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FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORP /PA/ - Annual Report: 2014 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file Number 001-11138
FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
PENNSYLVANIA
25-1428528
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
601 PHILADELPHIA STREET    INDIANA, PA
15701
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (724) 349-7220
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
COMMON STOCK, $1 PAR VALUE
 
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨    No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨    No x
Note—Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x    No ¨
Indicate by check mark 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. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x    No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer 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 voting and non-voting common stock, par value $1 per share, held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based upon the closing sale price on June 30, 2014) was approximately $851,661,514.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 Par Value as of February 27, 2015, was 90,523,277.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders to be held April 28, 2015 are incorporated by reference into Part III.


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FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-K
INDEX
 
PART I
 
PAGE
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
 
 
ITEM 1A.
 
 
 
ITEM 1B.
 
 
 
ITEM 2.
 
 
 
ITEM 3.
 
 
 
ITEM 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 5.
 
 
 
ITEM 6.
 
 
 
ITEM 7.
 
 
 
ITEM 7A.
 
 
 
ITEM 8.
 
 
 
ITEM 9.
 
 
 
ITEM 9A.
 
 
 
ITEM 9B.
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 10.
 
 
 
ITEM 11.
 
 
 
ITEM 12.
 
 
 
ITEM 13.
 
 
 
ITEM 14.
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 15.
 
 
 
 


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this report that are not historical facts may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among others, statements regarding our strategy, evaluations of our asset quality, future interest rate trends and liquidity, prospects for growth in assets and prospects for future operating results. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may.” Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions of management and are only expectations of future results. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among others, the risk factors described in Item 1A of this report. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

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PART I

ITEM 1.    Business
Overview
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (“First Commonwealth” or “we”) is a financial holding company that is headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania. We provide a diversified array of consumer and commercial banking services through our bank subsidiary, First Commonwealth Bank (“FCB” or the “Bank”). We also provide trust and wealth management services and offer insurance products through FCB and our other operating subsidiaries. At December 31, 2014, we had total assets of $6.4 billion, total loans of $4.5 billion, total deposits of $4.3 billion and shareholders’ equity of $716.1 million. Our principal executive office is located at 601 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701, and our telephone number is (724) 349-7220.
FCB is a Pennsylvania bank and trust company. At December 31, 2014, the Bank operated 110 community banking offices throughout western and central Pennsylvania and loan production offices in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio. The largest concentration of our branch offices is located within the greater Pittsburgh metropolitan area in Allegheny, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties, while our remaining offices are located in smaller cities, such as Altoona, Johnstown and Indiana, Pennsylvania, and in towns and villages throughout predominantly rural counties. The Bank also operates a network of 114 automated teller machines, or ATMs, at various branch offices and offsite locations. All of our ATMs are part of the NYCE and MasterCard/Cirrus networks, both of which operate nationwide. The Bank is a member of the Allpoint ATM network, which allows surcharge-free access to over 55,000 ATMs. The Bank is also a member of the “Freedom ATM Alliance,” which affords cardholders surcharge-free access to a network of over 670 ATMs in over 50 counties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, West Virginia and Ohio.
Historical and Recent Developments
FCB began in 1934 as First National Bank of Indiana with initial capitalization of $255 thousand. First National Bank of Indiana changed its name to National Bank of the Commonwealth in 1971 and became a subsidiary of First Commonwealth in 1983.

Since the formation of the holding company in 1983, we have grown steadily through the acquisition of smaller banks and thrifts in our market area, including Deposit Bank in 1984, Dale National Bank and First National Bank of Leechburg in 1985, Citizens National Bank of Windber in 1986, Peoples Bank and Trust Company in 1990, Central Bank in 1992, Peoples Bank of Western Pennsylvania in 1993, and Unitas National Bank and Reliable Savings Bank in 1994. In 1995, we merged all of our banking subsidiaries (other than Reliable Savings Bank) into Deposit Bank and renamed the resulting institution “First Commonwealth Bank.” We then merged Reliable Savings Bank into FCB in 1997. We acquired Southwest Bank in 1998 and merged it into FCB in 2002.

We expanded our presence in the Pittsburgh market through the acquisitions of Pittsburgh Savings Bank (dba BankPittsburgh) in 2003, Great American Federal in 2004 and Laurel Savings Bank in 2006. These acquisitions added 27 branches in Allegheny and Butler Counties.
In recent years, we have primarily focused on organic growth, improving the reach of our franchise and the breadth of our product offering. As part of this strategy, we have opened fourteen de novo branches since 2005, all of which are in the greater Pittsburgh area. As a result of our prior acquisitions and de novo strategy, FCB operates 61 branches in the Pittsburgh metropolitan statistical area and currently ranks ninth in deposit market share.
First Commonwealth regularly evaluates merger and acquisition opportunities and from time to time conducts due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial services companies. As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations, may take place and future merger acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur. Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of First Commonwealth’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction.
Loan Portfolio
The Company’s loan portfolio includes several categories of loans that are discussed in detail below. The Company does not engage in subprime lending.


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Commercial, Financial, Agricultural and Other
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other loans represent term loans used to acquire business assets or revolving lines of credit used to finance working capital. These loans are generally secured by a first lien position on the borrower’s business assets as a secondary source of repayment. The type and amount of the collateral varies depending on the amount and terms of the loan, but generally may include accounts receivable, inventory, equipment or other assets. Loans also may be supported by personal guarantees from the principals of the commercial loan borrowers.

Commercial loans are underwritten for credit-worthiness based on the borrowers’ financial information, cash flow, net worth, prior loan performance, existing debt levels, type of business and the industry in which it operates. Advance rates on commercial loans are generally collateral-dependent and are determined based on the type of equipment, the mix of inventory and the quality of receivables. Approximately 22%, by principal amount, of our commercial real estate loans involve owner-occupied properties.

Credit risk for commercial loans can arise from a borrower’s inability or unwillingness to repay the loan, and in the case of secured loans, from a shortfall in the collateral value in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default and subsequent liquidation of collateral. The Company’s Credit Policy establishes loan concentration limits by borrower, geography and industry.

Commercial Real Estate
Commercial real estate loans represent term loans secured by owner-occupied and non-owner occupied properties. Commercial real estate loans are underwritten based on an evaluation of each borrower’s cash flow as the principal source of loan repayment, and are generally secured by a first lien on the property as a secondary source of repayment. Our underwriting process for non-owner occupied properties evaluates the history of occupancy, quality of tenants, lease terms, operating expenses and cash flow. Commercial real estate loans are subject to the same credit evaluation as previously described for commercial loans.

For loans secured by commercial real estate, at origination the Company obtains current and independent appraisals from licensed or certified appraisers to assess the value of the underlying collateral. The Company’s general policy for commercial real estate loans is to limit the terms of the loans to not more than 10 years with loan-to-value ratios not exceeding 80% on owner-occupied and income producing properties. For non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, the loan terms are generally aligned with the property’s lease terms and are generally underwritten with a loan-to-value ratio not exceeding 75%.

Credit risk for commercial real estate loans can arise from economic conditions that could impact market demand, rental rates and property vacancy rates and declines in the collateral value in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default and subsequent liquidation of collateral.
 
Real Estate Construction
Real estate construction represents financing for real estate development.  The underwriting process for these loans is designed to confirm that the project will be economically feasible and financially viable and is generally conducted as though the Company would be providing permanent financing for the project. Development and construction loans are secured by the properties under development or construction, and personal guarantees are typically obtained as a secondary repayment source. The Company considers the financial condition and reputation of the borrower and any guarantors and generally requires a global cash flow analysis in order to assess the overall financial position of the developer. 

Construction loans to residential builders are generally made for the construction of residential homes for which a binding sales contract exists and for which the prospective buyers have been pre-qualified for permanent mortgage financing by either third-party lenders or the Company.  These loans are generally for a period of time sufficient to complete construction. The Company no longer provides builder lot development lending.

Credit risk for real estate construction loans can arise from construction delays, cost overruns, failure of the contractor to complete the project to specifications and economic conditions that could impact demand for or supply of the property being constructed.

Residential Real Estate Loans
During the third quarter of 2014, First Commonwealth reentered the residential mortgage business, after a strategic decision in 2005 to discontinue mortgage lending. Residential real estate loans include first lien mortgages used by the borrower to purchase or refinance a principal residence and home equity loans and lines of credit secured by residential real estate. The Company’s underwriting process for these loans determines credit-worthiness based upon debt-to-income ratios, collateral values and other relevant factors.


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Credit risk for residential real estate loans can arise from a borrower’s inability or unwillingness to repay the loan or a shortfall in the value of the residential real estate in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default and subsequent liquidation of the real estate collateral. 

The residential real estate portfolio includes both conforming and non-conforming mortgage loans. Conforming mortgage loans represent loans originated in accordance with underwriting standards set forth by the government-sponsored entities, including the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Government National Mortgage Association, which serve as the primary purchasers of loans sold in the secondary mortgage market by mortgage lenders. These loans are generally collateralized by one-to-four-family residential real estate, have loan-to-collateral value ratios of 80% or less (or have mortgage insurance to insure down to 80%), and are made to borrowers in good credit standing.  Non-conforming mortgage loans represent loans that generally are not saleable in the secondary market to the government-sponsored entities due to factors such as the credit characteristics of the borrower, the underlying documentation, the loan-to-value ratio, or the size of the loan. The Company does not offer “subprime,” “interest-only” or “negative amortization” mortgages.

Home equity lines of credit and other home equity loans are originated by the Company for typically up to 90% of the appraised value, less the amount of any existing prior liens on the property. Additionally, the Company’s credit policy requires borrower FICO scores of not less than 661 and a debt-to-income ratio of not more than 43%.

Loans to Individuals
The Loans to Individuals category includes consumer installment loans, personal lines of credit and indirect automobile loans. Credit risk for consumer loans can arise from a borrower’s inability or unwillingness to repay the loan, and in the case of secured loans, by a shortfall in the value of the collateral in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default and subsequent liquidation of collateral. 
 The underwriting criteria for automobile loans allow for such loans to be made for up to 100% of the purchase price or the retail value of the vehicle as listed by the National Automobile Dealers Association. The terms of the loan are determined by the age and condition of the collateral, and range from 36 to 84 months. Collision insurance policies are required on all automobile loans. The Company also makes other consumer loans, which may or may not be secured. The terms of secured consumer loans generally depend upon the nature of the underlying collateral. Unsecured consumer loans usually do not exceed $35 thousand and have a term of no longer than 36 months.
Deposits
Deposits are our primary source of funds to support our revenue-generating assets. We offer traditional deposit products to businesses and other customers with a variety of rates and terms. Deposits at our bank are insured by the FDIC up to statutory limits. We price our deposit products with a view to maximizing our share of each customer’s financial services business and prudently managing our cost of funds. At December 31, 2014, we held $4.3 billion of total deposits, which consisted of $1.0 billion, or 23%, in checking accounts, $2.5 billion, or 58%, in money market, savings and passbook accounts, and $0.8 billion, or 19%, in CDs and IRAs.
Our deposit base is diversified by client type. As of December 31, 2014, no individual depositor represented more than 1% of our total deposits, and our top ten depositors represented only 1.4% of our total deposits. The composition of our deposit mix has recently changed with an increased proportion of non-interest-bearing deposits and other transaction accounts and a lower proportion of more expensive time deposits. This shift in deposit mix has been largely responsible for the recent declines in our average cost of deposits from 0.28% at December 31, 2013 to 0.34% at December 31, 2014.
Competition
The banking and financial services industry is extremely competitive in our market area. We face vigorous competition for customers, loans and deposits from many companies, including commercial banks, savings and loan associations, finance companies, credit unions, trust companies, mortgage companies, money market mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment firms. Many of these competitors are significantly larger than us, have greater resources, higher lending limits and larger branch systems and offer a wider array of financial services than us. In addition, some of these competitors, such as credit unions, are subject to a lesser degree of regulation or taxation than that imposed on us.
Employees
At December 31, 2014, First Commonwealth and its subsidiaries employed 1,259 full-time employees and 114 part-time employees.

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Supervision and Regulation
The following discussion sets forth the material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to financial holding companies, such as First Commonwealth and their subsidiaries. The regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of depositors, other customers and the federal deposit insurance fund and not for the protection of security holders. The rules governing the regulation of financial institutions and their holding companies are very detailed and technical. Accordingly, the following discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be complete or to describe all the laws and regulations that apply to First Commonwealth and its subsidiaries. A change in applicable statutes, regulations or regulatory policy may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Bank Holding Company Regulation
First Commonwealth is registered as a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHC Act”), and is subject to supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”).
Acquisitions. Under the BHC Act, First Commonwealth is required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before it can merge or consolidate with any other bank holding company or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank that is not already majority owned by it or acquire direct or indirect ownership, or control of, any voting shares of any bank that is not already majority owned by it, if after such acquisition it would directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the voting shares of such bank. In reviewing applications seeking approval of merger and acquisition transactions, the bank regulatory authorities will consider, among other things, the competitive effect and public benefits of the transactions, the financial, including capital, position of the combined organization, the risks to the stability of the U.S. banking or financial system, the applicant's performance record under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") and its compliance with fair housing and other consumer protection laws and the effectiveness of the subject organizations in combating money laundering activities.
Non-Banking Activities. In general, the BHC Act limits the business of bank holding companies to banking, managing or controlling banks and other activities that the FRB has determined to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. In addition, bank holding companies that qualify and elect to be financial holding companies such as First Commonwealth 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 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, without in either case the prior approval of the FRB. Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance agency activities and making merchant banking investments.
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 discussed in the section captioned Prompt Corrective Action, included elsewhere in this item. 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 its maintaining its status as well capitalized and well managed under applicable FRB regulations. If a financial holding company ceases to meet these capital and management requirements, the FRB’s regulations provide that the financial holding company must enter into an agreement with the FRB to comply with all applicable capital and management requirements. Until the financial holding company returns to compliance, the FRB 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 FRB. If the company does not return to compliance within 180 days, the FRB may require divestiture of the holding company’s depository institutions.

In order for a financial holding company to commence any new activity permitted by the BHC Act or to acquire a company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHC Act, 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.
The FRB has the power to order any bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when the FRB has reasonable grounds to believe that continuation of such activity or such ownership or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness, safety or stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.
Reporting. Under the BHC Act, First Commonwealth is subject to examination by the FRB and is required to file periodic reports and other information of its operations with the FRB. In addition, under the Pennsylvania Banking Code of 1965, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking has the authority to examine the books, records and affairs of any Pennsylvania bank holding company or to require any documentation deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the Pennsylvania Banking Code.

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Source of Strength Doctrine. FRB policy has historically required bank holding companies to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) codifies this policy as a statutory requirement. Under this requirement, First Commonwealth is expected to commit resources to support FCB, including at times when First Commonwealth may not be in a financial position to provide such resources. Any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits 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.
Affiliate Transactions. Transactions between FCB, on the one hand, and First Commonwealth and its other subsidiaries, on the other hand, are regulated under federal banking laws. The Federal Reserve Act imposes quantitative and qualitative requirements and collateral requirements on covered transactions by FCB with, or for the benefit of, its affiliates, and generally requires those transactions to be on terms at least as favorable to FCB as if the transaction were conducted with an unaffiliated third party. Covered transactions are defined by statute to include a loan or extension of credit, as well as a purchase of securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets (unless otherwise exempted by the FRB) from the affiliate, certain derivative transactions that create a credit exposure to an affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by the affiliate as collateral for a loan, and the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate. In general, any such transaction by FCB (or its subsidiaries) must be limited to certain thresholds on an individual and aggregate basis and, for credit transactions with any affiliate, must be secured by designated amounts of specified collateral.
SEC Regulations. First Commonwealth is also under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and various state securities commissions for matters relating to the offer and sale of its securities and is subject to the SEC rules and regulations relating to periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and insider trading.
Bank Regulation
FCB is a state bank chartered under the Pennsylvania Banking Code and is not a member of the FRB. As such, FCB is subject to the supervision of, and is regularly examined by, both the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and is required to furnish quarterly reports to both agencies. The approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and FDIC is also required for FCB to establish additional branch offices or merge with or acquire another banking institution.
Dividends and Stress Testing. First Commonwealth is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and other subsidiaries. As a bank holding company, First Commonwealth is subject to certain restrictions on its ability to pay dividends under applicable banking laws and regulations. Federal bank regulators are authorized to determine under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank holding company or a bank that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. In particular, federal bank regulators have stated that paying dividends that deplete a banking organization’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice and that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. In addition, in the current financial and economic environment, the FRB has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.
A significant portion of our income comes from dividends from our bank, which is also the primary source of our liquidity. In addition to the restrictions discussed above, our bank is subject to limitations under Pennsylvania law regarding the level of dividends that it may pay to us. In general, dividends may be declared and paid only out of accumulated net earnings and may not be declared or paid unless surplus is at least equal to capital. Dividends may not reduce surplus without the prior consent of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. FCB has not reduced its surplus through the payment of dividends. As of December 31, 2014, FCB could pay dividends to First Commonwealth of $128.5 million without reducing its capital levels below "well capitalized" levels and without the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.
In October 2012, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the FRB and the FDIC published final rules regarding company-run stress testing. These rules require bank holding companies and banks with average total consolidated assets greater than $10 billion to conduct an annual company-run stress test of capital, consolidated earnings and losses under one base and at least two stress scenarios provided by the federal bank regulators. Although our assets are currently below this threshold, we have nevertheless commenced stressed testing to ensure that we are able to meet these requirements in a timely fashion. Neither we nor our bank is currently subject to the stress testing requirements, but we expect that once we are subject to those requirements, the FRB, the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities will consider our results as an important factor in evaluating our capital adequacy, and that of our bank, in evaluating any proposed acquisitions and in determining whether any proposed dividends or stock repurchases by us or by our bank may be an unsafe or unsound practice.

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Community Reinvestment. Under the Community Reinvestment Act, or CRA, a bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the applicable regulatory agency to assess an institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community. The CRA requires public disclosure of an institution’s CRA rating and requires that the applicable regulatory agency provide a written evaluation of an institution’s CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system. An institution’s CRA rating is considered in determining whether to grant charters, branches and other deposit facilities, relocations, mergers, consolidations and acquisitions. Performance less than satisfactory may be the basis for denying an application. For its most recent examination, FCB received a “satisfactory” rating.
Consumer Financial Protection. We are subject to a number of federal and state consumer protection laws that extensively govern our relationship with our customers. These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Service Members Civil Relief Act and these laws’ respective state-law counterparts, as well as state usury laws and laws regarding unfair and deceptive acts and practices. These and other federal laws, among other things, require disclosures of the cost of credit and terms of deposit accounts, provide substantive consumer rights, prohibit discrimination in credit transactions, regulate the use of credit report information, provide financial privacy protections, prohibit unfair, deceptive and abusive practices, restrict our ability to raise interest rates and subject us to substantial regulatory oversight. Violations of applicable consumer protection laws can result in significant potential liability from litigation brought by customers, including actual damages, restitution and attorneys’ fees. Federal bank regulators, state attorneys general and state and local consumer protection agencies may also seek to enforce consumer protection requirements and obtain these and other remedies, including regulatory sanctions, customer rescission rights, action by the state and local attorneys general in each jurisdiction in which we operate and civil money penalties. Failure to comply with consumer protection requirements may also result in our failure to obtain any required bank regulatory approval for merger or acquisition transactions we may wish to pursue or our prohibition from engaging in such transactions even if approval is not required.
The Dodd-Frank Act created a new, independent federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), which was granted broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws. The CFPB is also authorized to engage in consumer financial education, track consumer complaints, request data and promote the availability of financial services to underserved consumers and communities. Although all institutions are subject to rules adopted by the CFPB and examination by the CFPB in conjunction with examinations by the institution’s primary federal regulator, the CFPB has primary examination and enforcement authority over institutions with assets of $10 billion or more. The FDIC has primary responsibility for examination of our bank and enforcement with respect to federal consumer protection laws so long as our bank has total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion, and state authorities are responsible for monitoring our compliance with all state consumer laws. The CFPB also has the authority to require reports from institutions with less than $10 billion in assets, such as our bank, to support the CFPB in implementing federal consumer protection laws, supporting examination activities, and assessing and detecting risks to consumers and financial markets.
The consumer protection provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and the examination, supervision and enforcement of those laws and implementing regulations by the CFPB have created a more intense and complex environment for consumer finance regulation. The CFPB has significant authority to implement and enforce federal consumer finance laws, including the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and new requirements for financial services products provided for in the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as the authority to identify and prohibit unfair, deceptive or abusive acts and practices. The review of products and practices to prevent such acts and practices is a continuing focus of the CFPB, and of banking regulators more broadly. The ultimate impact of this heightened scrutiny is uncertain but could result in changes to pricing, practices, products and procedures. It could also result in increased costs related to regulatory oversight, supervision and examination, additional remediation efforts and possible penalties. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act provides the CFPB with broad supervisory, examination and enforcement authority over various consumer financial products and services, including the ability to require reimbursements and other payments to customers for alleged legal violations and to impose significant penalties, as well as injunctive relief that prohibits lenders from engaging in allegedly unlawful practices. The CFPB also has the authority to obtain cease and desist orders providing for affirmative relief or monetary penalties. The Dodd-Frank Act does not prevent states from adopting stricter consumer protection standards. State regulation of financial products and potential enforcement actions could also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Deposit Insurance. Deposits of FCB are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”). Deposit insurance assessments are based upon average total assets minus average total equity. The insurance assessments are based upon a matrix that takes into account a bank’s capital level and supervisory rating. The FDIC may terminate deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation,

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rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. As an institution with less than $10 billion in assets, FCB’s assessment rates are based on its risk classification (i.e., the level of risk it poses to the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund). For institutions with $10 billion or more in assets, assessment rates are calculated using a scorecard that combines the supervisory risk ratings of the institution with certain forward-looking financial measures. These assessment rates are subject to adjustments based upon the insured depository institution’s ratio of long-term unsecured debt to the assessment base, long-term unsecured debt issued by other insured depository institutions to the assessment base, and brokered deposits to the assessment base. However, the adjustments based on brokered deposits to the assessment base will not apply so long as the institution is well capitalized and has a composite CAMELS rating of 1 or 2. The CAMELS rating system is a bank rating system where bank supervisory authorities rate institutions according to six factors: capital adequacy, asset quality, management quality, earnings, liquidity, and sensitivity to market risk. The FDIC may make additional discretionary assessment rate adjustments.
In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a new DIF restoration plan to ensure that the fund reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. At least semi-annually, the FDIC will update its loss and income projections for the fund and, if needed, will increase or decrease assessment rates, following notice-and-comment rulemaking if required.
Repeal Of Federal Prohibitions On Payment Of Interest On Demand Deposits. The federal prohibition restricting depository institutions from paying interest on demand deposit accounts was repealed effective on July 21, 2011 as part of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Capital Requirements
Regulatory Capital Requirements in Effect as of December 31, 2014. As a bank holding company, we are subject to consolidated regulatory capital requirements administered by the FRB. FCB is subject to similar capital requirements administered by the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. The federal regulatory authorities’ risk-based capital guidelines in effect as of December 31, 2014 were based upon the 1988 capital accord (“Basel I”) of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”). The Basel Committee is a committee of central banks and bank supervisors/regulators from the major industrialized countries that develops broad policy guidelines for use by each country’s supervisors in determining the supervisory policies they apply. The requirements were intended to ensure that banking organizations have adequate capital given the risk levels of assets and off-balance sheet financial instruments. Under the requirements, banking organizations were required to maintain minimum ratios for Tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance sheet items, such as letters of credit). For purposes of calculating the ratios, a banking organization’s assets and some of its specified off-balance sheet commitments and obligations were assigned to various risk categories.
A depository institution’s or holding company’s capital, in turn, was classified in one of two tiers, depending on type:
Core Capital (Tier 1). Tier 1 capital included common equity, retained earnings, qualifying non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, a limited amount of qualifying cumulative perpetual stock at the holding company level, minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, and qualifying trust preferred securities, less goodwill, most intangible assets and certain other assets.
Supplementary Capital (Tier 2). Tier 2 capital included, among other things, perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities not meeting the Tier 1 definition, qualifying mandatory convertible debt securities, qualifying subordinated debt, and allowances for possible loan and lease losses, subject to limitations.
First Commonwealth, like other bank holding companies, was required to maintain Tier 1 capital and “total capital” (the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital) equal to at least 4.0% and 8.0%, respectively, of its total risk-weighted assets (including various off-balance sheet items, such as letters of credit). FCB, like other depository institutions, was required to maintain similar capital levels under capital adequacy guidelines. In addition, for a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, its Tier 1 and total capital ratios had to be at least 6.0% and 10.0% on a risk-adjusted basis, respectively.
Bank holding companies and banks were also required to comply with minimum leverage ratio requirements. The leverage ratio is the ratio of a banking organization’s Tier 1 capital to its total adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined for regulatory purposes). The minimum leverage ratio was 3.0% for bank holding companies and depository institutions that either have the highest supervisory rating or have implemented the appropriate federal regulatory authority’s risk-adjusted measure for market risk. All other bank holding companies and depository institutions were required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, unless a different minimum was specified by an appropriate regulatory authority. In addition, for a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, its leverage ratio must be at least 5.0%.
Basel III Capital Rules Effective January 1, 2015. In July 2013, the FRB, the FDIC and other bank regulatory agencies published the Basel III Capital Rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations. The

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rules implement the Basel Committee’s December 2010 framework known as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Basel III Capital Rules substantially revise the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and depository institutions compared to the current U.S. risk-based capital rules. The Basel III Capital Rules, among other things:
introduce a new capital measure called Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”);
define CET1 narrowly by requiring that most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital;
specify that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements; and
expand the scope of the deductions/adjustments as compared to existing regulations.
Under the Basel III Capital Rules, the initial minimum capital ratios that became effective on January 1, 2015 are as follows:
4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets
6.0% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
8.0% Total capital to risk-weighted assets
4.0% Tier 1 capital to average quarterly assets
When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the Basel III Capital Rules will require First Commonwealth and FCB to maintain a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” to the required ratios of CET1 to risk-weighted assets, Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Total capital to risk-weighted assets, effectively resulting in minimum ratios of 7.0%, 8.5% and 10.5%, respectively.
Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.
The Basel III Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1. Under capital standards in effect as of December 31, 2014, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income items included in capital were excluded for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios. Under the Basel III Capital Rules, the effects of certain accumulated other comprehensive items are not excluded; however, smaller banking organizations, including First Commonwealth and FCB, may make a one-time permanent election to continue to exclude these items.
Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 began on January 1, 2015 and will be phased-in over a four-year period (beginning at 40% on January 1, 2015 and an additional 20% per year thereafter). The implementation of the capital conservation buffer will begin on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and be phased in over a four-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019).
With respect to FCB, the Basel III Capital Rules also revise the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as discussed below under “Prompt Corrective Action.” The Basel III Capital Rules prescribe a standardized approach for risk weightings that expand the risk-weighting categories from the four Basel I-derived categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset categories. Specific changes to the rules impacting First Commonwealth’s determination of risk-weighted assets include, among other things:
Applying a 150% risk weight instead of a 100% risk weight for certain high volatility commercial real estate acquisition, development and construction loans.
Assigning a 150% risk weight to exposures (other than residential mortgage exposures) that are 90 days past due.
Providing for a 20% credit conversion factor for the unused portion of a commitment with an original maturity of one year or less that is not unconditionally cancellable (currently set at 0%).
Providing for a risk weight, generally not less than 20% with certain exceptions, for securities lending transactions based on the risk weight category of the underlying collateral securing the transaction.
Providing for a 100% risk weight for claims on securities firms.
Eliminating the current 50% cap on the risk weight for OTC derivatives.

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Management believes that, as of December 31, 2014, First Commonwealth and FCB would meet all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules on a fully phased-in basis as if such requirements were in effect as of that date.
Liquidity Requirements
Historically, regulation and monitoring of bank and bank holding company liquidity has been addressed as a supervisory matter, without required formulaic measures. The Basel III final framework requires banks and bank holding companies to measure their liquidity against specific liquidity tests that, although similar in some respects to liquidity measures historically applied by banks and regulators for management and supervisory purposes, going forward will be required by regulation. One test, referred to as the liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”), is designed to ensure that the banking entity maintains an adequate level of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets equal to the entity’s expected net cash outflow for a 30-day time horizon (or, if greater, 25% of its expected total cash outflow) under an acute liquidity stress scenario. The other, referred to as the net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”), is designed to promote more medium- and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banking entities over a one-year time horizon. These requirements will incent banking entities to increase their holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and other sovereign debt as a component of assets and increase the use of long-term debt as a funding source. In September 2014, the federal bank regulators approved final rules implementing the LCR for advanced approaches banking organizations (i.e., banking organizations with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets or $10 billion or more in total on-balance sheet foreign exposure) and a modified version of the LCR for bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in total consolidated assets that are not advanced approach banking organizations, neither of which would apply to First Commonwealth or FCB. The federal bank regulators have not yet proposed rules to implement the NSFR or addressed the scope of bank organizations to which it will apply. The Basel Committee's final NSFR document states that the NSFR applies to internationally active banks, as did its final LCR document as to that ratio.
Prompt Corrective Action
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (“FDIA”), requires, among other things, the federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIA includes the following five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. The relevant capital measures, which reflect changes under the Basel III Capital Rules that became effective on January 1, 2015, are the total capital ratio, the CET1 capital ratio (a new ratio requirement under the Basel III Capital Rules), the Tier 1 capital ratio and the leverage ratio.
A bank will be (i) “well capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a CET1 capital ratio of 6.5% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater (6.0% prior to January 1, 2015), and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater, and is not subject to any order or written directive by any such regulatory authority to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure; (ii) “adequately capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a CET1 capital ratio of 4.5% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater (4.0% prior to January 1, 2015), and a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and is not “well capitalized” (iii) “undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a CET1 capital ratio less than 4.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0% (4.0% prior to January 1, 2015) or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%; (iv) “significantly undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a CET1 capital ratio less than 3%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0% (3.0% prior to January 1, 2015) or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%; and (v) “critically undercapitalized” if the institution’s tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. A bank’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations, and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the bank’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.
The FDIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be “undercapitalized.” “Undercapitalized” institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The agencies may not accept such a plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. In addition, for a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan and must also provide appropriate assurances of performance. The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 5.0% of the depository institution’s total assets at the time it became undercapitalized and (ii) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into

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compliance with all capital standards applicable with respect to such institution as of the time it fails to comply with the plan. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.”
“Significantly undercapitalized” depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become “adequately capitalized,” requirements to reduce total assets, and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.
The appropriate federal banking agency may, under certain circumstances, reclassify a well capitalized insured depository institution as adequately capitalized. The FDIA provides that an institution may be reclassified if the appropriate federal banking agency determines (after notice and opportunity for hearing) that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or deems the institution to be engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice.
The appropriate agency is also permitted to require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with the supervisory provisions as if the institution were in the next lower category (but not treat a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) based on supervisory information other than the capital levels of the institution.
First Commonwealth believes that, as of December 31, 2014, FCB was a “well-capitalized” bank as defined by the FDIC. See Note 26 “Regulatory Restrictions and Capital Adequacy” of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8, for a table that provides a comparison of First Commonwealth’s and FCB’s risk-based capital ratios and the leverage ratio to minimum regulatory requirements.
The Volcker Rule
The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits banks and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in and sponsoring hedge funds and private equity funds (so called "covered funds"). The statutory provision is commonly called the “Volcker Rule.” In December 2013, federal regulators adopted final rules to implement the Volcker Rule that became effective in April 2014. The FRB, however, issued an order extending the period that institutions have to conform their covered funds activities to the requirements of the Volcker Rule to July 21, 2015. Banks with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, such as our bank, that do not engage in any covered activities, other than trading in certain government, agency, state or municipal obligations, do not have any significant compliance obligations under the rules implementing the Volcker Rule. We are continuing to evaluate the effects of the Volcker Rule on our business, but we do not currently anticipate that the Volcker Rule will have a material effect on our operations.
Depositor Preference
Under federal law, depositors (including the FDIC with respect to the subrogated claims of insured depositors) and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as receiver would be afforded a priority over other general unsecured claims against such an institution in the liquidation or other resolution of such an institution by any receiver.
Interchange Fees
Under the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act, the FRB adopted rules establishing standards for assessing whether the interchange fees that may be charged with respect to certain electronic debit transactions are “reasonable and proportional” to the costs incurred by issuers for processing such transactions. Interchange fees, or “swipe” fees, are charges that merchants pay to us and other card-issuing banks for processing electronic payment transactions. Under the final rules, the maximum permissible interchange fee is equal to no more than 21 cents plus 5 basis points of the transaction value for many types of debit interchange transactions. The FRB also adopted a rule to allow a debit card issuer to recover 1 cent per transaction for fraud prevention purposes if the issuer complies with certain fraud-related requirements required by the FRB. The FRB also has rules governing routing and exclusivity that require issuers to offer two unaffiliated networks for routing transactions on each debit or prepaid product.
The Dodd-Frank Act contained an exemption from the interchange fee cap for any debit card issuer that, together with its affiliates, has total assets of less than $10 billion as of the end of the previous calendar year. We currently qualify for this exemption. We would become subject to the interchange fee cap beginning July 1 of the year following the time when our total assets reaches or exceeds $10 billion.
Heightened Requirements for Bank Holding Companies with $10 Billion or More in Assets
Various federal banking laws and regulations, including rules adopted by the FRB pursuant to the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, impose heightened requirements on certain large banks and bank holding companies. Most of these rules apply primarily to bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in total consolidated assets, but certain rules also apply to banks and bank holding companies with at least $10 billion in total consolidated assets. Following the time at which our or our bank’s

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total consolidated assets, as applicable, equal or exceed $10 billion, we or our bank, as applicable, will, among other requirements:
be required to perform annual stress tests as described above under Dividends and Stress Testing;
be required to establish a dedicated risk committee of our board of directors responsible for overseeing our enterprise-wide risk management policies, which must be commensurate with our capital structure, risk profile, complexity, activities, size and other appropriate risk-related factors, and including as a member at least one risk management expert;
calculate our FDIC deposit assessment base using the performance score and a loss-severity score system described above under Deposit Insurance; and
be examined for compliance with federal consumer protection laws primarily by the CFPB as described above under Consumer Financial Protection.
While neither we nor our bank currently have $10 billion or more in total consolidated assets, we have begun analyzing these rules to ensure we are prepared to comply with the rules when and if they become applicable.
Financial Privacy
The federal banking regulators adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a nonaffiliated third party. These regulations affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors.
Anti-Money Laundering and the USA Patriot Act
A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions in recent years has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Financial institutions are also prohibited from entering into specified financial transactions and account relationships and must use enhanced due diligence procedures in their dealings with certain types of high-risk customers and implement a written customer identification program. Financial institutions must take certain steps to assist government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering and report certain types of suspicious transactions. Regulatory authorities routinely examine financial institutions for compliance with these obligations, and failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval is not required. Regulatory authorities have imposed cease and desist orders and civil money penalties against institutions found to be violating these obligations.
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, under authority of various laws, including designated foreign countries, nationals and others. OFAC publishes lists of specially designated targets and countries. First Commonwealth is responsible for, among other things, blocking accounts of, and transactions with, such targets and countries, prohibiting unlicensed trade and financial transactions with them and reporting blocked transactions after their occurrence. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval is not required.
Future Legislation and Regulation
Congress may enact legislation from time to time that affects the regulation of the financial services industry, and state legislatures may enact legislation from time to time affecting the regulation of financial institutions chartered by or operating in those states. Federal and state regulatory agencies also periodically propose and adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. The substance or impact of pending or future legislation or regulation, or the application thereof, cannot be predicted, although enactment of the proposed legislation could impact the regulatory structure under which we operate and may significantly increase our costs, impede the efficiency of our internal business processes, require us to increase our regulatory capital and modify our business strategy, and limit our ability to pursue business

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opportunities in an efficient manner. Our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects may be adversely affected, perhaps materially, as a result.
Availability of Financial Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC website at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.fcbanking.com.
We also make available on our website, www.fcbanking.com, and in print to any shareholder who requests them, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the charters for our Audit, Risk, Compensation and Human Resources, and Governance Committees, and the Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees.
Our Chief Executive Officer has certified to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) that, as of the date of the certification, he was not aware of any violation by First Commonwealth of NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have made certain certifications concerning the information contained in this report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Section 302 certifications appear as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this annual report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors
As a financial services company, we are subject to a number of risks, many of which are outside of our control. These risks include, but are not limited to:
Changes in interest rates could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Our results of operations depend substantially on net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets (such as investments and loans) and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities (such as deposits and borrowings). Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political conditions. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, money supply, and other factors beyond our control may also affect interest rates. If our interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities in a declining interest rate environment, net interest income could be adversely impacted. Likewise, if interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than interest-earnings assets in a rising interest rate environment, net interest income could be adversely impacted.
Changes in interest rates also can affect the value of loans and other assets. An increase in interest rates that adversely affects the ability of borrowers to pay the principal or interest on loans may lead to an increase in nonperforming assets and a reduction of income recognized, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.
We are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision.
Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole, not security holders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in July 2010, instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regimes in light of the recent performance of and government intervention in the financial services sector. Other changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations policies or supervisory guidance could result in enforcement and other legal actions by Federal or state authorities, including criminal and civil penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocation of a banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputational damage. In this regard, government authorities, including the bank regulatory agencies, are pursuing aggressive enforcement actions with respect compliance and other legal matters involving financial activities, which heightens the risks associated with actual and perceived compliance failures. See “Supervision and Regulation” included in Item 1. Business for a more detailed description of the Dodd-Frank Act and other regulatory requirements applicable to First Commonwealth.

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Declines in real estate values could adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.
As of December 31, 2014, approximately 61% of our loans were secured by real estate. These loans consist of residential real estate loans (approximately 27% of total loans), commercial real estate loans (approximately 31% of total loans) and real estate construction loans (approximately 3% of total loans). During the economic recession in 2008, declines in real estate values and weak demand for new construction, particularly outside of our core Pennsylvania market, caused deterioration in our loan portfolio and adversely impacted our financial condition and results of operations. Additional declines in real estate values, both within and outside of Pennsylvania, could adversely affect the value of the collateral for these loans, the ability of borrowers to make timely repayment of these loans and our ability to recoup the value of the collateral upon foreclosure, further impacting our earnings and financial condition.
Our earnings are significantly affected by general business and economic conditions.
Our operations and profitability are impacted by general business and economic conditions in the United States and abroad. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, money supply, political issues, legislative and regulatory changes, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets, broad trends in industry and finance and the strength of the United States economy, all of which are beyond our control. A deterioration in economic conditions could result in an increase in loan delinquencies and nonperforming assets, decreases in loan collateral values and a decrease in demand for our products and services, among other things, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our allowance for credit losses may be insufficient.
All borrowers carry the potential to default and our remedies to recover may not fully satisfy money previously loaned. We maintain an allowance for credit losses, which is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable credit losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is adequate to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance for credit losses reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic conditions and unidentified losses in the current loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks using existing qualitative and quantitative information, all of which may undergo material changes. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for credit losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require an increase in the provision for credit losses or the recognition of additional loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. An increase in the allowance for credit losses results in a decrease in net income or losses, and possibly risk-based capital, and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Acts of cyber-crime may compromise client and company information, disrupt access to our systems or result in loss of client or company assets.
Our business is dependent upon the availability of technology, the Internet and telecommunication systems to enable financial transactions by clients, record and monitor transactions and transmit and receive data to and from clients and third parties. Information security risks have increased significantly due to the use of online, telephone and mobile banking channels by clients and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties. Our technologies, systems, networks and our clients’ devices have been subject to, and are likely to continue to be the target of, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, malicious code, phishing attacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of our or our clients’ confidential, proprietary and other information, the theft of client assets through fraudulent transactions or disruption of our or our clients’ or other third parties’ business operations. Any of the foregoing could have a meterial adverse effect on First Commonwealth's business, financial condition and results of operations.
We must evaluate whether any portion of our recorded goodwill is impaired. Impairment testing may result in a material, non-cash write-down of our goodwill assets and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
At December 31, 2014, goodwill represented approximately 3% of our total assets. We have recorded goodwill because we paid more for some of our businesses than the fair market value of the tangible and separately measurable intangible net assets of those businesses. We test our goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment at least annually (or whenever events occur which may indicate possible impairment). Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, goodwill of

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the reporting unit is not considered impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, goodwill is considered impaired. Determining the fair value of our company requires a high degree of subjective management assumptions. Any changes in key assumptions about our business and its prospects, changes in market conditions or other externalities, for impairment testing purposes could result in a non-cash impairment charge and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations. The challenges of the current economic environment may adversely affect our earnings, the fair value of our assets and liabilities and our stock price, all of which may increase the risk of goodwill impairment.
First Commonwealth relies on dividends from its subsidiaries for most of its revenues.
First Commonwealth is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries. It receives substantially all of its revenues from dividends from its subsidiaries. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on First Commonwealth’s common stock and interest and principal on First Commonwealth’s debt. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that FCB and certain non-bank subsidiaries may pay to First Commonwealth. In the event FCB is unable to pay dividends to First Commonwealth, First Commonwealth may not be able to service debt, pay obligations or pay dividends on its common stock. The inability to receive dividends from FCB could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Competition from other financial institutions in originating loans, attracting deposits and providing various financial services may adversely affect our profitability.
We face substantial competition in originating loans and attracting deposits. This competition comes principally from other banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking companies and credit unions, as well as institutions offering uninsured investment alternatives, including money market funds. Many of our competitors enjoy advantages, including greater financial resources and higher lending limits, better brand recognition, a wider geographic presence, more accessible branch office locations, the ability to offer a wider array of services or more favorable pricing alternatives, as well as lower origination and operating costs. These competitors may offer more favorable pricing through lower interest rates on loans or higher interest rates on deposits, which could force us to match competitive rates and thereby reduce our net interest income.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation.
Reputation risk, or the risk to our earnings and capital from negative public opinion, is inherent in our business. Negative public opinion could adversely affect our ability to keep and attract customers and expose us to adverse legal and regulatory consequences. Negative public opinion could result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct. Because we conduct all of our business under the “First Commonwealth” brand, negative public opinion about one business could affect our other businesses.
An interruption to our information systems could adversely impact our operations.
We rely upon our information systems for operating and monitoring all major aspects of our business, including deposit and loan operations, as well as internal management functions. These systems and our operations could be damaged or interrupted by natural disasters, power loss, network failure, improper operation by our employees, security breaches, computer viruses, intentional attacks by third parties or other unexpected events. Any disruption in the operation of our information systems could adversely impact our operations, which may affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.
Our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures are based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
We continually encounter technological change.
The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of the our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be

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successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations rely on external vendors.
We rely on certain vendors to provide products and services necessary to maintain day-to-day operations of First Commonwealth. In particular, in 2014, we contracted with an external vendor for our core processing system used to maintain customer and account records, reflect account transactions and activity, and support our customer relationship management systems for substantially all of our deposit and loan customers. Accordingly, our operations are exposed to risk that these vendors will not perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements under service level agreements. The failure of an external vendor to perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements under service level agreements, because of changes in the vendor’s organizational structure, financial condition, support for existing products and services or strategic focus or for any other reason, could be disruptive to First Commonwealth’s operations and financial reporting, which could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business and, in turn, First Commonwealth’s financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities.
A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, First Commonwealth may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. Environmental reviews of real property before initiating foreclosure actions may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could significantly impact our business.
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on our ability to conduct business. In addition, such events could affect the stability of First Commonwealth’s deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause us to incur additional expenses. The occurrence of any such event in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Financial services companies depend on the accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties.
In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions, we may rely on information furnished by or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including financial statements, credit reports and other financial information. We may also rely on representations of those customers, counterparties or other third parties, such as independent auditors, as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. Reliance on inaccurate or misleading financial statements, credit reports or other financial information could have a material adverse impact on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions.
Financial services institutions that deal with each other are interconnected as a result of trading, investment, liquidity management, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. Within the financial services industry, loss of public confidence, including through default by any one institution, could lead to liquidity challenges or to defaults by other institutions. Concerns about, or a default by, one institution could lead to significant liquidity problems and losses or defaults by other institutions, as the commercial and financial soundness of many financial institutions is closely related as a result of these credit, trading, clearing and other relationships. Even the perceived lack of creditworthiness of, or questions about, a counterparty may lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses or defaults by various institutions. This systemic risk may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, banks and exchanges with which we interact on a daily basis or key funding providers such as the Federal Home Loan Banks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our access to liquidity or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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First Commonwealth’s stock price can be volatile.
Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for you to resell your common stock when you want and at prices you find attractive. First Commonwealth’s stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:
Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations.
Recommendations by securities analysts.
Operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to First Commonwealth.
News reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry.
Perceptions in the marketplace regarding First Commonwealth and/or its competitors.
New technology used, or services offered, by competitors.
Significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving First Commonwealth or its competitors.
Failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions.
Changes in government regulations.
Geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.
General market fluctuations, including real or anticipated changes in the strength of the Pennsylvania economy; industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions; interest rate changes or credit loss trends could also cause First Commonwealth’s stock price to decrease regardless of operating results.
The trading volume in First Commonwealth’s common stock is less than that of other larger financial services companies.
Although First Commonwealth’s common stock is listed for trading on the NYSE), the trading volume in its common stock is less than that of other, larger financial services companies. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of First Commonwealth’s common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which we have no control. Given the lower trading volume of First Commonwealth’s common stock, significant sales of First Commonwealth’s common stock, or the expectation of these sales, could cause First Commonwealth’s stock price to fall.
First Commonwealth may not continue to pay dividends on its common stock in the future.
Holders of First Commonwealth common stock are only entitled to receive such dividends as its board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Although First Commonwealth has historically declared cash dividends on its common stock, it is not required to do so and may reduce or eliminate its common stock dividend in the future. This could adversely affect the market price of First Commonwealth’s common stock. Also, First Commonwealth is a bank holding company, and its ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on certain federal regulatory considerations, including the guidelines of the FRB regarding capital adequacy and dividends.
As more fully discussed in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data-Note 26, Regulatory Restrictions and Capital Adequacy, which is located elsewhere in this report, the ability of First Commonwealth to declare or pay dividends on its common stock may also be subject to certain restrictions in the event that First Commonwealth elects to defer the payment of interest on its junior subordinated debt securities.
An investment in First Commonwealth’s common stock is not an insured deposit.
First Commonwealth’s common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. Investment in First Commonwealth’s common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this Risk Factors section and elsewhere in this report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if you acquire First Commonwealth’s common stock, you could lose some or all of your investment.

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Provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and Pennsylvania law, as well as state and federal banking regulations, could delay or prevent a takeover of us by a third party.
Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, the corporate law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and state and federal regulations could delay, defer or prevent a third party from acquiring us, despite the possible benefit to our shareholders, or otherwise adversely affect the price of our common stock. These provisions include, among other things, advance notice requirements for proposing matters that shareholders may act on at shareholder meetings. In addition, under Pennsylvania law, we are prohibited from engaging in a business combination with any interested shareholder for a period of five years from the date the person became an interested shareholder unless certain conditions are met. These provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over market price or adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock.

ITEM 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
 
ITEM 2.    Properties
Our principal office is located in the old Indiana County courthouse complex, consisting of the former courthouse building and the former sheriff’s residence and jail building for Indiana County. This certified Pennsylvania and national historic landmark was built in 1870 and restored by us in the early 1970s. We lease the complex from Indiana County pursuant to a lease agreement that was originally signed in 1973 and has a current term that expires in 2048.
The majority of our administrative personnel are also located in two owned buildings and one leased premise in Indiana, Pennsylvania, each of which is in close proximity to our principal office.
First Commonwealth Bank has 110 banking offices, of which 23 are leased and 87 are owned. We also lease two loan production offices.
While these facilities are adequate to meet our current needs, available space is limited and additional facilities may be required to support future expansion. However, we have no current plans to lease, purchase or construct additional administrative facilities.
 
ITEM 3.    Legal Proceedings
The information required by this Item is set forth in Part II, Item 8, Note 24, “Contingent Liabilities,” which is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
 
ITEM 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

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Executive Officers of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
The name, age and principal occupation for each of the executive officers of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2014 is set forth below:
I. Robert Emmerich, age 64, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of First Commonwealth Bank since 2009. Prior to joining First Commonwealth, Mr. Emmerich was retired from a 31-year career at National City Corporation, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President & Chief Credit Officer for Consumer Lending.
Jane Grebenc, age 56, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and President of First Commonwealth Bank since May 31, 2013. Ms. Grebenc's financial services career includes executive leadership roles at a variety of institutions, including Park View Federal Savings Bank, Key Bank, and National City Bank. She was formerly the Executive Vice President in charge of the retail, marketing, IT and operations and the mortgage segments at Park View Federal Savings Bank from 2009 until 2012, the Executive Vice President in charge of the Wealth Segment at Key Bank from 2007 until 2009 and the Executive Vice President / Branch Network at National City Bank prior to 2007.
Leonard V. Lombardi, age 55, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Audit Executive of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation since January 1, 2009. He was formerly Senior Vice President / Loan Review and Audit Manager.

Norman J. Montgomery, age 47, has served as the Executive Vice President of Business Integration of First Commonwealth Bank since May 2011. He oversees First Commonwealth’s product development and assumed oversight of First Commonwealth’s technology and operations functions in July 2012. He served as Senior Vice President/Business Integration of First Commonwealth Bank from September 2007 until May 2011 and previously held positions in the technology, operations, audit and marketing areas.
T. Michael Price, age 52, has served as President of First Commonwealth Bank since November 2007. On March 7, 2012, he began serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation. From January 1, 2012 to March 7, 2012, he served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation. He was formerly Chief Executive Officer of the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Region of National City Bank from July 2004 to November 2007 and Executive Vice President and Head of Small Business Banking of National City Bank prior to July 2004.
James R. Reske, age 51, joined First Commonwealth Financial Corporation as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer on April 28, 2014. Prior to joining First Commonwealth, Mr. Reske served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer at United Community Financial Corporation in Youngstown, Ohio from 2008 until April 2014. Mr. Reske's financial services career includes investment banking roles within the Financial Institutions Groups at Keybanc Capital Markets, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio and at Morgan Stanley & Company in New York. Mr. Reske also provided expertise and counsel to financial institutions and other organizations on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets activities as an attorney at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, as well as at Sullivan & Cromwell. Earlier in his career, Mr. Reske worked at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, DC and at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
Carrie L. Riggle, age 45, has served as Executive Vice President / Human Resources since March 1, 2013. Ms. Riggle has been with First Commonwealth for more than 20 years. Over the course of her tenure, Ms. Riggle has been responsible for the daily operations of the Human Resources function and was actively involved in the establishment and development of a centralized corporate human resources function within the Company.
Matthew C. Tomb, age 38, has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation since November 2010. He previously served as Senior Vice President / Legal and Compliance since September 2007. Before joining First Commonwealth, Mr. Tomb practiced law with Sherman & Howard L.L.C. in Denver, Colorado.


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PART II

ITEM 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
First Commonwealth is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “FCF.” As of December 31, 2014, there were approximately 7,003 holders of record of First Commonwealth’s common stock. The table below sets forth the high and low sales prices per share and cash dividends declared per share for common stock of First Commonwealth for each quarter during the last two fiscal years.
Period
High Sale
 
Low Sale
 
Cash Dividends
Per Share
2014
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
9.34

 
$
7.83

 
$
0.07

Second Quarter
9.41

 
8.14

 
0.07

Third Quarter
9.49

 
8.39

 
0.07

Fourth Quarter
9.55

 
8.36

 
0.07

 
Period
High Sale
 
Low Sale
 
Cash Dividends
Per Share
2013
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
7.73

 
$
7.03

 
$
0.05

Second Quarter
7.49

 
6.79

 
0.06

Third Quarter
8.09

 
7.31

 
0.06

Fourth Quarter
9.36

 
7.49

 
0.06

Federal and state regulations contain restrictions on the ability of First Commonwealth to pay dividends. For information regarding restrictions on dividends, see Part I, Item 1 “Business—Supervision and Regulation—Restrictions on Dividends” and Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 26, Regulatory Restrictions and Capital Adequacy.” In addition, under the terms of the capital securities issued by First Commonwealth Capital Trust II and III, First Commonwealth could not pay dividends on its common stock if First Commonwealth deferred payments on the junior subordinated debt securities that provide the cash flow for the payments on the capital securities.

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The following five-year performance graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on First Commonwealth’s common stock to the KBW Regional Banking Index and the Russell 2000 Index. The stock performance graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2009, and the cumulative return is measured as of each subsequent fiscal year end.
 

 
Period Ending
Index
12/31/2009
 
12/31/2010
 
12/31/2011
 
12/31/2012
 
12/31/2013
 
12/31/2014
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
100.00

 
153.81

 
116.74

 
155.64

 
207.51

 
224.09

Russell 2000
100.00

 
126.86

 
121.56

 
141.43

 
196.34

 
205.95

KBW Regional Banking Index
100.00

 
120.39

 
114.21

 
129.52

 
190.18

 
194.80

 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table details the amount of shares repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2014.
 
Month Ending:
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid per  Share
(or Unit)
 
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
October 31, 2014

 
$

 

 

November 30, 2014
3,121

 
9.09

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Total
3,121

 
$
9.09

 

 
 

For additional information, please see Part IV, Item 12, "Security ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners." Information called for by this item concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and security ownership of management will be included in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Securities Owned by Directors and Management,” and is incorporated herein by reference. 

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ITEM 6.    Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data is not covered by the auditor’s report and should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which follows, and with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes. 
 
Periods Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Interest income
$
202,181

 
$
206,358

 
$
219,075

 
$
231,545

 
$
268,360

Interest expense
18,501

 
21,707

 
30,146

 
41,678

 
61,599

Net interest income
183,680

 
184,651

 
188,929

 
189,867

 
206,761

Provision for credit losses
11,196

 
19,227

 
20,544

 
55,816

 
61,552

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
172,484

 
165,424

 
168,385

 
134,051

 
145,209

Net impairment losses

 

 

 

 
(9,193
)
Net securities gains (losses)
550

 
(1,158
)
 
192

 
2,185

 
2,422

Other income
60,309

 
61,321

 
65,242

 
55,484

 
56,005

Other expenses
171,210

 
168,824

 
177,207

 
176,826

 
171,226

Income before income taxes
62,133

 
56,763

 
56,612

 
14,894

 
23,217

Income tax provision (benefit)
17,680

 
15,281

 
14,658

 
(380
)
 
239

Net Income
$
44,453

 
$
41,482

 
$
41,954

 
$
15,274

 
$
22,978

Per Share Data—Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
0.48

 
$
0.43

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.25

Dividends declared
$
0.28

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.18

 
$
0.12

 
$
0.06

Average shares outstanding
93,114,654

 
97,028,157

 
103,885,396

 
104,700,227

 
93,197,225

Per Share Data—Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
0.48

 
$
0.43

 
$
0.40

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.25

Average shares outstanding
93,114,654

 
97,029,832

 
103,885,663

 
104,700,393

 
93,199,773

At End of Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
6,360,285

 
$
6,214,861

 
$
5,995,390

 
$
5,841,122

 
$
5,812,842

Investment securities
1,354,364

 
1,353,809

 
1,199,531

 
1,182,572

 
1,016,574

Loans and leases, net of unearned income
4,457,308

 
4,283,833

 
4,204,704

 
4,057,055

 
4,218,083

Allowance for credit losses
52,051

 
54,225

 
67,187

 
61,234

 
71,229

Deposits
4,315,511

 
4,603,863

 
4,557,881

 
4,504,684

 
4,617,852

Short-term borrowings
1,105,876

 
626,615

 
356,227

 
312,777

 
187,861

Subordinated debentures
72,167

 
72,167

 
105,750

 
105,750

 
105,750

Other long-term debt
89,459

 
144,385

 
174,471

 
101,664

 
98,748

Shareholders’ equity
716,145

 
711,697

 
746,007

 
758,543

 
749,777

Key Ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
0.71
%
 
0.68
%
 
0.71
%
 
0.27
%
 
0.37
%
Return on average equity
6.18

 
5.70

 
5.46

 
2.00

 
3.33

Net loans to deposits ratio
102.08

 
91.87

 
90.78

 
88.70

 
89.80

Dividends per share as a percent of net income per share
58.33

 
53.49

 
44.57

 
82.26

 
23.72

Average equity to average assets ratio
11.45

 
11.87

 
12.95

 
13.33

 
11.26


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ITEM 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis represents an overview of the financial condition and the results of operations of First Commonwealth and its subsidiaries, FCB, First Commonwealth Insurance Agency, Inc. (“FCIA”) and First Commonwealth Financial Advisors, Inc. (“FCFA”), as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. During 2014, First Commonwealth sold its registered investment advisory business. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information concerning our financial condition and results of operations that is not readily apparent from the Consolidated Financial Statements. In order to obtain a more thorough understanding of this discussion, you should refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the notes thereto and other financial information presented in this Annual Report.

Company Overview
First Commonwealth provides a diversified array of consumer and commercial banking services through our bank subsidiary, FCB. We also provide trust and wealth management services through FCB and insurance products through FCIA. At December 31, 2014, FCB operated 110 community banking offices throughout western Pennsylvania and loan production offices in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio.
Our consumer services include Internet, mobile and telephone banking, an automated teller machine network, personal checking accounts, interest-earning checking accounts, savings accounts, insured money market accounts, debit cards, investment certificates, fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, mortgage loans, secured and unsecured installment loans, construction and real estate loans, safe deposit facilities, credit lines with overdraft checking protection and IRA accounts. Commercial banking services include commercial lending, small and high-volume business checking accounts, on-line account management services, ACH origination, payroll direct deposit, commercial cash management services and repurchase agreements. We also provide a variety of trust and asset management services and a full complement of auto, home and business insurance as well as term life insurance. We offer annuities, mutual funds, stock and bond brokerage services through an arrangement with a broker-dealer and insurance brokers. Most of our commercial customers are small and mid-sized businesses in central and western Pennsylvania.
As a financial institution with a focus on traditional banking activities, we earn the majority of our revenue through net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Growth in net interest income is dependent upon balance sheet growth and maintaining or increasing our net interest margin, which is net interest income (on a fully taxable-equivalent basis) as a percentage of our average interest-earning assets. We also generate revenue through fees earned on various services and products that we offer to our customers and, less frequently, through sales of assets, such as loans, investments or properties. These revenue sources are offset by provisions for credit losses on loans, operating expenses, income taxes and, less frequently, loss on sale or other-than-temporary impairments on investment securities.
General economic conditions also affect our business by impacting our customers’ need for financing, thus affecting loan growth, as well as impacting the credit strength of existing and potential borrowers.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Accounting Estimates
First Commonwealth’s accounting and reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and predominant practice in the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Over time, these estimates, assumptions and judgments may prove to be inaccurate or vary from actual results and may significantly affect our reported results and financial position for the period presented or in future periods. We currently view the determination of the allowance for credit losses, fair value of financial instruments and income taxes to be critical because they are highly dependent on subjective or complex judgments, assumptions and estimates made by management.
Allowance for Credit Losses
We account for the credit risk associated with our lending activities through the allowance and provision for credit losses. The allowance represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that are inherent in our existing loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The provision is a periodic charge to earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. Management determines and reviews with the Board of Directors the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis in accordance with the methodology described below.

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Individual loans are selected for review in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 310, “Receivables.” These are generally large balance commercial loans and commercial mortgages that are rated less than “satisfactory” based on our internal credit-rating process.
We assess whether the loans identified for review in step one are “impaired,” which means that it is probable that all amounts will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, which generally represents loans that management has placed on nonaccrual status.
For impaired loans we calculate the estimated fair value of the loans that are selected for review based on observable market prices, discounted cash flows or the value of the underlying collateral and record an allowance if needed.
We then select pools of homogenous smaller balance loans having similar risk characteristics as well as unimpaired larger commercial loans for evaluation collectively under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” These smaller balance loans generally include residential mortgages, consumer loans, installment loans and some commercial loans.
FASB ASC Topic 450 loans are segmented into groups with similar characteristics and an allowance for credit losses is allocated to each segment based on recent loss history and other relevant information.
We then review the results to determine the appropriate balance of the allowance for credit losses. This review includes consideration of additional factors, such as the mix of loans in the portfolio, the balance of the allowance relative to total loans and nonperforming assets, trends in the overall risk profile in the portfolio, trends in delinquencies and nonaccrual loans, and local and national economic information and industry data, including trends in the industries we believe are higher risk.
There are many factors affecting the allowance for credit losses; some are quantitative, while others require qualitative judgment. These factors require the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, appraised values on impaired loans, estimated losses for each loan category based on historical loss experience by category, loss emergence periods for each loan category and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant judgment and change. To the extent that actual outcomes differ from estimates, additional provisions for credit losses could be required that could adversely affect our earnings or financial position in future periods. The loan portfolio represents the largest asset category on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” establishes a framework for measuring fair value. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, First Commonwealth groups financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.
Level 1 valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 valuations are for instruments that trade in less active dealer or broker markets and incorporates values obtained for identical or comparable instruments. Level 3 valuations are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to each instrument.
Level 2 investment securities are valued by a recognized third party pricing service using observable inputs. Management validates the market values provided by the third party service by having another recognized pricing service price 100% of securities on an annual basis and a random sample of securities each quarter, monthly monitoring of variances from prior period pricing and on a monthly basis evaluating pricing changes compared to expectations based on changes in the financial markets.
Level 3 investments include pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations. The fair values of these investments are determined by a specialized third party valuation service. Management validates the fair value of the pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations by monitoring the performance of the underlying collateral, discussing the discount rate, cash flow assumptions and general market trends with the specialized third party and by confirming changes in the underlying collateral to the trustee and underwriter reports. Management’s monitoring of the underlying collateral includes deferrals of interest payments, payment defaults, cures of previously deferred interest payments, any regulatory filings or actions and general news related to the underlying collateral. Management also evaluates fair value changes compared to expectations based on changes in the interest rates used in determining the discount rate and general financial markets.
Methodologies and estimates used by management when determining the fair value for pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations and testing those securities for other-than-temporary impairment are discussed in detail in Management’s

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Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Note 9 “Impairment of Investment Securities” and Note 19 “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities” of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes
We estimate income tax expense based on amounts expected to be owed to the tax jurisdictions where we conduct business. On a quarterly basis, management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate based upon its current estimate of the amount and components of net income, tax credits and the applicable statutory tax rates expected for the full year.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability method and are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Management assesses all available positive and negative evidence on a quarterly basis to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. The amount of future taxable income used in management’s valuation is based upon management approved forecasts, evaluation of historical earnings levels, proven ability to raise capital to support growth or during times of economic stress and consideration of prudent and feasible potential tax strategies. If future events differ from our current forecasts, a valuation allowance may be required, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due to taxing jurisdictions and are reported in other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Management evaluates and assesses the relative risks and appropriate tax treatment of transactions and filing positions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other information and maintains tax accruals consistent with its evaluation of these relative risks and merits. Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by taxing authorities and changes to statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance. These changes, when they occur, can affect deferred taxes and accrued taxes, as well as the current period’s income tax expense and can be significant to our operating results.

Results of Operations—2014 Compared to 2013
Net Income
Net income for 2014 was $44.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $41.5 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, in 2013. Net income in 2014 was positively impacted by a decrease in provision expense of $8.0 million, offset by a decline of $1.0 million in net interest income and an increase in noninterest expense of $2.4 million. Noninterest expense increased as the result of $7.4 million in expenses related to a core system conversion in 2014 and the recording of an $8.6 million legal contingency reserve.
Our return on average equity was 6.2% and return on average assets was 0.71% for 2014, compared to 5.7% and 0.68%, respectively, for 2013.
Average diluted shares for the year 2014 were 4% less than the comparable period in 2013 primarily due to the common stock buyback programs that were authorized during 2014 and 2013.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income, which is our primary source of revenue, is the difference between interest income from earning assets (loans and securities) and interest expense paid on liabilities (deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term debt). The amount of net interest income is affected by both changes in the level of interest rates and the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin is expressed as the percentage of net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, to average interest-earning assets. To compare the tax exempt asset yields to taxable yields, amounts are adjusted to the pretaxable equivalent amounts based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate of 35%. The taxable equivalent adjustment to net interest income for 2014 was $3.3 million compared to $4.1 million in 2013. Net interest income comprises a majority of our operating revenue (net interest income before the provision plus noninterest income) at 75% for both years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, was $187.0 million for the year-ended December 31, 2014, a $1.7 million, or 1%, decrease compared to $188.7 million for the same period in 2013. The net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, decreased 12 basis points, or 4%, to 3.27% in 2014 from 3.39% in 2013. The net interest margin is affected by

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both changes in the level of interest rates and the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
The low interest rate environment and resulting decline in rates earned on interest-earning assets challenged the net interest margin during the year ended December 31, 2014. Yields and spreads on new loan volumes continued to experience competitive pricing pressures in 2014, specifically home equity and indirect loans. Also contributing to lower yields on earning assets is the runoff of existing older assets, which were earning higher interest rates than new volumes, as well as growth in the investment portfolio. Growth in earning assets has helped to offset the spread compression as average earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased $166.5 million, or 3%, compared to the comparable period in 2013. However, approximately 39% of the growth in earning assets relates to the investment portfolio, which is earning approximately 180 basis points less than the rate earned on growth in the loan portfolio. Investment portfolio purchases during 2014 have been primarily in the mortgage-related assets with approximate durations of 36-48 months and municipal securities with a duration of five years. The mortgage-related investments have monthly principal payments that will provide for reinvestment opportunities as interest rates rise. It is expected that the challenges to the net interest margin will continue as $3.0 billion in interest-sensitive assets either reprice or mature over the next twelve months.
The taxable equivalent yield on interest-earning assets was 3.59% for the year ended December 31, 2014, a decrease of 20 basis points from the 3.79% yield for the same period in 2013. This decline can be attributed to the repricing of our variable rate assets as well as lower interest rates available on new investments and loans. Reductions in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities partially offset the impact of lower yields on interest-earning assets. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.41% for the year-ended December 31, 2014, compared to 0.48% for the same period in 2013.
Comparing the year-ended December 31, 2014 with the same period in 2013, changes in interest rates negatively impacted net interest income by $9.4 million. The lower yield on interest-earning assets adversely impacted net interest income by $11.3 million, while the decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities had a positive impact of $1.9 million. We have been able to partially mitigate the impact of lower interest rates and the effect on net interest income through improving the mix of deposits and borrowed funds, growing the loan portfolio and increasing our investment volumes within established interest rate risk management guidelines.
While decreases in interest rates and yields compressed the net interest margin, increases in average interest-earning assets and a lower cost of funds tempered the effect on net interest income. Changes in the volumes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities positively impacted net interest income by $7.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Higher levels of interest-earning assets resulted in an increase of $6.4 million in interest income, while increased short-term borrowings, partially offset by a reduction in long-term borrowings increased interest expense by $1.3 million. During the third quarter of 2014, as a means of protecting the net interest margin against a prolonged low rate environment, the Company entered into $100 million in interest rate swaps which extended the duration of a portion of our $1.3 billion in LIBOR based loans.
Positively affecting net interest income was a $100.1 million increase in average net free funds at December 31, 2014 as compared to December 31, 2013. Average net free funds are the excess of noninterest-bearing demand deposits, other noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity over noninterest-earning assets. The largest component of the increase in net free funds was a $88.3 million increase in average noninterest-bearing demand deposits. Additionally, higher costing time deposits continue to mature and reprice to lower costing certificates or other deposit alternatives. Average time deposits for the year ended December 31, 2014 decreased $126.9 million million, or 11%, compared to the comparable period in 2013, while the average rate paid on time deposits decreased 11 basis points. The positive change in deposit mix is expected to continue as $586.9 million in certificates of deposits either mature or reprice over the next twelve months.
The following table reconciles interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income to net interest income adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent basis for the periods presented:
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest income per Consolidated Statements of Income
$
202,181

 
$
206,358

 
$
219,075

Adjustment to fully taxable equivalent basis
3,327

 
4,081

 
4,392

Interest income adjusted to fully taxable equivalent basis (non-GAAP)
205,508

 
210,439

 
223,467

Interest expense
18,501

 
21,707

 
30,146

Net interest income adjusted to fully taxable equivalent basis (non-GAAP)
$
187,007

 
$
188,732

 
$
193,321

 

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The following table provides information regarding the average balances and yields and rates on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods ended December 31:
 
 
Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Average
Balance
 
Income /
Expense (a)
 
Yield or
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Income /
Expense (a)
 
Yield or
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Income /
Expense (a)
 
Yield or
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
$
4,728

 
$
12

 
0.25
%
 
$
3,355

 
$
7

 
0.21
%
 
$
4,329

 
$
6

 
0.14
%
Tax-free investment securities (e)
12,274

 
478

 
3.89

 
83

 
6

 
7.40

 
271

 
18

 
6.85

Taxable investment securities
1,352,494

 
30,662

 
2.27

 
1,300,538

 
30,218

 
2.32

 
1,179,169

 
31,799

 
2.70

Loans, net of unearned
income (b)(c)
4,356,566

 
174,356

 
4.00

 
4,255,593

 
180,208

 
4.23

 
4,165,292

 
191,644

 
4.60

Total interest-earning assets
5,726,062

 
205,508

 
3.59

 
5,559,569

 
210,439

 
3.79

 
5,349,061

 
223,467

 
4.18

Noninterest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
71,139

 
 
 
 
 
71,930

 
 
 
 
 
75,044

 
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses
(54,517
)
 
 
 
 
 
(62,800
)
 
 
 
 
 
(65,279
)
 
 
 
 
Other assets
538,429

 
 
 
 
 
563,283

 
 
 
 
 
581,321

 
 
 
 
Total noninterest-earning assets
555,051

 
 
 
 
 
572,413

 
 
 
 
 
591,086

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
6,281,113

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,131,982

 
 
 
 
 
$
5,940,147

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing demand
deposits (d)
$
625,516

 
$
192

 
0.03
%
 
$
670,524

 
$
236

 
0.04
%
 
$
645,970

 
$
286

 
0.04
%
Savings deposits (d)
1,876,972

 
2,348

 
0.13

 
1,942,323

 
2,962

 
0.15

 
1,921,417

 
4,233

 
0.22

Time deposits
1,028,053

 
9,913

 
0.96

 
1,154,984

 
12,398

 
1.07

 
1,138,112

 
16,935

 
1.49

Short-term borrowings
815,394

 
2,449

 
0.30

 
478,388

 
1,262

 
0.26

 
402,196

 
1,070

 
0.27

Long-term debt
200,114

 
3,599

 
1.80

 
233,483

 
4,849

 
2.08

 
202,598

 
7,622

 
3.76

Total interest-bearing liabilities
4,546,049

 
18,501

 
0.41

 
4,479,702

 
21,707

 
0.48

 
4,310,293

 
30,146

 
0.70

Noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing demand
deposits (d)
964,422

 
 
 
 
 
876,111

 
 
 
 
 
810,041

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
51,347

 
 
 
 
 
48,335

 
 
 
 
 
50,859

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity
719,295

 
 
 
 
 
727,834

 
 
 
 
 
768,954

 
 
 
 
Total noninterest-bearing funding sources
1,735,064

 
 
 
 
 
1,652,280

 
 
 
 
 
1,629,854

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
6,281,113

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,131,982

 
 
 
 
 
$
5,940,147

 
 
 
 
Net Interest Income and Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets
 
 
$
187,007

 
3.27
%
 
 
 
$
188,732

 
3.39
%
 
 
 
$
193,321

 
3.61
%
 
(a)
Income on interest-earning assets has been computed on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the 35% federal income tax statutory rate.
(b)
Income on nonaccrual loans is accounted for on the cash basis, and the loan balances are included in interest-earning assets.
(c)
Loan income includes loan fees.
(d)
Average balances do not include reallocations from noninterest-bearing demand deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits into savings deposits which were made for regulatory purposes.
(e)
Yield on tax-free investment securities calculated using fully taxable equivalent interest income of $6.18 thousand and $18.58 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.


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The following table sets forth certain information regarding changes in net interest income attributable to changes in the volumes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates for the periods indicated:
 
 
Analysis of Year-to-Year Changes in Net Interest Income
 
2014 Change from 2013
 
2013 Change from 2012
 
Total
Change
 
Change Due
To Volume
 
Change Due
To Rate (a)
 
Total
Change
 
Change Due
To Volume
 
Change Due
To Rate (a)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
$
5

 
$
3

 
$
2

 
$
1

 
$
(1
)
 
$
2

Tax-free investment securities
472

 
902

 
(430
)
 
(12
)
 
(13
)
 
1

Taxable investment securities
444

 
1,205

 
(761
)
 
(1,581
)
 
3,277

 
(4,858
)
Loans
(5,852
)
 
4,271

 
(10,123
)
 
(11,436
)
 
4,154

 
(15,590
)
Total interest income (b)
(4,931
)
 
6,381

 
(11,312
)
 
(13,028
)
 
7,417

 
(20,445
)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing demand deposits
(44
)
 
(18
)
 
(26
)
 
(50
)
 
10

 
(60
)
Savings deposits
(614
)
 
(98
)
 
(516
)
 
(1,271
)
 
46

 
(1,317
)
Time deposits
(2,485
)
 
(1,358
)
 
(1,127
)
 
(4,537
)
 
251

 
(4,788
)
Short-term borrowings
1,187

 
876

 
311

 
192

 
206

 
(14
)
Long-term debt
(1,250
)
 
(694
)
 
(556
)
 
(2,773
)
 
1,161

 
(3,934
)
Total interest expense
(3,206
)
 
(1,292
)
 
(1,914
)
 
(8,439
)
 
1,674

 
(10,113
)
Net interest income
$
(1,725
)
 
$
7,673

 
$
(9,398
)
 
$
(4,589
)
 
$
5,743

 
$
(10,332
)
 
(a)
Changes in interest income or expense not arising solely as a result of volume or rate variances are allocated to rate variances.
(b)
Changes in interest income have been computed on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the 35% federal income tax statutory rate.

Provision for Credit Losses
The provision for credit losses is determined based on management’s estimates of the appropriate level of allowance for credit losses needed to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio, after giving consideration to charge-offs and recoveries for the period. The provision for credit losses is an amount added to the allowance against which credit losses are charged.

The table below provides a breakout of the provision for credit losses by loan category for the years ended December 31: 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Dollars
 
Percentage
 
Dollars
 
Percentage
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
15,141

 
135
 %
 
$
20,755

 
108
 %
Real estate construction
(5,581
)
 
(50
)
 
(2,056
)
 
(11
)
Residential real estate
(1,560
)
 
(14
)
 
2,369

 
12

Commercial real estate
639

 
6

 
(286
)
 
(1
)
Loans to individuals
2,557

 
23

 
4,371

 
23

Unallocated

 

 
(5,926
)
 
(31
)
Total
$
11,196

 
100
 %
 
$
19,227

 
100
 %
The provision for credit losses for the year 2014 totaled $11.2 million, a decrease of $8.0 million, or 41.77%, compared to the year 2013. The majority of the 2014 provision expense, or $5.8 million, is attributable to specific reserves for an $8.2 million loan to an oil and gas servicing company, which was transferred to nonaccrual status during 2014. This loan was sold during the second quarter of 2014, resulting in a $5.8 million charge-off. Also impacting the provision expense for the commercial, financial and agricultural loan category were specific reserves related to a $4.2 million loan to an audio visual equipment distributor, which was transferred to nonaccrual status during 2014. Offsetting these increases in provision expense was the release of approximately $2.7 million in specific reserves related to the payoff of a $4.7 million nonaccrual loan to a local developer. The negative provision expense for real estate construction and residential real estate is the result of declines in both

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the level of impaired loans and historical loss rates for these loan categories. Provision expense for loans to individuals is directly related to the level of charge-offs during 2014.
The majority of the 2013 provision expense related to two commercial borrowers. Deterioration in the value of certain assets of a local real estate developer, for which net equity is the expected repayment source, resulted in provision expense of $10.4 million and a related charge-off of $13.1 million. In addition, two nonaccrual commercial real estate loans that were sold in the first quarter of 2013 required a combined charge-off and related provision expense of $3.1 million. These two nonaccrual loans were to the same borrower and relate to a $15.5 million loan secured by an apartment building in eastern Pennsylvania and a $1.7 million loan secured by mixed use property in eastern Pennsylvania.
In 2013, the negative $5.9 million provision related to the unallocated portion of the allowance is a result of it no longer being treated as a separate component of the allowance. Instead, this risk is now incorporated into the reserve provided for each loan category. This portion of the allowance for credit losses reflects the qualitative or environmental factors that are likely to cause estimated credit losses to differ from historical loss experience.
The allowance for credit losses was $52.1 million, or 1.17%, of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2014, compared to $54.2 million, or 1.27%, at December 31, 2013. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.24% at December 31, 2014 from 1.39% at December 31, 2013. The allowance to nonperforming loan ratio was 94% as of December 31, 2014 and 91% at December 31, 2013.
Net credit losses were $13.4 million for the year-ended December 31, 2014 compared to $32.2 million for the same period in 2013. The most significant credit loss recognized during the year ended December 31, 2014, was the aforementioned $5.8 million charge-off to an oil and gas servicing company.
The provision is a result of management’s assessment of credit quality statistics and other factors that would have an impact on probable losses in the loan portfolio and the methodology used for determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The change in the allowance for credit losses is consistent with the decrease in estimated losses within the loan portfolio determined by factors including certain loss events, portfolio migration analysis, loss emergence periods, historical loss experience, delinquency trends, deterioration in collateral values and volatility in economic indicators such as the housing market, consumer price index, vacancy rates and unemployment levels. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2014.
 

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A detailed analysis of our credit loss experience for the previous five years is shown below:
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans outstanding at end of year
$
4,457,308

 
$
4,283,833

 
$
4,204,704

 
$
4,057,055

 
$
4,218,083

Average loans outstanding
$
4,356,566

 
$
4,255,593

 
$
4,165,292

 
$
4,061,822

 
$
4,467,338

Balance, beginning of year
$
54,225

 
$
67,187

 
$
61,234

 
$
71,229

 
$
81,639

Loans charged off:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
8,911

 
18,399

 
5,207

 
7,114

 
22,293

Real estate construction
296

 
773

 
3,601

 
28,886

 
41,483

Residential real estate
3,153

 
1,814

 
3,828

 
4,107

 
5,226

Commercial real estate
1,148

 
10,513

 
851

 
24,861

 
2,466

Loans to individuals
3,964

 
3,679

 
3,482

 
3,325

 
3,841

Total loans charged off
17,472

 
35,178

 
16,969

 
68,293

 
75,309

Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
734

 
455

 
443

 
473

 
2,409

Real estate construction
1,340

 
501

 
582

 
955

 

Residential real estate
650

 
1,264

 
422

 
132

 
252

Commercial real estate
612

 
136

 
410

 
349

 
163

Loans to individuals
766

 
633

 
521

 
573

 
523

Total recoveries
4,102

 
2,989

 
2,378

 
2,482

 
3,347

Net credit losses
13,370

 
32,189

 
14,591

 
65,811

 
71,962

Provision charged to expense
11,196

 
19,227

 
20,544

 
55,816

 
61,552

Balance, end of year
$
52,051

 
$
54,225

 
$
67,187

 
$
61,234

 
$
71,229

Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net credit losses as a percentage of average loans outstanding
0.31
%
 
0.76
%
 
0.35
%
 
1.62
%
 
1.61
%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding
1.17
%
 
1.27
%
 
1.60
%
 
1.51
%
 
1.69
%
 

Noninterest Income
The components of noninterest income for each year in the three-year period ended December 31 are as follows: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 compared to 2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in thousands)
Noninterest Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trust income
$
6,000

 
$
6,166

 
$
6,206

 
$
(166
)
 
(3
)%
Service charges on deposit accounts
15,661

 
15,652

 
14,743

 
9

 
0

Insurance and retail brokerage commissions
6,483

 
6,005

 
6,272

 
478

 
8

Income from bank owned life insurance
5,502

 
5,539

 
5,850

 
(37
)
 
(1
)
Card related interchange income
14,222

 
13,746

 
13,199

 
476

 
3

Other income
7,445

 
12,060

 
14,365

 
(4,615
)
 
(38
)
Subtotal
55,313

 
59,168

 
60,635

 
(3,855
)
 
(7
)
Net securities gains (losses)
550

 
(1,158
)
 
192

 
1,708

 
(147
)
Gain on sale of assets
4,996

 
2,153

 
4,607

 
2,843

 
132

Total noninterest income
$
60,859

 
$
60,163

 
$
65,434

 
$
696

 
1
 %
Noninterest income, excluding net securities gains (losses) and gains on sale of assets, decreased $3.9 million, or 6.52%, in 2014, largely due to a decline in the other income category. The decrease in the other income category can be attributed to a $2.3 million decline in commercial loan swap-related income and a $1.1 million decrease in investment management income as a result of the sale of this business in the first quarter of 2014. The growth in insurance income can be attributed to increased

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production and three months of income from our recent agency acquisition. Card-related interchange income can be attributed to growth in the number of deposit customers, as well as continued increases in electronic payments by our customers.
Total noninterest income increased $0.7 million, or 1%, in comparison to the year ended 2013. The most notable change includes a $2.8 million increase in the gain on sale of assets as a result of a $1.2 million gain recognized on the sale of the Company's registered investment advisory business and $3.2 million in gains on the sale of several OREO properties.
Comparing the year 2014 to the year 2013, net securities gains (losses) increased $1.7 million. This change is primarily the result of a $1.3 million loss recognized in 2013 on the early redemption of one of our pooled trust preferred securities. This security was called when the senior note holders elected to liquidate all assets of the trust, resulting in losses for the mezzanine notes owned by the Company. In 2014, a $0.5 million gain was recognized related to this security as a result of additional proceeds distributed as part of the final liquidation of the trust.
If the Company's total assets would equal or exceed $10 billion we would no longer qualify for exemption from the interchange fee cap included in the Dodd-Frank Act. The estimated impact of this change would decrease interchange income by $5.7 million.
 
Noninterest Expense
The components of noninterest expense for each year in the three-year period ended December 31 are as follows: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 Compared to 2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in thousands)
Noninterest Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
$
87,223

 
$
86,012

 
$
86,069

 
$
1,211

 
1
 %
Net occupancy expense
13,119

 
13,607

 
13,255

 
(488
)
 
(4
)
Furniture and equipment expense
12,235

 
13,148

 
12,460

 
(913
)
 
(7
)
Data processing expense
6,124

 
6,009

 
7,054

 
115

 
2

Advertising and promotion expense
2,953

 
3,129

 
4,157

 
(176
)
 
(6
)
Contributions
1,431

 
784

 
1,195

 
647

 
83

Pennsylvania shares tax expense
3,776

 
5,638

 
5,706

 
(1,862
)
 
(33
)
Intangible amortization
631

 
1,064

 
1,467

 
(433
)
 
(41
)
Collection and repossession expense
2,754

 
3,836

 
5,756

 
(1,082
)
 
(28
)
Other professional fees and services
3,986

 
3,731

 
4,329

 
255

 
7

FDIC insurance
4,054

 
4,366

 
5,032

 
(312
)
 
(7
)
Other operating expenses
17,178

 
19,144

 
18,966

 
(1,966
)
 
(10
)
Subtotal
155,464

 
160,468

 
165,446

 
(5,004
)
 
(3
)
Loss on sale or write-down of assets
1,595

 
1,054

 
7,394

 
541

 
51

Litigation and operational losses
6,786

 
1,115

 
4,367

 
5,671

 
509

Loss on early redemption of subordinated debt

 
1,629

 

 
(1,629
)
 
(100
)
Furniture and equipment expense - related to IT conversion
5,577

 
1,970

 

 
3,607

 
183

Conversion related expenses
1,788

 
2,588

 

 
(800
)
 
(31
)
Total noninterest expense
$
171,210

 
$
168,824

 
$
177,207

 
$
2,386

 
1
 %
Total noninterest expense for the year 2014 increased $2.4 million in comparison to the year 2013, largely due to an $8.6 million litigation reserve, $2.8 million in increased expenses related to the IT system conversion and increased contribution expense as a result of a $0.6 million charge related to the donation of a former headquarters building to a local university. Salaries and employee benefit expense increased $1.2 million, or 1%, due to normal merit increases, additional staffing added as part of the launch of our mortgage initiative and the acquisition of an insurance agency.
These increases were offset by declines of $1.9 million in Pennsylvania shares tax expense, $1.1 million in loan collection costs and a $3.0 million partial recovery for a 2012 external fraud loss.

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As a result of the April 1, 2013 early redemption of $32.5 million in redeemable capital securities issued by First Commonwealth Capital Trust I, a loss of $1.6 million was recognized. This loss includes a $1.1 million prepayment penalty and $0.5 million of unamortized deferred issuance costs.
During the third quarter of 2014, First Commonwealth completed a system conversion to the Jack Henry and Associates SilverLake System core processing software and outsourced certain data processing services that had previously been performed in-house. As a result of this conversion, First Commonwealth incurred $11.9 million of charges, of which $7.4 million was recognized in 2014. During 2014, $5.6 million in accelerated depreciation and $1.8 million in other conversion related expenses were recognized. In 2013, conversion related expenses included $2.6 million for early termination charges on existing contracts and staffing and employment-related charges. The system conversion is expected to provide expense savings from pre-conversion levels of approximately $1.5 million to $1.7 million per quarter.

Income Tax
The provision for income taxes of $17.7 million in 2014 reflects an increase compared to the provision for income taxes of $15.3 million in 2013 mostly due to the increase in the level of pretax income of $62.1 million and $56.8 million for 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The effective tax rate was 28% and 27% for tax expense in 2014 and 2013, respectively. We ordinarily generate an annual effective tax rate that is less than the statutory rate of 35% due to benefits resulting from tax-exempt interest, income from bank owned life insurance and tax benefits associated with low income housing tax credits, which are relatively consistent regardless of the level of pretax income.

Financial Condition
First Commonwealth’s total assets increased by $145.4 million in 2014. Loans increased $173.5 million, or 4%, while investments decreased $8.5 million, or 1%.
Loan growth in 2014 was primarily in the commercial real estate and indirect lending categories. Impacting loan growth in 2014 was a decline of approximately $36.0 million in residential mortgage loans. During the third quarter of 2014, First Commonwealth reentered the residential mortgage business, after a strategic decision in 2005 to discontinue mortgage lending. Without this product offering, customer requests for these loans were satisfied through a joint venture or home equity loans. As a result, the residential mortgage portfolio has declined over the years due to regularly scheduled repayments and payoffs. The mortgage initiative is expected to increase loan volumes in this area and add revenue as loans are added to the portfolio or sold.
During 2014, approximately $242.9 million in investment securities were called or matured. These securities were higher yielding securities and contributed to the decline in yield earned on the portfolio. As a result, $246.1 million in asset-backed securities, $66.5 million in agency securities and $27.1 million in municipal securities were purchased in 2014 to help increase earnings from the portfolio with a reduced risk profile.
First Commonwealth’s total liabilities increased $141.0 million, or 3%, in 2014. Deposits decreased $288.4 million, or 6%, and long-term debt decreased $54.9 million, or 25%, as funding needs were met with lower costing short-term borrowings, which increased $479.3 million, or 76%.
Total shareholders equity increased $4.4 million in 2014. Growth in shareholders equity due to net income of $44.5 million and increases in other comprehensive income of $16.1 million was partially offset by $26.2 million in dividends declared and $31.0 million in stock repurchases.


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Table of Contents


Loan Portfolio
Following is a summary of our loan portfolio as of December 31:
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial,
agricultural and other
$
1,052,109

 
24
%
 
$
1,021,056

 
24
%
 
$
1,019,822

 
24
%
 
$
996,739

 
25
%
 
$
913,814

 
22
%
Real estate construction
120,785

 
3

 
93,289

 
2

 
87,438

 
2

 
76,564

 
2

 
261,482

 
6

Residential real estate
1,226,344

 
27

 
1,262,718

 
30

 
1,241,565

 
30

 
1,137,059

 
28

 
1,127,273

 
27

Commercial real estate
1,405,256

 
31

 
1,296,472

 
30

 
1,273,661

 
30

 
1,267,432

 
31

 
1,354,074

 
32

Loans to individuals
652,814

 
15

 
610,298

 
14

 
582,218

 
14

 
565,849

 
14

 
561,440

 
13

Total loans and leases net of unearned income
$
4,457,308

 
100
%
 
$
4,283,833

 
100
%
 
$
4,204,704

 
100
%
 
$
4,043,643

 
100
%
 
$
4,218,083

 
100
%
The loan portfolio totaled $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2014, reflecting growth of $173.5 million, or 4%, compared to December 31, 2013. Loan growth was experienced in all categories except residential real estate, with the majority of the growth being recognized in commercial real estate loans and loans to individuals. Increases in commercial, financial, agricultural and other portfolio and commercial real estate can be attributed to growth in direct middle market lending and syndications in Pennsylvania and contiguous states. The increase in loans to individuals is primarily due to growth in indirect auto lending.
The majority of our loan portfolio is with borrowers located in Pennsylvania. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company expanded into the Ohio market area with the opening of a loan production office in Cleveland, Ohio. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no concentrations of loans relating to any industry in excess of 10% of total loans.
The credit quality of the loan portfolio continued to improve during 2014 with decreases in the level of criticized assets, delinquency and nonaccrual loans. As of December 31, 2014, criticized loans (i.e., loans designated OAEM, substandard, impaired or doubtful) decreased $22.2 million, or 14%, from December 31, 2013. Criticized loans totaled $140.1 million at December 31, 2014 and represented 3% of the total loan portfolio. Additionally, delinquencies on accruing loans increased $5.7 million, or 44%, at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2014, nonaccrual loans decreased $3.2 million, or 7%, compared to December 31, 2013.
 
Final loan maturities and rate sensitivities of the loan portfolio excluding consumer installment and mortgage loans at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Within
One Year
 
One to
5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
130,891

 
$
750,143

 
$
151,944

 
$
1,032,978

Real estate construction (a)
6,887

 
85,730

 
28,116

 
120,733

Commercial real estate
91,124

 
431,066

 
882,283

 
1,404,473

Other
3,008

 
16,986

 
107,661

 
127,655

Totals
$
231,910

 
$
1,283,925

 
$
1,170,004

 
$
2,685,839

Loans at fixed interest rates
 
 
256,695

 
217,157

 
 
Loans at variable interest rates
 
 
1,027,230

 
952,847

 
 
Totals
 
 
$
1,283,925

 
$
1,170,004

 
 
 
(a)
The maturity of real estate construction loans include term commitments that follow the construction period. Loans with these term commitments will be moved to the commercial real estate category when the construction phase of the project is completed.
First Commonwealth has a regulatory established legal lending limit of $97.1 million to any one borrower or closely related group of borrowers, but has established lower thresholds for credit risk management.


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Table of Contents

First Commonwealth defines exposure to the Oil and Gas Industry as any borrower who is involved in exploration and production, and any company in the industry supply chain that generates 40% or more of their sales revenue from exploration and production companies.
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a total of $148.9 million in commitments to the Oil and Gas Industry, with $55.4 million in outstanding loan balances against those commitments. Of this total, commitments of $47.0 million with outstanding balances of $11.5 million are for exploration and production, while $101.9 million in commitments, with outstanding balances of $43.9 million, are related to ancillary businesses.
Two customers account for 74.4% of the loans related to exploration and production and both are rated pass credits. These credit facilities are primarily used to support letters of credit and have little or no usage. Two commercial relationships in this category, totaling $8.8 million, are on non-performing status and have been even before the oil price decline in the third quarter of 2014.
The ancillary business consists of well services, transportation, equipment and materials to support the oil and gas industry. Two customers, which account for 35.0% of the ancillary exposure, are bulk transporters of refined product and are not expected to be negatively impacted from lower oil prices. There are four pass rated credits, with total commitments of $40.3 million in the ancillary sector that will see some impact from reduced drilling activity due to lower oil and gas prices. The Company will continue to monitor their performance accordingly. One commercial relationship with $2.6 million in outstanding loans for an ancillary business has been on non-performing status since 2012.

Nonperforming Loans
Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and restructured loans. Nonaccrual loans represent loans on which interest accruals have been discontinued. Restructured loans are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower under terms not available in the market.
We discontinue interest accruals on a loan when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to fully collect principal or interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan. A loan is typically placed in nonaccrual status when there is evidence of a significantly weakened financial condition or principal and interest is 90 days or more delinquent, except for consumer loans, which are placed in nonaccrual status at 150 days past due. Interest received on a nonaccrual loan is normally applied as a reduction to loan principal rather than interest income utilizing the cost recovery methodology of revenue recognition.
Nonperforming loans are closely monitored on an ongoing basis as part of our loan review and work-out process. The probable risk of loss on these loans is evaluated by comparing the loan balance to the fair value of any underlying collateral and the present value of projected future cash flows. Losses are recognized when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable.
 

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Table of Contents

The following is a comparison of nonperforming and impaired assets and the effects on interest due to nonaccrual loans for the period ended December 31:
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming Loans:
 
Loans on nonaccrual basis
$
25,715

 
$
28,908

 
$
43,539

 
$
33,635

 
$
84,741

Loans held for sale on nonaccrual basis

 

 

 
13,412

 

Troubled debt restructured loans on nonaccrual basis
16,952

 
16,980

 
50,979

 
44,841

 
31,410

Troubled debt restructured loans on accrual basis
12,584

 
13,495

 
13,037

 
20,276

 
1,336

Total nonperforming loans
$
55,251

 
$
59,383

 
$
107,555

 
$
112,164

 
$
117,487

Loans past due in excess of 90 days and still accruing
$
2,619

 
$
2,505

 
$
2,447

 
$
11,015

 
$
13,203

Other real estate owned
$
7,197

 
$
11,728

 
$
11,262

 
$
30,035

 
$
24,700

Loans outstanding at end of period
$
4,457,308

 
$
4,283,833

 
$
4,204,704

 
$
4,057,055

 
$
4,218,083

Average loans outstanding
$
4,356,566

 
$
4,255,593

 
$
4,165,292

 
$
4,061,822

 
$
4,467,338

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans
1.24
%
 
1.39
%
 
2.56
%
 
2.76
%
 
2.79
%
Provision for credit losses
$
11,196

 
$
19,227

 
$
20,544

 
$
55,816

 
$
61,552

Allowance for credit losses
$
52,051

 
$
54,225

 
$
67,187

 
$
61,234

 
$
71,229

Net charge-offs
$
13,370

 
$
32,189

 
$
14,591

 
$
65,811

 
$
71,962

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding
0.31
%
 
0.76
%
 
0.35
%
 
1.62
%
 
1.61
%
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of net charge-offs
83.74
%
 
59.73
%
 
140.80
%
 
84.81
%
 
85.53
%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding (a)
1.17
%
 
1.27
%
 
1.60
%
 
1.51
%
 
1.69
%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans (a)
94.21
%
 
91.31
%
 
62.47
%
 
62.01
%
 
60.63
%
Gross income that would have been recorded at original rates
$
784

 
$
7,920

 
$
15,036

 
$
14,872

 
$
13,142

Interest that was reflected in income

 
679

 
369

 
1,393

 
30

Net reduction to interest income due to nonaccrual
$
784

 
$
7,241

 
$
14,667

 
$
13,479

 
$
13,112

 
(a)
End of period loans and nonperforming loans exclude loans held for sale.
Nonperforming loans decreased $4.1 million to $55.3 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $59.4 million at December 31, 2013. The nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.2% from 1.4% at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013. Other real estate owned totaled $7.2 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $11.7 million at December 31, 2013.
Also included in nonperforming loans are troubled debt restructured loans (“TDR’s”). TDR’s are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower under terms not available in the market. TDR's decreased $0.9 million during 2014. For additional information on TDR’s please refer to Note 10 “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses.”
Net credit losses were $13.4 million in 2014 compared to $32.2 million for the year 2013. The most significant credit loss recognized during the year was a $5.8 million charge-off taken on a loan to an oil and gas servicing company. Additional detail on credit risk is included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under “Provision for Credit Losses" and "Allowance for Credit Losses."
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of net charge-offs increased to 83.7% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 59.7% for the year ended December 31, 2013.

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Table of Contents

Nonperforming Securities
The following is a comparison of nonperforming securities for the period ended December 31:
 
 
12/31/2014
 
12/31/2013
 
12/31/2012
 
12/31/2011
 
12/31/2010
 
(dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonaccrual securities at market value
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
15,823

Nonperforming securities at December 31, 2010 included only pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations. These securities were returned to performing status in 2011 because of evidence supporting management’s estimate of future cash flows indicating that all remaining principal and interest will be received. Support for these estimates include: no other-than-temporary impairment charges since the third quarter of 2010, improvement in the underlying collateral of these bonds evidenced by a reduced level of new interest payment deferrals and principal defaults, as well as an increase in actual cures of deferring collateral.

Allowance for Credit Losses
Following is a summary of the allocation of the allowance for credit losses at December 31:
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
29,627

 
24
%
 
$
22,663

 
24
%
 
$
19,852

 
24
%
 
$
18,200

 
25
%
 
$
21,700

 
22
%
Real estate construction
2,063

 
3

 
6,600

 
2

 
8,928

 
2

 
6,756

 
2

 
18,002

 
6

Residential real estate
3,664

 
27

 
7,727

 
30

 
5,908

 
30

 
8,237

 
28

 
5,454

 
27

Commercial real estate
11,881

 
31

 
11,778

 
30

 
22,441

 
30

 
18,961

 
31

 
16,913

 
32

Loans to individuals
4,816

 
15

 
5,457

 
14

 
4,132

 
14

 
4,244

 
14

 
4,215

 
13

Unallocated

 
N/A

 

 
N/A

 
5,926

 
N/A

 
4,836

 
N/A

 
4,945

 
N/A

Total
$
52,051

 
 
 
$
54,225

 
 
 
$
67,187

 
 
 
$
61,234

 
 
 
$
71,229

 
 
Allowance for credit losses as percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding
1.17
%
 
 
 
1.27
%
 
 
 
1.60
%
 
 
 
1.51
%
 
 
 
1.69
%
 
 
 
(a)
Represents the ratio of loans in each category to total loans.
The allowance for credit losses decreased $2.2 million from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding was 1.2% at December 31, 2014 compared to 1.3% at December 31, 2013. The allowance for credit losses includes both a general reserve for performing loans and specific reserves for impaired loans. Comparing December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2013, the general reserve for performing loans decreased from 1.07% to 0.96% of total performing loans. Specific reserves increased from 16.8% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2013 to 19.5% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2014. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 94% and 91% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio at a specific point in time. This estimate includes losses associated with specifically identified loans, as well as estimated probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio. Additions are made to the allowance through both periodic provisions charged to income and recoveries of losses previously incurred. Reductions to the allowance occur as loans are charged off. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance at least quarterly, and in doing so relies on various factors including, but not limited to, assessment of historical loss experience, delinquency and nonaccrual trends, portfolio growth, net realizable value of collateral and current economic conditions. This evaluation is subjective and requires material estimates that may change over time. For a description of the methodology used to calculate the allowance for credit losses, please refer to “Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Accounting Estimates—Allowance for Credit Losses.”
Management reviews local and national economic information and industry data, including the trends in the industries we believe are indicative of higher risk to our portfolio. Factors reviewed by management include employment trends, macroeconomic trends, commercial real estate trends and the overall lending environment. Based on this review, an allocation is made to the allowance for credit losses and is reflected in the “unallocated” line of the previous table.

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Table of Contents

Investment Portfolio
Marketable securities that we hold in our investment portfolio, which are classified as “securities available for sale,” may be a source of liquidity; however, we do not anticipate liquidating the investments prior to maturity. As indicated in Note 19 “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities,” $30.4 million of available for sale securities at December 31, 2014, are classified as Level 3 assets because of inactivity in the market.
Following is a detail schedule of the amortized cost of securities available for sale as of December 31: 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
$
23,344

 
$
22,639

 
$
27,883

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
947,635

 
1,009,519

 
839,102

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial
72

 
104

 
148

Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises
269,181

 
267,971

 
241,970

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
27,058

 
80

 
82

Corporate Securities
6,682

 
6,693

 
6,703

Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations
41,926

 
42,040

 
51,866

Total Debt Securities
1,315,898

 
1,349,046

 
1,167,754

Equities
1,420

 
1,420

 
1,859

Total Securities Available for Sale
$
1,317,318

 
$
1,350,466

 
$
1,169,613

As of December 31, 2014, securities available for sale had a fair value of $1.3 billion. Gross unrealized gains were $16.9 million and gross unrealized losses were $24.4 million.
The following is a schedule of the contractual maturity distribution of securities available for sale at December 31, 2014.
 
 
U.S.
Government
Agencies and
Corporations
 
States and
Political
Subdivisions
 
Other
Securities
 
Total
Amortized
Cost (a)
 
Weighted
Average
Yield (b)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Within 1 year
$
3,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,000

 
0.32
%
After 1 but within 5 years
288,556

 

 

 
288,556

 
1.19

After 5 but within 10 years
39,504

 
21,849

 

 
61,353

 
4.09

After 10 years
909,172

 
5,209

 
48,608

 
962,989

 
2.34

Total
$
1,240,232

 
$
27,058

 
$
48,608

 
$
1,315,898

 
2.16
%
 
(a)
Equities are excluded from this schedule because they have an indefinite maturity.
(b)
Yields are calculated on a taxable equivalent basis.
 
Mortgage-backed securities, which include mortgage-backed obligations of U.S. Government agencies and obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, have contractual maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately 30 years and have anticipated average lives to maturity ranging from less than one year to approximately thirteen years.
The amortized cost of the investment portfolio decreased $33.1 million, or 2%, at December 31, 2014 compared to 2013. All categories of investments decreased, except for Obligations of State and Political Subdivisions which increased $27.0 million. These securities were purchased in an effort to increase the earnings from investments while keeping the risk of the portfolio at a lower level.
Our investment portfolio includes an amortized cost of $41.9 million in pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations at December 31, 2014. The valuation of these securities involves evaluating relevant credit and structural aspects, determining appropriate performance assumptions and performing a discounted cash flow analysis.
See Note 8 “Investment Securities,” Note 9 “Impairment of Investment Securities,” and Note 19 “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities” for additional information related to the investment portfolio.

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Table of Contents

Deposits
Total deposits decreased $288.4 million, or 6%, in 2014, primarily due to the run off of time deposits of $253.4 million. The change in time deposits can be attributed to an decrease of $101.2 million in deposits generated from the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Services program ("CDARS"), which provides a low cost alternative funding source.
Time deposits of $100 thousand or more had remaining maturities as follows as of the end of each year in the three-year period ended December 31:
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars in thousands)
3 months or less
$
164,879

 
49
%
 
$
234,295

 
51
%
 
$
103,102

 
32
%
Over 3 months through 6 months
34,874

 
10

 
85,573

 
18

 
58,680

 
18

Over 6 months through 12 months
72,470

 
22

 
60,739

 
13

 
31,863

 
10

Over 12 months
61,765

 
19

 
84,077

 
18

 
128,798

 
40

Total
$
333,988

 
100
%
 
$
464,684

 
100
%
 
$
322,443

 
100
%
Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
Short-term borrowings increased $479.3 million, or 76%, from $626.6 million as of December 31, 2013 to $1,105.9 million at December 31, 2014. Long-term debt decreased $54.9 million, or 25%, from $216.6 million at December 31, 2013 to $161.6 million at December 31, 2014. The change in both of these areas was to take advantage of attractive interest rates in the wholesale funding markets as an alternative to certificates of deposit while paying off higher costing debt. For additional information concerning our short-term borrowings, subordinated debentures and other long-term debt, please refer to Note 16 “Short-term Borrowings,” Note 17 “Subordinated Debentures” and Note 18 “Other Long-term Debt” of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The table below sets forth our contractual obligations to make future payments as of December 31, 2014. For a more detailed description of each category of obligation, refer to the note in our Consolidated Financial Statements indicated in the table below.
 
 
Footnote
Number
Reference
 
1 Year
or Less
 
After 1
But Within
3 Years
 
After 3
But Within
5 Years
 
After 5
Years
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
FHLB advances
18

 
$
80,142

 
$
1,148

 
$
1,238

 
$
6,931

 
$
89,459

Subordinated debentures
17

 

 

 

 
72,167

 
72,167

Operating leases
13

 
3,313

 
5,727

 
4,912

 
12,276

 
26,228

Total contractual obligations
 
 
$
83,455

 
$
6,875

 
$
6,150

 
$
91,374

 
$
187,854

The table above excludes unamortized premiums and discounts on FHLB advances because these premiums and discounts do not represent future cash obligations. The table also excludes our cash obligations upon maturity of certificates of deposit, which is set forth in Note 15 “Interest-Bearing Deposits” of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In addition, see Note 12 “Commitments and Letters of Credit” for detail related to our off-balance sheet commitments to extend credit, financial standby letters of credit, performance standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit as of December 31, 2014. Commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit do not necessarily represent future cash requirements since it is unknown if the borrower will draw upon these commitments and often these commitments expire without being drawn upon. As of December 31, 2014, a reserve for probable losses of $3.1 million was recorded for unused commitments and letters of credit.

Liquidity
Liquidity refers to our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers as well as our operating cash needs with cost-effective funding. Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that we may not be able to meet our financial obligations and operating cash needs or may become overly reliant upon external funding sources. In order to manage this risk,

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our Board of Directors has established a Liquidity Policy that identifies primary sources of liquidity, establishes procedures for monitoring and measuring liquidity and quantifies minimum liquidity requirements based on limits approved by our Board of Directors. This policy designates our Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) as the body responsible for meeting these objectives. The ALCO, which includes members of executive management, reviews liquidity on a periodic basis and approves significant changes in strategies that affect balance sheet or cash flow positions. Liquidity is centrally managed on a daily basis by our Treasury Department who monitors it by using such measures as liquidity coverage ratios, liquidity gap ratios and noncore funding ratios.
We generate funds to meet our cash flow needs primarily through the core deposit base of FCB and the maturity or repayment of loans and other interest-earning assets, including investments. Core deposits are the most stable source of liquidity a bank can have due to the long-term relationship with a deposit customer. The level of deposits during any period is sometimes influenced by factors outside of management’s control, such as the level of short-term and long-term market interest rates and yields offered on competing investments, such as money market mutual funds. Deposits decreased $288.4 million, or 6%, during 2014, and comprised 76% of total liabilities at December 31, 2014, as compared to 84% at December 31, 2013. Proceeds from the maturity and redemption of investment securities totaled $242.9 million during 2014 and provided liquidity to fund loans as well as the purchase of additional investment securities.
We also have available unused wholesale sources of liquidity, including overnight federal funds and repurchase agreements, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, borrowings through the discount window at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and access to certificates of deposit through brokers. We have increased our borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve by establishing a Borrower-in-Custody of Collateral arrangement that enables us to pledge certain loans, not being used as collateral at the Federal Home Loan Bank, as collateral for borrowings at the Federal Reserve. At December 31, 2014 our borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve related to this program was $667.7 million and there were no amounts outstanding. Additionally, as of December 31, 2014, our maximum borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh was $1.5 billion and as of that date amounts used against this capacity included $1.0 billion in outstanding borrowings and $28.2 million in letter of credit commitments used for pledging public funds and other non-deposit purposes.
We participate in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Services (“CDARS”) program as part of an ALCO strategy to increase and diversify funding sources. As of December 31, 2014, our maximum borrowing capacity under this program was $951.4 million and as of that date there was $150.0 million outstanding. We also participate in a reciprocal program which allows our depositors to receive expanded FDIC coverage by placing multiple certificates of deposit at other CDARS member banks. As of December 31, 2014, our outstanding certificates of deposits from this program have an average weighted rate of 0.29% and an average original term of 39 days.
We also have available unused federal funds lines with four correspondent banks. These lines have an aggregate commitment of $170.0 million with $9.0 million outstanding as of December 31, 2014.
The liquidity needs of First Commonwealth on an unconsolidated basis (the "Parent Company") consist primarily of operating expenses, debt service payments and dividend payments to our stockholders, which totaled $35.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well as any cash necessary to repurchase our shares, which totaled $31.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The primary source of liquidity for the Parent Company is dividends from subsidiaries. The Parent Company had $72.2 million in junior subordinated debentures and cash and interest-bearing deposits of $10.4 million at December 31, 2014. At the end of 2014 the Parent Company had a $15.0 million short-term, unsecured revolving line of credit with another financial institution. As of December 31, 2014, there were no amounts outstanding under this line. We are currently not meeting a debt covenant with respect to this line of credit related to Return on Average Assets; however, a waiver has been received from the lender for this covenant. The Parent Company has the ability to enhance its liquidity position by raising capital or incurring debt.
Refer to “Financial Condition” above for additional information concerning our deposits, loan portfolio, investment securities and borrowings.

Market Risk
Market risk refers to potential losses arising from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and commodity prices. Our market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is comprised of repricing risk, basis risk, yield curve risk and options risk. Repricing risk arises from differences in the cash flow or repricing between asset and liability portfolios. Basis risk arises when asset and liability portfolios are related to different market rate indices, which do not always change by the same amount. Yield curve risk arises when asset and liability portfolios are related to different maturities on a given yield curve; when the yield curve changes shape, the risk position is altered. Options risk arises from “embedded options” within asset and liability products as certain borrowers have the option to prepay their loans when rates fall, while certain depositors can redeem or withdraw their deposits early when rates rise.

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The process by which we manage our interest rate risk is called asset/liability management. The goals of our asset/liability management are increasing net interest income without taking undue interest rate risk or material loss of net market value of our equity, while maintaining adequate liquidity. Net interest income is increased by growing earning assets and increasing the difference between the rate earned on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Liquidity is measured by the ability to meet both depositors’ and credit customers’ requirements.
 
We use an asset/liability model to measure our interest rate risk. Interest rate risk measures include earnings simulation and gap analysis. Gap analysis is a static measure that does not incorporate assumptions regarding future events. Gap analysis, while a helpful diagnostic tool, displays cash flows for only a single rate environment. Net interest income simulations explicitly measure the exposure to earnings from changes in market rates of interest. Under simulation analysis, our current financial position is combined with assumptions regarding future business to calculate net interest income under various hypothetical rate scenarios. Our net interest income simulations assume a level balance sheet whereby new volume equals run-off. The ALCO reviews earnings simulations over multiple years under various interest rate scenarios. Reviewing these various measures provides us with a reasonably comprehensive view of our interest rate profile.
The following gap analysis compares the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities subject to repricing over a period of time. The ratio of rate sensitive assets to rate sensitive liabilities repricing within a one year period was 0.69 and 0.71 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. A ratio of less than one indicates a higher level of repricing liabilities over repricing assets over the next twelve months. The level of First Commonwealh's ratio is largely driven by the modeling of interest-bearing nonmaturity deposits, which are included in the analysis as repricing within one year.
Following is the gap analysis as of December 31:
 
 
2014
 
0-90 Days
 
91-180
Days
 
181-365
Days
 
Cumulative
0-365 Days
 
Over 1 Year
Through 5
Years
 
Over 5
Years
 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans
$
2,274,687

 
$
166,818

 
$
294,772

 
$
2,736,277

 
$
1,412,835

 
$
267,876

Investments
52,057

 
60,708

 
125,801

 
238,566

 
767,521

 
338,182

Other interest-earning assets
2,262

 

 

 
2,262

 

 

Total interest-sensitive assets (ISA)
2,329,006

 
227,526

 
420,573

 
2,977,105

 
2,180,356

 
606,058

Certificates of deposit
278,659

 
114,932

 
193,346

 
586,937

 
251,153

 
4,255

Other deposits
2,484,139

 

 

 
2,484,139

 

 

Borrowings
1,203,176

 
25,135

 
29,873

 
1,258,184

 
2,385

 
6,931

Total interest-sensitive liabilities (ISL)
3,965,974

 
140,067

 
223,219

 
4,329,260

 
253,538

 
11,186

Gap
$
(1,636,968
)
 
$
87,459

 
$
197,354

 
$
(1,352,155
)
 
$
1,926,818

 
$
594,872

ISA/ISL
0.59

 
1.62

 
1.88

 
0.69

 
8.60

 
54.18

Gap/Total assets
25.74
%
 
1.38
%
 
3.10
%
 
21.26
%
 
30.29
%
 
9.35
%
 

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2013
 
0-90 Days
 
91-180
Days
 
181-365
Days
 
Cumulative
0-365 Days
 
Over 1 Year
Through 5
Years
 
Over 5
Years
 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans
$
2,026,232

 
$
215,614

 
$
310,437

 
$
2,552,283

 
$
1,401,095

 
$
282,761

Investments
106,382

 
54,440

 
209,855

 
370,677

 
586,363

 
387,180

Other interest-earning assets
3,012

 

 

 
3,012

 

 

Total interest-sensitive assets (ISA)
2,135,626

 
270,054

 
520,292

 
2,925,972

 
1,987,458

 
669,941

Certificates of deposit
373,426

 
146,037

 
231,283

 
750,746

 
338,488

 
6,488

Other deposits
2,595,780

 

 

 
2,595,780

 

 

Borrowings
698,899

 
7,595

 
50,179

 
756,673

 
81,192

 
5,302

Total interest-sensitive liabilities (ISL)
3,668,105

 
153,632

 
281,462

 
4,103,199

 
419,680

 
11,790

Gap
$
(1,532,479
)
 
$
116,422

 
$
238,830

 
$
(1,177,227
)
 
$
1,567,778

 
$
658,151

ISA/ISL
0.58

 
1.76

 
1.85

 
0.71

 
4.74

 
56.82

Gap/Total assets
24.66
%
 
1.87
%
 
3.84
%
 
18.94
%
 
25.23
%
 
10.59
%
Gap analysis has limitations due to the static nature of the model that holds volumes and consumer behaviors constant in all economic and interest rate scenarios. A lower level of rate sensitive assets to rate sensitive liabilities repricing in one year could indicate reduced net interest income in a rising interest rate scenario, and conversely, increased net interest income in a declining interest rate scenario. However, the gap analysis incorporates only the level of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and not the sensitivity each has to changes in interest rates. The impact of the sensitivity to changes in interest rates is provided in the table below the gap analysis.
The following table presents an analysis of the potential sensitivity of our annual net interest income to gradual changes in interest rates over a 12 month time frame versus if rates remained unchanged utilizing a flat balance sheet.
 
 
Net interest income change (12 months)
 
-200
 
-100
 
+100
 
+200
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2014
$
(5,280
)
 
$
(1,414
)
 
$
211

 
$
869

December 31, 2013
(8,878
)
 
(4,355
)
 
(833
)
 
(646
)
The following table represents the potential sensitivity of our annual net interest income to immediate changes in interest rates versus if rates remained unchanged utilizing a flat balance sheet.
 
Net interest income change (12 months)
 
-200
 
-100
 
+100
 
+200
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2014
$
(11,925
)
 
$
(6,532
)
 
$
577

 
$
1,511

The analysis and model used to quantify the sensitivity of our net interest income becomes less reliable in a decreasing 200 basis point scenario given the current unprecedented low interest rate environment. Results of the 100 and 200 basis point decline in interest rate scenario are affected by the fact that many of our interest-bearing liabilities are at rates below 1% and therefore cannot decline 100 or 200 basis points, yet our interest-sensitive assets are able to decline by these amounts. For the years 2014 and 2013, the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities averaged 0.41% and 0.48%, respectively, and the yield on our average interest-earning assets, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, averaged 3.59% and 3.79%, respectively.
The ALCO is responsible for the identification and management of interest rate risk exposure. As such, the ALCO continuously evaluates strategies to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.
Asset/liability models require that certain assumptions be made, such as prepayment rates on earning assets and the pricing impact on non-maturity deposits, which may differ from actual experience. These business assumptions are based upon our

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experience, business plans and published industry experience. While management believes such assumptions to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that modeled results will approximate actual results.
 
Credit Risk
First Commonwealth maintains an allowance for credit losses at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the date of each statement of financial condition. Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for credit losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses.
First Commonwealth’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses consists of several key elements. These elements include an assessment of individual impaired loans with a balance greater than $0.1 million, loss experience trends, delinquency and other relevant factors.
First Commonwealth also maintains a reserve for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit based upon credit risk and probability of funding. The reserve totaled $3.1 million at December 31, 2014, and is classified in “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and loans classified as troubled debt restructured loans. Nonaccrual loans represent loans on which interest accruals have been discontinued. Troubled debt restructured loans are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower, who could not obtain comparable terms from alternate financing sources. In 2014, 77 loans totaling $22.6 million were identified as troubled debt restructurings, resulting in specific reserves of $4.7 million.
We discontinue interest accruals on a loan when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to fully collect principal or interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan. A loan is also placed in nonaccrual status when, based on regulatory definitions, the loan is maintained on a “cash basis” due to the weakened financial condition of the borrower. Generally, loans 90 days or more past due are placed on nonaccrual status, except for consumer loans which are placed in nonaccrual status at 150 days past due.
Nonperforming loans are closely monitored on an ongoing basis as part of our loan review and work-out process. The probable risk of loss on these loans is evaluated by comparing the loan balance to the estimated fair value of any underlying collateral or the present value of projected future cash flows. Losses or specifically assigned allowance for credit losses are recognized where appropriate.
The allowance for credit losses was $52.1 million at December 31, 2014 or 1.17% of loans outstanding, compared to $54.2 million or 1.27% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2013. The decrease in the 2014 ratio compared to the 2013 ratio can be primarily attributed to declines in the historical loss experience. In addition, as of December 31, 2014, several credit measures showed improvement compared to December 31, 2013. The level of criticized loans decreased $22.2 million from $162.4 million at December 31, 2013 to $140.1 million at December 31, 2014 and the level of nonperforming loans decreased $4.1 million for the same period.
The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 94% at December 31, 2014 and 91% as of December 31, 2013. The allowance for credit losses includes specific allocations of $9.5 million related to nonperforming loans covering 17% of the total nonperforming balance at December 31, 2014 and specific allocations of $8.8 million covering 15% of the total nonperforming balance at December 31, 2013. The amount of allowance related to nonperforming loans was determined by using estimated fair values obtained from current appraisals and updated discounted cash flow analyses.
 
Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is at a level that is sufficient to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2014.

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The following table provides information on net charge-offs and nonperforming loans by loan category: 
 
For the Period Ended December 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Net
Charge-offs
 
% of
Total Net
Charge-
offs
 
Net
Charge-offs
as a %
of Average
Loans
 
Nonperforming
Loans
 
% of Total
Nonperforming
Loans
 
Nonperforming
Loans as a % of
Total Loans
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
8,177

 
61.16
 %
 
0.19
 %
 
$
34,265

 
62.02
%
 
0.77
%
Real estate construction
(1,044
)
 
(7.81
)
 
(0.02
)
 
236

 
0.43

 
0.01

Residential real estate
2,503

 
18.72

 
0.06

 
11,140

 
20.16

 
0.24

Commercial real estate
536

 
4.01

 
0.01

 
9,322

 
16.87

 
0.21

Loans to individuals
3,198

 
23.92

 
0.07

 
288

 
0.52

 
0.01

Total loans, net of unearned income
$
13,370

 
100.00
 %
 
0.31
 %
 
$
55,251

 
100.00
%
 
1.24
%
As the above table illustrates, commercial real estate and commercial financial, agricultural and other loan categories were the most significant portions of the nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2014. See discussions related to the provision for credit losses and loans for more information.

Results of Operations—2013 Compared to 2012
Summary of 2013 Results
Net income for 2013 was $41.5 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, as compared to a net income of $42.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, in 2012. The improvement in performance in 2013 was primarily the result of a $1.3 million decrease in provision expenses, a decrease of $6.3 million related to loss on sale or write-down of assets, and a $4.3 million decrease in net interest income. Partially offsetting the aforementioned items are a $1.4 million decrease in net securities gains and a $3.3 million decrease in operational losses.
Our return on average equity was 5.7% and return on average assets was 0.68% for 2013, compared to 5.5% and 0.71%, respectively, for 2012.
Average diluted shares for the year 2013 were 7% less than the comparable period in 2012 primarily due to the common stock buyback program authorized during 2012.
Net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, for 2013 was $4.6 million, or 2%, lower than 2012, primarily due to a $169.4 million, or 4%, increase in average interest bearing liabilities and a 22 basis point decrease in the net interest margin. Positively affecting net interest income in 2013 was a $41.1 million increase in average net free funds. Average net free funds are the excess of demand deposits, other noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity over nonearning assets. Net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis was 3.39% in 2013 compared to 3.61% in 2012.
During the year-ended December 31, 2013, the net interest margin was challenged by the continuing low interest rate environment and decreasing rates earned on interest-earning assets. Despite a disciplined approach to pricing, runoff of existing assets earning higher interest rates continued to provide for lower yields on earning assets. Growth in earning assets helped offset the impact of runoff as average interest-earning assets increased $210.5 million, or 4%, compared to the comparable period in 2012.
The taxable equivalent yield on interest-earning assets was 3.79% for the year-ended December 31, 2013, a decrease of 39 basis points from the 4.18% yield for the same period in 2012. This decline was attributed to the repricing of our variable rate assets in a low rate environment as well as lower interest rates available on new investments and loans. Reductions in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities partially offset the impact of lower yields on interest-earning assets. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.48% for the year-ended December 31, 2013, compared to 0.70% for the same period in 2012.
Comparing the year-ended December 31, 2013 with the same period in 2012, changes in interest rates negatively impacted net interest income by $10.3 million. The lower yield on interest-earning assets adversely impacted net interest income by $20.4 million, while the decline in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities positively impacted net interest income by $10.1 million. We were able to partially mitigate the impact of lower interest rates and the effect on net interest income through improving the mix of deposits and borrowed funds, disciplined pricing strategies, loan growth and increasing our investment volumes within established interest rate risk management guidelines.

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While decreases in interest rates and yields compressed the net interest margin, increases in average earning assets and low cost average interest-bearing liabilities neutralized the effect on net interest income. Changes in volumes of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities positively impacted net interest income by $5.7 million in the year-ended December 31, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. Higher levels of interest-earning assets resulted in an increase of $7.4 million in interest income, while volume changes primarily attributed to the mix of deposits reduced interest expense by $1.7 million.

ITEM 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Information appearing in Item 7 of this report under the caption “Market Risk” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.


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ITEM 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands, except
share data)
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
72,276

 
$
74,427

Interest-bearing bank deposits
2,262

 
3,012

Securities available for sale, at fair value
1,309,819

 
1,318,365

Other investments
44,545

 
35,444

Loans held for sale
2,502

 

Loans:
 
 
 
Portfolio loans
4,457,308

 
4,283,833

Allowance for credit losses
(52,051
)
 
(54,225
)
Net loans
4,405,257

 
4,229,608

Premises and equipment, net
64,989

 
67,940

Other real estate owned
7,197

 
11,728

Goodwill
161,429

 
159,956

Amortizing intangibles, net
1,665

 
1,311

Bank owned life insurance
177,567

 
174,372

Other assets
110,777

 
138,698

Total assets
$
6,360,285

 
$
6,214,861

Liabilities
 
 
 
Deposits (all domestic):
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing
$
989,027

 
$
912,361

Interest-bearing
3,326,484

 
3,691,502

Total deposits
4,315,511

 
4,603,863

Short-term borrowings
1,105,876

 
626,615

Subordinated debentures
72,167

 
72,167

Other long-term debt
89,459

 
144,385

Total long-term debt
161,626

 
216,552

Other liabilities
61,127

 
56,134

Total liabilities
5,644,140

 
5,503,164

Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $1 par value per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

 

Common stock, $1 par value per share, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 105,563,455 shares issued as of December 31, 2014 and 2013; and 91,723,028 shares and 95,245,215 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively
105,563

 
105,563

Additional paid-in capital
365,615

 
365,333

Retained earnings
353,027

 
334,748

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net
(4,499
)
 
(20,588
)
Treasury stock (13,840,427 and 10,318,240 shares at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)
(103,561
)
 
(73,359
)
Total shareholders’ equity
716,145

 
711,697

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
6,360,285

 
$
6,214,861

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

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Table of Contents

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Interest Income
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
171,196

 
$
176,129

 
$
187,258

Interest and dividends on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable interest
28,767

 
29,916

 
31,695

Interest exempt from federal income taxes
311

 
4

 
12

Dividends
1,895

 
302

 
104

Interest on bank deposits
12

 
7

 
6

Total interest income
202,181

 
206,358

 
219,075

Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
12,453

 
15,596

 
21,454

Interest on short-term borrowings
2,449

 
1,262

 
1,070

Interest on subordinated debentures
2,292

 
3,128

 
5,684

Interest on other long-term debt
1,307

 
1,721

 
1,938

Total interest expense
18,501

 
21,707

 
30,146

Net Interest Income
183,680

 
184,651

 
188,929

Provision for credit losses
11,196

 
19,227

 
20,544

Net Interest Income after Provision for Credit Losses
172,484

 
165,424

 
168,385

Noninterest Income
 
 
 
 
 
Net securities gains (losses)
550

 
(1,158
)
 
192

Trust income
6,000

 
6,166

 
6,206

Service charges on deposit accounts
15,661

 
15,652

 
14,743

Insurance and retail brokerage commissions
6,483

 
6,005

 
6,272

Income from bank owned life insurance
5,502

 
5,539

 
5,850

Gain on sale of assets
4,996

 
2,153

 
4,607

Card related interchange income
14,222

 
13,746

 
13,199

Other income
7,445

 
12,060

 
14,365

Total noninterest income
60,859

 
60,163

 
65,434

Noninterest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
87,223

 
86,012

 
86,069

Net occupancy expense
13,119

 
13,607

 
13,255

Furniture and equipment expense
17,812

 
15,118

 
12,460

Data processing expense
6,124

 
6,009

 
7,054

Advertising and promotion expense
2,953

 
3,129

 
4,157

Contributions
1,431

 
784

 
1,195

Pennsylvania shares tax expense
3,776

 
5,638

 
5,706

Intangible amortization
631

 
1,064

 
1,467

Collection and repossession expense
2,754

 
3,836

 
5,756

Other professional fees and services
3,986

 
3,731

 
4,329

FDIC insurance
4,054

 
4,366

 
5,032

Loss on sale or write-down of assets
1,595

 
1,054

 
7,394

Litigation and operational losses
6,786

 
1,115

 
4,367

Loss on early redemption of subordinated debt

 
1,629

 

Conversion related expenses
1,788

 
2,588

 

Other operating expenses
17,178

 
19,144

 
18,966

Total noninterest expense
171,210

 
168,824

 
177,207

Income before income taxes
62,133

 
56,763

 
56,612

Income tax provision
17,680

 
15,281

 
14,658

Net Income
$
44,453

 
$
41,482

 
$
41,954

Average Shares Outstanding
93,114,654

 
97,028,157

 
103,885,396

Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution
93,114,654

 
97,029,832

 
103,885,663

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
$
0.48

 
$
0.43

 
$
0.40

Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
0.48

 
$
0.43

 
$
0.40

Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share
$
0.28

 
$
0.23

 
$
0.18

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

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FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net Income
$
44,453

 
$
41,482

 
$
41,954

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period
25,153

 
(34,975
)
 
(661
)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in net income
(550
)
 
1,158

 
(192
)
Unrealized gains on derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains on derivatives arising during the period
472

 

 

Reclassification adjustment for gains on derivatives included in net income
(10
)
 

 

Unrealized (losses) gains for postretirement obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Transition obligation

 

 
2

Net (loss) gain
(313
)
 
219

 
(300
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax expense (benefit)
24,752

 
(33,598
)
 
(1,151
)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)
8,663

 
(11,751
)
 
(409
)
Comprehensive Income
$
60,542

 
$
19,635

 
$
41,212

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements


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FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
net
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balance at December 31, 2013
95,245,215

 
$
105,563

 
$
365,333

 
$
334,748

 
$
(20,588
)
 
$
(73,359
)
 
$
711,697

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
44,453

 
 
 
 
 
44,453

Total other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16,089

 
 
 
16,089

Cash dividends declared ($0.28 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(26,174
)
 
 
 
 
 
(26,174
)
Discount on dividend reinvestment plan purchases
 
 
 
 
(65
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(65
)
Treasury stock acquired
(3,636,634
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(30,956
)
 
(30,956
)
Treasury stock reissued
21,960

 
 
 
35

 

 
 
 
157

 
192

Restricted stock
92,487

 

 
312

 

 
 
 
597

 
909

Balance at December 31, 2014
91,723,028

 
$
105,563

 
$
365,615

 
$
353,027

 
$
(4,499
)
 
$
(103,561
)
 
$
716,145

 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
net
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balance at December 31, 2012
99,629,494

 
$
105,563

 
$
365,354

 
$
315,608

 
$
1,259

 
$
(41,777
)
 
$
746,007

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
41,482

 
 
 
 
 
41,482

Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(21,847
)
 
 
 
(21,847
)
Cash dividends declared ($0.23 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(22,344
)
 
 
 
 
 
(22,344
)
Discount on dividend reinvestment plan purchases
 
 
 
 
(112
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(112
)
Treasury stock acquired
(4,462,638
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(32,217
)
 
(32,217
)
Treasury stock reissued
25,359

 
 
 

 

 
 
 
176

 
176

Restricted stock
53,000

 

 
91

 
2

 
 
 
459

 
552

Balance at December 31, 2013
95,245,215

 
$
105,563

 
$
365,333

 
$
334,748

 
$
(20,588
)
 
$
(73,359
)
 
$
711,697

 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
net
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Unearned
ESOP
Shares
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balance at December 31, 2011
104,916,994

 
$
105,563

 
$
365,868

 
$
294,056

 
$
2,001

 
$
(7,345
)
 
$
(1,600
)
 
$
758,543

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
41,954

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
41,954

Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(742
)
 
 
 
 
 
(742
)
Cash dividends declared ($0.18 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(18,759
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(18,759
)
Net decrease in unearned ESOP shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,600

 
1,600

ESOP market value adjustment ($729, net of $255 tax benefit)
 
 
 
 
(474
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(474
)
Discount on dividend reinvestment plan purchases
 
 
 
 
(92
)
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(92
)
Tax benefit of stock options exercised
 
 
 
 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

Treasury stock acquired
(5,662,700
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(37,464
)
 
 
 
(37,464
)
Treasury stock reissued
155,200

 
 
 

 
(379
)
 
 
 
1,407

 
 
 
1,028

Restricted stock
220,000

 

 
51

 
(1,264
)
 
 
 
1,625

 
 
 
412

Balance at December 31, 2012
99,629,494

 
$
105,563

 
$
365,354

 
$
315,608

 
$
1,259

 
$
(41,777
)
 
$

 
$
746,007

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
44,453

 
$
41,482

 
$
41,954

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for credit losses
11,196

 
19,227

 
20,544

Deferred tax expense
4,862

 
12,704

 
2,551

Depreciation and amortization
13,721

 
11,090

 
7,912

Net losses on securities and other assets
2,832

 
431

 
1,838

Net amortization of premiums and discounts on securities
2,233

 
543

 
1,381

Net amortization of premiums and discounts on long-term debt
(37
)
 
(117
)
 
(113
)
Income from increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
(5,275
)
 
(5,539
)
 
(5,850
)
Mortgage loans originated for sale
(17,697
)
 

 

Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans
15,598

 

 

Decrease in interest receivable
542

 
921

 
2,689

Decrease in interest payable
(404
)
 
(1,172
)
 
(1,280
)
Decrease in prepaid FDIC insurance

 
9,205

 
4,693

Decrease (increase) in income taxes payable
1,860

 
(615
)
 
6,484

Other—net
8,253

 
(2,426
)
 
(4,079
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
82,137

 
85,734

 
78,724

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Transactions with securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales
132,868

 
671

 

Proceeds from maturities and redemptions
242,895

 
356,667

 
574,846

Purchases
(339,649
)
 
(539,894
)
 
(605,435
)
Purchases of FHLB stock
(40,920
)
 
(18,120
)
 

Proceeds from the redemption of FHLB stock
31,819

 
10,904

 
11,568

Proceeds from bank owned life insurance
2,080

 
2,092

 
2,501

Proceeds from the sale of loans
3,112

 
20,760

 
15,981

Proceeds from sales of other assets
12,882

 
12,713

 
17,660

Acquisition, net of cash acquired
(3,042
)
 

 

Net increase in loans
(195,120
)
 
(143,438
)
 
(178,321
)
Purchases of premises and equipment
(10,980
)
 
(9,635
)
 
(10,182
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(164,055
)
 
(307,280
)
 
(171,382
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in federal funds purchased
(7,000
)
 
(18,000
)
 
(41,300
)
Net increase in other short-term borrowings
486,261

 
288,387

 
84,750

Net (decrease) increase in deposits
(288,352
)
 
46,006

 
53,256

Repayments of other long-term debt
(59,889
)
 
(29,969
)
 
(25,480
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
5,000

 

 
100,000

Repayments of subordinated debentures

 
(34,702
)
 

Discount on dividend reinvestment plan purchases
(65
)
 
(112
)
 
(92
)
Dividends paid
(26,174
)
 
(22,344
)
 
(18,759
)
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock
192

 
176

 
1,028

Purchase of treasury stock
(30,956
)
 
(33,439
)
 
(36,242
)
Stock option tax benefit

 

 
1

Net cash provided by financing activities
79,017

 
196,003

 
117,162

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(2,901
)
 
(25,543
)
 
24,504

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
77,439

 
102,982

 
78,478

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31
$
74,538

 
$
77,439

 
$
102,982

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Statement of Accounting Policies
General
The following summary of accounting and reporting policies is presented to aid the reader in obtaining a better understanding of the consolidated financial statements of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries (“First Commonwealth”) contained in this report.
The financial information is presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and general practice for financial institutions in the United States of America. In preparing financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, these estimates and assumptions affect revenues and expenses in the financial statements and as such, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Through its subsidiaries, which include one commercial bank, an insurance agency and a financial advisor, First Commonwealth provides a full range of loan, deposit, trust, insurance and personal financial planning services primarily to individuals and small to middle market businesses in fifteen counties in central and western Pennsylvania. First Commonwealth has determined that it has one business segment.
First Commonwealth is subject to regulations of certain state and federal agencies. These regulatory agencies periodically examine First Commonwealth for adherence to laws and regulations.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of First Commonwealth previously defined above. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Equity investments of less than a majority but at least 20% ownership are accounted for by the equity method and classified as “Other assets.” Earnings on these investments are reflected in “Other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income, as appropriate, in the period earned.
First Commonwealth’s variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are evaluated under the guidance included in ASU 2009-17. These VIEs include qualified affordable housing projects that First Commonwealth has invested in as part of its community reinvestment initiatives and vehicles that issue trust preferred securities. We periodically assess whether or not our variable interests in these VIEs, based on qualitative analysis, provide us with a controlling interest in the VIE. The analysis includes an assessment of the characteristics of the VIE. We do not have a controlling financial interest in the VIE, which would require consolidation of the VIE, as we do not have the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Securities
Debt securities that First Commonwealth has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities held to maturity and are reported at amortized cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount on a level yield basis. Debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are to be classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities are classified as securities available for sale and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses that are not related to impairment excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive income, which is included in shareholders’ equity, net of deferred taxes.
First Commonwealth has securities classified as available for sale and does not engage in trading activities. First Commonwealth utilizes the specific identification method to determine the net gain or loss on debt securities and the average cost method to determine the net gain or loss on the equity securities.
First Commonwealth conducts a comprehensive review of the investment portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. Issuer-specific securities whose market values have fallen below their book values are initially selected for more in-depth analysis based on the percentage decline in value and duration of the decline. Issuer-specific securities include obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises, single issue trust preferred securities, corporate debentures and obligations of states and political subdivisions. Further analysis of these securities includes a review of research reports, analysts’ recommendations, credit rating changes, news stories, annual reports, impact of interest rate changes and any other relevant information pertaining to the affected security. Pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations are measured by evaluating all relevant credit and structural aspects, determining appropriate performance

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assumptions and performing a discounted cash flow analysis. This evaluation includes detailed credit, performance and structural evaluations for each piece of collateral. Other factors in the pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations valuation include terms of the structure, the cash flow waterfall (for both interest and principal), the over collateralization and interest coverage tests and events of default/liquidation. Based on this review, a determination is made on a case by case basis as to a potential impairment. Declines in the fair value of individual securities below their cost that are not expected to be recovered will result in write-downs of the individual securities to their fair value. The related write-downs are included in earnings as impairment losses.
Loans
Loans are carried at the principal amount outstanding. Interest is accrued as earned. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value determined on an individual basis.
First Commonwealth considers a loan to be past due and still accruing interest when payment of interest or principal is contractually past due but the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. For installment, mortgage, term and other loans with amortizing payments that are scheduled monthly, 90 days past due is reached when four monthly payments are due and unpaid. For demand, time and other multi-payment obligations with payments scheduled other than monthly, delinquency status is calculated using number of days instead of number of payments. Revolving credit loans, including personal credit lines and home equity lines, are considered to be 90 days past due when the borrower has not made the minimum payment for four monthly cycles.
A loan is placed in nonaccrual status when, based on current information and events, it is probable that First Commonwealth will be unable to fully collect principal or interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan. A loan is also placed in nonaccrual status when, based on regulatory definitions, the loan is maintained on a “cash basis” due to the weakened financial condition of the borrower. When a determination is made to place a loan in nonaccrual status, all accrued and unpaid interest is reversed. Nonaccrual loans are restored to accrual status when, based on a sustained period of repayment by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan, First Commonwealth expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest or when the loan otherwise becomes well-secured and in the process of collection.
First Commonwealth considers a loan to be a troubled debt restructured loan when the loan terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the financial difficulties experienced by the borrower, who could not obtain comparable terms from alternate financing sources.
A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that First Commonwealth will be unable to collect principal or interest that is due in accordance with contractual terms of the loan. Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans and troubled debt restructured loans. Loan impairment is measured based on the present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
For loans other than those that First Commonwealth expects repayment through liquidation of the collateral, when the remaining recorded investment in the impaired loan is less than or equal to the present value of the expected cash flows, income is applied as a reduction to loan principal rather than interest income.
Loans deemed uncollectible are charged off through the allowance for credit losses. Factors considered in assessing ultimate collectibility include past due status, financial condition of the borrower, collateral values and debt covenants including secondary sources of repayment by guarantors. Payments received on previously charged off loans are recorded as recoveries in the allowance for credit losses.
Loan Fees
Loan origination and commitment fees, net of associated direct costs, are deferred and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment to the related loan yield on the interest method, generally over the contractual life of the related loans or commitments.
Other Real Estate Owned
Real estate, other than bank premises, is recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at the time of acquisition.   After that time, other real estate is carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is determined based on an independent appraisal. Expenses related to holding the property and rental income earned on the property are generally reflected in earnings in the current period. Depreciation is not recorded on the other real estate owned properties.

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Allowance for Credit Losses
First Commonwealth maintains an allowance for credit losses at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses that are inherent in the loan portfolio. First Commonwealth’s management determines and reviews with the Board of Directors the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for credit losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. First Commonwealth’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses consists of several key elements. These elements include an assessment of individual problem loans, delinquency and loss experience trends, and other relevant factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant changes.
The major loan classifications used in the allowance for credit losses calculation include pass, other assets especially mentioned (“OAEM”), substandard and doubtful. Additional information related to these credit quality categories is provided in Note 10, "Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses."
First Commonwealth consistently applies the following comprehensive methodology and procedure for determining the allowance for credit losses.
All impaired credits in excess of $100 thousand are individually reviewed quarterly. A specific reserve is established for impaired loans that is equal to the total amount of probable unconfirmed losses for the impaired loans that are reviewed. Based on this reserve as a percentage of reviewed loan balances, a reserve is also established for the impaired loan balances that are not individually reviewed.

The allowance calculation uses historical charge-off trends to estimate probable unconfirmed losses for each loan category. A multiplier known as the emergence factor is applied to the historical loss rates for non-criticized loans. The emergence factor is calculated by loan category and represents the average time period from when a loan was given a non-pass rating until the bank experiences a charge-off against the loan.. Before applying the adjusted historical loss experience percentages, loan balances are reduced by the portion of the loan balances which are subject to guarantee by a government agency.
An additional component of the allowance is determined by management based on a qualitative analysis of certain factors related to portfolio risks and economic conditions. Factors considered by management include employment trends, macroeconomic trends, commercial real estate trends and the overall lending environment. Portfolio risks include unusual changes or recent trends in specific portfolios such as unexpected changes in the trends or levels of delinquency. No matter how detailed an analysis of potential credit losses is performed, these estimates are inherently not precise. Management must make estimates using assumptions and information that is often subjective and changes rapidly.
Allowance for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
First Commonwealth maintains an allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposure at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses that are inherent to off-balance sheet credit risk. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis, charging the provision against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. The Company’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposure consists of analysis of historical usage trends as well as loss history and probability of default rates related to the off-balance sheet category. The calculation begins with historical usage trends related to lines of credit as well as letters of credit and then utilizes those figures to determine the probable usage of available lines. These values are then adjusted by a determined probability of default as well as a loss given default. This amount is adjusted quarterly and reported as part of other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
First Commonwealth and the banks that First Commonwealth has acquired have purchased insurance on the lives of certain groups of employees. The policies accumulate asset values to meet future liabilities, including the payment of employee benefits such as health care. Increases in the cash surrender value are recorded as non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Under some of these policies, the beneficiaries receive a portion of the death benefit. The net present value of the future death benefits scheduled to be paid to the beneficiaries was $3.9 million and $3.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is reflected in "Other Liabilities" on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation on First Commonwealth’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful life of the asset. A straight-line depreciation method was used for substantially all furniture and equipment. The straight-line depreciation method was used for buildings and improvements. Charges for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Leasehold improvements are expensed over the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.

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Software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period not to exceed seven years.
Goodwill
Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting consist of goodwill and other intangible assets (see “Other Intangible Assets” section below). Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to at least annual assessments for impairment by applying a fair value based test. First Commonwealth reviews goodwill annually and again at any quarter-end if a material event occurs during the quarter that may affect goodwill. If goodwill testing is required, an assessment of qualitative factors can be completed before performing the two step goodwill impairment test. If an assessment of qualitative factors determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then the two step goodwill impairment test is not required. Goodwill is evaluated for potential impairment by determining if our fair value has fallen below carrying value.
Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets consist of core deposits and customer lists obtained through acquisitions. Core deposit intangibles are amortized over their estimated lives using the present value of the benefit of the core deposits and straight-line methods of amortization. Customer list intangibles are amortized over the expected lives using expected cash flows based on retention of the customer base. These intangibles are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
First Commonwealth reviews long-lived assets, such as premises and equipment and intangibles, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These changes in circumstances may include a significant decrease in the market value of an asset or the extent or manner in which an asset is used. If there is an indication that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset are estimated. If the sum of the expected cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Depreciation or amortization is discontinued on long-lived assets classified as held for sale.
Income Taxes
First Commonwealth records taxes in accordance with the asset and liability method of FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases given the provisions of the enacted tax laws. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by the amount of such benefits that are more likely than not expected to be realized based upon available evidence. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, interest or penalties incurred for taxes will be recorded as a component of noninterest expense.
Comprehensive Income Disclosures
“Other Comprehensive Income” (comprehensive income, excluding net income) includes the after-tax effect of changes in unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, changes in the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans and changes in the fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Comprehensive income is reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, net of tax.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing bank deposits. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Accounting treatment for First Commonwealth’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) described in Note 22 “Unearned ESOP Shares” follows FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” for ESOP shares acquired after December 31, 1992 (“new shares”). First Commonwealth’s ESOP borrowed funds were guaranteed by First Commonwealth. The ESOP shares purchased subject to the debt guaranteed by First Commonwealth were recorded as a reduction of common shareholders’ equity by recording unearned ESOP shares. Shares were committed to be released to the ESOP Trust for allocation to plan participants through loan payments. As the shares were committed to be released, the unearned ESOP shares account was credited for the average cost of the shares collateralizing the ESOP borrowed funds. Compensation cost was recognized for these shares in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718 and was based upon the fair market

55

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value of the shares that were committed to be released. Additional paid-in capital was charged or credited for the difference between the fair value of the shares committed to be released and the cost of those shares to the ESOP. The borrowed funds related to the unearned ESOP shares were paid off in November 2012.
Dividends on unallocated ESOP shares were used for debt service and are reported as a reduction of debt and accrued interest payable. Dividends on allocated ESOP shares were charged to retained earnings and allocated or paid to the plan participants. The average number of common shares outstanding used in calculating earnings per share excludes all unallocated ESOP shares.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
First Commonwealth accounts for derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” All derivatives are evaluated at inception as to whether or not they are hedging or non-hedging activities, and appropriate documentation is maintained to support the final determination. First Commonwealth recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and measures those instruments at fair value. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness would be recognized in the income statement line item pertaining to the hedged item. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value of the effective portion of the cash flow hedges are reported in OCI. When the cash flows associated with the hedged item are realized, the gain or loss included in OCI is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
When First Commonwealth purchases a portion of a commercial loan that has an existing interest rate swap, it enters a Risk Participation Agreement with the counterparty and assumes the credit risk of the loan customer related to the swap. Any fee paid to First Commonwealth as a result of the risk participation agreement is offset by credit risk of the counterparties and is recognized in the income statement. Credit risk on the risk participation agreements is determined after considering the risk rating, probability of default and loss given default of the counterparties.
Management periodically reviews contracts from various functional areas of First Commonwealth to identify potential derivatives embedded within selected contracts. As of December 31, 2014, First Commonwealth has interest derivative positions that are not designated as hedging instruments. See Note 7, “Derivatives,” for a description of these instruments.
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period less any unallocated ESOP shares.
Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. For all periods presented, the dilutive effect on average shares outstanding is the result of compensatory stock options outstanding and unvested restricted stock grants.
Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” First Commonwealth groups financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value into three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
Level 1—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 securities include equity holdings comprised of publicly traded bank stocks which were priced using quoted market prices.
Level 2—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained for identical or comparable assets or liabilities from alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Level 2 securities include U.S. Government securities issued by Agencies and Sponsored Enterprises, Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions, certain corporate securities, FHLB stock, interest rate derivatives that include interest rate swaps, risk participation agreements and foreign currency contracts, certain other real estate owned and certain impaired loans.
Level 3—Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer or broker traded transactions. If the inputs used to provide the evaluation are unobservable and/or there is very little, if any, market activity for the security or similar securities, the securities would be considered Level 3 securities. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or

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liabilities. The assets included in Level 3 are select Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions, corporate securities, pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations, nonmarketable equity investments, certain other real estate owned, certain impaired loans and loans held for sale.
In general, fair values of financial instruments are based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon pricing models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and our creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. See Note 19 “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities” for additional information.

Note 2—New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01, "Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323)," which permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. The proportional amortization method allows an entity to amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). This amendment is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, "Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40)." This amendment clarifies that an in-substance repossession or foreclosure occurs and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of property 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. Interim and annual disclosure of both the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and 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 are required. This amendment is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and for interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360)." This amendment changes the reporting requirements for discontinued operations. A disposal of a component of an entity or group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift resulting in a major effect on the entity's operations and financial results when any of the following occurs: (1) the component or group of components of an entity meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, (2) the component or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale, or (3) the component or group of components of an entity is disposed of other than by sale. If one of these criteria are met, the entity will present the assets and liabilities of a disposal group that includes a discontinued operation separately in the asset and liability sections of the statement of financial position for each comparative period along with additional footnote disclosure. This amendment is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In May 2014, the FASB issued Update No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is not permitted. First Commonwealth is evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on financial condition and results of operation..
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, "Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860)," which requires two accounting changes. One changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions to secured borrowing accounting and the other requires separate accounting for a transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty in regards to repurchase financing arrangements, which will result in secured borrowing accounting for the repurchase agreement. The ASU requires disclosure for certain transactions comprising a transfer of a financial asset accounted

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for as a sale and an agreement with the same transferee entered into in contemplation of the initial transfer that results in the transferor retaining substantially all of the exposure to economic return. The amendment also requires disclosure for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowings. This amendment will be effective for public entities for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)," which requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. This amendment is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with earlier adoption permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-14, "Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure." These amendments address the diversity in practice regarding the classification and measurement of foreclosed loans which were part of a government-sponsored loan guarantee program (e.g., HUD, FHA, VA). The ASU outlines certain criteria that, if met, the loan (residential or commercial) should be derecognized and a separate other receivable should be recorded upon foreclosure at the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. This ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted, provided the entity has adopted ASU 2014-04. The ASU should be adopted either prospectively or on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Topic 205-40)," which requires management to evaluate, for each annual and interim period, whether conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. When management identifies conditions or events that raise substantial doubt regarding an entity's ability to continue as a going concern, management should consider whether its plans that are intended to mitigate those relevant conditions or events will alleviate the substantial doubt. Certain footnote disclosures are required, the nature of which depends on if substantial doubt is alleviated as a result of consideration of management's plan. This amendment is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016 and for annual and interim periods thereafter. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.


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Note 3—Supplemental Comprehensive Income Disclosures
The following table identifies the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as of December 31. Reclassification adjustments related to securities available for sale are included in the "Net securities gains" line in the Consolidated Statements of Income and reclassification adjustments related to losses on derivatives are included in the "Other operating expenses" line in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Pretax Amount
 
Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
Net of Tax Amount
 
Pretax Amount
 
Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
Net of Tax Amount
 
Pretax Amount
 
Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
Net of Tax Amount
 
(dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period
$
25,153

 
$
(8,803
)
 
$
16,350

 
$
(34,975
)
 
$
12,233

 
$
(22,742
)
 
$
(661
)
 
$
238

 
$
(423
)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in net income
(550
)
 
193

 
(357
)
 
1,158

 
(405
)
 
753

 
(192
)
 
67

 
(125
)
Total unrealized gains (losses) on securities
24,603

 
(8,610
)
 
15,993

 
(33,817
)
 
11,828

 
(21,989
)
 
(853
)
 
305

 
(548
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains on derivatives arising during the period
472

 
(165
)
 
307

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reclassification adjustment for gains on derivatives included in net income
(10
)
 
3

 
(7
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Total unrealized gains on derivatives
462

 
(162
)
 
300

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized (losses) gains for postretirement obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transition obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 
2

 
(1
)
 
1

Net (loss) gain
(313
)
 
109

 
(204
)
 
219

 
(77
)
 
142

 
(300
)
 
105

 
(195
)
Total unrealized (losses) gains for postretirement obligations
(313
)
 
109

 
(204
)
 
219

 
(77
)
 
142

 
(298
)
 
104

 
(194
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
$
24,752

 
$
(8,663
)
 
$
16,089

 
$
(33,598
)
 
$
11,751

 
$
(21,847
)
 
$
(1,151
)
 
$
409

 
$
(742
)


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The following table details the change in components of OCI for the year-ended December 31:

 
2014
 
Securities Available for Sale
 
Derivatives
 
Post-Retirement Obligation
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1
$
(20,868
)
 
$

 
$
280

 
$
(20,588
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustment
16,350

 
307

 
 
 
16,657

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(357
)
 
(7
)
 
 
 
(364
)
Transition obligation
 
 
 
 

 

Net gain
 
 
 
 
(204
)
 
(204
)
Net other comprehensive income during the period
15,993

 
300

 
(204
)
 
16,089

Balance at December 31
$
(4,875
)
 
$
300

 
$
76

 
$
(4,499
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
Securities Available for Sale
 
Derivatives
 
Post-Retirement Obligation
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1
$
1,121

 
$

 
$
138

 
$
1,259

Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustment
(22,742
)
 

 
 
 
(22,742
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
753

 

 
 
 
753

Transition obligation
 
 
 
 

 

Net gain
 
 
 
 
142

 
142

Net other comprehensive income during the period
(21,989
)
 

 
142

 
(21,847
)
Balance at December 31
$
(20,868
)
 
$

 
$
280

 
$
(20,588
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
Securities Available for Sale
 
Derivatives
 
Post-Retirement Obligation
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1
$
1,669

 
$

 
$
332

 
$
2,001

Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustment
(423
)
 

 
 
 
(423
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(125
)
 

 
 
 
(125
)
Transition obligation
 
 
 
 
1

 
1

Net gain
 
 
 
 
(195
)
 
(195
)
Net other comprehensive income during the period
(548
)
 

 
(194
)
 
(742
)
Balance at December 31
$
1,121

 
$

 
$
138

 
$
1,259



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Note 4—Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
The following table presents information related to cash paid during the year for interest and income taxes as well as detail on non-cash investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
$
18,943

 
$
23,022

 
$
31,597

Income taxes
10,700

 
3,080

 
11,641

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
ESOP loan reductions
$

 
$

 
$
1,600

Loans transferred to other real estate owned and repossessed assets
5,061

 
12,326

 
4,979

Other real estate owned sold and settled out of period

 
348

 

Fair value of loans transferred from held to maturity to available for sale
3,035

 
20,135

 

Gross increase (decrease) in market value adjustment to securities available for sale
24,601

 
(33,792
)
 
(874
)
Unsettled treasury stock repurchases

 

 
1,222

Contribution of premises
682

 

 


Note 5—Earnings per Share
The following table summarizes the composition of the weighted-average common shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the years ending December 31:
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted average common shares issued
105,563,455

 
105,563,455

 
105,563,455

Average treasury shares
(12,294,217
)
 
(8,363,083
)
 
(1,456,953
)
Averaged unearned ESOP shares

 

 
(38,393
)
Average unearned nonvested shares
(154,584
)
 
(172,215
)
 
(182,713
)
Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate basic earnings per share
93,114,654

 
97,028,157

 
103,885,396

Additional common stock equivalents (nonvested stock) used to calculate diluted earnings per share

 
1,675

 
171

Additional common stock equivalents (stock options) used to calculate diluted earnings per share

 

 
96

Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate diluted earnings per share
93,114,654

 
97,029,832

 
103,885,663

The following table shows the number of shares and the price per share related to common stock equivalents that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.
 
12/31/2014
 
12/31/2013
 
12/31/2012
 
 
 
Price Range
 
 
 
Price Range
 
 
 
Price Range
 
Shares
 
From
 
To
 
Shares
 
From
 
To
 
Shares
 
From
 
To
Stock Options
15,000

 
$
14.55

 
$
14.55

 
27,000

 
$
14.41

 
$
14.55

 
268,630

 
$
6.90

 
$
14.55

Restricted Stock
106,977

 
5.26

 
9.26

 
81,770

 
4.41

 
7.57

 
163,509

 
5.26

 
6.82


Note 6—Cash and Due from Banks
Regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System impose uniform reserve requirements on all depository institutions with transaction accounts, such as checking accounts and NOW accounts. Reserves are maintained in the form of vault cash or balances held with the Federal Reserve Bank. First Commonwealth Bank maintained average balances of $4.9 million during 2014 and $2.9 million during 2013 with the Federal Reserve Bank.

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Note 7—Derivatives
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
First Commonwealth is a party to interest rate derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments. These derivatives relate to interest rate swaps that First Commonwealth enters into with customers to allow customers to convert variable rate loans to a fixed rate. First Commonwealth pays interest to the customer at a floating rate on the notional amount and receives interest from the customer at a fixed rate for the same notional amount. At the same time the interest rate swap is entered into with the customer, an offsetting interest rate swap is entered into with another financial institution. First Commonwealth pays the other financial institution interest at the same fixed rate on the same notional amount as the swap entered into with the customer, and receives interest from the financial institution for the same floating rate on the same notional amount. The changes in the fair value of the swaps offset each other, except for the credit risk of the counterparties, which is determined by taking into consideration the risk rating, probability of default and loss given default for all counterparties.
We have thirteen risk participation agreements with financial institution counterparties for interest rate swaps related to loans in which we are a participant. The risk participation agreements provide credit protection to the financial institution should the borrower fail to perform on its interest rate derivative contract with the financial institution. We have three risk participation agreements with financial institution counterparties for interest rate swaps related to loans in which we are the lead bank. The risk participation agreement provides credit protection to us should the borrower fail to perform on its interest rate derivative contract with us.
First Commonwealth is also party to interest rate caps that are not designated as hedging instruments. These derivatives relate to contracts that First Commonwealth enters into with loan customers providing a maximum interest rate on their variable rate loan. At the same time the interest rate cap is entered into with the customer, First Commonwealth enters into an offsetting interest rate cap with another financial institution. The notional amount and maximum interest rate on both interest cap contracts are identical.
The fee received, less the estimate of the loss for the credit exposure, was recognized in earnings at the time of the transaction.
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company entered into two interest rate swap contracts which were designated as cash flow hedges. Both of the interest rate swaps have a notional amount of $50.0 million with a maturity of three years on one and four years on the other. The Company's risk management objective for these hedges is to reduce its exposure to variability in expected future cash flows related to interest payments on commercial loans benchmarked to the 1-month LIBOR rate. Therefore, the interest rate swaps convert the interest payments on the first $100.0 million of 1-month LIBOR based commercial loans into fixed rate payments.
The periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps is recorded as an adjustment to "Interest and fees on loans" in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2014, interest income was increased by $0.3 million as a result of these interest rate swaps. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedges are reported in OCI. When the cash flows associated with the hedged item are realized, the gain or loss included in OCI is recognized in Interest and fees on loans, the same line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income as the income on the hedged items. The cash flow hedges were highly effective at December 31, 2014, and changes in the fair value attributed to hedge ineffectiveness were not material. There were no cash flow hedges at December 31, 2013.


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The following table depicts the credit value adjustment recorded related to the notional amount of derivatives outstanding as well as the notional amount of risk participation agreements participated to other banks at December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
Credit value adjustment
$
(268
)
 
$
77

Notional Amount:
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
273,388

 
274,718

Interest rate caps
6,656

 
7,500

Risk participation agreements
113,624

 
82,197

Sold credit protection on risk participation agreements
(17,296
)
 
(19,161
)
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
Fair value adjustment
472

 

Notional Amount - Interest rate derivatives
100,000

 

The table below presents the amount representing the change in the fair value of derivative assets and derivative liabilities attributable to credit risk included in “Other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Non-hedging interest rate derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) increase in other income
$
(345
)
 
$
1,428

 
$
755

Hedging interest rate derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in interest income
330

 

 

Increase in other income
10

 

 

The fair value of our derivatives is included in a table in Note 19, “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities,” in the line items “Other assets” and “Other liabilities.”


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Note 8—Investment Securities
Below is an analysis of the amortized cost and fair values of securities available for sale at December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
$
23,344

 
$
2,595

 
$
(3
)
 
$
25,936

 
$
22,639

 
$
2,624

 
$
(59
)
 
$
25,204

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
947,635

 
13,076

 
(9,830
)
 
950,881

 
1,009,519

 
12,531

 
(27,163
)
 
994,887

Mortgage-Backed Securities – Commercial
72

 
2

 

 
74

 
104

 
1

 

 
105

Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises
269,181

 
4

 
(1,308
)
 
267,877

 
267,971

 
81

 
(1,927
)
 
266,125

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
27,058

 
362

 
(43
)
 
27,377

 
80

 

 

 
80

Corporate Securities
6,682

 
573

 

 
7,255

 
6,693

 
328

 

 
7,021

Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations
41,926

 
309

 
(13,236
)
 
28,999

 
42,040

 

 
(18,517
)
 
23,523

Total Debt Securities
1,315,898

 
16,921

 
(24,420
)
 
1,308,399

 
1,349,046

 
15,565

 
(47,666
)
 
1,316,945

Equities
1,420

 

 

 
1,420

 
1,420

 

 

 
1,420

Total Securities Available for Sale
$
1,317,318

 
$
16,921

 
$
(24,420
)
 
$
1,309,819

 
$
1,350,466

 
$
15,565

 
$
(47,666
)
 
$
1,318,365


Mortgage backed securities include mortgage backed obligations of U.S. Government agencies and obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises. These obligations have contractual maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately 30 years with lower anticipated lives to maturity due to prepayments. All mortgage backed securities contain a certain amount of risk related to the uncertainty of prepayments of the underlying mortgages. Interest rate changes have a direct impact upon prepayment speeds; therefore, First Commonwealth uses computer simulation models to test the average life and yield volatility of all mortgage backed securities under various interest rate scenarios to monitor the potential impact on earnings and interest rate risk positions.
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Other fixed income securities within the portfolio also contain prepayment risk.
During 2014, a gain of $0.5 million was recognized as the result of a recovery on a trust preferred security for which a $1.3 million loss was recognized in 2013 due to the early redemption of a pooled trust preferred security with a book value of $6.6 million. Senior note holders elected to liquidate all assets of the trust, resulting in losses for the mezzanine notes owned by First Commonwealth. The gain recognized in 2014 was a result of additional proceeds distributed as part of the final liquidation of the trust.
In 2012, $5.1 million in single issue trust preferred securities and $0.2 million in pooled trust preferred securities were called by their issuers, providing security gains of $0.2 million.

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The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(dollars in thousands)
Due within 1 year
$
3,000

 
$
2,998

Due after 1 but within 5 years
266,181

 
264,879

Due after 5 but within 10 years
21,849

 
22,104

Due after 10 years
53,817

 
41,527

 
344,847

 
331,508

Mortgage-Backed Securities (a)
971,051

 
976,891

Total Debt Securities
$
1,315,898

 
$
1,308,399

 
(a)
Mortgage Backed Securities include an amortized cost of $23.3 million and a fair value of $25.9 million for Obligations of U.S. Government agencies issued by Ginnie Mae and Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which had an amortized cost of $947.7 million and a fair value of $951.0 million.
Proceeds from sales, gross gains (losses) realized on sales, maturities and other-than-temporary impairment charges related to securities available for sale were as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Proceeds from sales
$
132,868

 
$
671

 
$

Gross (losses) gains realized:
 
 
 
 
 
Sales Transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
$
291

 
$
233

 
$

Gross losses
(243
)
 

 

 
48

 
233

 

Maturities and impairment
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
502

 
4

 
192

Gross losses

 
(1,395
)
 

Other-than-temporary impairment

 

 

 
502

 
(1,391
)
 
192

Net gains and impairment
$
550

 
$
(1,158
)
 
$
192

Securities available for sale with an approximate fair value of $563.2 million and $594.9 million were pledged as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

Note 9—Impairment of Investment Securities
Securities Available for Sale
As required by FASB ASC Topic 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities,” credit related other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities is recognized in earnings while non-credit related other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities not expected to be sold is recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, no other-than-temporary impairment charges were recognized.
First Commonwealth utilizes the specific identification method to determine the net gain or loss on debt securities and the average cost method to determine the net gain or loss on equity securities.
We review our investment portfolio on a quarterly basis for indications of impairment. This review includes analyzing the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been lower than the cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer and whether we are more likely than not to sell the security. We evaluate whether we are more likely than not to sell debt securities based upon our investment strategy for the particular type of security and our cash flow needs, liquidity position, capital adequacy, tax position

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and interest rate risk position. In addition, the risk of future other-than-temporary impairment may be influenced by additional bank failures, weakness in the U.S. economy, changes in real estate values and additional interest deferrals in our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations. Our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations are beneficial interests in securitized financial assets within the scope of FASB ASC Topic 325, “Investments—Other,” and are therefore evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment using management’s best estimate of future cash flows. If these estimated cash flows determine it is probable that an adverse change in cash flows has occurred, then other-than-temporary impairment would be recognized in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 320. There is a risk that First Commonwealth will record other-than-temporary impairment charges in the future. See Note 19, “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities,” for additional information.
The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values at December 31, 2014 by investment category and time frame for which the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
$
2,318

 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
2,318

 
$
(3
)
Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
111,646

 
(419
)
 
368,706

 
(9,411
)
 
480,352

 
(9,830
)
Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises
112,473

 
(229
)
 
130,401

 
(1,079
)
 
242,874

 
(1,308
)
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
3,146

 
(43
)
 

 

 
3,146

 
(43
)
Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations

 

 
24,356

 
(13,236
)
 
24,356

 
(13,236
)
Total Securities Available for Sale
$
229,583

 
$
(694
)
 
$
523,463

 
$
(23,726
)
 
$
753,046

 
$
(24,420
)
 
At December 31, 2014, pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations accounted for 54% of unrealized losses due to changes in interest rates and the illiquid market for this type of investment. Fixed income securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises comprised 46% of total unrealized losses due to changes in market interest rates. There were no equity securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2014.

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value at December 31, 2013 for available-for-sale and securities by investment category and time frame for which the securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position: 
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
$
2,035

 
$
(59
)
 
$

 
$


$
2,035

 
$
(59
)
Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
632,231

 
(22,844
)
 
65,324

 
(4,319
)

697,555

 
(27,163
)
Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises
183,542

 
(1,448
)
 
24,501

 
(479
)
  
208,043

 
(1,927
)
Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations
2,401

 
(237
)
 
21,122

 
(18,280
)
 
23,523

 
(18,517
)
Total Securities Available for Sale
$
820,209

 
$
(24,588
)
 
$
110,947

 
$
(23,078
)
 
$
931,156

 
$
(47,666
)
As of December 31, 2014, our corporate securities had an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $6.7 million and $7.3 million, respectively, and were comprised of single issue trust preferred securities issued primarily by money center and large regional banks. At December 31, 2013, these securities had an amortized cost of $6.7 million and estimated fair value of $7.0 million. There were no corporate securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. When unrealized losses exist, management reviews each of the issuer’s asset quality, earnings trend and capital position, to determine whether issues in an unrealized loss position were other-than-temporarily impaired. All interest payments on the corporate securities are being made as contractually required.

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As of December 31, 2014, the book value of our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations totaled $41.9 million with an estimated fair value of $29.0 million, which includes securities comprised of 279 banks and other financial institutions. All of our pooled securities are mezzanine tranches, four of which have no senior class remaining in the issue. The credit ratings on all of the issues are below investment grade. At the time of initial issue, the subordinated tranches ranged in size from approximately 7% to 35% of the total principal amount of the respective securities and no more than 5% of any pooled security consisted of a security issued by any one institution. As of December 31, 2014, after taking into account management’s best estimates of future interest deferrals and defaults, five of our securities had no excess subordination in the tranches we own and five of our securities had excess subordination which ranged from 7% to 55% of the current performing collateral.
The following table provides additional information related to our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations as of December 31, 2014:
Deal
Class
 
Book
Value
 
Estimated Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Gain
(Loss)
 
Moody’s/
Fitch
Ratings
 
Number
of
Banks
 
Deferrals
and
Defaults
as a % of
Current
Collateral
 
Excess
Subordination
as a % of
Current
Performing
Collateral
(dollars in thousands)
Pre TSL IV
Mezzanine
 
$
1,830

 
$
1,326

 
$
(504
)
 
B1/BB
 
6

 
18.05
%
 
54.84
%
Pre TSL V
Mezzanine
 
60

 
130

 
70

 
C/-
 
3

 
100.00

 
0.00

Pre TSL VII
Mezzanine
 
2,779

 
2,987

 
208

 
Ca/-
 
14

 
49.68

 
0.00

Pre TSL VIII
Mezzanine
 
1,970

 
1,305

 
(665
)
 
C/C
 
29

 
59.12

 
0.00

Pre TSL IX
Mezzanine
 
2,340

 
1,442

 
(898
)
 
B3/C
 
39

 
28.91

 
6.73

Pre TSL X
Mezzanine
 
1,495

 
1,526

 
31

 
Caa1/C
 
44

 
31.03

 
0.00

Pre TSL XII
Mezzanine
 
5,523

 
3,361

 
(2,162
)
 
B3/C
 
66

 
26.96

 
0.00

Pre TSL XIII
Mezzanine
 
12,464

 
8,455

 
(4,009
)
 
Caa1/C
 
57

 
19.26

 
30.97

Pre TSL XIV
Mezzanine
 
13,035

 
8,081

 
(4,954
)
 
Caa1/C
 
56

 
24.54

 
36.53

MMCap I
Mezzanine
 
430

 
386

 
(44
)
 
Ca/C
 
11

 
59.52

 
20.89

Total
 
 
$
41,926

 
$
28,999

 
$
(12,927
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lack of liquidity in the market for trust preferred collateralized debt obligations, credit rating downgrades and market uncertainties related to the financial industry are factors contributing to the impairment on these securities.
All of the Company's pooled trust preferred securities are included in the non-exclusive list issued by the regulatory agencies and therefore are not considered covered funds under the Volcker Rule.
On a quarterly basis we evaluate our debt securities for other-than-temporary impairment. For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no credit related other-than-temporary impairment charges recognized on our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations. When evaluating these investments we determine a credit related portion and a non-credit related portion of other-than-temporary impairment. The credit related portion is recognized in earnings and represents the difference between book value and the present value of future cash flows. The non-credit related portion is recognized in OCI and represents the difference between the fair value of the security and the amount of credit related impairment. A discounted cash flow analysis provides the best estimate of credit related other-than-temporary impairment for these securities.
As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, none of the pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations were considered to be nonperforming securities.
Additional information related to the discounted cash flow analysis follows:
Our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations are measured for other-than-temporary impairment within the scope of FASB ASC Topic 325 by determining whether it is probable that an adverse change in estimated cash flows has occurred. Determining whether there has been an adverse change in estimated cash flows from the cash flows previously projected involves comparing the present value of remaining cash flows previously projected against the present value of the cash flows estimated at December 31, 2014. We consider the discounted cash flow analysis to be our primary evidence when determining whether credit related other-than-temporary impairment exists.
Results of a discounted cash flow test are significantly affected by other variables such as the estimate of future cash flows, credit worthiness of the underlying banks and determination of probability of default of the underlying collateral. The following provides additional information for each of these variables:
Estimate of Future Cash Flows—Cash flows are constructed in an INTEX cash flow model which includes each deal’s structural features. Projected cash flows include prepayment assumptions which are dependent on the issuers asset size

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and coupon rate. For collateral issued by financial institutions over $15 billion in asset size with a coupon over 7%, a 100% prepayment rate is assumed. Financial institutions over $15 billion with a coupon of 7% or under are assigned a prepayment rate of 40% for two years and 2% thereafter. Financial institutions with assets between $2 billion and $15 billion with coupons over 7% are assigned a 5% prepayment rate. For financial institutions below $2 billion, if the coupon is over 10%, a prepayment rate of 5% is assumed and for all other issuers, there is no prepayment assumption incorporated into the cash flows. The modeled cash flows are then used to estimate if all the scheduled principal and interest payments of our investments will be returned.
Credit Analysis—A quarterly credit evaluation is performed for each of the 279 banks comprising the collateral across the various pooled trust preferred securities. Our credit evaluation considers all evidence available to us and includes the nature of the issuer’s business, its years of operating history, corporate structure, loan composition, loan concentrations, deposit mix, asset growth rates, geographic footprint and local economic environment. Our analysis focuses on profitability, return on assets, shareholders’ equity, net interest margin, credit quality ratios, operating efficiency, capital adequacy and liquidity.
Probability of Default—A probability of default is determined for each bank and is used to calculate the expected impact of future deferrals and defaults on our expected cash flows. Each bank in the collateral pool is assigned a probability of default for each year until maturity. Currently, any bank that is in default is assigned a 100% probability of default and a 0% projected recovery rate. All other banks in the pool are assigned a probability of default based on their unique credit characteristics and market indicators with a 10% projected recovery rate. For the majority of banks currently in deferral we assume the bank continues to defer and will eventually default and therefore a 100% probability of default is assigned. However, for some deferring collateral there is the possibility that they become current on interest or principal payments at some point in the future and in those cases a probability that the deferral will ultimately cure is assigned. The probability of default is updated quarterly. As of December 31, 2014, default probabilities for performing collateral ranged from 0.33% to 75%.
Our credit evaluation provides a basis for determining deferral and default probabilities for each underlying piece of collateral. Using the results of the credit evaluation, the next step of the process is to look at pricing of senior debt or credit default swaps for the issuer (or where such information is unavailable, for companies having similar credit profiles as the issuer). The pricing of these market indicators provides the information necessary to determine appropriate default probabilities for each bank.
In addition to the above factors, our evaluation of impairment also includes a stress test analysis which provides an estimate of excess subordination for each tranche. We stress the cash flows of each pool by increasing current default assumptions to the level of defaults which results in an adverse change in estimated cash flows. This stressed breakpoint is then used to calculate excess subordination levels for each pooled trust preferred security. The results of the stress test allows management to identify those pools that are at a greater risk for a future break in cash flows so that we can monitor banks in those pools more closely for potential deterioration of credit quality.
Our cash flow analysis as of December 31, 2014, indicates that no credit related other-than-temporary impairment has occurred on our pooled trust preferred securities during the year ended December 31, 2014. Based upon the analysis performed by management, it is probable that five of our pooled trust preferred securities are expected to experience contractual principal and interest shortfalls and therefore appropriate other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded in prior periods. These securities are identified in the table on page 67 with 0% “Excess Subordination as a % of Current Performing Collateral.” For the remaining securities in the table, our analysis as of December 31, 2014 indicates that it is probable that we will collect all contractual principal and interest payments. For four of those securities, PreTSL IX, PreTSL XIII, PreTSL XIV and MMCap I, other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded in prior periods; however, due to improvement in the expected cash flows of these securities, it is now probable that all contractual payments will be received.
During 2008, 2009 and 2010, other-than-temporary impairment charges were recognized on all of our pooled trust preferred securities, except for PreTSL IV. Our cash flow analysis as of December 31, 2014, for all of these impaired securities indicates that it is now probable we will collect principal and interest in excess of what was estimated at the time other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded. This change can be attributed to improvement in the underlying collateral for these securities and has resulted in the present value of estimated future principal and interest payments exceeding the securities' current book value. The excess for each bond of the present value of future cash flows over our current book value ranges from 22% to 141% and will be recognized as an adjustment to yield over the remaining life of these securities. The excess subordination recognized as an adjustment to yield is reflected in the following table as increases in cash flows expected to be collected.

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The table below provides a cumulative roll forward of credit losses recognized in earnings for debt securities held and not intended to be sold for the years ended December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning (a)
$
27,543

 
$
43,274

 
$
44,736

Credit losses on debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized

 

 

Additional credit losses on debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized

 

 

Increases in cash flows expected to be collected, recognized over the remaining life of the security (b)
(1,297
)
 
(2,375
)
 
(1,462
)
Reduction for debt securities called during the period

 
(13,356
)
 

Balance, ending
$
26,246

 
$
27,543

 
$
43,274

(a)
The beginning balance represents credit related losses included in other-than-temporary impairment charges recognized on debt securities in prior periods.
(b)
Represents the increase in cash flows recognized either as principal payments or interest income during the period.
For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there was no impairment recognized on equity securities. On a quarterly basis, management evaluates equity securities for other-than-temporary impairment. As part of this evaluation we review the severity and duration of decline in estimated fair value, research reports, analysts’ recommendations, credit rating changes, news stories, annual reports, regulatory filings, impact of interest rate changes and other relevant information. There were no equity securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
In the table above, the $13.4 million reduction in cumulative credit losses in 2013 related to debt securities being called is a result of the early redemption of MMComm IX. The Senior note holders of this bond elected to liquidate all assets of the trust, resulting in losses for the mezzanine notes owned by First Commonwealth. Our book value before redemption was $6.6 million and at the time of redemption a loss of $1.3 million was recognized.
Other Investments
As a member of the FHLB, First Commonwealth is required to purchase and hold stock in the FHLB to satisfy membership and borrowing requirements. The level of stock required to be held is dependent on the amount of First Commonwealth's mortgage related assets and outstanding borrowings with the FHLB. This stock is restricted in that it can only be sold to the FHLB or to another member institution, and all sales of FHLB stock must be at par. As a result of these restrictions, FHLB stock is unlike other investment securities insofar as there is no trading market for FHLB stock and the transfer price is determined by FHLB membership rules and not by market participants. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our FHLB stock totaled $44.5 million and $35.4 million, respectively and is included in “Other investments” on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
FHLB stock is held as a long-term investment and its value is determined based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. First Commonwealth evaluates impairment quarterly and has concluded that the par value of its investment in FHLB stock will be recovered. Accordingly, no impairment charge was recorded on these securities for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Note 10—Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses
The following table provides outstanding balances related to each of our loan types as of December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
1,052,109

 
$
1,021,056

Real estate construction
120,785

 
93,289

Residential real estate
1,226,344

 
1,262,718

Commercial real estate
1,405,256

 
1,296,472

Loans to individuals
652,814

 
610,298

Total loans and leases net of unearned income
$
4,457,308

 
$
4,283,833


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Credit Quality Information
As part of the on-going monitoring of credit quality within the loan portfolio, the following credit worthiness categories are used in grading our loans:
Pass
 
Acceptable levels of risk exist in the relationship. Includes all loans not adversely classified as OAEM, substandard or doubtful.
 
 
 
Other Assets Especially Mentioned (OAEM)

 
Potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. The potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects or weaken the Bank’s credit position at some future date. The credit risk may be relatively minor, yet constitute an undesirable risk in light of the circumstances surrounding the specific credit. No loss of principal or interest is expected.
 
 
 
Substandard
 
Well-defined weakness or a weakness that jeopardizes the repayment of the debt. A loan may be classified as substandard as a result of deterioration of the borrower’s financial condition and repayment capacity. Loans for which repayment plans have not been met or collateral equity margins do not protect the Company may also be classified as substandard.
 
 
 
Doubtful
 
Loans with the characteristics of substandard loans with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of presently existing facts and conditions, is highly improbable.
The use of creditworthiness categories to grade loans permits management’s use of migration analysis to estimate a portion of credit risk. The Company’s internal creditworthiness grading system provides a measurement of credit risk based primarily on an evaluation of the borrower’s cash flow and collateral. Movements between these rating categories provide a predictive measure of credit losses and therefore assists in determining the appropriate level for the loan loss reserves. Category ratings are reviewed each quarter, at which time management analyzes the results, as well as other external statistics and factors related to loan performance. Loans that migrate towards higher risk rating levels generally have an increased risk of default, whereas loans that migrate toward lower risk ratings generally will result in a lower risk factor being applied to those related loan balances.
The following tables represent our credit risk profile by creditworthiness category for the years ended December 31:
 
2014
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
 
Real estate construction
 
Residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Loans to individuals
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Pass
$
983,357

 
$
112,536

 
$
1,214,920

 
$
1,353,773

 
$
652,596

 
$
4,317,182

Non-Pass
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OAEM
32,563

 
8,013

 
2,315

 
29,479

 

 
72,370

Substandard
32,028

 
236

 
9,109

 
22,004

 
218

 
63,595

Doubtful
4,161

 

 

 

 

 
4,161

Total Non-Pass
68,752

 
8,249

 
11,424

 
51,483

 
218

 
140,126

Total
$
1,052,109

 
$
120,785

 
$
1,226,344

 
$
1,405,256

 
$
652,814

 
$
4,457,308

 
2013
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
 
Real estate construction
 
Residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Loans to individuals
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Pass
$
943,107

 
$
79,679

 
$
1,245,422

 
$
1,243,170

 
$
610,094

 
$
4,121,472

Non-Pass
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OAEM
35,429

 
9,710

 
5,161

 
28,823

 
1

 
79,124

Substandard
42,520

 
3,900

 
12,135

 
24,479

 
203

 
83,237

Doubtful

 

 

 

 

 

Total Non-Pass
77,949

 
13,610

 
17,296

 
53,302

 
204

 
162,361

Total
$
1,021,056

 
$
93,289

 
$
1,262,718

 
$
1,296,472

 
$
610,298

 
$
4,283,833


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Table of Contents

Portfolio Risks
The credit quality of our loan portfolio can potentially represent significant risk to our earnings, capital, regulatory agency relationships, investment community and shareholder returns. First Commonwealth devotes a substantial amount of resources managing this risk primarily through our credit administration department that develops and administers policies and procedures for underwriting, maintaining, monitoring and collecting activities. Credit administration is independent of lending departments and oversight is provided by the credit committee of the First Commonwealth Board of Directors.
Total gross charge-offs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $17.5 million and $35.2 million, respectively.
Criticized loans have been evaluated when determining the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses, which we believe is adequate to absorb losses inherent to the portfolio as of December 31, 2014. However, changes in economic conditions, interest rates, borrower financial condition, delinquency trends or previously established fair values of collateral factors could significantly change those judgmental estimates.
Age Analysis of Past Due Loans by Segment
The following tables delineate the aging analysis of the recorded investments in past due loans as of December 31. Also included in these tables are loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing because they are well-secured and in the process of collection.
 
2014
 
30 - 59
days
past due
 
60 - 89
days
past
due
 
90 days
and
greater
and still
accruing
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total past
due and
nonaccrual
 
Current
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
2,816

 
$
213

 
$
264

 
$
27,007

 
$
30,300

 
$
1,021,809

 
$
1,052,109

Real estate construction

 
1

 

 
236

 
237

 
120,548

 
120,785

Residential real estate
5,162

 
1,295

 
1,077

 
7,900

 
15,434

 
1,210,910

 
1,226,344

Commercial real estate
1,797

 
122

 

 
7,306

 
9,225

 
1,396,031

 
1,405,256

Loans to individuals
3,698

 
1,059

 
1,278

 
218

 
6,253

 
646,561

 
652,814

Total
$
13,473

 
$
2,690

 
$
2,619

 
$
42,667

 
$
61,449

 
$
4,395,859

 
$
4,457,308

 
2013
 
30 - 59
days
past due
 
60 - 89
days
past
due
 
90 days
and
greater
and still
accruing
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total past
due and
nonaccrual
 
Current
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
594

 
$
319

 
$
185

 
$
23,631

 
$
24,729

 
$
996,327

 
$
1,021,056

Real estate construction

 

 

 
2,567

 
2,567

 
90,722

 
93,289

Residential real estate
4,002

 
524

 
1,041

 
10,520

 
16,087

 
1,246,631

 
1,262,718

Commercial real estate
1,199

 
23

 
13

 
8,966

 
10,201

 
1,286,271

 
1,296,472

Loans to individuals
2,895

 
990

 
1,266

 
204

 
5,355

 
604,943

 
610,298

Total
$
8,690

 
$
1,856

 
$
2,505

 
$
45,888

 
$
58,939

 
$
4,224,894

 
$
4,283,833

Nonaccrual Loans
The previous tables summarize nonaccrual loans by loan segment. The Company generally places loans on nonaccrual status when the full and timely collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain, when part of the principal balance has been charged off and no restructuring has occurred, or the loans reach a certain number of days past due. Generally, loans 90 days or more past due are placed on nonaccrual status, except for consumer loans which are placed in nonaccrual status at 150 days past due.
When a loan is placed on nonaccrual, the accrued unpaid interest receivable is reversed against interest income and all future payments received are applied as a reduction to the loan principal. Generally, the loan is returned to accrual status when (a) all

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delinquent interest and principal become current under the terms of the loan agreement or (b) the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection and collectability is no longer doubtful.
Impaired Loans
Management considers loans to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. Determination of impairment is treated the same across all loan categories. When management identifies a loan as impaired, the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the sole source or repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of collateral. When the loan is collateral dependent, the appraised value less estimated cost to sell is utilized. If management determines the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, impairment is recognized through an allowance estimate or a charge-off to the allowance. Troubled debt restructured loans on accrual status are considered to be impaired loans.
When the ultimate collectability of the total principal of an impaired loan is in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, all payments are applied to principal, under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the total principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, contractual interest is credited to interest income when received, under the cash basis method.

Nonperforming loans decreased $4.1 million to $55.3 million at December 31, 2014 compared to $59.4 million at December 31, 2013. Contributing to this decrease was the sale of four real estate construction loans totaling $3.0 million and the payoff of six loans totaling $12.5 million. The payoffs included a $4.7 million commercial relationship with a local developer, a $3.1 million commercial real estate loan with a non-profit organization in western Pennsylvania, a $2.9 million commercial real estate loan to a real estate investor in western Pennsylvania, a $0.9 million residential real estate loan in western Pennsylvania, a $0.6 million commercial relationship with a western Pennsylvania glass manufacturer and a $0.3 million commercial real estate loan with a western Pennsylvania real estate investor. Net charge-offs recognized during 2014 totaled $13.4 million, including $5.8 million for a commercial industrial loan relationship with a gas drilling business and $0.6 million for a commercial loan in western Pennsylvania.

A total of $32.2 million of loans were moved into nonaccrual status during the year ended December 31, 2014. Three commercial loan relationships comprised $22.1 million of this total. These relationships include:

A $9.9 million relationship of commercial industrial and real estate loans to a local water facility construction company.
A $8.0 million relationship of commercial loans with a gas drilling business that operated in western Pennsylvania with headquarters in Louisiana, of which $5.8 million was subsequently charged-off.
A $4.2 million in commercial industrial loans to an audio visual equipment distributor.

In addition to this, $3.8 million in consumer loans that were 150 days or more past due were moved to nonaccrual status.
The specific allowance for nonperforming loans increased by $0.6 million at December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013, primarily due to additions to nonaccrual loans. Unfunded commitments related to nonperforming loans were $46 thousand at December 31, 2014 and after consideration of available collateral related to these commitments, an off-balance sheet reserve of $14 thousand was established.
There were no impaired loans held for sale at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; sales of impaired loans during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 resulted in gains of $77 thousand and $0.6 million, respectively.
Significant nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2014, included the following:
A $10.0 million relationship of commercial industrial loans to a local energy company. These loans were originated from 2008 to 2011 and were placed in nonaccrual status during the third quarter of 2013. One of these loans, totaling $2.6 million, was modified, resulting in TDR classification in the second quarter of 2012. A second of these loans, totaling $0.3 million, was modified, resulting in TDR classification in the first quarter of 2013. The final piece of this relationship totaling $6.3 million, was modified in the fourth quarter of 2014, resulting in TDR classification. During the year ended December 31, 2014, chargeoffs of $0.5 million related to this relationship were recorded. A valuation of the collateral was completed during the third quarter of 2013, with updates to significant inputs completed in December 2014.
A $9.9 million relationship of commercial industrial and real estate loans to a local water facility construction company. These loans were originated from 2009 to 2013 and were placed in nonaccrual status during the fourth quarter of 2014. A valuation of the collateral was completed during the third quarter of 2013. Updated appraisals have been ordered but were not received prior to year end.

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A $4.2 million in commercial industrial loans to an audio visual equipment distributor. These loans were originated in 2008 and refinanced by the Company in 2013. In the second quarter of 2014, the loans were placed on nonaccrual status. In the fourth quarter of 2014, this relationship was modified, resulting in a TDR classification. An updated valuation of the collateral was completed during the second quarter of 2014.
The following tables include the recorded investment and unpaid principal balance for impaired loans with the associated allowance amount, if applicable, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Also presented are the average recorded investment in impaired loans and the related amount of interest recognized while the loan was considered impaired for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Average balances are calculated based on month-end balances of the loans for the period reported and are included in the table below based on its period end allowance position.
 
2014
 
Recorded
investment
 
Unpaid
principal
balance
 
Related
allowance
 
Average
recorded
investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
9,439

 
$
10,937

 
 
 
$
11,536

 
$
133

Real estate construction
236

 
476

 
 
 
1,190

 
19

Residential real estate
10,773

 
12,470

 
 
 
11,592

 
210

Commercial real estate
8,768

 
10,178

 
 
 
8,830

 
98

Loans to individuals
288

 
337

 
 
 
308

 
4

Subtotal
29,504

 
34,398

 
 
 
33,456

 
464

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
24,826

 
25,583

 
$
9,304

 
15,797

 
143

Real estate construction

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate
367

 
380

 
56

 
357

 
14

Commercial real estate
554

 
554

 
101

 
184

 
4

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

Subtotal
25,747

 
26,517

 
9,461

 
16,338

 
161

Total
$
55,251

 
$
60,915

 
$
9,461

 
$
49,794

 
$
625

 
2013
 
Recorded
investment
 
Unpaid
principal
balance
 
Related
allowance
 
Average
recorded
investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
6,752

 
$
7,649

 
 
 
$
14,454

 
$
73

Real estate construction
3,486

 
6,664

 
 
 
5,923

 
47

Residential real estate
9,333

 
9,952

 
 
 
9,280

 
211

Commercial real estate
13,606

 
14,719

 
 
 
27,881

 
250

Loans to individuals
289

 
307

 
 
 
255

 
3

Subtotal
33,466

 
39,291

 
 
 
57,793

 
584

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
21,482

 
22,082

 
$
7,364

 
16,479

 
64

Real estate construction
414

 
737

 
94

 
515

 

Residential real estate
3,533

 
3,585

 
1,282

 
3,200

 
31

Commercial real estate
488

 
612

 
84

 
188

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

Subtotal
25,917

 
27,016

 
8,824

 
20,382

 
95

Total
$
59,383

 
$
66,307

 
$
8,824

 
$
78,175

 
$
679


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2012
 
Average
recorded
investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
9,217

 
$
173

Real estate construction
11,912

 

Residential real estate
8,114

 
72

Commercial real estate
28,574

 
66

Loans to individuals
103

 
2

Subtotal
57,920

 
313

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
21,979

 
9

Real estate construction
1,457

 

Residential real estate
1,599

 
15

Commercial real estate
5,024

 
32

Loans to individuals

 

Subtotal
30,059

 
56

Total
$
87,979

 
$
369

Troubled debt restructured loans are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the financial difficulties experienced by the borrower, who could not obtain comparable terms from alternate financing sources.
As a result of adopting the amendments in ASU 2011-2, all restructurings that occurred on or after January 1, 2011 were assessed for identification as troubled debt restructurings considering the new guidance. No additional troubled debt restructurings were identified for loans for which the allowance for credit losses would have previously been measured under a general allowance for credit losses methodology.
The following table provides detail as to the total troubled debt restructured loans and total commitments outstanding on troubled debt restructured loans as of December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Troubled debt restructured loans
 
 
 
 
 
Accrual status
$
12,584

 
$
13,495

 
$
13,037

Nonaccrual status
16,952

 
16,980

 
50,979

Total
$
29,536

 
$
30,475

 
$
64,016

Commitments
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$

 
$

 
$
1,574

Unused lines of credit
4,120

 
452

 

Total
$
4,120

 
$
452

 
$
1,574

At December 31, 2014, troubled debt restructured loans decreased $0.9 million compared to December 31, 2013 and commitments related to troubled debt restructured loans increased $3.7 million for the same period. This decrease in loans is primarily the result of a payoff of four commercial loans totaling $11.3 million, including a $4.7 million relationship related to a local real estate developer, a $3.1 million commercial real estate loan with a non-profit organization and a $2.9 million commercial real estate loan in western Pennsylvania. These payoffs were offset by the addition of two large commercial relationships totaling $10.5 million; a $6.3 million loan related to a local energy company and a $4.2 million relationship with an audio visual distributer. The increase in commitments is due to addition of a $3.0 million unfunded commitment related to a local lumber company for which there is no outstanding balance. This relationship was modified in the fourth quarter of 2014.
During 2014 and 2013, all decreases in balances between the pre-modification and post-modification balance are due to customer payments.

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During 2012, a $2.8 million nonaccrual loan to a water treatment plant and a $3.7 million accruing loan to a gas well servicing operation were each restructured with a twelve month principal forbearance. At December 31, 2012, the nonaccrual loan was fully reserved for while the the loan that was on accruing status was secured by company assets. During 2013, the accruing loan was placed in nonaccrual status. These loans are part of a $17.0 million commercial loan relationship with a shallow gas well operator whose business has been impacted by the sharp decline in natural gas prices due in part to the success of Marcellus deep well drilling. In addition to these two loans, other loans in this relationship include loans to a related exploration and production company and loans to the principal, which are secured by real estate and investment securities. Also, in 2012 a $3.3 million commercial real estate loan was restructured with a six month maturity extension. This loan has remained on accruing status and the collateral shortfall is fully reserved. The remainder of changes in loan balances for 2012 between the pre-modification balance and the post-modification balance is due to customer payments.
The following tables provide detail, including specific reserve and reasons for modification, related to loans identified as troubled debt restructurings during the years ending December 31:
 
2014
 
 
 
Type of Modification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of
Contracts
 
Extend
Maturity
 
Modify
Rate
 
Modify
Payments
 
 
Total
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Specific
Reserve
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
9

 
$
5,487

 
$

 
$
14,529

 
 
$
20,016

 
$
13,785

 
$
4,665

Residential real estate
52

 

 
629

 
1,797

 
 
2,426

 
2,062

 

Commercial real estate
1

 

 

 
8

 
 
8

 
6

 

Loans to individuals
15

 

 
103

 
47

 
 
150

 
114

 

Total
77

 
$
5,487

 
$
732

 
$
16,381

 
 
$
22,600

 
$
15,967

 
$
4,665

 
 
2013
 
 
 
Type of Modification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of
Contracts
 
Extend
Maturity
 
Modify
Rate
 
Modify
Payments
 
Other
 
Total
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Specific
Reserve
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
14

 
$
3,462

 
$

 
$
1,677

 
$

 
$
5,139

 
$
3,104

 
$
906

Residential real estate
46

 
347

 
418

 
2,116

 

 
2,881

 
2,316

 
161

Commercial real estate
5

 
571

 
1,499

 
145

 

 
2,215

 
2,184

 
34

Loans to individuals
17

 
10

 
101

 
33

 

 
144

 
109

 

Total
82

 
$
4,390

 
$
2,018

 
$
3,971

 
$

 
$
10,379

 
$
7,713

 
$
1,101


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2012
 
 
 
Type of Modification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of
Contracts
 
Extend
Maturity
 
Modify
Rate
 
Modify
Payments
 
Other
 
Total
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Specific
Reserve
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
12

 
$
1,599

 
$
187

 
$
9,476

 
$

 
$
11,262

 
$
11,335

 
$
4,237

Real estate construction
2

 
1,697

 

 

 

 
1,697

 
2,133

 
200

Residential real estate
25

 
200

 
132

 
697

 
48

 
1,077

 
973

 
69

Commercial real estate
4

 
3,280

 
4,308

 
71

 

 
7,659

 
7,607

 
409

Loans to individuals
17

 

 
97

 
88

 
6

 
191

 
173

 

Total
60

 
$
6,776

 
$
4,724

 
$
10,332

 
$
54

 
$
21,886

 
$
22,221

 
$
4,915

The troubled debt restructurings included in the above tables are also included in the impaired loan tables provided earlier in this footnote. Loans defined as modified due to a change in rate include loans that were modified for a change in rate as well as a reamortization of the principal and an extension of the maturity. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, $0.6 million, $2.0 million and $4.7 million, respectively, of total rate modifications represent loans with modifications to the rate as well as payment due to reamortization.
A troubled debt restructuring is considered to be in default when a restructured loan is 90 days or more past due. As of December 31, 2014, two residential real estate loans totaling $7 thousand and one commercial real estate loan totaling $6 thousand restructured during 2014 were considered to be in default. At December 31, 2013, there was one residential real estate loan totaling $19 thousand restructured within the preceding twelve months that was considered to be in default. As of December 31, 2012, no loans were considered to be in default.
The following tables provide detail related to the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31. During 2013, the negative $5.9 million provision for credit losses related to the unallocated portion of the allowance is a result of it no longer being treated as a separate component of the allowance but instead is now incorporated into the reserve provided for each loan category. This portion of the allowance for credit losses reflects the qualitative or environmental factors that are likely to cause estimated credit losses to differ from historical loss experience.
 
2014
 
Commercial,
financial,
agricultural
and other
 
Real estate
construction
 
Residential
real estate
 
Commercial
real estate
 
Loans to
individuals
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance
$
22,663

 
$
6,600

 
$
7,727

 
$
11,778

 
$
5,457

 
$
54,225

Charge-offs
(8,911
)
 
(296
)
 
(3,153
)
 
(1,148
)
 
(3,964
)
 
(17,472
)
Recoveries
734

 
1,340

 
650

 
612

 
766

 
4,102

Provision (credit)
15,141

 
(5,581
)
 
(1,560
)
 
639

 
2,557

 
11,196

Ending Balance
$
29,627

 
$
2,063

 
$
3,664

 
$
11,881

 
$
4,816

 
$
52,051

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
9,304

 
$

 
$
56

 
$
101

 
$

 
$
9,461

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
20,323

 
2,063

 
3,608

 
11,780

 
4,816

 
42,590

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
1,052,109

 
120,785

 
1,226,344

 
1,405,256

 
652,814

 
4,457,308

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
33,332

 
193

 
7,127

 
7,790

 

 
48,442

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
1,018,777

 
120,592

 
1,219,217

 
1,397,466

 
652,814

 
4,408,866


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2013
 
Commercial,
financial,
agricultural
and other
 
Real estate
construction
 
Residential
real estate
 
Commercial
real estate
 
Loans to
individuals
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance
$
19,852

 
$
8,928

 
$
5,908

 
$
22,441

 
$
4,132

 
$
5,926

 
$
67,187

Charge-offs
(18,399
)
 
(773
)
 
(1,814
)
 
(10,513
)
 
(3,679
)
 

 
(35,178
)
Recoveries
455

 
501

 
1,264

 
136

 
633

 

 
2,989

Provision
20,755

 
(2,056
)
 
2,369

 
(286
)
 
4,371

 
(5,926
)
 
19,227

Ending Balance
$
22,663

 
$
6,600

 
$
7,727

 
$
11,778

 
$
5,457

 
$

 
$
54,225

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
7,364

 
$
94

 
$
1,282

 
$
84

 
$

 
$

 
$
8,824

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
15,299

 
6,506

 
6,445

 
11,694

 
5,457

 

 
45,401

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
1,021,056

 
93,289

 
1,262,718

 
1,296,472

 
610,298

 
 
 
4,283,833

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
27,251

 
3,844

 
9,349

 
12,151

 

 
 
 
52,595

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
993,805

 
89,445

 
1,253,369

 
1,284,321

 
610,298

 
 
 
4,231,238

 
2012
 
Commercial,
financial,
agricultural
and other
 
Real estate
construction
 
Residential
real estate
 
Commercial
real estate
 
Loans to
individuals
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning Balance
$
18,200

 
$
6,756

 
$
8,237

 
$
18,961

 
$
4,244

 
$
4,836

 
$
61,234

Charge-offs
(5,207
)
 
(3,601
)
 
(3,828
)
 
(851
)
 
(3,482
)
 

 
(16,969
)
Recoveries
443

 
582

 
422

 
410

 
521

 

 
2,378

Provision (credit)
6,416

 
5,191

 
1,077

 
3,921

 
2,849

 
1,090

 
20,544

Ending Balance
$
19,852

 
$
8,928

 
$
5,908

 
$
22,441

 
$
4,132

 
$
5,926

 
$
67,187

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
10,331

 
$
300

 
$
780

 
$
6,367

 
$

 
$

 
$
17,778

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
9,521

 
8,628

 
5,128

 
16,074

 
4,132

 
5,926

 
49,409

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
1,019,822

 
87,438

 
1,241,565

 
1,273,661

 
582,218

 
 
 
4,204,704

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
33,443

 
11,177

 
6,444

 
49,123

 

 
 
 
100,187

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
986,379

 
76,261

 
1,235,121

 
1,224,538

 
582,218

 
 
 
4,104,517


Note 11—Variable Interest Entities
As defined by FASB ASC 810-10, “Consolidation,” a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) is a corporation, partnership, trust or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. Under ASC 810-10, an entity that holds a variable interest in a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE if the entity is deemed to be the primary beneficiary,

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which generally means it is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the VIE’s activities, is entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns, or both.
First Commonwealth’s VIEs are evaluated under the guidance included in ASU 2009-17. These VIEs include qualified affordable housing projects that First Commonwealth has invested in as part of its community reinvestment initiatives. We periodically assess whether or not our variable interests in these VIEs, based on qualitative analysis, provide us with a controlling interest in the VIE. The analysis includes an assessment of the characteristics of the VIE. We do not have a controlling financial interest in the VIE, which would require consolidation of the VIE, as we do not have the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
First Commonwealth’s maximum potential exposure is equal to its carrying value and is summarized in the table below as of December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Low Income Housing Limited Partnership Investments
$
61

 
$
207


Note 12—Commitments and Letters of Credit
First Commonwealth is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. First Commonwealth’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party of the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit is represented by the contract or notional amount of those instruments. First Commonwealth uses the same credit policies for underwriting all loans, including these commitments and conditional obligations.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, First Commonwealth did not own or trade other financial instruments with significant off-balance sheet risk including derivatives such as futures, forwards, option contracts and the like, although such instruments may be appropriate to use in the future to manage interest rate risk. See Note 7, “Derivatives,” for a description of interest rate derivatives entered into by First Commonwealth.
The following table identifies the notional amount of those instruments at December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
 
 
 
Commitments to extend credit
$
1,635,948

 
$
1,571,987

Financial standby letters of credit
36,075

 
38,121

Performance standby letters of credit
25,915

 
32,441

Commercial letters of credit
2,611

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. First Commonwealth evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Commonwealth upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral that is held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and residential and income-producing commercial properties.
Standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Commonwealth to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The contract or notional amount of these instruments reflects the maximum amount of future payments that First Commonwealth could be required to pay under the guarantees if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties, without consideration for possible recoveries under recourse provisions or from collateral held or pledged. In addition, many of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The notional amounts outstanding at December 31, 2014 include amounts issued in 2014 of $0.3 million in financial standby letters of credit and $1.9 million in performance standby letters of credit. There were $0.2 million commercial letters of credit

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issued during 2014. A liability of $0.2 million and $0.1 million has been recorded as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which represents the estimated fair value of letters of credit issued. The fair value of letters of credit is estimated based on the unrecognized portion of fees received at the time the commitment was issued.
Unused commitments and letters of credit provide exposure to future credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower or guaranteed parties. Management’s evaluation of the credit risk in these commitments resulted in the recording of a liability of $3.1 million and $3.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The credit risk evaluation incorporated probability of default, loss given default and estimated utilization for the next twelve months for each loan category and the letters of credit.

Note 13—Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are described as follows:
 
Estimated Useful Life
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Land
Indefinite
 
$
12,098

 
$
12,431

Buildings and improvements
10-50 years
 
75,873

 
81,829

Leasehold improvements
5-40 years
 
14,229

 
14,354

Furniture and equipment
3-10 years
 
59,034

 
80,131

Software
3-7 years
 
37,007

 
46,133

Subtotal
 
 
198,241

 
234,878

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
 
133,252

 
166,938

Total premises and equipment
 
 
$
64,989

 
$
67,940

Depreciation related to premises and equipment included in noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $13.2 million, $10.4 million and $7.9 million, respectively.
As a result of the Company's core processing system conversion, which was completed in the third quarter of 2014, the estimated average useful life on $14.0 million in software included in the table above for 2013 was reduced from an average life of 6 years to 3 years and the average useful life on $0.7 million of equipment was reduced from an average life of 5 years to 4 years. These assets were considered obsolete after the system conversion, resulting in accelerated depreciation of $5.6 million and $2.0 million being recognized in 2014 and 2013, respectively.
At December 31, 2013, $0.2 million in software had an estimated useful life of 10 years, with 5 years remaining. During 2014, the use of this software was discontinued and the remaining book value of $0.1 million was fully depreciated. The estimated useful life for all other software is 3 to 7 years.
First Commonwealth leases various premises and assorted equipment under non-cancellable agreements. Total future minimal rental commitments at December 31, 2014, were as follows:
 
Premises
 
Equipment
 
(dollars in thousands)
2015
$
3,257

 
$
56

2016
2,969

 

2017
2,758

 

2018
2,582

 

2019
2,330

 

Thereafter
12,276

 

Total
$
26,172

 
$
56

Included in the lease commitments above is $321 thousand in lease payments to be paid under a sale-leaseback arrangement. The sale-leaseback transaction occurred in 2005 and resulted in a gain of $297 thousand on the sale of a branch that is being recognized over the 15 year lease term through 2020.
Increases in utilities and taxes that may be passed on to the lessee under the terms of various lease agreements are not reflected in the above table. However, certain lease agreements provide for increases in rental payments based upon historical increases

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in the consumer price index or the lessor’s cost of operating the facility, and are included in the minimum lease commitments. Additionally, the table above includes rent expense that is recognized for rent holidays and during construction periods. Total lease expense amounted to $2.9 million, $4.2 million and $4.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note 14—Goodwill and Other Amortizing Intangible Assets
FASB ASC Topic 350-20, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other,” requires an annual valuation of the fair value of a reporting unit that has goodwill and a comparison of the fair value to the book value of equity to determine whether the goodwill has been impaired. Goodwill is also required to be tested on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred. When triggering events or circumstances indicate goodwill testing is required, an assessment of qualitative factors can be completed before performing the two step goodwill impairment test. ASU 2011-8 provides that if an assessment of qualitative factors determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then the two step goodwill impairment test is not required.
We consider First Commonwealth to be one reporting unit. The carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $161.4 million and $159.9 million, respectively. No impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets were incurred in 2014, 2013 or 2012.
We test goodwill for impairment as of November 30th each year and again at any quarter-end if any material events occur during a quarter that may affect goodwill.
An assessment of qualitative factors was completed as of November 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014 and indicated that it is more likely than not that the fair value of First Commonwealth's goodwill exceeds its carrying amount; therefore, the two step goodwill impairment test was not considered necessary. The assessment of qualitative factors considered the results of the Step 1 goodwill impairment test completed as of November 30, 2013 as well as macroeconomic factors, industry and market considerations, the company’s overall financial performance, and other company specific events occurring since the completion of the November 30, 2013 test.
As of December 31, 2014, goodwill was not considered impaired; however, changing economic conditions that may adversely affect our performance, the fair value of our assets and liabilities, our stock price could result in impairment, which could adversely affect earnings in future periods. Management will continue to monitor events that could impact this conclusion in the future.
FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Other,” also requires that an acquired intangible asset be separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer’s intent to do so.
The following table summarizes other intangible assets, which for each year includes only core deposit intangibles:
 
Gross
Intangible
Assets
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Intangible
Assets
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Customer deposit intangibles
$
22,470

 
$
(21,773
)
 
$
697

Customer list intangible
$
984

 
$
(16
)
 
$
968

Total other intangible assets
$
23,454

 
$
(21,789
)
 
$
1,665

 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Customer deposit intangibles
$
22,470

 
$
(21,159
)
 
$
1,311

Customer list intangible
$

 
$

 
$

Total other intangible assets
$
22,470

 
$
(21,159
)
 
$
1,311

Core deposits are amortized over their expected lives using the present value of the benefit of the core deposits and straight-line methods of amortization. The core deposits have a remaining amortization period of 4.9 years and a weighted average amortization period of approximately three years. The customer list intangible represents the estimated value of the customer base for an insurance agency acquired in 2014. These amounts are amortized over their expected lives using expected cash flows based on retention of the customer base. The customer list intangible has a remaining amortization period and a weighted average amortization period of 14.8 years. First Commonwealth recognized amortization expense on other intangible assets of $0.6 million, $1.1 million, and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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The following presents the estimated amortization expense of core deposit intangibles and the customer intangible list:
 
Core Deposit Intangibles
Customer Intangible List
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
2015
$
338

$
260

$
598

2016
177

168

345

2017
63

130

193

2018
62

99

161

2019
57

77

134

Thereafter

234

234

Total
$
697

$
968

$
1,665


Note 15—Interest-Bearing Deposits
Components of interest-bearing deposits at December 31 were as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest-bearing demand deposits
$
81,851

 
$
89,149

Savings deposits
2,402,288

 
2,506,631

Time deposits
842,345

 
1,095,722

Total interest-bearing deposits
$
3,326,484

 
$
3,691,502

Interest-bearing deposits at December 31, 2014 and 2013, include allocations from interest-bearing demand deposit accounts of $427.7 million and $556.7 million, respectively, into savings which includes money market accounts. These reallocations are based on a formula and have been made to reduce First Commonwealth’s reserve requirement in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Included in time deposits at December 31, 2014 and 2013, were certificates of deposit in denominations of $100 thousand or more of $334.0 million and $464.7 million, respectively.
Interest expense related to certificates of deposit in denominations of $100 thousand or greater amounted to $3.7 million in 2014, $4.7 million in 2013 and $5.3 million in 2012.
Included in time deposits at December 31, 2014, were certificates of deposit with the following scheduled maturities (dollars in thousands):
2015
$
586,928

2016
130,777

2017
42,772

2018
25,446

2019 and thereafter
56,422

Total
$
842,345



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Note 16—Short-term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings at December 31 were as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Ending
Balance
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Rate
 
Ending
Balance
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Rate
 
Ending
Balance
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
Federal funds purchased
$
9,000

 
$
11,691

 
0.36
%
 
$
16,000

 
$
11,982

 
0.36
%
 
$
34,000

 
$
47,727

 
0.27
%
Borrowings from FHLB
945,000

 
644,651

 
0.31

 
478,100

 
335,449

 
0.27

 
178,100

 
214,703

 
0.25

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
151,876

 
159,051

 
0.24

 
132,515

 
130,957

 
0.25

 
144,127

 
139,766

 
0.28

Total
$
1,105,876

 
$
815,393

 
0.30

 
$
626,615

 
$
478,388

 
0.26

 
$
356,227

 
$
402,196

 
0.27

Maximum total at any month-end
$
1,105,876

 
 
 
 
 
$
626,615

 
 
 
 
 
$
486,144

 
 
 
 
Weighted average rate at year-end
 
 
 
 
0.30
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.27
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.25
%
Interest expense on short-term borrowings for the years ended December 31 is detailed below:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Federal funds purchased
$
42

 
$
43

 
$
128

Borrowings from FHLB
2,019

 
893

 
545

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
388

 
326

 
397

Total interest on short-term borrowings
$
2,449

 
$
1,262

 
$
1,070


Note 17—Subordinated Debentures
Subordinated Debentures outstanding at December 31 are as follows:
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Due
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Owed to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Capital Trust II
2034
 
$
30,929

 
LIBOR + 2.85
 
$
30,929

 
LIBOR + 2.85
First Commonwealth Capital Trust III
2034
 
41,238

 
LIBOR + 2.85
 
41,238

 
LIBOR + 2.85
Total
 
 
$
72,167

 
 
 
$
72,167

 
 
First Commonwealth has established three trusts, First Commonwealth Capital Trust I, First Commonwealth Capital Trust II, and First Commonwealth Capital Trust III, of which 100% of the common equity is owned by First Commonwealth. The trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing company obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of the capital securities solely in junior subordinated debt securities (“subordinated debentures”) of First Commonwealth. The subordinated debentures held by each trust are the sole assets of the trust.
Interest on the debentures issued to First Commonwealth Capital Trust III is paid quarterly at a floating rate of LIBOR + 2.85% which is reset quarterly. Subject to regulatory approval, First Commonwealth may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, at its option on any interest payment date at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption. Deferred issuance costs of $630 thousand are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the securities.
Interest on the debentures issued to First Commonwealth Capital Trust II is paid quarterly at a floating rate of LIBOR + 2.85%, which is reset quarterly. Subject to regulatory approval, First Commonwealth may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, at its option at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption. Deferred issuance costs of $471 thousand are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the securities.

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On January 29, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the redemption of 100% of First Commonwealth Capital Trust I as of April 1, 2013, at a redemption price of 103.325% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. At the time of redemption, a $1.1 million redemption premium was paid and $0.5 million in unamortized deferred issuance costs were recognized. Interest on debentures issued to First Commonwealth Capital Trust I was paid semiannually at a fixed rate of 9.50% and deferred issuance costs of $996 thousand were being amortized on a straight line basis over the term of the securities.

Note 18—Other Long-term Debt
Other long-term debt at December 31 follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Rate
 
Weighted
Average
Effective
Rate
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Rate
 
Weighted
Average
Effective
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
Borrowings from FHLB due:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
57,892

 
1.13
%
 
1.13
%
2015
$
80,142

 
0.82
%
 
0.82
%
 
79,971

 
0.82

 
0.82

2016
563

 
3.82

 
3.82

 
389

 
4.64

 
4.64

2017
585

 
3.83

 
3.83

 
407

 
4.64

 
4.64

2018
607

 
3.83

 
3.83

 
426

 
4.64

 
4.64

2019
631

 
3.84

 
3.84

 
 
 
 
 
 
Thereafter
6,931

 
3.81

 
3.81

 
5,300

 
4.66

 
4.66

Total
$
89,459

 
 
 
 
 
$
144,385

 
 
 
 
The weighted average contractual rate reflects the rate due to creditors. The weighted average effective rate of long-term debt in the schedule above includes the effect of purchase accounting valuation adjustments that were recorded in connection with prior business combinations.
All of First Commonwealth’s Federal Home Loan Bank stock, along with an interest in mortgage loans and residential mortgage backed securities, has been pledged as collateral with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.
Capital securities included in total long-term debt on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition are excluded from the above, but are described in Note 17, “Subordinated Debentures.”

Note 19—Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities
FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosures for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). All non-financial assets are included either as a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition or in the “Other assets” category of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Currently, First Commonwealth does not have any non-financial liabilities to disclose.
FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” permits entities to irrevocably elect to measure select financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses are required to be included in earnings each reporting period for the items that fair value measurement is elected. First Commonwealth has elected not to measure any existing financial instruments at fair value under FASB ASC Topic 825; however, in the future we may elect to adopt this guidance for select financial instruments.
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, First Commonwealth groups financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the principal markets in which the assets and liabilities are transacted and the observability of the data points used to determine fair value. These levels are:
Level 1—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 securities include equity holdings comprised of publicly traded bank stocks which were priced using quoted market prices.

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Level 2—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained for identical or comparable assets or liabilities from alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Level 2 includes Obligations of U.S. Government securities issued by Agencies and Sponsored Enterprises, Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions, certain corporate securities, FHLB stock, interest rate derivatives that include interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and risk participation agreements, certain other real estate owned and certain impaired loans.
Level 2 investment securities are valued by a recognized third party pricing service using observable inputs. The model used by the pricing service varies by asset class and incorporates available market, trade and bid information as well as cash flow information when applicable. Because many fixed-income investment securities do not trade on a daily basis, the model uses available information such as benchmark yield curves, benchmarking of like investment securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. The model will also use processes such as an option-adjusted spread to assess the impact of interest rates and to develop prepayment estimates. Market inputs normally used in the pricing model include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including market research publications.
Management validates the market values provided by the third party service by having another recognized pricing service price 100% of the securities on an annual basis and a random sample of securities each quarter, monthly monitoring of variances from prior period pricing and, on a monthly basis, evaluating pricing changes compared to expectations based on changes in the financial markets.
Other Investments are comprised of FHLB stock whose estimated fair value is based on its par value. Additional information on FHLB stock is provided in Note 9, “Impairment of Investment Securities.”
Interest rate derivatives are reported at estimated fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs and are included in Other assets and Other liabilities. These consist of interest rate swaps where there is no significant deterioration in the counterparties' (loan customers) credit risk since origination of the interest rate swap, as well as interest rate caps and risk participation agreements. First Commonwealth values its interest rate swap and cap positions using a yield curve by taking market prices/rates for an appropriate set of instruments. The set of instruments currently used to determine the U.S. Dollar yield curve includes cash LIBOR rates from overnight to three months, Eurodollar futures contracts and swap rates from three years to thirty years. These yield curves determine the valuations of interest rate swaps. Interest rate derivatives are further described in Note 7, “Derivatives.”
For purposes of potential valuation adjustments to our derivative positions, First Commonwealth evaluates the credit risk of its counterparties as well as our own credit risk. Accordingly, we have considered factors such as the likelihood of default, expected loss given default, net exposures and remaining contractual life, among other things, in determining if any estimated fair value adjustments related to credit risk are required. We review our counterparty exposure quarterly, and when necessary, appropriate adjustments are made to reflect the exposure.
We also utilize this approach to estimate our own credit risk on derivative liability positions. In 2014, we have not realized any losses due to a counterparty's inability to pay any net uncollateralized position.
The estimated fair value for other real estate owned included in Level 2 is determined by either an independent market based appraisal less estimated costs to sell or an executed sales agreement.
Level 3—Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer or broker traded transactions. If the inputs used to provide the valuation are unobservable and/or there is very little, if any, market activity for the security or similar securities, the securities would be considered Level 3 securities. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities. The assets included in Level 3 are pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations, non-marketable equity investments, loans held for sale, certain interest rate derivatives, certain impaired loans and certain other real estate.
Our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations are collateralized by the trust preferred securities of individual banks, thrifts and bank holding companies in the U.S. There has been little or no active trading in these securities since 2009; therefore it was more appropriate to determine estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis. Detail on the process for determining appropriate cash flows for this analysis is provided in Note 9 “Impairment of Investment Securities.” The discount rate applied to the cash flows is determined by evaluating the current market yields for comparable corporate and structured credit products along with an evaluation of the risks associated with the cash flows of the comparable security. Due to the fact that there is no active market for the pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations, one key reference point is the market

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yield for the single issue trust preferred securities issued by banks and thrifts for which there is more activity than for the pooled securities. Adjustments are then made to reflect the credit and structural differences between these two security types.
Management validates the estimated fair value of the pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations by understanding the pricing methodology utilized by third party pricing services and monitoring the performance of the underlying collateral, discussing the discount rate, cash flow assumptions and general market trends with the specialized third party and by confirming changes in the underlying collateral to the trustee reports. Management’s monitoring of the underlying collateral includes deferrals of interest payments, payment defaults, cures of previously deferred interest payments, any regulatory filings or actions and general news related to the underlying collateral. Management also evaluates fair value changes compared to expectations based on changes in the interest rates used in determining the discount rate and general financial markets.
The estimated fair value of the non-marketable equity investments included in level 3 is based on par value.
Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value with the fair value being the expected sales price of the loan. If a sales agreement has been executed, the fair value is equal to the sales price.
For interest rate derivatives included in Level 3, the fair value incorporates credit risk by considering such factors as likelihood of default and expected loss given default based on the credit quality of the underlying counterparties (loan customers).
In 2013, we experienced a $0.9 million credit loss as a result of a counterparty's inability to pay the net uncollateralized position on an interest rate swap. The full amount of this credit loss was provided for in prior periods.
In accordance with ASU 2011-4, the following table provides information related to quantitative inputs and assumptions used in Level 3 fair value measurements.
 
Fair Value
(dollars in
thousands)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range /  (weighted
average)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pooled Trust Preferred Securities
$
28,999

 
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Probability of default
 
0% - 100% (17.16%)
 
 
 
 
 
Prepayment rates
 
0% - 73.88% (6.13%)
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rates
 
5.25% - 14.00% (a)
Equities
1,420

 
Par Value
 
N/A
 
N/A
Impaired Loans
4,116

(b)
Gas Reserve study
 
Discount rate
 
10.00%
 
 
 
 
 
Gas per MCF
 
$3.00 - $4.85 (c)
 
 
 
 
 
Oil per BBL/d
 
$53.91 - $71.01 (c)
 
 
 
 
 
NGL per gallon
 
$0.83 (c)
Other Real Estate Owned
153

 
Internal Valuation
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
(a)
incorporates spread over the risk free rate related primarily to credit quality and illiquidity of securities.
(b)
the remainder of impaired loans valued using Level 3 inputs are not included in this disclosure as the values of those loans are based on bankruptcy agreement documentation.
(c)
unobservable inputs are defined as follows: MCF—million cubic feet; BBL/d—barrels per day; NGL—natural gas liquid.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of pooled trust preferred securities are the probability of default, discount rates and prepayment rates. Significant increases in the probability of default or discount rate used would result in a decrease in the estimated fair value of these securities, while decreases in these variables would result in higher fair value measurements. In general, a change in the assumption of probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the discount rate. In most cases, increases in the prepayment rate assumptions would result in a higher estimated fair value for these securities while decreases would provide for a lower value. The direction of this change is somewhat dependent on the structure of the investment and the amount of the investment tranches senior to our position.
The discount rate is the significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of impaired loans. Significant increases in this rate would result in a decrease in the estimated fair value of the loans, while a decrease in this rate would result in a higher fair value measurement. Other unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of impaired loans relate to gas, oil and natural gas prices. Increases in these rates would result in an increase in the estimated fair value of the loans, while a decrease in these prices would result in a lower fair value measurement.

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The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31:
 
2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
$

 
$
25,936

 
$

 
$
25,936

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential

 
950,881

 

 
950,881

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial

 
74

 

 
74

Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises

 
267,877

 

 
267,877

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions

 
27,377

 

 
27,377

Corporate Securities

 
7,255

 

 
7,255

Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations

 

 
28,999

 
28,999

Total Debt Securities

 
1,279,400

 
28,999

 
1,308,399

Equities

 

 
1,420

 
1,420

Total Securities Available for Sale

 
1,279,400

 
30,419

 
1,309,819

Other Investments

 
44,545

 

 
44,545

Loans Held for Sale

 
2,502

 

 
2,502

Other Assets (a)

 
11,186

 

 
11,186

Total Assets
$

 
$
1,337,633

 
$
30,419

 
$
1,368,052

Other Liabilities (a)
$

 
$
10,671

 
$

 
$
10,671

Total Liabilities
$

 
$
10,671

 
$

 
$
10,671

 
(a)
Hedging and non-hedging interest rate derivatives
 
2013
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
$

 
$
25,204

 
$

 
$
25,204

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential

 
994,887

 

 
994,887

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial

 
105

 

 
105

Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises

 
266,125

 

 
266,125

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions

 
80

 

 
80

Corporate Securities

 
7,021

 

 
7,021

Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations

 

 
23,523

 
23,523

Total Debt Securities

 
1,293,422

 
23,523

 
1,316,945

Equities

 

 
1,420

 
1,420

Total Securities Available for Sale

 
1,293,422

 
24,943

 
1,318,365

Other Investments

 
35,444

 

 
35,444

Loans Held for Sale

 

 

 

Other Assets (a)

 
14,358

 

 
14,358

Total Assets
$

 
$
1,343,224

 
$
24,943

 
$
1,368,167

Other Liabilities (a)
$

 
$
14,318

 
$

 
$
14,318

Total Liabilities
$

 
$
14,318

 
$

 
$
14,318

 
(a)
Non-hedging interest rate derivatives
The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows for the year ended December 31, 2014:

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Pooled Trust
Preferred
Collateralized
Debt
Obligations
 
Equities
 
Loans
Held for
Sale
 
Other
Assets
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
$
23,523

 
$
1,420

 
$

 
$

 
$
24,943

Total gains or losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings

 

 
77

 

 
77

Included in other comprehensive income
7,162

 

 

 

 
7,162

Purchases, issuances, sales, and settlements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases

 

 

 

 

Issuances

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

 
(3,112
)
 

 
(3,112
)
Settlements
(1,686
)
 

 

 

 
(1,686
)
Transfers from Level 3

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 
3,035

 

 
3,035

Balance, end of year
$
28,999

 
$
1,420

 
$

 
$

 
$
30,419

There are no gains or losses included in earnings for the period that are attributable to the change in realized gains (losses) relating to assets held at December 31, 2014.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no transfers between fair value Levels 1 and 2. However, $3.0 million of loans were transferred into Level 3 from Level 2 due to the loans being transferred to a held for sale status. The loans transferred and subsequently sold related to two nonperforming relationships for which this was determined to be an appropriate exit strategy. Completion of the loan sales resulted in a $0.1 million gain for the period.
The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows for the year ended December 31, 2013:
 
 
Pooled Trust
Preferred
Collateralized
Debt
Obligations
 
Equities
 
Loans
Held for
Sale
 
Other
Assets
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
23,373

 
$
1,420

 
$

 
$

 
$
24,793

Total gains or losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
 
(1,395
)
 

 
625

 

 
(770
)
Included in other comprehensive income
 
12,338

 

 

 

 
12,338

Purchases, issuances, sales, and settlements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 

 

 

 

 

Issuances
 

 

 

 

 

Sales
 

 

 
(20,760
)
 

 
(20,760
)
Settlements
 
(10,793
)
 

 

 

 
(10,793
)
Transfers from Level 3
 

 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 
20,135

 

 
20,135

Balance, end of year
 
$
23,523

 
$
1,420

 
$

 
$

 
$
24,943

There are no gains or losses included in earnings for the period that are attributable to the change in realized gains (losses) relating to assets held at December 31, 2013.
During 2013, there were no transfers between fair value Levels 1 and 2. However, $20.1 million of loans were transferred into Level 3 from Level 2 due to the loans being transferred to a held for sale status. The loans transferred and subsequently sold related to three nonperforming relationships for which this was determined to be an appropriate exit strategy. Completion of the loan sales resulted in a $0.6 million gain for the period.

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The tables below present the balances of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31 and total gains and losses realized on these assets during the year ended December 31:
 
2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Total
Gains
(Losses)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans
$

 
$
34,864

 
$
10,926

 
$
45,790

 
$
(7,017
)
Other real estate owned

 
7,828

 
153

 
7,981

 
(1,319
)
Total Assets
$

 
$
42,692

 
$
11,079

 
$
53,771

 
$
(8,336
)
 
2013
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Total
Gains
(Losses)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans
$

 
$
36,903

 
$
13,656

 
$
50,559

 
$
(13,681
)
Other real estate owned

 
12,752

 
172

 
12,924

 
(198
)
Total Assets
$

 
$
49,655

 
$
13,828

 
$
63,483

 
$
(13,879
)
Impaired loans over $100 thousand are individually reviewed to determine the amount of each loan considered to be at risk of noncollection. The fair value for impaired loans that are collateral based is determined by reviewing real property appraisals, equipment valuations, accounts receivable listings and other financial information. A discounted cash flow analysis is performed to determine fair value for impaired loans when an observable market price or a current appraisal is not available. For real estate secured loans, First Commonwealth’s loan policy requires updated appraisals be obtained at least every twelve months on all impaired loans with balances of $250 thousand and over. For real estate secured loans with balances under $250 thousand, we rely on broker price opinions. For non-real estate secured assets, the Company normally relies on third party valuations specific to the collateral type.
The fair value for other real estate owned determined by either an independent market based appraisal less estimated costs to sell or an executed sales agreement is classified as Level 2. The fair value for other real estate owned determined using an internal valuation is classified as Level 3. Other real estate owned has a current carrying value of $7.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and consisted primarily of commercial real estate properties in Pennsylvania. We review whether events and circumstances subsequent to a transfer to other real estate owned have occurred that indicate the balance of those assets may not be recoverable. If events and circumstances indicate further impairment, we will record a charge to the extent that the carrying value of the assets exceed their fair values, less estimated costs to sell, as determined by valuation techniques appropriate in the circumstances.
Certain other assets and liabilities, including goodwill, core deposit intangibles and customer list intangibles are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances. Additional information related to this measurement is provided in Note 14 “Goodwill and Other Amortizing Intangible Assets.” There were no other assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during 2014.
FASB ASC Topic 825-10, “Transition Related to FSP FAS 107-1” and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” require disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are as discussed above. The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below.
Cash and due from banks and interest bearing bank deposits: The carrying amounts for cash and due from banks and interest-bearing bank deposits approximate the estimated fair values of such assets.
Securities: Fair values for securities are based on quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments. Pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligation values are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and are not based on market exchange, dealer or broker traded transactions. These valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to each instrument. The carrying value of other investments, which includes FHLB stock, is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value.

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Loans held for sale: The fair value of loans held for sale are estimated utilizing a present value of future discounted cash flows of the loan utilizing a risk-based expected return to discount the value, unless a sales agreement has been executed, in which case the sales price would equal fair value.
Loans: The fair values of all loans are estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using interest rates currently offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality adjusted for past due and nonperforming loans, which is not an exit price under FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”
Off-balance sheet instruments: Many of First Commonwealth’s off-balance sheet instruments, primarily loan commitments and standby letters of credit, are expected to expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. FASB ASC Topic 460, “Guarantees,” clarified that a guarantor is required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The carrying amount and estimated fair value for standby letters of credit was $0.2 million and $0.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 12, “Commitments and Letters of Credit,” for additional information.
Deposit liabilities: Estimated fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date because of the customers' ability to withdraw funds immediately. The carrying value of variable rate time deposit accounts and certificates of deposit approximate the fair value at the report date. Also, fair values of fixed rate time deposits for both periods are estimated by discounting the future cash flows using interest rates currently being offered and a schedule of aggregated expected maturities.
Short-term borrowings: The fair values of borrowings from the FHLB were estimated based on the estimated incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowings. The carrying amounts of other short-term borrowings, such as federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase, were used to approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of the borrowings.
Long-term debt and subordinated debt: The fair value of long-term debt and subordinated debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using First Commonwealth’s estimated incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

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The following table presents carrying amounts and estimated fair values of First Commonwealth’s financial instruments at December 31:
 
2014
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using:
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
72,276

 
$
72,276

 
$
72,276

 
$

 
$

Interest-bearing deposits
2,262

 
2,262

 
2,262

 

 

Securities available for sale
1,309,819

 
1,309,819

 

 
1,279,400

 
30,419

Other investments
44,545

 
44,545

 

 
44,545

 

Loans held for sale
2,502

 
2,502

 

 
2,502

 

Loans
4,457,308

 
4,439,766

 

 
34,864

 
4,404,902

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
4,315,511

 
4,319,997

 

 
4,319,997

 

Short-term borrowings
1,105,876

 
1,105,867

 

 
1,105,867

 

Long-term debt
89,459

 
90,319

 

 
90,319

 

Subordinated debt
72,167

 
62,815

 

 

 
62,815

 
2013
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using:
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
74,427

 
$
74,427

 
$
74,427

 
$

 
$

Interest-bearing deposits
3,012

 
3,012

 
3,012

 

 

Securities available for sale
1,318,365

 
1,318,365

 

 
1,293,422

 
24,943

Other investments
35,444

 
35,444

 

 
35,444

 

Loans
4,283,833

 
4,321,847

 

 
36,903

 
4,284,944

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
4,603,863

 
4,531,685

 

 
4,531,685

 

Short-term borrowings
626,615

 
626,603

 

 
626,603

 

Long-term debt
144,385

 
145,477

 

 
145,477

 

Subordinated debt
72,167

 
51,706

 

 

 
51,706



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Note 20—Income Taxes
The income tax provision for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision for income exclusive of securities transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
12,661

 
$
2,509

 
$
12,035

State
157

 
68

 
72

Total current tax provision
12,818

 
2,577

 
12,107

Deferred tax provision
4,862

 
12,704

 
2,551

Total tax provision
$
17,680

 
$
15,281

 
$
14,658

The statutory to effective tax rate reconciliation for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% of
Pretax
Income
 
Amount
 
% of
Pretax
Income
 
Amount
 
% of
Pretax
Income
 
(dollars in thousands)
Tax at statutory rate
$
21,747

 
35
 %
 
$
19,867

 
35
 %
 
$
19,814

 
35
 %
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from bank owned life insurance
(1,926
)
 
(3
)
 
(1,939
)
 
(3
)
 
(2,048
)
 
(4
)
Tax-exempt interest income, net
(2,133
)
 
(4
)
 
(2,600
)
 
(5
)
 
(2,789
)
 
(5
)
Tax credits
(134
)
 

 
(144
)
 

 
(267
)
 

Other
126

 

 
97

 

 
(52
)
 

Total tax provision
$
17,680

 
28
 %
 
$
15,281

 
27
 %
 
$
14,658

 
26
 %
The total tax provision for financial reporting differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before taxes. First Commonwealth ordinarily generates an annual effective tax rate that is less than the statutory rate of 35% due to benefits resulting from tax-exempt interest, income from bank owned life insurance and tax benefits associated with low income housing tax credits. The consistent level of tax benefits that reduce First Commonwealth’s tax rate below the 35% statutory rate produced an annual effective tax rate of 28%, 27% and 26% for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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The tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities that represent significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are presented below:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses
$
18,218

 
$
18,979

Postretirement benefits other than pensions
679

 
726

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward
8,627

 
13,896

Litigation reserve
3,000

 

Unrealized loss on securities available for sale
2,463

 
11,235

Writedown of other real estate owned
603

 
207

Deferred compensation
2,246

 
2,118

Accrued interest on nonaccrual loans
1,059

 
1,481

Other-than-temporary impairment of securities
9,239

 
9,693

Depreciation of assets
1,127

 
1,546

Accrued incentives
1,594

 
1,153

Unfunded loan commitment allowance
1,078

 
1,106

Deferred rent
969

 
653

Other
1,354

 
2,462

Total deferred tax assets
52,256

 
65,255

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Basis difference in assets acquired
(344
)
 
(518
)
Loan origination fees and costs
(1,337
)
 
(637
)
Income from unconsolidated subsidiary
(603
)
 
(590
)
Other
(318
)
 
(332
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(2,602
)
 
(2,077
)
Net deferred tax asset
$
49,654

 
$
63,178

The net deferred tax asset of $49.7 million as of December 31, 2014 includes a $8.6 million alternative minimum tax credit carryforward with an indefinite life. There is also a $9.2 million deferred tax asset for other-than-temporary impairment of securities, of which $0.4 million are potential capital losses that can only be utilized if capital gains are realized.
Management assesses all available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. In evaluating deferred tax assets, future taxable income forecasted over the next three years was considered. The amount of future taxable income used in management’s valuation is based upon management approved forecasts, evaluation of historical earnings levels, proven ability to raise capital to support growth or during times of economic stress and consideration of prudent and feasible potential tax strategies. If future events differ from our current forecasts, a valuation allowance may be required, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Based on our evaluation, including the consideration of the weighting of positive and negative evidence, as of December 31, 2014, management has determined that no valuation allowance is necessary for the deferred tax assets because it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized through future reversals of existing temporary differences and through future taxable income.
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” the Company has no material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties as of December 31, 2014. We do not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase in the next twelve months and will record interest and penalties as a component of noninterest expense.
First Commonwealth is subject to routine audits of our tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service as well as all states in which we conduct business. Federal and state income tax years 2011 through 2013 are open for examination as of December 31, 2014.


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Note 21—Retirement Plans
First Commonwealth has a savings plan pursuant to the provisions of section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue code. Effective January 1, 2013, a participating employee can receive a maximum matching contribution of 6% of their compensation. In addition, each participating employee may contribute up to 80% of their eligible compensation to the plan. The 401(k) plan expense was $2.6 million in 2014, $2.6 million in 2013, and $2.6 million in 2012.
First Commonwealth maintains a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan ("NQDC Plan") to provide deferred compensation for those employees whose total annual or annualized Plan compensation for a calendar year is at least $110,000. Prior to 2012, the NQDC Plan was called the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). The NQDC Plan provides participants whose maximum retirement contribution is limited by IRS rules to defer additional compensation.
Participants in the NQDC Plan are eligible to defer (on a pre-tax basis) from 1% to 25% of their eligible Plan compensation. There was no NQDC Plan expense in 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Select employees from former acquisitions were covered by postretirement benefit plans which provide medical and life insurance coverage. The measurement date for these plans was December 31.
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions from Prior Acquisitions
Net periodic benefit cost of these plans for the years ended December 31, was as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Service cost
$

 
$

 
$

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
62

 
62

 
75

Amortization of transition obligation

 

 
2

Gain amortization
(29
)
 
(7
)
 
(32
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
33

 
$
55

 
$
45


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The following table sets forth the change in the benefit obligation and plan assets as of December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
1,644

 
$
1,986

Service cost

 

Interest cost
62

 
62

Amendments

 

Actuarial loss (gain)
284

 
(225
)
Net benefits paid
(168
)
 
(179
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
1,822

 
1,644

Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

Employer contributions
168

 
179

Net benefits paid
(168
)
 
(179
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

Funded Status at End of Year
1,822

 
1,644

Unrecognized transition obligation

 

Unrecognized net gain
117

 
430

Amounts recognized in retained earnings
$
1,939

 
$
2,074

As of December 31, the funded status of the plan is:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Condition as Other liabilities
$
1,822

 
$
1,644

The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs as of December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (gain) loss
$
(76
)
 
$
(280
)
 
$
(138
)
Transition obligation

 

 

Total
$
(76
)
 
$
(280
)
 
$
(138
)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation as of December 31 are as follows:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted-average Assumptions
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
3.61
%
 
4.01
%
 
3.31
%
Health care cost trend: Initial
6.50
%
 
6.75
%
 
7.00
%
Health care cost trend: Ultimate
4.75
%
 
4.75
%
 
4.75
%
Year ultimate reached
2022

 
2022

 
2022


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Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the net benefit costs as of December 31 are as follows: 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted Average Assumptions for Net Periodic Cost
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
4.01
%
 
3.31
%
 
4.22
%
Health care cost trend: Initial
6.75
%
 
7.00
%
 
8.00
%
Health care cost trend: Ultimate
4.75
%
 
4.75
%
 
4.75
%
Year ultimate reached
2022

 
2022

 
2016

Corridor
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
Recognition period for gains and losses
10.0

 
11.0

 
12.0

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. The postretirement plans of First Commonwealth are provided through insurance coverage; therefore, First Commonwealth will not receive a direct federal subsidy. The preceding measures of the accumulated postretirement benefit cost assume that First Commonwealth will not receive the subsidy due to the relatively small number of retirees.
The health care cost trend rate assumption can have a significant impact on the amounts reported for this plan. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
 
One-Percentage-
Point Increase
 
One-Percentage-
Point Decrease
 
(dollars in thousands)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
$
74

 
$
(67
)
Effect on total of service and interest cost components
2

 
(2
)
As of December 31, 2014, the projected benefit payments for the next ten years are as follows:
 
Projected Benefit
        Payments         
 
(dollars in thousands)
2015
$
197

2016
192

2017
187

2018
172

2019
145

2020 - 2024
623

The projected payments were calculated using the same assumptions as those used to calculate the benefit obligations included in this note.
The estimated costs that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic cost for 2015 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Postretirement
Benefits
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net gain
$
(4
)
Transition obligation

Total
$
(4
)


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Note 22—Unearned ESOP Shares
During 2012, all employees with at least one year of service were eligible to participate in the ESOP. Contributions to the plan are determined by the Board of Directors and are based upon a prescribed percentage of the annual compensation of all participants. The ESOP acquired shares of First Commonwealth’s common stock in a transaction whereby the ESOP Trust borrowed funds that were guaranteed by First Commonwealth. The borrowed amounts represented leveraged and unallocated shares, and accordingly were recorded as long-term debt with the offset as a reduction of common shareholders’ equity. The borrowing had a balance of $1.6 million at December 31, 2011 and matured in November of 2012. All the remaining shares held as collateral for the loan were released and allocated to participants when the borrowing was repaid. Compensation costs related to the plan were $733 thousand in 2012.
On August 28, 2014, First Commonwealth received a determination letter from the IRS in relation to the termination of the ESOP stating that the termination of the plan does not adversely affect the Plan's federal tax status.
The following is an analysis of ESOP shares held in suspense and the fair value of those shares as of December 31:
 
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Shares in suspense, beginning of the year
 
104,661

Shares allocated
 
(104,661
)
Shares acquired
 

Shares in suspense, end of the year
 

Fair market value of shares in suspense
 

Interest paid on the ESOP loan and dividends received on unallocated shares for the year ended December 31 were:
 
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest paid on ESOP loan
 
$
13

Dividends on unallocated shares
 
19

Dividends on unallocated shares were used for debt service while all dividends on allocated shares were allocated or paid to the participants.

Note 23—Incentive Compensation Plan
On January 20, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted, with shareholder approval, the First Commonwealth Financial Corporation Incentive Compensation Plan. This plan allows for shares of common stock to be issued to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries as an incentive to aid in the financial success of the Company. The shares can be issued as options, stock appreciation rights, performance share or unit awards, dividend or dividend equivalent rights, stock awards, restricted stock awards, or other annual incentive awards. Up to 5,000,000 shares of stock can be awarded under this plan, of which 4,169,742 shares were still eligible for awards as of December 31, 2014.

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Restricted Stock
The following provides detail on the restricted stock awards which were issued and outstanding in 2014, 2013 and 2012 in order to retain and attract key employees. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards is equal to the price of First Commonwealth’s common stock on grant date.
Grant Date
Shares issued
Grant Price
Vesting Date
Number of Equal Vesting Periods
 
 
 
 
 
November 17, 2014
3,500

$
9.26

November 17, 2017
1
April 8, 2014
27,500

8.89

April 8, 2017
3
March 24, 2014
46,000

9.18

March 24, 2017
1
March 4, 2014
5,000

8.75

March 4, 2017
1
January 1, 2014
12,626

8.82

December 31, 2014
1
August 16, 2013
3,000

7.57

August 16, 2016
1
May 31, 2013
45,000

7.21

May 31, 2016
3
March 1, 2013
10,000

7.35

March 1, 2016
1
February 24, 2012
34,000

5.96

December 31, 2014
1
February 24, 2012
90,000

5.96

February 24, 2015
1
January 1, 2012
100,000

5.26

January 1, 2016
4
November 21, 2011
10,000

4.41

November 21, 2014
1
April 1, 2011
25,000

6.82

April 1, 2016
1
January 22, 2010
30,120

5.70

January 22, 2012
2
Compensation expense related to restricted stock was $1.0 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was $2.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards granted.
A summary of the status of First Commonwealth’s unvested service-based restricted stock awards as of December 31 and changes for the years ended on those dates is presented below:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding, beginning of the year
271,000

 
$
6.07

 
253,000

 
$
5.71

 
50,060

 
$
6.00

Granted
94,626

 
9.03

 
58,000

 
7.25

 
224,000

 
5.65

Vested
(98,487
)
 
6.18

 
(35,000
)
 
5.46

 
(17,060
)
 
5.73

Forfeited
(2,139
)
 
5.96

 
(5,000
)
 
5.96

 
(4,000
)
 
5.96

Outstanding, end of the year
265,000

 
7.08

 
271,000

 
6.07

 
253,000

 
5.71

The following provides detail on restricted stock awards estimated to be granted on a performance award basis during 2014, 2013 and 2012. These plans were previously approved by the Board of Directors.
Grant Date
Target Share Award
Performance Period (years)
Award if threshold met
Award if targets are met
Award if targets exceeded
Award if threshold not achieved
Vesting After Performance Period (years)
Final vesting
January 17, 2011
54,166

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
1
January 17, 2014
February 24, 2012
68,000

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
1
December 31, 2015
January 28, 2013
128,611

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
1
December 31, 2016
January 27, 2014
125,000

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
0
December 31, 2016

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The following table summarizes the estimated unvested target share awards for the Plans as of December 31:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Outstanding, beginning of the year
250,777

 
151,333

 
93,333

Granted
126,389

 
138,611

 
74,000

Issued
(12,626
)
 

 

Forfeited
(80,540
)
 
(39,167
)
 
(16,000
)
Outstanding, end of the year
284,000

 
250,777

 
151,333

The estimated unvested target awards for the Plans have an estimated fair value of $9.22 per share for each year based on the closing price of Company stock as of December 31, 2014.
Stock Option Plan
First Commonwealth’s stock based compensation plan expired on October 15, 2005, and is described below. Although the plan currently has outstanding awards, it has expired. All of the exercise prices and related number of shares have been adjusted to reflect historical stock splits. The plan permitted the Executive Compensation Committee to grant options for up to 4.5 million shares of First Commonwealth’s common stock through October 15, 2005.
The vesting requirements and terms of options granted were at the discretion of the Executive Compensation Committee. Options granted in 2005 vested in the year granted. All options expire ten years from the grant date. All equity compensation plans were approved by security holders.
A summary of the status of First Commonwealth’s outstanding stock options as of December 31 and changes for the years ended on those dates is presented below:
 
12/31/2014
 
12/31/2013
 
12/31/2012
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Outstanding, beginning of the year
27,000

 
$
14.49

 
196,322

 
$
11.64

 
496,863

 
$
10.03

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 
(130,672
)
 
6.76

Forfeited
(12,000
)
 
14.41

 
(169,322
)
 
11.19

 
(169,869
)
 
10.68

Balance, end of the year
15,000

 
14.55

 
27,000

 
14.49

 
196,322

 
11.64

Exercisable at the end of the year
15,000

 
14.55

 
27,000

 
14.49

 
196,322

 
11.64

The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2012 was $1.41 per share. There were no options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014:
 
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
Exercise Price
Number
Outstanding
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contract
Life
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Number
Exercisable
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$14.55
15,000

 
0.0
 
$
14.55

 
15,000

 
$
14.55


Note 24—Contingent Liabilities
Legal proceedings

Market Rate Savings IRA Litigation
McGrogan v. First Commonwealth Bank was filed as a class action on January 12, 2009, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The action alleges that the Bank promised class members a minimum interest rate of 8% on its IRA Market Rate Savings Account for as long as the class members kept their money on deposit in the IRA account. The class asserted that the Bank committed fraud, breached its modified contract with the class members, and violated the

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Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Law ("UTPCPL") when it resigned as custodian of the IRA Market Rate Savings Accounts in 2008 and offered the class members a roll-over IRA account with a 3.5% interest rate. Plaintiffs sought monetary damages for the alleged breach of contract, punitive damages for the alleged fraud and Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Law violations and attorney’s fees. The court granted class certification as to the breach of modified contract claim and denied class certification as to the fraud and Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Law claims. The breach of contract claim was predicated upon a letter sent to customers in 1998 which reversed an earlier decision by the Bank to reduce the rate paid on the accounts. The letter stated, in relevant part, “This letter will serve as notification that a decision has been made to re-establish the rate on your account to eight percent (8)%. This rate will be retroactive to your most recent maturity date and will continue going forward on deposits presently in the account and on annual additions.” On August 30, 2012, the Court entered an order granting the Bank’s motion for summary judgment and dismissed the class action claims. The Court found that the Bank retained the right to resign as custodian of the accounts and that the act of resigning as custodian and closing the accounts did not breach the terms of the underlying IRA contract. On appeal, the Superior Court affirmed the denial of class certification to the claims of fraud in the execution and violation of the UTPCPL. The Superior Court found that none of the other issues were ripe for appeal. Jurisdiction was returned to the Court of Common Pleas where the individual fraud and UTPCPL claims of Mr. and Mrs. McGrogan were scheduled for trial.

In December 2013, three new complaints were filed by 34 former members of the McGrogan class alleging fraud in the execution and violation of the UTPCPL based upon substantially similar facts to the claims of Mr. and Mrs. McGrogan.

In January 2015, the Bank and the various plaintiffs reached a preliminary global settlement of this litigation. The settlement, which is subject to court approval and other conditions, would resolve the claims of the 36 individual plaintiffs and the claims of the other former members of the McGrogan class. First Commonwealth established a reserve in the amount of $8.6 million as of December 31, 2014 against the anticipated cost of the settlement. The contingent reserve is included in "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Other matters
There are no other material legal proceedings to which First Commonwealth or its subsidiaries are a party, or of which their property is the subject, except proceedings which arise in the normal course of business and, in the opinion of management, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated operations or financial position of First Commonwealth or its subsidiaries.

Note 25—Related Party Transactions
Some of First Commonwealth’s directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and their related interests had transactions with the subsidiary bank in the ordinary course of business. All deposit and loan transactions were made on substantially the same terms, such as collateral and interest rates, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions. In the opinion of management, these transactions do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility nor do they present other unfavorable features. It is anticipated that similar transactions will be entered into in the future.
The following is an analysis of loans to related parties (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2013
$
683

Advances
297

Repayments
(258
)
Other

December 31, 2014
$
722

The “Other” line primarily reflects decreases due to changes in the individuals designated as a “related party” during the year.

Note 26—Regulatory Restrictions and Capital Adequacy
The amount of funds available to the parent from its subsidiary bank is limited by restrictions imposed on all depository institutions by banking regulation that restricts and limits the payment of dividends and the ability of depository institutions to engage in transactions, including lending transactions and asset purchases, with affiliates.
First Commonwealth is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators which, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on First Commonwealth’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy

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guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, First Commonwealth and its banking subsidiary must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of First Commonwealth’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. First Commonwealth’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.

First Commonwealth maintains capital to absorb unexpected losses. In order to provide assurance that our capital levels are adequate for our risk exposure we test our capital position under several stress scenarios on a bi-annual basis. This analysis is reviewed with our Board of Directors. Our most recent capital stress test was completed in December 2013.
On July 9, 2013, federal banking agencies approved changes to the regulatory capital framework, which are effective beginning on January 1, 2015, with some items phasing in over a period of time. The most significant of these changes include higher minimum capital requirements, as the minimum tier I capital ratio increased from 4.0% to 6.0% and the establishment of a new common equity tier I capital ratio was established with a minimum level of 4.5%. Additionally, the new rules improve the quality of capital by providing stricter eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments and provide for a phase-in, beginning January 1, 2016, of a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. This buffer provides a requirement to hold common equity tier 1 capital above the minimum risk-based capital requirements. Management currently expects that First Commonwealth will remain well-capitalized after the adoption of these changes.
Under regulations in effect through December 31, 2014, quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require First Commonwealth to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Total and Tier I capital (common and certain other “core” equity capital) to risk weighted assets, and of Tier I capital to average assets. As of December 31, 2014, First Commonwealth and its banking subsidiary met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
As of December 31, 2014, First Commonwealth Bank was considered well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action as in effect on that date. To be considered well capitalized under the rules in effect through December 31, 2014, the bank must maintain minimum Total risk-based capital, Tier I risk-based capital and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table below:
 
Actual
 
Regulatory Minimum
 
Well Capitalized Regulatory Guidelines
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
(dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
662,733

 
12.79
%
 
$
414,460

 
8.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

First Commonwealth Bank
647,500

 
12.48

 
415,217

 
8.00

 
$
519,021

 
10.00
%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
607,602

 
11.73
%
 
$
207,230

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

First Commonwealth Bank
592,369

 
11.41

 
207,608

 
4.00

 
$
311,413

 
6.00
%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
607,602

 
9.85
%
 
$
246,738

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

First Commonwealth Bank
592,369

 
9.66

 
245,276

 
4.00

 
$
306,595

 
5.00
%
As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
656,235

 
13.26
%
 
$
396,009

 
8.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

First Commonwealth Bank
637,415

 
12.87

 
396,275

 
8.00

 
$
495,344

 
10.00
%
Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
598,851

 
12.10
%
 
$
198,004

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

First Commonwealth Bank
580,031

 
11.71

 
198,138

 
4.00

 
$
297,206

 
6.00
%
Tier I Capital to Average Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
598,851

 
10.00
%
 
$
239,430

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

First Commonwealth Bank
580,031

 
9.75

 
237,993

 
4.00

 
$
297,491

 
5.00
%


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Note 27—Capital
On June 19, 2012 First Commonwealth announced a $50.0 million common stock repurchase program. On January 29, 2013, an additional share repurchase program was authorized for up to $25.0 million in shares of the Company’s common stock. On January 28, 2014, an additional share repurchase program was authorized for up to $25.0 million in shares of the Company's common stock. As of December 31, 2014, all three programs were completed resulting in a total of 13,734,185 shares repurchased at an average price of $7.31 per share.

Note 28—Condensed Financial Information of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (parent company only)
Statements of Financial Condition
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(dollars in thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
Cash
$
10,402

 
$
8,370

Loans
24

 
27

Investment in subsidiaries
712,610

 
696,438

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
2,182

 
2,182

Investment in jointly-owned company
8,749

 
8,559

Premises and equipment, net
4,287

 
6,376

Receivable from subsidiaries

 
267

Dividends receivable from subsidiaries

 
1,319

Other assets
50,988

 
62,633

Total assets
$
789,242

 
$
786,171

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
930

 
$
2,307

Subordinated debentures payable
72,167

 
72,167

Shareholders’ equity
716,145

 
711,697

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
789,242

 
$
786,171

Statements of Income
For the years ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest and dividends
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
1

Dividends from subsidiaries
49,207

 
65,140

 
64,342

Interest expense
(2,335
)
 
(3,128
)
 
(5,711
)
Other income
1,251

 
2,653

 
12,581

Operating expense
(6,766
)
 
(8,820
)
 
(19,061
)
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in undistributed (loss) earnings of subsidiaries
41,358

 
55,846

 
52,152

Applicable income tax benefits
2,968

 
3,384

 
4,364

Income before equity in undistributed (loss) earnings of subsidiaries
44,326

 
59,230

 
56,516

Equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries
127

 
(17,748
)
 
(14,562
)
Net income
$
44,453

 
$
41,482

 
$
41,954


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For the years ended December 31,
Statements of Cash Flow
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars in thousands)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
44,453

 
$
41,482

 
$
41,954

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
2,150

 
3,030

 
3,719

Net gain (loss) on sales of assets

 
17

 
(107
)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid income taxes
(487
)
 
3,044

 
(3,044
)
Undistributed equity in subsidiaries
(127
)
 
17,748

 
14,562

Other net
13,077

 
12,964

 
8,789

Net cash provided by operating activities
59,066

 
78,285

 
65,873

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in loans
3

 
4

 
4

Purchases of premises and equipment
(47
)
 
(123
)
 
(3,005
)
Proceeds from sale of other assets
13

 
1,132

 
4,309

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(31
)
 
1,013

 
1,308

Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Repayments of subordinated debenture

 
(34,702
)
 

Discount on dividend reinvestment plan purchases
(65
)
 
(112
)
 
(92
)
Dividends paid
(26,174
)
 
(22,344
)
 
(18,759
)
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock
192

 
176

 
1,028

Purchase of treasury stock
(30,956
)
 
(33,439
)
 
(36,242
)
Stock option tax benefit

 

 
1

Net cash used in financing activities
(57,003
)
 
(90,421
)
 
(54,064
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
2,032

 
(11,123
)
 
13,117

Cash at beginning of year
8,370

 
19,493

 
6,376

Cash at end of year
$
10,402

 
$
8,370

 
$
19,493

Cash dividends declared per common share were $0.28 for 2014, $0.23 for 2013 and $0.18 for 2012.
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation has an unsecured $15.0 million line of credit with another financial institution. As of December 31, 2014, there are no amounts outstanding on this line. We are currently not meeting a debt covenant related to Return on Average Assets; however, a waiver has been received from the lender for this covenant.

Note 29—Subsequent Event

On January 27, 2015, an additional share repurchase program was authorized by the Board of Directors for up to $25.0 million in shares of the Company’s common stock. Under this program, management is authorized to repurchase shares through Rule 10b5-1 plans, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Depending on market conditions and other factors, repurchases may be made at any time or from time to time, without prior notice. First Commonwealth may suspend or discontinue the program at any time.


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Quarterly Summary of Financial Data—Unaudited
The unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
 
2014
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
First
Quarter
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income
$
50,420

 
$
51,089

 
$
50,166

 
$
50,506

Interest expense
4,267

 
4,536

 
4,783

 
4,915

Net interest income
46,153

 
46,553

 
45,383

 
45,591

Provision for credit losses
2,575

 
2,073

 
3,317

 
3,231

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
43,578

 
44,480

 
42,066

 
42,360

Net securities gains
500

 
48

 
2

 

Other noninterest income
13,387

 
15,002

 
17,000

 
14,920

Other expenses
47,359

 
41,568

 
42,396

 
39,887

Income before income taxes
10,106

 
17,962

 
16,672

 
17,393

Income tax provision
2,377

 
5,466

 
4,744

 
5,093

Net Income
$
7,729

 
$
12,496

 
$
11,928

 
$
12,300

Basic Earnings Per Share
$
0.08

 
$
0.13

 
$
0.13

 
$
0.13

Diluted Earnings Per Share
0.08

 
0.13

 
0.13

 
0.13

Average shares outstanding
91,591,554

 
92,567,503

 
93,794,589

 
94,543,420

Average shares outstanding assuming dilution
91,598,411

 
92,578,701

 
93,811,543

 
94,568,059

 
2013
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
First
Quarter
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income
$
51,308

 
$
52,308

 
$
50,981

 
$
51,761

Interest expense
5,002

 
5,079

 
5,283

 
6,343

Net interest income
46,306

 
47,229

 
45,698

 
45,418

Provision for credit losses
1,216


2,714

 
10,800

 
4,497

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
45,090

 
44,515

 
34,898

 
40,921

Net securities (losses) gains
(1,395
)
 
229

 
4

 
4

Other noninterest income
14,659

 
16,854

 
14,927

 
14,881

Other expenses
45,327

 
40,045

 
41,998

 
41,454

Income before income taxes
13,027

 
21,553

 
7,831

 
14,352

Income tax provision
3,768

 
5,699

 
2,015

 
3,799

Net Income
$
9,259

 
$
15,854

 
$
5,816

 
$
10,553

Basic Earnings Per Share
$
0.10

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.11

Diluted Earnings Per Share
0.10

 
0.16

 
0.06

 
0.11

Average shares outstanding
95,119,572

 
96,194,594

 
97,564,699

 
99,288,738

Average shares outstanding assuming dilution
95,138,836

 
96,208,545

 
97,577,010

 
99,305,414

 


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ITEM 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
 
ITEM 9A.    Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In addition, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. No such changes were identified in connection with this evaluation.
 

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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
First Commonwealth is responsible for the preparation, the integrity, and the fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report. The Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to the financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and include some amounts based upon management’s best estimates and judgments.
First Commonwealth’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), that is designed to produce reliable financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including First Commonwealth’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, First Commonwealth conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented and that misstatements due to error or fraud may occur without detection. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Based on First Commonwealth’s evaluation based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014. The effectiveness of First Commonwealth’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which is included herein.
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
Indiana, Pennsylvania
March 2, 2015
 
/S/    T. Michael Price        
 
/S/    James R. Reske       
T. Michael Price
 
James R. Reske
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation:
We have audited First Commonwealth Financial Corporation’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). First Commonwealth Financial Corporation’s 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 Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s 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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, First Commonwealth Financial Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. (COSO).
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statements of financial condition of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and our report dated March 2, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 2, 2015
 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s 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 Commonwealth Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), First Commonwealth Financial Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 2, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 2, 2015

 

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ITEM 9B.    Other Information
None.

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PART III

ITEM 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information called for by this item concerning the identification, business experience and qualifications of First Commonwealth’s directors will be included in First Commonwealth’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders to be held April 28, 2015 (the “Proxy Statement”), under the heading “Proposal 1—Election of Directors,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information called for by this item concerning First Commonwealth’s compliance with section 16(a) of the Exchange Act will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
First Commonwealth has adopted a code of conduct and ethics that applies to all employees of the Company, including executive officers. In addition, First Commonwealth has adopted a code of ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and all senior financial officers of the Company. Both of these codes are filed as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are posted on First Commonwealth’s website at http://www.fcbanking.com. Refer to Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a list of exhibits.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which security holders of First Commonwealth may recommend nominees to First Commonwealth’s Board of Directors since First Commonwealth last disclosed those procedures in its definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders.
Information called for by this item concerning First Commonwealth’s Audit Committee and the identification of “Audit Committee financial experts” will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Certain information regarding executive officers is included under the caption “Executive Officers of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation” after Part I, Item 4, of this Report.
 
ITEM 11.    Executive Compensation
Information called for by this item concerning compensation of First Commonwealth’s executive officers and the report of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Executive Compensation,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information called for by this item concerning compensation of First Commonwealth’s directors will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Compensation of Directors,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information called for by this item concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and security ownership of management will be included in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Securities Owned by Directors and Management,” and is incorporated herein by reference. 
The following table provides information related to our existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014:
Plan Category
Number of
securities to  be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
15,000

 
$
14.55

 
4,169,742

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

Total
15,000

 
$
14.55

 
4,169,742



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ITEM 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information called for by this item concerning transactions with related persons and review, approval or ratification of transactions with related persons will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Related Party Transactions,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information called for by this item concerning director independence will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information called for by this item concerning fees paid to First Commonwealth’s principal accountant and First Commonwealth’s pre-approval policies and procedures will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Annual Audit Information,” and is incorporated herein by reference.


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PART IV
ITEM 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statements and Schedules

(A)Documents Filed as Part of this Report
(1)Financial Statements
All financial statements of the registrant as set forth under Item 8 of the Report on Form 10-K.
(2)    Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule
Number
  
Description
Page
I
  
Indebtedness to Related Parties
N/A
II
  
Guarantees of Securities of Other Issuers
N/A
(3)Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
  
Incorporated by Reference to
3.1
  
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
  
Exhibit 3.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
3.2
  
Amended and Restated By-Laws of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
  
Exhibit 3.1 to the current report as Form 8-K filed January 20, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
  
Amended and Restated Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (formerly known as the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan)
  
Exhibit 10.2 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed March 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
  
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2012 entered into among First Commonwealth Financial Corporation, First Commonwealth Bank and T. Michael Price
  
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.3
  
Change of Control Agreement dated December 30, 2011 entered into between FCFC and T. Michael Price
  
Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.4
  
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation Incentive Compensation Plan
  
Annex I to Proxy Statement filed March 16, 2009 relating to the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
10.5
  
2013 Annual Incentive Plan
  
Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.6
  
2012-2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan
  
Exhibit 10.5 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.7
 
2013-2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.8
 
2014-2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
10.9
  
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for service-based restricted stock
  
Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.10
 
Change of Control Agreement dated December 30, 2011 entered into between FCFC and I. Robert Emmerich
 
Exhibit 10.12 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed March 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.11
 
Change of Control Agreement dated December 30, 2011 entered into between FCFC and Leonard V. Lombardi
 
Exhibit 10.13 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed March 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.12
 
Change of Control Agreement dated December 30, 2011 entered into between FCFC and Matthew C. Tomb
 
Exhibit 10.14 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed March 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

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Exhibit
Number
  
Description
  
Incorporated by Reference to
10.13
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2012 among First Commonwealth Financial Corporation, First Commonwealth Bank and T. Michael Price
 
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.14
 
Employment Agreement dated April 10, 2014 between First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and James R. Reske
 
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form
8-K filed April 10, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
10.15
 
Change of Control Agreement dated April 10, 2014 between First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and James R. Reske
 
Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form
8-K filed April 10, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
10.16
 
Restricted Stock Agreement dated April 10, 2014 between First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and James R. Reske
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form
8-K filed April 10, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
10.17
 
Change of Control Agreement dated March 1, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Norman J. Montgomery
 
Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.18
 
Change of Control Agreement dated March 1, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Carrie L. Riggle
 
Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.19
 
Change of Control Agreement dated May 31, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Jane Grebenc
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.20
 
Restricted Stock Agreement dated April 1, 2011 entered into between FCFC and I. Robert Emmerich
 
Exhibit 10.15 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed March 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.21
 
Restricted Stock Agreement dated January 1, 2012 entered into between FCFC and T. Michael Price
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.22
 
Employment Agreement dated May 31, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Jane Grebenc
 
Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.23
 
Restricted Stock Agreement dated May 31, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Jane Grebenc
 
Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.24
 
Amended and Restated Director Retainer Plan
 
Exhibit 10.24 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed march 3, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
21.10
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
23.10
 
Consent of KPMG LLP Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
31.10
 
Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
31.20
 
Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
32.10
 
Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
32.20
 
Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 

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Exhibit
Number
  
Description
  
Incorporated by Reference to
101.00
 
The following materials from First Commonwealth Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Filed herewith

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Registrant)
 
 
By:
 
/S/    T. Michael Price        
 
 
T. Michael Price
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
Dated: March 2, 2015
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been executed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
  
Capacity
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/S/    James G. Barone
 
Director
 
March 2, 2015
James G. Barone
 
 
 
 

  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
Julie A. Caponi
 
 
 
 
/S/    Ray T. Charley        
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
Ray T. Charley
 
 
 
 
/S/    Gary R. Claus        
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
Gary R. Claus
 
 
 
 
/S/    David S. Dahlmann   
  
Director, Chairman
 
March 2, 2015
David S. Dahlmann
 
 
 
 
/S/    Johnston A. Glass        
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
Johnston A. Glass
 
 
 
 
/S/    Jon L. Gorney        
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
Jon L. Gorney
 
 
 
 
/S/    David W. Greenfield
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
David W. Greenfield
 
 
 
 
/S/    Luke A. Latimer  
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
Luke A. Latimer
 
 
 
 
/S/    James W. Newill 
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
James W. Newill
 
 
 
 
/S/    T. Michael Price        
  
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
 
March 2, 2015
T. Michael Price
 
 
 
 
/S/    James R. Reske       
  
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
 
March 2, 2015
James R. Reske
 
 
 
 
/S/    Laurie S. Singer
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
Laurie S. Singer
 
 
 
 
/S/    Robert J. Ventura
  
Director
 
March 2, 2015
Robert J. Ventura
 
 
 
 

114