Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v2.4.1.9
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Operations

Summary of Operations

Hanmi Financial Corporation (“Hanmi Financial,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) was formed as a holding company of Hanmi Bank (the “Bank”) and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Act on March 17, 2001. Subsequent to its formation, each of the Bank’s shares was exchanged for one share of Hanmi Financial with an equal value. Our primary operations are related to traditional banking activities, including the acceptance of deposits and the lending and investing of money through operation of the Bank.

On August 31, 2014, Hanmi Financial completed its acquisition of Central Bancorp, Inc., a Texas corporation (“CBI”) See “Note 2 — Acquisition.” During the second quarter of 2014, we sold two subsidiaries, Chun-Ha Insurance Services, Inc., a California corporation (“Chun-Ha”), and All World Insurance Services, Inc., a California corporation (“All World”). See “Note 4 — Sale of Insurance Subsidiaries and Discontinued Operations.”

The Bank is a community bank conducting general business banking, with its primary market encompassing the Korean-American community as well as other ethnic communities across California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. The Bank’s full-service offices are located in markets where many of the businesses are run by immigrants and other minority groups. The Bank’s client base reflects the multi-ethnic composition of these communities. The Bank is a California state-chartered financial institution insured by the FDIC. As of December 31, 2014, the Bank maintained a network of 49 full-service branch offices in California, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey and New York, and loan production offices in California, Colorado, Texas, Virginia, and Washington State.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accounting and reporting policies of Hanmi Financial and subsidiaries conform, in all material respects, to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and general practices within the banking industry. The information set forth in the following notes is presented on a continuing operations basis, unless otherwise noted. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Hanmi Financial and our wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank. In addition, the accounts of Chun-Ha and All World are included for all periods presented through the date of sale, June 30, 2014. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas where estimates are made consist of the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary impairment, investment securities valuations, purchase credit impaired loans, the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to the prior year’s presentation to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash, due from banks, overnight federal funds sold and Treasury bills, all of which have original or purchased maturities of less than 90 days.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities

Securities are classified into three categories and accounted for as follows:

 

  (i) Securities that we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and reported at amortized cost;

 

  (ii) Securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future are classified as “trading securities” and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are recognized in earnings; and

 

  (iii) Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading securities are classified as “available for sale” and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes.

 

Accreted discounts and amortized premiums on investment securities are included in interest income using the effective interest method over the remaining period to the call date or contractual maturity and, in the case of mortgage-backed securities and securities with call features, adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Unrealized and realized gains or losses related to holding or selling of securities are calculated using the specific-identification method.

We review investment securities on an ongoing basis for the presence of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) or permanent impairment, taking into consideration current market conditions, fair value in relationship to cost, extent and nature of the change in fair value, issuer rating changes and trends, whether we intend to sell a security or if it is likely that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of our amortized cost basis of the investment, which may be maturity, and other factors.

For debt securities, the classification of OTTI depends on whether we intend to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, and on the nature of the impairment. If we intend to sell a security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery, an OTTI write-down is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. If we do not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery, the OTTI write-down is separated into an amount representing credit loss, which is recognized in earnings, and the amount related to all other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income net of tax. A credit loss is the difference between the cost basis of the security and the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the security’s effective interest rate at the date of acquisition. The cost basis of an other than temporarily impaired security is written down by the amount of impairment recognized in earnings. The new cost basis is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value.

Loans Receivable

Loans Receivable

Originated loans: Loans are originated by the Company with the intent to hold them for investment and are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income. Unearned income includes deferred unamortized nonrefundable loan fees and direct loan origination costs. Net deferred fees or costs are recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the contractual life of the loans using the effective interest method or taken into income when the related loans are paid off or sold. The amortization of loan fees or costs is discontinued when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the respective loan and includes prepayment penalties.

Purchased loans: Purchased loans are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned discounts or unamortized premiums. All loans acquired in our acquisitions are initially measured and recorded at their fair value on the acquisition date. A component of the initial fair value measurement is an estimate of the credit losses over the life of the purchased loans. Purchased loans are also evaluated for impairment as of the acquisition date and are accounted for as “acquired non-impaired” or “purchased credit impaired” loans.

Acquired non-impaired loans: Acquired non-impaired loans are those loans for which there was no evidence of credit deterioration at their acquisition date and it was probable that we would be able to collect all contractually required payments. Acquired non-impaired loans, together with originated loans, are referred to as non-purchased credit impaired (“Non-PCI”) loans. Purchase discount or premium on acquired non-impaired loans is recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the contractual life of such loans using the effective interest method or taken into income when the related loans are paid off or sold.

Purchased credit impaired loans. Purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.” A purchased loan is deemed to be credit impaired when there is evidence of credit deterioration since its origination and it is probable at the acquisition date that we would be unable to collect all contractually required payments. We apply PCI loan accounting when (i) we acquire loans deemed to be impaired, and (ii) as a general policy election for non-impaired loans that we acquire in a distressed bank acquisition.

For PCI loans, at the time of acquisition we (i) calculated the contractual amount and timing of undiscounted principal and interest payments (the “undiscounted contractual cash flows”) and (ii) estimated the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal and interest payments (the “undiscounted expected cash flows”). The difference between the undiscounted contractual cash flows and the undiscounted expected cash flows is the nonaccretable difference. The nonaccretable difference represents an estimate of the loss exposure of principal and interest related to the PCI loan portfolios; such amount is subject to change over time based on the performance of such loans. The carrying value of PCI loans is reduced by payments received, both principal and interest, and increased by the portion of the accretable yield recognized as interest income.

 

The excess of expected cash flows at acquisition over the initial fair value of acquired impaired loans is referred to as the “accretable yield” and is recorded as interest income over the estimated life of the loans using the effective yield. If estimated cash flows are indeterminable, the recognition of interest income will cease to be recognized.

At acquisition, the Company may aggregate PCI loans into pools having common credit risk characteristics such as product type, geographic location and risk rating. Increases in expected cash flows over those previously estimated increase the accretable yield and are recognized as interest income prospectively. Decreases in the amount and changes in the timing of expected cash flows compared to those previously estimated decrease the accretable yield and usually result in a provision for loan losses and the establishment of an allowance for loan losses. As the accretable yield increases or decreases from changes in cash flow expectations, the offset is a decrease or increase to the nonaccretable difference. The accretable yield is measured at each financial reporting date based on information then currently available and represents the difference between the remaining undiscounted expected cash flows and the current carrying value of the loans.

PCI loans that are contractually past due are still considered to be accruing and performing as long as there is an expectation that the estimated cash flows will be received. If the timing and amount of cash flows is not reasonably estimable, the loans may be classified as nonaccrual with interest income recognized on either a cash basis or as a reduction of the principal amount outstanding.

Non-PCI loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of management, the full timely collection of principal or interest is in doubt. Generally, the accrual of interest is discontinued when principal or interest payments become more than 90 days past due. However, in certain instances, we may place a particular loan on nonaccrual status earlier, depending upon the individual circumstances surrounding the loan’s delinquency. When an asset is placed on nonaccrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current income. Subsequent collections of cash are applied as principal reductions when received, except when the ultimate collectability of principal is probable, in which case interest payments are credited to income. Nonaccrual assets may be restored to accrual status when principal and interest become current and full repayment is expected. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis for impaired loans not meeting the criteria for nonaccrual.

Nonperforming assets consist of loans on nonaccrual status, loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest, loans restructured with troubled borrowers where the terms of repayment have been renegotiated resulting in a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, and other real estate owned (“OREO”). Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due unless management believes the loan is adequately collateralized and in the process of collection. Additionally, the Bank may place loans that are not 90 days past due on nonaccrual status, if management reasonably believes the borrower will not be able to comply with the contractual loan repayment terms and collection of principal or interest is in question.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans Held for Sale

Loans originated, or transferred from loans receivable, and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair market value. Fair market value, if lower than cost, is determined based on valuations obtained from market participants or the value of underlying collateral, calculated individually. A valuation allowance is established if the market value of such loans is lower than their cost and net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. Origination fees on loans held for sale, net of certain costs of processing and closing the loans, are deferred until the time of sale and are included in the computation of the gain or loss from the sale of the related loans.

Impaired Loans

Impaired Loans

Loans are identified and classified as impaired when it is probable that not all amounts, including principal and interest, will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Bank will consider the following loans as impaired: nonaccrual loans or loans where principal or interest payments have been contractually past due for 90 days or more, unless the loan is both well-collateralized and in the process of collection; loans classified as troubled debt restructuring loans.

The Bank considers whether the borrower is experiencing problems such as operating losses, marginal working capital, inadequate cash flow or business deterioration in realizable value. The Bank also considers the financial condition of a borrower who is in industries or countries experiencing economic or political instability.

When a loan is considered impaired, any future cash receipts on such loans will be treated as either interest income or return of principal depending upon management’s opinion of the ultimate risk of loss on the individual loan. Cash payments are treated as interest income where management believes the remaining principal balance is fully collectible.

We evaluate loan impairment in accordance with applicable GAAP. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent, less costs to sell. If the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the deficiency will be charged off against the allowance for loan losses or, alternatively, a specific allocation will be established. Additionally, impaired loans are specifically excluded from the quarterly migration analysis when determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses required for the period.

For impaired loans where the impairment amount is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, any impairment that represents the change in present value attributable to the passage of time is recognized as provision for credit losses.

Troubled Debt Restructuring

Troubled Debt Restructuring

A loan is identified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and, for economic or legal reasons related to these difficulties, the Bank grants a concession to the borrower in the restructuring that it would not otherwise consider. The Bank has granted a concession when, as a result of the restructuring, it does not expect to collect all amounts due, including principal and/or interest accrued at the original terms of the loan. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including a below-market change in the stated interest rate, a reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, an extension of the maturity date, or a note split with principal forgiveness. TDRs are reviewed for potential impairment. Generally, a nonaccrual loan that is restructured remains on nonaccrual status for a period of six months to demonstrate that the borrower can perform under the restructured terms. If the borrower’s performance under the new terms is not reasonably assured, the loan remains classified as a nonaccrual loan. Loans classified as TDRs are reported as impaired loans.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. The ranges of useful lives for the principal classes of assets are as follows:

 

Buildings and improvements 10 to 30 years
Furniture and equipment 3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements Term of lease or useful life, whichever is shorter
Software 3 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We account for long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” This requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other Real Estate Owned

Assets acquired through loan foreclosure are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell when acquired. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, valuation impairment is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Servicing Assets and Servicing liabilities

Servicing Assets and Servicing liabilities

Servicing assets and servicing liabilities are initially recorded at fair value in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing.” The fair values of servicing assets and servicing liabilities represent either the price paid if purchased, or the allocated carrying amounts based on relative values when retained in a sale. Servicing assets and servicing liabilities are amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing income. The fair value of servicing assets and servicing liabilities are determined based on the present value of estimated net future cash flows related to contractually specified servicing fees and costs.

The servicing assets and servicing liabilities are recorded based on the present value of the contractually specified servicing fee, net of adequate compensation, for the estimated life of the loan, using a discount rate and a constant prepayment rate. Management periodically evaluates the servicing assets and servicing liabilities for impairment. Impairment, if it occurs, is recognized in a valuation allowance in the period of impairment.

Interest-only strips are recorded based on the present value of the excess of total servicing fee over the contractually specified servicing fee for the estimated life of the loan, calculated using the same assumptions as noted above. Such interest-only strips are accounted for at their estimated fair value, with unrealized gains or losses recorded as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets consist of acquired intangible assets arising from acquisitions, including core deposit intangibles, trade names, client/insured relationships and carrier relationships. The acquired intangible assets were initially measured at fair value and then are amortized on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.

As required by FASB ASC 350, other intangible assets are assessed for impairment or recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco and is required to own common stock in the FHLB based upon the Bank’s balance of outstanding FHLB advances. FHLB stock is carried at cost and may be sold back to the FHLB at its carrying value. FHLB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends received are reported as dividend income.

Federal Reserve Bank Stock

Federal Reserve Bank Stock

The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) of San Francisco and is required to maintain stock in the FRB based on a specified ratio relative to the Bank’s capital. FRB stock is carried at cost and may be sold back to the FRB at its carrying value. FRB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends received are reported as dividend income.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

We have purchased single premium life insurance policies (“bank-owned life insurance”) on certain officers. The Bank is the beneficiary under the policy. In the event of the death of a covered officer, we will receive the specified insurance benefit from the insurance carrier. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due, if any, that are probable at settlement.

Affordable Housing Investments

Affordable Housing Investments

The Bank has invested in limited partnerships formed to develop and operate affordable housing units for lower income tenants throughout California. The partnership interests are accounted for utilizing the proportional amortization method with amortization expense and tax benefits recognized through the income tax provision in accordance with ASU 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.

Income Tax

Income Tax

We provide for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

We adopted FASB ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” on January 1, 2006 using the “modified prospective” method. Under this method, awards that are granted, modified or settled after December 31, 2005 are measured and accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 718. Also under this method, expense is recognized for services attributed to the current period for unvested awards that were granted prior to January 1, 2006, based upon the fair value determined at the grant date under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”

FASB ASC 718 requires that cash flows resulting from the realization of excess tax benefits recognized on awards that were fully vested at the time of adoption of FASB ASC 718 be classified as a financing cash inflow and an operating cash outflow on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Before the adoption of FASB ASC 718, we presented all tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options as an operating cash inflow.

In addition, FASB ASC 718 requires that any unearned compensation related to awards granted prior to the adoption of FASB ASC 718 be eliminated against the appropriate equity accounts. As a result, the presentation of stockholders’ equity was revised to reflect the transfer of the balance previously reported in unearned compensation to additional paid-in capital.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

We use the cost method of accounting for treasury stock. The cost method requires us to record the reacquisition cost of treasury stock as a deduction from stockholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

Business combinations completed after January 1, 2009, are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” Under the acquisition method, the acquiring entity in a business combination recognizes 100 percent of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, regardless of the percentage owned, at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. To the extent the fair value of net assets acquired, including other identifiable assets, exceeds the purchase price, a bargain purchase gain is recognized. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed from contingencies must also be recognized at fair value, if the fair value can be determined during the measurement period. Results of operations of an acquired business are included in the statement of earnings from the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs, including conversion and restructuring charges, are expensed as incurred.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

FASB ASU 2014-17, Pushdown Accounting (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), which allows an acquired entity to elect to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements on a change-in-control event. The acquired entity elects whether to apply pushdown accounting individually for each change-in-control event, and may apply pushdown accounting during the reporting period in which the change-in-control event occurs. Effective November 18, 2014, an acquired entity may apply ASU 2014-17 to future change-in-control events. The Company did not make an election to apply FASB ASU 2014-17 for the acquisition of CBI, which has no impact on our financial condition or result of operations.

 

FASB ASU 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, was issued to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 requires that an entity report as a discontinued operation only a disposal that represents a strategic shift in operations that has a major effect on its operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 is effective prospectively for new disposals (or classifications as held-for-sale) that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those annual periods, for public business entities and not-for-profit entities that have issued (or are a conduit obligor for) securities that are traded, listed, or quoted on an exchange or an over-the-counter market. For other entities, the ASU is effective for disposals (or classifications as held-for-sale) that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods thereafter. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial condition or result of operations.

FASB ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure (Topic 310-40), was issued to define the term in substance a repossession or foreclosure and physical possession in accounting literature and when a creditor should derecognize the loan receivable and recognize the real estate property. The amendments in this update are intended to reduce diversity in practice by clarifying when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, that is, when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan receivable should be derecognized and the real estate property recognized. The amendment is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of FASB ASU 2014-04 is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial condition or result of operations.

FASB ASU 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force), was issued to permit a reporting entity to make an accounting policy election to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. The amendments are expected to enable more entities to record the amortization of the investment in income tax expense together with the tax credits and other tax benefits generated from the partnership. The ASU is effective retrospectively for public business entities for annual periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. For all entities other than public business entities, the amendments are effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the ASU effective April 1, 2014. See “Note 3 Accounting for Investment in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects.” for further details.

Fair Value Measurements

The estimated fair value of financial instruments has been determined by using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data in order to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Non-PCI Loans [Member]  
Allowance for Loan Losses

Allowance for Loan Losses on Non-PCI Loans

Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. However, the allowance is an estimate that is inherently uncertain and depends on the outcome of future events. Management’s estimates are based on previous loan loss experience; volume, growth and composition of the loan portfolio; the value of collateral; and current economic conditions. Our lending is concentrated generally in commercial, consumer, construction and real estate loans primarily in California, Illinois, and Texas.

Provisions to allowance for loan losses are made quarterly to recognize probable loan losses. The quarterly provision is based on the allowance need, which is determined through analysis involving quantitative calculations based on historic loss rates for general reserves and individual impairment calculations for specific allocations to impaired loans as well as qualitative adjustments.

In the first quarter of 2010, the look-back period was reduced from twelve quarters to eight quarters, with 60 percent weighting given to the most recent four quarters and 40 percent to the oldest four quarters, to place greater emphasis on losses taken by the Bank during the economic downturn. In the second quarter of 2013, management reevaluated the look-back period and restored the twelve quarter look-back period, with 50 percent weighting given to the most recent four quarters, 33 percent to the next four quarters and 17 percent to the oldest four quarters, in order to capture a period of higher losses that would have otherwise been excluded. In the first quarter of 2014, management again evaluated the look-back period and extended the periods to sixteen quarters to continue capturing a period of higher losses that would have been dropped off and to reflect potential losses in our current credit portfolio. Risk factor calculations are weighted at 46.0 percent for the first four quarters, 31.0 percent for the second four quarters, 15.0 percent for the third four quarters, and 8.0 percent for the last four quarters. The change in methodology maintained the Bank’s allowance at a level consistent with the prior quarter.

To determine general reserve requirements, existing loans are divided into 11 general loan pools of risk-rated loans as well as three homogenous loan pools. For risk-rated loans, migration analysis allocates historical losses by loan pool and risk grade to determine risk factors for potential loss inherent in the current outstanding loan portfolio. As 3 homogeneous loans are bulk graded, the risk grade is not factored into the historical loss analysis. In addition, specific reserves are allocated for loans deemed “impaired.”

When determining the appropriate level for allowance for loan losses, management considers qualitative adjustments for any factors that are likely to cause estimated credit losses associated with the Bank’s current portfolio to differ from historical loss experience, including, but not limited to, national and local economic and business conditions, volume and geographic concentrations, and problem loan trends.

To systematically quantify the credit risk impact of trends and changes within the loan portfolio, a credit risk matrix is utilized. The qualitative factors are considered on a loan pool by loan pool basis subsequent to, and in conjunction with, a loss migration analysis. The credit risk matrix provides various scenarios with positive or negative impact on the portfolio along with corresponding basis points for qualitative adjustments.

Loan losses are charged off, and recoveries are credited, to the allowance account. Additions to the allowance account are charged to the provision for credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate by management to absorb probable losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance is determined by management based upon an evaluation and review of the loan portfolio, consideration of historical loan loss experience, current economic conditions, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, analysis of collateral values and other pertinent factors.

Loans are measured for impairment when it is probable that not all amounts, including principal and interest, will be collected in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. The amount of impairment and any subsequent changes are recorded through the provision for credit losses as an adjustment to the allowance for loan losses.

The Bank follows the “Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” and, as an integral part of the quarterly credit review process, the allowance for loan losses and allowance for off-balance sheet items are reviewed for adequacy. The California Department of Business Oversight and/or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance for loan losses based upon their assessment of the information available to them at the time of their examinations.

In general, the Bank will charge off a loan and declare a loss when its collectability is questionable and when the Bank can no longer justify presenting the loan as an asset on its balance sheet. To determine if a loan should be charged off, all possible sources of repayment are analyzed, including the potential for future cash flow from income or liquidation of other assets, the value of any collateral, and the strength of co-makers or guarantors. When these sources do not provide a reasonable probability that principal can be collected in full, the Bank will fully or partially charge off the loan.

For a real estate loan, including commercial term loans secured by collateral, any impaired portion is considered as loss if the loan is more than 90 days past due. In a case where the fair value of collateral is less than the loan balance and the borrower has no other assets or income to support repayment, the amount of the deficiency is considered a loss and charged off.

For a commercial and industrial loan other than those secured by real estate, if the borrower is in the process of a bankruptcy filing in which the Bank is an unsecured creditor or deemed virtually unsecured by lack of collateral equity or lien position and the borrower has no realizable equity in assets and prospects for recovery are negligible, the loan is considered a loss and charged off. Additionally, a commercial and industrial unsecured loan that is more than 120 days past due is considered a loss and charged off.

For an unsecured consumer loan where a borrower files for bankruptcy, the loan is considered a loss within 60 days of receipt of notification of filing from the bankruptcy court. Other consumer loans are considered a loss if they are more than 90 days past due. Other events, such as bankruptcy, fraud, or death result in charge offs being recorded in an earlier period.

PCI Loans [Member]  
Allowance for Loan Losses

Allowance for Loan Losses on PCI Loans

The PCI loans are subject to our internal and external credit review. If deterioration in the expected cash flows results in a reserve requirement, a provision for credit losses is charged to earnings. For PCI loans, the allowance for loan losses is measured at the end of each financial reporting period based on expected cash flows. Decreases or increases in the amount and changes in the timing of expected cash flows on the PCI loans as of the financial reporting date compared to those previously estimated are usually recognized by recording a provision or a negative provision for credit losses on such loans.