INDEPENDENT BANK CORP /MI/ - Quarter Report: 2014 September (Form 10-Q)

---

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2014

Commission file number   0-7818

 

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION

---

 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

230 West Main Street, P.O. Box 491, Ionia, Michigan  48846

---

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

NONE

---

Former name, address and fiscal year, if changed since last report.

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer or smaller reporting company.

Large accelerated filer ¨  Accelerated filer ¨  Non-accelerated filer ¨  Smaller reporting company x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

---

---

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

---

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Discussions and statements in this report that are not statements of historical fact, including statements that include terms such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “likely,” “optimistic” and “plan” and statements about future or projected financial and operating results, plans, projections, objectives, expectations, and intentions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of plans and objectives for future operations, products or services; projections of our future revenue, earnings or other measures of economic performance; forecasts of credit losses and other asset quality trends; statements about our business and growth strategies; and expectations about economic and market conditions and trends.  These forward-looking statements express our current expectations, forecasts of future events, or long-term goals.  They are based on assumptions, estimates, and forecasts that, although believed to be reasonable, may turn out to be incorrect.   Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including:

·

economic, market, operational, liquidity, credit, and interest rate risks associated with our business;

·

economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, particularly economic conditions within Michigan and the regional and local real estate markets in which our bank operates;

·

the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of, and provisions made to, our allowance for loan losses;

·

the failure of assumptions underlying our estimate of probable incurred losses from vehicle service contract payment plan counterparty contingencies, including our assumptions regarding future cancellations of vehicle service contracts, the value to us of collateral that may be available to recover funds due from our counterparties, and our ability to enforce the contractual obligations of our counterparties to pay amounts owing to us;

·

increased competition in the financial services industry, either nationally or regionally;

·

our ability to achieve loan and deposit growth;

·

volatility and direction of market interest rates;

·

the continued services of our management team; and

·

implementation of new legislation, which may have significant effects on us and the financial services industry.

This list provides examples of factors that could affect the results described by forward-looking statements contained in this report, but the list is not intended to be all inclusive.  The risk factors disclosed in Part I – Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, as updated by any new or modified risk factors disclosed in Part II – Item 1A of any subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, include all known risks that our management believes could materially affect the results described by forward-looking statements in this report.  However, those risks may not be the only risks we face.  Our results of operations, cash flows, financial position, and prospects could also be materially and adversely affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us, that we currently consider to be immaterial, or that develop after the date of this report.  We cannot assure you that our future results will meet expectations. While we believe the forward-looking statements in this report are reasonable, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. In addition, these statements speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update or alter any statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

---

Part I - Item 1.

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

See notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

---

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

See notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

---

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

---

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

See notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

---

INDEPENDENT BANK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

See notes to interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

---

(unaudited)

1.	Preparation of Financial Statements

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all the adjustments necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial condition as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.  The results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.  Our critical accounting policies include the assessment for other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on investment securities,  the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the determination of vehicle service contract counterparty contingencies, the valuation of originated mortgage loan servicing rights and the valuation of deferred tax assets.  Refer to our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a disclosure of our accounting policies.

2.	New Accounting Standards

In July, 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740), Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”.  This ASU amends existing guidance so that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, then the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability.  This amended guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2014 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.

In May, 2014 the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. This ASU supersedes and replaces nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance, establishes a new control-based revenue recognition model, changes the basis for deciding when revenue is recognized over time or at a point in time, provides new and more detailed guidance on specific topics and expands and improves disclosures about revenue. In addition, this ASU specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer.  This amended guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2017 and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated operating results or financial condition.

 

---

(unaudited)

3.	Securities

Securities available for sale consist of the following:

 

---

(unaudited)

Our investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair values aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual securities have been at a continuous unrealized loss position follows:

 

Our portfolio of available-for-sale securities is reviewed quarterly for impairment in value. In performing this review management considers (1) the length of time and extent that fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (3) the impact of changes in market interest rates on the market value of the security and (4) an assessment of whether we intend to sell, or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. For securities that do not meet the aforementioned recovery criteria, the amount of impairment recognized in earnings is limited to the amount related to credit losses, while impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss.

 

---

(unaudited)

U.S. agency, U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed securities and U.S. agency commercial mortgage backed securities — at September 30, 2014 we had 13 U.S. agency, 71 U.S. agency residential mortgage-backed and 17 U.S. agency commercial mortgage-backed securities whose fair market value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are largely attributed to rises in term interest rates and widening spreads to Treasury bonds. As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Private label residential mortgage backed securities — at September 30, 2014 we had four of this type of security whose fair value is less than amortized cost. Two of the four issues are rated by a major rating agency as investment grade while the other two are below investment grade. One of these bonds has impairment in excess of 10% and all four of these holdings have been impaired for more than 12 months.  The unrealized losses are largely attributable to credit spread widening on these securities since their acquisition.

All of these securities are receiving principal and interest payments. Most of these transactions are pass-through structures, receiving pro rata principal and interest payments from a dedicated collateral pool. The nonreceipt of interest cash flows is not expected and thus not presently considered in our discounted cash flow methodology discussed below.

All private label residential mortgage-backed securities are reviewed for OTTI utilizing a cash flow projection. The cash flow analysis forecasts cash flow from the underlying loans in each transaction and then applies these cash flows to the bonds in the securitization.  Our cash flow analysis forecasts complete recovery of our cost basis for three of the four securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost while the fourth security had credit related OTTI and is discussed in further detail below.

As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no other declines discussed above are deemed to be other than temporary.

Other asset backed — at September 30, 2014 we had 11 other asset backed securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are primarily due to widening discount margins.  As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Obligations of states and political subdivisions — at September 30, 2014 we had 84 municipal securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost.  The unrealized losses are primarily due to increases in interest rates since acquisition.  As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

Corporate — at September 30, 2014 we had four corporate securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. The unrealized losses are primarily due to credit spread widening.  As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

 

---

(unaudited)

Trust preferred securities — at September 30, 2014 we had three trust preferred securities whose fair value is less than amortized cost. All of our trust preferred securities are single issue securities issued by a trust subsidiary of a bank holding company. The pricing of trust preferred securities over the past several years has suffered from credit spread widening fueled by uncertainty regarding potential losses of financial companies and repricing of risk related to these hybrid capital securities.

One of the three securities is rated by two major rating agencies as investment grade, while one (a Bank of America issuance) is rated below investment grade by two major rating agencies and the other one is non-rated. The non-rated issue is a relatively small bank and was never rated. The issuer of this non-rated trust preferred security, which had a total amortized cost of $1.0 million and total fair value of $0.9 million as of September 30, 2014, continues to have satisfactory credit metrics and make interest payments.

The following table breaks out our trust preferred securities in further detail as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

As management does not intend to liquidate these securities and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of these unrealized losses, no declines are deemed to be other than temporary.

We recorded $0.009 million of credit related OTTI charges in earnings on securities available for sale during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.  We recorded zero and $0.026 million of credit related OTTI charges during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

 

---

(unaudited)

At September 30, 2014 three private label residential mortgage-backed securities had credit related OTTI and are summarized as follows:

Each of these securities is receiving principal and interest payments similar to principal reductions in the underlying collateral.  Two of these securities have unrealized gains and one has an unrealized loss at September 30, 2014.  Prior to the second quarter of 2013 all three of these securities had an unrealized loss.  The original amortized cost for each of these securities has been permanently adjusted downward for previously recorded credit related OTTI.  The unrealized loss (based on original amortized cost) for two of these securities is now less than previously recorded credit related OTTI amounts.  The remaining non-credit related unrealized loss in the senior security is attributed to other factors and is reflected in other comprehensive income during those same periods.

A roll forward of credit losses recognized in earnings on securities available for sale for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, follows:

 

---

(unaudited)

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale at September 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, follow:

 

The actual maturity may differ from the contractual maturity because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Gains and losses realized on the sale of securities available for sale are determined using the specific identification method and are recognized on a trade-date basis.  A summary of proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale and gains and losses for the nine month periods ending September 30, follows:

 

---

(1) Gains in 2014 exclude $0.179 million of unrealized gain related to a U.S. Treasury short position.

(2) Losses in 2014 and 2013 exclude $0.009 million and $0.026 million, respectively of credit related OTTI recognized in earnings.

 

During 2014 and 2013 our trading securities consisted of various preferred stocks.  During the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 we recognized gains on trading securities of $0.032 million and $0.197 million, respectively that are included in net gains (losses) on securities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Both of these amounts relate to gains recognized on trading securities still held at each respective period end.

 

---

(unaudited)

4.

Loans

Our assessment of the allowance for loan losses is based on an evaluation of the loan portfolio, recent loss experience, current economic conditions and other pertinent factors.

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three months ended September 30, follows:

 

---

(unaudited)

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the nine months ended September 30, follows:

 

---

(unaudited)

Allowance for loan losses and recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment follows: