Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

v3.8.0.1
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]  
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk similar to the risk involved with on-balance sheet items recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Bank’s exposure to loan losses in the event of non-performance by the other party to commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for extending loan facilities to customers. The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, was based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty.
Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, premises and equipment, and income-producing or borrower-occupied properties. The following table shows the distribution of undisbursed loan commitments as of the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit
$
318,634

 
$
310,987

Standby letters of credit
19,294

 
15,669

Commercial letters of credit
9,308

 
4,215

Total undisbursed loan commitments
$
347,236

 
$
330,871


The allowance for off-balance sheet items is maintained at a level believed to be sufficient to absorb probable losses related to these unfunded credit facilities. The determination of the allowance adequacy is based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities including an assessment of the probability of commitment usage, credit risk factors for loans outstanding to these same customers, and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities. Net adjustments to the
allowance for off-balance sheet items are included in other operating expenses. Activity in the allowance for off-balance sheet items was as follows for the periods indicated:
 
As of and for the
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Allowance for off-balance sheet items:
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
1,184

 
$
986

 
$
1,366

Provision (income)
112

 
198

 
(380
)
Balance at end of period
$
1,296

 
$
1,184

 
$
986