Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

v3.19.1
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
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 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:
 
March 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
(in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit
$
270,051

 
$
325,100

Standby letters of credit
30,597

 
32,500

Commercial letters of credit
11,920

 
13,848

Total undisbursed loan commitments
$
312,568

 
$
371,448



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 loan off-balance sheet items was as follows for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2019
 
2018
 
(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period
$
1,439

 
$
1,296

(Income) provision
(339
)
 
27

Balance at end of period
$
1,100

 
$
1,323