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INDEPENDENT BANK CORP - Annual Report: 2018 (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, 2018
or
o
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: 1-9047
Independent Bank Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Massachusetts
04-2870273
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
Office Address: 2036 Washington Street,
Hanover, Massachusetts
Mailing Address: 288 Union Street,
Rockland, Massachusetts
(Address of principal executive offices)
02339
 
02370
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(781) 878-6100
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.0l par value per share
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    
Yes  x No   o
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  o   No  x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required 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  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes  x        No  o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) 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.     o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer," “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
Large Accelerated Filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
Emerging growth company
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
If and emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o    

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


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As of June 30, 2018, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing price of such stock on June 30, 2018 was approximately $2,113,770,437.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. February 25, 2019 - 28,121,819

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
List hereunder the following documents if incorporated by reference and the Part of the Form 10-K (e.g., Part I, Part II, etc.) into which the document is incorporated: (1) Any annual report to security holders; (2) Any proxy or information statement; and (3) Any prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (c) under the Securities Act of 1933.

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated into Part III, Items 10-14 of this Form 10-K. The 2019 definitive proxy statement will be filed within 120 days of December 31, 2018.
 


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INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
 
 
2018 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  
Page #
Part I
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
Part II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
 
 
 
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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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, both in the MD&A and elsewhere, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are not historical facts and include expressions about management’s confidence and strategies and management’s expectations about new and existing programs and products, acquisitions, relationships, opportunities, taxation, technology, market conditions and economic expectations. These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “view,” “opportunity,” “allow,” “continues,” “reflects,” “typically,” “usually,” “anticipate,” or similar statements or variations of such terms. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties and our actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements in addition to those risk factors listed under the “Risk Factors” section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K include, but are not limited to:

a weakening in the United States economy in general and the regional and local economies within the New England region and the Company’s market area;
adverse changes or volatility in the local real estate market;
adverse changes in asset quality including an unanticipated credit deterioration in our loan portfolio including those related to one or more large commercial relationships;
acquisitions may not produce results at levels or within time frames originally anticipated and may result in unforeseen integration issues or impairment of goodwill and/or other intangibles;
inability to raise capital on terms that are favorable;
additional regulatory oversight and additional costs associated with the Company's anticipated increase in assets to over $10 billion;
changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
higher than expected tax expense, resulting from failure to comply with general tax laws, changes in tax laws, or failure to comply with requirements of the federal New Markets Tax Credit program;
unexpected changes in market interest rates for interest earning assets and/or interest bearing liabilities;
unexpected increased competition in the Company’s market area;
unanticipated loan delinquencies, loss of collateral, decreased service revenues, and other potential negative effects on our business caused by severe weather or other external events;
a deterioration in the conditions of the securities markets;
a deterioration of the credit rating for U.S. long-term sovereign debt;
our inability to adapt to changes in information technology, including changes to industry accepted delivery models driven by a migration to the internet as a means of service delivery;
electronic fraudulent activity within the financial services industry, especially in the commercial banking sector;
adverse changes in consumer spending and savings habits;
failure to consummate or a delay in consummating the acquisition of Blue Hills Bancorp, which is subject to certain standard conditions, including regulatory approval;
the inability to realize expected synergies from merger transactions in the amounts or in the timeframes anticipated;
inability to retain customers and employees, including those acquired in the MNB Bancorp and Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. acquisitions;
the effect of laws and regulations regarding the financial services industry including, but not limited to, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and the Consumer Protection Act and regulatory uncertainty surrounding these laws and regulations;
changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) generally applicable to the Company’s business;
the impact of the U.S. Government shutdown;
changes in accounting policies, practices and standards, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and other accounting standard setters;
cyber security attacks or intrusions that could adversely impact our businesses; and
other unexpected material adverse changes in our operations or earnings.

Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events or otherwise. Any public statements or disclosures by the Company following this Annual Report on Form 10-K which modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General
Independent Bank Corp. (the “Company”) is a state chartered, federally registered bank holding company headquartered in Rockland, Massachusetts that was incorporated under Massachusetts law in 1985. The Company is the sole stockholder of Rockland Trust Company (“Rockland” or the “Bank”), a Massachusetts trust company chartered in 1907. Rockland is a community-oriented commercial bank, and the community banking business is the Company’s only reportable operating segment. The community banking business is managed as a single strategic unit and derives its revenues from a wide range of banking services, including lending activities, acceptance of demand, savings, and time deposits, and investment management. At December 31, 2018, the Company had total assets of $8.9 billion, total deposits of $7.4 billion, stockholders’ equity of $1.1 billion, and 1,188 full-time equivalent employees.
On September 20, 2018 the Company and Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. (“Blue Hills Bancorp”), parent of Blue Hills Bank, signed a definitive merger agreement for the Company to acquire Blue Hills Bancorp and Rockland Trust to acquire Blue Hills Bank. The merger agreement provides that each Blue Hills Bancorp stockholder will receive 0.2308 of a share of the Company's common stock and $5.25 in cash for each share of Blue Hills Bancorp common stock. The transaction is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and to provide a tax-free exchange for Blue Hills Bancorp stockholders for the Company common stock portion of the consideration they receive. The merger remains subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
On November 16, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of MNB Bancorp (MNB Bancorp) the parent company of The Milford National Bank and Trust Company, adding three full service bank branches in Worcester County, Massachusetts. The acquisition included the acquisition of $293.5 million in loans and the assumption of $278.2 million in deposits, each at fair value. The total deal consideration was $56.1 million and comprised of 25% cash and 75% stock consideration, which equates to 528,353 shares of the Company's common stock issued to MNB Bancorp shareholders valued at $42.5 million, and $13.6 million in cash, inclusive of cash in lieu of fractional shares.
The Company is currently the sponsor of Independent Capital Trust V, a Delaware statutory trust, Slade's Ferry Statutory Trust I, a Connecticut statutory trust, Central Bancorp Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust, and Central Bancorp Statutory Trust II, a Connecticut statutory trust, each of which was formed to issue trust preferred securities. As a result of the MNB Bancorp acquisition, the Company became the sponsor of East Main Street Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust. Subsequent to year end, the Company redeemed all outstanding debentures issued by East Main Street Trust I and is in the process of dissolving the entity. These statutory trusts are not included in the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the consolidation topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).
As of December 31, 2018, the Bank had the following corporate subsidiaries, all of which were wholly owned by the Bank and included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements:

Five Massachusetts security corporations, namely Rockland Borrowing Collateral Securities Corp., Rockland Deposit Collateral Securities Corp., Taunton Avenue Securities Corp., Goddard Ave Securities Corp. and MFLR Securities Corporation;

Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation, which has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Rockland Trust Community Development LLC and Rockland Trust Community Development Corporation II, and which also serves as the manager of three Limited Liability Company subsidiaries wholly-owned by the Bank, Rockland Trust Community Development III LLC, Rockland Trust Community Development IV LLC, and Rockland Trust Community Development V LLC, which are all qualified as community development entities under federal New Markets Tax Credit Program criteria;

Rockland MHEF Fund LLC, established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rockland Trust, created with Massachusetts Housing Equity Fund, Inc. as the third party nonmember manager and established to invest in certain low-income housing tax credit projects;

RTC LIHTC Investments LLC, established to invest primarily in Massachusetts-based low-income housing tax credit projects;

Rockland Trust Phoenix LLC, formed for the purpose of holding, maintaining, and disposing of certain foreclosed properties;

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Bright Rock Capital Management LLC, which was established to act as a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940; and

Compass Exchange Advisors LLC, which provides like-kind exchange services pursuant to section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Periodically, Compass Exchange Advisors LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, acts as an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (“EAT”) in connection with customers' like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. When Compass Exchange Advisors LLC provides EAT services, it establishes an EAT entity to hold title to property for its customers for up to 180 days in accordance with Internal Revenue Service guidelines. EAT entities are considered the property owner solely for federal income tax purposes, and in no other instances, in order to facilitate a customer's like kind exchange. A typical EAT entity is a Massachusetts corporation whose directors are all Rockland Trust officers and which has Compass Exchange Advisors LLC as its sole shareholder. The EAT entity owns all of the membership interest in a LLC which holds title to the property and is managed by the customer. All financial benefits and burdens of property ownership are borne by the customer. EAT entities are therefore not consolidated onto Compass Exchange Advisors LLC's balance sheet in accordance with requirements of the consolidation topic of the ASC.

Market Area and Competition
The Bank contends with considerable competition both in generating loans and attracting deposits. The Bank’s competition for generating loans is primarily from other commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, mortgage banking companies, finance companies, online lenders or online banks, and other institutional lenders. Competitive factors considered for loan generation include interest rates, terms offered, loan fees charged, loan products offered, services provided, and geographic locations.
In attracting deposits, the Bank’s primary competitors are savings banks, commercial and co-operative banks, credit unions, internet banks, as well as other nonbank institutions that offer financial alternatives such as brokerage firms and insurance companies. Competitive factors considered in attracting and retaining deposits include deposit and investment products and their respective rates of return, brand awareness, liquidity, and risk, among other factors, such as convenient branch locations and hours of operation, personalized customer service, online and mobile access to accounts and automated teller machines.
The Bank’s market area is attractive and entry into the market by financial institutions previously not competing in the market area may continue to occur which could impact the Bank’s growth or profitability. The Bank’s market area is generally comprised of Eastern Massachusetts, including Greater Boston, the South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands, as well as Worcester County and Rhode Island.

Lending Activities
The Bank’s gross loan portfolio (loans before allowance for loan losses) amounted to $6.9 billion on December 31, 2018, or 78.0% of total assets. The Bank classifies loans as commercial, consumer real estate, or other consumer. Commercial loans consist of commercial and industrial loans, asset-based loans, commercial real estate, commercial construction, and small business loans. Commercial and industrial loans generally consist of loans to customers with credit needs in excess of $250,000 and revenue in excess of $2.5 million, and are made for working capital and other business-related purposes and floor plan financing. Asset-based loans consist primarily of revolving lines of credit but also include term loans. Asset-based revolving lines of credit are typically structured as committed lines with terms of three to five years, have variable rates of interest, and are collateralized by accounts receivable and inventory. Asset-based term loans are typically secured by owner occupied commercial real estate and machinery and equipment. Commercial real estate loans are comprised of commercial mortgages, including mortgages for construction purposes that are secured by nonresidential properties, multifamily properties, or one-to-four family rental properties. Small business loans, including real estate loans, generally consist of loans to businesses with commercial credit needs of less than or equal to $250,000 and revenues of less than $2.5 million. Consumer real estate consists of residential mortgages and home equity loans and lines of credit that are secured primarily by owner-occupied residences and mortgages for the construction of residential properties. Other consumer loans are mainly personal loans.
The Bank’s borrowers consist of small-to-medium sized businesses and consumers. Substantially all of the Bank’s commercial, consumer real estate, and other consumer loan portfolios consist of loans made to residents of and businesses located in the Bank’s market area. The majority of the real estate loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio are secured by properties located within this market area.
Interest rates charged on loans may be fixed or variable and vary with the degree of risk, loan term, underwriting and servicing costs, loan amount, and the extent of other banking relationships maintained with customers. Rates are further subject to competitive pressures, the current interest rate environment, availability of funds, and government regulations.

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The Bank’s principal earning assets are its loans. Although the Bank judges its borrowers' creditworthiness, the risk of deterioration in borrowers’ abilities to repay their loans in accordance with their existing loan agreements is inherent in any lending function. Participating as a lender in the credit market requires a strict underwriting and monitoring process to minimize credit risk. This process requires substantial analysis of the loan application, an evaluation of the customer’s capacity to repay according to the loan’s contractual terms, and an objective determination of the value of the collateral. The Bank also utilizes the services of an independent third-party to provide loan review services, which consist of a variety of monitoring techniques performed after a loan becomes part of the Bank’s portfolio.
The Bank’s Controlled Asset and Consumer Collections departments are responsible for the management and resolution of nonperforming loans. Nonperforming loans consist of nonaccrual loans and loans that are more than 90 days past due but still accruing interest. In the course of resolving nonperforming loans, the Bank may choose to foreclose on the loan or restructure the contractual terms of certain loans, by modifying the terms of the loan to fit the ability of the borrower to repay in line with its current financial status.
Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”) includes real estate properties, which have primarily served as collateral to secure loans, that are controlled or owned by the Bank.
Origination and Sale of Loans    Commercial and industrial, asset-based, commercial real estate, and construction loan applications are obtained through existing customers, solicitation by Bank personnel, referrals from current or past customers, or walk-in customers. Small business loan applications are typically originated by the Bank’s retail staff, through a dedicated team of business officers, by referrals from other areas of the Bank, by referrals from current or past customers, or through walk-in customers. Consumer loan applications primarily result from referrals by real estate brokers, branch referrals, homebuilders, advertising, direct mail, and existing or walk-in customers who have been made aware of the Bank’s consumer loan services through advertising, direct mail, and other media.
Loans are approved based upon a hierarchy of authority, predicated upon the size of the loan. Levels within the hierarchy of lending authorities range from individual lenders to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. In accordance with governing banking statutes, the Bank is permitted, with certain exceptions, to make loans and commitments to any one borrower, including related entities, in the aggregate amount of not more than 20% of the Bank’s stockholders’ equity, or $225.2 million, at December 31, 2018, which is the Bank’s legal lending limit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank has established a more restrictive limit of not more than 75% of the Bank’s legal lending limit, or $168.9 million, at December 31, 2018, which may only be exceeded with the approval of the Board of Directors. There were no borrowers whose total indebtedness in aggregate exceeded the Bank’s self-imposed restrictive limit. The Bank’s largest relationship as of December 31, 2018 consisted of 53 loans with an aggregate exposure of $88.6 million.
The Bank’s residential mortgage loans are originated in compliance with terms, conditions and documentation which permit the sale of such loans to investors in the secondary market. Loan sales in the secondary market provide funds for additional lending and other banking activities. Currently, the Bank sells the servicing of the sold loans for a servicing released premium, simultaneous with the sale of the loan. In the past, the Bank may have opted to sell loans and retain the servicing. In these instances, a mortgage servicing rights asset would have been recognized. As part of its asset/liability management strategy, the Bank may opt to retain certain adjustable rate and fixed rate residential real estate loan originations for its portfolio. During 2018, the Bank originated $372.6 million in residential real estate loans of which $182.4 million were retained in its portfolio.
Participation Loans From time to time, the Bank may purchase or sell participating interests in commercial loans to reposition its loan portfolio with the objectives of diversifying credit risk, growing earning assets and/or increasing liquidity. The Bank’s approach to underwriting and approving participation loans, both purchased and sold, is consistent with its underwriting and approval policies and procedures for non-participated loans originated by the Bank. For participation loans purchased by the Bank, prior to deciding to purchase a participating interest in the loan, the Bank completes its own credit analysis that is independent of the lead or agent bank’s analysis of the offering. For loans originated by the Bank where it sells participating interests, the Bank will generally retain the lead servicing position for the loan. As of December 31, 2018, the unamortized balance of participation loans purchased was $491.7 million, while the sold portion of the unamortized balance of participation loans originated and sold totaled $137.6 million.




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Loan Portfolio    The following table shows the balance of the loans, the percentage of the gross loan portfolio, and the percentage of total interest income that the loans generated, by category, for the fiscal years indicated:
 
As of
 
% of  Total
Loans
 
% of Total Interest Income
Generated For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
December 31, 2018
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
4,874,718

 
70.6
%
 
67.1
%

67.0
%
 
66.8
%
Consumer real estate
2,015,378

 
29.2
%
 
23.6
%

24.0
%
 
23.7
%
Other consumer
16,098

 
0.2
%
 
0.3
%

0.3
%
 
0.5
%
Total
$
6,906,194

 
100.0
%
 
91.0
%

91.3
%
 
91.0
%
Commercial Loans    Commercial loans consist of commercial and industrial loans, asset-based loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial construction loans and small business loans. The Bank offers secured and unsecured commercial loans for business purposes. Commercial loans may be structured as term loans or as revolving/nonrevolving lines of credit, and include overdraft protection, credit cards, and automatic clearinghouse (“ACH”) exposure. These loans may be collateralized by either owner or nonowner-occupied commercial mortgages.
The following pie chart shows the diversification of the commercial and industrial portfolio as of December 31, 2018:
chart-0f4bc58e5b62539db1f.jpg
Select Statistics Regarding the Commercial and Industrial Portfolio
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Average loan size
$
275

Largest individual commercial and industrial loan outstanding
$
24,275

Commercial and industrial nonperforming loans/commercial and industrial loans
2.41
%
Commercial and industrial term loans generally have a repayment schedule of five years or less and, although the Bank occasionally originates some commercial term loans with interest rates which float in accordance with a designated index rate, the majority of commercial term loans have fixed rates of interest and are collateralized by equipment, machinery or other corporate assets. In addition, the Bank generally obtains personal guarantees from the principal owners of the borrower for its commercial loans. At December 31, 2018, there were $371.6 million of term loans in the commercial and industrial loan portfolio.

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Collateral for commercial and industrial revolving lines of credit, including asset based lines, may consist of accounts receivable, inventory, or both, as well as other business assets. Commercial revolving lines of credit and asset based lines generally are reviewed on an annual basis and usually require either a borrowing base formula or substantial repayment of principal during the course of a year. The vast majority of these revolving lines of credit have variable rates of interest. At December 31, 2018, there were $722.0 million of revolving lines of credit in the commercial and industrial loan portfolio.
Also included in the commercial and industrial portfolio are automobile and, to a lesser extent, boat, recreational vehicle, and other vehicle floor plan financing. Floor plan loans are secured by the automobiles, boats, or other vehicles, which constitute the dealer’s inventory. Upon the sale of a floor plan unit, the proceeds of the sale are applied to reduce the loan balance. In the event a unit financed under a floor plan line of credit remains in the dealer’s inventory for an extended period, the Bank requires the dealer to pay-down the outstanding balance associated with such unit. Contractors hired by the Bank make unannounced periodic inspections of each dealer to review the condition of the underlying collateral and ensure that each unit that the Company has financed is accounted for. At December 31, 2018, there were $93.0 million in floor plan loans, all of which have variable rates of interest.
Small business lending caters to all of the banking needs of businesses with commercial credit requirements and revenues typically less than or equal to $250,000 and $2.5 million, respectively, and uses partially automated loan underwriting capabilities. Additionally, the Company makes use of the Bank’s authority as a preferred lender with the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). At December 31, 2018, there were $30.8 million of SBA guaranteed loans in the commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loan categories, and $12.8 million of SBA guaranteed loans in the small business loan category.
The Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio, inclusive of commercial construction, is the Bank’s largest loan type concentration. The Bank believes this portfolio is well-diversified with loans secured by a variety of property types, such as owner-occupied and nonowner-occupied commercial, retail, office, industrial, warehouse, industrial development bonds, and other special purpose properties, such as hotels, motels, nursing homes, restaurants, churches, recreational facilities, marinas, and golf courses. Commercial real estate also includes loans secured by certain residential-related property types including multi-family apartment buildings, residential development tracts and condominiums.

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The following pie chart shows the diversification of the commercial real estate portfolio as of December 31, 2018:
chart-fbd9382205bd565c820.jpg
Select Statistics Regarding the Commercial Real Estate Portfolio
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Average loan size
$
858

Largest individual commercial real estate mortgage outstanding
$
29,000

Commercial real estate nonperforming loans/commercial real estate loans
0.09
%
Owner occupied commercial real estate loans/commercial real estate loans
16.2
%
Although terms vary, commercial real estate loans typically are underwritten with maturities of five to ten years. These loans generally have amortization periods of 20 to 25 years, with interest rates that float in accordance with a designated index or that are fixed during the origination process. For loans with terms greater than five years, with certain exceptions, interest rates may be fixed for no longer than five years and are reset typically on the fifth anniversary of the loan. It is the Bank’s practice to obtain personal guarantees from the principals of the borrower on commercial real estate loans and to obtain financial statements at least annually from all actively managed commercial and multi-family borrowers.
Commercial real estate lending entails additional risks as compared to residential real estate lending. Commercial real estate loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Development of commercial real estate projects also may be subject to numerous land use and environmental issues. The payment experience on such loans is typically dependent on the successful operation of the real estate project, which can be significantly impacted by supply and demand conditions within the markets for commercial, retail, office, industrial/warehouse and multi-family tenancy.
Also included in the commercial real estate portfolio are industrial developmental bonds. The Bank owns certain bonds issued by various state agencies, municipalities and nonprofit organizations that it categorizes as loans. This categorization is made on the basis that another entity (i.e. the Bank’s customer), not the issuing agency, is responsible for the payment to the Bank of the principal and interest on the debt. Furthermore, credit underwriting is based solely on the credit of the customer (and guarantors, if any), the banking relationship is with the customer and not the agency, there is no active secondary market for the bonds, and the bonds are not available for sale, but are intended to be held by the Bank until maturity. Therefore, the Bank believes that such bonds are more appropriately characterized as loans, rather than securities. At December 31, 2018, the balance of industrial development bonds was $77.0 million.
Construction loans are intended to finance the construction of residential and commercial properties, including loans for the acquisition and development of land or rehabilitation of existing properties. Nonpermanent construction loans generally have terms of at least six months, but not more than two years. They usually do not provide for amortization of the loan balance during

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the construction term. The majority of the Bank’s commercial construction loans have floating rates of interest. At December 31, 2018, the commercial construction portfolio amounted to $365.2 million.
Construction loans are generally considered to present a higher degree of risk than permanent real estate loans and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as adverse changes in interest rates and the borrower’s ability to control costs and adhere to time schedules. Other construction-related risks may include market risk, that is, the risk that “for-sale” or “for-lease” units may not be absorbed by the market within a developer’s anticipated time-frame or at a developer’s anticipated price. When the Company enters into a loan agreement with a borrower on a construction loan, an interest reserve may be included in the amount of the loan commitment to the borrower and it allows the lender to periodically advance loan funds to pay interest charges on the outstanding balance of the loan. The interest may be capitalized and added to the loan balance. Management actively tracks and monitors these accounts.
Consumer Real Estate Loans    The Bank’s consumer real estate loans consist of loans and lines secured by one-to-four family residential properties.
The Bank originates both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate residential real estate loans. The Bank will lend up to 97% of the lesser of the appraised value of the residential property securing the loan or the purchase price, and generally requires borrowers to obtain private mortgage insurance when the amount of the loan exceeds 80% of the value of the property. In certain instances for loans that qualify for the Fannie Mae Home Affordable Refinance Initiative and other similar programs, the Bank will lend up to 125% of the appraised value of the residential property, and such loans are then subsequently sold by the Bank. The rates of these loans are typically competitive with market rates. The Bank’s residential real estate loans are generally originated only under terms, conditions and documentation which permit sale in the secondary market. In order to protect the properties securing its residential and other real estate loans, the Bank requires title insurance protecting the priority of its mortgage lien, as well as fire, extended casualty, and flood insurance, when necessary. Independent appraisers assess properties securing all of the Bank’s first mortgage real estate loans, as required by regulatory standards.
Home equity loans and lines may be made as fixed rate term loans or under variable rate revolving lines of credit secured by a first or second mortgage on the borrower’s residence or second home. At December 31, 2018, 59.9% of the home equity portfolio was in first lien position and 40.1% of the portfolio was in a subordinate position. At December 31, 2018, $415.6 million, or 38.1%, of the home equity portfolio was comprised of term loans and $676.5 million, or 61.9%, of the home equity portfolio was comprised of revolving lines of credit. The Bank will typically originate home equity loans and lines in an amount up to 80% of the appraised value or on-line valuation, reduced for any loans outstanding that are secured by such collateral. Home equity loans and lines are underwritten in accordance with the Bank’s loan policy, which includes a combination of credit history, loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio, employment history and debt-to-income ratio.
The Bank periodically supplements performance data with current Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) and LTV estimates. Current FICO data is purchased and typically appended to all consumer loans on a quarterly basis. In addition, automated valuation services and broker opinions of value are used to supplement original value data for the residential and home equity portfolios. Use of re-score and re-value data enables the Bank to better understand the current credit risk associated with these loans, but is not the only factor relied upon in determining a borrower’s creditworthiness. See Note 4, “Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Qualitywithin Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for more information regarding FICO and LTV estimates.
Other Consumer Loans    Consumer loans primarily consist of investment management secured lines of credit, installment loans and overdraft protection.


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Investment Activities
The Bank’s securities portfolio primarily consists of U.S. Government agency securities, agency mortgage-backed securities, agency collateralized mortgage obligations, and small business administration pooled securities. Also included in the Company's security portfolio are trading and equity securities related to certain employee benefit programs. The majority of these securities are investment grade debt obligations with average lives of five years or less. U.S. Government Agency securities entail a lesser degree of risk than loans made by the Bank by virtue of the guarantees that back them, require less capital under risk-based capital rules than noninsured or nonguaranteed mortgage loans, are more liquid than individual mortgage loans, and may be used to collateralize borrowings or other obligations of the Bank. The Bank views its securities portfolio as a source of income and liquidity. Interest and principal payments generated from securities provide a source of liquidity to fund loans and meet short-term cash needs. The Bank’s securities portfolio is managed in accordance with the Rockland Trust Company Investment Policy ("Investment Policy") approved by the Board of Directors. Two members of the Asset-Liability Committee of the Bank ("ALCO"), one of whom must be the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer, must approve purchases or sales, between meetings. These purchases are subject to limits on the type, size and quality of all investments, which are specified in the Investment Policy. The Bank’s ALCO, or its appointee, is required to evaluate any purchase from the standpoint of overall diversification of the portfolio. At December 31, 2018, the Company's securities totaled $1.1 billion, and generated interest and dividends of 8.2%, 8.1%, and 8.5% of total interest income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The Company reviews its security portfolio for impairment and to evaluate collection of principal and interest. If any securities are deferring interest payments, as they may be contractually entitled to do, the Company would place these securities on nonaccrual status and reverse any accrued but uncollected interest.

Sources of Funds
Deposits    At December 31, 2018, total deposits were $7.4 billion. Deposits obtained through the Bank’s branch banking network have traditionally been the principal source of the Bank’s funds for use in lending and for other general business purposes. The Bank has built a stable base of in-market core deposits from consumers, businesses, and municipalities. The Bank offers a range of demand deposits, interest checking, money market accounts, savings accounts, and time certificates of deposit. Interest rates on deposits are based on factors that include loan demand, deposit maturities, alternative costs of funds, and interest rates offered by competing financial institutions in the Bank’s market area. The Bank believes it has been able to attract and maintain satisfactory levels of deposits based on the level of service it provides to its customers, the convenience of its banking locations, its electronic banking options, and its interest rates, all of which are generally competitive with those of competing financial institutions. Additionally, the Bank has a municipal banking department that focuses on providing core depository services to local municipalities. Municipal deposits totaled $545.0 million as of December 31, 2018.
The Company also participates in the Promontory Interfinancial Network, allowing the Bank to provide easy access to multi-million dollar Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") deposit insurance protection on certificate of deposit and money market investments for consumers, businesses and public entities. This channel allows the Company to seek additional funding in potentially large quantities by attracting deposits from outside the Bank’s core market and amounted to $180.5 million and $48.5 million, at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, including approximately $141.2 million of funds transfered from the Company's discontinued customer repurchase agreements. During the second quarter of 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act ("EGRRCPA") was promulgated and determined that reciprocal deposits, such as those acquired through the Promontory Interfinancial Network, were no longer to be treated as brokered deposits. Accordingly, these amounts are no longer included in the total brokered amounts reported by the Company.
    In addition, the Company may occasionally raise funds through the use of brokered deposits outside of the Promontory Interfinancial Network, which amounted to $6.0 million at both December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Rockland Trust’s eighty-nine branch locations are supplemented by the Bank’s internet and mobile banking services as well as automated teller machine (“ATM”) cards and debit cards which may be used to conduct various banking transactions at ATMs maintained at each of the Bank’s full-service offices and eleven additional remote ATM locations. The ATM cards and debit cards also allow customers access to a variety of national and international ATM networks. The Bank's mobile banking services give customers the ability to use a variety of mobile devices to check balances, track account activity, pay bills, search transactions, and set up alerts for text or e-mail messages for changes in their account. Customers can also transfer funds between Rockland Trust accounts, deposit checks into their account, and identify the nearest branch or ATM directly from their mobile device.
Borrowings    As of December 31, 2018, total borrowings were $258.7 million. Borrowings consist of short-term and long-term obligations and may consist of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances, federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements, and junior subordinated debentures.
Rockland is a member of the FHLB of Boston. The primary reason for FHLB membership is to gain access to a reliable source of wholesale funding, particularly term funding, as a tool to manage liquidity and interest rate risk. As a member of the

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FHLB of Boston, the Bank is required to purchase stock in the FHLB. Accordingly, the Company had invested $15.7 million in FHLB stock and had $147.8 million outstanding in FHLB borrowings with original maturities ranging from less than 3 months to 20 years at December 31, 2018. In addition, the Bank had $953.5 million of borrowing capacity remaining with the FHLB at December 31, 2018, inclusive of a $5.0 million line of credit.
Also included in borrowings at December 31, 2018 were $76.2 million of junior subordinated debentures, which are inclusive of unamortized fair value marks associated with previous acquisitions and net of unamortized issuance costs. Total borrowings also includes $34.7 million of subordinated debt, net of unamortized issuance costs. These instruments provide long-term funding as well as regulatory capital benefits.
The Company also has access to other forms of borrowing, such as securities repurchase agreements. In a security repurchase agreement transaction, the Bank will generally sell a security, agreeing to repurchase either the same or a substantially identical security on a specified later date, at a price greater than the original sales price. The difference between the sale price and purchase price is the cost of the proceeds, which is recorded as interest expense. Payments on such borrowings are interest only until the scheduled repurchase date. In a repurchase agreement, the Bank is subject to the risk that the purchaser may default at maturity and not return the securities underlying the agreements. In order to minimize this risk, the Bank either deals with established firms when entering into these transactions or with customers whose agreements stipulate that the securities underlying the agreement are not delivered to the customer and instead are held in segregated safekeeping accounts by the Bank’s safekeeping agents. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank discontinued its customer repurchase sweep product and had no repurchase agreements with investment brokerage firms.
See Note 8, “Borrowingswithin Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for more information regarding borrowings.

Investment Management
The Rockland Trust Investment Management Group provides investment management and trust services to individuals, institutions, small businesses, and charitable institutions throughout the Bank's geographical footprint.
Accounts maintained by the Rockland Trust Investment Management Group consist of managed and nonmanaged accounts. Managed accounts are those for which the Bank is responsible for administration and investment management and/or investment advice, while nonmanaged accounts are those for which the Bank acts solely as a custodian or directed trustee. The Bank receives fees dependent upon the level and type of service(s) provided. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Investment Management Group generated gross fee revenues of $23.4 million. Total assets under administration as of December 31, 2018 were $3.6 billion, of which $3.3 billion was related to managed accounts. Included in these amounts as of December 31, 2018 were assets under administration of $268.0 million, relating to the Company's registered investment advisor, Bright Rock Capital Management, LLC, which provides institutional quality investment management services to both institutional and high net worth clients.
The administration of trust and fiduciary accounts is monitored by the Trust Committee of the Bank’s Board of Directors. The Trust Committee has delegated administrative responsibilities to three committees, one for investments, one for administration, and one for operations, all of which are comprised of Investment Management Group officers who meet no less than quarterly.
The Bank has an agreement with LPL Financial (“LPL”) and its affiliates and their insurance subsidiary, LPL Insurance Associates, Inc., to offer the sale of mutual fund shares, unit investment trust shares, general securities, fixed and variable annuities and life insurance. Registered representatives who are both employed by the Bank and licensed and contracted with LPL are onsite to offer these products to the Bank’s customer base. These same agents are also approved and appointed with various other Broker General Agents for the purposes of processing insurance solutions for clients. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the retail investments and insurance group generated gross fee revenues of $2.7 million.

Regulation
The following discussion sets forth certain material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiaries and provides certain specific information relevant to the Company. To the extent that the following information describes statutory and regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provisions. A change in applicable statutes, regulations or regulatory policy may have a material effect on the Company’s business. The laws and regulations governing the Company and the Bank that are described in the following discussion generally have been promulgated to offer protection to depositors and not for the purpose of protecting stockholders.
General    The Company is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”), and as such is subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”). Rockland Trust is subject to regulation and examination by the Commissioner of Banks of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the “Commissioner”) and the FDIC.

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The Bank Holding Company Act    The BHCA prohibits the Company from acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of 5% or more of any class of voting shares of any bank, or increasing such ownership or control of any bank, without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. The BHCA also prohibits the Company from, with certain exceptions, acquiring 5% or more of any class of voting shares of any company that is not a bank and from engaging in any business other than banking or managing or controlling banks.
Under the BHCA, the Federal Reserve is authorized to approve the ownership by the Company of shares in any company, the activities of which the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking or to managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. The Federal Reserve has, by regulation, determined that some activities are closely related to banking within the meaning of the BHCA. These activities include, but are not limited to, operating a mortgage company, finance company, credit card company, factoring company, trust company or savings association; performing data processing operations; providing some securities brokerage services; acting as an investment or financial adviser; acting as an insurance agent for types of credit-related insurance; engaging in insurance underwriting under limited circumstances; leasing personal property on a full-payout, nonoperating basis; providing tax planning and preparation services; operating a collection agency and a credit bureau; and providing consumer financial counseling and courier services. The Federal Reserve also has determined that other activities, including real estate brokerage and syndication, land development, property management and, except under limited circumstances, underwriting of life insurance not related to credit transactions, are not closely related to banking and are not a proper incident thereto.
Financial Services Modernization Legislation    The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, as amended (“GLB”), repealed provisions of the Glass-Steagall Act which restricted the affiliation of Federal Reserve member banks with firms “engaged principally” in specified securities activities, and which restricted officer, director, or employee interlocks between a member bank and any company or person “primarily engaged” in specified securities activities.
In addition, the GLB preempts any state law restricting the establishment of financial affiliations, primarily related to insurance. The general effect of the law has been to establish a comprehensive framework permitting affiliations among commercial banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other financial service providers, by revising and expanding the BHCA framework to permit a holding company to engage in a full range of financial activities through an entity known as a “financial holding company.” “Financial activities” is broadly defined to include not only banking, insurance and securities activities, but also merchant banking and additional activities that the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, determines to be financial in nature, incidental to such financial activities or complementary activities that do not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally.
Because the GLB permits banks, securities firms and insurance companies to affiliate, the financial services industry has experienced further consolidation, which has increased the amount of competition that the Company faces from larger institutions and other types of companies offering financial products, many of which may have substantially more financial resources than the Company.
Interstate Banking    The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, as amended by the Riegle-Neal Amendments Act of 1997, as amended (the “Interstate Banking Act”), permits bank holding companies to acquire banks in states other than their home state without regard to state laws that previously restricted or prohibited such acquisitions except for any state requirement that the bank has been organized and operating for a minimum period of time, not to exceed five years, and the requirement that the bank holding company, after the proposed acquisition, controls no more than 10 percent of the total amount of deposits of insured depository institutions in the United States and no more than 30 percent or such lesser or greater amount set by state law of such deposits in that state. The Interstate Banking Act also facilitates the operation by state-chartered banks of branch networks across state lines.
Pursuant to Massachusetts law, no approval to acquire a banking institution, acquire additional shares in a banking institution, acquire substantially all the assets of a banking institution, or merge or consolidate with another bank holding company, may be given if the bank being acquired has been in existence for a period less than three years or, as a result of an acquisition, merger or consolidation, the bank holding company would control in excess of 30% of the total deposits of all state and federally chartered banks in Massachusetts, unless waived by the Commissioner. With the prior written approval of the Commissioner, Massachusetts also permits the establishment of de novo branches in Massachusetts to the full extent permitted by the Interstate Banking Act, provided the laws of the home state of such out-of-state bank expressly authorize, under conditions no more restrictive than those of Massachusetts, Massachusetts’ banks to establish and operate de novo branches in such state.
Capital Requirements    The Federal Reserve has adopted capital adequacy guidelines pursuant to which it assesses the adequacy of capital in examining and supervising a bank holding company and in analyzing applications to it under the BHCA. In July 2013, the Federal Reserve published final rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, referred to herein as the "Rules". The FDIC has adopted substantially identical rules (as interim final rules).

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Under the Rules, the minimum capital ratios for the Company and the Bank are as follows:

 4.5% Common Equity Tier 1 ("CET1") to risk-weighted assets.
 6.0% Tier 1 capital (i.e., CET1 plus Additional Tier 1) to risk-weighted assets.
 8.0% Total capital (i.e., Tier 1 plus Tier 2) to risk-weighted assets.
 4.0% Tier 1 leverage capital ratio.

Fully phased in as of January 1, 2019, the Rules also require the Company and the Bank to maintain a “capital conservation buffer” in an amount greater than 2.5%, composed entirely of CET1, on top of the minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions that meet the minimum capital requirements of 4.5%, 6.0% and 8.0% for CET1, Tier 1 and Total capital, respectively, but fall below the capital conservation buffer, will face constraints on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers based on the amount of the shortfall. The capital conservation buffer effectively increases the minimum CET1 capital ratio to 7.0%, the minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio to 8.5%, and the minimum total risk-based capital ratio to 10.5%, for banking organizations seeking to avoid the limitations on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. As of January 1, 2019, the Company and the Bank maintained the required capital conservation buffer of 2.5%.

The Rules provided for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income, and significant investments in common equity issued by nonconsolidated 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. In addition, the effects of certain accumulated other comprehensive items are not excluded; however, certain banking organizations could make a one-time permanent election to continue to exclude these items effective as of January 1, 2015. The Company and the Bank each made such an election.

The deductions and other adjustments to CET1 were previously scheduled to be phased in incrementally between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2018. In November 2017, banking regulations provided that the phase-in of certain of these adjustments for non-advanced approaches organizations such as the Bank was frozen.

With respect to the Bank, the Rules also revised the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, by: (i) introducing a CET1 ratio requirement at each capital quality level (other than critically undercapitalized), with the required CET1 ratio being 6.5% for well-capitalized status; (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category, with the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio for well-capitalized status being 8% (as compared to the previous 6%); and (iii) requiring a leverage ratio of 5% to be well-capitalized (as compared to the previously required leverage ratio of 3 or 4%). The Rules did not change the total risk-based capital requirement for any “prompt corrective action” category. When the capital conservation buffer is fully phased in, the capital ratios applicable to depository institutions under the Rules will exceed the ratios to be considered well-capitalized under the "prompt corrective action" regulations.

The Rules prescribed a standardized approach for calculating risk-weighted assets.

The revised minimum capital levels under the Rules are set forth below:
 
Bank
 
Holding Company
 
Total Risk-Based Ratio
 
Tier 1 Risk-Based Ratio
 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio
 
Total Risk-Based Ratio
 
Tier 1 Risk-Based Ratio
 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio
Category
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Well capitalized
> 10%
and
> 8%
and
> 6.5%
> 5%
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
> 6.5%
n/a
Adequately capitalized
> 8%
and
> 6%
and
> 4.5%
> 4%
 
> 8%
and
> 6%
and
> 4.5%
> 4%
Undercapitalized
< 8%
or
< 6%
or
< 4.5%
< 4%
 
< 8%
or
< 6%
or
n/a
< 4%
Significantly undercapitalized
< 6%
or
< 4%
or
< 3%
< 3%
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
n/a
n/a
The Company is currently in compliance with the above-described regulatory capital requirements. See Note 20, “Regulatory Matterswithin Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for more information.

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Commitments to Affiliated Institutions    Under Federal Reserve policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank. This support may be required at times when the Company may not be able to provide such support. Similarly, under the cross-guarantee provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, in the event of a loss suffered or anticipated by the FDIC - either as a result of default of a banking or thrift subsidiary of a bank holding company such as the Company or related to FDIC assistance provided to a subsidiary in danger of default - the other banking subsidiaries of such bank holding company may be assessed for the FDIC’s loss, subject to certain exceptions.
Limitations on Acquisitions of Common Stock    The federal Change in Bank Control Act, as amended (“CBCA”) prohibits a person or group of persons from acquiring control of a bank holding company or bank unless the appropriate federal bank regulator has been given 60 days prior written notice of such proposed acquisition and, within that time period, such regulator has not issued a notice disapproving the proposed acquisition or extending for up to another 30 days the period during which such a disapproval may be issued. The acquisition of 25% or more of any class of voting securities constitutes the acquisition of control under the CBCA. In addition, under a rebuttal presumption established under the CBCA regulations, the acquisition of 10% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company or a FDIC insured bank, with a class of securities registered under or subject to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute the acquisition of control.
Any company would be required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve under the BHCA before acquiring 25% (5% in the case of an acquirer that is a bank holding company) or more of the outstanding common stock of the Company, or such lesser number of shares as constitute control over the Company. Such approval would be contingent upon, among other things, the acquirer registering as a bank holding company, divesting all impermissible holdings and ceasing any activities not permissible for a bank holding company. The Company does not own more than 5% voting stock in any banking institution other than the Bank.
FDIC Deposit Insurance    The Bank's deposit accounts are insured to the maximum extent permitted by law by the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the FDIC. The FDIC offers insurance coverage on deposits up to the federally insured limit of $250,000.

The Bank is currently assessed a deposit insurance charge from the FDIC based upon the Bank's overall assessment base multiplied by an assessment rate, determined in part from five established risk categories. The Bank's assessment base is defined as average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity, adjusted for the impact of the risk category factors. During 2018, the Company expensed $2.8 million related to this assessment.
Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”)    Pursuant to the CRA and similar provisions of Massachusetts law, regulatory authorities review the performance of the Company and the Bank in meeting the credit needs of the communities served by the Bank. The applicable regulatory authorities consider compliance with this law in connection with applications for, among other things, approval of new branches, branch relocations, the engagement in certain additional financial activities under the GLBA, and acquisitions of banks and bank holding companies. The FDIC and the Massachusetts Division of Banks have assigned the Bank a CRA rating of 'Satisfactory' as of the latest examination.
Bank Secrecy Act    The Bank Secrecy Act requires financial institutions to monitor account activity, keep records and file reports that are determined to have a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax and regulatory matters, and to implement anti-money laundering programs and compliance procedures.
USA Patriot Act of 2001    The Patriot Act strengthens U.S. law enforcement’s and the intelligence communities’ abilities to work cohesively to combat terrorism on a variety of fronts. The impact of the Patriot Act on financial institutions of all kinds is significant and wide-ranging. The Patriot Act contains sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and imposes various regulations, including standards for verifying client identification at account opening, and rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators and law enforcement entities in identifying parties that may be involved in terrorism or money laundering.
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation    The U.S. Treasury Department’s 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. The Company and the Bank are 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.

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Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“SOX”), implemented a broad range of corporate governance and accounting measures to increase corporate responsibility, to provide for enhanced penalties for accounting and auditing improprieties at public companies, and to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of disclosures under federal securities laws. Among other things, SOX and/or its implementing regulations have established new membership requirements and additional responsibilities for the Company’s audit committee, imposed restrictions on the relationship between the Company and its external auditors (including restrictions on the types of non-audit services the external auditors may provide), imposed additional responsibilities for the external financial statements on the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, expanded the disclosure requirements for corporate insiders, required management to evaluate disclosure controls and procedures, as well as internal control over financial reporting, and required the auditors to issue a report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Regulation W    Transactions between a bank and its “affiliates” are quantitatively and qualitatively restricted under the Federal Reserve Act. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act applies Sections 23A and 23B to insured nonmember banks in the same manner and to the same extent as if they were members of the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve has also issued Regulation W, which codifies prior regulations under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and interpretative guidance with respect to affiliate transactions. Regulation W incorporates the exemption from the affiliate transaction rules, but expands the exemption to cover the purchase of any type of loan or extension of credit from an affiliate. Affiliates of a bank include, among other entities, the bank’s holding company and companies that are under common control with the bank. The Company is considered to be an affiliate of the Bank. In general, subject to certain specified exemptions, a bank and its subsidiaries are limited in their ability to engage in “covered transactions” with affiliates:
to an amount equal to 10% of the bank’s capital and surplus, in the case of covered transactions with any one affiliate; and
to an amount equal to 20% of the bank’s capital and surplus, in the case of covered transactions with all affiliates.
In addition, a bank and its subsidiaries may engage in covered transactions and other specified transactions only on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank or its subsidiary, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies. A “covered transaction” includes:
a loan or extension of credit to an affiliate;
a purchase of, or an investment in, securities issued by an affiliate;
a purchase of assets from an affiliate, with some exceptions;
the acceptance of securities issued by an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit to any party; and
the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate.
In addition, under Regulation W:
a bank and its subsidiaries may not purchase a low-quality asset from an affiliate;
covered transactions and other specified transactions between a bank or its subsidiaries and an affiliate must be on terms and conditions that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices; and
with some exceptions, each loan or extension of credit by a bank to an affiliate must be secured by collateral with a market value ranging from 100% to 130%, depending on the type of collateral, of the amount of the loan or extension of credit.
Regulation W generally excludes all nonbank and nonsavings association subsidiaries of banks from treatment as affiliates, except to the extent that the Federal Reserve decides to treat these subsidiaries as affiliates.
New Markets Tax Credit Program    The New Markets Tax Credit Program was created in December 2000 under federal law to provide federal tax incentives to induce private-sector, market-driven investment in businesses and real estate development projects located in low-income urban and rural communities across the nation. The New Markets Tax Credit Program is part of the United States Department of the Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. The New Markets Tax Credit Program enables investors to acquire federal tax credits by making equity investments for a period of at least seven years in qualified community development entities, which have been awarded tax credit allocation authority by, and entered into an allocation agreement with, the United States Treasury. Community development entities must use equity investments to make loans to, or other investments in, qualified businesses and individuals in low-income communities in accordance with New Markets Tax Credit Program criteria. Investors receive an overall tax credit equal to 39% of their total equity investment, credited at a rate of 5% in each of the first 3 years and 6% in each of the final 4 years. More information on the New Markets Tax Credit Program

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may be obtained at www.cdfifund.gov. (The Company has included the web address only as inactive textual references and does not intend it to be an active link to the New Markets Tax Credit Program's website.) For further details about the Bank’s New Markets Tax Credit Program, see the paragraph entitled “Income Taxes” included in Item 7 below.
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act    During 2010, Congress enacted the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). This significant law affects the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies.
Key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are as follows:
eliminated the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest-bearing checking accounts.
broadened the base for Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance assessments. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor.
requires publicly traded companies to give stockholders a nonbinding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments. The Company provides its shareholders with the opportunity to vote on executive compensation every year.
broadened the scope of derivative instruments, and the Company is subject to increased regulation of its derivative business, including record-keeping, reporting requirements, and heightened supervision.
created a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. If and when the Bank exceeds $10 billion in assets, it will become subject to supervision by the CFPB. Until such time, the Bank, and other banks and savings institutions with $10 billion or less in assets, will continue to be examined for compliance with consumer laws by their primary bank regulators. The Bank anticipates that it will cross the $10 billion threshold upon the closing of the merger of Blue Hills Bank with and into the Bank and will thus become subject to regulation by the CFPB.
debit card and interchange fees must be reasonable and proportional to the issuer’s cost for processing the transaction.
Under the Durbin Amendment contained in the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve adopted rules that apply to banks with more than $10 billion in assets, which established a maximum permissible interchange fee equal to no more than 21 cents plus 5 basis points of the transaction value for many types of debit interchange transactions. The Federal Reserve 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 Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve also has rules governing routing and exclusivity that require issuers to offer two unaffiliated networks for routing transactions on each debit or prepaid product. If and when the Bank exceeds $10 billion in assets, it will become subject to the interchange fee cap. The Bank anticipates that it will cross the $10 billion threshold upon the closing of the merger of Blue Hills Bank with and into the Bank and will thus become subject to the interchange fee cap.
On May 24, 2018, the EGRRCPA was signed into law, making certain limited amendments to the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as certain targeted modifications to other post-financial crisis regulations. While the EGRRCPA eased some regulatory obligations imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act, including the requirement to conduct stress testing if and when the Company exceeds the $10 billion asset threshold, it had minimal impact on the Company’s operations.
Incentive Compensation The Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies and the SEC to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities, with at least $1 billion in total assets such as the Company and the Bank, that encourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits or that could lead to material financial loss to the entity.

In June 2010, the Federal Reserve, OCC and FDIC issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the

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organization’s board of directors. These three principles are incorporated into the proposed joint compensation regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act.

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.


Volcker Rule On December 10, 2013, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC, the CFTC and the SEC (collectively, the “Volcker Rule Agencies”) issued final rules to implement the Volcker Rule contained in section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Volcker Rule prohibits an insured depository institution and its affiliates from: (i) engaging in “proprietary trading” and (ii) investing in or sponsoring certain types of funds (defined as “Covered Funds”) subject to certain limited exceptions. The rule also effectively prohibits short-term trading strategies by any U.S. banking entity if those strategies involve instruments other than those specifically permitted for trading and prohibits the use of some hedging strategies. The Company has no investments that met the definition of Covered Funds under the foregoing rules.

In addition, The EGRRCPA exempts from the Volcker Rule all banks with (i) total assets less than $10 billion, and (ii) trading assets and liabilities that comprise no more than 5% of total assets. The Bank anticipates that it will cross the $10 billion threshold upon the closing of the merger of Blue Hills Bank with and into the Bank and will thus become subject to the Volcker Rule. In mid-2018, the Volcker Rule Agencies proposed new rules modifying certain aspects of the Volcker Rule, including the establishment of a new tiered compliance regime (based on the size of a bank’s trading assets and liabilities) and changes to the proprietary trading rules and Covered Funds rules, among other things. These proposed new rules have not been adopted yet.


Consumer Protection Regulations The Bank is subject to federal consumer protection statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to the following:

Truth-In-Lending Act and Regulation Z, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act and Regulation C, requiring financial institutions to provide certain information about home mortgage and refinanced loans;
Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
Fair Credit Reporting Act and Regulation V, governing the provision of consumer information to credit reporting agencies and the use of consumer information; and
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies.

The Bank’s deposit operations are also subject to the following federal statutes and regulations, among others:

The Truth in Savings Act and Regulation DD, which requires disclosure of deposit terms to consumers;
Regulation CC, which relates to the availability of deposit funds to consumers;
The Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain the confidentiality of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with administrative subpoenas of financial records; and
Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E, governing automatic deposits to, and withdrawals from, deposit accounts and customers’ rights and liabilities arising from the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services.

Many of the foregoing laws and regulations are subject to change resulting from provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act, which in many cases calls for revisions to implementing regulations, such as the amendments described above in the discussion on the Dodd-Frank Act.
Regulation E    Federal Reserve Regulation E governs electronic fund transfers and provides a basic framework that establishes the rights, liabilities, and responsibilities of participants in electronic fund transfer systems such as automated teller machine transfers, telephone bill-payment services, point-of-sale terminal transfers in stores, and preauthorized transfers from or to a consumer’s account (such as direct deposit and social security payments). The term “electronic fund transfer” generally refers to a transaction initiated through an electronic terminal, telephone, computer, or magnetic tape that instructs a financial institution

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either to credit or to debit a consumer’s asset account. Regulation E describes the disclosures that financial institutions are required to make to consumers who engage in electronic fund transfers and generally limits a consumer’s liability for unauthorized electronic fund transfers, such as those arising from loss or theft of an access device, to $50 for consumers who notify their bank in a timely manner.
London Interbank Offered Rate    Central banks around the world, including the Federal Reserve, have commissioned working groups of market participants and official sector representatives with the goal of finding suitable replacements for the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) based on observable market transactions because of the probable phase-out of LIBOR. It is expected that a transition away from the widespread use of LIBOR to alternative rates will occur over the course of the next few years. Although the full impact of a transition, including the potential or actual discontinuance of LIBOR publication, remains unclear, this change may have an adverse impact on the value of, return on and trading markets for a broad array of financial products, including any LIBOR-based securities, loans and derivatives that are included in the Company’s financial assets and liabilities. A transition away from LIBOR may also require extensive changes to the contracts that govern these LIBOR-based products, as well as the Company’s systems and processes.
Employees    As of December 31, 2018, the Bank had 1,188 full-time equivalent employees. None of the Company’s employees are represented by a labor union and management considers its relationship with employees to be good.

Statistical Disclosure by Bank Holding Companies
The statistical disclosure relating to Independent Bank Corp. required under the SEC's Industry Guide 3, "Statistical Disclosure by Bank Holding Companies," is included in the section of Independent Bank Corp.'s 2018 SEC Form 10-K captioned, Selected Financial Data in Item 6 hereof , Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 hereof and Note 8, “Borrowingswithin Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof, if applicable.

Available Information
Under Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 the Company must file periodic and current reports with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, at www.sec.gov, in which all reports filed electronically may be accessed. Additionally, the Company’s SEC filings and additional shareholder information are available free of charge on the Company’s website: www.RocklandTrust.com (within the Investor Relations section). Information contained on the Company’s website and the SEC website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K. (The Company has included its web address and the SEC website address only as inactive textual references and does not intend them to be active links to the Company's website or the SEC website.) The Company’s Code of Ethics and other Corporate Governance documents are also available on the Company’s website in the Investor Relations section of the website.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Changes in interest rates and other factors could adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.    The Company’s ability to make a profit, like that of most financial institutions, substantially depends upon its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. However, certain assets and liabilities may react differently to changes in market interest rates. Further, interest rates on some types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate prior to changes in broader market interest rates, while rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind. Additionally, some assets such as adjustable-rate mortgages have features, such as rate caps and floors, which restrict changes in applicable interest rates. The Federal Reserve acted to increase interest rates four times in 2018 and may act to implement additional rate increases in the coming year.
Factors such as inflation, recession, unemployment, money supply, global disorder, instability in domestic and foreign financial markets, political uncertainty, and other factors beyond the Company’s control, may affect interest rates. Changes in market interest rates also affect the level of voluntary prepayments on loans and the receipt of payments on mortgage-backed securities, which can impact the expected timing of receipt of proceeds. Particularly in a decreasing interest rate environment, prepayments may result in proceeds having to be reinvested at a lower rate than the loan or mortgage-backed security being prepaid.
Potential sovereign debt defaults may severely impact global and domestic economies and may lead to significantly tighter liquidity and impact the availability of credit. Economic growth may slow down and the national or global economy may experience additional downturns, including recessionary periods. Market disruption, including potential disruption resulting from Great Britain's decision to exit the European Union, government and central bank policy actions designed to counteract the effects of recession, changes in investor expectations regarding compensation for market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk and changing

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economic data could impact both the volatility and magnitude of the directional movements of interest rates. Although the Company pursues an asset/liability management strategy designed to manage its risk arising from changes in interest rates, the Company's strategy may not be fully effective, or may be effective in part, and changes in market interest rates can have a material adverse effect on the Company’s profitability.
If the Company experiences loan losses at a level higher than anticipated in the Company's models, its earnings could materially decrease.    The Company’s loan customers may not repay loans according to their terms, and the collateral securing the payment of loans may be insufficient to assure repayment or cover losses. If loan customers fail to repay loans according to the terms of the loans, the Company may experience significant credit losses that could have a material adverse effect on its operating results and capital ratios. The Company makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of its loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of borrowers, the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans, and the enforceability of its loan documents. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, the Company, in addition to assessing the collectability of its loan portfolio, relies on experience and evaluation of economic conditions. If the assumptions underlying the determination of its allowance for loan losses prove to be incorrect, the current allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in its loan portfolio and an adjustment may be necessary to allow for different economic conditions or adverse developments in its loan portfolio. A problem with one or more loans could require the Company to significantly increase the level of its allowance for loan losses. In addition, federal and state regulators periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and may require it to increase its allowance for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs. Material additions to the allowance would materially decrease the Company’s net income.
A significant amount of the Company’s loans are concentrated in the Bank’s geographic footprint and adverse conditions in this geographic footprint could negatively impact its results of operations.    Substantially all of the loans the Company originates are secured by properties located in, or are made to businesses that operate in, Massachusetts and, to a lesser extent, Rhode Island. Because of the current concentration of the Company’s loan origination activities in its geographic footprint, in the event of adverse economic conditions impacting the region (including, but not limited to, increased unemployment, downward pressure on the value of residential or commercial real estate, or political or business developments that may affect the ability of property owners and businesses to make payments of principal and interest on the underlying loans in the Bank’s geographic footprint), the Company would likely experience higher rates of loss and delinquency on its loans than if its loan portfolio were more geographically diversified, which could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
A significant portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is secured by real estate, and events that negatively impact the real estate market could adversely affect the Company’s asset quality and the profitability of loans secured by real property and increase the number of defaults and the level of losses within the Company’s loan portfolio. The real estate collateral securing the Company's loans provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower. Should real estate values deteriorate during the time the credit is extended, the Company is potentially exposed to greater losses. A downturn in the real estate market in the Company’s primary market areas could result in an increase in the number of borrowers who default on loans and a reduction in the value of the collateral securing loans, which in turn could have an adverse effect on the Company’s profitability and asset quality. Further if the Company is required to liquidate collateral securing a loan to satisfy the related debt during a period of reduced real estate values, the Company may experience higher loan losses than expected and its earnings and shareholders’ equity could be adversely affected. Any declines in real estate prices in the Company’s primary markets may also result in increases in delinquencies and losses in its loan portfolios. Unanticipated decreases in real estate prices coupled with a prolonged economic downturn and elevated levels of unemployment could drive loan losses beyond the level provided for in the Company’s allowance for loan losses. If this occurs, the Company’s earnings could be adversely affected.
The Company operates in a highly regulated environment and may be adversely impacted by changes in law, regulations, and accounting policies.    The Company is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination. See “Regulation” in Item 1 hereof, Business. Any change in the laws or regulations or failure by the Company to comply with applicable law and regulation, or a change in regulators’ supervisory policies or examination procedures, whether by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve, other state or federal regulators, the United States Congress, or the Massachusetts legislature could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Changes in accounting policies, practices and standards, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and other accounting standard setters, could also impact the Company’s financial results.
The impact of changes to the Internal Revenue Code or federal, state or local taxes may adversely affect the Company’s financial results or business.  The Company is subject to changes in tax law that could impact the Company's effective tax rate.  Tax law changes may or may not be retroactive to previous periods and could negatively affect the current and future financial performance of the Company.  The full impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") which was enacted in 2017 will be subject to interpretations and assumptions made by the Company, further guidance or regulations that may be promulgated, and other actions that the Company may take as a result of the Tax Act.  The Company's customers are likely to experience varying

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effects from both the individual and business tax provisions of the Tax Act and those effects, whether positive or negative, may have a corresponding impact on the Company's business and the economy as a whole.  Some customers may elect to use their additional cash flow from lower taxes to fund their existing levels of activity, decreasing borrowing needs. In addition, certain limitations on the federal income tax deductibility of business interest expense for certain customers could effectively increase the cost of borrowing and make equity or hybrid funding relatively more attractive, which could have a long-term negative impact on the Company's lending volume.
Changes to and replacement of the LIBOR Benchmark Interest Rate may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, or results of operations.  On July 27, 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), a regulator of financial services firms in the United Kingdom, announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit LIBOR rates after 2021. The FCA and the submitting LIBOR banks have indicated they will support the LIBOR indices through 2021 to allow for an orderly transition to an alternative reference rate. In the United States, efforts to identify a set of alternative U.S. dollar reference interest rates include proposals by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee of the Federal Reserve. Other financial services regulators and industry groups are evaluating the possible phase-out of LIBOR and the development of alternate reference rate indices or reference rates. Some of the Company’s assets and liabilities are indexed to LIBOR. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of the possible replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, but is not able to predict whether LIBOR will cease to be available after 2021, whether the alternative rates the Federal Reserve proposes to publish will become market benchmarks in place of LIBOR, or what the impact of such a transition will have on the Company’s business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The Company has strong competition within its market area which may constrain the Company’s ability to grow and achieve profitability.    The Company faces significant competition both in attracting deposits and in the origination of loans. See “Market Area and Competition” in Item 1 hereof, Business. Mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions within the Company’s market area may occur, which could add more competitive pressure as the Company would be competing with the resultant larger financial institutions with greater financial resources on a combined basis. Additionally, the Company's market share and income may be adversely affected by its inability to successfully compete against larger and more diverse financial service providers. If the Company is unable to compete effectively, it may lose market share or fail to maintain its market share, and income generated from loans, deposits, and other financial products may decline.
The success of the Company is dependent on the Company's ability to attract, hire and retain certain key personnel.    The Company’s business is complex and specialized and performance is largely dependent on the knowledge, talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. The Company relies on key personnel to manage and operate its business, including major revenue producing functions, such as loan and deposit generation. The loss of key personnel could adversely affect the Company’s ability to maintain and manage these functions effectively, which could negatively affect the Company’s net income. In addition, loss of key personnel could result in increased recruiting and hiring expenses, which could adversely impact the Company’s net income. The Company’s continued ability to compete effectively depends on its ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate its existing key employees.
Part of the Company’s business strategy is growth through acquisitions and the failure to execute effectively on acquisitions could have an impact on its earnings and results of operations.    While focusing on organic growth, the Company's strategy also includes, in part, growth through acquisitions. The Company may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates, or complete acquisitions. Further, the success of any acquisition depends on the ability to effectively integrate the acquired business, including integrating operations and achieving synergies and cost efficiencies. Acquisitions can be disruptive as they result in diversion of management's attention from other business activities and can consume significant executive and employee resources as the Company integrates the target's operations and functional business into its operations and business. The Company may experience complications or delays while integrating. In addition, once integrated, acquired businesses may not achieve levels of expected profitability or profitability comparable to those achieved by the Company’s existing operations, or otherwise may not perform as expected. Further acquisitions involve numerous risks, including lower than expected performance or higher than expected costs, potential dilution of stockholder value, changes in relationships with customers, and the potential loss of key employees. In addition, the Company may not be successful in mitigating deposit erosion or loan quality deterioration at acquired institutions. Competition for acquisitions can be highly competitive, and the Company may not be able to acquire other institutions on acceptable terms. The ability to grow may be limited if the Company is unable to successfully make acquisitions in the future.
The Company’s securities portfolio performance in difficult market conditions could have adverse effects on the Company’s results of operations.    Under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the Company is required to review its investment portfolio periodically for the presence of other-than-temporary impairment of its securities, taking into consideration current market conditions, the extent and nature of changes in fair value, issuer rating changes and trends, volatility of earnings, current analysts’ evaluations, the Company’s ability and intent to hold investments until a recovery of amortized cost, as well as other factors. Adverse developments with respect to one or more of these factors could require the Company to deem particular securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired, with the credit related portion of the reduction in the value required

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to be recognized as a charge to the Company’s earnings. Market volatility can make it extremely challenging to accurately value certain securities the Company holds. Subsequent periodic valuations of securities, taking into consideration then prevailing factors, may result in changes to valuations. Significant negative changes to valuations could result in impairments in the value of the Company’s securities portfolio, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial conditions.
Impairment of goodwill and/or intangible assets could require charges to earnings, which could result in a negative impact on the Company's results of operations.    Goodwill arises when the Company acquires a business for an amount greater than the net fair value of the assets of the acquired business. The Bank has recognized goodwill as an asset on the balance sheet in connection with several acquisitions (see Note 6, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assetswithin Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof). Goodwill is an intangible asset. When an intangible asset is determined to have an indefinite useful life, it is not amortized, and instead is evaluated for impairment. The Company conducts goodwill impairment tests annually, or more frequently if necessary. The Company evaluates goodwill using a qualitative or two-step impairment testing approach. A significant and sustained decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization, a significant decline in the Company’s expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the business climate, slower growth rates or other factors could result in a finding of impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets. If the Company were to conclude that a future write-down of goodwill or other intangible assets is necessary, then the Company would record the appropriate charge to earnings, which could have material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
Deterioration in the performance or financial position of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Boston might restrict the FHLB of Boston’s ability to meet the funding needs of its members, cause a suspension of its dividend, and cause its stock to be determined to be impaired.    Significant components of the Bank’s liquidity needs are met through its access to funding pursuant to its membership in the FHLB of Boston. The FHLB of Boston is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for joining the FHLB of Boston is to obtain funding. The purchase of stock in the FHLB of Boston is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. Any deterioration in the FHLB of Boston’s performance or financial condition may affect the Company’s ability to access funding and/or require the Company to deem the required investment in FHLB of Boston stock to be impaired. If the Company is not able to access funding, it may not be able to meet its liquidity needs, which could have an adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition. Similarly, if the Company deems all or part of its investment in FHLB of Boston stock impaired, such action could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
Reductions in the value of the Company’s deferred tax assets could adversely affect the Company's results of operations.    A deferred tax asset is created by the tax effect of the differences between an asset’s book value and its tax basis. The Company assesses the deferred tax assets periodically to determine the likelihood of the Company’s ability to realize the benefits. These assessments consider the performance of the associated business and its ability to generate future taxable income. If the information available to the Company at the time of assessment indicates there is a greater than 50% chance that the Company will not realize the deferred tax asset benefit, the Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for the deferred tax asset and reduce its future deferred tax assets to the amount the Company believes could be realized. Recording such a valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition. Additionally, the deferred tax assets are determined using effective tax rates expected to apply to the Company's taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Accordingly, a change in statutory tax rates may result in a decrease/increase to the Company’s deferred tax assets. A decrease in the Company's deferred tax assets could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
Evolving information technologies, the need to mitigate against and react to cyber-security risks, and electronic fraud risks require significant resources, and notwithstanding the Company’s investment in resources, the Company remains subject to cyber-security risks and electronic fraud.    The risk of electronic fraudulent activity within the financial services industry, especially in the commercial banking sector, due to cyber-attacks (crime committed through or involving the internet, such as phishing, hacking, denial of service attacks, stealing information, unauthorized intrusions into internal systems or the systems of the Company's third party vendors) could adversely impact the Company’s operations or damage its reputation. The Company's information technology infrastructure and systems may be vulnerable to cyber-terrorism, computer viruses, system failures and other intentional or unintentional interference, fraud and other unauthorized attempts to access or interfere with the systems.
The Company regularly collects, processes, transmits and stores confidential information regarding its customers and employees. In some cases, this confidential or proprietary information is collected, compiled, processed, transmitted or stored by third parties on the Company’s behalf.
Information security risks have increased because of the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks. Many financial institutions and companies engaged in data processing have reported

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significant breaches in the security of their websites or other systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and targeted attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, denial-of-service, or sabotage systems, often through the introduction of computer viruses or malware, cyber-attacks and other means. Although the Company frequently experiences attempted cyber-security attacks against its systems, to date, none of these incidents have resulted in material losses, known breaches of customer data or significant disruption of services to the Company’s customers. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur such issues in the future, exposing it to significant on-going operational costs and reputational harm.
Additionally, risk exposure to cyber-security matters will remain elevated or increase in the future due to, among other things, the increasing size and prominence of the Company in the financial services industry, its expansion of Internet and mobile banking tools and products based on customer needs, and the system and customer account conversions associated with the integration of merger targets.
In managing the Company’s cyber- risks, when entering a new vendor relationship, the Company reviews and gages the cyber-security risk of such third-party service providers. A successful cyber-security attack on one of the Company’s third-party service providers could adversely affect its business and result in the disclosure or misuse of the Company’s confidential information. While the Company believes it is taking reasonable, risk-based precautions to manage the risk of cyber-attacks against third party service providers, there can be no assurance that the Company’s third-party service providers will not suffer a cyber-attack that exposes the Company to significant operational costs and damages.
While the Company believes it has risk-based technology reasonably capable of discovering cyber-attacks, and personnel who are qualified to monitor the technology and systems to detect cyber-attacks, the Company can offer no assurance that it will be able to identify successful cyber-attacks when they occur. Significant damage may occur if the Company fails to identify, or there is a delay in identifying, a cyber-attack on its systems, or those of its third-party service providers.
The Company may not be able to detect money laundering and other illegal or improper activities fully or on a timely basis, which could expose it to additional liability and could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company is required to comply with anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism and other laws and regulations in the United States. These laws and regulations require the Company, among other things, to adopt and enforce “know-your-customer” policies and procedures and to report suspicious and large transactions to applicable regulatory authorities. These laws and regulations have become increasingly complex and detailed, require improved systems and sophisticated monitoring and compliance personnel and have become the subject of enhanced government supervision.
While the Company has adopted policies and procedures aimed at detecting and preventing the use of its banking network for money laundering and related activities, those policies and procedures may not completely eliminate instances in which the Company may be used by customers to engage in money laundering and other illegal or improper activities. To the extent the Company fails to fully comply with applicable laws and regulations, banking agencies have the authority to impose fines and other penalties on the Company. In addition, the Company’s business and reputation could suffer if customers use its banking network for money laundering or illegal or improper purposes.
The Company’s business depends on maintaining the trust and confidence of customers and other market participants, and the Company's reputation is critical to its business.    The Company’s ability to originate and maintain accounts and business is highly dependent upon the perceptions of borrowers and deposit holders and other external perceptions of the Company’s business practices and financial health. The Company’s reputation is vulnerable to threats that can be difficult or impossible to control, and costly or impossible to remediate. Regulatory inquiries, actual or alleged incidents of employee misconduct and rumors, among other things, can substantially damage the Company’s reputation, even if the inquiries, allegations, or rumors are baseless or satisfactorily addressed. Adverse perceptions regarding the Company’s reputation in the consumer, commercial and funding markets could result in difficulties in generating and maintaining accounts and business, as well as in financing accounts and the Company's business. Further, adverse perceptions can result in decreases in the levels of deposits that customers and potential customers choose to maintain with the Company, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.
Claims and litigation could result in losses and damage to the Company’s reputation. From time to time as part of the Company’s normal course of business, customers, bankruptcy trustees, former customers, contractual counterparties, third parties and former employees make claims and take legal action against the Company based on its actions or inactions. If such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to the Company, they may result in financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception of the Company and its products and services. This may also impact customer demand for the Company’s products and services. Any financial liability could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Any reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. See

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the "Other Contingencies" section under Note 19 "Commitments and Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements for additional information and significant pending lawsuits, if applicable.
If the Company’s risk management framework does not effectively identify or mitigate the Company’s risks, the Company could suffer unexpected losses and the results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.    The Company’s risk management framework seeks to mitigate risk and appropriately balance risk and return. The Company has established processes and procedures intended to identify, measure, monitor and report the types of risk to which it is subject, including credit risk, operations risk, compliance risk, reputation risk, strategic risk, market risk and liquidity risk. The Company seeks to monitor and control its risk exposure through a framework of policies, procedures and reporting requirements. Management of the Company’s risks in some cases depends upon the use of analytical and/or forecasting models, which, in turn, rely on assumptions and estimates. If the models used to mitigate these risks are inadequate, or the assumption or estimates are inaccurate or otherwise flawed, the Company may fail to adequately protect against risks and may incur losses. In addition, there may be risks that exist, or that develop in the future, that the Company has not appropriately anticipated, identified or mitigated, which could lead to unexpected losses and the Company's results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Some of the Company's accounting policies require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the value of its assets and liabilities and results of operations and if actual events differ from the Company's estimates and assumptions, the Company's results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Certain accounting policies require the use of estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of the Company’s assets and liabilities and results of operations. The Company identified the accounting policies regarding the allowance for loan losses, security valuations and impairments, goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes to be critical because these policies require management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments, estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Under each of these policies, it is possible that materially different values and results of operations would be reported under different conditions, different judgments, or different estimates or assumptions. Further, as new information becomes available, the Company may make a determination to refine or change its judgments, estimates and assumptions, any of which could materially adversely affect the value of the Company's assets and liabilities or its results of operations.
From time to time, the FASB and the SEC change applicable guidance governing the form and content of the Company’s financial statements. In addition, accounting standard setters and those who interpret U.S. GAAP, such as the FASB, SEC, and banking regulators, may change or even reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how these standards should be applied. Such changes are expected to continue, and may accelerate, dependent upon the FASB and International Accounting Standards Boards commitment to achieving convergence between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. Changes in U.S. GAAP and current interpretations are beyond the Company’s control, can be hard to predict and could materially impact how the Company reports its financial results and condition. In certain cases, the Company could be required to apply new or revised guidance retroactively or apply existing guidance differently (also retroactively), which may result in the Company restating prior period financial statements for material amounts. Additionally, significant changes to U.S. GAAP may require costly technology changes, additional training and personnel, and other expenses that could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
The Company may be required to increase its allowance for credit losses as a result of changes to an accounting standard. In 2016, the FASB released a new standard for determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses. The new standard will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2020. The new credit loss model will be a significant change from the standard in place today, as it requires the allowance for credit losses to be calculated based on current expected credit losses (commonly referred to as the "CECL model") rather than losses inherent in the portfolio as of a point in time.  When adopted, the CECL model may increase the Company’s allowance for credit losses, which could materially affect its financial condition and future results of operations. The extent of the increase and its impact to the Company’s financial condition is under evaluation, but will ultimately depend upon the nature and characteristics of the Company's portfolio at the adoption date, and the macroeconomic conditions and forecasts at that date; therefore, the potential financial impact is currently unknown.
The Company may be unable to adequately manage its liquidity risk, which could affect its ability to meet its obligations as they become due, capitalize on growth opportunities, or pay dividends on its common stock. Liquidity risk refers to managing the Company's liquidity so that it can meet its obligations as the obligations become due, opportunistically capitalize on potential growth opportunities as they arise, or pay dividends on its common stock. The Company's liquidity arises from its ability to liquidate assets or obtain adequate funding in a timely basis, at a reasonable cost and within acceptable risk tolerances. Liquidity is also required to fund various obligations, including credit commitments to borrowers, mortgage and other loan originations, withdrawals by depositors, repayment of borrowings, dividends to shareholders, operating expenses and capital expenditures. The Company's liquidity is derived primarily from funding obtained from the FHLB of Boston; retail deposit growth and retention; principal and interest payments on loans; principal and interest payments on investment securities the Company issues; sale, maturity and prepayment of investment securities the Company holds; net cash provided from operations; and access

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to other funding sources. Any substantial, unexpected or prolonged changes in the level or cost of liquidity could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
The Company is subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations. A significant portion of the Company’s loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, the Company 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, the Company may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require the Company to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit the Company’s 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 the Company’s exposure to environmental liability. Although the Company has policies and procedures regarding performance of an environmental review prior to originating certain commercial real estate loans, as well as before initiating any foreclosure action on real property, these reviews may not 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 the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Changes in debt and equity markets or economic downturns could affect the level of assets under management and the demand for other fee-based services. Economic downturns could affect the volume of income earned from and demand for fee-based services. Revenues from the investment management business depend in large part on the level of assets under management and administration. Market volatility that results in customers liquidating investments, as well as lower asset values, can reduce the level of assets under management and administration and decrease the Company's investment management and administration revenues, which could materially adversely affect the Company's results of operations.
The Company relies on its systems, employees and certain service providers, and if the Company experiences a system failure or if the Company's security measures are compromised or inadequate, the operations could be disrupted or the customer data could be improperly divulged. The Company faces the risk that the design of its controls and procedures, including those designed to mitigate the risk of fraud by employees or outside third parties, may be inadequate or be circumvented, thereby causing delays or failures in detection of errors or inaccuracies in data and information. The Company regularly reviews and updates the Company's internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is 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 the Company's controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company may also be subject to disruptions of the systems arising or originating from third party services providers or from events that are wholly or partially beyond the Company's control (including, for example, electrical, internet or telecommunications outages), which may adversely impact the Company's ability to provide service to customers and result in loss, cost and expense or liability. Additionally, the Company's risk exposure to security matters may increase in the future if the Company increases in size and prominence in the financial services industry, as the Company expands internet based and mobile banking tools and products and services, and as a consequence of the risk inherent in system and customer account conversions associated with the integration of acquisition targets. The Company is further exposed to the risk that external service providers may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations on matters of internet security and adequacy of services. (The Company's third party service providers are subject to many, if not all, of the same risks, including internet vulnerability and fraud operational errors by their respective employees.) While the Company conducts due diligence on service providers and engages in other vendor management risk migration activities designed to mitigate service provider risk, no set of risk management protocols can provide full protection against all risks, and the Company's (or service providers) business continuity plans, risk management processes and procedures or security systems (including security against cyber-crime) could be inadequate. While the Company maintains a control framework designed to monitor service provider risks, the failure of a service provider to perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements and, if applicable, under service level agreements could be disruptive to the Company's operations, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
The Company's ability to make opportunistic acquisitions is contingent on regulators granting any requisite approvals. Part of the Company's business strategy includes seeking to make opportunistic whole or partial acquisitions of other banks, branches, financial institutions, or related businesses from time to time. Any possible acquisition may be subject to regulatory approval, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain any such approval in a timely manner or at all.
The Company’s effective income tax rate would be adversely affected if the Company's community development entity subsidiaries do not receive additional New Markets Tax Credit awards. As indicated in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", the Company’s effective tax rate is determined by a number of factors, including the recognition of federal tax credits in connection with New Markets Tax Credit awards. In 2018, the Company recognized $4.0 million in federal tax credits through New Markets Tax Credit award deployment. Federal

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government agencies periodically determine New Markets Tax Credit award recipients through a nationwide application process that is highly competitive. While the Company’s community development entity subsidiaries have received four prior New Markets Tax Credit awards, it may not be successful in any current or future New Markets Tax Credit applications. The Company applied for but did not receive a New Markets Tax Credit award in 2017. Further, the New Markets Tax Credit Program is subject to periodic renewal by Congress and it is possible the proposed changes to the Internal Revenue Code may reduce or eliminate the program altogether. If the Company does not obtain additional awards the Company's effective tax rate will increase substantially in the future, adversely affecting net income, as existing federal tax credits run off.
The Company may experience losses and expenses if security interests granted for loans are not enforceable. When the Bank makes loans, it sometimes obtains liens, such as real estate mortgages or other asset pledges, to provide the Bank with a security interest in collateral. If there is a loan default the Bank may seek to foreclose upon collateral and enforce the security interests to obtain repayment and eliminate or mitigate the Company's loss. Drafting errors, recording errors, other defects or imperfections in the security interests granted to the Bank and/or changes in law may render liens granted to the Bank unenforceable. The Company may incur losses or expenses if security interests granted to the Bank are not enforceable.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2018 the Bank conducted its business from its main office located at 288 Union Street, Rockland, Massachusetts, eighty-six banking offices, and two limited service branches located within Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties in Eastern Massachusetts. In addition to its main office, the Bank leased fifty-six of its branches and owned the remaining thirty-two branches. Also, the Bank had eleven remote ATM locations, all of which were leased.
The Bank’s executive administration offices are located in Hanover, Massachusetts while the remaining administrative and operations locations are housed in several different campuses. Additionally, there are a number of sales offices not associated with a branch location throughout the Bank’s footprint.
For additional information regarding the Bank’s premises and equipment and lease obligations, see Notes 5, “Bank Premises and Equipmentand 19, “Commitments and Contingencies,” respectively, within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
At December 31, 2018, Rockland Trust was involved in pending lawsuits that arose in the ordinary course of business. Management has reviewed these pending lawsuits with legal counsel and has taken into consideration the view of counsel as to their outcome. In the opinion of management, the final disposition of pending lawsuits is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable


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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
(a.) Independent Bank Corp.’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol INDB. The Company declared cash dividends of $1.52 and $1.28 per share in 2018 and in 2017, respectively. The ratio of dividends paid to earnings in 2018 and 2017 was 33.03% and 39.04%, respectively.
Payment of dividends by the Company on its common stock is subject to various regulatory restrictions and guidelines. Since substantially all of the funds available for the payment of dividends are derived from the Bank, future dividends will depend on the earnings of the Bank, its financial condition, its need for funds, applicable governmental policies and regulations, and other such matters as the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Management believes that the Bank will continue to generate adequate earnings to continue to pay common dividends on a quarterly basis.
The following schedule summarizes the closing price range of common stock and the cash dividends paid for the fiscal years 2018 and 2017:
 
2018
 
High
 
Low
 
Dividend
4th Quarter
$
84.39

 
$
67.22

 
$
0.38

3rd Quarter
92.40

 
78.50

 
0.38

2nd Quarter
82.90

 
70.10

 
0.38

1st Quarter
75.55

 
68.60

 
0.38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
High
 
Low
 
Dividend
4th Quarter
$
76.15

 
$
67.90

 
$
0.32

3rd Quarter
74.65

 
66.15

 
0.32

2nd Quarter
67.35

 
60.45

 
0.32

1st Quarter
71.45

 
60.35

 
0.32

As of December 31, 2018, there were 28,080,408 shares of common stock outstanding which were held by approximately 2,516 holders of record. The number of record-holders may not reflect the number of persons or entities holding stock in nominee name through banks, brokerage firms, and other nominees. The closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2018 was $70.31.
The information required by S-K Item 201(d) is incorporated by reference from Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters hereof.
Comparative Stock Performance Graph
The stock performance graph below and associated table compare the cumulative total shareholder return of the Company’s common stock from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2018 to the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Composite Index (U.S. Companies) and the SNL Bank NASDAQ Index. The lines in the graph and the numbers in the table below represent yearly index levels derived from compounded daily returns that include reinvestment or retention of all dividends. If the yearly interval, based on the last day of a fiscal year, was not a trading day, the preceding trading day was used. The index value for all of the series was set to 100.00 on December 31, 2013 (which assumes that $100.00 was invested in each of the series on December 31, 2013).
The following information in this Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such a filing. The stock price performance shown on the stock performance graph and associated table below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. Information used in the graph and table was obtained from a third party provider, a source believed to be reliable, but the Company is not responsible for any errors or omissions in such information.


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The following chart depicts the total return performance of the Company
indbstockgraph.jpg
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence
© 2019
(b.) Not applicable
(c.) The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s repurchases of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2018:
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plan or
Program(2)
 
Maximum Number of Shares
That May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plan or Program
October 1 to October 31, 2018
108

 
$
81.85

 

 

November 1 to November 30, 2018
135

 
79.10

 

 

December 1 to December 31, 2018
108

 
74.68

 

 

Total
351

 
 
 

 

 
(1)
Shares repurchased relate to the surrendering of mature shares for the exercise and/or vesting of stock compensation grants and related tax withholding.
(2)
The Company does not currently have a stock repurchase program or plan in place.

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ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial and other data of the Company set forth below does not purport to be complete and should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the more detailed information, including the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes, appearing elsewhere herein. 
 
As of or for the Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Financial condition data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities
$
1,075,223

 
$
946,510

 
$
851,524

 
$
845,112

 
$
724,007

Loans
6,906,194

 
6,355,553

 
5,999,605

 
5,547,721

 
4,970,733

Allowance for loan losses
(64,293
)
 
(60,643
)
 
(61,566
)
 
(55,825
)
 
(55,100
)
Goodwill and other intangibles
271,355

 
241,147

 
231,374

 
212,909

 
180,306

Total assets
8,851,592

 
8,082,029

 
7,709,375

 
7,209,469

 
6,364,318

Deposits
7,427,120

 
6,729,253

 
6,412,253

 
5,990,703

 
5,210,466

Borrowings
258,707

 
323,698

 
335,474

 
343,933

 
406,061

Stockholders’ equity
1,073,490

 
943,809

 
864,690

 
771,463

 
640,527

Nonperforming loans
45,418

 
49,638

 
57,407

 
27,690

 
27,512

Nonperforming assets
45,418

 
50,250

 
61,580

 
29,849

 
38,894

Operating data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
323,701

 
$
277,194

 
$
246,637

 
$
235,545

 
$
216,459

Interest expense
25,536

 
18,334

 
18,793

 
20,617

 
20,417

Net interest income
298,165

 
258,860

 
227,844

 
214,928

 
196,042

Provision for loan losses
4,775

 
2,950

 
6,075

 
1,500

 
10,403

Noninterest income
88,505

 
82,994

 
82,428

 
75,888

 
69,943

Noninterest expenses
225,969

 
204,359

 
192,122

 
197,138

 
171,838

Net income
121,622

 
87,204

 
76,648

 
64,960

 
59,845

Per share data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income — basic
$
4.41

 
$
3.19

 
2.90

 
2.51

 
2.50

Net income — diluted
4.40

 
3.19

 
2.90

 
2.50

 
2.49

Cash dividends declared
1.52

 
1.28

 
1.16

 
1.04

 
0.96

Book value
38.23

 
34.38

 
32.02

 
29.40

 
26.69

Tangible book value (1)
28.57

 
25.60

 
23.45

 
21.29

 
19.18

Performance ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
1.46
%
 
1.11
%
 
1.04
%
 
0.93
%
 
0.95
%
Return on average common equity
12.31
%
 
9.55
%
 
9.43
%
 
8.79
%
 
9.66
%
Net interest margin (on a fully tax equivalent basis)
3.91
%
 
3.60
%
 
3.40
%
 
3.42
%
 
3.45
%
Dividend payout ratio
33.03
%
 
39.04
%
 
38.76
%
 
40.29
%
 
37.50
%
Asset quality ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonperforming loans as a percent of gross loans
0.66
%
 
0.78
%
 
0.96
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.55
%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets
0.51
%
 
0.62
%
 
0.80
%
 
0.41
%
 
0.61
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans
0.93
%
 
0.95
%
 
1.03
%
 
1.01
%
 
1.11
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans
141.56
%
 
122.17
%
 
107.24
%
 
201.61
%
 
200.28
%
Capital ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity to assets
12.13
%
 
11.68
%
 
11.22
%
 
10.70
%
 
10.06
%
Tangible equity to tangible assets (1)
9.35
%
 
8.96
%
 
8.47
%
 
7.98
%
 
7.44
%
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio
10.69
%
 
10.04
%
 
9.77
%
 
9.33
%
 
8.84
%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio
11.92
%
 
11.20
%
 
10.82
%
 
10.44
%
 
n/a

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio
12.99
%
 
12.31
%
 
11.99
%
 
11.71
%
 
10.88
%
Total risk-based capital ratio
14.45
%
 
13.82
%
 
13.60
%
 
13.36
%
 
13.15
%
(1) Represents a non-GAAP measurement. For reconciliation to GAAP measurement, see Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Executive Level Overview - Non-GAAP Measures".

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ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company is a state chartered, federally registered bank holding company, incorporated in 1985. The Company is the sole stockholder of Rockland Trust, a Massachusetts trust company chartered in 1907. For a full list of corporate entities see Item 1 “Business — General."
All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. When necessary, certain amounts in prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. The following should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.

Executive Level Overview

Management evaluates the Company's operating results and financial condition using measures that include net income, earnings per share, return on assets and equity, return on tangible common equity, net interest margin, tangible book value per share, asset quality indicators, and many others. These metrics are used by management to make key decisions regarding the Company's balance sheet, liquidity, interest rate sensitivity, and capital resources and assist with identifying opportunities for improving the Company's financial position and operating results. The Company is focused on organic growth, but will also consider acquisition opportunities that can provide a satisfactory financial return, including the recent acquisitions of MNB Bancorp Inc. ("MNB Bancorp") in the fourth quarter of 2018 and Island Bancorp, Inc ("Island Bancorp") in the second quarter of 2017 and the pending acquisition of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. ("Blue Hills Bancorp")

Interest-Earning Assets

Management’s balance sheet strategy emphasizes commercial and home equity lending. The results depicted in the following table reflect an overall increase in total loans over the past five years due to the results of that strategy, as well as the impact from recent acquisitions. Organic loan growth in 2018 was driven primarily by increases in the commercial and industrial, small business, residential, and home equity categories, partly offset by a decline in commercial construction related balances.
    
chart-3a12243fcb8e540889a.jpg
    
Management strives to be disciplined about loan pricing and considers interest rate sensitivity when generating loan assets. The Company has gradually and intentionally shifted its balance sheet composition so that its interest-rate risk position is fundamentally asset-sensitive. Management takes a disciplined approach to credit underwriting, seeking to avoid undue credit risk and loan losses.
 


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Funding and the Net Interest Margin

The Company's overall sources of funding reflect strong business and retail deposit growth, supporting management's emphasis on core deposit growth to fund loans, as depicted by the following chart:

chart-6c1ecc1cc6965d54a63.jpg

As of December 31, 2018, core deposits comprised 88.7% of total deposits. The continued emphasis on core deposits has resulted in a cost of deposits of 0.29% for the year ended 2018, which is an increase of ten basis points when compared to the prior year.

The Company's net interest margin was 3.91% for the year ended December 31, 2018, a thirty-one basis point increase from the prior year, reflecting the Company's asset sensitive position, as shown by the following chart:

chart-0a0df1abe98a5cdb802.jpg




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Noninterest Income
    
Management continues to focus on noninterest income growth, which is primarily comprised of investment management fees, deposit account fees, interchange and ATM fees and mortgage banking income. The following chart shows the components of noninterest income over the past five years:
chart-231de170b1b2561a831.jpg

Expense Control

Management seeks to take a balanced approach to noninterest expense control by monitoring ongoing operating expenses while making needed capital expenditures and prudently investing in growth initiatives. The Company’s primary expenses arise from Rockland Trust’s employee salaries and benefits, as well as expenses associated with buildings and equipment. The following chart depicts the Company's efficiency ratio on a GAAP basis (calculated by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of noninterest income and net interest income), as well as the Company's efficiency ratio on a non-GAAP operating basis, if applicable, (calculated by dividing noninterest expense, excluding certain noncore items, by the sum of noninterest income, excluding certain noncore items, and net interest income) over the past five years:

chart-fe2d1646d7eb513f8c3.jpg
*See "Non-GAAP Measures" below for a reconciliation to GAAP financial measures.



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Tax Effectiveness

The Company participates in federal and state tax credit programs designed to promote economic development, affordable housing, and job creation. The Company continues to participate in the federal New Markets Tax Credit program and has also made low-income housing tax credit investments. The Company has also established security corporation subsidiaries and, through its subsidiaries, purchased tax-exempt bonds. Federal and state tax credit program participation and other tax strategies help the Company operate in a more tax effective manner and sometimes also create a competitive advantage for Rockland Trust and its community development subsidiaries. During 2018, the Company’s effective tax rate was 22.00%.

Capital

The Company's disciplined approach with respect to revenue, expense, and tax effectiveness is designed to promote long-term earnings growth. Strong earnings growth has resulted in healthy capital growth. Book value per share increased 11.2% in 2018 and has increased 43.2% over the past four years. In addition, tangible book value per share rose 11.6% in 2018 compared to the prior year and has increased 49.0% over the past four years. Stockholders' equity as a percentage of total assets was 12.13% at December 31, 2018, compared to 11.68% in the prior year. Tangible common equity as a percentage of tangible assets increased to 9.35% at December 31, 2018, as compared to 8.96% in the prior year (see "Non-GAAP Measures" below for a reconciliation to GAAP financial measures). The following chart shows the Company's book value and tangible book value per share over the past five years:
chart-89b4268669df58c6b3d.jpg
*See "Non-GAAP Measures" below for a reconciliation to GAAP financial measures.

The Company's strong growth in capital enables the payment of cash dividends, which increased from $1.28 per share in 2017 to $1.52 per share in 2018, an increase of 18.8%.

2018 Results

Net income for 2018 computed in accordance with GAAP was $121.6 million, or $4.40 on a diluted earnings per share basis, as compared to $87.2 million, or $3.19 per diluted share, for the prior year. Net income for 2018 and 2017 included items that are considered noncore, which are excluded for purposes of assessing operating earnings. Net operating earnings for 2018 were $129.8 million, or $4.69 on a diluted earnings per share basis, an increase of 41.5% and 40.0%, respectively, when compared to net operating earnings of $91.7 million, or $3.35 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2017. See "Non-GAAP Measures" below for a reconciliation of net operating earnings and diluted earnings per share to GAAP net income and earnings per share, respectively.

2019 Outlook

During the Company's fourth quarter 2018 earnings call, the Company stated that it anticipated the following for the full year ending December 31, 2019 excluding the impact of the Blue Hills Bancorp acquisition (as compared with the year ending December 31, 2018):

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Loan and deposit growth, barring significant competitive changes, in line with recent experience of mid-single digit growth and generally consistent with economic growth;
Assuming no further rate increases the full year NIM should be 10 to 15 basis points higher than 2018, with deposit costs increasing another 3 to 5 basis points in the first quarter;
Both non-interest income and non-interest expense are expected to increase at a low to mid-single digit rate when excluding noncore items;
Regarding credit quality, while management expects the credit picture for the Company to remain benign in the short term, eventual deterioration is likely inevitable;
Excluding the impact of noncore items, the tax rate is expected to increase to approximately 25% in 2019.

As for the Blue Hills Bancorp acquisition assuming an early second quarter closing, we expect 2019 earnings accretion of approximately 4%, net interest margin contraction beginning in Q2 of approximately 20 basis points, barring a likely deleveraging of the balance sheet and modest accretion to tangible book value per share.

Non-GAAP Measures

When management assesses the Company’s financial performance for purposes of making day-to-day and strategic decisions, it does so based upon the performance of its core banking business, which is primarily derived from the combination of net interest income and noninterest or fee income, reduced by operating expenses, the provision for loan losses, and the impact of income taxes and other noncore items shown in the table that follows. There are items that impact the Company's results that management believes are unrelated to its core banking business such as gains or losses on the sales of securities, merger and acquisition expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt, impairment, and other items, such as one-time adjustments as a result of changes in laws and regulations. Management, therefore, excludes items management considers to be noncore when computing the Company’s non-GAAP operating earnings and operating EPS, noninterest income on an operating basis and efficiency ratio on an operating basis. Management believes excluding these items facilitates greater visibility into the Company’s core banking business and underlying trends that may, to some extent, be obscured by inclusion of such items.
    
Management also supplements its evaluation of financial performance with an analysis of tangible book value per share (which is computed by dividing stockholders' equity less goodwill and identifiable intangible assets, or tangible common equity, by common shares outstanding) and with the Company's tangible common equity ratio (which is computed by dividing tangible common equity by tangible assets) which are non-GAAP measures. The Company has included information on these tangible ratios because management believes that investors may find it useful to have access to the same analytical tools used by management to assess performance and identify trends.  The Company has recognized goodwill and other intangible assets in conjunction with merger and acquisition activities.  Excluding the impact of goodwill and other intangibles in measuring asset and capital values for the ratios provided, along with other bank standard capital ratios, facilitates comparison of the capital adequacy of the Company to other companies in the financial services industry.

These non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP. An item which management deems to be noncore and excludes when computing these non-GAAP measures can be of substantial importance to the Company’s results for any particular period. The Company’s non-GAAP performance measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly named non-GAAP performance measures which may be presented by other companies.
    

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the impact of noncore items recorded for the time periods indicated below and reconciles them in accordance with GAAP:
 
 
 
Net Income
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common shareholders (GAAP)
$
121,622

 
$
87,204

 
$
4.40

 
$
3.19

Non-GAAP adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest expense components
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merger and acquisition expenses
11,168

 
3,393

 
0.40

 
0.12

Total impact of noncore items
11,168

 
3,393

 
0.40

 
0.12

Less - net tax benefit associated with noncore items (1)
(2,967
)
 
(1,241
)
 
(0.11
)
 
(0.05
)
2017 Tax Act: revaluation of net deferred tax assets

 
1,895

 
$

 
0.07

2017 Tax Act: revaluation of LIHTC investments

 
466

 
$

 
0.02

Total tax impact
(2,967
)
 
1,120

 
$
(0.11
)
 
0.04

Noncore items, net of tax
$
8,201

 
$
4,513

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.16

      Net operating earnings (Non-GAAP)
$
129,823

 
$
91,717

 
$
4.69

 
$
3.35

(1)
The net tax benefit associated with noncore items is determined by assessing whether each noncore item is included or excluded from net taxable income and applying the Company's combined marginal tax rate only to those items included in net taxable income.

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the impact of noncore items with respect to the Company's total revenue, noninterest income as a percentage of total revenue, and the efficiency ratio for the periods indicated:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
(1)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net interest income
$
298,165

 
$
258,860

 
$
227,844

 
$
214,928

 
$
196,042

(a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest income (GAAP)
$
88,505

 
$
82,994

 
$
82,428

 
$
75,888

 
$
69,943

(b)
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of fixed income securities

 

 

 
798

 
121

 
Noninterest income on an operating basis (non-GAAP)
$
88,505

 
$
82,994

 
$
82,428

 
$
75,090

 
$
69,822

(c)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest expense (GAAP)
$
225,969

 
$
204,359

 
$
192,122

 
$
197,138

 
$
171,838

(d)
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impairment on acquired facilities

 

 

 
109

 
524

 
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
437

 
122

 

 
Loss on sale of fixed income securities

 

 

 
1,124

 
21

 
Loss on termination of derivatives

 

 

 

 
1,122

 
Merger & acquisition expenses
11,168

 
3,393

 
5,455

 
10,501

 
1,339

 
Noninterest expense on an operating basis (non-GAAP)
$
214,801

 
$
200,966

 
$
186,230

 
$
185,282

 
$
168,832

(e)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue (GAAP)
$
386,670

 
$
341,854

 
$
310,272

 
$
290,816

 
$
265,985

(a+b)
Total operating revenue (non-GAAP)
$
386,670

 
$
341,854

 
$
310,272

 
$
290,018

 
$
265,864

(a+c)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Efficiency ratio (GAAP)
58.44
%
 
59.78
%
 
61.92
%
 
67.79
%
 
64.60
%
(d/(a+b))
Efficiency ratio on an operating basis (non-GAAP)
55.55
%
 
58.79
%
 
60.02
%
 
63.89
%
 
63.50
%
(e/(a+c))
(1)
When previously reported, 2014 amounts included a noninterest income adjustment for gains on life insurance benefits of $2.0 million. In 2018, management determined that these amounts should be considered part of the core earnings of the business, therefore 2014 amounts have been adjusted to align with current period presentation.

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the calculation of the Company's tangible common equity ratio and tangible book value per share for the periods indicated:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
Tangible common equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
$
1,073,490

 
$
943,809

 
$
864,690

 
$
771,463

 
$
640,527

(a)
Less: Goodwill and other intangibles
271,355

 
241,147

 
231,374

 
212,909

 
180,306

 
Tangible common equity (Non-GAAP)
802,135

 
702,662

 
633,316

 
558,554

 
460,221

(b)
Tangible assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets (GAAP)
8,851,592

 
8,082,029

 
7,709,375

 
7,209,469

 
6,364,318

(c)
Less: Goodwill and other intangibles
271,355

 
241,147

 
231,374

 
212,909

 
180,306

 
Tangible assets (Non-GAAP)
$
8,580,237

 
$
7,840,882

 
$
7,478,001

 
$
6,996,560

 
$
6,184,012

(d)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares
28,080,408

 
27,450,190

 
27,005,813

 
26,236,352

 
23,998,738

(e)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common equity to assets ratio (GAAP)
12.13
%
 
11.68
%
 
11.22
%
 
10.70
%
 
10.06
%
(a/c)
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio (Non-GAAP)
9.35
%
 
8.96
%
 
8.47
%
 
7.98
%
 
7.44
%
(b/d)
Book value per share (GAAP)
$
38.23

 
$
34.38

 
$
32.02

 
$
29.40

 
$
26.69

(a/e)
Tangible book value per share (Non-GAAP)
$
28.57

 
$
25.60

 
$
23.45

 
$
21.29

 
$
19.18

(b/e)



37

Table of Contents

Financial Position
Securities Portfolio    The Company’s securities portfolio consists of trading securities, equity securities, securities available for sale and securities which management intends to hold until maturity. Securities increased by $128.7 million, or 13.6%, at December 31, 2018 as compared to December 31, 2017. The increase was attributable to periodic purchases throughout the year, as well as the MNB Bancorp acquisition, partially offset by paydowns. The ratio of securities to total assets as of December 31, 2018 was 12.15%, compared to 11.71% at December 31, 2017.
The Company monitors investment securities for the presence of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). For debt securities, the primary consideration in determining whether impairment is OTTI is whether or not the Bank expects to collect all contractual cash flows. Further details regarding the Company's analysis of potential OTTI can be found in Note 3, “Securitieswithin Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.

The following table sets forth the fair value of available for sale securities and the amortized cost of held to maturity securities along with the percentage distribution:
Table 1 - Securities Portfolio Composition
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair value of securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agency securities
$
32,038

 
7.2
%
 
$
35,430

 
7.9
%
 
$
24,244

 
6.7
%
Agency mortgage-backed securities
220,105

 
49.7
%
 
215,764

 
48.2
%
 
175,384

 
48.2
%
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
134,911

 
30.5
%
 
122,012

 
27.3
%
 
99,868

 
27.5
%
State, county and municipal securities
1,735

 
0.4
%
 
2,274

 
0.5
%
 
3,793

 
1.0
%
Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks
707

 
0.2
%
 
2,016

 
0.4
%
 
2,311

 
0.6
%
Pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
1,329

 
0.3
%
 
1,640

 
0.4
%
 
1,584

 
0.4
%
Small business administration pooled securities
51,927

 
11.7
%
 
47,778

 
10.7
%
 
37,189

 
10.2
%
Equity securities(1)

 
%
 
20,584

 
4.6
%
 
19,271

 
5.4
%
Total fair value of securities available for sale
442,752

 
100.0
%
 
447,498

 
100.0
%
 
363,644

 
100.0
%
Amortized Cost of Securities Held to Maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury securities
1,004

 
0.2
%
 
1,006

 
0.2
%
 
1,007

 
0.2
%
Agency mortgage-backed securities
252,484

 
41.3
%
 
204,768

 
41.1
%
 
156,088

 
32.0
%
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
332,775

 
54.4
%
 
262,998

 
52.9
%
 
297,445

 
61.1
%
Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks
1,500

 
0.2
%
 
1,500

 
0.3
%
 
1,500

 
0.3
%
Small business administration pooled securities
23,727

 
3.9
%
 
27,416

 
5.5
%
 
31,036

 
6.4
%
Total amortized cost of securities held to maturity
611,490

 
100.0
%
 
497,688

 
100.0
%
 
487,076

 
100.0
%
Total
$
1,054,242

 
 
 
$
945,186

 
 
 
$
850,720

 
 
(1)
These securities are no longer classified as available for sale due to a change in accounting guidance effective January 1, 2018.
The Company’s available for sale securities are carried at fair value and are categorized within the fair value hierarchy based on the observability of model inputs. Securities which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable are classified as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $1.3 million of securities categorized as level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $1.6 million of securities categorized as level 3 withing the fair value hierarchy.

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Table of Contents


The following tables set forth contractual maturities of the Bank’s securities portfolio at December 31, 2018. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Weighted average yields in the table below have been calculated based on the amortized cost of the security.
Table 2 - Securities Portfolio, Amounts Maturing
 
Within One Year
 
One Year to Five Years
 
Five Years to Ten Years
 
Over Ten Years
 
Total
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair value of securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agency securities
$

 
%
 
$
19,903

 
2.1
%
 
$
12,135

 
2.6
%
 
$

 

 
$
32,038

 
2.3
%
Agency mortgage-backed securities
90

 
4.5
%
 
51,761

 
2.4
%
 
88,402

 
2.7
%
 
79,852

 
2.9
%
 
220,105

 
2.7
%
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations

 
%
 

 
%
 

 
%
 
134,911

 
2.5
%
 
134,911

 
2.5
%
State, county and municipal securities

 

 
771

 
3.4
%
 
964

 
2.8
%
 

 

 
1,735

 
3.1
%
Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks

 

 

 

 

 

 
707

 
6.0
%
 
707

 
6.0
%
Pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,329

 
2.8
%
 
1,329

 
2.8
%
Small business administration pooled securities

 

 

 

 

 

 
51,927

 
2.7
%
 
51,927

 
2.7
%
Total fair value of securities available for sale
90

 
4.5
%
 
72,435

 
2.4
%
 
101,501

 
2.7
%
 
268,726

 
2.7
%
 
442,752

 
2.7
%
Amortized cost of securities held to maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities

 

 
1,004

 
3.0
%
 

 

 

 

 
1,004

 
3.0
%
Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

 
12,098

 
2.3
%
 
35,703

 
2.5
%
 
204,683

 
3.0
%
 
252,484

 
2.9
%
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations

 

 

 
%
 
735

 
3.0
%
 
332,040

 
2.6
%
 
332,775

 
2.6
%
Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks

 

 

 

 
1,500

 
8.3
%
 

 
%
 
1,500

 
8.3
%
Small business administration pooled securities

 

 

 

 

 

 
23,727

 
2.6
%
 
23,727

 
2.6
%
Total amortized cost of securities held to maturity

 
%
 
13,102

 
2.4
%
 
37,938

 
2.7
%
 
560,450

 
2.8
%
 
611,490

 
2.7
%
Total
$
90

 
4.5
%
 
$
85,537

 
2.4
%
 
$
139,439

 
2.7
%
 
$
829,176

 
2.7
%
 
$
1,054,242

 
2.7
%
As of December 31, 2018, the weighted average life of the securities portfolio was 4.9 years and the modified duration was 4.3 years.
At December 31, 2018, the aggregate book value of securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac exceeded 10% of stockholders' equity. The aggregate book value and market value of securities issued by Fannie Mae at December 31, 2018 was $581.9 million and $573.6 million, respectively. The aggregate book value and market value of securities issued by Freddie Mac at December 31, 2018 was $316.0 million and $310.7 million, respectively.
    


39

Table of Contents

Residential Mortgage Loan Sales   The Company’s primary loan sale activity arises from the sale of government sponsored enterprise eligible residential mortgage loans. During 2018 and 2017, the Bank originated residential loans with the intention of selling them in the secondary market or to hold in the Company's residential portfolio. When a loan is sold, the Company enters into agreements that contain representations and warranties about the characteristics of the loans sold and their origination. The Company may be required to either repurchase mortgage loans or to indemnify the purchaser from losses if representations and warranties are breached. The Company has incurred no losses during the year ended December 31, 2018 and minimal losses during 2017 and 2016 related to these activities.

The following table shows the total residential loans that were closed and whether the amounts were held in the portfolio or sold/held for sale in the secondary market during the period indicated:

Table 3 - Closed Residential Real Estate Loans
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Held in portfolio
$
182,401

 
$
144,482


$
118,735

Sold or held for sale in the secondary market
190,192

 
231,437


304,402

Total closed loans
$
372,593

 
$
375,919


$
423,137


The Company sold $192.8 million and $234.2 million in residential loans during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. All loans sold during these periods were sold with servicing rights released.
    
Currently, the Bank sells the servicing of sold loans for a servicing release premium, simultaneous with the sale of the loan. In the past, the Bank may have opted to sell loans and retain the servicing. In the event of a sale with servicing rights retained, a mortgage servicing asset is established, which represents the then current estimated fair value based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds and default rates and losses. Servicing rights are recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income, and are assessed for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. Impairment is determined by stratifying the rights based on predominant characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. The principal balance of loans serviced by the Bank on behalf of investors amounted to $240.2 million at December 31, 2018 and $277.8 million at December 31, 2017.


40

Table of Contents

    

The following table shows the adjusted cost of the servicing rights associated with these loans and the changes for the periods indicated:
Table 4 - Mortgage Servicing Asset
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning balance
$
1,697

 
$
2,048

Acquired portfolio
37

 
28

Amortization
(301
)
 
(404
)
Change in valuation allowance
12

 
25

Ending balance
$
1,445

 
$
1,697

Forward sale contracts of mortgage loans, considered derivative instruments for accounting purposes, may be utilized by the Company in its efforts to manage risk of loss associated with its mortgage loan commitments and mortgage loans held for sale. Prior to closing and funding certain one-to-four family residential mortgage loans, an interest rate lock commitment is generally extended to the borrower. During the period from commitment date to closing date, the Company is subject to the risk that market rates of interest may change. If market rates rise, investors generally will pay less to purchase such loans, resulting in a reduction in the gain on sale of the loans or, possibly, a loss. In an effort to mitigate such risk, forward delivery sales commitments are executed, under which the Company agrees to deliver whole mortgage loans to investors which economically hedges this market risk. See Note 11, “Derivatives and Hedging Activitieswithin Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for more information on mortgage activity and mortgage related derivatives.

Loan Portfolio    Management continues to focus on growth in the commercial and home equity lending categories. Management believes this emphasis is prudent, given the prevailing interest rate and economic environment, as well as strategic priorities. The Company’s loan portfolio increased by $550.6 million during 2018 due in part to the acquired loan portfolio from the MNB Bancorp acquisition and continued organic growth in various portfolios.

Excluding the effects of the MNB Bancorp acquisition, the Company has experienced organic loan growth across most major loan categories, with the exception of commercial construction. The following table summarizes loan growth/decline during the periods indicated:
Table 5 - Components of Loan Growth/(Decline)

 
December 31
 
December 31
 
Milford Bancorp
 
Organic
 
Organic
 
2018
 
2017
 
Acquisition
 
Growth/(Decline) $
 
Growth/(Decline) %
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial
$
1,093,629

 
$
888,528

 
$
44,929

 
$
160,172

 
18.0
 %
Commercial real estate
3,251,248

 
3,116,561

 
112,922

 
21,765

 
0.7
 %
Commercial construction
365,165

 
401,797

 
16,497

 
(53,129
)
 
(13.2
)%
Small business
164,676

 
132,370

 
12,589

 
19,717

 
14.9
 %
Residential real estate
923,294

 
754,329

 
95,705

 
73,260

 
9.7
 %
Home equity
1,092,084

 
1,052,088

 
7,692

 
32,304

 
3.1
 %
Other consumer
16,098

 
9,880

 
3,164

 
3,054

 
30.9
 %
Total loans
$
6,906,194

 
$
6,355,553

 
$
293,498

 
$
257,143

 
4.0
 %


41

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth information concerning the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio by loan type at the dates indicated:

Table 6 - Loan Portfolio Composition
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
Commercial and industrial
$
1,093,629

 
15.8
%
 
$
888,528

 
14.0
%
 
$
902,053

 
15.0
%
 
$
843,276

 
15.2
%
 
$
860,839

 
17.3
%
Commercial real estate
3,251,248

 
47.1
%
 
3,116,561

 
48.9
%
 
3,010,798

 
50.3
%
 
2,653,434

 
47.8
%
 
2,347,323

 
47.2
%
Commercial construction
365,165

 
5.3
%
 
401,797

 
6.3
%
 
320,391

 
5.3
%
 
373,368

 
6.7
%
 
265,994

 
5.4
%
Small business
164,676

 
2.4
%
 
132,370

 
2.1
%
 
122,726

 
2.0
%
 
96,246

 
1.7
%
 
85,247

 
1.7
%
Residential real estate
923,294

 
13.4
%
 
754,329

 
11.9
%
 
644,426

 
10.7
%
 
638,606

 
11.5
%
 
530,259

 
10.7
%
Home equity
1,092,084

 
15.8
%
 
1,052,088

 
16.6
%
 
988,147

 
16.5
%
 
927,803

 
16.8
%
 
863,863

 
17.4
%
Other consumer
16,098

 
0.2
%
 
9,880

 
0.2
%
 
11,064

 
0.2
%
 
14,988

 
0.3
%
 
17,208

 
0.3
%
Gross loans
6,906,194

 
100.0
%
 
6,355,553

 
100.0
%
 
5,999,605

 
100.0
%
 
5,547,721

 
100.0
%
 
4,970,733

 
100.0
%
Allowance for loan losses
(64,293
)
 
 
 
(60,643
)
 
 
 
(61,566
)
 
 
 
(55,825
)
 
 
 
(55,100
)
 
 
Net loans
$
6,841,901

 
 
 
$
6,294,910

 
 
 
$
5,938,039

 
 
 
$
5,491,896

 
 
 
$
4,915,633

 
 

The following table sets forth the scheduled contractual amortization of the Bank’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2018. Loans having no schedule of repayments or no stated maturity are reported as being due in greater than five years. The following table also sets forth the rate structure of loans scheduled to mature after one year:
Table 7 - Scheduled Contractual Loan Amortization
 
December 31, 2018
 
Commercial
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
Construction (1)
 
Small
Business
 
Residential
Real Estate
 

Home Equity
 
Consumer
Other
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amounts due in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One year or less
$
213,148

 
$
683,894

 
$
116,213

 
$
48,703

 
$
45,608

 
$
28,212

 
$
11,605

 
$
1,147,383

After one year through five years
522,066

 
1,506,851

 
166,903

 
62,829

 
118,786

 
115,436

 
2,335

 
2,495,206

Beyond five years
358,415

 
1,060,503

 
82,049

 
53,144

 
758,900

 
948,436

 
2,158

 
3,263,605

Total
$
1,093,629

 
$
3,251,248

 
$
365,165

 
$
164,676

 
$
923,294

 
$
1,092,084

 
$
16,098

 
$
6,906,194

Interest rate terms on amounts due after one year:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate
$
485,562

 
$
765,083

 
$
80,435

 
$
64,596

 
$
674,830

 
$
383,410

 
$
4,493

 
$
2,458,409

Adjustable rate
$
394,919

 
$
1,802,271

 
$
168,517

 
$
51,377

 
$
202,856

 
$
680,462

 
$

 
$
3,300,402

 
(1)
Includes certain construction loans that will convert to commercial mortgages and will be reclassified to commercial real estate upon the completion of the construction phase.
As of December 31, 2018, $29.1 million of loans scheduled to mature within one year were nonperforming.
Generally, the actual maturity of loans is substantially shorter than their contractual maturity due to prepayments and, in the case of real estate loans, due-on-sale clauses, which generally give the Bank the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable in the event that, among other things, the borrower sells the property subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid. The average life of real estate loans tends to increase when current real estate loan rates are higher than rates on mortgages in the portfolio and, conversely, tends to decrease when rates on mortgages in the portfolio are higher than current real estate loan rates.

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Due to the fact that the Bank may, consistent with industry practice, renew a significant portion of commercial and commercial real estate loans at or immediately prior to their maturity by renewing the loans on substantially similar or revised terms, the principal repayments actually received by the Bank are anticipated to be significantly less than the amounts contractually due in any particular period. In other circumstances, a loan, or a portion of a loan, may not be repaid due to the borrower’s inability to satisfy the contractual obligations of the loan.

Asset Quality      The Company continually monitors the asset quality of the loan portfolio using all available information. Based on this assessment, loans demonstrating certain payment issues or other weaknesses may be categorized as delinquent, impaired, nonperforming and/or put on nonaccrual status. Additionally, in the course of resolving such loans, the Company may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans to match the borrower’s ability to repay the loan based on their current financial condition. If a restructured loan meets certain criteria, it may be categorized as a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR").
Delinquency    The Company’s philosophy toward managing its loan portfolios is predicated upon careful monitoring, which stresses early detection and response to delinquent and default situations.  The Company seeks to make arrangements to resolve any delinquent or default situation over the shortest possible time frame.  Generally, the Company requires that a delinquency notice be mailed to a borrower upon expiration of a grace period (typically no longer than 15 days beyond the due date).  Reminder notices may be sent and telephone calls may be made prior to the expiration of the grace period. If the delinquent status is not resolved within a reasonable time frame following the mailing of a delinquency notice, the Bank’s personnel charged with managing its loan portfolios contacts the borrower to ascertain the reasons for delinquency and the prospects for payment.  Any subsequent actions taken to resolve the delinquency will depend upon the nature of the loan and the length of time that the loan has been delinquent. The borrower’s needs are considered as much as reasonably possible without jeopardizing the Bank’s position. A late charge is usually assessed on loans upon expiration of the grace period.
Nonaccrual Loans   As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest are classified as nonaccrual loans. However, certain loans that are more than 90 days past due may be kept on an accruing status if the loans are well secured and/or in the process of collection. The Company may also put a junior lien mortgage on nonaccrual status as a result of delinquency with respect to the first position, which is held by another financial institution, while the junior lien is currently performing. Income accruals are suspended on all nonaccrual loans and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. A loan remains on nonaccrual status until it becomes current with respect to principal and interest (and in certain instances remains current for up to six months), the loan is liquidated, or when the loan is determined to be uncollectible and is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.
Troubled Debt Restructurings     In the course of resolving problem loans, the Company may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. The Company attempts to work out an alternative payment schedule with the borrower in order to avoid or cure a default. Loans that are modified are reviewed by the Company to identify if a TDR has occurred, which is when, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Bank grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Terms may be modified to fit the ability of the borrower to repay in line with its current financial status and the restructuring of the loan may include adjustments to interest rates, extensions of maturity, consumer loans where the borrower's obligations have been effectively discharged through Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt to the Bank, and other actions intended to minimize economic loss and avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. If such efforts by the Bank do not result in satisfactory performance, the loan is referred to legal counsel, at which time foreclosure proceedings are initiated. At any time prior to a sale of the property at foreclosure, the Bank may terminate foreclosure proceedings if the borrower is able to work out a satisfactory payment plan.
It is the Company’s policy to have any restructured loans which are on nonaccrual status prior to being modified remain on nonaccrual status for six months, subsequent to being modified, before management considers their return to accrual status. If the restructured loan is on accrual status prior to being modified, it is reviewed to determine if the modified loan should remain on accrual status. Loans that are considered TDRs are classified as performing, unless they are on nonaccrual status or greater than 90 days delinquent. Loans classified as TDRs remain classified as such for the life of the loan, except in limited circumstances, when it may be determined that the borrower is performing under modified terms and the restructuring agreement specified an interest rate greater than or equal to an acceptable market rate for a comparable new loan at the time of the restructuring.

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans    Purchased Credit Impaired (“PCI”) loans are acquired loans which had evidence of deterioration in credit quality at the purchase date and for which it is probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected. PCI loans are recorded at fair value without any carryover of the allowance for loan losses. The excess cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the loans, referred to as the "accretable yield," is accreted into interest income over the life of the loans using the effective yield method. Accordingly, PCI loans are not subject to classification as nonaccrual in the same manner as originated loans, rather they are generally considered to be accruing loans because their interest income recognized relates to the accretable yield and not to contractual interest payments. See Note 4, "Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality" within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for more information.

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Table of Contents

Nonperforming Assets    Nonperforming assets are comprised of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned (“OREO”). Nonperforming loans consist of nonaccrual loans and loans that are more than 90 days past due but still accruing interest.

OREO consists of real estate properties, which have primarily served as collateral to secure loans, that are controlled or owned by the Bank. These properties are recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date control is established, resulting in a new cost basis. The amount by which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the fair value (net of estimated costs to sell) of the foreclosed asset is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent declines in the fair value of the foreclosed asset below the new cost basis are recorded through the use of a valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in the fair value are recorded as reductions in the valuation allowance, but not below zero. All costs incurred thereafter in maintaining the property are generally charged to noninterest expense. In the event the real estate is utilized as a rental property, net rental income and expenses are recorded as incurred within noninterest expense.
The following table sets forth information regarding nonperforming assets held by the Bank at the dates indicated:
Table 8 - Nonperforming Assets
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
26,310

 
$
32,055

 
$
37,455

 
$
3,699

 
$
2,822

Commercial real estate
3,326

 
3,123

 
6,266

 
8,160

 
7,590

Small business
235

 
230

 
302

 
239

 
246

Residential real estate
8,251

 
8,129

 
7,782

 
8,795

 
8,697

Home equity
7,278

 
6,022

 
5,553

 
6,742

 
8,038

Other consumer
13

 
71

 
47

 
55

 

Total
45,413

 
49,630

 
57,405

 
27,690

 
27,393

Loans past due 90 days or more but still accruing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate (2)

 

 

 

 
106

Other consumer
5

 
8

 
2

 

 
13

Total
5

 
8

 
2

 

 
119

Total nonperforming loans
45,418

 
49,638

 
57,407

 
27,690

 
27,512

Nonaccrual securities (3)

 

 

 

 
3,639

Other real estate owned

 
612

 
4,173

 
2,159

 
7,743

Total nonperforming assets
$
45,418

 
$
50,250

 
$
61,580

 
$
29,849

 
$
38,894

Nonperforming loans as a percent of gross loans
0.66
%
 
0.78
%
 
0.96
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.55
%
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets
0.51
%
 
0.62
%
 
0.80
%
 
0.41
%
 
0.61
%
 
(1)
Included in these amounts were TDRs on nonaccrual of $29.3 million at December 31, 2018, $6.1 million at December 31, 2017, and $5.2 million at December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. During the fourth quarter of 2018, nonaccrual loans associated with a large commercial loan customer that had previously declared bankruptcy were modified when a court confirmed the customer's bankruptcy reorganization plan. That revision to loan terms required the Company to deem loans associated with the customer as troubled debt restructures as of December 31, 2018 which amounted to $25.9 million.
(2)
Represents purchased credit impaired loans that are accruing interest due to expectations of future cash collections.
(3)
Amounts represent the fair value of nonaccrual securities. The Company had no nonaccrual securities in 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 and five nonaccrual securities in 2014.

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The following table summarizes the changes in nonperforming assets for the periods indicated:

Table 9 - Activity in Nonperforming Assets
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming assets beginning balance
$
50,250

 
$
61,580

New to nonperforming
16,386

 
13,503

Loans charged-off
(2,597
)
 
(6,209
)
Loans paid-off
(14,286
)
 
(11,440
)
Loans transferred to other real estate owned/other assets

 
(564
)
Loans restored to accrual status
(3,731
)
 
(3,197
)
New to other real estate owned

 
564

Valuation write down
(120
)
 
(372
)
Sale of other real estate owned
(324
)
 
(3,700
)
Other
(160
)
 
85

Nonperforming assets ending balance
$
45,418

 
$
50,250



The following table sets forth information regarding troubled debt restructured loans as of the dates indicated:
Table 10 - Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Performing troubled debt restructurings
$
23,849

 
$
25,852

 
$
27,093

 
$
32,849

 
$
38,382

Nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings (1)
29,348

 
6,067

 
5,199

 
5,225

 
5,248

Total
$
53,197

 
$
31,919

 
$
32,292

 
$
38,074

 
$
43,630

Performing troubled debt restructurings as a % of total loans
0.35
%
 
0.41
%
 
0.45
%
 
0.59
%
 
0.77
%
Nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings as a % of total loans
0.42
%
 
0.10
%
 
0.09
%
 
0.09
%
 
0.11
%
Total troubled debt restructurings as a % of total loans
0.77
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.54
%
 
0.69
%
 
0.88
%
(1) During the fourth quarter of 2018 nonaccrual loans associated with a large commercial loan customer that had previously declared bankruptcy were modified when a court confirmed the customer's bankruptcy reorganization plan. That revision to loan terms required the Company to deem loans associated with the customer as troubled debt restructures as of December 31, 2018 which amounted to $25.9 million.


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The following table summarizes changes in TDRs for the periods indicated:

Table 11 - Activity in Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
TDRs beginning balance
$
31,919

 
$
32,292

New to TDR status
28,020

 
4,943

Transfer to OREO

 
(322
)
Paydowns
(6,244
)
 
(4,975
)
Charge-offs
(498
)
 
(19
)
TDRs ending balance
$
53,197

 
$
31,919



Income accruals are suspended on all nonaccrual loans and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. The table below shows interest income that was recognized or collected on all nonaccrual loans and TDRs as of the dates indicated:
Table 12 - Interest Income - Nonaccrual Loans and Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
The amount of incremental gross interest income that would have been recorded if nonaccrual loans had been current in accordance with their original terms
$
2,583

 
$
2,461

 
$
1,131

The amount of interest income on nonaccrual loans and performing TDRs that was included in net income
$
1,478

 
$
1,826

 
$
1,872

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
Impaired loans include all commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial construction and small business loans that are on nonaccrual status, TDRs, and other loans that have been categorized as impaired. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis by comparing the loan’s value to either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. For impaired loans deemed collateral dependent, where impairment is measured using the fair value of the collateral, the Bank will either order a new appraisal or use another available source of collateral assessment such as a broker’s opinion of value to determine a reasonable estimate of the fair value of the collateral.
Total impaired loans at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $59.1 million and $72.8 million, respectively. For additional information regarding the Bank’s asset quality, including delinquent loans, nonaccruals, TDRs, and impaired loans, see Note 4, “Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Qualitywithin Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.

Potential problem loans are any loans which are not included in nonaccrual or nonperforming loans, where known information about possible credit problems of the borrowers causes management to have concerns as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with present loan repayment terms. At December 31, 2018, there were 59 relationships, with an aggregate balance of $52.8 million, deemed to be potential problem loans. These potential problem loans continued to perform with respect to payments. Management actively monitors these loans and strives to minimize any possible adverse impact to the Company.


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Table of Contents

Allowance for Loan Losses    The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that management considers appropriate to provide for probable loan losses based upon evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. The allowance is increased by providing for loan losses through a charge to expense and by credits for recoveries of loans previously charged-off and is reduced by loans being charged-off.
While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on increases in nonperforming loans, changes in economic conditions, or for other reasons. Additionally, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of the Bank's examination process, periodically assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses to assess whether the allowance was determined in accordance with GAAP and applicable guidance.
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan types using both a formula-based approach applied to groups of loans and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. The formula-based approach emphasizes loss factors derived from actual historical portfolio loss rates, which are combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors to determine the allowance amounts allocated to the various loan categories. Allowance amounts are determined based on an estimate of the historical average annual percentage rate of loan loss for each loan category, an estimate of the incurred loss emergence and confirmation period for each loan category, and certain qualitative risk factors considered in the computation of the allowance for loan losses. Additionally, the Company reviews numerous credit quality indicators when assessing the risk in its loan portfolio. For the commercial portfolio, the Company utilizes a 10-point commercial risk-rating system, which assigns a risk-grade to each borrower based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors associated with a commercial loan transaction. Factors considered include industry and market conditions, position within the industry, earnings trends, operating cash flow, asset/liability values, debt capacity, guarantor strength, management and controls, financial reporting, collateral and other considerations.
As of December 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses totaled $64.3 million, or 0.93% of total loans, as compared to $60.6 million, or 0.95% of total loans, at December 31, 2017.

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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses and other selected statistics for the periods presented:
Table 13 - Summary of Changes in the Allowance for Loan Losses
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Average total loans
$
6,489,910

 
$
6,191,099

 
$
5,670,427

 
$
5,394,464

 
$
4,871,197

Allowance for loan losses, beginning of year
$
60,643

 
$
61,566

 
$
55,825

 
$
55,100

 
$
53,239

Charged-off loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
355

 
3,891

 
593

 
2,010

 
2,097

Commercial real estate
82

 
39

 
414

 
330

 
5,454

Small business
372

 
302

 
228

 
267

 
605

Residential real estate
148

 
207

 
28

 
285

 
826

Home equity
293

 
276

 
602

 
710

 
750

Other consumer
1,347

 
1,494

 
1,607

 
1,316

 
1,215

Total charged-off loans
2,597

 
6,209

 
3,472

 
4,918

 
10,947

Recoveries on loans previously charged-off
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
182

 
615

 
859

 
1,593

 
462

Commercial real estate
188

 
385

 
564

 
1,073

 
404

Small business
46

 
114

 
195

 
264

 
275

Residential real estate
12

 
31

 
299

 
133

 
424

Home equity
156

 
198

 
141

 
356

 
249

Other consumer
888

 
993

 
1,080

 
724

 
591

Total recoveries
1,472

 
2,336

 
3,138

 
4,143

 
2,405

Net loans charged-off (recoveries)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
173

 
3,276

 
(266
)
 
417

 
1,635

Commercial real estate
(106
)
 
(346
)
 
(150
)
 
(743
)
 
5,050

Small business
326

 
188

 
33

 
3

 
330

Residential real estate
136

 
176

 
(271
)
 
152

 
402

Home equity
137

 
78

 
461

 
354

 
501

Other consumer
459

 
501

 
527

 
592

 
624

Total net loans charged-off
1,125

 
3,873

 
334

 
775

 
8,542

Provision for loan losses
4,775

 
2,950

 
6,075

 
1,500

 
10,403

Total allowances for loan losses, end of year
$
64,293

 
$
60,643

 
$
61,566

 
$
55,825

 
$
55,100

Net loans charged-off as a percent of average total loans
0.02
%
 
0.06
%
 
0.01
%
 
0.01
%
 
0.18
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans
0.93
%
 
0.95
%
 
1.03
%
 
1.01
%
 
1.11
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans
141.56
%
 
122.17
%
 
107.24
%
 
201.61
%
 
200.28
%

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Table of Contents

For purposes of the allowance for loan losses, management segregates the loan portfolio into the portfolio segments detailed in the table below. The allocation of the allowance for loan losses is made to each loan category using the analytical techniques and estimation methods described herein. While these amounts represent management’s best estimate of the distribution of probable losses at the evaluation dates, they are not necessarily indicative of either the categories in which actual losses may occur or the extent of such actual losses that may be recognized within each category. Each of these loan categories possess unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level of allowance for each segment. The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any segment of the loan portfolio.
The following table sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category at the dates indicated:
Table 14 - Summary of Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Allowance
Amount
 
Percent of
Loans
In
Category
To Total
Loans
 
Allowance
Amount
 
Percent of
Loans
In
Category
To Total
Loans
 
Allowance
Amount
 
Percent of
Loans
In
Category
To Total
Loans
 
Allowance
Amount
 
Percent of
Loans
In
Category
To Total
Loans
 
Allowance
Amount
 
Percent of
Loans
In
Category
To Total
Loans
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Allocated Allowance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
15,760

 
15.8
%
 
$
13,256

 
14.0
%
 
$
16,921

 
15.0
%
 
$
13,802

 
15.2
%
 
$
15,573

 
17.3
%
Commercial real estate
32,370

 
47.1
%
 
31,453

 
48.9
%
 
30,369

 
50.2
%
 
27,327

 
47.8
%
 
25,873

 
47.2
%
Commercial construction
5,158

 
5.3
%
 
5,698

 
6.3
%
 
4,522

 
5.3
%
 
5,366

 
6.7
%
 
3,945

 
5.4
%
Small business
1,756

 
2.4
%
 
1,577

 
2.1
%
 
1,502

 
2.1
%
 
1,264

 
1.7
%
 
1,171

 
1.7
%
Residential real estate
3,219

 
13.4
%
 
2,822

 
11.9
%
 
2,621

 
10.7
%
 
2,590

 
11.5
%
 
2,834

 
10.7
%
Home equity
5,608

 
15.8
%
 
5,390

 
16.6
%
 
5,238

 
16.5
%
 
4,889

 
16.7
%
 
4,956

 
17.4
%
Other consumer
422

 
0.2
%
 
447

 
0.2
%
 
393

 
0.2
%
 
587

 
0.4
%
 
748

 
0.3
%
Total
$
64,293

 
100.0
%
 
$
60,643

 
100.0
%
 
$
61,566

 
100.0
%
 
$
55,825

 
100.0
%
 
$
55,100

 
100.0
%
To determine if a loan should be charged-off, all possible sources of repayment are analyzed. Possible sources of repayment include the potential for future cash flows, the value of the Bank’s collateral, and the strength of co-makers or guarantors. When available information confirms that specific loans or portions thereof are uncollectible, these amounts are promptly charged-off against the allowance for loan losses and any recoveries of such previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance.
Regardless of whether a loan is unsecured or collateralized, the Company charges off the amount of any confirmed loan loss in the period when the loans, or portions of loans, are deemed uncollectible. For troubled, collateral-dependent loans, loss-confirming events may include an appraisal or other valuation that reflects a shortfall between the value of the collateral and the carrying value of the loan or receivable, or a deficiency balance following the sale of the collateral.
For additional information regarding the Bank’s allowance for loan losses, see Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policiesand Note 4, “Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock    The Bank held an investment in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Boston, of $15.7 million and $11.6 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The FHLB is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for the FHLB of Boston membership is to gain access to a reliable source of wholesale funding as a tool to manage interest rate risk. The purchase of stock in the FHLB is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. The Company purchases and/or is subject to redemption of FHLB stock proportional to the volume of funding received and views the holdings as a necessary long-term investment for the purpose of balance sheet liquidity and not for investment return.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets were $271.4 million and $241.1 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The increase is due to the MNB Bancorp acquisition, partially offset by amortization of definite-lived intangibles.
The Company typically performs its annual goodwill impairment testing during the third quarter of the year, unless certain indicators suggest earlier testing to be warranted. Accordingly, the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment testing

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Table of Contents

during the third quarter of 2018 and determined that the Company's goodwill was not impaired. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. There were no events or changes that indicated impairment of other intangible assets. For additional information regarding the goodwill and other intangible assets, see Note 6, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance Policies    The Bank holds life insurance policies for the purpose of offsetting its future obligations to its employees under its retirement and benefits plans. The cash surrender value of life insurance policies was $160.5 million and $151.5 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, with $6.1 million of the increase attributable to policies obtained in the MNB Bancorp acquisition. The Company recorded tax exempt income from life insurance policies in the amount of $4.1 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016. The Company also received proceeds on life insurance policies which resulted in a gain of $1.5 million during the third quarter of 2018.
Deposits    As of December 31, 2018, total deposits were $7.4 billion, representing a $697.9 million, or 10.4%, increase from the prior year-end. The increase is due partially to the impact of the MNB Bancorp acquisition as shown in the table below. Also contributing to the increase is the discontinuance and transition of customer repurchase agreement balances into deposit product offerings. Core deposits represented 88.72% of total deposits at December 31, 2018 and the total cost of deposits was 0.29% for the year ended December 31, 2018, representing an increase from the prior year of 10 basis points.
Excluding the effects of the MNB Bancorp acquisition, the Company has experienced net organic deposit growth as summarized in the table below during the periods indicated:
Table 15 - Components of Deposit Growth/(Decline)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31
2018
 
December 31
2017
 
MNB Bancorp Acquisition
 
Organic Growth/(Decline) $
 
Organic Growth/(Decline) %
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Demand deposits
$
2,450,907

 
$
2,159,396

 
$
77,786

 
$
213,725

 
9.9
 %
Savings and interest checking
2,865,349

 
2,599,922

 
58,441

 
206,986

 
8.0
 %
Money market
1,399,761

 
1,325,634

 
73,645

 
482

 
 %
Time certificates of deposits
711,103

 
644,301

 
68,332

 
(1,530
)
 
(0.2
)%
Total
$
7,427,120

 
$
6,729,253

 
$
278,204

 
$
419,663

 
6.2
 %

The following table sets forth the maturities of the Bank’s time certificates of deposits in the amount of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2018:
Table 16 - Maturities of Time Certificates of Deposits $100,000 and Over
 
Balance
 
Percentage
 
(Dollars in thousands)
1 to 3 months
$
54,475

 
15.5
%
4 to 6 months
71,042

 
20.2
%
7 to 12 months
136,348

 
38.8
%
Over 12 months
89,764

 
25.5
%
Total
$
351,629

 
100.0
%


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The Company also participates in the Promontory Interfinancial Network, allowing the Bank to provide easy access to multi-million dollar FDIC deposit insurance protection on certificate of deposit and money market investments for consumers, businesses and public entities. This channel allows the Company to seek additional funding in potentially large quantities by attracting deposits from outside the Bank’s core market and amounted to $180.5 million and $48.5 million, at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The increase in this amount was driven primarily by the aforementioned transition of the customer repurchase agreements to deposit product offerings. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act was promulgated and determined that reciprocal deposits, such as those acquired through the Promontory Interfinancial Network, were no longer to be treated as brokered deposits. Accordingly, these amounts are no longer included in the total brokered amounts reported by the Company.
    In addition, the Company may occasionally raise funds through the use of brokered deposits outside of the Promontory Interfinancial Network, which amounted to $6.0 million at both December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Borrowings    The Company's borrowings consist of both short-term and long-term borrowings and provide the Bank with one of its primary sources of funding. Maintaining available borrowing capacity provides the Bank with a contingent source of liquidity.

The Company's total borrowings decreased during 2018 due primarily to the Company's discontinuance and transition of $141.2 million in customer repurchase agreements, which were classified as borrowings in 2017, into deposits during the fourth quarter of 2018, offset by a $122.0 million overnight borrowing position at December 31, 2018. Also, during 2018 the Company assumed $3.1 million of junior subordinated debentures as a result of the MNB Bancorp acquisition. These debentures were subsequently redeemed by the Company in early 2019.

During 2017 the Company assumed, at fair value, $2.5 million of FHLB borrowings as a result of the Island Bancorp acquisition.

The following table sets forth the balance of borrowings, net of applicable debt issuance costs, at the periods indicated:
Table 17 - Borrowings by Category
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
% Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
$
147,806

 
$
53,264

 
177.5
 %
Customer repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings

 
162,679

 
(100.0
)%
Junior subordinated debentures
76,173

 
73,073

 
4.2
 %
Subordinated debentures
34,728

 
34,682

 
0.1
 %
Total
$
258,707

 
$
323,698

 
(20.1
)%

See Note 8, "Borrowings" within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for more information regarding borrowings.
Capital Resources    The Federal Reserve Board (Federal Reserve), the FDIC, and other regulatory agencies have established capital guidelines for banks and bank holding companies. Effective January 1, 2015, risk-based capital guidelines issued by the federal regulatory agencies require banks to meet a minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%, Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% and a total capital ratio of 8.0%. A minimum requirement of 4.0% Tier 1 leverage capital is also mandated. In addition, the Company is required to maintain a minimum capital conservation buffer, in the form of common equity, in order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses. The required amount of the capital conservation buffer is 2.5%. At December 31, 2018, the Company and the Bank exceeded the minimum requirements for Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital, total capital, and Tier 1 leverage capital, inclusive of the capital conservation buffer. See Note 20, “Regulatory Matters within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for more information regarding capital requirements.


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Results of Operations

Table 18 - Summary of Results of Operations
 

Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income
$
121,622

 
$
87,204

Diluted earnings per share
$
4.40

 
$
3.19

Return on average assets
1.46
%
 
1.11
%
Return on average equity
12.31
%
 
9.55
%
Stockholders' equity as % of assets
12.13
%
 
11.68
%
Net interest margin
3.91
%
 
3.60
%

Net Interest Income    The amount of net interest income is affected by changes in interest rates and by the volume, mix, and interest rate sensitivity of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.
On a fully tax-equivalent basis, net interest income was $298.9 million in 2018, a 14.8% increase from 2017 net interest income of $260.4 million. The overall increase is due in part to higher interest earning assets, which is driven by both recent acquisitions and organic growth, combined with the Company's sustained asset sensitive position.
The following table presents the Company’s average balances, net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin for 2018, 2017 and 2016. Nontaxable income from loans and securities is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis by adjusting tax-exempt income upward by an amount equivalent to the prevailing federal income taxes that would have been paid if the income had been fully taxable.
Table 19 - Average Balance, Interest Earned/Paid & Average Yields
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Earned/ Paid
 
Average Yield
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Earned/ Paid
 
Average Yield
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Earned/ Paid
 
Average Yield
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning deposits with banks, federal funds sold, and short term investments
$
136,140

 
$
2,676

 
1.97
%
 
$
124,014

 
$
1,418

 
1.14
%
 
$
228,861

 
$
1,190

 
0.52
%
Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities - trading
1,549

 

 
%
 
1,223

 

 
%
 
701

 

 
%
Securities - taxable investments
999,744

 
26,513

 
2.65
%
 
901,891

 
22,465

 
2.49
%
 
826,131

 
20,851

 
2.52
%
Securities - nontaxable investments (1)
2,098

 
76

 
3.62
%
 
3,186

 
135

 
4.24
%
 
4,486

 
180

 
4.01
%
Total securities
1,003,391

 
26,589

 
2.65
%
 
906,300

 
22,600

 
2.49
%
 
831,318

 
21,031

 
2.53
%
Loans held for sale
5,396

 
159

 
2.95
%
 
4,760

 
92

 
1.93
%
 
9,213

 
235

 
2.55
%
Loans(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
958,414

 
45,754

 
4.77
%
 
875,056

 
36,048

 
4.12
%
 
848,434

 
33,206

 
3.91
%
Commercial real estate (1)
3,128,659

 
144,045

 
4.60
%
 
3,067,077

 
127,512

 
4.16
%
 
2,748,337

 
111,977

 
4.07
%
Commercial construction
385,771

 
19,615

 
5.08
%
 
365,277

 
16,387

 
4.49
%
 
365,590

 
15,094

 
4.13
%
Small business
142,850

 
8,362

 
5.85
%
 
128,559

 
7,145

 
5.56
%
 
108,619

 
5,875

 
5.41
%
Total commercial
4,615,694

 
217,776

 
4.72
%
 
4,435,969

 
187,092

 
4.22
%
 
4,070,980

 
166,152

 
4.08
%
Residential real estate
794,735

 
31,768

 
4.00
%
 
713,608

 
28,179

 
3.95
%
 
633,313

 
25,487

 
4.02
%
Home equity
1,067,365

 
44,505

 
4.17
%
 
1,030,881

 
38,388

 
3.72
%
 
952,736

 
32,889

 
3.45
%
Total consumer real estate
1,862,100

 
76,273

 
4.10
%
 
1,744,489

 
66,567

 
3.82
%
 
1,586,049

 
58,376

 
3.68
%
Other consumer
12,116

 
952

 
7.86
%
 
10,641

 
944

 
8.87
%
 
13,398

 
1,185

 
8.84
%
Total loans
6,489,910

 
295,001

 
4.55
%
 
6,191,099

 
254,603

 
4.11
%
 
5,670,427

 
225,713

 
3.98
%

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Table of Contents

Total Interest-Earning Assets
7,634,837

 
324,425

 
4.25
%
 
7,226,173

 
278,713

 
3.86
%
 
6,739,819

 
248,169

 
3.68
%
Cash and Due from Banks
103,911

 
 
 
 
 
97,694

 
 
 
 
 
91,107

 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
13,200

 
 
 
 
 
12,781

 
 
 
 
 
12,831

 
 
 
 
Other Assets
553,226

 
 
 
 
 
554,117

 
 
 
 
 
544,917

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
8,305,174

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,890,765

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,388,674

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings and interest checking accounts
$
2,658,798

 
$
5,582

 
0.21
%
 
$
2,541,845

 
$
3,656

 
0.14
%
 
$
2,399,147

 
$
3,173

 
0.13
%
Money market
1,367,743

 
7,465

 
0.55
%
 
1,298,598

 
4,224

 
0.33
%
 
1,178,262

 
2,996

 
0.25
%
Time certificates of deposits
655,983

 
6,948

 
1.06
%
 
622,909

 
4,822

 
0.77
%
 
649,678

 
4,971

 
0.77
%
Total interest bearing deposits
4,682,524

 
19,995

 
0.43
%
 
4,463,352

 
12,702

 
0.28
%
 
4,227,087

 
11,140

 
0.26
%
Borrowings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
59,932

 
1,083

 
1.81
%
 
59,204

 
1,385

 
2.34
%
 
61,398

 
1,653

 
2.69
%
Customer repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings
129,890

 
248

 
0.19
%
 
166,152

 
257

 
0.15
%
 
149,042

 
208

 
0.14
%
Wholesale repurchase agreements

 

 
%
 

 

 
%
 

 

 
%
Junior subordinated debentures
73,458

 
2,501

 
3.40
%
 
73,074

 
2,281

 
3.12
%
 
73,207

 
4,083

 
5.58
%
Subordinated debt
34,705

 
1,709

 
4.92
%
 
34,658

 
1,709

 
4.93
%
 
34,612

 
1,709

 
4.94
%
Total borrowings
297,985

 
5,541

 
1.86
%
 
333,088

 
5,632

 
1.69
%
 
318,259

 
7,653

 
2.40
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
4,980,509

 
25,536

 
0.51
%
 
4,796,440

 
18,334

 
0.38
%
 
4,545,346

 
18,793

 
0.41
%
Demand deposits
2,252,006

 
 
 
 
 
2,098,501

 
 
 
 
 
1,924,173

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
84,671

 
 
 
 
 
82,840

 
 
 
 
 
106,766

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
7,317,186

 
 
 
 
 
6,977,781

 
 
 
 
 
6,576,285

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
987,988

 
 
 
 
 
912,984

 
 
 
 
 
812,389

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
8,305,174

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,890,765

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,388,674

 
 
 
 
Net interest income(1)
 
 
$
298,889

 
 
 
 
 
$
260,379

 
 
 
 
 
$
229,376

 
 
Interest rate spread(3)
 
 
 
 
3.74
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.48
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.27
%
Net interest margin(4)
 
 
 
 
3.91
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.60
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.40
%
Supplemental Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total deposits, including demand deposits
$
6,934,530

 
$
19,995

 
 
 
$
6,561,853

 
$
12,702

 
 
 
$
6,151,260

 
$
11,140

 
 
Cost of total deposits
 
 
 
 
0.29
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.19
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.18
%
Total funding liabilities, including demand deposits
$
7,232,515

 
$
25,536

 
 
 
$
6,894,941

 
$
18,334

 
 
 
$
6,469,519

 
$
18,793

 
 
Cost of total funding liabilities
 
 
 
 
0.35
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.27
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.29
%
(1)
The total amount of adjustment to present interest income and yield on a fully tax-equivalent basis is $724,000 for 2018 and $1.5 million for both 2017 and 2016. The FTE adjustment relates to nontaxable investment securities with average balances of $2.1 million, $3.2 million, and $4.5 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, and nontaxable industrial development bonds with average balances of $55.7 million at 2018 and $69.9 million at both 2017 and 2016.
(2)
Loans include portfolio loans and nonaccrual loans, however unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans has not been included for purposes of determining interest earned.
(3)
Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average costs of interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)
Net interest margin represents net interest income as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

53

Table of Contents

The following table presents certain information on a fully-tax equivalent basis regarding changes in the Company’s interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided with respect to changes attributable to (1) changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior year volume), (2) changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior year rate) and (3) changes in volume/rate (change in rate multiplied by change in volume) which is allocated to the change due to rate column:
Table 20 - Volume Rate Analysis
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018 Compared To 2017
 
2017 Compared To 2016
 
2016 Compared To 2015
 
Change
Due to
Rate
 
Change
Due to
Volume
 
Total
Change
 
Change
Due to
Rate
 
Change
Due to
Volume
 
Total
Change
 
Change
Due to
Rate
 
Change
Due to
Volume
 
Total
Change
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Income on interest-earning assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning deposits, federal funds sold and short term investments
$
1,119

 
$
139

 
$
1,258

 
$
773

 
$
(545
)
 
$
228

 
$
614

 
$
227

 
$
841

Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable securities
1,611

 
2,437

 
4,048

 
(298
)
 
1,912

 
1,614

 
(248
)
 
979

 
731

Nontaxable securities(1)
(13
)
 
(46
)
 
(59
)
 
7

 
(52
)
 
(45
)
 
9

 
(24
)
 
(15
)
Total securities
 
 
 
 
3,989

 
 
 
 
 
1,569

 
 
 
 
 
716

Loans held for sale
55

 
12

 
67

 
(29
)
 
(114
)
 
(143
)
 
11

 
(1
)
 
10

Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
6,272

 
3,434

 
9,706

 
1,800

 
1,042

 
2,842

 
13

 
(376
)
 
(363
)
Commercial real estate
13,973

 
2,560

 
16,533

 
2,548

 
12,987

 
15,535

 
(1,332
)
 
6,508

 
5,176

Commercial construction
2,309

 
919

 
3,228

 
1,306

 
(13
)
 
1,293

 
(317
)
 
2,573

 
2,256

Small business
423

 
794

 
1,217

 
191

 
1,079

 
1,270

 
(33
)
 
1,008

 
975

Total commercial
 
 
 
 
30,684

 
 
 
 
 
20,940

 
 
 
 
 
8,044

Residential real estate
385

 
3,204

 
3,589

 
(539
)
 
3,231

 
2,692

 
200

 
(316
)
 
(116
)
Home equity
4,758

 
1,359

 
6,117

 
2,801

 
2,698

 
5,499

 
50

 
2,062

 
2,112

Total consumer real estate
 
 
 
 
9,706

 
 
 
 
 
8,191

 
 
 
 
 
1,996

Total other consumer
(123
)
 
131

 
8

 
3

 
(244
)
 
(241
)
 
(113
)
 
(366
)
 
(479
)
Loans(1)
 
 
 
 
40,398

 
 
 
 
 
28,890

 
 
 
 
 
9,561

Total
 
 
 
 
$
45,712

 
 
 
 
 
$
30,544

 
 
 
 
 
$
11,128

Expense of interest-bearing liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings and interest checking accounts
$
1,758

 
$
168

 
$
1,926

 
$
294

 
$
189

 
$
483

 
$
(632
)
 
$
249

 
$
(383
)
Money market
3,016

 
225

 
3,241

 
922

 
306

 
1,228

 
(79
)
 
197

 
118

Time certificates of deposits
1,870

 
256

 
2,126

 
56

 
(205
)
 
(149
)
 
253

 
(424
)
 
(171
)
Total interest-bearing deposits
 
 
 
 
7,293

 
 
 
 
 
1,562

 
 
 
 
 
(436
)
Borrowings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
(319
)
 
17

 
(302
)
 
(209
)
 
(59
)
 
(268
)
 
382

 
(937
)
 
(555
)
Customer repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings
47

 
(56
)
 
(9
)
 
25

 
24

 
49

 
(18
)
 
16

 
(2
)
Wholesale repurchase agreements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(746
)
 
(746
)
Junior subordinated debentures
208

 
12

 
220

 
(1,795
)
 
(7
)
 
(1,802
)
 
68

 
(11
)
 
57

Subordinated debt
(2
)
 
2

 

 
(2
)
 
2

 

 
53

 
(195
)
 
(142
)
Total borrowings
 
 
 
 
(91
)
 
 
 
 
 
(2,021
)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,388
)
Total
 
 
 
 
$
7,202

 
 
 
 
 
$
(459
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
(1,824
)
Change in net interest income
 
 
 
 
$
38,510

 
 
 
 
 
$
31,003

 
 
 
 
 
$
12,952

(1)
The table above reflects income determined on a fully tax equivalent basis. See footnotes to Table 19 above for the related adjustments.


54

Table of Contents

Provision For Loan Losses    The provision for loan losses represents the charge to expense that is required to maintain an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses. The provision for loan losses totaled $4.8 million in 2018, compared with $3.0 million in 2017. The increase in provision was primarily due to organic loan growth throughout the year. The Company’s allowance for loan losses, as a percentage of total loans, was 0.93% at December 31, 2018, as compared to 0.95% at December 31, 2017. Net charge-offs for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 totaled $1.1 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
Management’s periodic evaluation of the appropriate allowance for loan losses considers past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks within the loan portfolio, adverse situations which may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, the estimated value of the underlying collateral, if any, and current economic conditions. Regarding the estimated value of the underlying collateral, substantial portions of the Bank’s loans are secured by real estate in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in property values within those states.
    
In general, the national and local economies expanded at a moderate pace through much of 2018. The labor market in the New England market remains strong although certain industries such as restaurants reported labor shortages due to a tight supply. Wage increases appear mixed in the region while a recent mandated increase to the minimum wage in Massachusetts is leading to increases in some labor costs. Retailers reported generally favorable sales trends year-over-year and capital spending plans in 2019 are expected to be higher than those in 2018. Median sales prices on residential real estate remain strong and the volume of sales continues to climb, increasing over 2% as compared to the year ago period. Commercial real estate markets remained relatively strong within the Bank’s footprint. Office leasing activity remained very robust while demand for industrial space continued to grow. Commercial construction activity in the Boston market is expected to remain healthy in the near term. The overall economic outlook for the near term remains generally positive for the New England region.

Noninterest Income    The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest income for the periods shown:
Table 21 - Noninterest Income
 
Years Ended December 31
 
 
 
 
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Amount
 
%
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Deposit account fees
$
18,327

 
$
17,822

 
$
505

 
2.8
 %
Interchange and ATM fees
18,916

 
17,291

 
1,625

 
9.4
 %
Investment management
26,155

 
23,802

 
2,353

 
9.9
 %
Mortgage banking income
4,071

 
4,960

 
(889
)
 
(17.9
)%
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
4,060

 
4,127

 
(67
)
 
(1.6
)%
Gain on life insurance benefits
1,463

 

 
1,463

 
 %
Loan level derivative income
2,373

 
3,836

 
(1,463
)
 
(38.1
)%
Other noninterest income
13,140

 
11,156

 
1,984

 
17.8
 %
Total
$
88,505

 
$
82,994

 
$
5,511

 
6.6
 %

The primary reasons for significant variances in the noninterest income category shown in the preceding table are noted below:
Deposit account fees increased due to overall increased household accounts, including the impact of recent acquisitions.
Interchange and ATM fees increased driven mainly by increased account activity and a larger customer base.
Investment management revenue increased primarily due to an increase in assets under administration, which grew from $3.5 billion at December 31, 2017 to $3.6 billion at December 31, 2018, inclusive of the acquired MNB Bancorp portfolio of $160.9 million. The inclusion of the MNB Bancorp portfolio along with increased retail commissions helped offset the impact of weak equity markets that prevailed during the fourth quarter.
Mortgage banking income decreased, primarily driven by lower overall sold loan volume, as a higher percentage of closed loans were retained in the Company's portfolio during 2018 as compared to the prior year.
Loan level derivative income decreased due to lower customer demand during the year.

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Other noninterest income increased during the year, primarily due to a gain of $1.1 million on the sale of a previously closed branch facility.

Noninterest Expense    The following table sets forth information regarding noninterest expense for the periods shown:
Table 22 - Noninterest Expense
 
Years Ended December 31
 
 
 
 
 
Change
 
2018
 
2017
 
Amount
 
%
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits
$
124,328

 
$
116,600

 
$
7,728

 
6.6
 %
Occupancy and equipment
27,098

 
24,693

 
2,405

 
9.7
 %
Data processing and facilities management
5,125

 
4,988

 
137

 
2.7
 %
FDIC assessment
2,774

 
3,068

 
(294
)
 
-9.6
 %
Advertising
4,942

 
4,989

 
(47
)
 
(0.9
)%
Consulting
3,891

 
4,038

 
(147
)
 
(3.6
)%
Debit card expense
3,429

 
3,430

 
(1
)
 
 %
Merger & acquisitions
11,168

 
3,393

 
7,775

 
229.1
 %
Software maintenance
4,202

 
3,636

 
566

 
15.6
 %
Other noninterest expense
39,012

 
35,524

 
3,488

 
9.8
 %
Total
$
225,969

 
$
204,359

 
$
21,610

 
10.6
 %
The primary reasons for significant variances in the noninterest expense category shown in the preceding tables are noted below:
The increase in salaries and employee benefits reflects overall increases in the employee base during 2018 (including the recent acquisitions of MNB Bancorp and Island Bancorp) along with increases in expenses associated with incentives, medical insurance, payroll taxes and commissions.
Occupancy and equipment expense increases were attributable to added costs from the MNB Bancorp acquisition, as well as increases in building maintenance and repairs and utility costs.
FDIC assessment decreased due to a reduction in assessment rates combined with strong financial results driving further reductions.
Consulting expense decreased during 2018 due primarily to timing of strategic initiatives.
The majority of the merger and acquisition expenses in 2018 are associated with the fourth quarter 2018 closing of the MNB Bancorp acquisition and to a smaller degree, the Blue Hills Bancorp acquisition which is anticipated to close in the first half of 2019. The majority of these costs include contract terminations, severance and legal fees. The majority of merger and acquisition expense in 2017 was related to compensation and severance agreements, as well as contract termination costs, associated with the Island Bancorp acquisition which closed in the second quarter of 2017.
Software maintenance increases reflect additional investments in technology to support the Company's growth.
Other noninterest expenses increased due primarily to increases in the loss on equity securities, legal fees, director fees and internet banking expenses.


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Income Taxes    The tax effect of all income and expense transactions is recognized by the Company in each year’s consolidated statements of income, regardless of the year in which the transactions are reported for income tax purposes. The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s tax provision and applicable tax rates for the periods indicated:
Table 23 - Tax Provision and Applicable Tax Rates
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Combined federal and state income tax provisions
$
34,304

 
$
47,341

 
$
35,427

Effective income tax rates
22.00
%
 
35.19
%
 
31.61
%
Blended Statutory tax rate
28.23
%
 
40.93
%
 
40.90
%
    
The Company's blended statutory and effective tax rates in 2018 are lower as compared to the year ago period due primarily to the impact of the Tax Act, which decreased the maximum Federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Additionally, the effective tax rates in the table above are lower than the blended statutory tax rates due to certain tax preference assets such as life insurance policies and tax exempt bonds, as well as federal tax credits recognized primarily in connection with the New Markets Tax Credit program and investments in low income housing project investments. Lastly, the effective tax rate includes the impact of excess tax benefits associated with stock compensation transactions and other discrete items which can fluctuate year over year.

The Company's subsidiaries have received several awards of tax credit allocation authority under the federal New Markets Tax Credit program which enable the Company to recognize federal tax credits over a seven year period totaling 39.0% of the total award. The Company recognizes federal tax credits as capital investments that are made into its subsidiaries to fund below market interest rate loans to qualifying businesses in low income communities. The following table details the remaining tax credit recognition by year associated with this program:
Table 24 - New Markets Tax Credit Recognition Schedule
Year and Amount of Investment
 
2018
 
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2012
$
21,400

 
$
1,285

 
$

2013
44,600

 
2,675

 
2,675

Total
$
66,000

 
$
3,960

 
$
2,675


The Company invests in various low income housing projects which are real estate limited partnerships that acquire, develop, own and operate low and moderate-income housing developments. As a limited partner in these operating partnerships, the Company will receive tax credits and tax deductions for losses incurred by the underlying properties. The investments are accounted for using the proportional amortization method and will be amortized over various periods through 2032, which represents the period that the tax credits and other tax benefits will be utilized. The total committed investment in these partnerships is $50.2 million, of which $46.3 million has been funded. The Company recognized a net tax benefit of approximately $1.0 million for the 2018 calendar year, and anticipates additional net tax benefits of $7.4 million over the remaining life of the investments from the combination of tax credits and operating losses.
For additional information related to the Company's income taxes see Note 13, "Income Taxes" and Note 14, "Low Income Housing Project Investments" within Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.
Dividends    The Company declared cash dividends of $1.52 per common share in 2018 and $1.28 per common share in 2017. The 2018 and 2017 ratio of dividends paid to earnings was 33.03% and 39.04%, respectively.
Since substantially all of the funds available for the payment of dividends are derived from the Bank, future dividends of the Company will depend on the earnings of the Bank, its financial condition, its need for funds, applicable governmental policies and regulations, and other such matters as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.
Comparison of 2017 vs. 2016    In May of 2017, the Company completed the Island Bancorp acquisition, acquiring loans of $155.6 million and deposits of $159.6 million. In November of 2016, the Company completed the New England Bancorp, Inc.

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("NEB") acquisition, acquiring loans of $225.7 million and deposits of $175.7 million, at fair value. As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s total assets were $8.1 billion, which represented an increase of $372.7 million, or 4.8%, as compared to December 31, 2016. Total average assets were $7.9 billion and $7.4 billion in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Total securities of $946.5 million at December 31, 2017 increased $95.0 million compared to the $851.5 million reported on December 31, 2016. Total loans of $6.4 billion at December 31, 2017 increased $355.9 million compared to the prior year end. Total deposits of $6.7 billion at December 31, 2017 reflected an increase of $317.0 million, or 4.9%, as compared to December 31, 2016. Borrowings decreased by $11.8 million, or 3.5%, during the year ended December 31, 2017. Stockholders’ equity increased by $79.1 million in 2017.
Net income for 2017 was $87.2 million, or $3.19 per diluted share, compared to $76.6 million, or $2.90 per diluted share, in 2016. Return on average assets and return on average common equity were 1.11% and 9.55%, respectively, for 2017 and 1.04% and 9.43%, respectively, for 2016.
On a fully tax-equivalent basis, net interest income was $260.4 million in 2017, a 13.5% increase from 2016 net interest income of $229.4 million. The overall increase is due in part to higher interest earning assets, which was driven by acquisitions and organic growth, as well as increased market rates on short-term indexed assets, lower borrowings cost, and the reinvestment of excess liquidity.
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased to $18.3 million from $18.8 million recorded in 2016, driven by a decrease in the total cost of funds of two basis points to 0.27% for 2017, as compared to 0.29% for 2016. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $236.3 million, or 5.6%, over the prior year while the cost of these deposits increased to 0.19% in 2017 from 0.18% in 2016.
The provision for loan losses totaled $3.0 million in 2017, compared with $6.1 million in 2016. The decrease in provision was primarily due to a specific reserve for one large commercial relationship which was placed on nonaccrual status in the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company’s allowance for loan losses, as a percentage of total loans, was 0.95% at December 31, 2017, as compared to 1.03% at December 31, 2016.
The primary reasons for significant variances in the noninterest income category between 2017 and 2016 are noted below:
Deposit account fees decreased as a result of decreased overdraft fees.
Interchange and ATM fees increased as a result of the continued successful growth of core checking accounts, and to a lesser degree by the Island Bancorp acquisition.
Investment management revenue increased primarily due to an increase in assets under administration, which grew from $2.9 billion at December 31, 2016 to $3.5 billion at December 31, 2017, reflecting strong new business results as well as market appreciation.
Mortgage banking income decreased, primarily driven by overall sold loan volume, as a higher percentage of closed loans were retained in the Company's portfolio during 2017 as compared to the prior year.
Loan level derivative income decreased due to lower customer demand during the year.
Other noninterest income increased during the year, mainly due to increases in rental income related to an equipment leasing initiative entered into during the second quarter of 2017, as well as gains on the sale of loans.
The primary reasons for significant variances in the noninterest expense category between 2017 and 2016 are noted below:
The increase in salaries and employee benefits reflects overall increases in the employee base during 2017 (including the acquisition of Island Bancorp) along with increases in expenses associated with medical insurance, payroll taxes, commissions, and retirement benefits.
Occupancy and equipment expense increases were attributable to depreciation, including equipment associated with the Company's leasing initiative that started in the second quarter of 2017, as well as increases in snow removal, and equipment maintenance and repairs.
The FDIC assessment decreased due to a reduction in assessment rates effective July 1, 2016, combined with strong financial results driving further reductions in the rate.
Advertising expenses decreased during 2017 due to timing of various campaigns.
Consulting expense increased during 2017 due primarily to process improvement and strategic initiatives, as well as increased loan work out related costs.

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Debit card expense has increased driven mainly by increased volume/usage by customers.
The majority of merger and acquisition expense in 2017 was related to compensation and severance agreements, as well as contract termination costs, associated with the Island Bancorp acquisition which closed in the second quarter of 2017. The majority of the merger and acquisition expenses in 2016 related to compensation and severance agreements, as well as legal and consulting fees associated with the fourth quarter 2016 closing of the NEB acquisition.
Software maintenance increases reflect additional investments in technology to support the Company's growth.
Other noninterest expenses increased due primarily to increases in loan work out costs, the provision for unfunded commitments, internet banking expense and increased director fees.

Risk Management
The Company’s Board of Directors and Executive Management have identified significant risk categories which affect the Company. The risk categories include: credit risk, operations risk, compliance risk, strategic and reputation risk, market risk and liquidity risk. The Board of Directors has approved an Enterprise Risk Management Policy that addresses each category of risk. The Senior Portfolio Risk Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Residential Lending, Compliance Officer, Executive Vice President of Commercial Lending and other members of management provide regular reports to the Board of Directors, identifying key risk issues and plans to mitigate key risks. The Board of Directors seeks to ensure the level of risk is maintained within limits established by both the Risk Management Policy and other previously approved policies.
Credit Risk   Credit risk represents the possibility that the Company's borrowing customers or other counterparties may not repay loans or other contractual obligations according to their terms due to changes in the financial capacity, ability and/or willingness of such borrowing customers or counterparties to meet their obligations. In some cases, the collateral securing the payment of the loans may be sufficient to assure repayment, but in other cases the Company may experience significant credit losses which could have an adverse effect on its operating results. The Company makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of its loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of its borrowers and counterparties and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans. For further discussion regarding the credit risk and the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, see Note 4, “Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.
Operations Risk    Operations risk is the risk of loss due to human behavior, inadequate or failed internal systems and controls, and external influences such as market conditions, fraudulent activities, natural disasters and security risks. The potential for operational risk exposure exists throughout the organization. Integral to the Company's performance is the continued effectiveness of the Company's colleagues, technical systems, operational infrastructure and relationships with key third party service providers. Failure by any or all of these resources subjects the Company to risks that may vary in size, scale and scope. These risks include, but are not limited to, operational or technical failures, unlawful tampering with technical systems, cyber security, terrorist activities, ineffectiveness or exposure due to interruption in third party support, as well as the loss of key individuals or failure on the part of the key individuals to perform properly. The Bank maintains an Operations Risk Committee comprised of members of management whose purpose is to assess and mitigate levels of operations risk.  The Committee apprises the Board quarterly of its assessment of the state of operations risk relevant to stated risk appetite guidelines.
Compliance Risk    Compliance risk represents the risk of regulatory sanctions or financial loss resulting from the Company’s failure to comply with rules and regulations issued by the various banking agencies, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the NASDAQ Stock Market, and standards of good banking practice. Activities which may expose the Company to compliance risk include, but are not limited to, those dealing with the prevention of money laundering, privacy and data protection, adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, community reinvestment initiatives and employment and tax matters. Compliance risk is mitigated through the use of written policies and procedures, training of staff, and monitoring of activities for adherence to those procedures. The Bank has a Compliance Committee that meets quarterly and updates the Board and management quarterly or more frequently if warranted.  The Committee is chaired by the Director of Compliance, and members of the Committee include representatives from each of the principal business lines as well as Enterprise Risk Management, Audit, Finance, Technology and Information Security.
Strategic and Reputation Risk   Strategic and reputation risk represents the risk of loss due to impairment of reputation, failure to fully develop and execute business plans, and failure to assess current and new opportunities and threats in business, markets, and products. Management seeks to mitigate strategic and reputational risk through annual strategic planning, frequent executive strategic reviews, ongoing competitive and technological observation, assessment processes of new product, new branch, and new business initiatives, adherence to ethical standards, a philosophy of customer advocacy, a structured process of customer complaint resolution, and ongoing reputational monitoring, crisis management planning, and management tools.

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Market Risk     Market risk is the sensitivity of income to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and other market-driven rates or prices. Interest rate sensitivity is the most significant market risk to which the Company is exposed.
Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of income to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates, as well as fluctuations in the level and duration of assets and liabilities, affect net interest income, the Company’s primary source of revenue. Interest rate risk arises directly from the Company’s core banking activities. In addition to directly impacting net interest income, changes in the level of interest rates can also affect the amount of loans originated, the timing of cash flows on loans and securities, and the fair value of securities and derivatives, as well as other effects.
The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to control this risk within limits approved by the Board of Directors. These limits reflect the Company’s tolerance for interest rate risk over both short-term and long-term horizons. The Company attempts to manage interest rate risk by identifying, quantifying, and where appropriate, hedging its exposure. If assets and liabilities do not re-price simultaneously and in equal volume, the potential for interest rate exposure exists. It is the Company's objective to maintain stability in the growth of net interest income through the maintenance of an appropriate mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and, when necessary, within limits management determines to be prudent, through the use of off-balance sheet hedging instruments such as interest rate swaps, floors and caps.
The Company quantifies its interest rate exposures using net interest income simulation models, as well as simpler gap analysis, and Economic Value of Equity analysis. Key assumptions in these simulation analyses relate to behavior of interest rates and behavior of the Company’s deposit and loan customers. The most material assumptions relate to the prepayment of mortgage assets (including mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities) and the life and sensitivity of nonmaturity deposits (e.g. DDA, NOW, savings and money market). In the case of prepayment of mortgage assets, assumptions are derived from published dealer median prepayment estimates for comparable mortgage loans. The risk of prepayment tends to increase when interest rates fall. Since future prepayment behavior of loan customers is uncertain, interest rate sensitivity of loans cannot be determined exactly and actual behavior may differ from assumptions.
Based upon the net interest income simulation models, the company currently forecasts that the Bank’s assets re-price faster than the liabilities. As a result, the net interest income of the Bank will benefit as market rates increase. Conversely, if rates were to fall, the net interest margin of the Bank is expected to contract. The Company runs several scenarios to quantify and effectively assist in managing this position. These scenarios include instantaneous parallel shifts in market rates as well as gradual (12-24 months) shifts in market rates.


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The results of all scenarios are outlined in the table below:
Table 25 - Interest Rate Sensitivity
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
Year 1
 
Year 2
 
Year 1
 
Year 2
Parallel rate shocks (basis points)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-200
(11.9)%
 
(17.8)%
 
n/a
 
n/a
-100
(5.3)%
 
(7.2)%
 
(8.6)%
 
(10.8)%
+100
3.5%
 
7.6%
 
5.4%
 
9.3%
+200
6.4%
 
12.6%
 
10.3%
 
16.4%
+300
9.3%
 
17.6%
 
15.3%
 
23.7%
+400
12.2%
 
22.6%
 
20.2%
 
30.8%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gradual rate shifts (basis points)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
-200 over 12 months
(5.4)%
 
(15.3)%
 
n/a
 
n/a
-100 over 12 months
(2.2)%
 
(5.8)%
 
(3.7)%
 
(9.5)%
+200 over 12 months
3.2%
 
11.2%
 
5.0%
 
14.7%
+400 over 24 months
3.2%
 
14.2%
 
5.0%
 
19.5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alternative scenarios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flat up 200 basis points scenario
3.5%
 
12.1%
 
5.1%
 
14.1%
        
As previously noted, the results in the table above are dependent on material assumptions. For instance, asymmetrical rate behavior can have a material impact on the simulation results. If competition for deposits prompts the Company to raise rates on those liabilities more quickly than is assumed in the simulation analysis without a corresponding increase in asset yields, net interest income would be negatively impacted. Alternatively, if the Company is able to lag increases in deposit rates as loans re-price upward, net interest income would be positively impacted.

The most significant factors affecting market risk exposure of the Company’s net interest income during the year ended December 31, 2018 were the shape of the U.S. Government securities and interest rate swap yield curve, the U.S. prime interest rate and LIBOR rates, and the interest rates being offered on long-term fixed rate loans.
The Company manages the interest rate risk inherent in both its loan and borrowing portfolios by utilizing interest rate swap agreements and interest rate caps and floors. An interest rate swap is an agreement whereby one party agrees to pay a floating rate of interest on a notional principal amount in exchange for receiving a fixed rate of interest on the same notional amount for a predetermined period of time from a second party. Interest rate caps and floors are agreements whereby one party agrees to pay a floating rate of interest on a notional principal amount for a predetermined period of time to a second party if certain market interest rate thresholds are realized. The amounts relating to the notional principal amount are not actually exchanged. Additionally, the Company may manage the interest rate risk inherent in its mortgage banking operations by entering into forward sales contracts. Prior to closing and funding certain 1- 4 family residential mortgage loans, an interest rate lock commitment is generally extended to the borrower. During the period from commitment date to closing date, the Company is subject to the risk that market rates of interest may change. If market rates rise, investors generally will pay less to purchase such loans resulting in a reduction in the gain on sale of the loans or, possibly, a loss. In an effort to mitigate such risk, forward delivery sales commitments are executed, under which the Company agrees to deliver whole mortgage loans to various investors. See Note 11,, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities within Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 hereof for additional information regarding the Company’s Derivative Financial Instruments.
The Company’s earnings are not directly or materially impacted by movements in foreign currency rates or commodity prices. Movements in equity prices may have a modest impact on earnings by affecting the volume of activity or the amount of fees from investment-related business lines. See Note 3, “Securities within Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 hereof.

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Liquidity Risk    Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not have the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash in the most economical way for the institution to meet its ongoing obligations to pay deposit withdrawals, service borrowings, and to fund loan commitments. The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits, borrowings, and the amortization, prepayment and maturities of loans and securities. The Bank utilizes its extensive branch network to access retail customers who provide a base of in-market core deposits. These funds are principally comprised of demand deposits, interest checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts. Deposit levels are greatly influenced by interest rates, economic conditions, and competitive factors.

The Company actively manages its liquidity position under the direction of the Asset-Liability Committee of the Bank ("ALCO"). The Company’s primary measure of short-term liquidity is the Total Basic Surplus/Deficit as a percentage of assets. This ratio, which is an analysis of the relationship between liquid assets plus available funding at the FHLB less short-term liabilities relative to total assets, was within policy limits at December 31, 2018. The Total Basic Surplus/Deficit measure is affected primarily by changes in deposits, securities and short-term investments, loans and borrowings. An increase in deposits, without a corresponding increase in nonliquid assets, will improve the Total Basic Surplus/Deficit measure, whereas, an increase in loans, with no increase in deposits, will decrease the measure. Other factors affecting the Total Basic Surplus/Deficit measure include collateral requirements at the FHLB, changes in the securities portfolio, and the mix of deposits.
The Bank seeks to increase deposits without adversely impacting the weighted average cost of those funds. As part of a prudent liquidity risk management practice, the Company maintains various liquidity sources, some of which are only accessed on a contingency basis. Accordingly, management has implemented funding strategies that include FHLB advances, Federal Reserve Bank borrowing capacity and repurchase agreement lines. These nondeposit funds are also viewed as a contingent source of liquidity and, when profitable lending and investment opportunities exist, access to such funds provides a means to grow the balance sheet.
Borrowing capacity at the FHLB and the Federal Reserve is impacted by the amount and type of assets available to be pledged. For example, a prime, one-to-four family, residential loan may provide 75 cents of borrowing capacity for every $1.00 pledged, whereas, a commercial loan may provide a lower amount. As a result, the Company’s strategic lending decisions can also affect its liquidity position.
The Company can raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or unsecured debt privately or publicly and has done so in the past. Additionally, the Company is able to enter into additional repurchase agreements or acquire brokered deposits at its discretion. The availability and cost of equity or debt on an unsecured basis is dependent on many factors. Some factors that will impact this source of liquidity are the Company’s financial position, the market environment, and the Company’s credit rating. As such, the Company is careful to monitor the various factors that could impact its ability to raise liquidity through these channels.
The table below shows current and unused liquidity capacity from various sources as of the dates indicated:
Table 26 - Sources of Liquidity
 
December 31
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
Outstanding
 
Additional
Borrowing Capacity
 
 
Outstanding
 
Additional
Borrowing Capacity
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
$
147,806

 
$
953,539

(1)
 
$
53,264

 
$
954,789

(1)
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

 
705,242

(2)
 

 
720,005

(2)
Unpledged securities

 
691,383

  
 

 
375,155

  
Customer repurchase agreements

 

(3)
 
162,679

 

(3)
Junior subordinated debentures
76,173

 

(3)
 
73,073

 

(3)
Subordinated debt
34,728

 

(3)
 
34,682

 

(3)
Brokered deposits (1)
6,000

 

(3)
 
54,541

(4
)

(3)
 
$
264,707

 
$
2,350,164

  
 
$
378,239

 
$
2,049,949

  


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(1)
Loans with a carrying value of $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, have been pledged to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston resulting in this additional borrowing capacity.
(2)
Loans with a carrying value of $1.2 billion at both December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, have been pledged to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston resulting in this additional unused borrowing capacity.
(3)
The additional borrowing capacity has not been assessed for these categories.
(4)
Inclusive of $48.5 million of reciprocal deposits acquired through participation in the Promontory Interfinancial Network as of December 31, 2017. The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which was promulgated during the second quarter of 2018, states that most reciprocal deposits are no longer treated as brokered deposits. As such, the Company is prospectively reporting deposits from the promontory Interfinancial Network as nonbrokered.
In addition to policies used for managing operational liquidity, the Board of Directors and the ALCO recognize the need to establish reasonable guidelines for managing through an environment of heightened liquidity risk. Catalysts for elevated liquidity risk can be Bank-specific issues and/or systemic industry-wide events. It is therefore the responsibility of the Board and the ALCO to institute systems and controls to provide advanced detection of potentially significant funding shortages, establish methods for assessing and monitoring risk levels, and institute prompt responses that may alleviate/circumvent a potential liquidity crisis. As such, the Board of Directors and the ALCO have put a Liquidity Contingency Plan in place. The overall goal of this plan is to provide a framework for the Bank to help detect liquidity problems promptly and appropriately address potential liquidity problems in a timely manner. In a period of perceived heightened liquidity risk, the Liquidity Contingency Plan provides for the establishment of a Liquidity Crisis Task Force. The Liquidity Crisis Task Force is responsible for monitoring the potential for a liquidity crisis and for establishing and executing an appropriate response.


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Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Contingencies, and Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
The Company has entered into contractual obligations, commitments, and off-balance sheet financial instruments. The amounts below assume the contractual obligations and commitments will run through the end of the applicable term and, as such, do not include early termination fees or penalties where applicable. The following tables summarize the Company’s contractual obligations, other commitments, contingencies, and off-balance sheet financial instruments at December 31, 2018:

Table 27 - Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Contingencies, and Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments by Maturity
 
Payments Due — By Period
Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies
Total
 
Less than
One Year
 
One to
Three Years
 
Four to
Five Years
 
After
Five Years (2)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
FHLB advances (1)
$
147,806

 
$
147,046

 
$

 
$

 
$
760

Junior subordinated debentures (1)
76,291

 

 

 

 
76,291

Subordinated debt (1)
35,000

 

 

 

 
35,000

Time certificates of deposits
711,103

 
511,292

 
153,010

 
46,801

 

All other deposits with no maturity
6,716,017

 

 

 

 
6,716,017

Lease obligations
48,924

 
9,455

 
16,742

 
11,171

 
11,556

Vendor contracts
56,184

 
14,838

 
21,630

 
16,516

 
3,200

Retirement benefit obligations (3)
49,702

 
1,009

 
2,004

 
2,109

 
44,580

Pending acquisition of Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc.
605,337

 
605,337

 

 

 

Total Contractual Obligations
$
8,446,364

 
$
1,288,977

 
$
193,386

 
$
76,597

 
$
6,887,404

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Commitment Expiring — By Period
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Total
 
Less than
One Year
 
One to
Three Years
 
Four to
Five Years
 
After
Five Years (2)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit
$
2,639,688

 
$
328,297

 
$
167,238

 
$
66,504

 
$
2,077,649

Standby letters of credit
16,708

 
9,545

 
2,363

 

 
4,800

Mortgage derivatives - notional value
16,852

 
16,852

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps - notional value
575,000

 

 
50,000

 
425,000

 
100,000

Customer-related positions

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts - notional value
63,802

 
60,297

 
3,505

 

 

Loan level interest rate swaps - notional value
951,607

 
50,702

 
222,126

 
171,033

 
507,746

Total Commitments
$
4,263,657

 
$
465,693

 
$
445,232

 
$
662,537

 
$
2,690,195

(1)
The Company has hedged certain short-term borrowings and variable rate junior subordinated debentures, effectively converting the borrowings to a fixed rate. Amounts maturing represent contractual amounts due and do not include any issuance costs, which may be presented on a net basis in the financial statements.
(2)
Items with no maturity are presented in the table in the after five year's category.
(3)
Retirement benefit obligations include expected contributions to the Company’s frozen pension plan, post retirement plans and supplemental executive retirement plans. Expected contributions for the pension plan have been included only through plan year July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 and reflect only the expected minimum required contribution. Contributions beyond this plan year cannot be quantified as they will be determined based upon the return on the investments in the plan and the discount rate used to quantify the liability. Expected contributions for the post retirement plans and supplemental executive retirement plans include obligations that are payable over the life of the participants.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
The consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto presented elsewhere herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.

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The financial nature of the Company’s consolidated financial statements is more clearly affected by changes in interest rates than by inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily fluctuate in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. However, inflation does affect the Company because, as prices increase, the money supply grows and interest rates are affected by inflationary expectations. The impact on the Company is a noted increase in the size of loan requests with resulting growth in total assets. In addition, operating expenses may increase without a corresponding increase in productivity. There is no precise method, however, to measure the effects of inflation on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, any examination or analysis of the financial statements should take into consideration the possible effects of inflation.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Management believes that the Company’s most critical accounting policies upon which the Company’s financial condition depends, and which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments, are as follows:
Allowance for Loan Losses    The Company’s allowance for loan losses provides for probable losses based upon evaluations of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. Arriving at an appropriate amount of allowance for loan losses involves a high degree of judgment.
The Company makes use of two types of allowances for loan losses: specific and general. A specific allowance may be assigned to a loan that is considered to be impaired. Certain loans are evaluated individually for impairment and are judged to be impaired when management believes it is probable that the Bank will not collect all of the contractual interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. Judgment is required with respect to designating a loan as impaired and determining the amount of the required specific allowance. Management’s judgment is based upon its assessment of probability of default, loss given default, and exposure at default. Changes in these estimates could be due to a number of circumstances which may have a direct impact on the provision for loan losses and may result in changes to the amount of allowance.
The general allowance is determined based upon the application of the Company’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, which considers historical and expected loss factors, loan portfolio composition and other relevant indicators. This methodology involves management’s judgment regarding the application and use of such factors, including the effects of changes to the prevailing economic environment in its estimate of the required amounts of general allowance.
The allowance is increased by provisions for loan losses and by recoveries of loans previously charged-off and is reduced by loans charged-off. For additional discussion of the Company’s methodology of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, see Note 4, “Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.
Income Taxes    The Company accounts for income taxes using two components of income tax expense, current and deferred.  Current taxes represent the net estimated amount due to or to be received from taxing authorities in the current year.  In estimating accrued taxes, management assesses the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax treatment of transactions taking into account statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of the Company’s tax position. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future effects on income taxes that result from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, and carry-forwards that exist at the end of a period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and provisions of the enacted tax law and are not discounted to reflect the time-value of money.  The effect of any change in enacted tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are assessed for recoverability and the Company may record a valuation allowance if it believes based on available evidence that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets recognized will not be realized before their expiration. The amount of the deferred tax asset recognized and considered realizable could be reduced if projected income is not achieved due to various factors such as unfavorable business conditions. If projected income is not expected to be achieved, the Company may record a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that it believes can be realized in its future tax returns. Additionally, deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based on tax rates expected to be in effect in future periods. Previously recorded tax assets and liabilities need to be adjusted when the expected date of the future event is revised based upon current information. The Company may also record an unrecognized tax benefit related to uncertain tax positions taken by the Company on its tax returns for which there is less than a 50% likelihood of being recognized upon a tax examination. All movements in unrecognized tax benefits are recognized through the provision for income taxes. Taxes are discussed in more detail in Note 13, “Income Taxes within Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.
Valuation of Goodwill/Intangible Assets and Analysis for Impairment     The Company has increased its market share through the acquisition of entire financial institutions accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, as well as from the acquisition of branches (not the entire institution) and other nonbanking entities. For all acquisitions, the Company is required

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to record assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair value, which is an estimate determined by the use of internal or other valuation techniques. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually, or more often if warranted, using a combined qualitative and quantitative impairment approach. The initial qualitative approach assesses whether the existence of events or circumstances led to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than carrying value the two step quantitative impairment test is performed. Step one of the quantitative impairment testing compares book value to the fair value of the reporting unit. If test one is failed, a more detailed analysis is performed, which involves measuring the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in step one, over the aggregate fair value of the individual assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. Step one of the impairment testing was passed for all reporting units during 2018. The remainder of the Company’s goodwill relates to acquisitions that are fully integrated into the retail banking operations, which management does not consider to be at risk of failing step one in the near future. The Company’s intangible assets are subject to amortization and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be receivable. If applicable, the Company tests each of the intangibles by comparing the carrying value of the intangible to the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset.
Valuation of Securities and Analysis for Impairment    Securities that the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity are classified as securities held-to-maturity and are accounted for using historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount. Trading and equity securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in other noninterest income. All other securities are classified as securities available-for-sale and are carried at fair market value. The fair values of securities are based on either quoted market price or third party pricing services. In general, the third-party pricing services employ various methodologies, including but not limited to, broker quotes and proprietary models. Management does not typically adjust the prices received from third-party pricing services. Depending upon the type of security, management employs various techniques to analyze the pricing it receives from third-parties, such as reviewing model inputs, reviewing comparable trades, analyzing changes in market yields and, in certain instances, reviewing the underlying collateral of the security. Management reviews changes in fair values from period to period and performs testing to ensure that the prices received from the third parties are consistent with their expectation of the market.
Management determines if the market for a security is active primarily based upon the frequency of which the security, or similar securities, are traded. For securities which are determined to have an inactive market, fair value models are calibrated and to the extent possible, significant inputs are back tested on a quarterly basis. The third-party service provider performs calibration and testing of the models by comparing anticipated inputs to actual results, on a quarterly basis. Unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale are reported, on an after-tax basis, as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income.
On a quarterly basis, the Company makes an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or circumstances to indicate that a security for which there is an unrealized loss is impaired on an other-than-temporary basis. The Company considers many factors, including the severity and duration of the impairment; the Company’s intent to sell the security, or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery, recent events specific to the issuer or industry; and for debt securities, external credit ratings and recent downgrades. The term other-than-temporary is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent. It indicates that the prospects for near-term recovery are not necessarily favorable or that there is a lack of evidence to support fair values greater than or equal to the carrying value of the investment. Estimates of the expected cash flows for investment securities that potentially may be deemed to have OTTI begin with the contractual cash flows of the security. This amount is then reduced by an estimate of probable credit losses associated with the security. When estimating the extent of probable losses on the securities, management considers the strength of the underlying issuers of the securities. Indicators of diminished credit quality of the issuers include defaults, interest deferrals, or “payments in kind.” Numerous factors are considered when estimating the ultimate realizability of the cash flow for each individual security. The resulting estimate of cash flows after considering credit is then subject to a present value computation using a discount rate equal to the current yield used to accrete the beneficial interest or, the effective interest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition. If the present value of the estimated cash flows is less than the current amortized cost basis, an OTTI is considered to have occurred and the security is written down to the fair value indicated by the cash flows analysis. Any portion of decline in fair value considered to be an OTTI charge that is not due to the reduction in cash flows due to credit is considered a decline due to other factors such as liquidity or interest rates and accordingly is recorded in other comprehensive income. Any portion of the decline which is related to credit is recorded in earnings.
Recent Accounting Developments
See Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.

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ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Risk Management” in Item 7 hereof.

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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Independent Bank Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Independent Bank Corp. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, 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) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 28, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

eysignaturea06a25.jpg
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2009
Boston, Massachusetts
February 28, 2019

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INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
Assets
Cash and due from banks
$
127,503

 
$
103,485

Interest-earning deposits with banks
122,952

 
109,631

Securities
 
 
 
Trading
1,504

 
1,324

Equities
19,477

 

Available for sale
442,752

 
447,498

Held to maturity (fair value $603,640 and $494,194)
611,490

 
497,688

Total securities
1,075,223

 
946,510

Loans held for sale (at fair value)
6,431

 
4,768

Loans
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
1,093,629

 
888,528

Commercial real estate
3,251,248

 
3,116,561

Commercial construction
365,165

 
401,797

Small business
164,676

 
132,370

Residential real estate
923,294

 
754,329

Home equity - first position
654,083

 
612,990

Home equity - subordinate positions
438,001

 
439,098

Other consumer
16,098

 
9,880

   Total loans
6,906,194

 
6,355,553

Less: allowance for loan losses
(64,293
)
 
(60,643
)
Net loans
6,841,901

 
6,294,910

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
15,683

 
11,597

Bank premises and equipment, net
97,581

 
94,722

Goodwill
256,105

 
231,806

Other intangible assets
15,250

 
9,341

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
160,456

 
151,528

Other real estate owned and other foreclosed assets

 
612

Other assets
132,507

 
123,119

Total assets
$
8,851,592

 
$
8,082,029

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Deposits
 
 
 
Demand deposits
$
2,450,907

 
$
2,159,396

Savings and interest checking accounts
2,865,349

 
2,599,922

Money market
1,399,761

 
1,325,634

Time certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over
351,629

 
278,531

Other time certificates of deposits
359,474

 
365,770

Total deposits
7,427,120

 
6,729,253

Borrowings
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
147,806

 
53,264

Junior subordinated debentures (less unamortized debt issuance costs of $118 and $125)
76,173

 
73,073

Subordinated debentures (less unamortized debt issuance costs of $272 and $318)
34,728

 
34,682

Customer repurchase agreements

 
162,679

Total borrowings
258,707

 
323,698

Other liabilities
92,275

 
85,269

Total liabilities
7,778,102

 
7,138,220

Commitments and contingencies

 

Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized: 1,000,000 shares, outstanding: none

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized: 75,000,000 shares,
issued and outstanding: 28,080,408 shares at December 31, 2018 and 27,450,190 shares at December 31, 2017 (includes 153,459 and 177,191 shares of unvested participating restricted stock awards, respectively)
279

 
273

Value of shares held in rabbi trust at cost: 153,226 shares at December 31, 2018 and 164,438 shares at December 31, 2016
(4,718
)
 
(4,590
)
Deferred compensation obligation
4,718

 
4,590

Additional paid in capital
527,648

 
479,430

Retained earnings
546,736

 
465,937

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(1,173
)
 
(1,831
)
Total stockholders' equity
1,073,490

 
943,809

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
8,851,592

 
$
8,082,029

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
294,293

 
$
253,131

 
$
224,244

Taxable interest and dividends on securities
26,513

 
22,465

 
20,851

Nontaxable interest and dividends on securities
60

 
88

 
117

Interest on loans held for sale
159

 
92

 
235

Interest on federal funds sold and short-term investments
2,676

 
1,418

 
1,190

Total interest and dividend income
323,701

 
277,194

 
246,637

Interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
19,995

 
12,702

 
11,140

Interest on borrowings
5,541

 
5,632

 
7,653

Total interest expense
25,536

 
18,334

 
18,793

Net interest income
298,165

 
258,860

 
227,844

Provision for loan losses
4,775

 
2,950

 
6,075

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
293,390

 
255,910

 
221,769

Noninterest income
 
 
 
 
 
Deposit account fees
18,327

 
17,822

 
18,652

Interchange and ATM fees
18,916

 
17,291

 
16,210

Investment management
26,155

 
23,802

 
21,809

Mortgage banking income
4,071

 
4,960

 
6,607

Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
4,060

 
4,127

 
4,089

Gain on life insurance benefits
1,463

 

 

Loan level derivative income
2,373

 
3,836

 
6,155

Other noninterest income
13,140

 
11,156

 
8,906

Total noninterest income
88,505

 
82,994

 
82,428

Noninterest expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
124,328

 
116,600

 
108,636

Occupancy and equipment expenses
27,098

 
24,693

 
22,867

Data processing & facilities management
5,125

 
4,988

 
4,975

FDIC assessment
2,774

 
3,068

 
3,380

Advertising expense
4,942

 
4,989

 
5,202

Consulting expense
3,891

 
4,038

 
3,486

Debit card expense
3,429

 
3,430

 
2,993

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
437

Merger and acquisition expense
11,168

 
3,393

 
5,455

Software maintenance
4,202

 
3,636

 
3,061

Other noninterest expenses
39,012

 
35,524

 
31,630

Total noninterest expenses
225,969

 
204,359

 
192,122

Income before income taxes
155,926

 
134,545

 
112,075

Provision for income taxes
34,304

 
47,341

 
35,427

Net Income
$
121,622

 
$
87,204

 
$
76,648

Basic earnings per share
$
4.41

 
$
3.19

 
$
2.90

Diluted earnings per share
$
4.40

 
$
3.19

 
$
2.90

Weighted average common shares (basic)
27,592,380

 
27,294,028

 
26,404,071

Common share equivalents
61,428

 
78,076

 
51,847

Weighted average common shares (diluted)
27,653,808

 
27,372,104

 
26,455,918

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
1.52

 
$
1.28

 
$
1.16

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
121,622

 
$
87,204

 
$
76,648

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in fair value of securities available for sale
(4,501
)
 
(677
)
 
(1,133
)
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges
4,829

 
443

 
2,170

Net change in other comprehensive income for defined benefit postretirement plans
1,558

 
(260
)
 
78

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
1,886

 
(494
)
 
1,115

Total comprehensive income
$
123,508

 
$
86,710

 
$
77,763


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Common Stock Outstanding
 
Common Stock
 
Value of Shares Held in Rabbi Trust at Cost
 
Deferred Compensation Obligation
 
Additional Paid in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balance December 31, 2015
26,236,352

 
$
260

 
$
(3,958
)
 
$
3,958

 
$
405,486

 
$
368,169

 
$
(2,452
)
 
$
771,463

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
76,648

 

 
76,648

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,115

 
1,115

Common dividend declared ($1.16 per share)

 

 

 

 

 
(30,722
)
 

 
(30,722
)
Common stock issued for acquisition
672,665

 
7

 

 

 
40,723

 

 

 
40,730

Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of cash paid
13,449

 

 

 

 
201

 

 

 
201

Tax benefit related to equity award activity

 

 

 

 
476

 

 

 
476

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 
2,965

 

 

 
2,965

Restricted stock awards issued, net of awards surrendered
33,432

 
1

 

 

 
(697
)
 

 

 
(696
)
Shares issued under direct stock purchase plan
49,915

 

 

 

 
2,323

 

 

 
2,323

Deferred compensation and other retirement benefit obligations

 

 
(319
)
 
319

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit related to deferred compensation distributions

 

 

 

 
187

 

 

 
187

Balance December 31, 2016
27,005,813

 
$
268

 
$
(4,277
)
 
$
4,277

 
$
451,664

 
$
414,095

 
$
(1,337
)
 
$
864,690

Cumulative effect accounting adjustment (1)

 

 

 

 
542

 
(365
)
 

 
177

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
87,204

 

 
87,204

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 
(494
)
 
(494
)
Common dividend declared ($1.28 per share)

 

 

 

 

 
(34,997
)
 

 
(34,997
)
Common stock issued for acquisition
369,286

 
4

 

 

 
23,464

 

 

 
23,468

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
19,340

 

 

 

 
214

 

 

 
214

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 
3,333

 

 

 
3,333

Restricted stock awards issued, net of awards surrendered
31,665

 
1

 

 

 
(1,423
)
 

 

 
(1,422
)
Shares issued under direct stock purchase plan
24,086

 

 

 

 
1,636

 

 

 
1,636

Deferred compensation and other retirement benefit obligations

 

 
(313
)
 
313

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2017
27,450,190

 
$
273

 
$
(4,590
)
 
$
4,590

 
$
479,430

 
$
465,937

 
$
(1,831
)
 
$
943,809

Opening balance reclassification (2)

 

 

 

 

 
397

 
(397
)
 

Cumulative effect accounting adjustment (3)

 

 

 

 

 
831

 
(831
)
 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
121,622

 

 
121,622

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,886

 
1,886

Common dividend declared ($1.52 per share)

 

 

 

 

 
(42,051
)
 

 
(42,051
)
Common stock issued for acquisition
528,353

 
5

 

 

 
42,469

 

 

 
42,474

Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of cash paid
23,195

 

 

 

 
184

 

 

 
184

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 
4,225

 

 

 
4,225

Restricted stock awards issued, net of awards surrendered
43,383

 
1

 

 

 
(1,372
)
 

 

 
(1,371
)
Shares issued under direct stock purchase plan
35,287

 

 

 

 
2,712

 

 

 
2,712

Deferred compensation and other retirement benefit obligations

 

 
(128
)
 
128

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2018
28,080,408

 
$
279

 
$
(4,718
)
 
$
4,718

 
$
527,648

 
$
546,736

 
$
(1,173
)
 
$
1,073,490


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(1)
Represents adjustment needed to reflect the cumulative impact on retained earnings for previously recognized stock based compensation, which included an adjustment for estimated forfeitures. Pursuant to the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, the Company has elected to recognize stock based compensation without inclusion of a forfeiture estimate, and as such has recognized this adjustment to present retained earnings consistent with this election.
(2)
Represents adjustment needed to reflect the cumulative impact on retained earnings for reclassification of the income tax effects attributable to accumulated other comprehensive income, as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). Pursuant to the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2018-02, the Company has elected to reclassify amounts stranded in other comprehensive income to retained earnings.
(3)
Represents adjustment needed to reflect the cumulative impact on retained earnings for the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities. Pursuant to the Company's adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, the Company's investments in equity securities will no longer be classified as available for sale, therefore the Company was required to reclassify the net unrealized gain recognized on the change in fair value of these equity securities from other comprehensive income to retained earnings.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flow from operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
121,622

 
$
87,204

 
$
76,648

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
15,994

 
15,681

 
14,354

Provision for loan losses
4,775

 
2,950

 
6,075

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
(4,497
)
 
9,211

 
(5
)
Tax expense related to write-down of investments in low income housing projects

 
466

 

Net loss on equity securities
1,225

 

 

Net (gain) loss on sale of securities

 
(3
)
 
26

Net (gain) loss on bank premises and equipment
(1,126
)
 
(108
)
 
114

Net loss on other real estate owned and foreclosed assets
112

 
288

 
29

Realized gain on sale leaseback transaction
(730
)
 
(1,034
)
 
(1,034
)
Stock based compensation
4,225

 
3,333

 
2,965

Excess tax benefit related to equity award activity

 

 
(476
)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies
(4,060
)
 
(4,127
)
 
(4,089
)
Gain on life insurance benefits
(1,463
)
 

 

Change in fair value on loans held for sale
51

 
113

 
(87
)
Net change in:
 
 
 
 
 
Trading assets
(180
)
 
(520
)
 
(448
)
Loans held for sale
(1,714
)
 
1,258

 
(62
)
Other assets
503

 
20,022

 
7,627

Other liabilities
7,100

 
(3,825
)
 
(8,738
)
Total adjustments
20,215

 
43,705

 
16,251

Net cash provided by operating activities
141,837

 
130,909

 
92,899

Cash flows used in investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales of equity securities
5,752

 

 

Purchases of equity securities
(6,315
)
 

 

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale

 
1,027

 
618

Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of securities available for sale
82,418

 
54,191

 
69,775

Purchases of securities available for sale
(78,990
)
 
(140,885
)
 
(69,671
)
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of securities held to maturity
82,355

 
78,757

 
90,991

Purchases of securities held to maturity
(195,538
)
 
(89,033
)
 
(100,198
)
Net redemption (purchases) of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
(2,376
)
 
386

 
5,229

Investments in low income housing projects
(3,434
)
 
(7,645
)
 
(7,626
)
Purchases of life insurance policies
(164
)
 
(164
)
 
(163
)
Proceeds from life insurance policies
2,850

 

 

Net increase in loans
(258,633
)
 
(204,702
)
 
(227,838
)
Net cash acquired (paid) in business combinations
(6,906
)
 
6,289

 
8,668

Purchases of bank premises and equipment
(11,106
)
 
(25,080
)
 
(10,395
)
Proceeds from the sale of bank premises and equipment
2,189

 
6,306

 
345

Proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned and foreclosed assets
387

 
3,784

 
1,583

Net payments relating to other real estate owned and foreclosed assets

 

 
(204
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(387,511
)
 
(316,769
)
 
(238,886
)
Cash flows provided by financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in time deposits
(1,430
)
 
(19,509
)
 
(104,803
)
Net increase in other deposits
280,017

 
177,241

 
350,739

Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
67,046

 

 
(37,000
)
Repayments of long-term Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
(2,475
)
 

 
(65,791
)
Net increase (decrease) in customer repurchase agreements
(21,503
)
 
(14,234
)
 
42,955

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 
437

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
184

 
214

 
201

Restricted stock awards issued, net of awards surrendered
(1,371
)
 
(1,422
)
 
(696
)

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Table of Contents

Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation

 

 
476

Tax benefit from deferred compensation distribution

 

 
187

Proceeds from shares issued under direct stock purchase plan
2,712

 
1,636

 
2,323

Common dividends paid
(40,167
)
 
(34,045
)
 
(29,711
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
283,013

 
109,881

 
159,317

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
37,339

 
(75,979
)
 
13,330

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
213,116

 
289,095

 
275,765

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
250,455

 
$
213,116

 
$
289,095

Cash paid during the year for
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits and borrowings
$
25,337

 
$
18,626

 
$
18,963

Income taxes
$
27,809

 
$
32,865

 
$
33,473

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned and foreclosed assets
$

 
$
511

 
$
1,322

Net increase in capital commitments relating to low income housing project investments
$
2,833

 
$
20

 
$
5,180

Transfer of customer repurchase agreements to deposits
$
141,176

 

 

In conjunction with the Company's acquisitions, assets were acquired and liabilities were assumed as follows
 
 
 
 
 
Value of common stock issued for acquisition
$
42,474

 
$
23,468

 
$
40,730

Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash acquired
$
362,286

 
$
179,252

 
$
266,242

Fair value of liabilities assumed
$
312,906

 
$
162,073

 
$
234,180

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

75

Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
Independent Bank Corp. (the “Company”) is a bank holding company whose principal subsidiary is Rockland Trust Company (“Rockland Trust” or the “Bank”). Rockland Trust is a state-chartered commercial bank, which operates eighty-seven full service and two limited service retail branches, thirteen commercial banking centers, eight investment management offices and one mortgage lending center, all of which are located in Eastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, with the exception of an investment management group/commercial lending office located in Providence, Rhode Island. Rockland Trust deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, subject to regulatory limits. The Company’s primary source of income is from providing loans to individuals and small-to-medium sized businesses in its market area. Rockland Trust is a community-oriented commercial bank, and the community banking business is the Company's only reportable operating segment.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Bank and other wholly-owned subsidiaries, except subsidiaries that are not deemed necessary to be consolidated. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity under GAAP. Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. The Company would consolidate voting interest entities in which it has all, or at least a majority of, the voting interest. As defined in applicable accounting standards, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when the Company has both the power and ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. 
The Company also owns the common stock of various trusts which have issued trust preferred securities. These trusts are VIEs in which the Company is not the primary beneficiary and, therefore, are not consolidated. The trust's only assets are junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company, which were acquired by the trust using the proceeds from the issuance of the trust preferred securities and common stock. The junior subordinated debentures are included in long-term debt and the Company’s equity interest in the trust is included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest expense on the junior subordinated debentures is reported in interest expense on long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.
Reclassification
Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could vary from these estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near-term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, income taxes, valuation and potential impairment of investment securities, other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of certain investment securities, as well as valuation of goodwill and other intangibles and their respective analyses of impairment.

76

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Significant Concentrations of Credit Risk
The vast majority of the Bank’s lending activities are conducted in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Bank originates commercial and industrial loans, commercial and residential real estate loans, including construction loans, small business loans, home equity loans, and other consumer loans for its portfolio. The Bank considers a concentration of credit to a particular industry to exist when the aggregate credit exposure which includes direct, indirect or contingent obligations to a borrower, an affiliated group of borrowers or a nonaffiliated group of borrowers engaged in one industry, exceeds 10% of the Bank’s loan portfolio.
Loans originated by the Bank to lessors of nonresidential buildings represented 15.1% and 15.4% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Within this concentration category, the Company believes it is well diversified among collateral property types and tenant industries.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents may include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, inclusive of interest-earning deposits held at banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for up to two week periods.
Securities
Investment securities are classified at the time of purchase as “available for sale,” “held to maturity,” “trading,” or "equity." Classification is constantly re-evaluated for consistency with corporate goals and objectives. Trading and equity securities are recorded at fair value with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in earnings. Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held to maturity, trading or equity, are classified as “available for sale” and recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income, net of related tax. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income, using the interest method, to arrive at periodic interest income at a constant effective yield, thereby reflecting the securities market yield. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their amortized cost deemed to be OTTI are written down to fair value as determined by a cash flow analysis. To the extent the estimated cash flows do not support the amortized cost, the deficiency is considered to be due to credit loss and recognized in earnings. Unless the Company intends to sell the security, or if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery, the remainder of the OTTI charge is considered to be due to other factors, such as liquidity or interest rates, and thus is not recognized in earnings, but rather through other comprehensive income, net of related tax. The Company evaluates individual securities that have fair values below cost for six months or longer, or for a shorter period of time if considered appropriate by management, to determine if the decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. Consideration is given to the obligor of the security, whether the security is guaranteed, whether there is a projected adverse change in cash flows, the liquidity of the security, the type of security, the capital position of security issuers, and payment history of the security, amongst other factors when evaluating such securities.
Loans Held for Sale
The Bank primarily classifies new residential real estate mortgage loans as held for sale based on intent, which is determined when loans are underwritten. Residential real estate mortgage loans not designated as held for sale are retained based upon available liquidity, for interest rate risk management and other business purposes.
The Company has elected the fair value option to account for originated closed loans intended for sale. Accordingly, changes in fair value relating to loans intended for sale are recorded in earnings and are offset by changes in fair value relating to interest rate lock commitments and forward sales commitments. Gains and losses on residential loan sales (sales proceeds minus carrying amount) are recorded in mortgage banking income. Upfront costs and fees related to items for which the fair value option is elected are recognized in earnings as incurred and are not deferred.

77

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Loans
Loans are carried at the principal amounts outstanding, or amortized acquired fair value in the case of acquired loans, adjusted by partial charge-offs and net of deferred loan costs or fees. For originated loans, loan fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and amortized into interest income over the expected term of the loan using the level-yield method.  When a loan is paid off, the unamortized portion is recognized in interest income. Interest income on loans is accrued based upon the daily principal amount outstanding except for loans on nonaccrual status. For acquired loans which did not show signs of credit deterioration at acquisition, interest income is also accrued based upon the daily principal amount outstanding and is then further adjusted by the accretion of any discount or amortization of any premium associated with the loan.
 As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest are classified as nonaccrual loans, or sooner if management considers such action to be prudent. However, loans that are more than 90 days past due may be kept on an accruing status if the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. The Company may also put a junior lien mortgage on nonaccrual status as a result of delinquency with respect to the first position, which is held by the Bank or by another financial institution, while the junior lien is currently performing. Income accruals are suspended on all nonaccrual loans and all previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against current income. A loan remains on nonaccrual status until it becomes current with respect to principal and interest (and in certain instances remains current for up to six months), the loan is liquidated, or when the loan is determined to be uncollectible and is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses. When doubt exists as to the collectability of a loan, any payments received are applied to reduce the recorded investment in the asset to the extent necessary to eliminate such doubt. For all loan portfolios, a charge-off occurs when the Company determines that a specific loan, or portion thereof, is uncollectible.  This determination is made based on management's review of specific facts and circumstances of the individual loan, including assessing the viability of the customer’s business or project as a going concern, the expected cash flows to repay the loan, the value of the collateral and the ability and willingness of any guarantors to perform. 
In cases where a borrower experiences financial difficulties and the Company makes certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms, the loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). Modifications may include adjustments to interest rates, extensions of maturity, consumer loans where the borrower's obligations have been effectively discharged through Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt to the Bank, and other actions intended to minimize economic loss and avoid foreclosure or repossession of collateral. The recorded investment of loans classified as TDRs is adjusted to reflect the changes in value, if any, resulting from the granting of a concession. Nonaccrual loans that are restructured remain on nonaccrual for a period of six months to demonstrate that the borrower can meet the restructured terms. If the restructured loan is on accrual status prior to being modified, it is reviewed to determine if the modified loan should remain on accrual status. If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is not reasonably assured, the loan is classified as a nonaccrual loan. Loans classified as TDRs remain classified as such for the life of the loan, except in limited circumstances, when it is determined that the borrower is performing under the modified terms and the restructuring agreement specified an interest rate greater than or equal to an acceptable market rate for a comparable new loan at the time of the restructuring.
Acquired loans
All acquired loans are recorded at fair value with no carryover of the allowance for loan losses. At acquisition, loans are also reviewed to determine if the loan has evidence of deterioration in credit quality and to review if it is probable, at acquisition, that all contractually required payments will not be collected. Such loans are deemed to be purchased credit impaired ("PCI") loans. Under the accounting model for PCI loans, the excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the loans, referred to as the "accretable yield", is accreted into interest income over the life of the loans using the effective yield method. Accordingly, PCI loans are not subject to classification as nonaccrual in the same manner as originated loans. Rather, acquired loans are generally considered to be accruing loans because their interest income relates to the accretable yield recognized and not to contractual interest payments at the loan level. The difference between contractually required principal and interest payments and the cash flows expected to be collected, referred to as the "nonaccretable difference", includes estimates of both the impact of prepayments and future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loans.
The estimate of cash flows expected to be collected is regularly re-assessed subsequent to acquisition. These re-assessments involve updates, as necessary, of the key assumptions and estimates used in the initial estimate of fair value. Generally speaking, expected cash flows are affected by:

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Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Changes in the expected principal and interest payments over the estimated life - Changes in expected cash flows may be driven by the credit outlook and actions taken with borrowers. Changes in expected future cash flows resulting from loan modifications are included in the assessment of expected cash flows.
Change in prepayment assumptions - Prepayments affect the estimated life of the loans, which may change the amount of interest income expected to be collected.
Change in interest rate indices for variable rate loans - Expected future cash flows are based, as applicable, on the variable rates in effect at the time of the assessment of expected cash flows.
A decrease in expected cash flows in subsequent periods may indicate that the loan is impaired which would likely require the recognition of a charge-off against the allowance for loan losses or an establishment of a specific reserve. An increase in expected cash flows in subsequent periods serves, first, to reduce any previously established specific reserve by the increase in the present value of cash flows expected to be collected. Any increase above the previously established specific reserve results in a recalculation of the amount of accretable yield for the loan. The adjustment of accretable yield due to an increase in expected cash flows is accounted for as a change in estimate. The additional cash flows expected to be collected are reclassified from the nonaccretable difference to the accretable yield, and the amount of periodic accretion is adjusted accordingly over the remaining life of the loans.
A PCI loan may be resolved either through receipt of payment (in full or in part) from the borrower, the sale of the loan to a third party, or foreclosure of the collateral. In the event of a sale of the loan, a gain or loss on sale would be recognized and reported within noninterest income based on the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the loan. For PCI loans accounted for on an individual loan basis and resolved directly with the borrower, any amount received from resolution in excess of the carrying amount of the loan is recognized and reported within interest income.
A refinancing or modification of a PCI loan accounted for individually is assessed to determine whether the modification represents a TDR. If the loan is considered to be a TDR, it will be included in the total impaired loans reported by the Company. The loan will continue to recognize interest income based upon the excess of cash flows expected to be collected over the carrying amount of the loan.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is established based upon the level of estimated probable losses in the current loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is doubtful. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan types using both a formula-based approach applied to groups of loans and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. The formula-based approach emphasizes loss factors derived from actual historical portfolio loss rates, which are combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors to determine the allowance amounts allocated to the various loan categories. Allowance amounts are determined based on an estimate of the historical average annual percentage rate of loan loss for each loan category, an estimate of the incurred loss emergence and confirmation period for each loan category, and certain qualitative risk factors considered in the computation of the allowance for loan losses.
The qualitative risk factors impacting the inherent risk of loss within the portfolio include the following:
National and local economic and business conditions
Level and trend of delinquencies
Level and trend of charge-offs and recoveries
Trends in volume and terms of loans
Risk selection, lending policy and underwriting standards
Experience and depth of management
Banking industry conditions and other external factors
Concentration risk
The formula-based approach evaluates groups of loans with common characteristics, which consist of similar loan types with similar terms and conditions, to determine the appropriate allocation within each portfolio section. This approach incorporates qualitative adjustments based upon management’s assessment of various market and portfolio specific risk factors

79

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


into its formula-based estimate. Due to the imprecise nature of the loan loss estimation process and ever changing conditions, the qualitative risk attributes may not adequately capture amounts of incurred loss in the formula-based loan loss components used to determine the Bank’s analysis of the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses.
The Bank evaluates certain loans within the commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, commercial construction and small business portfolios individually for specific impairment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, contractual interest rates and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Loans are selected for evaluation based upon a change in internal risk rating, occurrence of delinquency, loan classification, troubled debt restructuring or nonaccrual status. A specific allowance amount is allocated to an individual loan when such loan has been deemed impaired and when the amount of the probable loss is able to be estimated. Estimates of loss may be determined by the present value of anticipated future cash flows, the loan’s observable fair market value, or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. However, for collateral dependent loans, the amount of the recorded investment in a loan that exceeds the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses in lieu of an allocation of a specific allowance amount when such an amount has been identified definitively as uncollectible.
Large groups of small-balance homogeneous loans such as the residential real estate, residential construction, home equity and other consumer portfolios are collectively evaluated for impairment. As such, the Bank does not typically identify individual loans within these groupings as impaired loans for impairment evaluation and disclosure. However, the Bank evaluates all TDRs for impairment on an individual loan basis regardless of loan type.
In the ordinary course of business, the Bank enters into commitments to extend credit, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they become payable. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the allowance for loan losses. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities in the balance sheet. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the reserve for unfunded loan commitments was $1.3 million and $972,000, respectively.
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets
Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Loans held for sale are generally sold with servicing rights released, however if rights are retained, servicing assets are recognized as separate assets. Servicing rights are originally recorded at fair value within other assets, but subsequently are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income, and are assessed for impairment at each reporting date. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts, when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, the custodial earnings rate, an inflation rate, ancillary income, prepayment speeds, default rates and losses. Impairment is determined by stratifying the rights based on predominant characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income.
Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans for investors. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan, and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is recorded as a reduction of loan servicing fee income.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
The Company, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Boston, is required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the FHLB. Based on redemption provisions, the stock has no quoted market value and is carried at cost. The Company continually reviews its investment to determine if OTTI exists. The Company reviews recent public filings, rating agency analysis and other factors when making its determination.

80

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Bank Premises and Equipment
Land is carried at cost. Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line convention method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Expected terms include lease option periods to the extent that the exercise of such options is reasonably assured, not to exceed fifteen years.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the net fair value of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not amortized and is assigned to one reporting unit. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment at least annually, or more often if warranted, using a combined qualitative and quantitative impairment approach. The initial qualitative approach assesses whether the existence of events or circumstances led to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than carrying value, the two step quantitative impairment test is performed. Step one of the quantitative impairment test compares book value to the fair value of the reporting unit. If step one is failed, a detailed step two analysis is performed, which involves measuring the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in step one, over the aggregate fair value of the individual assets, liabilities, and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination.
Other intangible assets subject to amortization consist of core deposit intangibles, noncompete agreements, customer lists and market-based favorable or unfavorable lease positions at time of acquisition, and are amortized over the estimated lives of the intangibles using a method that approximates the amount of economic benefits that are realized by the Company. Other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The range of useful lives is as follows:
Core deposit intangibles
10 years
Noncompete agreements
1-3 years
Customer Lists
12 years
Leases
3-30 years

The determination of which intangible assets have finite lives is subjective, as is the determination of the amortization period for such intangible assets.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill
The Company reviews long-lived assets, including premises and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the remaining useful life may warrant revision or that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be fully recoverable. The Company performs undiscounted cash flow analysis to determine if impairment exists. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on fair value. Impairment losses on assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance Policies
Increases in the cash surrender value (“CSV”) of life insurance policies, as well as benefits received net of any CSV, are recorded in other noninterest income, and are generally not subject to income taxes. The CSV of the policies is recorded as an asset of the Bank, with liabilities recognized for any split dollar arrangements associated with the policies. The Company reviews the financial strength of the insurance carriers prior to the purchase of life insurance policies and no less than annually thereafter. Regulatory requirements limit the total amount of CSV to be held with any individual carrier to 15% of Tier 1 capital (as defined for regulatory purposes) and the total CSV of all life insurance policies is limited to 25% of Tier 1 capital.

81

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Other Real Estate Owned and Other Foreclosed Assets
Real estate properties and other assets, which have served as collateral to secure loans, are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date control is established, resulting in a new cost basis. The amount by which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the fair value (net of estimated costs to sell) of the foreclosed asset is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent declines in the fair value of the foreclosed asset below the new cost basis are recorded through the use of a valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in the fair value are recorded as reductions in the valuation allowance, but not below zero. Upon a sale of a foreclosed asset, any excess of the carrying value over the sale proceeds is recognized as a loss on sale. Any excess of sale proceeds over the carrying value of the foreclosed asset is first applied as a recovery to the valuation allowance, if any, with the remainder being recognized as a gain on sale. Operating expenses and changes in the valuation allowance relating to foreclosed assets are included in other noninterest expense.
Customer Repurchase Agreements
In a security repurchase agreement transaction, the Company will generally sell a security, agreeing to repurchase either the same or substantially identical security on a specified later date, at a greater price than the original sales price. The difference between the sale price and purchase price is the cost of the proceeds, which is recorded as interest expense. The securities underlying the agreements are delivered to counterparties as security for the repurchase obligations. Since the securities are treated as collateral and the agreement does not qualify for a full transfer of effective control, the transactions do not meet the criteria to be classified as a sale, and are therefore considered a secured borrowing transaction for accounting purposes.
Derivatives
Derivative instruments are carried at fair value in the Company’s financial statements. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument is determined by whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, and further, by the type of hedging relationship. At the inception of a hedge, the Company documents certain items, including but not limited to the following: the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, the Company's risk management objectives, hedging strategies, and the evaluation of hedge transaction effectiveness. Documentation includes linking all derivatives designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific forecasted transactions.
For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify for special hedge accounting, the Company designates the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of related tax. The Company considers any economic mismatch between the hedging instrument and the hedged transaction in its ongoing assessment of hedge effectiveness. If the hedging instrument is not highly effective at achieving offsetting cash flows attributable to the revised contractually specified interest rate(s), hedge accounting will be discontinued. At that time, accumulated other comprehensive income would be frozen and amortized, as long as the forecasted transactions are still probable of occurring. For derivative instruments designated and qualifying as a fair value hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to the hedged risk), the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in current earnings during the period of the change in fair values. Hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively when (1) a derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flow of a hedged item, (2) a derivative expires or is settled, (3) it is no longer likely that a forecasted transaction associated with the hedge will occur, or (4) it is determined that designation of a derivative as a hedge is no longer appropriate.
To the extent the Company enters into new or re-designates existing hedging relationships, it is the Company's policy to include the Overnight Index Swap Rate in the spectrum of available benchmark interest rates for hedge accounting.
For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, such as loan level derivatives, foreign exchange contracts and mortgage derivatives, changes in fair value are recognized in other noninterest income during the period of change and are included in changes in other assets or other liabilities on the Company's consolidated statement of cash flows.

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Retirement Plans
The Company has various retirement plans in place for current and former employees, including postretirement benefit plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, frozen multiemployer pension plans, deferred compensation plans, as well as other benefits.
The postretirement benefit plans and the supplemental executive retirement plans are unfunded and therefore have no plan assets. The actuarial cost method used to compute the benefit liabilities and related expense is the projected unit credit method. The projected benefit obligation is principally determined based on the present value of the projected benefit distributions at an assumed discount rate. The discount rate which is utilized is based on the investment yield of high quality corporate bonds available in the market place with maturities approximately equal to projected cash flows of future benefit payments as of the measurement date. Periodic benefit expense (or income) includes service costs and interest costs based on the assumed discount rate, amortization of prior service costs due to plan amendments and amortization of actuarial gains and losses. Service costs are included in salaries and employee benefits and all other costs are included in other noninterest expense. The amortization of actuarial gains and losses is determined using the 10% corridor minimum amortization approach and is taken over the average remaining future working lifetime of the plan participants. The underfunded status of the plans is recorded as a liability on the balance sheet.
The multiemployer pension plans' assets are determined based on fair value, generally representing observable market prices. The actuarial cost method used to compute the pension liabilities and related expense is the unit credit method. The pension expense is equal to the plan contribution requirement of the Company for the plan year.
The Director Deferred Compensation and 401(k) Restoration plans allow directors and employees to invest their funds within a rabbi trust, including both Company stock and other investment alternatives offered by the plan. The plans do not permit diversification after initial election and therefore elections made to defer into Company stock result in both the investment and obligation recognized within Stockholders' Equity. Alternatively, investments not in Company stock are included in Securities-trading, with the correlating obligation classified as a liability.
The Company has obligations with various individuals related to certain post-retirement benefits. The obligations are based on the individual's service through retirement, with the associated cost recognized over the requisite service period. The accrual methodology results in an accrued amount at the full eligibility date equal to the then present value of all of the future benefits expected to be paid.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes stock-based compensation based on the grant-date fair value of the award, with no adjustment for estimated forfeitures, as forfeitures are recognized when they occur. For restricted stock awards and units, the Company recognizes compensation expense ratably over the vesting period for the fair value of the award, measured at the grant date. For stock option awards, the Company values awards granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company recognizes compensation expense for these awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (straight-line attribution method), ensuring that the amount of compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the portion of the grant-date fair value of the award that is vested at that time. The Company recognizes excess tax benefits on certain stock compensation transactions. The excess tax benefits are recorded through earnings as a discrete item within the Company’s effective tax rate during the period of the transaction.
Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability (or balance sheet) method of accounting for income taxes. 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 apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in enacted tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Income taxes are allocated to each entity in the consolidated group based on its share of taxable income. Management exercises significant judgment in evaluating the amount and timing of recognition of the resulting tax liabilities and assets, including projections of future taxable income. Additionally, a liability for unrecognized tax benefits is recorded for uncertain tax positions taken by the Company on its tax returns for which there is less than a 50% likelihood of being recognized upon a tax examination.

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Tax credits generated from the New Markets Tax Credit program are reflected in earnings when realized for federal income tax purposes.

Low Income Housing Tax Credits

The Company accounts for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method. Under the proportional amortization method the Company amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the net investment benefit as a component of income tax expense (benefit).
Assets Under Administration
Assets held in a fiduciary or agency capacity for customers are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, as such assets are not assets of the Company. Revenue from administrative and management activities associated with these assets is recorded on an accrual basis.
Extinguishment of Debt
Upon extinguishment of an outstanding debt, the Company records the difference between the exit price and the net carrying amount of the debt as a gain or loss on the extinguishment. The gain or loss is recorded as a component of other noninterest income or other noninterest expense, respectively.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula under which earnings per share is calculated from common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings distributed and undistributed, are allocated to participating securities and common shares based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities, not subject to performance based measures (i.e. unvested time-vested restricted stock). Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (inclusive of participating securities). Diluted earnings per share have been calculated in a manner similar to that of basic earnings per share except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive common shares (such as those resulting from the exercise of stock options or the attainment of performance measures) were issued during the period, computed using the treasury stock method.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, unrealized losses related to factors other than credit on debt securities, if applicable, unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges, deferred gains on hedge accounting transactions, and changes in the funded status of the Company’s postretirement and supplemental retirement plans.
Fair Value Measurements
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 developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters.

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Recent Accounting Standards    

Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 326 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses" Update No. 2016-13. Update No. 2016-13 was issued in June 2016 to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. To achieve this objective, this update replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The Company will adopt the update on January 1, 2020 and is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this standard on the Company's consolidated financial position. To date, the Company has been assessing the key differences and gaps between its current allowance methodologies and models with those it is considering to use upon adoption. This has included assessing the adequacy of existing loss data, developing models for default and loss estimates, and finalizing vendor selection. The Company has also begun developing accounting policies as well as considering the need for new internal controls relevant to the updated methodologies and models. The Company expects to validate its models and execute a parallel run beginning in early 2019. Since the Update No. 2016-13, the FASB has issued an amendment intended on improving the clarification of the amendment, FASB ASC Topic 326 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses" Update No. 2018-19. The amendments in Update No. 2018-19 was issued in November 2018 and was intended to clarify that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases.

FASB ASC Topic 842 "Leases" Update No. 2016-02. Update No. 2016-02 was issued in February 2016 and affects any entity that enters into a lease (as that term is defined in this update), with some specified scope exemptions. The core principle of this update is that a lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use ("ROU") asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. In addition, the accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. Since the issuance of Update 2016-02, the FASB has issued codification improvements to the standard in FASB ASC Topic 842 "Leases" Update No. 2018-10 and FASB ASC Topic 842 "Leases" Update No. 2018-11. The amendments in Update 2018-10 affect narrow aspects of the guidance issued in the amendments in Update 2016-02 and provide improvements or clarification to the previously issued update. The amendments in update 2018-11 are related to the transition relief on comparative reporting at adoption, which allows entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. This update applies to all entities with lease contracts that choose the additional transition method. For public companies, the amendments in these updates are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Additionally, FASB ASC Topic 842 "Leases" Update No. 2018-20 provided narrow-scope improvements for lessors, which was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations.
The Company adopted all of the Lease related Updates effective January 1, 2019 and used the effective date as the date of initial application, and therefore, periods prior to January 1, 2019 will not be restated. The Company elected the package of practical expedients, which permits the Company not to reassess prior conclusions about lease identifications, lease classification and initial direct costs under the new standard. The Company did not elect to apply the hindsight practical expedient pertaining to using hindsight knowledge as of the effective date when determining lease terms and impairment. As noted above, the new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity's ongoing accounting. The Company has elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, and thus will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for those leases. The adoption of these standards resulted in the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet for its real estate operating leases as of January 1, 2019, and requires significant new disclosures about its leasing activities prospectively. Upon adoption, the Company recognized on its balance sheet ROU assets of approximately $32.8 million, with a corresponding operating lease liability of approximately $34.1 million, with an adjustment to remove the Company's existing deferred rent liability of approximately $1.3 million. These amounts were based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases.
FASB ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" Update No. 2018-16. Update No. 2018-16 was issued in October 2018.  The amendments in this update permit the Overnight Index Swap (OIS) rate based on Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815 in addition to the Treasury obligations of the U.S. government (UST), the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) swap rate, the OIS rate based on the

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Fed Funds Effective Rate, and the Securities Industry and Financial markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Rate.  The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The amendments should be adopted on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after the date of adoption.  The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of this standard in conjunction with its efforts to review and address its loans that currently priced off LIBOR indexes and are tied to existing interest rate hedges. 
FASB ASC Subtopic 715-20 "Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General" Update No. 2018-14. Update No. 2018-14 was issued in August 2018 to remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add certain disclosure requirements. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, for public business entities. Early adoption is permitted. An entity should apply the amendments in this update on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The adoption of this standard will not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial position.
FASB ASC Topic 820 "Fair Value Measurement" Update No. 2018-13. Update No. 2018-13 was issued in August 2018 and applies to all entities that are required, under existing GAAP, to add, modify, or remove various disclosures related to recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with certain amendments to be applied prospectively while others are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of this update. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of the update and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company early adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position.

    
NOTE 2 ACQUISITIONS

Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc.

On September 20, 2018, the Company, and Blue Hills Bancorp, Inc. (“Blue Hills Bancorp”), parent of Blue Hills Bank, signed a definitive merger agreement for the Company to acquire Blue Hills Bancorp and the Bank to acquire Blue Hills Bank. The merger agreement provides that each Blue Hills Bancorp stockholder will receive 0.2308 of a share of the Company's common stock and $5.25 in cash for each share of Blue Hills Bancorp common stock. The transaction is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and to provide a tax-free exchange for Blue Hills Bancorp stockholders for the Company common stock portion of the consideration they receive. The merger remains subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

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MNB Bancorp

On November 16, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of MNB Bancorp (MNB Bancorp), the parent company of The Milford National Bank and Trust Company. The transaction qualified as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and MNB Bancorp shareholders received, for each share of MNB Bancorp common stock, the right to receive either $275 in cash per share or 3.55 shares of the Company's stock (valued at $285.38 per share, based upon the highest trading value of the Company's stock on November 16, 2018 of $80.39). The total deal consideration was $56.1 million and was comprised of 25% cash and 75% stock consideration, which equates to 528,353 shares of the Company's common stock issued to MNB Bancorp shareholders valued at $42.5 million, and $13.6 million in cash, inclusive of cash in lieu of fractional shares. In addition to increasing its loan, deposit and wealth management bases, the Company will be able to provide a deeper product set to new customers, as well as benefit from increased operating synergies, improving the long-term operating and financial results of the Company.

The Company accounted for the MNB Bancorp acquisition using the acquisition method pursuant to the Business Combinations Topic of the FASB ASC. Accordingly, the Company recorded merger and acquisition expenses of $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 related to the MNB Bancorp acquisition. Additionally, the acquisition method requires the acquirer to recognize the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the acquisition:

 
Net Assets Acquired at Fair Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
 
Cash
$
6,743

Investments
25,358

Loans
293,498

Premises and equipment
1,904

Goodwill
24,299

Core deposit and other intangibles
8,588

Other assets
8,639

Total assets acquired
369,029

Liabilities
 
Deposits
278,204

Borrowings
33,093

Other liabilities
1,609

Total liabilities assumed
312,906

     Purchase price
$
56,123



Fair value adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed are generally amortized using either an effective yield or straight-line basis over periods consistent with the average life, useful life and/or contractual term of the related assets and liabilities.
Fair values of the major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined as follows:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents approximate the respective carrying amounts because the instruments are payable on demand or have short-term maturities.

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Loans

The loans acquired were recorded at fair value without a carryover of the allowance for loan losses. Fair value of the loans is determined using market participant assumptions in estimating the amount and timing of both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, as adjusted for an estimate of future credit losses and prepayments, and then applying a market-based discount rate to those cash flows. The overall discount on the loans acquired in this transaction was due to anticipated credit loss, as well as considerations for liquidity and market interest rates. In addition, the acquired loans were reviewed to determine if any loans would be deemed purchased credit impaired, as determined by identifying evidence of deterioration of credit quality at the purchase date combined with an assumption that all contractually required payments will not be collected.  No loans were deemed to be purchased credit impaired.
Premises and Equipment
The fair value of the premises, including land, buildings and improvements, was determined based upon appraisals by licensed real estate appraisers. The appraisals were based upon the best and highest use of the property with final values determined based upon an analysis of the cost, sales comparison and income capitalization approaches for each property appraised.
Core Deposit Intangible
The fair value of the core deposit intangible is derived by comparing the interest rate and servicing costs that the financial institution pays on the core deposit liability versus the current market rate for alternative sources of financing, while factoring in estimates over the remaining life and attrition rate of the deposit accounts. The intangible asset represents the stable and relatively low cost source of funds that the deposits and accompanying relationships provide the Company, when compared to alternative funding sources.
Customer List Intangible
The fair value of the customer list intangible is based on the present value of the incremental after-tax cash flows attributable to the trust relationship.
Deposits
The fair value of acquired savings and transaction deposit accounts was assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand. The fair value of time deposits was determined based on the present value of the contractual cash flows over the remaining period to maturity using a market interest rate.
Borrowings
The fair values of borrowings were derived based upon the present value of the principal and interest payments using a current market discount rate.
Selected Pro Forma Results
The following summarizes the unaudited pro forma results of operations as if the Company acquired MNB Bancorp on January 1, 2018 (2017 amounts represent combined results for the Company and Island Bancorp). The selected pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial results of the combined companies had the acquisition actually been completed at the beginning of the periods presented, nor does it indicate future results for any other interim or full-year period.
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
$
304,049

 
$
267,104

Net income
 
129,797

 
88,518


Excluded from the pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 are merger-related costs of $7.5 million, net of tax, recognized by both the Company and MNB Bancorp in the aggregate. These costs were primarily made up of contract terminations arising due to the change in control, the acceleration of certain compensation and benefit costs, and other merger expenses.

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Island Bancorp, Inc.

On May 12, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of Island Bancorp, Inc., the parent of The Edgartown National Bank ("Island Bancorp"). The transaction qualified as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and Island Bancorp shareholders received, for each share of Island Bancorp common stock, the right to receive either $500 in cash per share or 9.525 shares of the Company's stock (valued at $605.31 per share, based upon the highest trading value of the Company's stock on May 12, 2017 of $63.55). The total deal consideration was $28.3 million and was comprised of 20% cash and 80% stock consideration. The cash consideration was $4.8 million in the aggregate, inclusive of cash paid in lieu of fractional shares. The total stock consideration was $23.5 million resulting in an increase to the Company's outstanding shares of 369,286 shares. In addition to increasing its loan and deposit base, the Company will be able to provide a deeper product set to new customers, as well as benefit from increased operating synergies, improving the long-term operating and financial results of the Company.

The Company accounted for the Island Bancorp acquisition using the acquisition method pursuant to the Business Combinations Topic of the FASB ASC. Accordingly, the Company recorded merger and acquisition expenses of $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to the Island Bancorp acquisition. Additionally, the acquisition method requires the acquirer to recognize the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the acquisition:
 
Net Assets Acquired at Fair Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
 
Cash
$
11,137

Loans
155,551

Premises and equipment
5,828

Goodwill
10,280

Core deposit and other intangibles
2,964

Other assets
4,629

Total assets acquired
190,389

Liabilities
 
Deposits
159,580

Borrowings
2,475

Other liabilities
18

Total liabilities assumed
162,073

     Purchase price
$
28,316


    
Fair value adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed are generally amortized using either an effective yield or straight-line basis over periods consistent with the average life, useful life and/or contractual term of the related assets and liabilities.
Fair values of the major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined as follows:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents approximate the respective carrying amounts because the instruments are payable on demand or have short-term maturities.

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Loans

The loans acquired were recorded at fair value without a carryover of the allowance for loan losses. Fair value of the loans is determined using market participant assumptions in estimating the amount and timing of both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, as adjusted for an estimate of future credit losses and prepayments, and then applying a market-based discount rate to those cash flows. The overall discount on the loans acquired in this transaction was due to anticipated credit loss, as well as considerations for liquidity and market interest rates. In addition, the acquired loans were reviewed to determine if the loan had evidence of deterioration of credit quality at the purchase date and also reviewed to determine if it was probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected. Based on the review of the loan portfolio at the time of the acquisition, it was deemed that there was no evidence to show that any of the acquired loans were purchased credit impaired.
Premises and Equipment
The fair value of the premises, including land, buildings and improvements, was determined based upon appraisals by licensed real estate appraisers. The appraisals were based upon the best and highest use of the property with final values determined based upon an analysis of the cost, sales comparison and income capitalization approaches for each property appraised.
Core Deposit Intangible
The fair value of the core deposit intangible is derived by comparing the interest rate and servicing costs that the financial institution pays on the core deposit liability versus the current market rate for alternative sources of financing, while factoring in estimates over the remaining life and attrition rate of the deposit accounts. The intangible asset represents the stable and relatively low cost source of funds that the deposits and accompanying relationships provide the Company, when compared to alternative funding sources.
Deposits
The fair value of acquired savings and transaction deposit accounts was assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand. The fair value of time deposits were determined based on the present value of the contractual cash flows over the remaining period to maturity using a market interest rate.
Borrowings
The fair values of Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances were derived based upon the present value of the principal and interest payments using a current market discount rate.
Selected Pro Forma Results
The following summarizes the unaudited pro forma results of operations as if the Company acquired Island Bancorp on January 1, 2017 (2016 amounts represent combined results for the Company and Island Bancorp). The selected pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial results of the combined companies had the acquisition actually been completed at the beginning of the periods presented, nor does it indicate future results for any other interim or full-year period.
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
December 31
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
$
258,017

 
$
227,429

Net income
 
90,025

 
78,150


Excluded from the pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 are merger-related costs of $2.6 million, net of tax, recognized by both the Company and Island Bancorp in the aggregate. These costs were primarily made up of contract terminations arising due to the change in control, the acceleration of certain compensation and benefit costs, and other merger expenses.

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NOTE 3 SECURITIES    
Trading Securities
The Company had trading securities of $1.5 million and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These securities are held in a rabbi trust and will be used for future payments associated with the Company's non-qualified 401(k) Restoration Plan and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
Equity Securities
The Company had equity securities of $19.5 million as of December 31, 2018. These securities consist primarily of mutual funds held in a rabbi trust and will be used for future payments associated with the Company’s supplemental executive retirement plans. These securities were previously classified as available for sale and were reclassified as equity securities due to a change in accounting guidance effective January 1, 2018. The equity securities had a fair value of $20.6 million as of December 31, 2017 and are reflected accordingly as available for sale in the table below.
The following table represents a summary of the gains and losses that relates to equity securities for the periods indicated:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Net losses recognized during the period on equity securities
$
(1,225
)
 
n/a
 
n/a
Less: net gains recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period
874

 
n/a
 
n/a
Unrealized losses recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date
$
(2,099
)
 
n/a
 
n/a


























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Available for Sale and Held to Maturity Securities
The following table presents a summary of the amortized cost, gross unrealized holding gains and losses and fair value of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity for the periods indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Available for sale securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agency securities
$
32,477

$

$
(439
)
$
32,038

 
$
35,475

$
86

$
(131
)
$
35,430

Agency mortgage-backed securities
222,491

1,020

(3,406
)
220,105

 
214,934

1,897

(1,067
)
215,764

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
138,149

197

(3,435
)
134,911

 
124,098

78

(2,164
)
122,012

State, county, and municipal securities
1,719

16


1,735

 
2,237

37


2,274

Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks
717


(10
)
707

 
2,012

4


2,016

Pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
1,678


(349
)
1,329

 
2,179


(539
)
1,640

Small business administration pooled securities
53,317


(1,390
)
51,927

 
47,852

44

(118
)
47,778

Equity securities




 
19,432

1,594

(442
)
20,584

Total available for sale securities
450,548

1,233

(9,029
)
442,752

 
448,219

3,740

(4,461
)
447,498

Held to maturity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. treasury securities
1,004

11


1,015

 
1,006

29


1,035

Agency mortgage-backed securities
252,484

1,548

(3,104
)
250,928

 
204,768

1,791

(736
)
205,823

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
332,775

869

(6,920
)
326,724

 
262,998

397

(4,987
)
258,408

Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks
1,500


(10
)
1,490

 
1,500

29


1,529

Small business administration pooled securities
23,727

105

(349
)
23,483

 
27,416

183

(200
)
27,399

Total held to maturity securities
611,490

2,533

(10,383
)
603,640

 
497,688

2,429

(5,923
)
494,194

Total
$
1,062,038

$
3,766

$
(19,412
)
$
1,046,392

 
$
945,907

$
6,169

$
(10,384
)
$
941,692



When securities are sold, the adjusted cost of the specific security sold is used to compute the gain or loss on the sale.

92

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The actual maturities of certain securities may differ from the contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. A schedule of the contractual maturities of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity as of December 31, 2018 is presented below:
 
Due in one year or less
 
Due after one year to five years
 
Due after five to ten years
 
Due after ten years
 
Total
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Available for sale securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agency securities
$

 
$

 
$
20,010

 
$
19,903

 
$
12,467

 
$
12,135

 
$

 
$

 
$
32,477

 
$
32,038

Agency mortgage-backed securities
89

 
90

 
52,452

 
51,761

 
89,408

 
88,402

 
80,542

 
79,852

 
222,491

 
220,105

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 
138,149

 
134,911

 
138,149

 
134,911

State, county, and municipal securities

 

 
770

 
771

 
949

 
964

 

 

 
1,719

 
1,735

Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks

 

 

 

 

 

 
717

 
707

 
717

 
707

Pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,678

 
1,329

 
1,678

 
1,329

Small business administration pooled securities

 

 

 

 

 

 
53,317

 
51,927

 
53,317

 
51,927

Total available for sale securities
$
89

 
$
90

 
$
73,232

 
$
72,435

 
$
102,824

 
$
101,501

 
$
274,403

 
$
268,726

 
$
450,548

 
$
442,752

Held to maturity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$

 
$

 
$
1,004

 
$
1,015

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,004

 
$
1,015

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

 
12,098

 
11,966

 
35,703

 
35,310

 
204,683

 
203,652

 
252,484

 
250,928

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations

 

 

 

 
735

 
732

 
332,040

 
325,992

 
332,775

 
326,724

State, county, and municipal securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks

 

 

 

 
1,500

 
1,490

 

 

 
1,500

 
1,490

Small business administration pooled securities

 

 

 

 

 

 
23,727

 
23,483

 
23,727

 
23,483

Total held to maturity securities
$

 
$

 
$
13,102

 
$
12,981

 
$
37,938

 
$
37,532

 
$
560,450

 
$
553,127

 
$
611,490

 
$
603,640

Inclusive in the table above is $5.3 million of callable securities at December 31, 2018.
The carrying value of securities pledged to secure public funds, trust deposits, repurchase agreements and for other purposes, as required or permitted by law, was $361.1 million and $547.2 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no investments in obligations of individual states, counties, or municipalities, which exceeded 10% of stockholders’ equity.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment
The Company continually reviews investment securities for the existence of OTTI, taking into consideration current market conditions, the extent and nature of changes in fair value, issuer rating changes and trends, the credit worthiness of the obligor of the security, volatility of earnings, current analysts’ evaluations, the Company’s intent to sell the security, whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery, as well as other qualitative factors. The term “other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value are not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment.




93

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s investments in an unrealized loss position, which the Company has not deemed to be OTTI, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
Description of securities
# of
holdings
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. government agency securities
3

 
$
9,960

 
$
(43
)
 
$
22,078

 
$
(396
)
 
$
32,038

 
$
(439
)
Agency mortgage-backed securities
144

 
104,616

 
(1,363
)
 
222,850

 
(5,147
)
 
327,466

 
(6,510
)
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
48

 
57,871

 
(398
)
 
279,229

 
(9,957
)
 
337,100

 
(10,355
)
Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
2

 
2,197

 
(20
)
 

 

 
2,197

 
(20
)
Pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
1

 

 

 
1,329

 
(349
)
 
1,329

 
(349
)
Small business administration pooled securities
7

 
28,257

 
(662
)
 
40,621

 
(1,077
)
 
68,878

 
(1,739
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
205

 
$
202,901

 
$
(2,486
)
 
$
566,107

 
$
(16,926
)
 
$
769,008

 
$
(19,412
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
Description of securities
# of
holdings
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
U.S.government agency securities
4

 
$
24,343

 
$
(131
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
24,343

 
$
(131
)
Agency mortgage-backed securities
84

 
$
235,411

 
$
(1,493
)
 
$
14,886

 
$
(310
)
 
$
250,297

 
$
(1,803
)
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
42

 
178,142

 
(1,579
)
 
159,506

 
(5,572
)
 
337,648

 
(7,151
)
Pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
1

 

 

 
1,640

 
(539
)
 
1,640

 
(539
)
Small business administration pooled securities
4

 
34,553

 
(223
)
 
9,647

 
(95
)
 
44,200

 
(318
)
Equity securities
28

 
3,290

 
(39
)
 
7,619

 
(403
)
 
10,909

 
(442
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
163

 
$
475,739

 
$
(3,465
)
 
$
193,298

 
$
(6,919
)
 
$
669,037

 
$
(10,384
)
The Company does not intend to sell these investments and has determined, based upon available evidence, that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell each security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. As a result, the Company does not consider these investments to be OTTI and accordingly, there was no OTTI recorded and no cumulative credit related component of OTTI for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 or 2016. The Company made this determination by reviewing various qualitative and quantitative factors regarding each investment category, such as current market conditions, extent and nature of changes in fair value, issuer rating changes and trends, volatility of earnings, and current analysts’ evaluations.
As a result of the Company’s review of these qualitative and quantitative factors, the causes of the impairments listed in the table above by category are as follows at December 31, 2018:
U.S. Government Agency Securities, Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Small Business Administration Pooled Securities: These portfolios have contractual terms that generally do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the current par value of the investment. The decline in market value of these securities is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality. Additionally, these securities are implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies.
Single Issuer Trust Preferred Securities: This portfolio consists of two securities, which are investment grade. The unrealized loss on these securities is attributable to the illiquid nature of the trust preferred market in the current economic environment. Management evaluates various financial metrics for the issuers, including regulatory capital ratios of the issuers.

94

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Pooled Trust Preferred Securities: This portfolio consists of one below investment grade security which is performing. The unrealized loss on this security is attributable to the illiquid nature of the trust preferred market in the current economic and regulatory environment. Management evaluates collateral credit and instrument structure, including current and expected deferral and default rates and timing. In addition, discount rates are determined by evaluating comparable spreads observed currently in the market for similar instruments.






95

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 4 LOANS, ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND CREDIT QUALITY
Allowance for Loan Losses
The following table summarizes changes in the allowance for loan losses by loan category and bifurcates the amount of allowance allocated to each loan category based on collective impairment analysis and loans evaluated individually for impairment:
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
Commercial
and
Industrial
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
Construction
 
Small
Business
 
Residential
Real
Estate
 
Home
Equity
 
Other Consumer
 
Total
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
13,256

 
$
31,453

 
$
5,698

 
$
1,577

 
$
2,822

 
$
5,390

 
$
447

 
$
60,643

  
Charge-offs
(355
)
 
(82
)
 

 
(372
)
 
(148
)
 
(293
)
 
(1,347
)
 
(2,597
)
  
Recoveries
182

 
188

 

 
46

 
12

 
156

 
888

 
1,472

  
Provision (benefit)
2,677

 
811

 
(540
)
 
505

 
533

 
355

 
434

 
4,775

  
Ending balance
$
15,760

 
$
32,370

 
$
5,158

 
$
1,756

 
$
3,219

 
$
5,608

 
$
422

 
$
64,293

  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
15,753

 
$
32,333

 
$
5,158

 
$
1,755

 
$
2,357

 
$
5,444

 
$
414

 
$
63,214

  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
7

 
$
37

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
862

 
$
164

 
$
8

 
$
1,079

  
Financing receivables ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
1,064,800

 
$
3,235,418

 
$
365,165

 
$
164,135

 
$
906,959

 
$
1,085,961

 
$
15,901

 
$
6,838,339

 
Individually evaluated for impairment
28,829

 
10,839

 

 
541

 
12,706

 
5,948

 
197

 
59,060

  
Purchased credit impaired loans

 
4,991

 

 

 
3,629

 
175

 

 
8,795

 
Total loans by group
$
1,093,629

 
$
3,251,248

 
$
365,165

 
$
164,676

 
$
923,294

 
$
1,092,084

 
$
16,098

 
$
6,906,194

(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Commercial
and
Industrial
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
Construction
 
Small
Business
 
Residential
Real
Estate
 
Home
Equity
 
Other Consumer
 
Total
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
16,921

 
$
30,369

 
$
4,522

 
$
1,502

 
$
2,621

 
$
5,238

 
$
393

 
$
61,566

  
Charge-offs
(3,891
)
 
(39
)
 

 
(302
)
 
(207
)
 
(276
)
 
(1,494
)
 
(6,209
)
  
Recoveries
615

 
385

 

 
114

 
31

 
198

 
993

 
2,336

  
Provision (benefit)
(389
)
 
738

 
1,176

 
263

 
377

 
230

 
555

 
2,950

  
Ending balance
$
13,256

 
$
31,453

 
$
5,698

 
$
1,577

 
$
2,822

 
$
5,390

 
$
447

 
$
60,643

  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
13,246

 
$
31,411

 
$
5,698

 
$
1,576

 
$
1,815

 
$
5,125

 
$
430

 
$
59,301

  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
10

 
$
42

 
$

 
$
1

 
$
1,007

 
$
265

 
$
17

 
$
1,342

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing receivables ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
853,885

 
$
3,093,945

 
$
401,797

 
$
131,667

 
$
733,809

 
$
1,045,053

 
$
9,573

 
$
6,269,729

  
Individually evaluated for impairment
34,643

 
16,638

 

 
703

 
13,684

 
6,826

 
307

 
72,801

  
Purchased credit impaired loans

 
5,978

 

 

 
6,836

 
209

 

 
13,023

 
Total loans by group
$
888,528

 
$
3,116,561

 
$
401,797

 
$
132,370

 
$
754,329

 
$
1,052,088

 
$
9,880

 
$
6,355,553

(1)

96

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Commercial
and
Industrial
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
Construction
 
Small
Business
 
Residential
Real
Estate
 

Home
Equity
 
Other Consumer
 
Total
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
13,802

 
$
27,327

 
$
5,366

 
$
1,264

 
$
2,590

 
$
4,889

 
$
587

 
$
55,825

  
Charge-offs
(593
)
 
(414
)
 

 
(228
)
 
(28
)
 
(602
)
 
(1,607
)
 
(3,472
)
  
Recoveries
859

 
564

 

 
195

 
299

 
141

 
1,080

 
3,138

  
Provision (benefit)
2,853

 
2,892

 
(844
)
 
271

 
(240
)
 
810

 
333

 
6,075

  
Ending balance
$
16,921

 
$
30,369

 
$
4,522

 
$
1,502

 
$
2,621

 
$
5,238

 
$
393

 
$
61,566

  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
13,260

 
$
30,173

 
$
4,522

 
$
1,494

 
$
1,535

 
$
4,996

 
$
372

 
$
56,352

  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
3,661

 
$
196

 
$

 
$
8

 
$
1,086

 
$
242

 
$
21

 
$
5,214

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financing receivables ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
862,875

 
$
2,983,642

 
$
320,391

 
$
121,855

 
$
622,392

 
$
982,095

 
$
10,666

 
$
5,903,916

  
Individually evaluated for impairment
39,178

 
16,813

 

 
871

 
14,175

 
5,863

 
397

 
77,297

  
Purchase credit impaired loans

 
10,343

 

 

 
7,859

 
189

 
1

 
18,392

 
Total loans by group
$
902,053

 
$
3,010,798

 
$
320,391

 
$
122,726

 
$
644,426

 
$
988,147

 
$
11,064

 
$
5,999,605

(1)
(1)
The amount of net deferred costs on originated loans included in the ending balance was $7.1 million, $6.1 million and $5.1 million at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net unamortized discounts on acquired loans not deemed to be PCI included in the ending balance were $15.2 million, $9.4 million and $8.6 million at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
For the purpose of estimating the allowance for loan losses, management segregates the loan portfolio into the portfolio segments detailed in the above tables.  Each of these loan categories possesses unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level of allowance for each segment.  Some of the risk characteristics unique to each loan category include:
Commercial Portfolio
Commercial and Industrial: Loans in this category consist of revolving and term loan obligations extended to business and corporate enterprises for the purpose of financing working capital and/or capital investment.  Collateral generally consists of pledges of business assets including, but not limited to: accounts receivable, inventory, plant and equipment, or real estate, if applicable. Repayment sources consist of primarily, operating cash flow, and secondarily, liquidation of assets.
Commercial Real Estate: Loans in this category consist of mortgage loans to finance investment in real property such as multi-family residential, commercial/retail, office, industrial, hotels, educational and healthcare facilities and other specific use properties.  Loans are typically written with amortizing payment structures.  Collateral values are determined based upon third party appraisals and evaluations.  Loan to value ratios at origination are governed by established policy and regulatory guidelines. Repayment sources consist of, primarily, cash flow from operating leases and rents and, secondarily, liquidation of assets.
Commercial Construction: Loans in this category consist of short-term construction loans, revolving and nonrevolving credit lines and construction/permanent loans to finance the acquisition, development and construction or rehabilitation of real property.  Project types include residential 1-4 family, condominium and multi-family homes, commercial/retail, office, industrial, hotels, educational and healthcare facilities and other specific use properties.  Loans may be written with nonamortizing or hybrid payment structures depending upon the type of project.  Collateral values are determined based upon third party appraisals and evaluations.  Loan to value ratios at origination are governed by established policy and regulatory guidelines.  Repayment sources vary depending upon the type of project and may consist of sale or lease of units, operating cash flows or liquidation of other assets.
Small Business: Loans in this category consist of revolving, term loan and mortgage obligations extended to sole proprietors and small businesses for purposes of financing working capital and/or capital investment.  Collateral generally consists of pledges of business assets including, but not limited to, accounts receivable, inventory, plant and equipment, or real estate if applicable.  Repayment sources consist primarily of operating cash flows and, secondarily, liquidation of assets.

97

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


For the commercial portfolio it is the Company’s practice to obtain personal guarantees for payment from individuals holding material ownership interests of the borrowing entities.
Consumer Portfolio
Residential Real Estate: Residential mortgage loans held in the Company’s portfolio are made to borrowers who demonstrate the ability to make scheduled payments with full consideration to underwriting factors such as current and expected income, employment status, current assets, other financial resources, credit history and the value of the collateral.  Collateral consists of mortgage liens on 1-4 family residential properties.  Residential mortgage loans also include loans to construct owner-occupied 1-4 family residential properties.
Home Equity: Home equity loans and credit lines are made to qualified individuals and are primarily secured by senior or junior mortgage liens on owner-occupied 1-4 family homes, condominiums or vacation homes. Each home equity loan has a fixed rate and is billed in equal payments comprised of principal and interest. Each home equity line of credit has a variable rate and is billed in interest-only payments during the draw period. At the end of the draw period, the home equity line of credit is billed as a percentage of the then outstanding principal balance plus all accrued interest over a predetermined repayment period, as set forth in the note. Additionally, the Company has the option of renewing each line of credit for additional draw periods.  Borrower qualifications include favorable credit history combined with supportive income requirements and combined loan to value ratios within established policy guidelines.
Other Consumer: Other consumer loan products include personal lines of credit, investor management secured lines of credit and amortizing loans made to qualified individuals for various purposes such as debt consolidation, personal expenses or overdraft protection.  Borrower qualifications include favorable credit history combined with supportive income and collateral requirements within established policy guidelines.  These loans may be secured or unsecured.
Credit Quality
The Company continually monitors the asset quality of the loan portfolio using all available information. Based on this information, loans demonstrating certain payment issues or other weaknesses may be categorized as adversely risk-rated, delinquent, impaired, nonperforming and/or put on nonaccrual status. Additionally, in the course of resolving such loans, the Company may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans to match the borrower’s ability to repay the loan based on their current financial condition. If a restructured loan meets certain criteria, it may be categorized as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).
The Company reviews numerous credit quality indicators when assessing the risk in its loan portfolio. For the commercial portfolio, the Company utilizes a 10-point credit risk-rating system, which assigns a risk-grade to each loan obligation based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors associated with a commercial or small business loan transaction. Factors considered include industry and market conditions, position within the industry, earnings trends, operating cash flow, asset/liability values, debt capacity, guarantor strength, management and controls, financial reporting, collateral, and other considerations. The risk-ratings categories are defined as follows:
1- 6 Rating — Pass: Risk-rating grades “1” through “6” comprise those loans ranging from ‘Substantially Risk Free’ which indicates borrowers are of unquestioned credit standing and the pinnacle of credit quality, well established companies with a very strong financial condition, and loans fully secured by cash collateral, through ‘Acceptable Risk’, which indicates borrowers may exhibit declining earnings, strained cash flow, increasing or above average leverage and/or weakening market fundamentals that indicate below average asset quality, margins and market share. Collateral coverage is protective.
7 Rating — Potential Weakness: Borrowers exhibit potential credit weaknesses or downward trends deserving management’s close attention. If not checked or corrected, these trends will weaken the Company’s asset and position. While potentially weak, currently these borrowers are marginally acceptable; no loss of principal or interest is envisioned.
8 Rating — Definite Weakness Loss Unlikely: Borrowers exhibit well defined weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly liquidation of debt. Loan may be inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Normal repayment from the borrower is in jeopardy, although no loss of principal is envisioned. However, there is a distinct possibility that a partial loss of interest and/or principal will occur if the deficiencies are not corrected. Collateral coverage may be inadequate to cover the principal obligation.
9 Rating — Partial Loss Probable: Borrowers exhibit well defined weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly liquidation of debt with the added provision that the weaknesses make collection of the debt in full, on the basis of currently existing facts,

98

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. Serious problems exist to the point where partial loss of principal is likely.
10 Rating — Definite Loss: Borrowers deemed incapable of repayment. Loans to such borrowers are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuation as active assets of the Company is not warranted.
The credit quality of the commercial loan portfolio is actively monitored and any changes in credit quality are reflected in risk-rating changes. Risk-ratings are assigned or reviewed for all new loans, when advancing significant additions to existing relationships (over $50,000), at least quarterly for all actively managed loans, and any time a significant event occurs, including at renewal of the loan.
The Company utilizes a comprehensive strategy for monitoring commercial credit quality. Actively managed commercial borrowers are required to provide updated financial information at least annually which is carefully evaluated for any changes in credit quality. Larger loan relationships are subject to a full annual credit review by an experienced credit analysis group, while continuous portfolio monitoring techniques are employed to evaluate changes in credit quality for smaller loan relationships. Additionally, the Company retains an independent loan review firm to evaluate the credit quality of the commercial loan portfolio. The independent loan review process achieves significant penetration into the commercial loan portfolio and reports the results of these reviews to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.
The following table details the amount of outstanding principal balances relative to each of the risk-rating categories for the Company’s commercial portfolio:
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
Category
Risk
Rating
 
Commercial and
Industrial
 
Commercial Real
Estate
 
Commercial
Construction
 
Small Business
 
Total
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Pass
1 - 6
 
$
1,014,370

 
$
3,156,989

 
$
361,884

 
$
161,851

 
$
4,695,094

Potential weakness
7
 
16,860

 
56,840

 
298

 
888

 
74,886

Definite weakness - loss unlikely
8
 
58,909

 
37,419

 
2,983

 
1,937

 
101,248

Partial loss probable
9
 
3,490

 

 

 

 
3,490

Definite loss
10
 

 

 

 

 

Total
 
 
$
1,093,629

 
$
3,251,248

 
$
365,165

 
$
164,676

 
$
4,874,718

 
 
 
December 31, 2017
Category
Risk
Rating
 
Commercial and
Industrial
 
Commercial Real
Estate
 
Commercial
Construction
 
Small Business
 
Total
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Pass
1 - 6
 
$
806,331

 
$
3,007,672

 
$
400,964

 
$
130,265

 
$
4,345,232

Potential weakness
7
 
16,563

 
69,788

 

 
1,471

 
87,822

Definite weakness - loss unlikely
8
 
59,415

 
38,637

 
833

 
631

 
99,516

Partial loss probable
9
 
6,219

 
464

 

 
3

 
6,686

Definite loss
10
 

 

 

 

 

Total
 
 
$
888,528

 
$
3,116,561

 
$
401,797

 
$
132,370

 
$
4,539,256



99

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


For the Company’s consumer portfolio, the quality of the loan is best indicated by the repayment performance of an individual borrower. However, the Company does supplement performance data with current Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores and Loan to Value (“LTV”) estimates. Current FICO data is purchased and appended to all consumer loans on a regular basis. In addition, automated valuation services and broker opinions of value are used to supplement original value data for the residential and home equity portfolios, periodically. The following table shows the weighted average FICO scores and the weighted average combined LTV ratios as of the periods indicated below:
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
Residential portfolio
 
 
 
FICO score (re-scored)(1)
749

 
745

LTV (re-valued)(2)
58.6
%
 
59.2
%
Home equity portfolio
 
 
 
FICO score (re-scored)(1)
767

 
766

LTV (re-valued)(2)(3)
49.3
%
 
50.1
%
(1)
The average FICO scores at December 31, 2018 are based upon rescores available from November 2018 and origination score data for loans booked in December 2018. The average FICO scores at December 31, 2017 are based upon rescores available from August 2017 and origination score data for loans booked between September and December 2017.
(2)
The combined LTV ratios for December 31, 2018 are based upon updated automated valuations as of November 2018, when available, and/or the most current valuation data available. The combined LTV ratios for December 31, 2017 are based upon updated automated valuations as of August 2017, when available, and /or the most current valuation data available. The updated automated valuations provide new information on loans that may be available since the previous valuation was obtained. If no new information is available, the valuation will default to the previously obtained data or most recent appraisal.
(3)
For home equity loans and lines in a subordinate lien, the LTV data represents a combined LTV, taking into account the senior lien data for loans and lines.
Asset Quality
The Bank’s philosophy toward managing its loan portfolios is predicated upon careful monitoring, which stresses early detection and response to delinquent and default situations. Delinquent loans are managed by a team of seasoned collection specialists and the Company seeks to make arrangements to resolve any delinquent or default situation over the shortest possible time frame. As a general rule, loans more than 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest are classified as nonaccrual loans. The Company also may use discretion regarding the accrual status of other loans over 90 days delinquent if the loan is well secured and in process of collection.
The following table shows the carrying value of nonaccrual loans at the dates indicated:
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial
$
26,310

 
$
32,055

Commercial real estate
3,015

 
3,123

Commercial construction
311

 

Small business
235

 
230

Residential real estate
8,251

 
8,129

Home equity
7,278

 
6,022

Other consumer
13

 
71

Total nonaccrual loans (1)
$
45,413

 
$
49,630


(1)
Included in these amounts were $29.3 million and $6.1 million of nonaccruing TDRs at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2018 nonaccrual loans associated with a large commercial loan customer that had previously declared bankruptcy were modified when a court confirmed the customer's bankruptcy reorganization plan. That revision to loan terms required the Company to deem loans associated with the customer as troubled debt restructures as of December 31, 2018 which amounted to $25.9 million.




100

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table shows information regarding foreclosed residential real estate property at the date indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor
$

 
$
612

Recorded investment in mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure
$
3,174

 
$
2,971


The following table shows the age analysis of past due financing receivables as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
30-59 days
 
60-89 days
 
90 days or more
 
Total Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
Financing
Receivables
 
Recorded
Investment
>90 Days
and Accruing
 
Number
of Loans
 
Principal
Balance
 
Number
of Loans
 
Principal
Balance
 
Number
of Loans
 
Principal
Balance
 
Number
of Loans
 
Principal
Balance
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial

 
$

 
4

 
$
382

 
11

 
$
26,311

 
15

 
$
26,693

 
$
1,066,936

 
$
1,093,629

 
$

Commercial real estate
9

 
1,627

 

 

 
8

 
2,250

 
17

 
3,877

 
3,247,371

 
3,251,248

 

Commercial construction
1

 
1,271

 

 

 
1

 
311

 
2

 
1,582

 
363,583

 
365,165

 

Small business
15

 
506

 
19

 
87

 
24

 
162

 
58

 
755

 
163,921

 
164,676

 

Residential real estate
23

 
3,486

 
6

 
521

 
25

 
4,382

 
54

 
8,389

 
914,905

 
923,294

 

Home equity
22

 
1,331

 
12

 
855

 
29

 
2,663

 
63

 
4,849

 
1,087,235

 
1,092,084

 

Other consumer (1)
330

 
181

 
15

 
9

 
12

 
13

 
357

 
203

 
15,895

 
16,098

 
5

Total
400

 
$
8,402

 
56

 
$
1,854

 
110

 
$
36,092

 
566

 
$
46,348

 
$
6,859,846

 
$
6,906,194

 
$
5


 
December 31, 2017
 
30-59 days
 
60-89 days
 
90 days or more
 
Total Past Due
 
Current
 
Total
Financing
Receivables
 
Recorded
Investment
>90 Days
and Accruing
 
Number
of Loans
 
Principal
Balance
 
Number
of Loans
 
Principal
Balance
 
Number
of Loans
 
Principal
Balance
 
Number
of Loans
 
Principal
Balance
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial
2

 
$
195

 
2

 
$
370

 
14

 
$
32,007

 
18

 
$
32,572

 
$
855,956

 
$
888,528

 
$

Commercial real estate
7

 
3,060

 

 

 
9

 
1,793

 
16

 
4,853

 
3,111,708

 
3,116,561

 

Commercial construction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
401,797

 
401,797

 

Small business
17

 
339

 
11

 
144

 
10

 
57

 
38

 
540

 
131,830

 
132,370

 

Residential real estate
6

 
870

 
13

 
2,385

 
22

 
3,471

 
41

 
6,726

 
747,603

 
754,329

 

Home equity
22

 
1,310

 
6

 
451

 
20

 
2,025

 
48

 
3,786

 
1,048,302

 
1,052,088

 

Other consumer (1)
265

 
197

 
16

 
27

 
17

 
45

 
298

 
269

 
9,611

 
9,880

 
8

Total
319

 
$
5,971

 
48

 
$
3,377

 
92

 
$
39,398

 
459

 
$
48,746

 
$
6,306,807

 
$
6,355,553

 
$
8



(1)
Other consumer portfolio is inclusive of deposit account overdrafts recorded as loan balances.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
In the course of resolving nonperforming loans, the Bank may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. The Bank attempts to work out an alternative payment schedule with the borrower in order to avoid foreclosure actions. Any loans that are modified are reviewed by the Bank to identify if a TDR has occurred, which is when, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Bank grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Terms may be modified to fit the ability of the borrower to repay in line with its current financial status and the restructuring of the loan may include the transfer of assets from the borrower to satisfy the debt, a modification of loan terms, or a combination of the two.

101

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table shows the Company’s total TDRs and other pertinent information as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
TDRs on accrual status
$
23,849

 
$
25,852

TDRs on nonaccrual status
29,348

(1)
6,067

Total TDRs
$
53,197

 
$
31,919

Amount of specific reserves included in the allowance for loan loss associated with TDRs:
$
1,079

 
$
1,342

Additional commitments to lend to a borrower who has been a party to a TDR:
$
982

 
$
487


(1)
During the fourth quarter of 2018 nonaccrual loans associated with a large commercial loan customer that had previously declared bankruptcy were modified when a court confirmed the customer's bankruptcy reorganization plan. That revision to loan terms required the Company to deem loans associated with the customer as troubled debt restructures as of December 31, 2018 which amounted to $25.9 million.
The Company’s policy is to have any restructured loan which is on nonaccrual status prior to being modified remain on nonaccrual status for six months subsequent to being modified before management considers its return to accrual status. If the restructured loan is on accrual status prior to being modified, it is reviewed to determine if the modified loan should remain on accrual status. Additionally, loans classified as TDRs are adjusted to reflect the changes in value of the recorded investment in the loan, if any, resulting from the granting of a concession. For all residential loan modifications, the borrower must perform during a 90 day trial period before the modification is finalized.





















102

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)





The following table shows the modifications which occurred during the periods indicated and the change in the recorded investment subsequent to the modifications occurring:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
Number
of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Troubled debt restructurings
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial (1)
12

 
$
35,688

 
$
39,224

Commercial real estate
3

 
1,600

 
1,600

Residential real estate
5

 
1,048

 
1,071

Home equity
9

 
562

 
562

Total
29

 
$
38,898

 
$
42,457

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
Troubled debt restructurings
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
12

 
$
1,787

 
$
1,787

Commercial real estate
6

 
2,705

 
2,705

Small business
9

 
369

 
369

Residential real estate
10

 
1,284

 
1,326

Home equity
17

 
1,985

 
1,988

Total
54

 
$
8,130

 
$
8,175

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
Troubled debt restructurings
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
10

 
$
1,623

 
$
1,623

Commercial real estate
10

 
2,959

 
2,959

Small business
3

 
188

 
188

Residential real estate
8

 
1,808

 
1,850

Home equity
13

 
932

 
932

Other consumer
6

 
153

 
153

Total
50

 
$
7,663

 
$
7,705

(1)
The pre-modification and post-modification balances represent the legal principal balance of the loan. These amounts may show an increase when modifications include a capitalization of interest and/or professional fees.


103

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table shows the Company’s post-modification balance of TDRs listed by type of modification as of the periods indicated:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Extended maturity
$
2,878

 
$
5,881

 
$
5,044

Adjusted interest rate
57

 

 
92

Combination rate and maturity
38,812

 
568

 
1,035

Court ordered concession
710

 
1,726

 
1,534

Total
$
42,457

 
$
8,175

 
$
7,705


The Company considers a loan to have defaulted when it reaches 90 days past due. As of December 31, 2018, there were no loans modified during the past twelve months that subsequently defaulted. There was one commercial and industrial loan modified during the proceeding twelve month period that ended December 31, 2017 with a recorded investment of $122,000, which subsequently defaulted. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 there was one commercial real estate loan that was modified during the proceeding twelve month period, with a recorded investment of $249,000, which subsequently defaulted.
All TDR loans are considered impaired and therefore are subject to a specific review for credit losses. The impairment analysis appropriately discounts the present value of the anticipated cash flows by the loan’s contractual rate of interest in effect prior to the loan’s modification. The amount of impairment, if any, is recorded as a specific loss allocation to each individual loan in the allowance for loan losses. Commercial loans (commercial and industrial, commercial construction, commercial real estate and small business loans), residential loans, and home equity loans that have been classified as TDRs and which subsequently default are reviewed to determine if the loan should be deemed collateral dependent. In such an instance, any shortfall between the value of the collateral and the carrying value of the loan is determined by measuring the recorded investment in the loan against the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell. The Company charges off the amount of any confirmed loan loss in the period when the loans, or portion of loans, are deemed uncollectible. Smaller balance consumer TDR loans are reviewed for performance to determine when a charge-off is appropriate.
Impaired Loans
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.



104

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The tables below set forth information regarding the Company’s impaired loans. The information for average recorded investment and interest income recognized is reflective of the full period being presented and does not take into account the date at which a loan was deemed to be impaired. See information below as of the dates indicated:
 
As of and For the Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
28,459

 
$
35,913

 
$

 
$
31,117

 
$
142

Commercial real estate
9,552

 
9,832

 

 
10,561

 
519

Small business
358

 
439

 

 
401

 
14

Residential real estate
4,518

 
4,686

 

 
4,597

 
212

Home equity
4,957

 
5,199

 

 
5,230

 
220

Other consumer
56

 
56

 

 
64

 
4

Subtotal
47,900

 
56,125

 

 
51,970

 
1,111

With an allowance recorded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
370

 
370

 
7

 
385

 
19

Commercial real estate
1,287

 
1,287

 
37

 
1,311

 
74

Small business
183

 
223

 
1

 
225

 
13

Residential real estate
8,188

 
9,217

 
862

 
8,459

 
289

Home equity
991

 
1,149

 
164

 
1,018

 
43

Other consumer
141

 
143

 
8

 
154

 
5

Subtotal
11,160

 
12,389

 
1,079

 
11,552

 
443

Total
$
59,060

 
$
68,514

 
$
1,079

 
$
63,522

 
$
1,554

 
2017
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
34,267

 
$
38,329

 
$

 
$
36,631

 
$
446

Commercial real estate
13,245

 
14,374

 

 
13,683

 
559

Small business
556

 
619

 

 
569

 
21

Residential real estate
4,264

 
4,397

 

 
4,332

 
218

Home equity
4,950

 
5,056

 

 
5,063

 
198

Other consumer
91

 
92

 

 
102

 
7

Subtotal
57,373

 
62,867

 

 
60,380

 
1,449

With an allowance recorded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
376

 
376

 
10

 
391

 
19

Commercial real estate
3,393

 
3,399

 
42

 
3,447

 
198

Small business
147

 
153

 
1

 
238

 
14

Residential real estate
9,420

 
10,154

 
1,007

 
9,575

 
284

Home equity
1,876

 
2,110

 
265

 
1,916

 
55

Other consumer
216

 
217

 
17

 
233

 
7

Subtotal
15,428

 
16,409

 
1,342

 
15,800

 
577

Total
$
72,801

 
$
79,276

 
$
1,342

 
$
76,180

 
$
2,026


105

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


 
2016
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
28,776

 
$
29,772

 
$

 
$
26,472

 
$
927

Commercial real estate
11,628

 
12,891

 

 
12,744

 
437

Commercial construction

 

 

 

 

Small business
494

 
569

 

 
534

 
20

Residential real estate
4,216

 
4,427

 

 
4,302

 
185

Home equity
4,485

 
4,572

 

 
4,602

 
184

Other consumer
146

 
146

 

 
160

 
11

Subtotal
49,745

 
52,377

 

 
48,814

 
1,764

With an allowance recorded
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
10,402

 
10,440

 
3,661

 
10,760

 
325

Commercial real estate
5,185

 
5,533

 
196

 
5,491

 
200

Small business
377

 
392

 
8

 
408

 
21

Residential real estate
9,959

 
10,530

 
1,086

 
10,065

 
332

Home equity
1,378

 
1,547

 
242

 
1,403

 
50

Other consumer
251

 
252

 
21

 
268

 
8

Subtotal
27,552

 
28,694

 
5,214

 
28,395

 
936

Total
$
77,297

 
$
81,071

 
$
5,214

 
$
77,209

 
$
2,700


Purchased Credit Impaired Loans
Certain loans acquired by the Company may have shown evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and it was deemed unlikely that the Company would be able to collect all contractually required payments. As such, these loans were deemed to be PCI loans and the carrying value and prospective income recognition are predicated upon future cash flows expected to be collected. The following table displays certain information pertaining to PCI loans at the dates indicated:
 
 
December 31
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Outstanding balance
 
$
9,749

 
$
14,485

Carrying amount
 
$
8,795

 
$
13,023


The following table summarizes activity in the accretable yield for the PCI loan portfolio:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning balance
 
$
1,791

 
$
2,370

Accretion
 
(1,135
)
 
(1,475
)
Other change in expected cash flows (1)
 
310

 
748

Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans which have paid off (2)
 
225

 
148

Ending balance
 
$
1,191

 
$
1,791


(1)
Represents changes in cash flows expected to be collected resulting in increased interest income as a prospective yield adjustment over the remaining life of the loan(s).
(2)
Results in increased income during the period when a loan pays off at amount greater than originally expected.

106

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 5 BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Bank premises and equipment at December 31, were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
Estimated
Useful Life
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
(In years)
Cost
 
 
 
 
 
Land
$
24,502

 
$
23,719

 
n/a
Bank premises
53,052

 
49,159

 
5-40
Leasehold improvements
27,615

 
25,184

 
1-27
Furniture and equipment
66,974

 
62,521

 
2-12
Leased equipment
10,644

 
10,644

 
7
Total cost
182,787

 
171,227

 
 
Accumulated depreciation
(85,206
)
 
(76,505
)
 
 
Net bank premises and equipment
$
97,581

 
$
94,722

 
 

Depreciation expense related to bank premises and equipment was $9.1 million in 2018, $8.5 million in 2017, and $7.3 million in 2016, which is primarily included in occupancy and equipment expenses. Depreciation expense relating to computer software is included within other noninterest expense.

During 2017, the Company purchased equipment that was subject to a master lease agreement with a third party lessee.  As such, the Company assumed the role of lessor in conjunction with the purchase, which was deemed to be an operating lease for accounting purposes.  The Company purchased a total of $10.6 million of equipment subject to the lease agreement in 2017.  In addition, the Company recognized rental income of $1.6 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as well as depreciation expense of $1.3 million and $939,000 respectively, which is included in the totals above.

NOTE 6 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS     
The following table sets forth the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, at December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balances not subject to amortization
 
 
 
Goodwill
$
256,105

 
$
231,806

Balances subject to amortization
 
 
 
Core deposit intangibles
13,692

 
8,636

Other intangible assets
1,558

 
705

Total other intangible assets
15,250

 
9,341

Total goodwill and other intangible assets
$
271,355

 
$
241,147

 
The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the periods indicated were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year
$
231,806

 
$
221,526

Acquisitions
24,299

 
10,280

Balance at end of year
$
256,105

 
$
231,806






107

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets were as follows at the dates indicated:
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Core deposit intangibles
$
34,137

 
$
(20,445
)
 
$
13,692

 
$
26,736

 
$
(18,100
)
 
$
8,636

Other intangible assets
3,103

 
(1,545
)
 
1,558

 
3,165

 
(2,460
)
 
705

Total
$
37,240

 
$
(21,990
)
 
$
15,250

 
$
29,901

 
$
(20,560
)
 
$
9,341

 
Amortization of intangible assets was $2.7 million, $3.5 million , and $2.8 million at December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
The following table sets forth the estimated annual amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the next five years:
Year
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2019
$
3,050

2020
$
2,647

2021
$
2,394

2022
$
1,962

2023
$
1,697


The original weighted average amortization period for intangible assets is 10.0 years.

NOTE 7 DEPOSITS 
The following is a summary of the scheduled maturities of time deposits as of December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
1 year or less
$
511,292

 
71.9
%
 
$
393,452

 
61.1
%
Over 1 year to 2 years
111,487

 
15.7
%
 
119,341

 
18.5
%
Over 2 years to 3 years
41,523

 
5.8
%
 
57,619

 
8.9
%
Over 3 years to 4 years
27,040

 
3.8
%
 
41,183

 
6.4
%
Over 4 years to 5 years
19,761

 
2.8
%
 
32,706

 
5.1
%
Total
$
711,103

 
100.0
%
 
$
644,301

 
100.0
%

The amount of overdraft deposits that were reclassified to the loan category were $3.3 million and $2.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The Company has pledged assets as collateral covering certain deposits in the amount of $356.8 million and $349.2 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The Bank's deposit accounts are insured to the maximum extent permitted by law by the Deposit Insurance Fund which is administered by the FDIC. The FDIC offers insurance coverage on deposits up to the federally insured limit of $250,000. The amount of time deposit accounts equal to or greater than $250,000 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 is $104.9 million and $80.0 million, respectively. 

108

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 8 BORROWINGS

Federal Home Loan Bank Borrowings
Advances payable to the Federal Home Loan Bank as of December 31 are summarized as follows:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
Average
 
 
 
Average
 
 
Total
 
Contractual
 
Total
 
Contractual
 
 
Outstanding
 
Rate
 
Outstanding
 
Rate
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Stated Maturity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
$

 
%
 
$
52,475

 
1.58
%
2019
 
147,046

 
2.68
%
 

 
%
Subtotal
 
147,046

 
2.68
%
 
52,475

 
1.58
%
Amortizing advances
 
760

 
 
 
789

 
 
Total Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
 
$
147,806

 
 
 
$
53,264

 
 

To manage the interest rate risk of these advances, the Company may enter into interest rate swap agreements which effectively fix the rate of the borrowing. Inclusive of the impact of these swap arrangements, the weighted average rate of the FHLB borrowings was 2.55% and 2.47% at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The Company’s FHLB advances are collateralized by a blanket pledge agreement on the Bank’s FHLB stock, certain qualified investment securities, deposits at the FHLB, residential mortgages, and by certain commercial real estate loans held in the Bank’s portfolio. The carrying value of the loans pledged as collateral for these borrowings totaled $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Bank’s unused remaining available borrowing capacity at the FHLB was approximately $953.5 million and $954.8 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, inclusive of a $5.0 million line of credit. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had sufficient collateral at the FHLB to support its obligations and was in compliance with the FHLB's collateral pledging program.
Short-Term Debt
The Company had no short-term borrowings at December 31, 2018. The Company’s short-term borrowings at December 31, 2017 consisted of customer repurchase agreements of $162.7 million which were discontinued and transitioned to a deposit product offering in the fourth quarter of 2018. 
The interest expense on short-term borrowings was $248,000, $257,000, and $208,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Customer Repurchase Agreements. The Company raised additional liquidity by entering into repurchase agreements at its discretion. These repurchases were accounted for as a secured borrowing transaction for accounting purposes. Payments on such borrowings were interest only until the scheduled repurchase date. In a repurchase agreement the Company was subject to the risk that the purchaser may default at maturity and not return the securities underlying the agreements. In order to minimize this potential risk, the Company entered into repurchase agreements that stipulated that the securities underlying the agreement were not delivered to the customer and instead were held in segregated safekeeping accounts by the Company's safekeeping agents.



109

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The table below sets forth the remaining contractual maturity of the Company’s repurchase agreements allocated by source of collateral at the dates indicated:
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Sources of collateral
 
U.S. government agency securities
$

 
$
16,867

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 
51,273

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations

 
94,539

Total customer repurchase agreements (1)
$

 
$
162,679


(1)    All customer repurchase agreements had an overnight and continuous maturity date.
For further information regarding the Company's repurchase agreements see Note 12, "Balance Sheet Offsetting."
Long-Term Debt
The following table summarizes long-term debt, net of debt issuances costs, as of the periods indicated:
 
December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Junior subordinated debentures
 
 
 
Capital Trust V
$
51,505

 
$
51,503

Slades Ferry Trust I
10,234

 
10,229

  Central Trust I
5,258

 
5,258

  Central Trust II
6,083

 
6,083

East Main Street Trust
3,093

 

Subordinated debentures
34,728

 
34,682

Total long-term debt
$
110,901

 
$
107,755

 
The interest expense on long-term debt was $4.2 million, $4.0 million, and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Junior Subordinated Debentures: The junior subordinated debentures are issued to various trust subsidiaries of the Company. These trusts are considered to be variable interest entities for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and therefore the accounts of the trusts are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. These trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities, which were then sold in a private placement offering. The proceeds from the sale of the securities and the issuance of common stock by these trusts were invested in these Junior Subordinated Debentures issued by the Company.
For regulatory purposes, bank holding companies are allowed to include trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital up to a certain limit. Provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act generally exclude trust preferred securities from Tier 1 capital, however, holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $15 billion, such as the Company, are able to continue to include these instruments in Tier 1 capital, but no such securities issued in the future will count as Tier 1 capital.

110

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Information relating to these trust preferred securities is as follows:
Trust
Description of Capital Securities
Capital Trust V
$50.0 million due in 2037, interest at a variable rate of 3 month LIBOR plus 1.48% (4.27% at December 31, 2018),which, effective on January 17, 2017, has been converted to a fixed rate of 2.84% through the use of an interest rate swap.
Slades Ferry Trust I
$10.0 million due in 2034, bearing interest at a variable rate of 3 month LIBOR plus 2.79% (5.59% at December 31, 2018). These securities are callable quarterly, until maturity.
Central Trust I
$5.1 million due in 2034, bearing interest at a variable rate of 3 month LIBOR plus 2.44% (5.23% at December 31, 2018). These securities are callable quarterly, until maturity.
Central Trust II
$5.9 million due in 2037, bearing interest at a variable rate of 3 month LIBOR plus 1.65% (4.44% at December 31, 2018). These securities are callable quarterly, until maturity.

Junior subordinated debentures of $3.1 million assumed in the MNB Bancorp acquisition, relating to East Main Street Trust I, were subsequently paid in full during January 2019.
All obligations under these trust preferred securities are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.
Subordinated Debentures: At December 31, 2018 and 2017 there was $35.0 million of outstanding subordinated debentures at the bank holding company. The subordinated debentures were issued to several investors via private placement on November 17, 2014. The subordinated debt matures on November 15, 2024, however with regulatory approval, the Bank may redeem the subordinated debt without penalty at any scheduled payment date on or after November 15, 2019 with 30 days notice. The interest rate is fixed at 4.75% through November 15, 2019, after which it converts to LIBOR plus 2.98%.
The following table sets forth the contractual maturities of long-term debt over the next five years:
 
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Junior subordinated debentures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital trust V
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
51,547

 
$
51,547

Slades ferry trust I
 

 

 

 

 

 
10,310

 
10,310

  Central trust I
 

 

 

 

 

 
5,258

 
5,258

  Central trust II
 

 

 

 

 

 
6,083

 
6,083

East Main Street Trust
 

 

 

 

 

 
3,093

 
3,093

Subordinated debentures
 

 

 

 

 

 
35,000

 
35,000

Total
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
111,291

 
$
111,291




111

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 9 EARNINGS PER SHARE    
Earnings per share consisted of the following components for the years ended December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income
$
121,622

 
$
87,204

 
$
76,648

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Shares
 
Basic shares
27,592,380

 
27,294,028

 
26,404,071

Effect of dilutive securities
61,428

 
78,076

 
51,847

Diluted shares
27,653,808

 
27,372,104

 
26,455,918

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share
 
 
 
 
 
Basic EPS
$
4.41

 
$
3.19

 
$
2.90

Effect of dilutive securities
(0.01
)
 

 

Diluted EPS
$
4.40

 
$
3.19

 
$
2.90


For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016 and there were no options to purchase common stock and no shares of performance-based restricted stock that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2017 there were 103 options to purchase common stock and no shares of performance-based restricted stock that were considered anti-dilutive.

112

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 10 STOCK BASED COMPENSATION   
The Company's stock based plans include the Second Amended and Restated 2005 Employee Stock Plan (“2005 Plan”), the 2010 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan ("the 2010 Plan") and the 2018 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (“2018 Plan”), all of which have been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and shareholders. Due to the expiration of the 2010 plan on May 17, 2018, the Company may only award shares from the 2005 Plan or the 2018 Plan. These shares may be awarded as either stock option awards or restricted stock awards from its pool of authorized but unissued shares.
The following table presents the amount of cumulatively granted stock option awards and restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures and expirations, through December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
Authorized Awards
Cumulatively Granted, Net of
Forfeitures and Expirations
 
Total
 
Authorized
but
Unissued
 
 
Stock
Option  Awards
 
Restricted
Stock  Awards
 
 
 
2005 Plan
 
1,650,000

387,258

 
750,931

 
1,138,189

 
511,811

 
 
2010 Plan
 
314,600

46,500

 
93,245

 
139,745

 
174,855

(1)
 
2018 Plan
 
300,000


 
6,000

 
6,000

 
294,000

(1)

(1)
The Company may award up to a total of 300,000 shares from the 2018 Plan, inclusive of 174,855 shares that were Authorized but Unissued in the 2010 Plan, and were transferred from the 2010 Plan to the 2018 Plan. Due to this transfer, there are no available shares remaining to be issued from the 2010 Plan.
The following table presents the pre-tax expense associated with stock option and restricted stock awards and the related tax benefits recognized for the periods presented:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Stock based compensation expense
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock awards(1)
$
3,299

 
$
2,730

 
$
2,590

Directors’ fee expense
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options
66

 
76

 
72

Restricted stock awards
860

 
527

 
303

Total stock based award expense
$
4,225

 
$
3,333

 
$
2,965

Related tax benefits recognized in earnings
$
1,188

 
$
1,362

 
$
1,211

(1)
Inclusive of compensation expense associated with time-vested and performance-based restricted stock awards.
Expense related to awards issued to directors is recognized as directors’ fees within other noninterest expense.
The Company has standard form agreements used for stock option and restricted stock awards. The standard form agreements used for the Chief Executive Officer and all other Executive Officers have previously been disclosed in Securities and Exchange Commission filings and generally provide that: (1) any unvested options or unvested restricted stock vest upon a Change of Control; and, that (2) any stock options which vest pursuant to a Change of Control, which is an event described in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, will be cashed out at the difference between the acquisition price and the exercise price of the stock option.

113

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Stock Options
The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants under the identified plans:
Expected volatility is based on the standard deviation of the historical volatility of the weekly adjusted closing price of the Company’s shares for a period equivalent to the expected life of the option.
Expected life represents the period of time that the option is expected to be outstanding, taking into account the contractual term, historical exercise/forfeiture behavior, and the vesting period, if any.
Expected dividend yield is an annualized rate calculated using the most recent dividend payment at time of grant and the Company’s average trailing twelve-month daily closing stock price.
The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for a period equivalent to the expected life of the option.
Prior to January 1, 2017, the stock based compensation expense recognized in earnings was based on the amount of awards ultimately expected to vest, therefore a forfeiture assumption was estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differed from those estimates. Stock based compensation expense recognized was reduced for annualized estimated forfeitures of 4.5% in 2016 based on historical experience. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted new accounting guidance and elected to no longer estimate forfeitures on stock compensation and instead recognize forfeitures when they occur. The election required a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings which did not materially impact the Company's consolidated financial position.
The following table presents the awards granted by the Company of nonqualified options to purchase shares of common stock for the periods presented:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Date of grant
4/3/2018

 
11/7/2017

 
7/14/2016

2/20/2016

Plan
2010

 
2010

 
2010

2010

Options granted
5,000

 
5,000

 
5,000

5,000

Vesting period (beginning on the grant date)
21 months

 
14 months

 
18 months

22 months

Expiration date
4/3/2028

 
11/7/2027

 
7/14/2026

2/20/2026

Expected volatility
21.15
%
 
20.80
%
 
32.28
%
32.44
%
Expected life (years)
5.5

 
5.5

 
5.5

5.5

Expected dividend yield
1.94
%
 
1.87
%
 
2.37
%
2.28
%
Risk free interest rate
2.62
%
 
2.02
%
 
1.14
%
1.29
%
Fair value per option
$
13.46

 
$
12.43

 
$
11.46

$
10.59

 
Under all of the Company’s stock based plans, the option exercise price is based upon the average of the high and low trading value of the stock on the date of grant. Stock option awards granted to date under all plans expire at various dates through 2028.
The following table presents relevant information relating to the Company’s stock options for the periods presented:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Fair value of stock options vested based on grant date fair value
$
85

 
$
72

 
$
37

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised
$
1,525

 
$
1,082

 
$
494

Cash received from stock option exercises
$
1,024

 
$
918

 
$
680

Tax benefit realized on stock option exercises
$
429

 
$
442

 
$
204

Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (per share)
$
13.46

 
$
12.43

 
$
11.03



114

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table presents a summary of stock option award activity for the year ended December 31, 2018.
 
Outstanding
 
Nonvested
 
 
 
Stock Option
Awards
 
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)
 
Stock
Option
Awards
 
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2018
84,000

  
 
$
32.16

 
 
 
 
 
4,999

 
 
$
12.11

 
 
Granted
5,000

  
 
70.85

 
 
 
 
 
5,000

 
 
13.46

 
 
Exercised
(34,500
)
 
 
29.67

 
 
 
 
 
n/a

 
 
n/a

 
 
Vested
n/a

 
 
n/a

 
 
 
 
 
(6,667
)
 
 
12.70

 
 
Forfeited

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Expired

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
54,500

(2)
 
$
37.28

 
4.02 years
 
$
1,776

 
3,332

 
 
$
12.94

 
 
Options outstanding and expected to vest at December 31, 2018
54,500

(3)
 
$
37.28

 
4.02 years
 
$
1,776

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Options exercisable at December 31, 2018
51,168

(4)
 
$
35.12

 
3.69 years
 
$
1,776

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized compensation cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
23

Weighted average remaining recognition period (years)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.00

 
(1)
The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the average of the high price and low price at which the Company’s common stock traded on December 31, 2018 of $69.72, which would have been received by in-the-money option holders had they all exercised their options as of that date.
(2)Inclusive of 32,500 stock options outstanding to Directors.
(3) Inclusive of 32,500 vested stock options and expected to vest to Directors.
(4) Inclusive of 29,168 vested stock options outstanding to Directors.

115

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Restricted Stock
The Company grants both time-vested restricted stock awards as well as performance-based restricted stock awards. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 the Company has made the following restricted stock award grants:
 
Shares Granted
 
Plan
 
Fair Value (1)
 
Vesting Period
Time-vested
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2/15/2018
39,950

 
2005
 
$
71.75

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
2/27/2018
1,150

 
2005
 
$
72.60

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
5/15/2018
530

 
2005
 
$
74.00

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
5/22/2018
6,000

 
2018
 
$
76.58

 
Immediately upon grant date
11/15/2018
560

 
2005
 
$
77.78

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2/13/2017
1,200

 
2005
 
$
62.53

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
2/16/2017
34,150

 
2005
 
$
63.10

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
3/31/2017
500

 
2005
 
$
65.63

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
4/3/2017
1,500

 
2005
 
$
64.14

 
Once on November 30, 2017 (2)
5/15/2017
1,000

 
2005
 
$
64.03

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
5/23/2017
7,000

 
2010
 
$
61.95

 
At the end of 5 years from grant date (3)
6/15/2017
950

 
2005
 
$
66.18

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2/11/2016
51,475

 
2005
 
$
41.96

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
3/1/2016
600

 
2005
 
$
44.37

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
5/24/2016
8,700

 
2010
 
$
48.34

 
Once on May 24, 2021 (3)
9/19/2016
800

 
2005
 
$
52.92

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
11/7/2016
500

 
2005
 
$
54.28

 
Ratably over 5 years from grant date
11/14/2016
725

 
2010
 
$
63.43

 
Once on May 24, 2021 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance-based
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2/15/2018
16,300

 
2005
 
$
71.75

 
The earlier of: the date on which it is determined if the performance goal has been achieved; or, March 31, 2021.
2/16/2017
14,400

 
2005
 
$
63.10

 
The earlier of: the date on which it is determined if the performance goal has been achieved; or, March 31, 2020.
2/11/2016
20,450

 
2005
 
$
41.96

 
The earlier of: the date on which it is determined if the performance goal has been achieved; or, March 31, 2019.
 
(1)
The fair value of the restricted stock awards are based upon the average of the high and low prices at which the Company’s common stock traded on the date of grant. The holders of time-vested restricted stock awards participate fully in the rewards of stock ownership of the Company, including voting and dividend rights. The holders of performance-based restricted stock awards do not participate in the rewards of stock ownership of the Company until vested. The holders of all restricted stock awards are not required to pay any consideration to the Company for the awards.
(2)
This restricted stock grant fully vested upon an employee's termination, on November 30, 2017.
(3)
These restricted stock grants will vest on May 24, 2021, or earlier if the director ceases to be a director for any reason other than cause, such as, for example, by retirement.


116

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table presents the fair value of restricted stock awards vesting for the periods presented:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair value of restricted stock awards upon vesting
$
6,277

 
$
5,717

 
$
3,019



The following table presents a summary of restricted stock award activity for the year ended December 31, 2018:
 
Outstanding Restricted Stock
Awards
 
 
Weighted Average
Grant Price ($)
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2018
225,965

  
 
$
46.18

 
 
Granted
64,490

  
 
72.28

 
 
Vested/released
(86,219
)
 
 
43.39

 
 
Forfeited
(2,130
)
  
 
53.78

 
 
Balance at December 31, 2018
202,106

(1)
 
$
55.62

 
 
Unrecognized compensation cost (inclusive of directors’ fees)
 
 
 
 
 
$
6,911

Weighted average remaining recognition period (years)
 
 
 
 
 
2.96

 
(1)
Inclusive of 23,385 restricted stock awards outstanding to Directors.

NOTE 11 DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
The Company early adopted ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities as of January 1, 2018 to incorporate the new standard’s alignment of hedge accounting qualifications with the Company’s interest rate risk management with respect to new hedges entered into during 2018.  This new standard was adopted under a modified retrospective transition, resulting in no changes to the accounting for hedge positions entered in to prior to January 1, 2018. 
The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally to manage the Company’s interest rate risk. Additionally, the Company enters into interest rate derivatives and foreign exchange contracts to accommodate the business requirements of its customers (“customer related positions”). The Company minimizes the market and liquidity risks of customer related positions by entering into similar offsetting positions with broker-dealers. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value in the Company’s financial statements. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument is dependent upon whether or not it qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes, and further, by the type of hedging relationship.
The Company does not enter into proprietary trading positions for any derivatives.
Interest Rate Positions
The Company may utilize interest rate derivatives as hedging instruments against interest rate risk associated with the Company’s borrowings and loan portfolios. An interest derivative is an agreement whereby one party agrees to pay a floating rate of interest on a notional principal amount in exchange for receiving a fixed rate of interest on the same notional amount, for a predetermined period of time, from a second party. The amounts relating to the notional principal amount are not actually exchanged.

117

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table reflects information about the Company’s derivative positions for the periods indicated below for interest rate swaps which qualify as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes:
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Rate
 
 
 
 
Notional Amount
 
Weighted Average Maturity
 
Current
Rate
Received
 
Pay Fixed
Swap Rate
 
Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
 
(in years)
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Interest rate swaps on borrowings
 
$
75,000

 
3.18
 
2.74
%
 
1.53
%
 
$
2,282

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Rate Paid
 
Receive Fixed
Swap Rate
 
 
Interest rate swaps on loans
 
250,000

 
4.52
 
2.57
%
 
2.67
%
 
2,938

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Rate Paid
 
Receive Fixed Swap Rate
Cap - Floor
 
 
Interest rate collars on loans
 
250,000

 
4.17
 
2.47
%
 
3.02% - 2.51%

 
3,344

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
575,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
8,564

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Rate
 
 
 
 
Notional Amount
 
Weighted Average Maturity
 
Current
Rate
Received
 
Pay Fixed
Swap Rate
 
Fair Value
 
 
(in thousands)
 
(in years)
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Interest rate swaps on borrowings
 
$
100,000

 
3.37
 
1.54
%
 
1.89
%
 
$
1,616

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
100,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,616


The maximum length of time over which the Company is currently hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments is 5.1 years.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedging instruments, the effective portion of the gains or losses is reported as a component of other comprehensive income ("OCI"), and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The Company expects approximately $654,000 (pre-tax) to be reclassified to interest income and $872,000 (pre-tax) to be reclassified as an offset to interest expense, from OCI related to the Company’s cash flow hedges in the next twelve months.  This reclassification is due to anticipated payments that will be made and/or received on the swaps based upon the forward curve as of December 31, 2018.
The Company recognized net amortization income that was an offset to interest expense related to previously terminated swaps of $231,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $244,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
The Company had no fair value hedges during 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Customer Related Positions
Loan level derivatives, primarily interest rate swaps, offered to commercial borrowers through the Company’s loan level derivative program do not qualify as hedges for accounting purposes. The Company believes that its exposure to commercial customer derivatives is limited because these contracts are simultaneously matched at inception with an offsetting dealer transaction. The commercial customer derivative program allows the Company to retain variable-rate commercial loans while allowing the customer to synthetically fix the loan rate by entering into a variable-to-fixed interest rate swap. The amounts relating to the notional principal amount are not actually exchanged.

118

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Foreign exchange contracts offered to commercial borrowers through the Company’s derivative program do not qualify as hedges for accounting purposes. The Company acts as a seller and buyer of foreign exchange contracts to accommodate its customers. To mitigate the market and liquidity risk associated with these derivatives, the Company enters into similar offsetting positions. The amounts relating to the notional principal amount are exchanged.
The following table reflects the Company’s customer related derivative positions for the periods indicated below for those derivatives not designated as hedging:
 
Number of
Positions (1)
 
Notional Amount Maturing
 
 
  
Less than 1 year
 
Less than 2 years
 
Less than 3 years
 
Less than 4 years
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
December 31, 2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Loan level swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receive fixed, pay variable
235

 
$
50,702

 
$
124,222

 
$
97,904

 
$
47,308

 
$
631,471

 
$
951,607

 
$
(2,907
)
Pay fixed, receive variable
220

 
$
50,702

 
$
124,222

 
$
97,904

 
$
47,308

 
$
631,471

 
$
951,607

 
$
2,903

Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Buys foreign currency, sells U.S. currency
27

 
$
60,297

 
$
3,505

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
63,802

 
$
(1,404
)
Buys U.S. currency, sells foreign currency
27

 
$
60,297

 
$
3,505

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
63,802

 
$
1,434

 
December 31, 2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Loan level swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receive fixed, pay variable
246

 
$
36,023

 
$
61,500

 
$
152,287

 
$
111,147

 
$
591,385

 
$
952,342

 
$
3,875

Pay fixed, receive variable
231

 
$
36,023

 
$
61,500

 
$
152,287

 
$
111,147

 
591,385

 
$
952,342

 
$
(3,880
)
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Buys foreign currency, sells U.S. currency
15

 
$
26,382

 
$
3,780

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
30,162

 
$
1,202

Buys U.S. currency, sells foreign currency
15

 
$
26,382

 
$
3,780

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
30,162

 
$
(1,188
)

(1)
The Company may enter into one dealer swap agreement which offsets multiple commercial borrower swap agreements.
Mortgage Derivatives
Prior to closing and funding certain 1- 4 family residential mortgage loans, an interest rate lock commitment is generally extended to the borrower. During the period from commitment date to closing date, the Company is subject to the risk that market rates of interest may change. If market rates rise, investors generally will pay less to purchase such loans resulting in a reduction in the gain on sale of the loans or, possibly, a loss. In an effort to mitigate such risk, forward delivery sales commitments are executed, under which the Company agrees to deliver whole mortgage loans to various investors. These forward commitments carry a market price that has a strong inverse relationship to that of mortgage prices. Certain assumptions, including pull through rates and rate lock periods, are used in managing the existing and future economic hedges. The effectiveness of the economic hedges rely on the accuracy of these assumptions.
The change in fair value on the interest rate lock commitments and forward delivery sale commitments are recorded in current period earnings as a component of mortgage banking income. In addition, the Company has elected the fair value option to carry loans held for sale at fair value. The change in fair value of loans held for sale is recorded in current period earnings as a component of mortgage banking income in accordance with the Company's fair value election. The change in fair value associated with loans held for sale was a decrease of $51,000, a decrease of $113,000 and an increase of $87,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. These amounts were offset in earnings by the change in the fair value of mortgage derivatives. Additionally, the aggregate amount of net realized gains or losses on sales of such loans included within mortgage banking income amounted to $3.6 million, $4.7 million and $6.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

119

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the balance sheet at the periods indicated:
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
 
Fair Value at
 
Fair Value at
 
 
 
Fair Value at
 
Fair Value at
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
Other assets
 
$
8,955

 
$
1,880

 
Other liabilities
 
$
391

 
$
264

Derivatives not designated as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer Related Positions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loan level derivatives
Other assets
 
15,580

 
14,236

 
Other liabilities
 
15,584

 
14,241

Foreign exchange contracts
Other assets
 
1,578

 
1,202

 
Other liabilities
 
1,548

 
1,188

Mortgage Derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate lock commitments
Other assets
 
91

 
149

 
Other liabilities
 

 

Forward sales agreements
Other assets
 
106

 
9

 
Other liabilities
 

 

 
 
 
17,355

 
15,596

 
 
 
17,132

 
15,429

Total
 
 
$
26,310

 
$
17,476

 
 
 
$
17,523

 
$
15,693


The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments included in OCI and current earnings for the periods indicated:    
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
Gain in OCI on derivatives (effective portion), net of tax
$
4,829

 
$
443

 
$
2,170

Gain (loss) reclassified from OCI into interest income or interest expense (effective portion)
$
1,000

 
$
(441
)
 
$
(2,520
)
Loss recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing)
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
$

 
$

 
$

Other expense

 

 

Total
$

 
$

 
$

Derivatives not designated as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in fair value of customer related positions
 
 
 
 
 
Other income
$
46

 
$
6

 
$
73

Other expenses
(29
)
 
(21
)
 
(82
)
Changes in fair value of mortgage derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage banking income
39

 
(39
)
 
(35
)
Total
$
56

 
$
(54
)
 
$
(44
)


The Company's derivative agreements with institutional counterparties contain various credit-risk related contingent provisions, such as requiring the Company to maintain a well-capitalized capital position. If the Company fails to meet these conditions, the counterparties could request the Company make immediate payment or demand that the Company provide immediate and ongoing full collateralization on derivative positions in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk related contingent features that were in a net liability position was $176,000 and $4.2 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Although none of the contingency provisions have applied as of

120

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company has posted collateral to offset the net liability exposure with institutional counterparties.

By using derivatives, the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent that counterparties to the derivative contracts do not perform as required. Should a counterparty fail to perform under the terms of a derivative contract, the Company’s credit exposure on interest rate swaps is limited to the net positive fair value and accrued interest of all swaps with each counterparty. The Company seeks to minimize counterparty credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures, and obtaining collateral, where appropriate. Institutional counterparties must have an investment grade credit rating and be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. As such, management believes the risk of incurring credit losses on derivative contracts with those counterparties is remote. The Company's exposure relating to institutional counterparties was $18.4 million and $7.1 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s exposure relating to customer counterparties was approximately $6.4 million and $9.5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Credit exposure may be reduced by the amount of collateral pledged by the counterparty.

NOTE 12 BALANCE SHEET OFFSETTING
The Company does not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments or repurchase agreements. The Company does net the amount recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral against the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement. Collateral legally required to be maintained at dealer banks by the Company is monitored and adjusted as necessary.
The following tables present the Company's asset and liability derivative positions and the potential effect of netting arrangements on its financial position, as of the periods indicated:
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 

Gross Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
Net Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position
Financial Instruments (1)
Collateral Pledged (Received)
Net Amount
 
December 31, 2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets
 
Interest rate swaps
$
8,955

$

$
8,955

$
391

$
(5,527
)
$
3,037

Loan level derivatives
15,580


15,580

6,165

(3,001
)
6,414

Customer foreign exchange contracts
1,578


1,578



1,578

 
$
26,113

$

$
26,113

$
6,556

$
(8,528
)
$
11,029

Derivative Liabilities
 
Interest rate swaps
$
391

$

$
391

$
391

$

$

Loan level derivatives
15,584


15,584

6,165

173

9,246

Customer foreign exchange contracts
1,548


1,548



1,548

 
$
17,523

$

$
17,523

$
6,556

$
173

$
10,794


(1)
    Reflects offsetting derivative positions with the same counterparty.

121

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 
 
Gross Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
Net Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position
Financial Instruments (1)
Collateral Pledged (Received)
Net Amount
 
December 31, 2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets
 
Interest rate swaps
$
1,880

$

$
1,880

$
805

$

$
1,075

Loan level derivatives
14,236


14,236

4,578


9,658

Customer foreign exchange contracts
1,202


1,202



1,202

 
$
17,318

$

$
17,318

$
5,383

$

$
11,935

Derivative Liabilities
 
Interest rate swaps
$
264

$

$
264

$

$
264

$

Loan level derivatives
14,241


14,241

5,383

3,675

5,183

Customer foreign exchange contracts
1,188


1,188



1,188

 
$
15,693

$

$
15,693

$
5,383

$
3,939

$
6,371

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer repurchase agreements
$
162,679

$

$
162,679

$

$
162,679

$

(1)
    Reflects offsetting derivative positions with the same counterparty.
    
NOTE 13 INCOME TAXES

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law, reducing the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. At December 31, 2017, the Company had not completed its accounting for the tax effect of enactment of the Tax Act; however, it made a reasonable estimate of the effects on its existing deferred tax balances. As a result of this rate reduction, the Company remeasured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017 based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21% for Federal tax purposes. This remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities resulted in a provisional amount recorded of $1.9 million. Also at December 31, 2017, the Company had also recognized a provisional estimate of $466,000 to reassess the value of its low income housing projects investments ("LIHTC investments").
    
As of December 31, 2018, the Company completed its accounting for all of the enactment-date income tax effects of the Tax Act. The Company's tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 included an increase of $71,000 related to the provisional estimate recorded on the remeasurement of deferred tax asset and liabilities in 2017, mainly attributable to remeasurement of temporary differences. There was no change to this provisional amount recorded in 2017 related to the Company's LIHTC investments. The impact of these provisional amounts are included in the disclosures below.

122

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following components:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Current expense
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
25,129

 
$
28,852

 
$
26,549

State
13,672

 
9,278

 
8,883

Total current expense
38,801

 
38,130

 
35,432

Deferred expense (benefit)
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
(3,080
)
 
7,953

 
153

State
(1,417
)
 
1,258

 
(158
)
Total deferred expense (benefit)
(4,497
)
 
9,211

 
(5
)
Total expense
$
34,304

 
$
47,341

 
$
35,427


The difference between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate reported for the last three years is detailed below:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Computed statutory federal income tax provision
$
32,744

21.00
 %
 
$
47,091

35.00
 %
 
$
39,226

35.00
 %
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit
9,633

6.18
 %
 
6,817

5.07
 %
 
5,643

5.03
 %
Merger and other related costs (non-deductible)
130

0.08
 %
 
213

0.16
 %
 
210

0.19
 %
Change in valuation allowance
49

0.03
 %
 
31

0.02
 %
 
28

0.02
 %
Revaluation of net deferred tax assets

 %
 
1,895

1.41
 %
 

 %
New Markets Tax Credits
(3,960
)
(2.54
)%
 
(3,960
)
(2.94
)%
 
(6,360
)
(5.67
)%
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance
(1,160
)
(0.74
)%
 
(1,445
)
(1.07
)%
 
(1,431
)
(1.28
)%
Low Income Housing Project Investments
(1,030
)
(0.66
)%
 
(1,253
)
(0.93
)%
 
(1,641
)
(1.46
)%
Stock-based compensation
(885
)
(0.57
)%
 
(1,258
)
(0.94
)%
 

 %
Nontaxable interest, net
(566
)
(0.36
)%
 
(987
)
(0.73
)%
 
(996
)
(0.89
)%
Other, net
(651
)
(0.42
)%
 
197

0.15
 %
 
748

0.67
 %
Total expense
$
34,304

22.00
 %
 
$
47,341

35.20
 %
 
$
35,427

31.61
 %


123

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The tax-effected components of the net deferred tax asset at December 31 were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets
 
 
 
Accrued expenses not deducted for tax purposes
$
11,922

 
$
9,268

Allowance for loan losses
17,764

 
16,702

Deferred gain on sale leaseback transaction
704

 
909

Employee and director equity compensation
1,636

 
1,559

Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings fair value adjustment
15

 
26

Loan basis difference fair value adjustment
4,761

 
3,070

Net operating loss carry-forward
170

 
127

Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale
1,850

 
106

Other
842

 
527

Gross deferred tax assets
39,664

 
32,294

Valuation allowance
(170
)
 
(121
)
Total deferred tax assets net of valuation allowance
$
39,494

 
$
32,173

Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
Core deposit and other intangibles
$
3,803

 
$
2,057

Deferred loan fees, net
4,759

 
4,275

Derivatives fair value adjustment
2,413

 
524

Fixed assets
5,259

 
5,270

Goodwill
10,388

 
10,265

Prepaid pension
3,483

 
3,056

Other
1,139

 
1,251

Gross deferred tax liabilities
$
31,244

 
$
26,698

Total net deferred tax asset
$
8,250

 
$
5,475


Deferred tax assets are to be reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of the tax benefit depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carry-back and future periods.
The Company believes that it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018, excluding the deferred tax asset on certain state net operating losses, will be realized through the utilization of carry-back provisions to taxable income on prior years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and by offsetting other future taxable income. The Company believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset related to certain state net operating losses generated from the Company's investments in low income housing partnerships, which expire over a 20-year period, will not be realized and has recorded a valuation allowance of $170,000 at December 31, 2018, attributable to this deferred tax asset.
The Company does not have a federal net operating loss carry forward or general business credit carry forward subject to expiration as of December 31, 2018.
Uncertainty in Income Taxes
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction as well as in various states.  The Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the 2015 through 2017 tax years including any related income tax filings from its recent acquisitions.  The Company believes that its income tax returns have been filed based upon applicable statutes, regulations and case law in effect at the time of filing, however, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and /or state jurisdictions could disagree with the Company's interpretation upon examination. The Company accounts for uncertainties in income taxes by providing a tax reserve for certain positions. The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits:

124

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
111

Increase for current year tax positions
31

Balance at December 31, 2017
142

Increase for current year tax positions
73

Balance at December 31, 2018
$
215


Increases to the Company's unrealized tax positions occur as a result of accruing for the unrecognized tax benefit as well the accrual of interest and penalties related to prior year positions. Decreases in the Company's unrealized tax positions occur as a result of the statute of limitation lapsing on prior year positions and/or settlements relating to outstanding positions. The table above does not include the indirect federal benefit of state tax positions of approximately $39,000. All of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, including the indirect federal benefit of state tax positions, are recorded as a component of income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 the Company recognized approximately $24,000, $18,000 and $11,000 in the provision for income taxes for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. As such, the Company has accrued approximately $53,000, $29,000 and $11,000 for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which are not included in the table above.


NOTE 14 LOW INCOME HOUSING PROJECT INVESTMENTS
The Company has invested in low income housing projects that generate Low Income Housing Tax Credits (“LIHTC”) which provide the Company with tax credits and operating loss tax benefits over a period of approximately 15 years. None of the original investment is expected to be repaid.
The following table presents certain information related to the Company's investments in low income housing projects as of December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Original investment value
$
50,232

 
$
47,399

 
$
47,379

Current recorded investment
$
33,681

 
$
35,225

 
$
39,606

Unfunded liability obligation
$
3,935

 
$
4,536

 
$
12,161

Tax credits and benefits earned during the year
$
5,407

 
$
5,654

 
$
5,366

Amortization of investments during the year (1)
$
4,377

 
$
4,402

 
$
3,725

Net income tax benefit recognized during the year
$
1,030

 
$
1,253

 
$
1,641

(1)
The 2017 amount is inclusive of $466,000 related to the revaluation of Low Income Housing tax credit investments as a result of the 2017 Tax Act.
NOTE 15 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Pension
The Company maintains a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan (the “Pension Plan”) administered by Pentegra Retirement Services (the “Fund” or “Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions”). The Fund does not segregate the assets or liabilities of all participating employers and accordingly, disclosure of plan assets, accumulated vested and nonvested benefits is not possible. Effective July 1, 2006, the Company froze the defined benefit plan by eliminating all future benefit accruals.
In conjunction with the acquisition of Peoples Federal Bancshares, Inc., the parent of Peoples Federal Savings Bank ("Peoples") in 2015, the Company acquired the Peoples Federal Defined Benefit Pension Plan (“Peoples Plan”). The Peoples Plan was frozen at the date of acquisition and will be maintained in the same manner as the Pension Plan. The Peoples Plan is also administered by Pentegra Retirement Services under the same Fund as the Pension Plan.
Additionally, in conjunction with the acquisition of Island Bancorp in 2017, the Company acquired the Edgartown National Bank Employee’s Retirement Plan. This pension plan was frozen at the date of acquisition and was subsequently dissolved.

125

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The Company’s participation in the Pension Plan and the Peoples Plan (the "Pension Plans") for the annual period ended December 31, 2018, is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit plan number. The funding status of the Pension Plans is determined on the basis of the financial statements provided by the Fund using total plan assets and accumulated benefit obligation. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The “Expiration Date of Collective-Bargaining Agreement” column lists the expiration dates of any collective-bargaining agreement(s) to which the Pension Plans are subject.
 
 
 
Funding Status
of Pension Plan
 
FIP/RP Status
Pending/
Implemented
 
Surcharge
Imposed
 
Expiration
Date of
Collective-
Bargaining
Agreement
 
Minimum
Contributions
Required for
Future
Periods
 
EIN/Pension
Plan Number
 
2018
 
2017
 
Pentegra defined benefit plan for financial institutions
13-5645888/333
 
At least 80 percent
 
At least 80 percent
 
No
 
No
 
N/A
 
$

 
Contributions to the Fund are based on each individual employer’s experience. The Company bears the market risk relating to the Pension Plan and will continue to fund the Pension Plan as required. The Pension Plan year is July 1st through June 30th. The Company’s total contributions to the Pension Plan did not represent more than 5% of the total contributions to the Pension Plan as indicated in the Pension Plan’s most recently available annual report dated June 30, 2018. The comparability of employer contributions is impacted by asset performance, discount rates and the reduction in the number of covered employees year over year.
The Company’s contributions to the Pension Plans were as follows for the periods indicated:
 
 
 
 
 
Required Contributions - Plan Year Allocation
 
Cash Payment
 
Future period funding
 
2018-2019
 
2017-2018
 
2016-2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2018
$
2,642

 
$
2,000

 
$
642

 
$

 
$

2017
$
6,432

 
$
5,000

 
$

 
$
1,432

 
$

2016
$
6,245

 
$
4,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,245


The Company’s total defined benefit plan expense was $1.1 million, $1.9 million, and $2.0 million, for the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Financial information for the Fund is made available through the public Form 5500 which is available by April 15th of the year following the plan year end.
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Employees retiring from the Bank after attaining age 65, who have rendered at least 10 years of continuous full time service with Rockland Trust are entitled to a fixed contribution toward the premium for postretirement health care benefits and a $5,000 benefit paid upon death. The health care benefits are subject to deductibles, co-payment provisions and other limitations. The Bank may amend or change these benefits periodically. Additionally, the Company has acquired small postretirement plans and/or agreements in conjunction with various acquisitions. The expense related to these plans for the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was not material.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
The Bank maintains frozen defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plans (“SERP”) for certain highly compensated employees designed to offset the impact of regulatory limits on benefits under qualified pension plans. The Bank also maintains defined benefit SERPs acquired from previous acquisitions. The Bank has established and funded Rabbi Trusts to accumulate funds in order to satisfy the contractual liability of these supplemental retirement plan benefits. These agreements provide for the Bank to pay all benefits from its general assets, and the establishment of these trust funds does not reduce nor otherwise affect the Bank’s continuing liability to pay benefits from such assets except that the Bank’s liability shall be offset by actual benefit payments made from the trusts. The related trust assets included in the Company's available for sale securities portfolio totaled $16.6 million and $16.2 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

126

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table shows the defined benefit supplemental retirement expense, and the contributions paid to the plans which were used only to pay the current year benefits as of the dates indicated:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Retirement expense
$
1,683

 
$
1,580

 
$
1,513

Contributions paid
$
434

 
$
367

 
$
320


Expected future benefit payments for the defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plans are presented below:
 
Defined Benefit Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plans
Expected Benefit
Payments

(Dollars in thousands)
2019
$
482

2020
$
467

2021
$
461

2022
$
454

2023
$
568

2024-2028
$
5,940



127

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The measurement date used to determine the defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plans' benefits is December 31 for each of the years reported. The following table illustrates the status of the defined benefit supplemental executive retirement plans at December 31 for the years presented:
 
Defined Benefit Supplemental Executive
Retirement Benefits
 
2018
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Change in accumulated benefit obligation
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
15,749

$
14,177

 
$
13,290

Service cost
459

423

 
395

Interest cost
533

547

 
539

Actuarial loss (gain)
(1,344
)
969

 
273

Benefits paid
(434
)
(367
)
 
(320
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
$
14,963

$
15,749

 
$
14,177

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
$

$

 
$

Employer contribution
434

367

 
320

Benefits paid
(434
)
(367
)
 
(320
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
$

$

 
$

Funded status at end of year
$
(14,963
)
$
(15,749
)
 
$
(14,177
)
Assets


 

Liabilities
(14,963
)
(15,749
)
 
(14,177
)
Funded status at end of year
$
(14,963
)
$
(15,749
)
 
$
(14,177
)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”)
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
1,705

$
3,465

 
$
2,830

Prior service cost
770

1,047

 
1,323

Amounts recognized in AOCI
$
2,475

$
4,512

 
$
4,153

Information for plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
 
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligation
$
14,963

$
15,749

 
$
14,177

Accumulated benefit obligation
$
14,963

$
15,749

 
$
14,177

Net periodic benefit cost
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
459

$
423

 
$
395

Interest cost
533

547

 
539

Amortization of prior service cost
276

276

 
276

Recognized net actuarial loss
415

334

 
303

Net periodic benefit cost
$
1,683

$
1,580

 
$
1,513

Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost over next fiscal year
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial loss
$
41

$
415

 
$
338

Net prior service cost
$
276

$
276

 
$
276

Discount rate used for benefit obligation
3.24 - 4.09%

2.48-3.45%

 
2.49-3.94%

Discount rate used for net periodic benefit cost
2.48 - 3.45%

2.49-3.94%

 
2.49-4.16%

Rate of compensation increase
n/a

n/a

 
n/a



    

128

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Other Employee Benefits
The Bank may choose to create an incentive compensation plan for senior management and other officers to participate in at varying levels. In addition, the Bank may also pay a discretionary bonus to senior management, officers, and/or non-officers of the Bank. The expense for the incentive plans and the discretionary bonus amounted to $13.8 million, $10.9 million and $10.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Bank has an Employee Savings Plan that qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Employee Savings Plan, participating employees may defer a portion of their earnings, not to exceed the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limits. The Bank matches 25% of each employee’s contributions up to the first 6% of the employee’s earnings. The 401(k) Plan incorporates an Employee Stock Ownership Plan for contributions invested in the Company’s common stock. This Plan also provides nondiscretionary contributions in which employees, with one year and 1,000 hours of service, receive a 5% cash contribution of eligible pay up to the social security limit and a 10% cash contribution of eligible pay over the social security limit up to the maximum amount permitted by law. Benefits contributed to employees under this defined contribution plan vest immediately. The defined contribution plan expense was $5.4 million, $5.0 million and $4.8 million for the years ended December 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company has a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which allows for deferrals of incentive payments until an elected distribution date in the future. This deferred compensation plan is available to certain highly compensated employees. Deferrals are invested at the election of the participant into one of the actively managed funds made available to the participant through the Company's Investment Management Group. The funds are held in a Rabbi Trust until the elected date of distribution.
    
The Company has a non-qualified 401(k) Restoration Plan ("Restoration Plan") for certain executive officers. The Restoration Plan is intended to contribute to each participant the amount of matching and discretionary contributions which would have been made to the existing Rockland Trust 401(k) plan on the participant's behalf, but were prohibited due to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Deferrals are invested at the election of the participant into one of the actively managed funds made available to the participant through the Company's Investment Management Group or in the Company's stock. These funds are held in a Rabbi Trust until the elected date of distribution. The Company recognized expense of $278,000, $267,000 and $425,000 related to this plan for services performed for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

As a result of the acquisition of Peoples in 2015, the Company assumed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and a 401(k) Plan. The Company received approval and terminated both plans during 2016, and as such, there was no expense associated with either plan during 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Also as part of the Peoples acquisition in 2015, the Company assumed various Salary Continuation Agreements with certain current and former senior executives. The agreements require the payment of specified benefits upon retirement over periods of ten or twenty years as described in each agreement. Expense related to the Salary Continuation Agreements was $287,000, $279,000 and $272,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company also assumed a Peoples supplemental retirement plan with a former executive, whereby the amounts paid under this plan commenced upon the executive's retirement and continue for his lifetime. The expense related to the supplemental retirement plan for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was not material.
Director Benefits    
The Company maintains two deferred compensation plans for the Company’s Board of Directors which permit non-employee directors to defer cash fees, one which was in effect through December 31, 2018 and a new plan which was adopted effective January 1, 2019. Under the plan in effect through December 31, 2018, deferred compensation is invested in Company stock and held by the Company's Investment Management Group. The amount of compensation deferred during 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $142,000, $143,000, and $142,000, respectively.
As a result of the Peoples acquisition during 2015, the Company assumed several Director Retirement Agreements. The agreements require the payment of specified benefits upon retirement over periods of ten or twenty years as described in each agreement. The expense related to the Director Retirement Agreements for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was not material.


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Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 16 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company early adopted ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement to remove various disclosures related to recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. The disclosure requirements that were added under this standard were already disclosed by the Company. This new standard was adopted retrospectively and did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position.
Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, regardless of the valuation technique(s) used, the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause an instrument to be reclassified from one level to another.
The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC defines fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC are described below:
Level 1 – Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Valuation Techniques
There have been no changes in the valuation techniques used during the current period.
Securities:
Trading and Equity Securities
These equity securities are valued based on market quoted prices. These securities are categorized in Level 1 as they are actively traded and no valuation adjustments have been applied.
U.S. Government Agency Securities
Fair value is estimated using either multi-dimensional spread tables or benchmarks. The inputs used include benchmark yields, reported trades, and broker/dealer quotes. These securities are classified as Level 2.
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
Fair value is estimated using either a matrix or benchmarks. The inputs used include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, and issuer spreads. These securities are categorized as Level 2.
Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations and Small Business Administration Pooled Securities
The valuation model for these securities is volatility-driven and ratings based, and uses multi-dimensional spread tables. The inputs used include benchmark yields, reported trades, new issue data, broker dealer quotes, and collateral performance. If there is at least one significant model assumption or input that is not observable, these securities are categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy; otherwise, they are classified as Level 2.

130

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


State, County, and Municipal Securities
The fair value is estimated using a valuation matrix with inputs including bond interest rate tables, recent transaction, and yield relationships. These securities are categorized as Level 2.
Single and Pooled Issuer Trust Preferred Securities
The fair value of trust preferred securities, including pooled and single issuer preferred securities, is estimated using external pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies or similar techniques. The inputs used in these valuations include benchmark yields, reported trades, new issue data, broker dealer quotes, and collateral performance. If there is at least one significant model assumption or input that is not observable, these securities are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy; otherwise, they are classified as Level 2.
Loans Held for Sale
The Company has elected the fair value option to account for originated closed loans intended for sale. The fair value is measured on an individual loan basis using quoted market prices and when not available, comparable market value or discounted cash flow analysis may be utilized. These assets are typically classified as Level 2.
Derivative Instruments
Derivatives
The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings. Additionally, in conjunction with fair value measurement guidance, the Company has made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio. Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its interest rate derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and its counterparties. However, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2.
Mortgage Derivatives
The fair value of mortgage derivatives is determined based on current market prices for similar assets in the secondary market and, therefore, classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Impaired Loans
Collateral dependent loans that are deemed to be impaired are valued based upon the lower of cost or fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell.  The inputs used in the appraisals of the collateral are not always observable, and therefore the loans may be classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy; otherwise, they are classified as Level 2.
Other Real Estate Owned and Other Foreclosed Assets
The fair values are generally estimated based upon recent appraisal values of the property less costs to sell the property, as Other Real Estate Owned ("OREO") and Other Foreclosed Assets are valued at the lower of cost or fair value of the property, less estimated costs to sell. Certain inputs used in appraisals are not always observable, and therefore OREO and Other Foreclosed Assets are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and identified intangible assets are subject to impairment testing. The Company conducts an annual impairment test of goodwill in the third quarter of each year, or more frequently if necessary, and other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. To estimate the fair value of goodwill and, if necessary, other intangible assets, the Company utilizes both a comparable analysis of relevant price multiples in recent market transactions and discounted cash flow analysis. Both valuation models require a significant degree of management judgment. In the event the fair value as determined by the valuation model is less than the carrying value, the

131

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


intangibles may be impaired. If the impairment testing resulted in impairment, the Company would classify the impaired goodwill and other intangible assets subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments as Level 3.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis were as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
Balance
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)        
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)        
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
December 31, 2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Recurring fair value measurements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
$
1,504

 
$
1,504

 
$

 
$

Equity securities
19,477

 
19,477

 

 

Securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
32,038

 

 
32,038

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities
220,105

 

 
220,105

 

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
134,911

 

 
134,911

 

State, county, and municipal securities
1,735

 

 
1,735

 

Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
707

 

 
707

 

Pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
1,329

 

 

 
1,329

Small business administration pooled securities
51,927

 

 
51,927

 

Loans held for sale
6,431

 

 
6,431

 

Derivative instruments
26,310

 

 
26,310

 

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments
17,523

 

 
17,523

 

Total recurring fair value measurements
$
478,951

 
$
20,981

 
$
456,641

 
$
1,329

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonrecurring fair value measurements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateral dependent impaired loans
$
29,109

 
$

 
$

 
$
29,109

Total nonrecurring fair value measurements
$
29,109

 
$

 
$

 
$
29,109



132

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
Balance
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)        
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)        
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
December 31, 2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Recurring fair value measurements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading securities
$
1,324

 
$
1,324

 
$

 
$

Securities available for sale
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agency securities
35,430

 
$

 
35,430

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities
215,764

 

 
215,764

 

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
122,012

 

 
122,012

 

State, county, and municipal securities
2,274

 

 
2,274

 

Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
2,016

 

 
2,016

 

Pooled trust preferred securities issued by banks and insurers
1,640

 

 

 
1,640

Small business administration pooled securities
47,778

 

 
47,778

 

Equity securities
20,584

 
20,584

 

 

Loans held for sale
4,768

 

 
4,768

 

Derivative instruments
17,476

 

 
17,476

 

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments
15,693

 

 
15,693

 

Total recurring fair value measurements
$
455,373

 
$
21,908

 
$
431,825

 
$
1,640

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonrecurring fair value measurements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateral dependent impaired loans
$
33,567

 
$

 
$

 
$
33,567

Other real estate owned and other foreclosed assets
612

 

 

 
612

Total nonrecurring fair value measurements
$
34,179

 
$

 
$

 
$
34,179


All assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were valued using pricing models and discounted cash flow methodologies, as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. This reconciliation is presented in the table below, for the periods indicated:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Pooled Trust Preferred Securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
 
$
1,640

 
$
1,584

 
$
1,572

Gain and (losses) (realized/unrealized)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
 

 

 

Included in other comprehensive income
 
191

 
77

 
29

Settlements
 
(502
)
 
(21
)
 
(17
)
Ending Balance
 
$
1,329

 
$
1,640

 
$
1,584




133

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table sets forth certain unobservable inputs regarding the Company's financial instruments that are classified as Level 3 as of December 31st for the years indicated:
Valuation Technique
 
Fair Value
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
 
Weighted Average
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Discounted cash flow methodology
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pooled trust preferred securities
 
$
1,329

 
$
1,640

 
Cumulative prepayment
 
0% - 59%
 
0% - 61%
 
2.1%
 
2.5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative default
 
5% - 100%
 
5% - 100%
 
16.2%
 
12.4%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss given default
 
85% - 100%
 
85% - 100%
 
94.8%
 
94.3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cure given default
 
0% - 75%
 
0% - 75%
 
60.9%
 
60.9%
Appraisals of collateral (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateral dependent impaired loans
 
$
29,109

 
$
33,567

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other real estate owned and foreclosed assets
 
$

 
$
612

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which generally include various Level 3 inputs which are not identifiable. Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic factors and estimated liquidation expenses. The range of these possible adjustments may vary.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s pooled trust preferred securities are cumulative prepayment rates, cumulative defaults, loss given defaults and cure given defaults. Significant increases (decreases) in deferrals or defaults, in isolation, would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Alternatively, significant increases (decreases) in cure rates, in isolation, would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

134

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The estimated fair values and related carrying amounts for assets and liabilities for which fair value is only disclosed are shown below as of the periods indicated:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
December 31, 2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
Securities held to maturity(a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
1,004

 
$
1,015

 
$

 
$
1,015

 
$

Agency mortgage-backed securities
252,484

 
250,928

 

 
250,928

 

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
332,775

 
326,724

 

 
326,724

 

Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks
1,500

 
1,490

 

 
1,490

 

Small business administration pooled securities
23,727

 
23,483

 

 
23,483

 

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses(b)
6,812,792

 
6,635,209

 

 

 
6,635,209

Federal Home Loan Bank stock(c)
15,683

 
15,683

 

 
15,683

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies(d)
160,456

 
160,456

 

 
160,456

 

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposit liabilities, other than time deposits(e)
$
6,716,017

 
$
6,716,017

 
$

 
$
6,716,017

 
$

Time certificates of deposits(f)
711,103

 
703,728

 

 
703,728

 
$

Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings(f)
147,806

 
147,603

 

 
147,603

 

Junior subordinated debentures(g)
76,173

 
73,827

 

 
73,827

 

Subordinated debentures(f)
34,728

 
32,509

 

 

 
32,509

 

135

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
December 31, 2017
Financial assets
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities held to maturity(a)
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities
$
1,006

 
$
1,035

 
$

 
$
1,035

 
$

Agency mortgage-backed securities
204,768

 
205,823

 

 
205,823

 

Agency collateralized mortgage obligations
262,998

 
258,408

 

 
258,408

 

Single issuer trust preferred securities issued by banks
1,500

 
1,529

 

 
1,529

 

Small business administration pooled securities
27,416

 
27,399

 

 
27,399

 

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses(b)
6,261,343

 
6,116,051

 

 

 
6,116,051

Federal Home Loan Bank stock(c)
11,597

 
11,597

 

 
11,597

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies(d)
151,528

 
151,528

 

 
151,528

 

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposit liabilities, other than time deposits(e)
$
6,084,952

 
$
6,084,952

 
$

 
$
6,084,952

 
$

Time certificates of deposits(f)
644,301

 
639,060

 

 
639,060

 

Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings(f)
53,264

 
52,111

 

 
52,111

 

Customer repurchase agreements and other short-term borrowings(f)
162,679

 
162,679

 

 

 
162,679

Junior subordinated debentures(g)
73,073

 
74,680

 

 
74,680

 

Subordinated debentures(f)
34,682

 
32,707

 

 

 
32,707

(a)
The fair values presented are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments and/or discounted cash flow analysis.
(b)
Fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or cash flows. Additionally, this amount excludes collateral dependent impaired loans, which are deemed to be marked to fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
(c)
FHLB stock has no quoted market value and is carried at cost, therefore the carrying amount approximates fair value.
(d)
Cash surrender value of life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value (or the amount that can be realized upon surrender of the policy), therefore carrying amount approximates fair value.
(e)
Fair value of demand deposits, savings and interest checking accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.
(f)
Fair value was determined by discounting anticipated future cash payments using rates currently available for instruments with similar remaining maturities.
(g)
Fair value was determined based upon market prices of securities with similar terms and maturities.
This summary excludes certain financial assets and liabilities for which the carrying value approximates fair value. For financial assets, these may include cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and short-term investments. For financial liabilities, these may include federal funds purchased. These instruments would all be considered to be classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Also excluded from the summary are financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis, as previously described.
The Company considers its financial instruments' current use to be the highest and best use of the instruments.


136

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 17 REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company adopted the new revenue recognition standard under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 ("ASC 606") as of January 1, 2018 and is using the modified retrospective transition method upon adoption. The Company determined that there were no material changes to be made to revenue recognition upon adoption and that there were no practical expedients to apply to its contracts.

A portion of the Company's noninterest income is derived from contracts with customers, and as such, the revenue recognized depicts 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. The Company considers the terms of the contract and all relevant facts and circumstances when applying this guidance. To ensure its alignment with this core principle, the Company measures revenue and the timing of recognition by applying the following five steps:

1.
Identify the contract(s) with customers
2.
Identify the performance obligations
3.
Determine the transaction price
4.
Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations
5.
Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation
    
The Company has disaggregated its revenue from contracts with customers into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. The following table presents the revenue streams that the Company has disaggregated as of the periods indicated:
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Deposit account fees (inclusive of cash management fees)
$
18,327

 
$
17,822

 
$
18,652

Interchange fees
15,433

 
13,899

 
12,842

ATM fees
2,961

 
2,938

 
3,093

Investment management - wealth management and advisory services
23,441

 
21,644

 
19,587

Investment management - retail investments and insurance revenue
2,714

 
2,158

 
2,222

Merchant processing income
1,401

 
1,229

 
1,206

Other noninterest income
4,432

 
4,569

 
4,273

Total noninterest income in-scope of ASC 606
68,709

 
64,259

 
61,875

Total noninterest income out-of-scope of ASC 606
19,796

 
18,735

 
20,553

Total noninterest income
$
88,505

 
82,994

 
$
82,428



In each of the revenue streams identified above, there were no significant judgments made in determining or allocating the transaction price, as the consideration and service requirements are generally explicitly identified in the associated contracts. Additional information related to each of the revenue streams is further noted below:

Deposit Account Fees

The Company offers various deposit account products to its customers governed by specific deposit agreements applicable to either personal customers or business customers. These agreements identify the general conditions and obligations of both parties, and include standard information regarding deposit account related fees.

Deposit account services include providing access to deposit accounts as well as access to the various deposit transactional services of the Company. These transactional services are primarily those that are identified in the standard fee schedule, and include, but are not limited to, services such as overdraft protection, wire transfer, and check collection. Revenue is recognized in conjunction with the various services being provided. For example, the Company may assess monthly fixed service fees associated with the customer having access to the deposit account, which can vary depending on the account type and daily account balance. In addition, the Company may also assess separate fixed fees associated with and at the time specific transactions are entered in to by the customer. As such, the Company considers its performance obligations to be met concurrently with providing the account access or completing the requested deposit transaction.


137

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Cash Management
        
Cash management services are a subset of the Deposit account fees revenue stream. These services primarily include ACH transaction processing, positive pay and remote deposit services. These services are also governed by separate agreements entered into with the customer. The fee arrangement for these services is structured to assess fees under one of two scenarios, either a per transaction fee arrangement or an earnings credit analysis arrangement. Under the per transaction fee arrangement, fixed fees are assessed concurrently with customers executing the transactions, and as such, the Company considers its performance obligations to be met concurrently with completing the requested transaction. Under the earnings credit analysis arrangement, the Company provides a monthly earnings credit to the customer that is negotiated and determined based on various factors. The credit is then available to absorb the per transaction fees that are assessed on the customer's deposit account activity for the month. Any amount of the transactional fees in excess of the earnings credit is recognized as revenue in that month.

Interchange Fees

The Company earns interchange revenue from its issuance of credit and debit cards granted through its membership in various card payment networks. The Company provides credit cards and debit cards to its customers which are authorized and settled through these payment networks, and in exchange, the Company earns revenue as determined by each payment network's interchange program. The revenue is recognized concurrently with the settlement of card transactions within each network.

ATM Fees

The Company deploys automated teller machines (ATMs) as part of its overall branch network. Certain transactions performed at the ATMs require customers to acknowledge and pay a fee for the requested service. Certain ATM fees are disclosed in the deposit account agreement fee schedules, whereas those assessed to non-Rockland Trust deposit holders are solely determined during the transaction at the machine.

The ATM fee is a fixed dollar per transaction amount, and as such, is recognized concurrently with the overall daily processing and settlement of the ATM activity.

Investment Management - Wealth Management and Advisory Services

The Company offers investment management and trust services to individuals, institutions, small businesses and charitable institutions. Each investment management product is governed by its own contract along with a separate identifiable fee schedule unique to that product. The Company also offers additional services, such as estate settlement, financial planning, tax services and other special services quoted at the client's request.

The asset management and/or custody fees are based upon a percentage of the monthly valuation of the principal assets in the customer's account, whereas fees for additional or special services are fixed in nature and are charged as services are rendered. As the fees are dependent on assets under management, which are susceptible to market factors outside of the Company's control, this variable consideration is constrained and therefore no revenue is estimated at contract initiation. As such, all revenue is recognized in correlation to the monthly management fee determinations or as transactional services are provided. Due to the fact that payments are primarily made subsequent to the valuation period, the Company records a receivable for revenue earned but not received. The following table provides the amount of investment management revenue earned but not received as of the periods indicated:
 
December 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Receivables, included in other assets
$
1,893

 
$
1,934



Investment Management - Retail Investments and Insurance Revenue

The Company offers the sale of mutual fund shares, unit investment trust shares, general securities, fixed and variable annuities and life insurance products through registered representatives who are both employed by the Company and licensed and contracted with various Broker General Agents to offer these products to the Company’s customer base. As such, the Company performs these services as an agent and earns a fixed commission on the sales of these products and services. To a lesser degree, production bonus commissions can also be earned based upon the Company meeting certain volume thresholds.


138

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


In general, the Company recognizes commission revenue at the point of sale, and for certain insurance products, may also earn and recognize annual residual commissions commensurate with annual premiums being paid.

Merchant Processing Income
    
The Company refers customers to third party merchant processing partners in exchange for commission and fee income. The income earned is comprised of multiple components, including a fixed referral fee per each referred customer, a rebate amount determined primarily as a percentage of net revenue earned by the third party from services provided to each referred customer, and overall production bonus commissions if certain new account production thresholds are met. Merchant processing income is recognized in conjunction with either completing the referral to earn the fixed fee amount or as the merchant activity is processed to derive the Company's rebate and/or production bonus amounts.
    
Other Noninterest Income

The Company earns various types of other noninterest income that fall within the scope of the new revenue recognition rules, and have been aggregated into one general revenue stream in the table noted above. This amount includes, but is not limited to, the following types of revenue with customers:

Safe Deposit Rent

The Company rents out the use of safe deposit boxes to its customers, which can be accessed when the bank is open for business. The safe deposit box rental fee is paid upfront and is recognized as revenue ratably over the annual term of the contract.

1031 Exchange Fee Revenue

The Company provides like-kind exchange services pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Fee income is recognized in conjunction with completing the exchange transactions.

Foreign Currency

The Company earns fee income associated with various transactions related to foreign currency product offerings, including foreign currency bank notes and drafts and foreign currency wires. The majority of this income is derived from commissions earned related to customers executing the above mentioned foreign currency transactions through arrangements with third party correspondents.


139

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 18 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The following table presents a reconciliation of the changes in the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the dates indicated, including the amount of income tax (expense) benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss):
 
December 31, 2018
 
Pre Tax
Amount
 
Tax (Expense)
Benefit
 
After Tax
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Change in fair value of securities available for sale
$
(5,923
)
 
$
1,422

 
$
(4,501
)
Less: net security gains reclassified into other noninterest income (expense)

 

 

Net change in fair value of securities available for sale
(5,923
)
 
1,422

 
(4,501
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges
7,717

 
(2,169
)
 
5,548

Less: net cash flow hedge gains reclassified into interest income or interest expense (1)
1,000

 
(281
)
 
719

Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges
6,717

 
(1,888
)
 
4,829

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unamortized gain related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement adjustments arising during the period
1,521

 
(428
)
 
1,093

Amortization of net actuarial losses
372

 
(105
)
 
267

Amortization of net prior service cost
276

 
(78
)
 
198

Net change in other comprehensive income for defined benefit postretirement plans (2)
2,169

 
(611
)
 
1,558

Total other comprehensive income
$
2,963

 
$
(1,077
)
 
$
1,886

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Pre Tax
Amount
 
Tax (Expense)
Benefit
 
After Tax
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Change in fair value of securities available for sale
$
(996
)
 
$
321

 
$
(675
)
Less: net security gains reclassified into other noninterest income (expense)
3

 
(1
)
 
2

Net change in fair value of securities available for sale
(999
)
 
322

 
(677
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges
307

 
(125
)
 
182

Less: net cash flow hedge losses reclassified into interest income or interest expense (1)
(441
)
 
180

 
(261
)
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges
748

 
(305
)
 
443

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unamortized loss related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement adjustments arising during the period
(995
)
 
407

 
(588
)
Amortization of net actuarial losses
278

 
(113
)
 
165

Amortization of net prior service cost
276

 
(113
)
 
163

Net change in other comprehensive income for defined benefit postretirement plans (2)
(441
)
 
181

 
(260
)
Total other comprehensive loss
$
(692
)
 
$
198

 
$
(494
)
 


140

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Pre Tax
Amount
 
Tax (Expense)
Benefit
 
After Tax
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Change in fair value of securities available for sale
$
(1,858
)
 
$
710

 
$
(1,148
)
Less: net security losses reclassified into other noninterest income (expense)
(26
)
 
11

 
(15
)
Net change in fair value of securities available for sale
(1,832
)
 
699

 
(1,133
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges
1,133

 
(453
)
 
680

Less: net cash flow hedge losses reclassified into interest income or interest expense (1)
(2,520
)
 
1,030

 
(1,490
)
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges
3,653

 
(1,483
)
 
2,170

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unamortized loss related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement adjustments arising during the period
(383
)
 
157

 
(226
)
Amortization of net actuarial losses
238

 
(97
)
 
141

Amortization of net prior service cost
276

 
(113
)
 
163

Net change in other comprehensive income for defined benefit postretirement plans (2)
131

 
(53
)
 
78

Total other comprehensive income
$
1,952

 
$
(837
)
 
$
1,115

(1)
Includes the amortization of the remaining balance of a realized but unrecognized gain, net of tax, from the termination of interest rate swaps in 2009. The original gain of $1.4 million, net of tax, was recognized in earnings through December 2018, the original maturity date of the swap. The balance of this gain was fully amortized into earnings at December 31, 2018. The balance of the gain was amortized to $137,000, and $281,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(2)
The amortization of prior service costs is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs as disclosed in Note 15 - Employee Benefit Plans.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Company elected to reclassify certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, related to items that were stranded in other comprehensive income as a result of the Tax Act. A description of the other income tax effects that were reclassified as a result of the Tax Act are listed in the table below.
Information on the Company's accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, is comprised of the following components as of the periods indicated:
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedge
 
Deferred Gain on Hedge Transactions
 
Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
Beginning balance: January 1, 2016
$
1,306

 
$
(1,955
)
 
$
427

 
$
(2,230
)
 
$
(2,452
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,133
)
 
2,316

 
(146
)
 
78

 
1,115

Ending balance: December 31, 2016
$
173

 
$
361

 
$
281

 
$
(2,152
)
 
$
(1,337
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(677
)
 
587

 
(144
)
 
(260
)
 
(494
)
Ending balance: December 31, 2017
$
(504
)
 
$
948

 
$
137

 
$
(2,412
)
 
$
(1,831
)
Opening balance reclassification
(111
)
 
205

 
29

 
(520
)
 
(397
)
Cumulative effect accounting adjustment
(831
)
 

 

 

 
(831
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(4,501
)
 
4,995

 
(166
)
 
1,558

 
1,886

Ending balance: December 31, 2018
$
(5,947
)
 
$
6,148

 
$

 
$
(1,374
)
 
$
(1,173
)



141

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


NOTE 19 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various transactions to meet the financing needs of its customers, which, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in its consolidated balance sheets. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company minimizes its exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures.
The Company enters into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of these commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding.
Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third party, the Company would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment were funded, the Company would be entitled to seek recovery from the customer. The Company’s policies generally require that standby letter of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements.
The fees collected in connection with the issuance of standby letters of credit are representative of the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. In accordance with applicable accounting standards related to guarantees, fees collected in connection with the issuance of standby letters of credit are deferred. The fees are then recognized in income proportionately over the life of the standby letter of credit agreement. The deferred standby letter of credit fees represent the fair value of the Company's potential obligations under the standby letter of credit guarantees.
The following table summarizes the above financial instruments at the dates indicated:
 
As of December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit
$
2,639,689

 
$
2,443,478

Standby letters of credit
$
16,708

 
$
15,534

Deferred standby letter of credit fees
$
122

 
$
102


Lease Commitments
The Company leases office space, space for ATM locations, and certain branch locations under noncancelable operating leases. Several of these leases have renewal options that typically range from 5 to 10 years. The following is a schedule of minimum future lease payments under such leases as of December 31, 2018:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2019
$
9,455

2020
9,125

2021
7,617

2022
6,610

2023
4,561

Thereafter
11,556

Total future minimum lease commitments
$
48,924


Rent expense incurred under operating leases was approximately $9.7 million, $8.6 million, and $8.5 million at December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Other Contingencies
At December 31, 2018, Rockland Trust was involved in pending lawsuits that arose in the ordinary course of business. Management has reviewed these pending lawsuits with legal counsel and has taken into consideration the view of counsel as to their outcome. In the opinion of management, the final disposition of pending lawsuits is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

142

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The Bank is required to maintain certain reserve requirements of vault cash and/or deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The amount of this reserve requirement was $53.5 million and $35.8 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

NOTE 20 REGULATORY MATTERS
Regulatory Capital Requirements
The Company and the Bank are 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 that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
At December 31, 2018 the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation indicated that the Bank's capital levels met or exceeded the minimum levels to be considered "well capitalized" for bank regulatory purposes. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, Common equity Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following tables. There are no conditions or events since the notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category. Management believes, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, that the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

143

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The Company’s and the Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are also presented in the table that follows:
 
Actual
 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
 
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
 
 
Ratio
 
December 31, 2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Independent Bank Corp.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
992,454

 
14.45
%
 
$
549,297

 
 
8.0
%
 
N/A

 
 
 
N/A

Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
818,176

 
11.92
%
 
$
308,980

 
 
4.5
%
 
N/A

 
 
 
N/A

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
892,176

 
12.99
%
 
$
411,973

 
 
6.0
%
 
N/A

 
 
 
N/A

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
$
892,176

 
10.69
%
 
$
333,754

 
 
4.0
%
 
N/A

 
 
 
N/A

Rockland Trust Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
937,574

 
13.66
%
 
$
549,036

 
 
8.0
%
 
$
686,295

 
 
10.0
%
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
872,024

 
12.71
%
 
$
308,833

 
 
4.5
%
 
$
446,092

 
 
6.5
%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
872,024

 
12.71
%
 
$
411,777

 
 
6.0
%
 
$
549,036

 
 
8.0
%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
$
872,024

 
10.46
%
 
$
333,595

 
 
4.0
%
 
$
416,994

 
 
5.0
%
 
December 31, 2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Independent Bank Corp.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
886,807

 
13.82
%
 
$
513,398

 
 
8.0
%
 
N/A

 
 
 
N/A

Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
718,995

 
11.20
%
 
$
288,787

 
 
4.5
%
 
N/A

 
 
 
N/A

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
789,992

 
12.31
%
 
$
385,049

 
 
6.0
%
 
N/A

 
 
 
N/A

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
$
789,992

 
10.04
%
 
$
314,756

 
 
4.0
%
 
N/A

 
 
 
N/A

Rockland Trust Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
846,147

 
13.19
%
 
$
513,175

 
 
8.0
%
 
$
641,469

 
 
10.0
%
Common equity tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
784,014

 
12.22
%
 
$
288,661

 
 
4.5
%
 
$
416,955

 
 
6.5
%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)
$
784,014

 
12.22
%
 
$
384,881

 
 
6.0
%
 
$
513,175

 
 
8.0
%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
$
784,014

 
9.97
%
 
$
314,630

 
 
4.0
%
 
$
393,288

 
 
5.0
%

In addition to the minimum risk-based capital requirements outlined in the table above, the Company is required to maintain a minimum capital conservation buffer, in the form of common equity, in order to avoid restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses. The required amount of the capital conservation buffer is 2.5%. The Company's capital levels exceeded the minimum requirement plus the buffer of 2.5% as of December 31, 2018.
Dividend Restrictions
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is dependent upon dividends from the Bank to provide funds for the payment of dividends to shareholders and to provide for other cash requirements. Banking regulations may limit the amount of dividends that may be paid. Approval by regulatory authorities is required if the effect of dividends declared would cause the regulatory capital of the Bank to fall below specified minimum levels. Approval is also required if dividends declared exceed the net profits for that year combined with the retained net profits for the preceding two years. Under the foregoing dividend restrictions and while maintaining its "well capitalized" status, dividends paid by the Bank to the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 totaled $71.2 million and $46.9 million, respectively.

144

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Trust Preferred Securities
In accordance with the applicable accounting standard related to variable interest entities, the common stock of trusts which have issued trust preferred securities have not been included in the consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, there was $74.0 million and $71.0 million, respectively, in trust preferred securities have been included in the Tier 1 capital of the Company for regulatory reporting purposes pursuant to the Federal Reserve's capital adequacy guidelines. Trust preferred securities of $3.0 million assumed in the MNB Bancorp acquisition were subsequently paid in full in January 2019.

NOTE 21 PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Condensed financial information relative to the Parent Company’s balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the related statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 are presented below. The statement of stockholders’ equity is not presented below as the parent company’s stockholders’ equity is that of the consolidated Company.
BALANCE SHEETS
 
December 31
  
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
 
Cash(1)
$
64,256

 
$
48,131

Investments in subsidiaries(2)
1,128,407

 
1,010,125

Prepaid income taxes
1,014

 
786

Deferred tax asset

 
96

Derivative instruments(1)
1,711

 
1,535

Other assets
37

 

Total assets
$
1,195,425

 
$
1,060,673

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Dividends payable
$
10,671

 
$
8,786

Junior subordinated debentures
76,173

 
73,073

Subordinated debentures
34,728

 
34,682

Other liabilities
363

 
323

Total liabilities
121,935

 
116,864

Stockholders’ equity
1,073,490

 
943,809

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,195,425

 
$
1,060,673

 
(1)
Entire balance eliminates in consolidation.
(2)
Majority of balance eliminates in consolidation.

145

Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
Years Ended December 31
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Income
 
Dividends received from subsidiaries(1)
$
71,255

 
$
47,006

 
$
44,598

Interest income(2)

 
50

 
98

Total income
71,255

 
47,056

 
44,696

Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
4,234

 
3,995

 
5,901

Total expenses
4,234

 
3,995

 
5,901

Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
67,021

 
43,061

 
38,795

Income tax benefit
(1,151
)
 
(1,523
)
 
(1,791
)
Income of parent company
68,172

 
44,584

 
40,586

Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
53,450

 
42,620

 
36,062

Net income
$
121,622

 
$
87,204

 
$
76,648

 
(1)
Majority of balance eliminates in consolidation.
(2)
Entire balance eliminated in consolidation.



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Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Years Ended December 31
  
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
 
Net income
$
121,622

 
$
87,204

 
$
76,648

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization (accretion)
54

 
12

 
(154
)
Deferred income tax expense
49

 
51

 
678

Change in prepaid income taxes and other assets
135

 
(99
)
 
423

Change in other liabilities
6

 
(562
)
 
(5,532
)
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
(53,450
)
 
(42,620
)
 
(36,062
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
68,416

 
43,986

 
36,001

Cash flows used in investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1)
(13,649
)
 
(4,834
)
 
(950
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(13,649
)
 
(4,834
)
 
(950
)
Cash flows used in financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock awards issued, net of awards surrendered
(1,371
)
 
(1,422
)
 
(696
)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options
184

 
214

 
201

Proceeds from shares issued under the direct stock purchase plan
2,712

 
1,636

 
2,323

Common dividends paid
(40,167
)
 
(34,045
)
 
(29,711
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(38,642
)
 
(33,617
)
 
(27,883
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
16,125

 
5,535

 
7,168

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
48,131

 
42,596

 
35,428

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
$
64,256

 
$
48,131

 
$
42,596

(1)
The majority of the net assets acquired at the parent company represented each of the acquired companies' investments in their wholly owned subsidiaries, which were eliminated in consolidation at December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.


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Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)



NOTE 22 SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
73,749

 
$
64,407

 
$
79,167

 
$
68,133

 
$
82,875

 
$
71,778

 
$
87,910

 
$
72,876

Interest expense
5,278

 
4,207

 
5,999

 
4,378

 
6,641

 
4,705

 
7,618

 
5,044

Net interest income
68,471

 
60,200

 
73,168

 
63,755

 
76,234

 
67,073

 
80,292

 
67,832

Provision for loan losses
500

 
600

 
2,000

 
1,050

 
1,075

 

 
1,200

 
1,300

Total noninterest income
19,863

 
18,912

 
21,887

 
21,398

 
23,264

 
20,770

 
23,491

 
21,914

Total noninterest expenses
53,451

 
48,773

 
52,688

 
52,809

 
55,439

 
51,310

 
64,391

 
51,467

Provision for income taxes
6,828

 
9,014

 
9,249

 
10,731

 
9,969

 
12,681

 
8,258

 
14,915

Net income
$
27,555

 
$
20,725

 
$
31,118

 
$
20,563

 
$
33,015

 
$
23,852

 
$
29,934

 
$
22,064

Basic earnings per share
$
1.00

 
$
0.77

 
$
1.13

 
$
0.75

 
$
1.20

 
$
0.87

 
$
1.08

 
$
0.80

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.00

 
$
0.76

 
$
1.13

 
$
0.75

 
$
1.20

 
$
0.87

 
$
1.07

 
$
0.80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares (basic)
27,486,573

 
27,029,640

 
27,526,653

 
27,257,799

 
27,537,841

 
27,436,792

 
27,815,437

 
27,445,739

Common stock equivalents
67,381

 
81,283

 
54,525

 
74,497

 
63,499

 
76,307

 
58,576

 
77,615

Weighted average common shares (diluted)
27,553,954

 
27,110,923

 
27,581,178

 
27,332,296

 
27,601,340

 
27,513,099

 
27,874,013

 
27,523,354

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unusual or infrequently occurring items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Items within noninterest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merger and acquisition expense
$

 
$
484

 
$
434

 
$
2,909

 
$
2,688

 
$

 
$
8,046

 
$

Items within provision for income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 Tax Act: revaluation of net deferred tax assets
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,895

2017 Tax Act: revaluation of LIHTC investments
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
466

Total unusual or infrequently occurring items
$

 
$
484

 
$
434

 
$
2,909

 
$
2,688

 
$

 
$
8,046

 
$
2,361



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Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)



NOTE 23 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

Certain directors and officers (including their affiliates, certain family members and entities in which they are principal owners) of the Company are customers of and have had, and are expected to have, transactions with the Company, within the ordinary course of business.  These transactions include, but are not limited to, lending activities, deposit services, investment management, and property lease commitments.  In the opinion of management, such transactions are consistent with prudent banking practices and are within applicable banking regulations.  Further details relating to certain related party transactions are outlined below:

Lending Activities
              
The following information represents annual activity of loans to related parties for the periods indicated:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Principal balance of loans outstanding at beginning of year
$
52,458

 
$
22,795

Loan advances (1)
14,862

 
36,800

Loan payments/payoffs
(14,057
)
 
(7,137
)
Reduction for retired directors
(12,093
)
 

Principal balance of loans outstanding at end of year
$
41,170

 
$
52,458


1.
The 2017 amount includes $31.3 million of loans associated with a newly appointed director during the year, which represent the outstanding loan balances at the effective date of appointment.


At December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no loans to related parties which were past due, on nonaccrual status or that had been restructured as part of a troubled debt restructuring.

Deposits
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the amount of deposit balances of related parties totaled $10.8 million and $18.3 million, respectively.

Lease Commitments
There were no leases with related parties during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.


ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None

ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures  
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer along with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting  
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 
Management of Independent Bank Corp. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, 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. Independent Bank Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of the assets of the Company;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).
Based on our assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018.
Independent Bank Corp.’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which appears below:













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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Independent Bank Corp.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Independent Bank Corp.’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the 2018 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’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 are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
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.


eysignaturea06a25.jpg
Boston, Massachusetts
February 28, 2019

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ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION
None

PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the Company’s proxy statement relating to its May 16, 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”) that will be filed with the Commission within 120 days following the fiscal year end December 31, 2018 under the headings of "Board of Director Information," "Executive Officer Information," and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading "Executive Officer Information" and "Board of Directors Information."

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2018 about the securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans, consisting of the 2005 Employee Stock Plan and the 2010 Nonemployee Director Stock Plan. The Company’s shareholders previously approved each of these plans and all amendments that were subject to shareholder approval. The Company has no other equity compensation plans that have not been approved by shareholders.
Equity Compensation Plans
Equity Compensation 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
(Excluding
Securities Reflected
in Column (a))
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
Plans approved by security holders
54,500

 
$
37.28

 
805,811

(1)
Plans not approved by security holders

 

 

  
TOTAL
54,500

 
$
37.28

 
805,811

  
(1)
There are 511,811 shares available for future issuance under the 2005 Employee Stock Plan and there are 294,000 shares available for future issuance under the 2018 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. Shares under the 2005 and 2018 Plans may be issued as stock options or restricted stock awards.
The information required herein by Item 403 of Regulation S-K regarding the security ownership of management and certain beneficial owners is incorporated by reference from the Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading "Stock Ownership and Other Matters."

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading "Board of Director Information - Related Party Transactions" and "Board of Director Information - Director Independence."
ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required herein is incorporated by reference from the Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading "Proposals to be Voted upon at the Annual Meeting - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Proposal 2)."

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PART IV

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents Filed as Part of this Report
(1) The following financial statements are incorporated herein by reference from Item 8 hereto:
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018.
Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018.
Consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto.
(3) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K, and this list includes the Exhibit Index.
(b) See (a)(3) above for all exhibits filed herewith and the Exhibit Index.
(c) All schedules are omitted as the required information is not applicable or the information is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements or related notes.























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Table of Contents

Exhibits Index
 
No.
Exhibit
2.1
2.2
3.1
3.2
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992, filed on March 29, 1993 (SEC File No. 001-09047).
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9

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10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
10.24
10.25
10.26
10.27
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101
The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document
*
Filed herewith
+
Furnished herewith
#
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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++
Confidential treatment has been granted for certain portions of this exhibit pursuant to a confidential treatment order granted by the SEC. The omitted portions have been separately filed with the SEC.

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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.
 
INDEPENDENT BANK CORP.
 
/s/                     CHRISTOPHER ODDLEIFSON
Christopher Oddleifson,
Chief Executive Officer and President
Date: February 28, 2019
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below hereby makes, constitutes and appoints Christopher Oddleifson and Robert Cozzone and each of them acting individually, his true and lawful attorneys, with full power to sign for such person and in such person’s name and capacity indicated below any and all amendments to this Form 10-K, hereby ratifying and confirming such person’s signature as it may be signed by said attorneys to any and all amendments.
 

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/s/    CHRISTOPHER ODDLEIFSON
Director, CEO/President
Date:
February 28, 2019
Christopher Oddleifson
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    DONNA L. ABELLI
Director and Chairman of the Board
Date:
February 28, 2019
Donna L. Abelli
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    ROBERT D. COZZONE
CFO (Principal Financial Officer)
Date:
February 28, 2019
Robert D. Cozzone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    MARK RUGGIERO
Controller
Date:
February 28, 2019
Mark Ruggiero
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/MICHAEL P. HOGAN
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Michael P. Hogan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    KEVIN J. JONES
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Kevin J. Jones
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MARY L. LENTZ
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Mary L. Lentz
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    EILEEN C. MISKELL
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Eileen C. Miskell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    JOHN J. MORRISSEY
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
John J. Morrissey
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ GERARD F. NADEAU
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Gerard F. Nadeau
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    DANIEL F. O’BRIEN
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Daniel F. O’ Brien
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    FREDERICK TAW
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Frederick Taw
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    BRIAN S. TEDESCHI
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Brian S. Tedeschi
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    THOMAS R. VENABLES
Director
Date:
February 28, 2019
Thomas R. Venables
 
 
 


158