
6,859,625

 
$

Loans held for sale
$
59,766

 
$

 
$
59,766

 
$

Liabilities measured at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges
$
1,429

 
$

 
$
1,429

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using:
 
Fair value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets measured at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
2,629,670

 
$

 
$
2,629,670

 
$

Government agency
908,817

 

 
908,817

 

Mortgage-backed securities
3,633,304

 

 
3,633,304

 

Municipal securities
126

 

 
126

 

Total investment securities available for sale
$
7,171,917

 
$

 
$
7,171,917

 
$

Loans held for sale
$
63,696

 
$

 
$
63,696

 
$

Liabilities measured at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges
$
4,337

 
$

 
$
4,337

 
$


There were no transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Fair Value Option
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2014, BancShares elected the fair value option for residential real estate loans held for sale. This election reduces certain timing differences in the Consolidated Statements of Income and better aligns with the management of the portfolio from a business perspective.
The following table summarizes the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance for residential real estate loans held for sale measured at fair value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair Value
 
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Difference
Loans held for sale
$
59,766

 
$
58,890

 
$
876

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Fair Value
 
Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Difference
Loans held for sale
$
63,696

 
$
62,996

 
$
700

No loans held for sale were 90 or more days past due or on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The changes in fair value for residential real estate loans held for sale for which we elected the fair value option are included in the table below for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Gains (losses) from fair value changes on loans held for sale
$
176

 
$
202

The changes in fair value in the table above are recorded as a component of mortgage income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Certain other assets are adjusted to their fair value on a nonrecurring basis, including impaired loans, OREO, goodwill, which is periodically tested for impairment and mortgage servicing rights, which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or market. Non-impaired loans held for investment, deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term obligations are not reported at fair value.
Impaired loans are deemed to be at fair value if an associated allowance or current period charge-off has been recorded. The value of impaired loans is determined by either collateral valuations or discounted present value of the expected cash flow calculations. Collateral values are determined using appraisals or other third-party value estimates of the subject property with discounts generally between 10 and 14 percent applied for estimated holding and selling costs and other external factors that may impact the marketability of the property. Impaired loans are assigned to an asset manager and monitored monthly for significant changes since the last valuation. If significant changes are noted, the asset manager orders a new valuation or adjusts the valuation accordingly. Expected cash flows are determined using expected payment information at the individual loan level, discounted using the effective interest rate. The effective interest rates generally range between 2 and 16 percent.
OREO is measured and reported at fair value using collateral valuations. Collateral values are determined using appraisals or other third-party value estimates of the subject property with discounts generally between 10 and 14 percent applied for estimated holding and selling costs and other external factors that may impact the marketability of the property. Changes to the value of the assets between scheduled valuation dates are monitored through continued communication with brokers and monthly reviews by the asset manager assigned to each asset. The asset manager uses the information gathered from brokers and other market sources to identify any significant changes in the market or the subject property as they occur. Valuations are then adjusted or new appraisals are ordered to ensure the reported values reflect the most current information. OREO that has been acquired or written down in the current year is deemed to be at fair value and included in the table below.
Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or market and are, therefore, carried at fair value only when fair value is less than the amortized asset cost. The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is performed using a pooling methodology. Similar loans are pooled together and a discounted cash flow model, which takes into consideration discount rates, prepayment rates, and the weighted average cost to service the loans, are used to determine the fair value. See Note R for further information on the discount rates, prepayment rates and the weighted average cost to service the loans.

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the following table provides fair value information as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using:
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Impaired loans
64,197

 

 

 
64,197

Other real estate not covered under loss share agreements remeasured during current year
44,571

 

 

 
44,571

Other real estate covered under loss share agreements remeasured during current year
4,403

 

 

 
4,403

Mortgage servicing rights
17,997

 

 

 
17,997

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
Fair value measurements using:
 
Fair value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Impaired loans
73,170

 

 

 
73,170

Other real estate not covered under loss share agreements remeasured during current year
40,714

 

 

 
40,714

Other real estate covered under loss share agreements remeasured during current year
17,664

 

 

 
17,664

Mortgage servicing rights
13,562

 

 

 
13,562


No financial liabilities were carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

NOTE N
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

BancShares sponsors benefit plans for its qualifying employees and legacy Bancorporation employees including noncontributory defined benefit pension plans, a 401(k) savings plan and an enhanced 401(k) savings plan. These plans are qualified under the Internal Revenue Code. BancShares also maintains agreements with certain executives that provide supplemental benefits that are paid upon death or separation from service at an agreed-upon age.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans
 
Employees who were hired prior to April 1, 2007 and qualified under length of service and other requirements are covered by a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (BancShares Plan). The BancShares plan was closed to new participants as of April 1, 2007. Retirement benefits are based on years of service and average earnings. Covered employees fully vested in the BancShares Plan after five years of service. BancShares makes contributions to the pension plan in amounts between the minimum required for funding and the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes. A $30.0 million discretionary contribution was made to the BancShares Plan during 2015. No contributions were made during 2014 and BancShares does not anticipate making any contributions during 2016.

Certain legacy Bancorporation employees who qualified under length of service and other requirements are covered by a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (Bancorporation Plan). The Bancorporation plan was closed to new participants as of September 1, 2007. Retirement benefits are based on years of service and highest average annual compensation for five consecutive years during the last ten years of employment. Covered employees fully vested in the Bancorporation Plan after five years of service. BancShares makes contributions to the Bancorporation Plan in amounts between the minimum required for funding and the maximum amount deductible for federal income tax purposes. No contributions were made to the Bancorporation Plan for 2015 and 2014 and none are anticipated for 2016.




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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Obligations and Funded Status

BancShares Plan
 
The following table provides the changes in benefit obligation and plan assets and the funded status of the plan at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligation at January 1
$
627,645

 
$
530,678

Service cost
14,083

 
12,332

Interest cost
26,975

 
25,615

Actuarial (gain) loss
(39,002
)
 
76,122

Benefits paid
(18,199
)
 
(17,102
)
Projected benefit obligation at December 31
611,502

 
627,645

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at January 1
544,956

 
524,017

Actual return on plan assets
(6,732
)
 
38,041

Employer contributions
30,000

 

Benefits paid
(18,199
)
 
(17,102
)
Fair value of plan assets at December 31
550,025

 
544,956

Funded status at December 31
$
(61,477
)
 
$
(82,689
)
The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consist of:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Other assets
$

 
$

Other liabilities
(61,477
)
 
(82,689
)
Net asset (liability) recognized
$
(61,477
)
 
$
(82,689
)
The following table details the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Net loss
$
70,358

 
$
80,806

Less prior service cost
556

 
767

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, excluding income taxes
$
70,914

 
$
81,573

The following table provides expected amortization amounts for 2016.
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Actuarial loss
$
6,398

Prior service cost
210

Total
$
6,608


The accumulated benefit obligation for the plan at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $533.1 million and $537.0 million, respectively. The BancShares Plan uses a measurement date of December 31.

The projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The fair value of plan assets exceeded the accumulated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.


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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following table shows the components of periodic benefit cost related to the pension plan and changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Service cost
$
14,083

 
$
12,332

 
$
16,332

Interest cost
26,975

 
25,615

 
23,686

Expected return on assets
(33,198
)
 
(31,269
)
 
(27,733
)
Amortization of prior service cost
210

 
210

 
210

Amortization of net actuarial loss
11,376

 
5,148

 
16,985

Total net periodic benefit cost
19,446

 
12,036

 
29,480

Current year actuarial loss (gain)
927

 
69,349

 
(123,557
)
Amortization of actuarial loss
(11,376
)
 
(5,148
)
 
(16,985
)
Amortization of prior service cost
(210
)
 
(210
)
 
(210
)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income
(10,659
)
 
63,991

 
(140,752
)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income
$
8,787

 
$
76,027

 
$
(111,272
)
The assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Discount rate
4.68
%
 
4.27
%
Rate of compensation increase
4.00

 
4.00


The assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Discount rate
4.27
%
 
4.90
%
 
4.00
%
Rate of compensation increase
4.00

 
4.00

 
4.00

Expected long-term return on plan assets
7.50

 
7.50

 
7.25


The estimated discount rate, which represents the interest rate that could be obtained for a suitable investment used to fund the benefit obligations, is based on a yield curve developed from high-quality corporate bonds across a full maturity spectrum. The projected cash flows of the pension plan are discounted based on this yield curve and a single discount rate is calculated to achieve the same present value.
The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on BancShares Plan assets represents the average rate of return expected to be earned on BancShares Plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. In developing the expected rate of return, historical and current returns, as well as investment allocation strategies, on BancShares Plan assets are considered.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Bancorporation Plan

The following table provides the changes in benefit obligation and plan assets and the funded status of the plan at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligation at January 1
$
151,332

 
$

Projected benefit obligation at October 1 acquisition date

 
137,452

Service cost
3,341

 
832

Interest cost
6,393

 
1,488

Actuarial (gain) loss
(10,937
)
 
12,802

Benefits paid
(4,812
)
 
(1,242
)
Curtailments
(2,076
)
 

Projected benefit obligation at December 31
143,241

 
151,332

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at January 1
155,618

 

Fair value of plan assets at October 1 acquisition date

 
150,374

Actual return on plan assets
87

 
6,486

Benefits paid
(4,812
)
 
(1,242
)
Fair value of plan assets at December 31
150,893

 
155,618

Funded status at December 31
$
7,652

 
$
4,286


During 2015, there were plan curtailments of $2.1 million related to a decrease in the number of employees covered by the Bancorporation plan.
The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consist of:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Other assets
$

 
$

Other liabilities
7,652

 
4,286

Net asset (liability) recognized
$
7,652

 
$
4,286

The following table details the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Net loss
$
7,505

 
$
9,123

Less prior service cost

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, excluding income taxes
$
7,505

 
$
9,123

There are no expected amortization amounts for 2016. The accumulated benefit obligation for the plan at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $131.9 million and $136.4 million, respectively. The Bancorporation Plan uses a measurement date of December 31.
The fair value of plan assets exceeded the projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following table shows the components of periodic benefit cost related to the pension plan and changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. For 2014, the table only includes amounts after the October 1 acquisition of Bancorporation.
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Service cost
$
3,341

 
$
832

Interest cost
6,393

 
1,488

Expected return on assets
(11,482
)
 
(2,807
)
Total net periodic benefit cost
(1,748
)
 
(487
)
Current year actuarial loss
458

 
9,123

Curtailments
(2,076
)
 

Total recognized in other comprehensive income
(1,618
)
 
9,123

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income
$
(3,366
)
 
$
8,636

The assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Discount rate
4.68
%
 
4.27
%
Rate of compensation increase
4.00

 
4.00

The assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Discount rate
4.27
%
 
4.35
%
Rate of compensation increase
4.00

 
4.00

Expected long-term return on plan assets
7.50

 
7.50


The estimated discount rate, which represents the interest rate that could be obtained for a suitable investment used to fund the benefit obligations, is based on a yield curve developed from high-quality corporate bonds across a full maturity spectrum. The projected cash flows of the pension plan are discounted based on this yield curve and a single discount rate is calculated to achieve the same present value.
The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on Bancorporation Plan assets represents the average rate of return expected to be earned on Bancorporation Plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. In developing the expected rate of return, historical and current returns, as well as investment allocation strategies, on Bancorporation Plan assets are considered.

Plan Assets

BancShares Plan
Our primary total return objective is to achieve returns that, over the long term, will fund retirement liabilities and provide for the desired plan benefits in a manner that satisfies the fiduciary requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The plan assets have a long-term time horizon that runs concurrent with the average life expectancy of the participants. As such, the BancShares Plan can assume a time horizon that extends well beyond a full market cycle and can assume a reasonable level of risk. It is expected, however, that both professional investment management and sufficient portfolio diversification will smooth volatility and help to generate a reasonable consistency of return. The investments are broadly diversified across global, economic and market risk factors in an attempt to reduce volatility and target multiple return sources. Within approved guidelines and restrictions, the investment manager has discretion over the timing and selection of individual investments. Plan assets are currently held by FCB Trust Department.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The fair values of pension plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, by asset class are as follows:
 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Market Value
 
Quoted prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Nonobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Target Allocation
 
Actual %
of Plan
Assets
Cash and equivalents
$
26,613

 
$
26,613

 
$

 
$

 
0 - 1%
 
5
%
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
55 - 65%
 
63
%
Common and preferred stock
267,037

 
267,037

 

 

 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
78,645

 
78,645

 

 

 
 
 
 
Fixed income

 

 

 

 
25 - 40%
 
26
%
U.S. government and government agency securities
58,526

 
48,957

 
9,569

 

 
 
 
 
Corporate bonds
70,809

 

 
70,809

 

 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
17,351

 
17,351

 

 

 
 
 
 
Alternative investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0 - 10%
 
6
%
Mutual funds
31,044

 
31,044

 

 

 
 
 
 
Total pension assets
$
550,025

 
$
469,647

 
$
80,378

 
$

 
 
 
100
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Market Value
 
Quoted prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Nonobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Target Allocation
 
Actual %
of Plan
Assets
Cash and equivalents
$
3,854

 
$
3,854

 

 

 
0 - 1%
 
1
%
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
55 - 65%
 
62
%
Common and preferred stock
284,656

 
284,656

 

 

 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
52,379

 
52,379

 

 

 
 
 
 
Fixed income


 


 

 

 
25 - 40%
 
28
%
Mutual funds
153,928

 

 
153,928

 

 
 
 
 
Alternative investments


 


 

 

 
0 - 10%
 
9
%
Mutual funds
50,139

 
50,139

 

 

 
 
 
 
Total pension assets
$
544,956

 
$
391,028

 
$
153,928

 
$

 
 
 
100
%

Cash and equivalents comprise approximately 5 percent of BancShares actual plan assets at December 31, 2015, exceeding the target allocation range due to the $30.0 million contribution to the plan in December 2015.

Bancorporation Plan
Our primary total return objective is to achieve returns that, over the long term, will fund retirement liabilities and provide for the desired plan benefits in a manner that satisfies the fiduciary requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The plan assets have a long-term time horizon that runs concurrent with the average life expectancy of the participants. As such, the Bancorporation Plan can assume a time horizon that extends well beyond a full market cycle and can assume a reasonable level of risk. It is expected, however, that both professional investment management and sufficient portfolio diversification will smooth volatility and help to generate a reasonable consistency of return. The investments are broadly diversified across global, economic and market risk factors in an attempt to reduce volatility and target multiple return sources. Within approved guidelines and restrictions, the investment manager has discretion over the timing and selection of individual investments. Plan assets are currently held by FCB Trust Department.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 
December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Market Value
 
Quoted prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Nonobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Actual %
of Plan
Assets
Cash and equivalents
$
13,437

 
$
13,437

 

 

 
9
%
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
63
%
Common and preferred stock
80,676

 
80,676

 

 

 
 
Mutual funds
15,005

 
15,005

 

 

 
 
Fixed income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22
%
U.S. government and government agency securities
20,476

 
3,986

 
16,490

 

 
 
Corporate bonds
8,011

 

 
8,011

 

 
 
Mutual funds
4,198

 
4,198

 

 

 
 
Alternative investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6
%
Mutual funds
9,090

 
9,090

 

 

 
 
Total pension assets
$
150,893

 
$
126,392

 
$
24,501

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Market Value
 
Quoted prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Nonobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Actual %
of Plan
Assets
Cash and equivalents
$
13,077

 
$
13,077

 

 

 
8
%
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
69
%
Common and preferred stock
101,540

 
101,540

 

 

 
 
Mutual funds
5,793

 
5,793

 

 

 
 
Fixed income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23
%
U.S. government and government agency securities
23,528

 
23,528

 

 

 
 
Corporate bonds
11,680

 

 
11,680

 

 
 
Total pension assets
$
155,618

 
$
143,938

 
$
11,680

 

 
 
The investment policy for the Bancorporation Plan establishes an asset allocation whereby fixed income securities including cash and cash equivalents should comprise no less than 35 percent of Bancorporation Plan assets and whereby equity securities should not exceed 60 percent of Bancorporation Plan assets. Because the investment policy grants a 10 percent market value variance within the Bancorporation Plan when assessing overall asset allocation percentage, equity securities can comprise up to 70 percent of Bancorporation Plan assets before action is required. Alternative investments may also comprise up to 5 percent of the Bancorporation Plan assets.
Cash Flows

Following are estimated payments to pension plan participants in the indicated periods for each plan:
(Dollars in thousands)
BancShares Plan
 
Bancorporation Plan
2016
$
21,607

 
$
5,463

2017
23,268

 
5,969

2018
24,895

 
6,420

2019
26,450

 
6,791

2020
28,207

 
7,209

2021-2025
166,567

 
43,671


401(k) Savings Plans

Effective January 1, 2015, BancShares merged the legacy Bancorporation 401(k) savings plan and enhanced 401(k) savings plan into the existing BancShares 401(k) savings plan and enhanced 401(k) savings plan. Participation in and terms of the BancShares 401(k) plan and enhanced 401(k) plan did not change as a result of the mergers.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

BancShares Plans
 
Certain employees enrolled in the defined benefit plan are also eligible to participate in a 401(k) savings plan through deferral of portions of their salary. For employees who participate in the 401(k) savings plan who also continue to accrue additional years of service under the defined benefit plan, based on the employee’s contribution, BancShares matches up to 75 percent of the employee contribution up to 6 percent of compensation which is vested immediately.
 
At the end of 2007, current employees were given the option to continue to accrue additional years of service under the defined benefit plan or to elect to join an enhanced 401(k) savings plan. Under the enhanced 401(k) savings plan, based on the employee’s contribution, BancShares matches up to 100 percent of the employees' contributions not to exceed 6 percent of compensation which is vested immediately. In addition to the employer match of the employee contributions, the enhanced 401(k) savings plan provides a guaranteed contribution equal to 3 percent of the compensation of a participant who remains employed at the end of the calendar year. Employees who elected to enroll in the enhanced 401(k) savings plan discontinued the accrual of additional years of service under the defined benefit plan and became enrolled in the enhanced 401(k) savings plan effective January 1, 2008. Eligible employees hired after January 1, 2008, are eligible to participate in the enhanced 401(k) savings plan.

BancShares made participating contributions to the BancShares 401(k) plans of $22.6 million, $16.4 million and $14.9 million during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Legacy Bancorporation Plans
Legacy Bancorporation had a 401(k) savings plan covering employees who elected to participate prior to September 1, 2007. As of October 1, 2014, BancShares assumed the plan requirement of matching 100 percent of the employees’ contribution of up to 3 percent of compensation and 50 percent of the employees’ contribution over 3 percent but not to exceed 6 percent of compensation. The matching funds contributed by the bank are 100 percent vested immediately. This plan was merged into the existing BancShares 401(k) savings plan as of January 1, 2015 and ceased to exist.
Legacy Bancorporation also had an enhanced 401(k) savings plan covering employees hired or rehired on or after September 1, 2007 and which provided for benefits beginning January 1, 2008. As of October 1, 2014 acquisition date, BancShares assumed the plan requirement of matching up to 100 percent of the employees’ contributions not to 6 percent of compensation. Historically, Bancorporation has contributed a profit sharing contribution equal to 3 percent of a participant’s compensation regardless of whether the participant is making contributions. The matching funds and profit sharing contributions contributed by the bank are 100 percent vested immediately. This plan was merged into the existing BancShares enhanced 401(k) savings plan as of January 1, 2015 and ceased to exist.
BancShares made participating contributions to the legacy Bancorporation plans of $1.1 million for 2014.
Additional Benefits for Executives and Directors and Officers of Acquired Entities
 
FCB has entered into contractual agreements with certain executives that provide payments for a period of no more than fifteen years following separation from service at an agreed-upon age. These agreements also provide a death benefit in the event a participant dies before the term of the agreement ends. FCB has also assumed liability for contractual obligations to directors and officers of previously-acquired entities.
 
The following table provides the accrued liability as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the changes in the accrued liability during the years then ended:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Present value of accrued liability as of January 1
$
43,211

 
$
23,960

Benefits acquired in the 1st Financial merger

 
1,455

Benefits acquired in the Bancorporation merger

 
17,333

Benefit expense and interest cost
1,386

 
2,682

Benefits paid
(4,485
)
 
(2,219
)
Benefits forfeited
(234
)
 

Present value of accrued liability as of December 31
$
39,878

 
$
43,211

Discount rate at December 31
4.68
%
 
4.27
%


116




NOTE O
OTHER NONINTEREST INCOME AND OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Other noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $36.4 million, $29.3 million and $49.7 million, respectively. The most significant item in other noninterest income was recoveries on PCI loans that have been previously charged-off. BancShares records the portion of recoveries not covered under loss share agreements as noninterest income rather than as an adjustment to the allowance for loan losses since charge-offs on PCI loans are recorded against the discount recognized on the date of acquisition versus the allowance for loan losses. These recoveries were $21.2 million, $16.2 million and $29.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Other noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 included the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Cardholder processing
$
21,735

 
$
15,133

 
$
13,780

Merchant processing
58,231

 
42,661

 
35,279

Collection
9,649

 
11,595

 
21,209

Processing fees paid to third parties
18,779

 
17,089

 
15,095

Cardholder reward programs
11,069

 
8,252

 
6,266

Telecommunications
14,406

 
10,834

 
10,033

Consultant
8,925

 
10,168

 
9,740

Core deposit intangible amortization
18,892

 
6,955

 
2,308

Advertising
12,431

 
11,461

 
8,286

Other
95,741

 
76,481

 
71,018

Total other noninterest expense
$
269,858

 
$
210,629

 
$
193,014


NOTE P
INCOME TAXES
At December 31, income tax expense consisted of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Current tax expense
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
105,367

 
$
84,430

 
$
46,848

State
16,111

 
13,941

 
7,080

Total current tax expense
121,478

 
98,371

 
53,928

Deferred tax (benefit) expense
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
(2,758
)
 
(30,658
)
 
38,731

State
3,308

 
(2,681
)
 
8,915

Total deferred tax (benefit) expense
550

 
(33,339
)
 
47,646

Total income tax expense
$
122,028

 
$
65,032

 
$
101,574


Income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying the federal income tax rate of 35 percent to pretax income as a result of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Income taxes at statutory rates
$
116,345

 
$
71,258

 
$
93,956

Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
Nontaxable income on loans, leases and investments, net of nondeductible expenses
(3,020
)
 
(1,832
)
 
(1,185
)
State and local income taxes, including change in valuation allowance, net of federal income tax benefit
12,622

 
7,319

 
10,397

Acquisition stock settlement

 
(10,185
)
 

Tax credits net of amortization
(3,060
)
 
(2,896
)
 
(960
)
Other, net
(859
)
 
1,368

 
(634
)
Total income tax expense
$
122,028

 
$
65,032

 
$
101,574






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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The net deferred tax asset included the following components at December 31:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Allowance for loan and lease losses
$
78,878

 
$
79,537

Pension liability
7,206

 
17,147

Executive separation from service agreements
9,856

 
13,753

State operating loss carryforward
21

 
29

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge
537

 
1,673

Net unrealized loss on securities included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
9,379

 

Accelerated depreciation
13,195

 
3,495

FDIC assisted transactions timing differences
66,456

 
77,388

Other reserves
10,772

 
12,770

Other
29,279

 
26,788

Deferred tax asset
225,579

 
232,580

Lease financing activities
15,492

 
12,706

Net unrealized gain on securities included in accumulated other comprehensive loss

 
3,245

Net deferred loan fees and costs
6,051

 
4,532

Intangible assets
2,040

 
7,789

Security, loan and debt valuations
31,486

 
40,910

Other
12,026

 
13,287

Deferred tax liability
67,095

 
82,469

Net deferred tax asset
$
158,484

 
$
150,111

On October 1, 2014, Bancorporation merged with and into BancShares in a statutory merger treated as a "reorganization" within the meaning of section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended. Income tax expense in 2014 has been adjusted for the settlement of the ownership of Bancorporation stock at the date of the merger. Income tax expense has also been adjusted for the revaluation of the acquired deferred inventory to reflect the rates that will apply under currently enacted tax law when the temporary differences are expected to reverse.
No valuation allowance was necessary at December 31, 2015 or 2014 to reduce BancShares’ gross state deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
Under GAAP, the benefit of a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return should be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based on its technical merit. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits was not material at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and changes in the liability were not significant during 2015, 2014 and 2013. BancShares does not expect the liability for unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly during 2016. BancShares recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to income tax matters in income tax expense, and the amounts recognized during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were not material.
During the third quarter of 2015, BancShares adjusted its net deferred tax asset as a result of reductions in the North Carolina corporate income tax rate that will become effective January 1, 2016. The lower corporate income tax rate resulted in a reduction in the deferred tax asset and an increase in income tax expense in 2015.
BancShares, its subsidiaries', and Bancorporation's federal income tax returns for 2012 through 2014 remain open for examination. Generally, the state jurisdictions in which BancShares files income tax returns are subject to examination for a period up to four years after returns are filed. BancShares state tax returns are currently under examination in California for 2011 and 2012 and in Florida for 2011 through 2013.
NOTE Q
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

BancShares had, and expects to have in the future, banking transactions in the ordinary course of business with directors, officers and their associates (Related Persons) and entities that are controlled by Related Persons.

On September 4, 2015, FCB signed a definitive agreement to sell certain assets and liabilities of its branch office located at 800 South Lafayette in Shelby, North Carolina to The Fidelity Bank, a financial institution controlled by Related Persons. The sale was completed on December 4, 2015. FCB sold $8.7 million of loans and $31.2 million of deposits while also receiving a premium on the deposits sold of $301 thousand. The transaction resulted in a net cash payment of $22.2 million by FCB to The Fidelity Bank. After transaction costs, the sale resulted in a net gain of $216 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015.

118




The sale on December 4, 2015 did not include the building located in Shelby, North Carolina. The sale of the building to The Fidelity Bank is expected to occur in 2016.

For those identified as Related Persons as of December 31, 2015, the following table provides an analysis of changes in the loans outstanding during 2015 and 2014:
 
Year ended December 31
(dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Balance at January 1
$
1,045

 
1,825

New loans
5

 
39

Repayments
(971
)
 
(819
)
Balance at December 31
$
79

 
1,045


Unfunded loan commitments available to Related Persons were $1.4 million and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

During 2015, 2014 and 2013, fees from processing services included $98 thousand, $17.2 million and $21.6 million, respectively, for services rendered to entities controlled by Related Persons. The 2014 amount includes $16.8 million earned from Bancorporation prior to the merger as it was considered an entity controlled by Related Persons. Effective with the merger there were no longer any fees earned from Bancorporation. The amounts recorded from the largest individual institution were $66 thousand, $16.8 million and $20.4 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. BancShares has also provided certain contracted services for entities controlled by Related Persons which have been reimbursed and are not considered material.

In the third quarter of 2014, BancShares purchased $25.0 million of FCB/SC Capital Trust II's outstanding Trust Preferred Securities from an unaffiliated third party. BancShares paid approximately $23.0 million, plus unpaid accrued distributions on the securities for the current distribution period, for the Trust Preferred Securities. Upon completion of the merger with Bancorporation on October 1, 2014 the issuer of the Trust Preferred Securities became a subsidiary of BancShares and BancShares' investment in the Trust Preferred Securities was eliminated in consolidation.

NOTE R
DERIVATIVES

At December 31, 2015, BancShares had an interest rate swap that qualifies as a cash flow hedge under GAAP. For all periods presented, the fair value of the outstanding derivative is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, and the net change in fair value is included in the consolidated statements of cash flows under the caption net change in other liabilities.

The following table provides the notional amount of the interest rate swap and the fair value of the liability as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Notional 
amount
 
Estimated fair value of liability
 
Notional 
amount
 
Estimated fair value of liability
2011 interest rate swap hedging variable rate exposure on trust preferred securities 2011-2016
$
93,500

 
$
1,429

 
$
93,500

 
$
4,337


The interest rate swap is used for interest rate risk management purposes and converts variable-rate exposure on outstanding debt to a fixed rate. The interest rate swap has a notional amount of $93.5 million, representing the amount of variable rate trust preferred capital securities issued during 2006 and still outstanding at the swap inception date. The interest rate swap hedges interest payments through June 2016 and requires fixed-rate payments by BancShares at 5.50 percent in exchange for variable-rate payments of 175 basis points above the three-month LIBOR, which is equal to the interest paid to the holders of the trust preferred capital securities. Settlement of the swap occurs quarterly. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, collateral with a fair value of $2.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively, was pledged to secure the existing obligation under the interest rate swap.

For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss due to changes in the fair value of the derivative hedging instrument is included in other comprehensive income (loss), while the ineffective portion, representing the excess of the cumulative change in the fair value of the derivative over the cumulative change in expected future discounted cash flows on the hedged transaction, is recorded in the consolidated income statement. BancShares’ interest rate swap has been fully effective since inception. Therefore, changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap have had no impact on net income. For

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, BancShares recognized interest expense of $3.3 million for each period, resulting from incremental interest paid to the interest rate swap counterparty, none of which related to ineffectiveness.

The estimated net amount in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2015 that is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months is a net after-tax loss of $1.1 million.

BancShares monitors the credit risk of the interest rate swap counterparty.

NOTE S
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

Goodwill was $139.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, with no impairment recorded during 2015, 2014 and 2013. The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill.
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Balance at January 1
$
139,773

 
$
102,625

Acquired in the 1st Financial merger

 
32,915

Acquired in the Bancorporation merger

 
4,233

Balance at December 31
$
139,773

 
$
139,773


 GAAP requires that goodwill be tested each year to determine if goodwill is impaired. The goodwill impairment test requires a two-step method to evaluate and calculate impairment. The first step requires estimation of the reporting unit’s fair value. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further testing is required. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to determine whether an impairment charge must be recorded and, if so, the amount of such charge.
 
BancShares performs annual impairment tests as of July 31 each year. After the first step for 2015 and 2014, no further analysis was required as there was no indication of impairment.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Our portfolio of residential mortgage loans serviced for third parties was $2.15 billion and $1.95 billion as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These loans were originated by BancShares and sold to third parties on a non-recourse basis with servicing rights retained. These retained servicing rights are recorded as a servicing asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are initially recorded at fair value.

The activity of the servicing asset for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is presented in the following table:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Balance at January 1
$
16,688

 
$
16

Servicing rights originated
5,910

 
727

Amortization
(4,002
)
 
(919
)
Servicing rights acquired in the 1st Financial merger

 
148

Servicing rights acquired in the Bancorporation merger

 
17,566

Valuation allowance reversal (provision)
755

 
(850
)
Balance at December 31
$
19,351

 
$
16,688


The following table presents the activity in the servicing asset valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Balance at January 1
$
850

 
$

Valuation allowance (reversal) provision
(755
)
 
850

Balance at December 31
$
95

 
$
850


During 2014, BancShares acquired the rights to service mortgage loans that had previously been sold by Bancorporation and also recorded a mortgage servicing asset from the 1st Financial merger. The acquired assets were recorded at fair value and

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

amortized over the remaining estimated servicing lives, which were estimated to be 5.5 years and 3 months for the Bancorporation and 1st Financial mergers, respectively, as of the acquisition date.
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the carrying value BancShares' mortgage servicing rights was $19.4 million and $16.7 million, respectively. Contractually specified mortgage servicing fees, late fees, and ancillary fees earned for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $5.4 million, $611 thousand, and $327 thousand respectively, and are included in mortgage income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The amortization expense related to mortgage servicing rights, included as a reduction of mortgage income in the Consolidated Statements of Income, was $4.0 million, $919 thousand, and $205 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Mortgage income included an impairment reversal of $755 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015 and an impairment of $850 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2014. There was no net valuation allowance impairment recorded for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Valuation of mortgage servicing rights is performed using a pooling methodology. Similar loans are pooled together and evaluated on a discounted earnings basis to determine the present value of future earnings. Key economic assumptions used to value mortgage servicing rights as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
2015
 
2014
Discount rate - conventional fixed loans
9.31
%
 
7.20
%
Discount rate - all loans excluding conventional fixed loans
10.31
%
 
9.20
%
Weighted average constant prepayment rate
11.01
%
 
14.25
%
Weighted average cost to service a loan
$
56.61

 
$
56.02


Other Intangible Assets
 
The following information relates to other intangible assets, all customer-related, which are being amortized over their estimated useful lives:
(dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Balance at January 1
$
89,922

 
$
1,247

Acquired in CCBT merger
690

 

Acquired in the 1st Financial merger

 
3,780

Acquired in the Bancorporation merger

 
91,850

Removal due to branch sale
(85
)
 

Amortization
(18,892
)
 
(6,955
)
Balance at December 31
$
71,635

 
$
89,922

 
Core deposit intangibles comprise the majority of the other intangible assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. During 2015, BancShares recognized $690 thousand in core deposit intangibles related to the CCBT merger. Core deposit intangibles of $85 thousand were written off in 2015 as it related to previously acquired deposits that were sold in connection with the sale of a branch in December 2015. During 2014, BancShares recognized $91.9 million and $3.8 million in core deposit intangibles related to the Bancorporation and 1st Financial mergers, respectively. Intangible assets generated by acquisitions, which represent the estimated fair value of core deposits and other customer relationships that were acquired, are being amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful remaining lives range from 2 years to less than 9 years.

The gross amount of other intangible assets and accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, are:
(dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
Gross balance
$
115,201

 
$
114,596

Accumulated amortization
(43,566
)
 
(24,674
)
Carrying value
$
71,635

 
$
89,922



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Based on current estimated useful lives and carrying values, BancShares anticipates amortization expense for intangible assets in subsequent periods will be:
(dollars in thousands)
 
2016
$
16,440

2017
14,075

2018
11,710

2019
9,457

2020
7,492


NOTE T
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS AND OTHER REGULATORY MATTERS

BancShares and FCB are required to meet minimum capital requirements set forth by regulatory authorities. Bank regulatory agencies approved regulatory capital guidelines (Basel III) aimed at strengthening existing capital requirements for banking organizations. Under Basel III, minimum requirements increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by BancShares. Basel III included a new common equity Tier 1 ratio minimum of 4.50 percent, raised the minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital to 6.00 percent, requires a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8.00 percent and requires a minimum Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 4.00 percent. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements may result in certain actions by regulators that could have a direct material effect on the consolidated financial statements. A new capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, was also established above the regulatory minimum requirements. This capital conservation buffer will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625 percent of risk-weighted assets and increase each subsequent year by an additional 0.625 percent until reaching its final level of 2.50 percent on January 1, 2019. The phase-in period for Basel III became effective for BancShares on January 1, 2015, with full compliance of all Basel III requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule, to be fully phased in by January 1, 2019.
 
Based on the most recent notifications from its regulators, FCB is well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. As of December 31, 2015, BancShares and FCB met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject and were not aware of any conditions or events that would affect each entity's well-capitalized status.
 
Following is an analysis of capital ratios for BancShares and FCB as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount (1)
 
Ratio (1)
 
Requirements to be well-capitalized (2)
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Requirements to be well-capitalized
BancShares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 risk-based capital
$
2,831,242

 
12.65
%
 
8.00
%
 
$
2,690,324

 
13.61
%
 
6.00
%
Common equity Tier 1 (3)
2,799,163

 
12.51

 
6.50

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total risk-based capital
3,140,212

 
14.03

 
10.00

 
2,904,123

 
14.69

 
10.00

Leverage capital
2,831,242

 
8.96

 
5.00

 
2,690,324

 
8.91

 
5.00

FCB
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 risk-based capital
2,821,475

 
12.64

 
8.00

 
2,019,595

 
13.12

 
6.00

Common equity Tier 1 (3)
2,821,475

 
12.64

 
6.50

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total risk-based capital
3,038,070

 
13.61

 
10.00

 
2,212,163

 
14.37

 
10.00

Leverage capital
2,821,475

 
8.95

 
5.00

 
2,019,595

 
9.30

 
5.00

FCB-SC (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 risk-based capital
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
653,515

 
15.11

 
6.00

Total risk-based capital
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
657,475

 
15.20

 
10.00

Leverage capital
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

 
653,515

 
7.89

 
5.00

(1) December 31, 2015 calculated under Basel III guidelines, which became effective January 1, 2015.
(2) Regulatory well-capitalized requirements are based on 2015 Basel III regulatory capital guidelines.
(3) Common equity Tier 1 ratio requirements were established under Basel III guidelines; therefore, this ratio is not applicable for periods prior to January 1, 2015.
(4) FCB-SC merged into FCB effective January 1, 2015. As such, capital ratios are not applicable as of December 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2015, BancShares had $32.1 million of trust preferred capital securities included in Tier 1 capital, compared to $128.5 million at December 31, 2014. Effective January 1, 2015, 75 percent of BancShares' trust preferred capital securities were excluded from Tier 1 capital, with the remaining 25 percent to be phased out January 1, 2016. The inclusion of accumulated other comprehensive income in Tier 1 common equity, as described in Basel III, is only applicable for institutions

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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

larger than $50 billion in assets. Management continues to monitor developments and remains committed to managing capital levels in a prudent manner.

At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Tier 2 capital of BancShares included $6.0 million and $9.0 million, respectively, of qualifying subordinated debt acquired in the Bancorporation merger with a scheduled maturity date of June 1, 2018. Under current regulatory guidelines, when subordinated debt is within five years of its scheduled maturity date, issuers must discount the amount included in Tier 2 capital by 20 percent for each year until the debt matures.

BancShares has two classes of common stock—Class A common and Class B common. Shares of Class A common have one vote per share, while shares of Class B common have 16 votes per share.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, our board approved a stock repurchase plan that provides for the purchase of up to 100,000 shares of Class A common stock beginning on November 1, 2015 and continuing through October 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2015, no purchases had occurred pursuant to that authorization.

The Board of Directors of FCB may approve distributions, including dividends, as it deems appropriate, subject to the requirements of the FDIC and the General Statutes of North Carolina, provided that the distributions do not reduce capital below applicable capital requirements. As of December 31, 2015, the maximum amount of the dividend was limited to $902.6 million to preserve well-capitalized status. Dividends declared by FCB amounted to $75.0 million in 2015, $30.0 million in 2014 and $131.0 million in 2013.

BancShares and FCB are subject to various requirements imposed by state and federal banking statutes and regulations, including regulations requiring the maintenance of noninterest-bearing reserve balances at the Federal Reserve Bank. Banks are allowed to reduce the required balances by the amount of vault cash. For 2015, the requirements averaged $531.6 million.

NOTE U
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

To meet the financing needs of its customers, BancShares and its subsidiaries have financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and recourse obligations on mortgage loans sold. These instruments involve elements of credit, interest rate or liquidity risk.

Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to customers. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of fees. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future liquidity requirements. Established credit standards control the credit risk exposure associated with these commitments. In some cases, BancShares requires that collateral be pledged to secure the commitment, including cash deposits, securities and other assets. At December 31, 2015, BancShares had unused commitments totaling $7.95 billion, compared to $7.19 billion at December 31, 2014. Total unfunded commitments relating to investments in affordable housing projects were $41.8 million and $16.8 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are included in other liabilities on BancShares' Consolidated Balance Sheet. Affordable housing project investments were $85.6 million and $57.1 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and are included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Standby letters of credit are commitments guaranteeing performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are issued primarily to support public and private borrowing arrangements, and the fair value of those guarantees is not significant. To minimize its exposure, BancShares’ credit policies govern the issuance of standby letters of credit. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, BancShares had standby letters of credit amounting to $77.9 million and $77.4 million, respectively. The credit risk related to the issuance of these letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to clients and, therefore, these letters of credit are collateralized when necessary.

Pursuant to standard representations and warranties relating to residential mortgage loan sales, contingent obligations exist for various events that may occur following the loan sale. If underwriting or documentation deficiencies are discovered at any point in the life of the loan or if the loan becomes nonperforming within 120 days of its sale, the investor may require BancShares to repurchase the loan or to repay a portion of the sale proceeds. Other liabilities included reserves of $3.0 million and $3.2 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for estimated losses arising from these standard representation and warranty provisions.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

BancShares has recorded a receivable from the FDIC totaling $4.1 million and $28.7 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for the expected reimbursement of losses on assets covered under the various loss share agreements. These loss share agreements impose certain obligations on us that, in the event of noncompliance, could result in the delay or disallowance of some or all of our rights under those agreements. Requests for reimbursement are subject to FDIC review and may be delayed or disallowed for noncompliance. The loss share agreements are subject to interpretation by both the FDIC and BancShares, and disagreements may arise regarding coverage of losses, expenses and contingencies.

The loss share agreements for five FDIC-assisted transactions include provisions related to payments that may be owed to the FDIC at the termination of the agreements (clawback liability).The clawback liability represents a payment by BancShares to the FDIC if actual cumulative losses on acquired covered assets are lower than the cumulative losses originally estimated by the FDIC at the time of acquisition. The clawback liability is estimated by discounting estimated future payments and is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a payable to the FDIC for loss share agreements. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the clawback liability was $126.5 million and $116.5 million, respectively.

BancShares and various subsidiaries have been named as defendants in legal actions arising from their normal business activities in which damages in various amounts are claimed. BancShares is also exposed to litigation risk relating to the prior business activities of banks from which assets were acquired and liabilities assumed in the various merger transactions. Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to such matters cannot be determined, in the opinion of management, any such liability will not have a material effect on BancShares’ consolidated financial statements.

NOTE V
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income included the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
 
Deferred
tax
benefit
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss,
net of tax
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
 
Deferred
tax
expense
(benefit)
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss),
net of tax
Unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available for sale
$
(24,504
)
 
$
(9,379
)
 
$
(15,125
)
 
$
8,343

 
$
3,245

 
$
5,098

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge
(1,429
)
 
(537
)
 
(892
)
 
(4,337
)
 
(1,673
)
 
(2,664
)
Funded status of defined benefit plan
(78,419
)
 
(29,996
)
 
(48,423
)
 
(90,696
)
 
(35,281
)
 
(55,415
)
Total
$
(104,352
)
 
$
(39,912
)
 
$
(64,440
)
 
$
(86,690
)
 
$
(33,709
)
 
$
(52,981
)


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following table highlights changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities(1)
 
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges(1)
 
Defined benefit pension items(1)
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2014
$
(10,091
)
 
$
(4,434
)
 
$
(10,743
)
 
$
(25,268
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
33,061

 
1,770

 
(47,946
)
 
(13,115
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(17,872
)
 

 
3,274

 
(14,598
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
15,189

 
1,770

 
(44,672
)
 
(27,713
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
5,098

 
(2,664
)
 
(55,415
)
 
(52,981
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
(13,544
)
 
1,772

 
394

 
(11,378
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(6,679
)
 

 
6,598

 
(81
)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income
(20,223
)
 
1,772

 
6,992

 
(11,459
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
(15,125
)
 
$
(892
)
 
$
(48,423
)
 
$
(64,440
)
(1) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
The following table presents the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and the line item affected in the statement where net income is presented for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Year ended December 31, 2015
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(1)
 
Affected line item in the statement where net income is presented
Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities
 
$
10,817

 
Securities gains
 
 
(4,138
)
 
Income taxes
 
 
$
6,679

 
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of defined benefit pension items
 
 
 
 
Prior service costs
 
$
(210
)
 
Employee benefits
Actuarial losses
 
(11,376
)
 
Employee benefits
 
 
(11,586
)
 
Employee benefits
 
 
4,988

 
Income taxes
 
 
$
(6,598
)
 
Net income
Total reclassifications for the period
 
$
81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2014
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(1)
 
Affected line item in the statement where net income is presented
Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities
 
$
29,096

 
Securities gains
 
 
(11,224
)
 
Income taxes
 
 
$
17,872

 
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of defined benefit pension items
 
 
 
 
Prior service costs
 
$
(210
)
 
Employee benefits
Actuarial losses
 
(5,148
)
 
Employee benefits
 
 
(5,358
)
 
Employee benefits
 
 
2,084

 
Income taxes
 
 
$
(3,274
)
 
Net income
Total reclassifications for the period
 
$
14,598

 
 
(1) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to profit/loss.


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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE W
PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Parent Company
Condensed Balance Sheets
 
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets
 
 
 
Cash
$
26,285

 
$
24,026

Investment securities available for sale
21,137

 
110,644

Investment in banking subsidiaries
2,874,581

 
2,750,201

Investment in other subsidiaries
43,117

 
65,665

Due from subsidiaries

 
295,994

Other assets
73,944

 
74,157

Total assets
$
3,039,064

 
$
3,320,687

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
$

 
$
485,207

Long-term obligations
133,775

 
136,717

Due to subsidiaries
29,682

 

Other liabilities
3,498

 
11,169

Shareholders' equity
2,872,109

 
2,687,594

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
3,039,064

 
$
3,320,687


Parent Company
Condensed Income Statements
 
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Interest income
$
645

 
$
1,784

 
$
1,387

Interest expense
6,793

 
9,694

 
7,065

Net interest loss
(6,148
)
 
(7,910
)
 
(5,678
)
Dividends from banking subsidiaries
75,006

 
82,419

 
131,006

Dividends from other subsidiaries
23,500

 

 

Other income
1,870

 
33,600

 
3,620

Other operating expense
2,634

 
6,534

 
2,344

Income before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
91,594

 
101,575

 
126,604

Income tax benefit
(2,618
)
 
(2,590
)
 
(2,095
)
Income before equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
94,212

 
104,165

 
128,699

Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
116,174

 
34,397

 
38,170

Net income
$
210,386

 
$
138,562

 
$
166,869






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FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Parent Company
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
 
Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
210,386

 
$
138,562

 
$
166,869

Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
Undistributed net income of subsidiaries
(116,174
)
 
(34,397
)
 
(38,170
)
Net amortization of premiums and discounts
(2,712
)
 
594

 
334

Securities gains
(236
)
 
(29,126
)
 

Gain on elimination of acquired debt

 
(1,988
)
 

Gain on sale of other assets

 

 
(1,331
)
Change in other assets
(3,070
)
 
93,385

 
(61,704
)
Change in other liabilities
(1,157
)
 
2,250

 
(2,096
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
87,037

 
169,280

 
63,902

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in due from subsidiaries
295,994

 
(150,328
)
 
(67,154
)
Purchases of investment securities
(7,818
)
 
(33,243
)
 
(126,197
)
Proceeds from sales, calls, and maturities of securities
100,586

 
114,208

 
135,000

Investment in subsidiaries

 
1,579

 
1,489

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(24,772
)
 

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
388,762

 
(92,556
)
 
(56,862
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in due to subsidiaries
29,682

 

 

Net change in short-term borrowings
(485,207
)
 
(1,211
)
 
12,860

Retirement of long-term obligations

 
(52,372
)
 

Stock issuance costs

 
(619
)
 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 
(321
)
Cash dividends paid
(18,015
)
 
(11,543
)
 
(8,663
)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
(473,540
)
 
(65,745
)
 
3,876

Net change in cash
2,259

 
10,979

 
10,916

Cash balance at beginning of year
24,026

 
13,047

 
2,131

Cash balance at end of year
$
26,285

 
$
24,026

 
$
13,047



SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Dated: February 24, 2016
FIRST CITIZENS BANCSHARES, INC. (Registrant)
 
/S/    FRANK B. HOLDING, JR.   
 
Frank B. Holding, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons, on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 24, 2016.
 

127




Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
/s/    FRANK B. HOLDING, JR.
                                                                                          
Frank B. Holding, Jr.
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/S/    CRAIG L. NIX
                                                                                          
Craig L. Nix
 
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/S/    LORIE K. RUPP    
                                                                                         
Lorie K. Rupp
 
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer)
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    JOHN M. ALEXANDER, JR.  *
                                                                                           
John M. Alexander, Jr.
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/s/    VICTOR E. BELL, III  *
                                                                                          
Victor E. Bell, III
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/s/    HOPE HOLDING BRYANT  *
                                                                                          
Hope Holding Bryant
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    PETER M. BRISTOW  *
                                                                                          
Peter M. Bristow
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016

128




Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
/s/    H. LEE DURHAM, JR.  *
                                                                                          
H. Lee Durham, Jr.
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/s/    DANIEL L. HEAVNER  *
                                                                                          
Daniel L. Heavner
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/s/    ROBERT R. HOPPE  *
                                                                                         
Robert R. Hoppe
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    LUCIUS S. JONES    *
                                                                                          
Lucius S. Jones
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    FLOYD L. KEELS    *
                                                                                          
Floyd L. Keels
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/s/    ROBERT E. MASON, IV    *
                                                                                          
Robert E. Mason, IV
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/s/    ROBERT T. NEWCOMB  *
                                                                                         
Robert T. Newcomb
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
 
 
/s/    JAMES M. PARKER  *
                                                                                         
James M. Parker
 
Director
 
February 24, 2016
 
*
 
Craig L. Nix hereby signs this Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 24, 2016, on behalf of each of the indicated persons for whom he is attorney-in-fact pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed herewith.
 
By:
 
/S/    CRAIG L. NIX   
 
 
Craig L. Nix
As Attorney-In-Fact



129




EXHIBIT INDEX
2.1
Purchase and Assumption Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation dated July 17, 2009 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed February 1, 2010 to Form 8-K dated July 17, 2009)
2.2
Purchase and Assumption Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation dated September 11, 2009 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed December 21, 2009 to Form 8-K dated September 11, 2009)
2.3
Purchase and Assumption Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation dated January 29, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed June 9, 2010 to Form 8-K dated January 29, 2010)
2.4
Purchase and Assumption Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation dated March 5, 2010 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated March 5, 2010)
2.5
Purchase and Assumption Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation dated January 21, 2011 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated January 21, 2011)
2.6
Purchase and Assumption Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation dated July 8, 2011 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated July 8, 2011)
2.7
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Registrant and First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc., dated as of June 10, 2014 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated June 10, 2014)
2.8
First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Registrant and First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc., dated as of July 29, 2014 (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated July 29, 2014).
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
3.2
Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated July 28, 2015)
4.1
Specimen of Registrant’s Class A Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008)
4.2
Specimen of Registrant’s Class B Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008)
4.3
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of FCB/NC Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006)
4.4
Guarantee Agreement relating to Registrant’s guarantee of the capital securities of FCB/NC Capital Trust III (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006)
4.5
Junior Subordinated Indenture dated May 18, 2006 between Registrant and Wilmington Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006)
4.6
Form of Guaranty Agreement between First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc., as Guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Guarantee Trustee, dated as of May 7, 2004 (previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Bancorporation's (Commission File No. 0-11172) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 9, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference)
4.7
Junior Subordinated Indenture between First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc., and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Debenture Trustee, dated as of May 7, 2004 (previously filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Bancorporation's (Commission File No. 0-11172) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 9, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference)
4.8
First Supplemental Indenture between Registrant and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Debenture Trustee, dated October 1, 2014 (incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 8-K dated October 1, 2014)
4.9
8% Subordinated Note due 2018 (Louise T. Adams) (incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 8-K dated October 1, 2014)
4.10
8% Subordinated Note due 2018 (Greta T. Covington) (incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 8-K dated October 1, 2014)
4.11
8% Subordinated Note due 2018 (John H. Terrell, III) (incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 8-K dated October 1, 2014)
10.1
Executive Consultation, Separation from Service and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Frank B. Holding, Jr. (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated February 18, 2011)

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10.2
Executive Consultation, Separation from Service and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Hope Holding Bryant (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated February 18, 2011)
10.3
Executive Consultation, Separation from Service and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company and Edward L. Willingham, IV (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated February 18, 2011)
10.4
Executive Consultation, Separation from Service and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to IronStone Bank, and James M. Parker (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007)
10.5
Executive Consultation, Separation from Service and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to IronStone Bank, and James M. Parker (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008)
10.6
Executive Consultation, Separation from Service and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to IronStone Bank, and James M. Parker (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 8-K dated February 4, 2009)
10.7
Executive Consultation, Separation from Service and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant’s subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to IronStone Bank, and James M. Parker (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010)
10.8
Employee Consultation, Post-Retirement, Non-Competition and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant's subsidiary, First Citizens-Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc., and Peter M. Bristow. (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.9
Employee Consultation, Post-Retirement, Non-Competition and Death Benefit Agreement between Registrant's subsidiary, First Citizens-Bank & Trust Company as successor by merger to First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc., and Craig L. Nix. (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.10
409A Deferred Compensation Plan of Registrant's subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.11
Deferred Compensation Plan of Registrant's subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to First-Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.12
Long-Term Incentive Plan of Registrant's subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company (incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 8-K dated April 29, 2014)
10.13
Form of Long-Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement (incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 8-K dated April 29, 2014)
10.14
Long-Term Compensation Plan of Registrant's subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.15
Long-Term Compensation Plan 2012 award agreement between Registrant's subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc., and Craig Nix (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.16
Long-Term Compensation Plan 2012 award agreement between Registrant's subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc., and Peter Bristow (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.17
Long-Term Compensation Plan 2013 award agreement between Registrant's subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc., and Craig Nix (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
10.18
Long-Term Compensation Plan 2013 award agreement between Registrant's subsidiary, First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, as successor by merger to First Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Inc., and Peter Bristow (incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014)
21
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith)
24
Power of Attorney (filed herewith)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith)
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith)
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith)
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith)
99.1
Proxy Statement for Registrant’s 2016 Annual Meeting (separately filed)

131




*101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith)
*101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema (filed herewith)
*101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase (filed herewith)
*101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase (filed herewith)
*101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase (filed herewith)
*101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase (filed herewith)
*
 
Interactive data files are furnished but not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.




132