Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

or

 

¨	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: 000-26481

 

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

NEW YORK		16-0816610
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
220 LIBERTY STREET, WARSAW, NEW YORK		14569
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (585) 786-1100

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed 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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the regsitrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer		¨		Accelerated filer		x
Non-accelerated filer		¨  (Do not check if a smaller company)		Smaller reporting company		¨

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

The registrant had 14,168,992 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of April 27, 2015.

 

 

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				PAGE
PART I.		FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.		Financial Statements
		Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition — at March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014			3
		Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) — Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014			4
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) — Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014			5
		Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) — Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014			6
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) — Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014			7
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)			8
ITEM 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			29
ITEM 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			44
ITEM 4.		Controls and Procedures			45
PART II.		OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.		Legal Proceedings			46
ITEM 1A.		Risk Factors			46
ITEM 6.		Exhibits			46
		Signatures			47

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

Financial Statements

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

 

(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	135,972			$	58,151
Securities available for sale, at fair value			639,275				622,494
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $312,510 and $298,695, respectively)			306,255				294,438
Loans held for sale			656				755
Loans (net of allowance for loan losses of $27,191 and $27,637, respectively)			1,895,763				1,884,365
Company owned life insurance			61,478				61,004
Premises and equipment, net			36,335				36,394
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net			68,396				68,639
Other assets			52,947				63,281
Total assets		$	3,197,077			$	3,089,521
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand		$	559,646			$	571,260
Interest-bearing demand			611,104				490,190
Savings and money market			922,093				795,835
Certificates of deposit			611,852				593,242
Total deposits			2,704,695				2,450,527
Short-term borrowings			175,573				334,804
Other liabilities			30,120				24,658
Total liabilities			2,910,388				2,809,989
Shareholders’ equity:
Series A 3% preferred stock, $100 par value; 1,533 shares authorized and 1,492 shares issued and outstanding			149				149
Series B-1 8.48% preferred stock, $100 par value; 200,000 shares authorized and 171,906 shares issued and outstanding			17,191				17,191
Total preferred equity			17,340				17,340
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized and 14,397,509 shares issued and outstanding			144				144
Additional paid-in capital			72,191				72,955
Retained earnings			206,935				203,312
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(5,615	)			(9,011	)
Treasury stock, at cost – 230,717 and 279,461 shares, respectively			(4,306	)			(5,208	)
Total shareholders’ equity			286,689				279,532
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	3,197,077			$	3,089,521

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans		$	20,137			$	20,267
Interest and dividends on investment securities			4,860				4,792
Total interest income			24,997				25,059
Interest expense:
Deposits			1,620				1,525
Short-term borrowings			230				259
Total interest expense			1,850				1,784
Net interest income			23,147				23,275
Provision for loan losses			2,741				2,106
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			20,406				21,169
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposits			1,879				2,250
Insurance income			1,608				41
ATM and debit card			1,193				1,174
Investment advisory			487				562
Company owned life insurance			467				403
Investments in limited partnerships			474				626
Loan servicing			167				154
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale			69				105
Net gain on disposal of investment securities			1,062				313
Net gain (loss) on disposal of other assets			4				(35	)
Other			887				764
Total noninterest income			8,297				6,357
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits			10,223				9,256
Occupancy and equipment			3,699				3,235
Professional services			968				972
Computer and data processing			702				723
Supplies and postage			563				512
FDIC assessments			418				422
Advertising and promotions			239				179
Other			2,199				1,914
Total noninterest expense			19,011				17,213
Income before income taxes			9,692				10,313
Income tax expense			2,891				3,094
Net income		$	6,801			$	7,219
Preferred stock dividends			365				366
Net income available to common shareholders		$	6,436			$	6,853
Earnings per common share (Note 3):
Basic		$	0.46			$	0.50
Diluted		$	0.46			$	0.50
Cash dividends declared per common share		$	0.20			$	0.19
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			14,063				13,773
Diluted			14,113				13,824

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands)		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
Net income		$	6,801			$	7,219
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale			3,261				3,744
Pension and post-retirement obligations			135				19
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax			3,396				3,763
Comprehensive income		$	10,197			$	10,982

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		Preferred Equity				Common Stock				Additional Paid-in Capital				Retained Earnings				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss				Treasury Stock				Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at January 1, 2014		$	17,342			$	142			$	67,574			$	186,137			$	(10,187	)		$	(6,169	)		$	254,839
Comprehensive income:
Net income			—				—				—				7,219				—				—				7,219
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			—				—				—				—				3,763				—				3,763
Purchases of common stock for treasury			—				—				—				—				—				(194	)			(194	)
Share-based compensation plans:
Share-based compensation			—				—				103				—				—				—				103
Stock options exercised			—				—				—				—				—				110				110
Restricted stock awards issued, net			—				—				(501	)			—				—				501				—
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation			—				—				6				—				—				—				6
Cash dividends declared:
Series A 3% Preferred-$0.75 per share			—				—				—				(1	)			—				—				(1	)
Series B-1 8.48% Preferred-$2.12 per share			—				—				—				(365	)			—				—				(365	)
Common-$0.19 per share			—				—				—				(2,615	)			—				—				(2,615	)
Balance at March 31, 2014		$	17,342			$	142			$	67,182			$	190,375			$	(6,424	)		$	(5,752	)		$	262,865
Balance at January 1, 2015		$	17,340			$	144			$	72,955			$	203,312			$	(9,011	)		$	(5,208	)		$	279,532
Comprehensive income:
Net income			—				—				—				6,801				—				—				6,801
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			—				—				—				—				3,396				—				3,396
Purchases of common stock for treasury			—				—				—				—				—				(41	)			(41	)
Share-based compensation plans:
Share-based compensation			—				—				103				—				—				—				103
Stock options exercised			—				—				3				—				—				69				72
Restricted stock awards issued, net			—				—				(874	)			—				—				874				—
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation			—				—				4				—				—				—				4
Cash dividends declared:
Series A 3% Preferred-$0.75 per share			—				—				—				(1	)			—				—				(1	)
Series B-1 8.48% Preferred-$2.12 per share			—				—				—				(364	)			—				—				(364	)
Common-$0.20 per share			—				—				—				(2,813	)			—				—				(2,813	)
Balance at March 31, 2015		$	17,340			$	144			$	72,191			$	206,935			$	(5,615	)		$	(4,306	)		$	286,689

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands)		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	6,801			$	7,219
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			1,326				1,013
Net amortization of premiums on securities			743				885
Provision for loan losses			2,741				2,106
Share-based compensation			103				103
Deferred income tax expense			582				275
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale			3,366				4,804
Originations of loans held for sale			(3,198	)			(3,071	)
Increase in company owned life insurance			(467	)			(403	)
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale			(69	)			(105	)
Net gain on disposal of investment securities			(1,062	)			(313	)
Net (gain) loss on sale and disposal of other assets			(4	)			35
Decrease in other assets			7,702				4,891
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities			(627	)			3,111
Net cash provided by operating activities			17,937				20,550
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available for sale securities			(78,405	)			(95,366	)
Purchases of held to maturity securities			(11,024	)			(5,735	)
Proceeds from principal payments, maturities and calls on available for sale securities			38,073				16,617
Proceeds from principal payments, maturities and calls on held to maturity securities			5,048				4,398
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale			29,508				19,470
Net loan originations			(14,190	)			(16,155	)
Purchases of company owned life insurance			(7	)			(8	)
Proceeds from sales of other assets			109				—
Purchases of premises and equipment			(1,024	)			(1,071	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(31,912	)			(77,850	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits			254,168				213,364
Net decrease in short-term borrowings			(159,231	)			(140,296	)
Purchase of common stock for treasury			(41	)			(194	)
Proceeds from stock options exercised			72				110
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation, net			4				6
Cash dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders			(3,176	)			(2,981	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			91,796				70,009
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			77,821				12,709
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			58,151				59,692
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	135,972			$	72,401
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest		$	1,473			$	1,659
Cash paid for income taxes			—				3,100
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Real estate and other assets acquired in settlement of loans			51				97
Accrued and declared unpaid dividends			3,178				2,981
Increase in net unsettled security purchases			6,222				2,797
Loans transferred from held for sale to held for investment			—				853

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(1.) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

Financial Institutions, Inc., (the “Parent”) is a financial holding company organized in 1931 under the laws of New York State (“New York” or “NYS”). The Company offers a broad array of deposit, lending and other financial services to individuals, municipalities and businesses in Western and Central New York through its wholly-owned New York chartered banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank (the “Bank”). The Company has also expanded its indirect lending network to include relationships with franchised automobile dealers in the Capital District of New York and Northern Pennsylvania. On August 1, 2014, the Company acquired Scott Danahy Naylon Co., Inc., a full service insurance agency located in Amherst, New York. As a result of the acquisition the Company now provides insurance and risk consulting services through its wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, Scott Danahy Naylon, LLC (“SDN”).

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Financial Institutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting policies conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, in the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated statements of financial condition, income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods indicated, and contain adequate disclosure to make the information presented not misleading. Prior years’ consolidated financial statements are re-classified whenever necessary to conform to the current year’s presentation. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The results of operations for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the entire year.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the day the financial statements were issued. Other than the closing of the Company’s $40.0 million subordinated note offering, as described in Note 14 – Subsequent Event, the Company did not have any material recognizable subsequent events.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the carrying value of goodwill and deferred tax assets, the valuation and other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) considerations related to the securities portfolio, and assumptions used in the defined benefit pension plan accounting.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 implements a common revenue standard that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict 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. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. In April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year deferral of the revenue recognition standard’s effective date for all entities. The Company is evaluating the potential impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The pronouncement was issued to clarify the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. ASU 2014-12 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, though early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(1.) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) – Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items, which, among other things, required an entity to segregate extraordinary items considered to be unusual and infrequent from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. ASU 2015-01 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, though early adoption is permitted. ASU 2015-01 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. Under ASU 2015-03 the Company will present debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a reduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of such costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016, though early adoption is permitted. Retrospective adoption is required. The Company is evaluating the potential impact on the Company’s financial statements.

(2.) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

SDN Acquisition

On August 1, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Scott Danahy Naylon Co., Inc., a full service insurance agency located in Amherst, New York. Consideration for the acquisition included both cash and stock totaling $16.9 million, including up to $3.4 million of future payments, contingent upon SDN meeting certain revenue performance targets through 2017. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration at the date of acquisition was $3.2 million, which was estimated using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $12.6 million and other intangible assets of $6.6 million. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because the effect of this acquisition was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

This acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Due to the timing of the closing of the acquisition, the fair values of other intangibles recorded are subject to adjustment as additional information becomes available to indicate a more accurate or appropriate fair value for the intangibles during the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year from the acquisition date.

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Scott Danahy Naylon Co., Inc. and the amounts of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

 

Consideration paid:
Cash		$	8,100
Stock			5,400
Contingent consideration			3,227
Fair value of total consideration transferred			16,727
Fair value of assets acquired:
Cash			105
Identified intangible assets			6,640
Premises and equipment, accounts receivable and other assets			1,094
Total identifiable assets acquired			7,839
Fair value of liabilities assumed:
Deferred tax liability			2,556
Other liabilities			1,173
Total liabilities assumed			3,729
Fair value of net assets acquired			4,110
Goodwill resulting from acquisition		$	12,617

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(3.) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (“EPS”)

The following table presents a reconciliation of the earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
Net income available to common shareholders		$	6,436			$	6,853
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Total shares issued			14,397				14,162
Unvested restricted stock awards			(74	)			(64	)
Treasury shares			(260	)			(325	)
Total basic weighted average common shares outstanding			14,063				13,773
Incremental shares from assumed:
Exercise of stock options			22				22
Vesting of restricted stock awards			28				29
Total diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			14,113				13,824
Basic earnings per common share		$	0.46			$	0.50
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.46			$	0.50

There were approximately 14 thousand average shares subject to stock options which were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 because the effect would be antidilutive.

(4.) INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities are summarized below (in thousands):

 

		Amortized Cost				Unrealized Gains				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value
March 31, 2015
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	176,648			$	2,324			$	304			$	178,668
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			187,368				3,067				437				189,998
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			25,892				769				8				26,653
Government National Mortgage Association			46,584				2,093				—				48,677
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			76,408				969				583				76,794
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			90,875				233				1,521				89,587
Government National Mortgage Association			26,965				545				12				27,498
Privately issued			—				1,169				—				1,169
Total collateralized mortgage obligations			194,248				2,916				2,116				195,048
Total mortgage-backed securities			454,092				8,845				2,561				460,376
Asset-backed securities			—				231				—				231
Total available for sale securities		$	630,740			$	11,400			$	2,865			$	639,275
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			285,630				6,121				28				291,723
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			3,253				55				—				3,308
Government National Mortgage Association			17,372				125				18				17,479
Total mortgage-backed securities			20,625				180				18				20,787
Total held to maturity securities		$	306,255			$	6,301			$	46			$	312,510

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(4.) INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

 

		Amortized Cost				Unrealized Gains				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value
December 31, 2014
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	160,334			$	1,116			$	975			$	160,475
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			184,857				2,344				1,264				185,937
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			29,478				799				7				30,270
Government National Mortgage Association			48,800				2,022				—				50,822
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			76,247				489				944				75,792
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			89,623				199				2,585				87,237
Government National Mortgage Association			29,954				598				40				30,512
Privately issued			—				1,218				—				1,218
Total collateralized mortgage obligations			195,824				2,504				3,569				194,759
Total mortgage-backed securities			458,959				7,669				4,840				461,788
Asset-backed securities			—				231				—				231
Total available for sale securities		$	619,293			$	9,016			$	5,815			$	622,494
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			277,273				4,231				120				281,384
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			3,279				24				—				3,303
Government National Mortgage Association			13,886				122				—				14,008
Total mortgage-backed securities			17,165				146				—				17,311
Total held to maturity securities		$	294,438			$	4,377			$	120			$	298,695

Investment securities with a total fair value of $849.3 million at March 31, 2015 were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

Sales and calls of securities available for sale were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
Proceeds from sales		$	29,508			$	19,470
Gross realized gains			1,073				313
Gross realized losses			11				—

The scheduled maturities of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at March 31, 2015 are shown below (in thousands). Actual expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations.

 

		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
Debt securities available for sale:
Due in one year or less		$	21			$	22
Due from one to five years			153,578				154,145
Due after five years through ten years			244,623				250,793
Due after ten years			232,518				234,315
		$	630,740			$	639,275
Debt securities held to maturity:
Due in one year or less		$	23,341			$	23,408
Due from one to five years			139,825				142,298
Due after five years through ten years			123,914				127,467
Due after ten years			19,175				19,337
		$	306,255			$	312,510

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(4.) INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

Unrealized losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Less than 12 months								12 months or longer								Total
		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses
March 31, 2015
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	15,444			$	42			$	25,092			$	262			$	40,536			$	304
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			23,349				107				34,822				330				58,171				437
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			1,710				8				—				—				1,710				8
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			4,872				22				21,119				561				25,991				583
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			8,535				13				65,623				1,508				74,158				1,521
Government National Mortgage Association			—				—				2,431				12				2,431				12
Total collateralized mortgage obligations			13,407				35				89,173				2,081				102,580				2,116
Total mortgage-backed securities			38,466				150				123,995				2,411				162,461				2,561
Total available for sale securities			53,910				192				149,087				2,673				202,997				2,865
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			5,484				28				—				—				5,484				28
Mortgage-backed securities:
Government National Mortgage Association			2,186				18				—				—				2,186				18
Total held to maturity securities			7,670				46				—				—				7,670				46
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	61,580			$	238			$	149,087			$	2,673			$	210,667			$	2,911
December 31, 2014
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	34,995			$	77			$	41,070			$	898			$	76,065			$	975
Mortgage-backed securities:
Federal National Mortgage Association			2,242				8				62,592				1,256				64,834				1,264
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			3,387				7				—				—				3,387				7
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
Federal National Mortgage Association			11,228				24				25,644				920				36,872				944
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation			—				—				76,126				2,585				76,126				2,585
Government National Mortgage Association			—				—				2,510				40				2,510				40
Total collateralized mortgage obligations			11,228				24				104,280				3,545				115,508				3,569
Total mortgage-backed securities			16,857				39				166,872				4,801				183,729				4,840
Total available for sale securities			51,852				116				207,942				5,699				259,794				5,815
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			18,036				120				—				—				18,036				120
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	69,888			$	236			$	207,942			$	5,699			$	277,830			$	5,935

The total number of security positions in the investment portfolio in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015 was 74 compared to 122 at December 31, 2014. At March 31, 2015, the Company had positions in 33 investment securities with a fair value of $149.1 million and a total unrealized loss of $2.7 million that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. There were a total of 41 securities positions in the Company’s investment portfolio, with a fair value of $61.6 million and a total unrealized loss of $238 thousand at March 31, 2015, that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. At December 31, 2014, the Company had positions in 51 investment securities with a fair value of $207.9 million and a total unrealized loss of $5.7 million that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. There were a total of 71 securities positions in the Company’s investment portfolio, with a fair value of $69.9 million and a total unrealized loss of $236 thousand at December 31, 2014, that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. The unrealized loss on investment securities was predominantly caused by changes in market interest rates subsequent to purchase. The fair value of most of the investment securities in the Company’s portfolio fluctuates as market interest rates change.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(4.) INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

The Company reviews investment securities on an ongoing basis for the presence of OTTI with formal reviews performed quarterly. When evaluating debt securities for OTTI, management considers many factors, including: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (3) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) whether the Company has the intention to sell the debt security or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. The assessment of whether OTTI exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information then available to management. There was no impairment recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Based on management’s review and evaluation of the Company’s debt securities as of March 31, 2015, the debt securities with unrealized losses were not considered to be OTTI. As of March 31, 2015, the Company did not intend to sell any of the securities in a loss position and believes that it is not likely that it will be required to sell any such securities before the anticipated recovery of amortized cost. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2015, management has concluded that unrealized losses on its investment securities are temporary and no further impairment loss has been realized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

(5.) LOANS

The Company’s loan portfolio consisted of the following as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Principal Amount Outstanding				Net Deferred Loan Costs (Fees)				Loans, Net
March 31, 2015
Commercial business		$	277,427			$	37			$	277,464
Commercial mortgage			480,479				(1,253	)			479,226
Residential mortgage			97,850				(133	)			97,717
Home equity			380,070				6,891				386,961
Consumer indirect			637,380				24,833				662,213
Other consumer			19,184				189				19,373
Total		$	1,892,390			$	30,564				1,922,954
Allowance for loan losses											(27,191	)
Total loans, net										$	1,895,763
December 31, 2014
Commercial business		$	267,377			$	32			$	267,409
Commercial mortgage			476,407				(1,315	)			475,092
Residential mortgage			100,241				(140	)			100,101
Home equity			379,774				6,841				386,615
Consumer indirect			636,357				25,316				661,673
Other consumer			20,915				197				21,112
Total		$	1,881,071			$	30,931				1,912,002
Allowance for loan losses											(27,637	)
Total loans, net										$	1,884,365

Loans held for sale (not included above) were comprised entirely of residential real estate mortgages and totaled $656 thousand and $755 thousand as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

Past Due Loans Aging

The Company’s recorded investment, by loan class, in current and nonaccrual loans, as well as an analysis of accruing delinquent loans is set forth as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		30-59 Days Past Due				60-89 Days Past Due				Greater Than 90 Days				Total Past Due				Nonaccrual				Current				Total Loans
March 31, 2015
Commercial business		$	801			$	—			$	—			$	801			$	4,587			$	272,039			$	277,427
Commercial mortgage			56				28				—				84				3,411				476,984				480,479
Residential mortgage			314				—				—				314				1,361				96,175				97,850
Home equity			577				100				—				677				672				378,721				380,070
Consumer indirect			1,164				161				—				1,325				994				635,061				637,380
Other consumer			73				26				8				107				39				19,038				19,184
Total loans, gross		$	2,985			$	315			$	8			$	3,308			$	11,064			$	1,878,018			$	1,892,390
December 31, 2014
Commercial business		$	28			$	—			$	—			$	28			$	4,288			$	263,061			$	267,377
Commercial mortgage			83				—				—				83				3,020				473,304				476,407
Residential mortgage			321				—				—				321				1,194				98,726				100,241
Home equity			799				67				—				866				463				378,445				379,774
Consumer indirect			2,429				402				—				2,831				1,169				632,357				636,357
Other consumer			148				48				8				204				11				20,700				20,915
Total loans, gross		$	3,808			$	517			$	8			$	4,333			$	10,145			$	1,866,593			$	1,881,071

There were no loans past due greater than 90 days and still accruing interest as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. There were $8 thousand in consumer overdrafts which were past due greater than 90 days as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Consumer overdrafts are overdrawn deposit accounts which have been reclassified as loans but by their terms do not accrue interest.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A modification of a loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the modification constitutes a concession. Commercial loans modified in a TDR may involve temporary interest-only payments, term extensions, reducing the interest rate for the remaining term of the loan, extending the maturity date at an interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk, requesting additional collateral, forgiveness of principal, releasing collateral for consideration, or substituting or adding a new borrower or guarantor.

The following table presents information related to loans modified in a TDR during the quarterly periods indicated (dollars in thousands).

 

		Number of Contracts				Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Post- Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
March 31, 2015
Commercial business			—			$	—			$	—
Commercial mortgage			1				682				330
Total			1			$	682			$	330
March 31, 2014
Commercial business			—			$	—			$	—
Commercial mortgage			—				—				—
Total			—			$	—			$	—

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

The loan identified as a TDR by the Company during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was previously on nonaccrual status and reported as an impaired loan prior to restructuring. The modification primarily related to forgiveness of principal. Nonaccrual loans that are restructured remain on nonaccrual status, but may move to accrual status after they have performed according to the restructured terms for a period of time. The TDR classification did not have a material impact on the Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses because the modified loans were impaired and evaluated for a specific reserve both before and after restructuring.

There were no loans modified as a TDR within the previous 12 months that defaulted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014. For purposes of this disclosure, a loan modified as a TDR is considered to have defaulted when the borrower becomes 90 days past due.

Impaired Loans

Management has determined that specific commercial loans on nonaccrual status and all loans that have had their terms restructured in a troubled debt restructuring are impaired loans. The following table presents the recorded investment, unpaid principal balance and related allowance of impaired loans as of the dates indicated and average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three month periods ended as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Recorded Investment(1)				Unpaid Principal Balance(1)				Related Allowance				Average Recorded Investment				Interest Income Recognized
March 31, 2015
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial business		$	1,461			$	2,920			$	—			$	1,384			$	—
Commercial mortgage			1,209				1,909				—				880				—
			2,670				4,829				—				2,264				—
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial business			3,126				3,126				1,120				2,934				—
Commercial mortgage			2,202				2,202				817				2,214				—
			5,328				5,328				1,937				5,148				—
		$	7,998			$	10,157			$	1,937			$	7,412			$	—
December 31, 2014
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial business		$	1,408			$	1,741			$	—			$	1,431			$	—
Commercial mortgage			781				920				—				1,014				—
			2,189				2,661				—				2,445				—
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial business			2,880				2,880				1,556				1,998				—
Commercial mortgage			2,239				2,239				911				1,560				—
			5,119				5,119				2,467				3,558				—
		$	7,308			$	7,780			$	2,467			$	6,003			$	—

 

(1)	Difference between recorded investment and unpaid principal balance represents partial charge-offs.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors such as the fair value of collateral. The Company analyzes commercial business and commercial mortgage loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. Risk ratings are updated any time the situation warrants. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loans that do not meet the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the process described above are considered “Uncriticized” or pass-rated loans and are included in groups of homogeneous loans with similar risk and loss characteristics.

The following table sets forth the Company’s commercial loan portfolio, categorized by internally assigned asset classification, as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Commercial Business				Commercial Mortgage
March 31, 2015
Uncriticized		$	261,447			$	465,383
Special mention			5,226				5,598
Substandard			10,754				9,498
Doubtful			—				—
Total		$	277,427			$	480,479
December 31, 2014
Uncriticized		$	250,961			$	460,880
Special mention			5,530				5,411
Substandard			10,886				10,116
Doubtful			—				—
Total		$	267,377			$	476,407

The Company utilizes payment status as a means of identifying and reporting problem and potential problem retail loans. The Company considers nonaccrual loans and loans past due greater than 90 days and still accruing interest to be non-performing. The following table sets forth the Company’s retail loan portfolio, categorized by payment status, as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Residential Mortgage				Home Equity				Consumer Indirect				Other Consumer
March 31, 2015
Performing		$	96,489			$	379,398			$	636,386			$	19,137
Non-performing			1,361				672				994				47
Total		$	97,850			$	380,070			$	637,380			$	19,184
December 31, 2014
Performing		$	99,047			$	379,311			$	635,188			$	20,896
Non-performing			1,194				463				1,169				19
Total		$	100,241			$	379,774			$	636,357			$	20,915

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

The following tables set forth the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three month periods ended as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Commercial Business				Commercial Mortgage				Residential Mortgage				Home Equity				Consumer Indirect				Other Consumer				Total
March 31, 2015
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance		$	5,621			$	8,122			$	570			$	1,485			$	11,383			$	456			$	27,637
Charge-offs			1,141				609				55				84				2,422				259				4,570
Recoveries			48				89				33				10				1,105				98				1,383
Provision			867				554				10				19				1,139				152				2,741
Ending balance		$	5,395			$	8,156			$	558			$	1,430			$	11,205			$	447			$	27,191
Evaluated for impairment:
Individually		$	1,120			$	817			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,937
Collectively		$	4,275			$	7,339			$	558			$	1,430			$	11,205			$	447			$	25,254
Loans:
Ending balance		$	277,427			$	480,479			$	97,850			$	380,070			$	637,380			$	19,184			$	1,892,390
Evaluated for impairment:
Individually		$	4,587			$	3,411			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	7,998
Collectively		$	272,840			$	477,068			$	97,850			$	380,070			$	637,380			$	19,184			$	1,884,392
March 31, 2014
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance		$	4,273			$	7,743			$	676			$	1,367			$	12,230			$	447			$	26,736
Charge-offs			68				—				78				106				2,455				269				2,976
Recoveries			29				7				21				11				1,105				113				1,286
Provision			455				230				53				99				1,104				165				2,106
Ending balance		$	4,689			$	7,980			$	672			$	1,371			$	11,984			$	456			$	27,152
Evaluated for impairment:
Individually		$	397			$	926			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,323
Collectively		$	4,292			$	7,054			$	672			$	1,371			$	11,984			$	456			$	25,829
Loans:
Ending balance		$	268,308			$	469,725			$	110,290			$	326,744			$	620,916			$	21,488			$	1,817,471
Evaluated for impairment:
Individually		$	3,706			$	9,545			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	13,251
Collectively		$	264,602			$	460,180			$	110,290			$	326,744			$	620,916			$	21,488			$	1,804,220

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(5.) LOANS (Continued)

 

Risk Characteristics

Commercial business loans primarily consist of loans to small to midsize businesses in our market area in a diverse range of industries. These loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. Further, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value. The credit risk related to commercial loans is largely influenced by general economic conditions and the resulting impact on a borrower’s operations or on the value of underlying collateral, if any.

Commercial mortgage loans generally have larger balances and involve a greater degree of risk than residential mortgage loans, potentially resulting in higher losses on an individual customer basis. Loan repayment is often dependent on the successful operation and management of the properties, as well as on the collateral securing the loan. Economic events or conditions in the real estate market could have an adverse impact on the cash flows generated by properties securing the Company’s commercial real estate loans and on the value of such properties.

Residential mortgage loans and home equities (comprised of home equity loans and home equity lines) are generally made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income, but are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable. Credit risk for these types of loans is generally influenced by general economic conditions, the characteristics of individual borrowers, and the nature of the loan collateral.

Consumer indirect and other consumer loans may entail greater credit risk than residential mortgage loans and home equities, particularly in the case of other consumer loans which are unsecured or, in the case of indirect consumer loans, secured by depreciable assets, such as automobiles or boats. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances such as job loss, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

(6.) GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The carrying amount of goodwill totaled $61.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The Company performs a goodwill impairment test on an annual basis or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant.

The Company has other intangible assets that are amortized, consisting of core deposit intangibles and other intangibles (primarily related to customer relationships acquired in connection with the Company’s insurance agency acquisition). Changes in the gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net book value, were as follows (in thousands):

 

		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
Other intangibles assets:
Gross carrying amount		$	8,682			$	8,682
Accumulated amortization			(1,439	)			(1,196	)
Net book value		$	7,243			$	7,486

Amortization expense for total other intangible assets was $243 thousand and $89 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, the estimated amortization expense of other intangible assets for the remainder of 2015 and each of the next five years is as follows (in thousands):

 

2015 (remainder of year)		$	699
2016			864
2017			778
2018			689
2019			611
2020			533

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(7.) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

The changes in shares of common stock were as follows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

		Outstanding				Treasury				Issued
March 31, 2015
Shares outstanding at December 31, 2014			14,118,048				279,461				14,397,509
Restricted stock awards issued			49,084				(49,084	)			—
Restricted stock awards forfeited			(2,271	)			2,271				—
Stock options exercised			3,722				(3,722	)			—
Treasury stock purchases			(1,791	)			1,791				—
Shares outstanding at March 31, 2015			14,166,792				230,717				14,397,509
March 31, 2014
Shares outstanding at December 31, 2013			13,829,355				332,242				14,161,597
Restricted stock awards issued			33,842				(33,842	)			—
Restricted stock awards forfeited			(7,037	)			7,037				—
Stock options exercised			5,925				(5,925	)			—
Treasury stock purchases			(9,102	)			9,102				—
Shares outstanding at March 31, 2014			13,852,983				308,614				14,161,597

(8.) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

		Pre-tax Amount				Tax Effect				Net-of-tax Amount
March 31, 2015
Securities available for sale and transferred securities:
Change in unrealized gain/loss during the period		$	6,396			$	2,436			$	3,960
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income (1)			(1,139	)			(440	)			(699	)
Total securities available for sale and transferred securities			5,257				1,996				3,261
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:
Prior service credit			(12	)			(5	)			(7	)
Net actuarial losses			236				94				142
Total pension and post-retirement obligations			224				89				135
Other comprehensive income		$	5,481			$	2,085			$	3,396
March 31, 2014
Securities available for sale and transferred securities:
Change in unrealized gain/loss during the period		$	6,650			$	2,634			$	4,016
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income (1)			(450	)			(178	)			(272	)
Total securities available for sale and transferred securities			6,200				2,456				3,744
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:
Prior service credit			(12	)			(5	)			(7	)
Net actuarial losses			44				18				26
Total pension and post-retirement obligations			32				13				19
Other comprehensive income		$	6,232			$	2,469			$	3,763

 

(1)

Includes amounts related to the amortization/accretion of unrealized net gains and losses related to the Company’s reclassification of available for sale investment securities to the held to maturity category. The unrealized net gains/losses will be amortized/accreted over the remaining life of the investment securities as an adjustment of yield.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(8.) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Continued)

 

Activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands):

 

		Securities Available for Sale and Transferred Securities				Pension and Post- retirement Obligations				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
March 31, 2015
Balance at beginning of year		$	1,625			$	(10,636	)		$	(9,011	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			3,960				—				3,960
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(699	)			135				(564	)
Net current period other comprehensive income			3,261				135				3,396
Balance at end of period		$	4,886			$	(10,501	)		$	(5,615	)
March 31, 2014
Balance at beginning of year		$	(5,337	)		$	(4,850	)		$	(10,187	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			4,016				—				4,016
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(272	)			19				(253	)
Net current period other comprehensive income			3,744				19				3,763
Balance at end of period		$	(1,593	)		$	(4,831	)		$	(6,424	)

The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

 

Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss								Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Income
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
Realized gain on sale of investment securities		$	1,062			$	313			Net gain on disposal of investment securities
Amortization of unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity			77				137			Interest income
			1,139				450			Total before tax
			(440	)			(178	)		Income tax expense
			699				272			Net of tax
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:
Prior service credit (1)			12				12			Salaries and employee benefits
Net actuarial losses (1)			(236	)			(44	)		Salaries and employee benefits
			(224	)			(32	)		Total before tax
			89				13			Income tax benefit
			(135	)			(19	)		Net of tax
Total reclassified for the period		$	564			$	253

 

(1)	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension expense. See Note 10 – Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(9.) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company maintains certain stock-based compensation plans that were approved by the Company’s shareholders and are administered by the Company’s Board of Directors, or the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board. The share-based compensation plans were established to allow for the grant of compensation awards to attract, motivate and retain employees, executive officers and non-employee directors who contribute to the success and profitability of the Company and to give such persons a proprietary interest in the Company, thereby enhancing their personal interest in the Company’s success.

The Company awarded grants of 36,384 shares of restricted common stock to certain members of management during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Thirty percent of the shares subject to each grant will be earned based upon achievement of an EPS performance requirement for the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. The remaining seventy percent of the shares will be earned based on the Company’s achievement of a relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance requirement, on a percentile basis, compared to the SNL Small Cap Bank & Thrifts Index over a three-year performance period ended December 31, 2017. The shares earned based on the achievement of the EPS and TSR performance requirements, if any, will vest on February 25, 2018 assuming the recipient’s continuous service to the Company.

The grant-date fair value of the TSR portion of the award granted during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was determined using the Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant, assuming the following (i) expected term of 2.85 years, (ii) risk free interest rate of 0.92%, (iii) expected dividend yield of 3.53% and (iv) expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the TSR award of 26.8%. The grant-date fair value of all other restricted stock awards is equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant.

The Company granted 12,700 additional shares of restricted common stock to management during the three months ended March 31, 2015. These shares will vest after completion of a three-year service requirement. The average market price of the restricted stock awards on the date of grant was $22.79.

The restricted stock awards granted to management in 2015 do not have rights to dividends or dividend equivalents.

The following is a summary of restricted stock award activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:

 

						Weighted
						Average
						Market
		Number of				Price at
		Shares				Grant Date
Outstanding at beginning of year			59,113			$	17.24
Granted			49,084				16.43
Vested			(6,578	)			17.42
Forfeited			(2,271	)			21.19
Outstanding at end of period			99,348			$	16.74

As of March 31, 2015, there was $1.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(9.) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS (Continued)

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation method to estimate the fair value of its stock option awards. There were no stock options awarded during 2015 or 2014. The following is a summary of stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

										Weighted
						Weighted				Average
						Average				Remaining				Aggregate
		Number of				Exercise				Contractual				Intrinsic
		Options				Price				Term				Value
Outstanding at beginning of year			135,416			$	19.25
Exercised			(3,722	)			19.49
Expired			(8,645	)			21.02
Outstanding and exercisable at end of period			123,049			$	19.12				1.8			$	469

The aggregate intrinsic value (the amount by which the market price of the stock on the date of exercise exceeded the market price of the stock on the date of grant) of option exercises for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $13 thousand and $25 thousand, respectively. The total cash received as a result of option exercises under stock compensation plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $72 thousand and $110 thousand, respectively.

The Company amortizes the expense related to restricted stock awards over the vesting period. Share-based compensation expense is recorded as a component of salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income for awards granted to management and as a component of other noninterest expense for awards granted to directors. The share-based compensation expense included in the consolidated statements of income is as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
Salaries and employee benefits		$	78			$	81
Other noninterest expense			25				22
Total share-based compensation expense		$	103			$	103

(10.) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit expense for its pension and post-retirement obligations were as follows (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
Service cost		$	581			$	479
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation			583				574
Expected return on plan assets			(1,205	)			(1,029	)
Amortization of prior service credit			(12	)			(12	)
Amortization of net actuarial losses			236				44
Net periodic pension expense		$	183			$	56

The net periodic benefit expense is recorded as a component of salaries and employee benefits in the consolidated statements of income. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute, at a minimum, an actuarially determined amount that will satisfy the minimum funding requirements determined under the appropriate sections of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company has no minimum required contribution for the 2015 fiscal year.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(11.) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company has financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk established in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its 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 extending beyond amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers. The Company uses the same credit underwriting policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as for on-balance sheet instruments.

Off-balance sheet commitments consist of the following (in thousands):

 

		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
Commitments to extend credit		$	503,349			$	450,343
Standby letters of credit			10,665				8,578

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses which may require payment by the customer of a termination fee. Commitments may expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if any, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Standby letters of credit are conditional lending commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.

The Company also extends rate lock agreements to borrowers related to the origination of residential mortgage loans. To mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in these rate lock agreements, the Company may enter into forward commitments to sell individual residential mortgages. Rate lock agreements and forward commitments are considered derivatives and are recorded at fair value. Forward sales commitments totaled $1.1 million and $1.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. In addition, the net change in the fair values of these derivatives was recognized as other noninterest income or other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income.

(12.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Determination of Fair Value – Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis

Valuation Hierarchy

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received to sell that asset or paid to transfer that liability in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. There have been no changes in the valuation techniques used during the current period. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

 

•

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

•

Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

 

•

Level 3—Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recorded as of the end of the reporting period.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(12.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally 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. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Furthermore, the reported fair value amounts have not been comprehensively revalued since the presentation dates, and therefore, estimates of fair value after the balance sheet date may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. A more detailed description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

Securities available for sale: Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Loans held for sale: The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using quoted secondary market prices and investor commitments. Loans held for sale are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Collateral dependent impaired loans: Fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Collateral may be real estate and/or business assets including equipment, inventory and/or accounts receivable and collateral value is determined based on appraisals performed by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Appraised and reported values may be discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and the client’s business. Such discounts are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Impaired loans are reviewed and evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above.

Loan servicing rights: Loan servicing rights do not trade in an active market with readily observable market data. As a result, the Company estimates the fair value of loan servicing rights by using a discounted cash flow model to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model are those that we believe market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of loan prepayment rates, servicing costs, ancillary income, impound account balances, and discount rates. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s loan servicing rights are the constant prepayment rates and weighted average discount rate. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Although the constant prepayment rate and the discount rate are not directly interrelated, they will generally move in opposite directions. Loan servicing rights are classified as Level 3 measurements due to the use of significant unobservable inputs, as well as significant management judgment and estimation.

Other real estate owned (Foreclosed assets): Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate owned are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third party appraisals of the property, resulting in a Level 3 classification. The appraisals are sometimes further discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business. Such discounts are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.

Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit: Commitments to extend credit and fund letters of credit are principally at current interest rates, and, therefore, the carrying amount approximates fair value. The fair value of commitments is not material.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(12.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

Assets Measured at Fair Value

The following tables present for each of the fair-value hierarchy levels the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of the dates indicated (in thousands).

 

		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities				Significant Other Observable Inputs				Significant Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)				Total
March 31, 2015
Measured on a recurring basis:
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	178,668			$	—			$	178,668
Mortgage-backed securities			—				460,376				—				460,376
Asset-backed securities			—				231				—				231
		$	—			$	639,275			$	—			$	639,275
Measured on a nonrecurring basis:
Loans:
Loans held for sale		$	—			$	656			$	—			$	656
Collateral dependent impaired loans			—				—				3,391				3,391
Other assets:
Loan servicing rights			—				—				1,325				1,325
Other real estate owned			—				—				139				139
		$	—			$	656			$	4,855			$	5,511
December 31, 2014
Measured on a recurring basis:
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	160,475			$	—			$	160,475
Mortgage-backed securities			—				461,788				—				461,788
Asset-backed securities			—				231				—				231
		$	—			$	622,494			$	—			$	622,494
Measured on a nonrecurring basis:
Loans:
Loans held for sale		$	—			$	755			$	—			$	755
Collateral dependent impaired loans			—				—				2,652				2,652
Other assets:
Loan servicing rights			—				—				1,359				1,359
Other real estate owned			—				—				194				194
		$	—			$	755			$	4,205			$	4,960

There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis during the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(12.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value (dollars in thousands).

 

Asset		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Unobservable Input Value or Range
Collateral dependent impaired loans		$	3,391			Appraisal of collateral (1)		Appraisal adjustments (2)		0% - 100% discount
						Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		4.4%(3)
								Risk premium rate		10.0%(3)
Loan servicing rights			1,325			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		4.8%(3)
								Constant prepayment rate		15.6%(3)
Other real estate owned			139			Appraisal of collateral (1)		Appraisal adjustments (2)		19% - 43% discount

 

(1)	Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which generally include various Level 3 inputs which are not identifiable.

(2)	Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses.

(3)	Weighted averages.

Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

There were no assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of or during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The assumptions used below are expected to approximate those that market participants would use in valuing these financial instruments.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about the financial instrument, including estimates of timing, amount of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer. Such estimates do not consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized gains or losses. In some cases, the fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets. In addition, the disclosed fair value may not be realized in the immediate settlement of the financial instrument. Care should be exercised in deriving conclusions about our business, its value or financial position based on the fair value information of financial instruments presented below.

The estimated fair value approximates carrying value for cash and cash equivalents, Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock, accrued interest receivable, non-maturity deposits, short-term borrowings and accrued interest payable. Fair value estimates for other financial instruments not included elsewhere in this disclosure are discussed below.

Securities held to maturity: The fair value of the Company’s investment securities held to maturity is primarily measured using information from a third-party pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Loans: The fair value of the Company’s loans was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans would be made for the same remaining maturities. Loans were first segregated by type such as commercial, residential mortgage, and consumer, and were then further segmented into fixed and variable rate and loan quality categories. Expected future cash flows were projected based on contractual cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments.

Time deposits: The fair value of time deposits was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments. The fair values of the Company’s time deposit liabilities do not take into consideration the value of the Company’s long-term relationships with depositors, which may have significant value.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(12.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

The following presents (in thousands) the carrying amount, estimated fair value, and placement in the fair value measurement hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments as of the dates indicated.

 

		Level in		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Fair Value						Estimated								Estimated
		Measurement		Carrying				Fair				Carrying				Fair
		Hierarchy		Amount				Value				Amount				Value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		Level 1		$	135,972			$	135,972			$	58,151			$	58,151
Securities available for sale		Level 2			639,275				639,275				622,494				622,494
Securities held to maturity		Level 2			306,255				312,510				294,438				298,695
Loans held for sale		Level 2			656				656				755				755
Loans		Level 2			1,892,372				1,904,498				1,881,713				1,887,959
Loans (1)		Level 3			3,391				3,391				2,652				2,652
Accrued interest receivable		Level 1			9,114				9,114				8,104				8,104
FHLB and FRB stock		Level 2			12,129				12,129				19,014				19,014
Financial liabilities:
Non-maturity deposits		Level 1			2,092,843				2,092,843				1,857,285				1,857,285
Time deposits		Level 2			611,852				613,245				593,242				593,793
Short-term borrowings		Level 1			175,573				175,573				334,804				334,804
Accrued interest payable		Level 1			4,240				4,240				3,862				3,862

 

(1)	Comprised of collateral dependent impaired loans.

(13.) SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company has two reportable operating segments, banking and insurance, which are delineated by the consolidated subsidiaries of Financial Institutions, Inc. The banking segment includes all of the Company’s retail and commercial banking operations. The insurance segment includes the activities of SDN, a full service insurance agency that provides a broad range of insurance services to both personal and business clients. The Company operated as one business segment until the acquisition of SDN on August 1, 2014, at which time the new “Insurance” segment was created for financial reporting purposes. Holding company amounts are the primary differences between segment amounts and consolidated totals, and are reflected in the Holding Company and Other column below, along with amounts to eliminate balances and transactions between segments.

The following tables present information regarding our business segments as of and for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

		Banking				Insurance				Holding Company and Other				Consolidated Totals
March 31, 2015
Goodwill		$	48,536			$	12,617			$	—			$	61,153
Other intangible assets, net			1,047				6,196				—				7,243
Total assets (1)			3,176,432				20,677				(32	)			3,197,077
December 31, 2014
Goodwill		$	48,536			$	12,617			$	—			$	61,153
Other intangible assets, net			1,125				6,361				—				7,486
Total assets			3,065,109				20,368				4,044				3,089,521

 

(1)	The negative balance for total assets in the “Holding Company and Other” column results from the elimination of holding company cash held in deposit accounts at the Bank and other reclassifications.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(13.) SEGMENT REPORTING (Continued)

 

		Three months ended March 31, 2015
		Banking				Insurance				Holding Company and Other				Consolidated Totals
Net interest income		$	23,147			$	—			$	—			$	23,147
Provision for loan losses			(2,741	)			—				—				(2,741	)
Noninterest income			6,831				1,593				(127	)			8,297
Noninterest expense			(17,279	)			(1,187	)			(545	)			(19,011	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			9,958				406				(672	)			9,692
Income tax (expense) benefit			(2,949	)			(159	)			217				(2,891	)
Net income (loss)		$	7,009			$	247			$	(455	)		$	6,801

(14.) SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On April 15, 2015, the Company issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.0% fixed to floating rate subordinated notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) to certain accredited investors. The Notes will bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per year, payable semi-annually, for the first 10 years and, from April 15, 2025 to the April 15, 2030 maturity date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then current three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 3.944%, payable quarterly. The Notes are redeemable by the Company at any quarterly interest payment date beginning on April 15, 2025 to maturity at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes. The net proceeds from this offering are intended for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank to support both organic growth and opportunistic acquisitions.

In connection with the Notes offering, the Company obtained ratings from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (“Kroll”). Kroll assigned investment grade ratings of BBB and BBB- for the Company’s senior unsecured debt and subordinated debt, respectively, and a senior deposit rating of BBB+ for the Bank.

 

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ITEM 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the more detailed and comprehensive disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, please read this section in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Statements and financial analysis contained in this document that are based on other than historical data are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events and include, among others:

 

•

statements with respect to the beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, anticipations, and future financial condition, results of operations and performance of Financial Institutions, Inc. and our subsidiaries; and

 

•

statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “projects,” or similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this document and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which we refer to as the Form 10-K, including, but not limited to, those presented in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:

 

•

greater credit losses than anticipated;

 

•

changes in our tax strategies and the value of our deferred tax assets;

 

•

limited geographic concentration;

 

•

failure to obtain accurate and complete information about or from customers and counterparties;

 

•

insurance industry risks on our insurance brokerage subsidiary;

 

•

environmental liability risk associated with our lending activities;

 

•

changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios;

 

•

risks through our indirect lending;

 

•

changes in banking laws, regulations and regulatory practices;

 

•

new or changing tax and accounting rules and interpretations;

 

•

legal and regulatory proceedings and related matters;

 

•

a breach in security of our information systems, including the occurrence of a cyber incident or a deficiency in cyber security;

 

•

technological changes;

 

•

failure of other companies to provide key components of our business infrastructure;

 

•

incorrect modeling assumptions for business planning purposes;

 

•

the failure to attract and retain skilled people;

 

•

interest rate risk, changes in interest rate risk and changes in real estate values;

 

•

conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally;

 

•

the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government and its agencies;

 

•

goodwill impairment;

 

•

competition in our market area; and

 

•

severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advise readers that various factors, including those described above, could affect our financial performance and could cause our actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. See also Item 1A, Risk Factors in the Form 10-K for further information. Except as required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim any obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

GENERAL

Financial Institutions, Inc. (the “Parent”) is a financial holding company headquartered in New York State, providing banking and nonbanking financial services to individuals, municipalities and businesses primarily in our Western and Central New York footprint. We offer a broad array of deposit, lending and other financial services to individuals, municipalities and businesses primarily in Western and Central New York through our wholly-owned New York chartered banking subsidiary, Five Star Bank. Our indirect lending network includes relationships with franchised automobile dealers in Western and Central New York, the Capital District of New York and Northern Pennsylvania. We also offer insurance services through our wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, Scott Danahy Naylon, LLC (“SDN”), a full service insurance agency which we acquired during the third quarter of 2014. References in this report to “the Company”, “we”, “our” or “us” mean the consolidated reporting entity and references to “the Bank” mean Five Star Bank.

Our primary sources of revenue are net interest income (interest earned on our loans and securities, net of interest paid on deposits and other funding sources) and noninterest income, particularly fees and other revenue from insurance and financial services provided to customers or ancillary services tied to loans and deposits. Business volumes and pricing drive revenue potential, and tend to be influenced by overall economic factors, including market interest rates, business spending, consumer confidence, economic growth, and competitive conditions within the marketplace. We are not able to predict market interest rate fluctuations with certainty and our asset/liability management strategy may not prevent interest rate changes from having a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our business strategy has been to maintain a community bank philosophy, which consists of focusing on and understanding the individualized banking needs of individuals, municipalities and businesses of the local communities surrounding our primary service areas. We believe this focus allows us to be more responsive to our customers’ needs and provide a high level of personal service that differentiates us from larger competitors, resulting in long-standing and broad based banking relationships. Our core customers are primarily small to medium-sized businesses, individuals and community organizations, which prefer to build banking and insurance relationships with a community bank that combines high quality, competitively-priced products and services with personalized service. Because of our identity and origin as a locally operated bank, we believe that our level of personal service provides a competitive advantage over larger banks, which tend to consolidate decision-making authority outside local communities.

A key aspect of our current business strategy is to foster a community-oriented culture where our customers and employees establish long-standing and mutually beneficial relationships. We believe that we are well-positioned to be a strong competitor within our market area because of our focus on community banking needs and customer service, our comprehensive suite of deposit, loan and insurance products typically found at larger banks, our highly experienced management team and our strategically located banking centers. We believe that the foregoing factors all help to grow our core deposits, which supports a central element of our business strategy—the growth of a diversified and high-quality loan portfolio.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Summary of 2015 First Quarter Results

Net income decreased $418 thousand or 6% to $6.8 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to $7.2 million for the first quarter of 2014. Net income available to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2015 was $6.4 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, compared with $6.9 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for the first quarter of last year. Return on average equity was 9.68% and return on average assets was 0.89% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to 11.19% and 0.99%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2014.

Net interest income totaled $23.1 million in the first quarter 2015, down from $23.3 million in the first quarter 2014. Average earning assets were up $69.1 million, led by a $65.9 million increase in loans in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter in 2014. The growth in earning assets was offset by a lower net interest margin. First quarter 2015 net interest margin was 3.43%, a decrease of 9 basis points from 3.52% reported in the first quarter of 2014.

The provision for loans losses was $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2014. Net charge-offs during the recent quarter were $3.2 million, up from $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. Net charge-offs expressed as an annualized percentage of average loans outstanding were 0.68% during the first three months of 2015 compared with 0.37% in the first quarter of 2014. See the “Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Non-Performing Assets and Potential Problem Loans” sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion regarding the increases in the provision for loan losses and net-charge-offs.

Noninterest income totaled $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2014. Included in these totals are net gains realized from the sale of investment securities totaling $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2015 and $313 thousand for the first quarter of 2014. Exclusive of those gains, noninterest income was $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2015 and $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2014. The higher noninterest income in the first quarter 2015 compared to the first quarter 2014 is primarily a result of a $1.6 million increase in insurance income, reflecting the contributions from SDN.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Noninterest expense in the first quarter of 2015 totaled $19.0 million compared with $17.2 million in the first quarter of 2014. The increase in noninterest expense was largely due to expense attributable to SDN, which we did not own in the fist quarter of 2014, and the hiring of additional personnel associated with our expansion initiatives.

The regulatory Common equity Tier 1 ratio and Total risk-based capital ratio were 9.66%, and 11.69%, respectively, for the first quarter of 2015. See the “Liquidity and Capital Management” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion regarding regulatory capital and the Basel III capital rules, which became effective January 1, 2015.

Issuance of Subordinated Notes

On April 15, 2015, after conclusion of our first fiscal quarter in 2015, the Parent company issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.0% fixed to floating rate subordinated notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) to certain accredited investors. The Notes will bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per year, payable semi-annually, for the first 10 years and, from April 15, 2025 to the April 15, 2030 maturity date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an annual interest rate equal to the then current three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 3.944%, payable quarterly. The Notes are redeemable by us at any quarterly interest payment date beginning on April 15, 2025 to maturity at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes. The net proceeds from this offering are intended for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank to support both organic growth as well as opportunistic acquisitions. The Parent company contributed $34.0 million of net proceeds from this offering to the Bank as additional paid-in capital to support general corporate purposes.

In connection with the Notes offering, we obtained ratings from Kroll Bond Rating Agency (“Kroll”). Kroll assigned investment grade ratings of BBB and BBB- for the Parent’s senior unsecured debt and subordinated debt, respectively, and a senior deposit rating of BBB+ for the Bank.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income is the primary source of our revenue. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the interest expense on interest-bearing deposits and other borrowings used to fund interest-earning and other assets or activities. Net interest income is affected by changes in interest rates and by the amount and composition of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the sensitivity of the balance sheet to changes in interest rates, including characteristics such as the fixed or variable nature of the financial instruments, contractual maturities and repricing frequencies.

Interest rate spread and net interest margin are utilized to measure and explain changes in net interest income. Interest rate spread is the difference between the yield on earning assets and the rate paid for interest-bearing liabilities that fund those assets. The net interest margin is expressed as the percentage of net interest income to average earning assets. The net interest margin exceeds the interest rate spread because noninterest-bearing sources of funds (“net free funds”), principally noninterest-bearing demand deposits and stockholders’ equity, also support earning assets. To compare tax-exempt asset yields to taxable yields, the yield on tax-exempt investment securities is computed on a taxable equivalent basis. Net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin are discussed on a taxable equivalent basis.

The following table reconciles interest income per the consolidated statements of income to interest income adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent basis (dollars in thousands):

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
Interest income per consolidated statements of income		$	24,997			$	25,059
Adjustment to fully taxable equivalent basis			752				695
Interest income adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent basis			25,749				25,754
Interest expense per consolidated statements of income			1,850				1,784
Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis		$	23,899			$	23,970

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Analysis of Net Interest Income for the Three Month Periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis for the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $23.9 million, a decrease of $71 thousand versus the comparable quarter last year. The average volume of interest-earning assets for the first quarter of 2015 increased $69.1 million or 3% compared to the first quarter of 2014. The increase in earning assets was primarily due to a $65.9 million increase in average loans and a $3.4 million increase in average investment securities.

The net interest margin for the first quarter of 2015 was 3.43%, 9 basis points lower than 3.52% for the same period in 2014. This comparable period decrease was a function of a 10 basis point decrease in interest rate spread, which resulted from a corresponding decrease in the yield on earning assets.

For the first quarter of 2015 the yield on average earning assets of 3.69% was 10 basis points lower than the first quarter of 2014. Loan yields decreased 18 basis points to 4.27%. Commercial business and consumer indirect loans in particular, down 28 and 22 basis points, respectively, experienced lower yields because of competitive pricing pressures in a low interest rate environment. The yield on investment securities increased 4 basis points to 2.47%. Overall, earning asset rate changes reduced interest income by $670 thousand during the first quarter of 2015, which was mostly offset by a favorable volume variance of $665 thousand.

The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities was 0.33% for first quarter of 2015, unchanged from the same quarter of 2014. The cost of short-term funding decreased one basis point to 0.37% for the first quarter of 2015. Overall, interest-bearing liability rate and volume changes resulted in $66 thousand of higher interest expense.

Average interest-earning assets were $2.82 billion for first quarter of 2015, an increase of $69.1 million or 3% from the comparable quarter last year. The average volume of loans increased $65.9 million or 4% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter in 2014. Loans represented 67.8% of average interest-earning assets during first quarter of 2015 compared to 67.1% during the first quarter of 2014. Loans generally have significantly higher yields compared to securities and federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits and, as such, have a more positive effect on the net interest margin. The yield on average loans was 4.27% for the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of 18 basis points compared to 4.45% for the first quarter of 2014. The yield on average loans was negatively impacted by lower average spreads due to increased competition in loan pricing during 2015 compared to 2014.

Average interest-bearing liabilities of $2.24 billion in the first quarter of 2015 were $79.2 million or 4% higher than the first quarter of 2014. Average deposits increased $142.0 million or 6% in the first quarter of 2015, compared to the same quarter in 2014. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $101.8 million in the first quarter of 2015 period compared to first quarter 2014, while average non-interest-bearing deposits increased $40.2 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to first quarter 2014. The ratio of average interest-bearing deposits to total average deposits was 77.9% in the 2015 quarter compared to 78.3% in the 2014 quarter. The cost of average interest-bearing deposits was 0.33% for first quarter of 2015, unchanged from the same quarter of 2014. The decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits during the comparable periods was primarily the result of decreases in interest rates offered on certain deposit products due to the low interest rate environment. Additionally, the relative proportion of higher-cost certificates of deposit to total average interest-bearing deposits decreased to 30.2% in the first quarter of 2015 from 32.7% in same quarter in 2014.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The following table sets forth certain information relating to the consolidated balance sheets and reflects the average yields earned on interest-earning assets, as well as the average rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2015												2014
		Average Balance				Interest				Average Rate				Average Balance				Interest				Average Rate
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits		$	124				—				0.19	%		$	316			$	—				0.08	%
Investment securities (1):
Taxable			630,633				3,463				2.20				654,513				3,501				2.14
Tax-exempt (2)			277,238				2,149				3.10				249,924				1,986				3.18
Total investment securities			907,871				5,612				2.47				904,437				5,487				2.43
Loans:
Commercial business			264,814				2,724				4.17				265,137				2,911				4.45
Commercial mortgage			478,705				5,551				4.70				472,733				5,506				4.72
Residential mortgage			99,264				1,174				4.73				113,390				1,373				4.85
Home equity			386,046				3,712				3.90				328,833				3,283				4.05
Consumer indirect			661,727				6,426				3.94				642,241				6,584				4.16
Other consumer			19,736				550				11.30				22,062				610				11.22
Total loans			1,910,292				20,137				4.27				1,844,396				20,267				4.45
Total interest-earning assets			2,818,287				25,749				3.69				2,749,149				25,754				3.79
Allowance for loan losses			(27,884	)											(26,750	)
Other noninterest-earning assets			325,113												243,001
Total assets		$	3,115,516											$	2,965,400
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand		$	551,503				156				0.11	%		$	511,073			$	160				0.13	%
Savings and money market			839,218				217				0.10				761,799				235				0.13
Certificates of deposit			602,115				1,247				0.84				618,126				1,130				0.74
Total interest-bearing deposits			1,992,836				1,620				0.33				1,890,998				1,525				0.33
Short-term borrowings			251,768				230				0.37				274,414				259				0.38
Total interest-bearing liabilities			2,244,604				1,850				0.33				2,165,412				1,784				0.33
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits			564,500												524,346
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities			21,453												14,019
Shareholders’ equity			284,959												261,623
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	3,115,516											$	2,965,400
Net interest income (tax-equivalent)							23,899											$	23,970
Interest rate spread											3.36	%											3.46	%
Net earning assets		$	573,683											$	583,737
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent)											3.43	%											3.52	%
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities											125.56	%											126.96	%

 

(1)	Investment securities are shown at amortized cost and include non-performing securities.

(2)	The interest on tax-exempt securities is calculated on a tax equivalent basis assuming a Federal tax rate of 35%.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The following table presents, on a tax equivalent basis, the relative contribution of changes in volumes and changes in rates to changes in net interest income for the periods indicated. The change in interest income not solely due to changes in volume or rate has been allocated in proportion to the absolute dollar amounts of the change in each (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended March 31, 2015 vs. 2014
		Volume				Rate				Total
Increase (decrease) in:
Interest income:
Federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits		$	—			$	—			$	—
Investment securities:
Taxable			(130	)			92				(38	)
Tax-exempt			213				(50	)			163
Total investment securities			83				42				125
Loans:
Commercial business			(4	)			(183	)			(187	)
Commercial mortgage			69				(24	)			45
Residential mortgage			(168	)			(31	)			(199	)
Home equity			554				(125	)			429
Consumer indirect			196				(354	)			(158	)
Other consumer			(65	)			5				(60	)
Total loans			582				(712	)			(130	)
Total interest income			665				(670	)			(5	)
Interest expense:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand			12				(16	)			(4	)
Savings and money market			22				(40	)			(18	)
Certificates of deposit			(30	)			147				117
Total interest-bearing deposits			4				91				95
Short-term borrowings			(21	)			(8	)			(29	)
Total interest expense			(17	)			83				66
Net interest income		$	682			$	(753	)		$	(71	)

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is based upon credit loss experience, growth or contraction of specific segments of the loan portfolio, and the estimate of losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 2015 was $2.7 million, compared to $2.1 million for the same period in 2014. The downgrade of one $2.6 million commercial credit relationship during the first quarter of 2015 resulted in an approximately $800 thousand increase in our provision for loan losses.

See the “Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Non-Performing Assets and Potential Problem Loans” sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Noninterest Income

The following table details the major categories of noninterest income for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
Service charges on deposits		$	1,879			$	2,250
Insurance income			1,608				41
ATM and debit card			1,193				1,174
Investment advisory			487				562
Company owned life insurance			467				403
Investments in limited partnerships			474				626
Loan servicing			167				154
Net gain on sale of loans held for sale			69				105
Net gain on disposal of investment securities			1,062				313
Net gain (loss) on disposal of other assets			4				(35	)
Other			887				764
Total noninterest income		$	8,297			$	6,357

Service charges on deposit accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased $371 thousand compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the amount of checking account overdraft activity.

Insurance income was $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to $41 thousand for the first quarter of 2014, reflecting the contributions from SDN, which was acquired during the third quarter 2014 as part of the Company’s strategy to diversify its business lines and increase noninterest income through additional fee-based services.

Investment advisory income decreased $75 thousand or 13% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to 2014. Investment advisory income fluctuates mainly due to sales volume, which decreased during the first quarter of 2015.

Company owned life insurance increased by $64 thousand or 16% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily due to new policies purchased during the third and fourth quarters of 2014.

We have investments in limited partnerships, primarily small business investment companies, and account for these investments under the equity method. Income from investments in limited partnerships was $474 thousand and $626 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The income from these equity method investments fluctuates based on the performance of the underlying investments.

During the first quarter of 2015 we recognized net gains on investment securities totaling $1.1 million from the sale of six agency securities and nine mortgage backed securities. The gains realized during the first quarter of 2014 resulted from the sale of five agency securities and one mortgage backed security. The amount and timing of our sale of investments securities is dependent on a number of factors, including our prudent efforts to realize gains while managing duration, premium and credit risk.

Other noninterest income increased $123 thousand or 16% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to 2014. Merchant services income, online payment fees and credit card correspondent income comprised the majority of the increase.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Noninterest Expense

The following table details the major categories of noninterest expense for the periods presented (in thousands):

 

		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015				2014
Salaries and employee benefits		$	10,223			$	9,256
Occupancy and equipment			3,699				3,235
Professional services			968				972
Computer and data processing			702				723
Supplies and postage			563				512
FDIC assessments			418				422
Advertising and promotions			239				179
Other			2,199				1,914
Total noninterest expense		$	19,011			$	17,213

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased by $967 thousand or 10% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. An increase of $1.0 million in salaries expense reflects the SDN acquisition and the hiring of additional personnel associated with our expansion initiatives. A decrease of $80 thousand in employee benefits was primarily due to lower medical expenses, partially offset by higher expense related to our defined benefit retirement plan. We typically experience lower medical claims in the first quarter each year under the Company’s self-insured plan as more employees have converted to high-deductible heath plans. We recognized a combined net periodic pension and post-retirement expense of $183 thousand during the first quarter of 2015 compared to $56 thousand during the same period in 2014.

Occupancy and equipment expense increased by $464 thousand or 14% when comparing the first quarter of 2015 to the same period in 2014. The increase was primarily related to higher contractual service expenses and incremental expenses from the SDN facility.

Other noninterest expense was $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2014. Other noninterest expense for the first quarter 2015 included an increase of $153 thousand in intangible asset amortization attributable to the SDN acquisition.

Our efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2015 was 60.27% compared with 56.96% for the first quarter of 2014. The higher efficiency ratio is a result of higher noninterest expense. The efficiency ratio is calculated by dividing total noninterest expense, excluding other real estate expense and amortization of intangible assets, by net revenue, defined as the sum of tax-equivalent net interest income and noninterest income before net gains on investment securities. An increase in the efficiency ratio indicates that more resources are being utilized to generate the same volume of income, while a decrease indicates a more efficient allocation of resources.

Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recorded income tax expense of $2.9 million, versus $3.1 million a year ago. The effective tax rates for the first quarters of 2015 and 2014 were 29.8% and 30.0%, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to lower pre-tax income. Effective tax rates are impacted by items of income and expense that are not subject to federal or state taxation. Our effective tax rates reflect the impact of these items, which include, but are not limited to, interest income from tax-exempt securities and earnings on company owned life insurance. In addition, our effective tax rate reflects the New York State tax savings generated by our real estate investment trust, which commenced operations during February 2014.

In March 2014, the New York legislature approved changes in the state tax law that will be phased-in over two years, beginning in 2015. The primary changes that impact us include the repeal of the Article 32 franchise tax on banking corporations (“Article 32”) for 2015, expanded nexus standards for 2015 and a reduction in the corporate tax rate for 2016. We expect the repeal of Article 32 and the expanded nexus standards to lower our taxable income apportioned to New York to 85% in 2015 from 100% in 2014. In addition, the New York state income tax rate will be reduced from 7.1% to 6.5% in 2016.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Investment Securities

The following table sets forth selected information regarding the composition of our investment securities portfolio as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		Investment Securities Portfolio Composition
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Amortized				Fair				Amortized				Fair
		Cost				Value				Cost				Value
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Government agencies and government-sponsored enterprise securities		$	176,648			$	178,668			$	160,334			$	160,475
Mortgage-backed securities:
Agency mortgage-backed securities			454,092				459,207				458,959				460,570
Non-Agency mortgage-backed securities			—				1,169				—				1,218
Asset-backed securities			—				231				—				231
Total available for sale securities			630,740				639,275				619,293				622,494
Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions			285,630				291,723				277,273				281,384
Mortgage-backed securities			20,625				20,787				17,165				17,311
Total held to maturity securities			306,255				312,510				294,438				298,695
Total investment securities		$	936,995			$	951,785			$	913,731			$	921,189

The available for sale (“AFS”) investment securities portfolio increased $16.8 million or 3%, from $622.5 million at December 31, 2014 to $639.3 million at March 31, 2015. The AFS portfolio had net unrealized gains totaling $8.5 million and $3.2 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The unrealized gains in the AFS portfolio were predominantly caused by changes in market interest rates. The fair value of most of the investment securities in the AFS portfolio fluctuates as market interest rates change.

Impairment Assessment

We review investment securities on an ongoing basis for the presence of OTTI with formal reviews performed quarterly. Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses or the security is intended to be sold or will be required to be sold. The amount of the impairment related to non-credit related factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. Evaluating whether the impairment of a debt security is other than temporary involves assessing the intent to sell the debt security or the likelihood of being required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. In determining whether the OTTI includes a credit loss, we use our best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security considering factors such as: the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, adverse conditions specifically related to the security, an industry, or a geographic area, the historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security, the payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that increase in the future, failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date. The assessment of whether OTTI exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.

Securities Deemed to be Other-Than-Temporarily Impaired

There were no securities deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired during the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

LENDING ACTIVITIES

The following table sets forth selected information regarding the composition of our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated (in thousands).

 

		Loan Portfolio Composition
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Amount				% of Total				Amount				% of Total
Commercial business		$	277,464				14.4	%		$	267,409				14.0	%
Commercial mortgage			479,226				24.9				475,092				24.9
Total commercial			756,690				39.3				742,501				38.9
Residential mortgage			97,717				5.1				100,101				5.2
Home equity			386,961				20.1				386,615				20.2
Consumer indirect			662,213				34.5				661,673				34.6
Other consumer			19,373				1.0				21,112				1.1
Total consumer			1,068,547				55.6				1,069,400				55.9
Total loans			1,922,954				100.0	%			1,912,002				100.0	%
Allowance for loan losses			27,191								27,637
Total loans, net		$	1,895,763							$	1,884,365

Total loans increased $11.0 million to $1.92 billion at March 31, 2015 from $1.91 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in loans was attributable to organic growth, primarily in the commercial loan portfolios.

Commercial loans increased $14.2 million and represented 39.3% of total loans as of March 31, 2015, a result of our continued commercial business development efforts; although we believe production in the first quarter was lower due to the harsh Northeast winter, which negatively impacted commercial business activities.

Residential mortgage loans decreased $2.4 million to $97.7 million as of March 31, 2015 in comparison to $100.1 million as of December 31, 2014. This category of loans decreased as we continue to sell the majority of our newly originated and refinanced residential mortgages to the secondary market rather than adding them to our portfolio.

Our home equity portfolio, which consists of home equity loans and lines, totaled $387.0 million and represented 20.1% of total loans as of March 31, 2015. Approximately 80% of the loans in the home equity portfolio were first lien positions as of March 31, 2015.

The consumer indirect portfolio totaled $662.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and represented 34.5% of total loans as of March 31, 2015. During the first quarter of 2015, we originated $69.3 million in indirect auto loans with a mix of approximately 39% new auto and 61% used auto. During the first quarter of 2014, we originated $77.1 million in indirect auto loans with a mix of approximately 42% new auto and 58% used auto. Our origination volumes and mix of new and used vehicles financed fluctuate depending on general market conditions.

Loans Held for Sale and Loan Servicing Rights

Loans held for sale (not included in the loan portfolio composition table) were entirely comprised of residential real estate mortgages and totaled $656 thousand and $755 thousand as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

We sell certain qualifying newly originated or refinanced residential real estate mortgages on the secondary market. Residential real estate mortgages serviced for others, which are not included in the consolidated statements of financial condition, amounted to $210.3 million and $215.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as runoff outpaced production in the first quarter of 2015.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table sets forth an analysis of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

		Loan Loss Analysis
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
Balance as of beginning of period		$	27,637			$	26,736
Charge-offs:
Commercial business			1,141				68
Commercial mortgage			609				—
Residential mortgage			55				78
Home equity			84				106
Consumer indirect			2,422				2,455
Other consumer			259				269
Total charge-offs			4,570				2,976
Recoveries:
Commercial business			48				29
Commercial mortgage			89				7
Residential mortgage			33				21
Home equity			10				11
Consumer indirect			1,105				1,105
Other consumer			98				113
Total recoveries			1,383				1,286
Net charge-offs			3,187				1,690
Provision for loan losses			2,741				2,106
Balance at end of period		$	27,191			$	27,152
Net loan charge-offs to average loans (annualized)			0.68	%			0.37	%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans			1.41	%			1.47	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans			246	%			167	%

The allowance for loan losses represents the estimated amount of probable credit losses inherent in our loan portfolio. We perform periodic, systematic reviews of the loan portfolio to estimate probable losses in the respective loan portfolios. In addition, we regularly evaluate prevailing economic and business conditions, industry concentrations, changes in the size and characteristics of the portfolio and other pertinent factors. The process we use to determine the overall allowance for loan losses is based on this analysis. Based on this analysis, we believe the allowance for loan losses is adequate as of March 31, 2015.

Assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses involves substantial uncertainties and is based upon management’s evaluation of the amounts required to meet estimated charge-offs in the loan portfolio after weighing a variety of factors, including the risk-profile of our loan products and customers.

The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is subject to ongoing management review. While management evaluates currently available information in establishing the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluations. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review a financial institution’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the financial institution to increase the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

Net charge-offs of $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2015 represented 0.68% of average loans on an annualized basis compared to $1.7 million or 0.37% in the first quarter of 2014. The increase in net charge-offs was primarily driven by the charge-off during the first quarter of 2015 of two commercial loan relationships totaling $1.7 million that had been previously reserved by the Company. The allowance for loan losses was $27.2 million at March 31, 2015, compared with $27.7 million at December 31, 2014. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.41% at March 31, 2015, compared with 1.45% at December 31, 2014. The ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans was 246% at March 31, 2015, compared with 272% at December 31, 2014.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Non-Performing Assets and Potential Problem Loans

The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated (in thousands).

 

		Non-Performing Assets
		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial business		$	4,587			$	4,288
Commercial mortgage			3,411				3,020
Residential mortgage			1,361				1,194
Home equity			672				463
Consumer indirect			994				1,169
Other consumer			39				11
Total nonaccrual loans			11,064				10,145
Accruing loans 90 days or more delinquent			8				8
Total non-performing loans			11,072				10,153
Foreclosed assets			139				194
Total non-performing assets		$	11,211			$	10,347
Non-performing loans to total loans			0.58	%			0.53	%
Non-performing assets to total assets			0.35	%			0.33	%

Changes in the level of nonaccrual loans typically represent increases for loans that reach a specified past due status, offset by reductions for loans that are charged-off, paid down, sold, transferred to foreclosed real estate, or are no longer classified as nonaccrual because they have returned to accrual status. Activity in nonaccrual loans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was as follows (in thousands):

 

Nonaccrual loans at January 1, 2015		$	10,145
Additions			6,772
Payments			(1,292	)
Charge-offs			(4,446	)
Returned to accruing status			(64	)
Transferred to other real estate or repossessed assets			(51	)
Nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2015		$	11,064

Non-performing assets include non-performing loans and foreclosed assets. Non-performing assets at March 31, 2015 were $11.2 million, an increase of $864 thousand from $10.3 million at December 31, 2014. The primary component of non-performing assets is non-performing loans, which were $11.1 million or 0.58% of total loans at March 31, 2015, an increase of $919 thousand from $10.1 million or 0.53% of total loans at December 31, 2014. Included in non-performing loans at March 31, 2015 is one $2.6 million commercial credit relationship which we placed on nonaccrual status during the first quarter of 2015. This downgrade resulted in an increase in our provision and allowance for losses of approximately $800 thousand. The loans comprising this credit relationship are performing in accordance with their contractual terms as of March 31, 2015 and the Company continues to monitor this relationship closely.

Approximately $5.4 million, or 48%, of the $11.1 million in non-performing loans as of March 31, 2015 were current with respect to payment of principal and interest, but were classified as non-accruing because repayment in full of principal and/or interest was uncertain. Included in nonaccrual loans are troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) of $1.8 million and $3.0 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. We had no TDRs that were accruing interest as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

Foreclosed assets consist of real property formerly pledged as collateral for loans, which we have acquired through foreclosure proceedings or acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Foreclosed asset holdings represented three properties totaling $139 thousand at March 31, 2015 and four properties totaling $194 thousand at December 31, 2014.

Potential problem loans are loans classified as substandard that are currently performing, but information known about possible credit problems of the borrowers causes us to have concern as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan payment terms and may result in disclosure of such loans as nonperforming at some time in the future. These loans remain in a performing status due to a variety of factors, including payment history, the value of collateral supporting the credits, and/or personal or government guarantees. We identified $12.3 million and $13.7 million in loans that continued to accrue interest which were classified as substandard as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

FUNDING ACTIVITIES

Deposits

The following table summarizes the composition of our deposits at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

		Deposit Composition
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Amount				% of Total				Amount				% of Total
Noninterest-bearing demand		$	559,646				20.7	%		$	571,260				23.3	%
Interest-bearing demand			611,104				22.6				490,190				20.0
Savings and money market			922,093				34.1				795,835				32.5
Certificates of deposit < $100,000			344,995				12.7				347,899				14.2
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more			266,857				9.9				245,343				10.0
Total deposits		$	2,704,695				100.0	%		$	2,450,527				100.0	%

We offer a variety of deposit products designed to attract and retain customers, with the primary focus on building and expanding long-term relationships. At March 31, 2015, total deposits were $2.70 billion, representing an increase of $254.2 million for the quarter. Certificates of deposit were approximately 23% and 24% of total deposits at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Depositors remain hesitant to invest in time deposits, such as certificates of deposit, for long periods due to the low interest rate environment. This has resulted in lower amounts being placed in time deposits for generally shorter terms.

Nonpublic deposits, the largest component of our funding sources, totaled $1.88 billion and $1.84 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and represented 70% and 75% of total deposits as of the end of each period, respectively. We have managed this segment of funding through a strategy of competitive pricing that minimizes the number of customer relationships that have only a single service high cost deposit account.

As an additional source of funding, we offer a variety of public (municipal) deposit products to the towns, villages, counties and school districts within our market. Public deposits generally range from 20% to 30% of our total deposits. There is a high degree of seasonality in this component of funding, because the level of deposits varies with the seasonal cash flows for these public customers. We maintain the necessary levels of short-term liquid assets to accommodate the seasonality associated with public deposits. Total public deposits were $821.9 million and $607.5 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and represented 30% and 25% of total deposits as of the end of each period, respectively. The increase in public deposits during 2015 was due mainly to seasonal inflows of municipal deposits.

We had no traditional brokered deposits at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014; however, we do participate in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) and Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) programs, which enable depositors to receive FDIC insurance coverage for deposits otherwise exceeding the maximum insurable amount. CDARS and ICS deposits are considered brokered deposits for regulatory reporting purposes. Through these programs, deposits in excess of the maximum insurable amount are placed with multiple participating financial institutions. Reciprocal CDARS deposits and ICS deposits totaled $83.5 million and $103.1 million, respectively, at March 31, 2015, compared to $79.7 million and $67.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014.

Borrowings

The following table summarizes our borrowings as of the dates indicated (in thousands):

 

		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
Short-term borrowings:
Repurchase agreements		$	33,273			$	39,504
Short-term FHLB borrowings			142,300				295,300
Total short-term borrowings		$	175,573			$	334,804

We classify borrowings as short-term or long-term in accordance with the original terms of the agreement. There were no long-term borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

We have credit capacity with the FHLB and can borrow through facilities that include amortizing and term advances or repurchase agreements. We had approximately $76 million of immediate credit capacity with the FHLB as of March 31, 2015. We had approximately $490 million in secured borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) discount window, none of which was outstanding at March 31, 2015. The FHLB and FRB credit capacity are collateralized by securities from our investment portfolio and certain qualifying loans. We had approximately $120 million of credit available under unsecured federal funds purchased lines with various banks as of March 31, 2015. Additionally, we had approximately $37 million of unencumbered liquid securities available for pledging.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Federal funds purchased are short-term borrowings that typically mature within one to ninety days. Short-term repurchase agreements are secured overnight borrowings with customers. Short-term FHLB borrowings have original maturities of less than one year and include overnight borrowings which we typically utilize to address short term funding needs as they arise. Short-term FHLB borrowings at March 31, 2015 consisted of $9.0 million in overnight borrowings and $133.3 million in short-term advances. Short-term FHLB borrowings at December 31, 2014 consisted of $129.0 million in overnight borrowings and $166.3 million in short-term advances.

The Parent company has a revolving line of credit with a commercial bank allowing borrowings up to $20.0 million in total as an additional source of working capital. At March 31, 2015, no amounts have been drawn on the line of credit.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Liquidity

The objective of maintaining adequate liquidity is to assure that we meet our financial obligations. These obligations include the withdrawal of deposits on demand or at their contractual maturity, the repayment of matured borrowings, the ability to fund new and existing loan commitments and the ability to take advantage of new business opportunities. We achieve liquidity by maintaining a strong base of core customer funds, maturing short-term assets, our ability to sell or pledge securities, lines-of-credit, and access to the financial and capital markets.

Liquidity for the Bank is managed through the monitoring of anticipated changes in loans, the investment portfolio, core deposits and wholesale funds. The strength of the Bank’s liquidity position is a result of its base of core customer deposits. These core deposits are supplemented by wholesale funding sources that include credit lines with the other banking institutions, the FHLB and the FRB.

The primary sources of liquidity for the parent company are dividends from the Bank, subsidiaries’ contribution of their proportionate share of current income taxes, and access to financial and capital markets. Dividends from the Bank are limited by various regulatory requirements related to capital adequacy and earnings trends. The Bank relies on cash flows from operations, core deposits, borrowings and short-term liquid assets. As a secondary source of liquidity, the parent company has the ability to draw up to $20.0 million on a revolving credit line with a commercial bank.

Cash and cash equivalents were $136.0 million as of March 31, 2015, up $77.8 million from $58.2 million as of December 31, 2014. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $17.9 million and the principal source of operating activity cash flow was net income adjusted for noncash income and expense items. Net cash used in investing activities totaled $31.9 million, which included outflows of $14.2 million for net loan originations and $16.8 million from net investment securities transactions. Net cash provided by financing activities of $91.8 million was attributed to a $254.2 million increase in deposits, partly offset by a $159.2 million decrease in short-term borrowings and $3.2 million in dividend payments. The higher cash and cash equivalents balance resulted from strong public deposit inflows at the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Capital Management

We actively manage capital, commensurate with our risk profile, to enhance shareholder value. We also seek to maintain capital levels for the Company and the Bank at amounts in excess of the regulatory “well-capitalized” thresholds. Periodically, we may respond to market conditions by implementing changes to our overall balance sheet positioning to manage our capital position.

Banks and financial holding companies are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.

On April 15, 2015, after conclusion of our first fiscal quarter in 2015, the Parent company issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes to certain accredited investors. See the “Executive Overview” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion regarding the issuance of the subordinated notes.

Shareholders’ equity was $286.7 million at March 31, 2015, an increase of $7.2 million from $279.5 million at December 31, 2014. Net income for the year increased shareholders’ equity by $6.8 million, which was partially offset by common and preferred stock dividends declared of $3.2 million. Accumulated other comprehensive income included in shareholders’ equity increased $3.4 million during the first three months of 2015 due primarily to higher net unrealized gains on securities available for sale.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s (“BCBS”) capital guidelines for U.S. banks became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rule’s requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule, to be fully phased-in by January 1, 2019. As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s capital levels remained characterized as “well-capitalized” under the new rules. We continue to evaluate the potential impact that regulatory rules may have on our liquidity and capital management strategies, including Basel III and those required under the Dodd-Frank Act. See the “Basel III Capital Rules “ section below for further discussion.

The following table reflects the ratios and their components (dollars in thousands):

 

		March 31,				December 31,
		2015				2014
Common shareholders’ equity		$	269,349			$	262,192
Less: Goodwill and other intangible assets (1)			62,385				68,639
Net unrealized gain on investment securities (2)			4,886				1,625
Net periodic pension & postretirement benefits plan adjustments			(10,501	)			(10,636	)
Other			511				—
Common equity Tier 1 capital			212,068				n/a
Plus: Preferred stock			17,340				17,340
Tier 1 Capital			229,408				219,904
Plus: Qualifying allowance for loan losses			27,191				26,262
Total regulatory capital (3)		$	256,599			$	246,166
Adjusted average total assets (for leverage capital purposes) (3)		$	3,048,197			$	2,993,050
Total risk-weighted assets (3)		$	2,195,911			$	2,099,626
Key Regulatory Capital Ratios (3)
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets)			7.53	%			7.35	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio (Common equity Tier 1capital to total risk-weighted assets)			9.66				n/a
Tier 1 Capital Ratio (Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets)			10.45				10.47
Total Capital Ratio (Total risk-based capital to total risk-weighted assets)			11.69				11.72

 

(1)	March 31, 2015 calculated net of deferred tax liabilities.

(2)	Includes unrealized gains and losses related to the Company’s reclassification of available for sale investment securities to the held to maturity category.

(3)	March 31, 2015 calculated under Basel III rules, which became effective January 1, 2015.

Basel III Capital Rules

The FRB and the FDIC approved the final rules implementing the BCBS’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks. Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Company. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A new capital conservation buffer is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and will increase each subsequent year by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules. The final rules also revise the definition and calculation of Tier 1 capital, Total Capital, and risk-weighted assets.

The phase-in period for the final rules became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rules’ requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule, to be fully phased-in by January 1, 2019. As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s capital levels remained characterized as “well-capitalized” under the new rules.

Dividend Restrictions

In the ordinary course of business we are 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.

 

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ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk were presented at December 31, 2014 in Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2015. The following is an update of the discussion provided therein.

Portfolio Composition

There was no material change in the composition of assets, deposit liabilities or borrowings from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015. See the section titled “Analysis of Financial Condition” in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for a discussion of asset, deposit and borrowing activity during the period.

Net Interest Income at Risk

A primary tool used to manage interest rate risk is “rate shock” simulation to measure the rate sensitivity. Rate shock simulation is a modeling technique used to estimate the impact of changes in rates on net interest income as well as economic value of equity. At March 31, 2015, the Company was generally asset sensitive, meaning that, in most cases, net interest income tends to rise as interest rates rise and decline as interest rates fall.

Net interest income at risk is measured by estimating the changes in net interest income resulting from instantaneous and sustained parallel shifts in interest rates of different magnitudes over a period of 12 months. The following table sets forth the estimated changes to net interest income over the 12-month period ending March 31, 2016 assuming instantaneous changes in interest rates for the given rate shock scenarios (dollars in thousands):

 

		Changes in Interest Rate
		-100 bp				+100 bp				+200 bp				+300 bp
Change in net interest income		$	(624	)		$	1,384			$	3,412			$	2,764
% Change			(0.65	)%			1.45	%			3.58	%			2.90	%

In addition to the changes in interest rate scenarios listed above, other scenarios are typically modeled to measure interest rate risk. These scenarios vary depending on the economic and interest rate environment.

The simulations referenced above are based on management’s assumption as to the effect of interest rate changes on assets and liabilities and assumes a parallel shift of the yield curve. It also includes certain assumptions about the future pricing of loans and deposits in response to changes in interest rates. Further, it assumes that delinquency rates would not change as a result of changes in interest rates, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. While this simulation is a useful measure as to net interest income at risk due to a change in interest rates, it is not a forecast of the future results and is based on many assumptions that, if changed, could cause a different outcome.

Economic Value of Equity At Risk

The economic (or “fair”) value of financial instruments on our balance sheet will also vary under the interest rate scenarios previously discussed. This is measured by simulating changes in our economic value of equity (“EVE”), which is calculated by subtracting the estimated fair value of liabilities from the estimated fair value of assets. Fair values for financial instruments are estimated by discounting projected cash flows (principal and interest) at current replacement rates for each account type, while fair values of non-financial assets and liabilities are assumed to equal book value and do not vary with interest rate fluctuations. An economic value simulation is a static measure for balance sheet accounts at a given point in time, but this measurement can change substantially over time as the characteristics of our balance sheet evolve and as interest rate and yield curve assumptions are updated.

The amount of change in economic value under different interest rate scenarios depends on the characteristics of each class of financial instrument, including the stated interest rate or spread relative to current market rates or spreads, the likelihood of prepayment, whether the rate is fixed or floating, and the maturity date of the instrument. As a general rule, fixed-rate financial assets become more valuable in declining rate scenarios and less valuable in rising rate scenarios, while fixed-rate financial liabilities gain in value as interest rates rise and lose value as interest rates decline. The longer the duration of the financial instrument, the greater the impact a rate change will have on its value. In our economic value simulations, estimated prepayments are factored in for financial instruments with stated maturity dates, and decay rates for non-maturity deposits are projected based on historical data (back-testing).

 

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The analysis that follows presents the estimated EVE resulting from market interest rates prevailing at a given quarter-end (“Pre-Shock Scenario”), and under other interest rate scenarios (each a “Rate Shock Scenario”) represented by immediate, permanent, parallel shifts in interest rates from those observed at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The analysis additionally presents a measurement of the interest rate sensitivity at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. EVE amounts are computed under each respective Pre- Shock Scenario and Rate Shock Scenario. An increase in the EVE amount is considered favorable, while a decline is considered unfavorable.

 

		March 31, 2015												December 31, 2014
		EVE				Change				Percentage Change				EVE				Change				Percentage Change
Rate Shock Scenario:
Pre-Shock Scenario		$	487,730											$	476,735
- 100 Basis Points			520,534			$	32,804				6.73	%			489,184			$	12,449				2.61	%
+ 100 Basis Points			482,675				(5,055	)			(1.04	)			466,983				(9,752	)			(2.05	)
+ 200 Basis Points			472,851				(14,879	)			(3.05	)			453,868				(22,867	)			(4.80	)

The Pre-Shock Scenario EVE was $487.7 million at March 31, 2015, compared to $476.7 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in the Pre-Shock Scenario EVE at March 31, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014 resulted primarily from a more favorable valuation of non-maturity deposits, fixed-rate residential loans and mortgage backed securities that reflected alternative funding and investment rate changes used for discounting future cash flows.

The +200 basis point Rate Shock Scenario EVE increased from $453.9 million at December 31, 2014 to $472.9 million at March 31, 2015, reflecting the more favorable valuation of non-maturity deposits. The percentage change in the EVE amount from the Pre-Shock Scenario to the +200 basis point Rate Shock Scenario increased from to (4.80)% at December 31, 2014 to (3.05)% at March 31, 2015. The decrease in sensitivity resulted from an increased benefit in the valuation of non-maturity deposits in the +200 basis point Rate Shock Scenario EVE as of March 31, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014.

 

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

As of March 31, 2015, 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 and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b), as adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

The Company has experienced no material developments in its legal proceedings from the disclosure included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, dated March 6, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

The Company has experienced no material changes in its risk factors from the disclosure included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, dated March 6, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

 

(a)

The following is a list of all exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Report:

 

Exhibit Number		Description		Location
31.1		Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—Principal Executive Officer		Filed Herewith
31.2		Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002—Principal Financial Officer		Filed Herewith
32		Certification pursuant to18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002		Filed Herewith
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.
/s/ Martin K. Birmingham		, May 5, 2015
Martin K. Birmingham
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Kevin B. Klotzbach		, May 5, 2015
Kevin B. Klotzbach
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Michael D. Grover		, May 5, 2015
Michael D. Grover
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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