Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OFG Bancorp and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Statutory Trust II is exempt from the consolidation requirements of GAAP.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate mainly to the determination of the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of securities, revisions to expected cash flows in acquired loans, the determination of income taxes, impairment of securities, and goodwill valuation and impairment assessment.

Cash Equivalents

Oriental considers as cash equivalents all money market instruments that are not pledged and that have maturities of three months or less.

Financial Instruments

Certain financial instruments, including derivatives, trading securities and investment securities available-for-sale, are recorded at fair value and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) or as part of non-interest income, as appropriate. Fair values are based on listed market prices, if available. If listed market prices are not available, fair value is determined based on other relevant factors, including price quotations for similar instruments. The fair values of certain derivative contracts are derived from pricing models that consider current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments as the well as time value and yield curve or volatility factors underlying the positions.

Oriental determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value measurement framework, which establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs of valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 — Level 1 assets and liabilities include equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include (i) mortgage-backed securities for which the fair value is estimated based on valuations obtained from third-party pricing services for identical or comparable assets, (ii) debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and (iii) derivative contracts and financial liabilities whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

There were no transfers in and/or out of Level 3 for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Oriental’s policy is to recognize transfers at the date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Oriental’s overall interest rate risk-management strategy incorporates the use of derivative instruments to minimize significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings that are caused by interest rate volatility. Oriental’s goal is to manage interest rate sensitivity by modifying the repricing or maturity characteristics of certain balance sheet assets and liabilities so that the net interest margin is not, on a material basis, adversely affected by movements in interest rates. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, hedged fixed-rate assets and liabilities will appreciate or depreciate in market value. Also, for some fixed-rate assets or liabilities, the effect of this variability in earnings is expected to be substantially offset by Oriental’s gains and losses on the derivative instruments that are linked to the forecasted cash flows of these hedged assets and liabilities. Oriental considers its strategic use of derivatives to be a prudent method of managing interest-rate sensitivity as it reduces the exposure of earnings and the market value of its equity to undue risk posed by changes in interest rates. The effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation is expected to be substantially offset by Oriental’s gains or losses on the derivative instruments that are linked to these hedged assets and liabilities. Another result of interest rate fluctuation is that the contractual interest income and interest expense of hedged variable-rate assets and liabilities, respectively, will increase or decrease.

Derivative instruments that are used as part of Oriental’s interest rate risk-management strategy include interest rate swaps, caps, forward-settlement swaps, and futures contracts. Interest rate swaps generally involve the exchange of fixed and variable-rate interest payments between two parties based on a common notional principal amount and maturity date. Interest rate futures generally involve exchange-traded contracts to buy or sell U.S. Treasury bonds and notes in the future at specified prices. Interest rate options represent contracts that allow the holder of the option to (i) receive cash or (ii) purchase, sell, or enter into a financial instrument at a specified price within a specified period. Some purchased option contracts give Oriental the right to enter into interest rate swaps and cap and floor agreements with the writer of the option. In addition, Oriental enters into certain transactions that contain embedded derivatives. When the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract, it is bifurcated and carried at fair value.

When using derivative instruments, Oriental exposes itself to credit and market risk. If a counterparty fails to fulfill its performance obligations under a derivative contract due to insolvency or any other event of default, Oriental’s credit risk will equal the fair value gain in a derivative plus any cash or securities that may have been delivered to the counterparty as part of the transaction terms. Generally, when the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, this indicates that the counterparty owes Oriental, thus creating a repayment risk for Oriental. This risk is generally mitigated by requesting cash or securities from the counterparty to cover the positive fair value. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, Oriental owes the counterparty and, therefore, assumes no credit risk other than to the extent that the cash or value of the collateral delivered as part of the transactions exceeds the fair value of the derivative. Oriental minimizes the credit (or repayment) risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties.

Oriental uses forward-settlement swaps to hedge the variability of future interest cash flows of forecasted wholesale borrowings attributable to changes in LIBOR. Once the forecasted wholesale borrowing transactions occur, the interest rate swap will effectively lock-in Oriental’s interest rate payments on an amount of forecasted interest expense attributable to the one-month LIBOR corresponding to the swap notional amount. By employing this strategy, Oriental minimizes its exposure to volatility in LIBOR.

As part of this hedging strategy, Oriental formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as the well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedging transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges to (i) specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or (ii) specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. Oriental also formally assesses (both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis) whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of hedged items and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods. The changes in fair value of the forward-settlement swaps are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the extent there is no significant ineffectiveness.

Oriental discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when (i) it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of a hedged item (including hedged items such as firm commitments or forecasted transactions); (ii) the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (iii) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; (iv) a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment; or (v) management determines that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate or desired.

Oriental’s derivative activities are monitored by its Asset/Liability Management Committee which is also responsible for approving hedging strategies that are developed through its analysis of data derived from financial simulation models and other internal and industry sources. The resulting hedging strategies are then incorporated into Oriental’s overall interest rate risk-management.

Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities

Oriental recognizes the financial and servicing assets it controls and the liabilities it has incurred, derecognizes financial assets when control has been surrendered, and derecognizes liabilities when extinguished. Oriental is not engaged in sales of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities subject to recourse provisions except for those provisions that allow for the repurchase of loans as a result of a breach of certain representations and warranties other than those related to the credit quality of the loans included in the sale transactions.

The transfer of an entire financial asset, a group of entire financial assets, or a participating interest in an entire financial asset in which Oriental surrenders control over the assets is accounted for as a sale if all of the following conditions set forth in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 860 are met: (i) the assets must be isolated from creditors of the transferor, (ii) the transferee must obtain the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (iii) the transferor cannot maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. When Oriental transfers financial assets and the transfer fails any one of these criteria, Oriental is prevented from derecognizing the transferred financial assets and the transaction is accounted for as a secured borrowing. For transfers of financial assets that satisfy the conditions to be accounted for as sales, Oriental derecognizes all assets sold; recognizes all assets obtained and liabilities incurred in consideration as proceeds of the sale, including servicing assets and servicing liabilities, if applicable; initially measures at fair value assets obtained and liabilities incurred in a sale; and recognizes in earnings any gain or loss on the sale. The guidance on transfer of financial assets requires a true sale analysis of the treatment of the transfer under state law as if Oriental was a debtor under the bankruptcy code. A true sale legal analysis includes several legally relevant factors, such as the intent of the parties, the nature and level of recourse to the transferor, and the nature of retained interests in the loans sold. The analytical conclusion as to a true sale is never absolute and unconditional, but contains qualifications based on the inherent equitable powers of a bankruptcy court, as well as the unsettled state of the common law. Once the legal isolation test has been met, other factors concerning the nature and extent of the transferor’s control over the transferred assets are taken into account in order to determine whether derecognition of assets is warranted.

When Oriental sells or securitizes mortgage loans, it generally makes customary representations and warranties regarding the characteristics of the loans sold. Conforming conventional mortgage loans are combined into pools which are exchanged for FNMA and GNMA mortgage-backed securities, which are generally sold to private investors, or sold directly to FNMA or other private investors for cash. To the extent the loans do not meet the specified characteristics, investors are generally entitled to require Oriental to repurchase such loans or indemnify the investor against losses if the assets do not meet certain guidelines. GNMA programs allow financial institutions to buy back individual delinquent mortgage loans that meet certain criteria from the securitized loan pool for which Oriental provides servicing. At Oriental’s option and without GNMA prior authorization, Oriental may repurchase such delinquent loans for an amount equal to 100% of the loan’s remaining principal balance. This buy-back option is considered a conditional option until the delinquency criteria is met, at which time the option becomes unconditional. When the loans backing a GNMA security are initially securitized, Oriental treats the transaction as a sale for accounting purposes because the conditional nature of the buy-back option means that Oriental does not maintain effective control over the loans, and therefore these are derecognized from the statement of financial condition. When individual loans later meet GNMA’s specified delinquency criteria and are eligible for repurchase, Oriental is deemed to have regained effective control over these loans, and these must be brought back onto Oriental’s books as assets, regardless of whether Oriental intends to exercise the buy-back option. Quality review procedures are performed by Oriental as required under the government agency programs to ensure that asset guideline qualifications are met. Oriental has not recorded any specific contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements for these customary representation and warranties related to loans sold by Oriental, and management believes that, based on historical data, the probability of payments and expected losses under these representation and warranty arrangements is not significant.

Oriental has liability for residential mortgage loans sold subject to credit recourse, principally loans associated with FNMA residential mortgage loan sales and securitization programs. In the event of any customer default, pursuant to the credit recourse provided, Oriental is required to repurchase the loan or reimburse the third party investor for the incurred loss. The maximum potential amount of future payments that Oriental would be required to make under the recourse arrangements in the event of nonperformance by the borrowers is equivalent to the total outstanding balance of the residential mortgage loans serviced with recourse and interest, if applicable. In the event of nonperformance by the borrower, Oriental has rights to the underlying collateral securing the mortgage loan. Oriental suffers ultimate losses on these loans when the proceeds from a foreclosure sale of the property underlying a defaulted mortgage loan are less than the outstanding principal balance of the loan plus any uncollected interest advanced and the costs of holding and disposing the related property. Oriental has established a liability to cover the estimated credit loss exposure related to loans sold with credit recourse.

The estimated losses to be absorbed under the credit recourse arrangements are recorded as a liability when the loans are sold or credit recourse is assumed as part of acquired servicing rights, and are updated by accruing or reversing expense (included as mortgage banking activities in the consolidated statements of operations) throughout the life of the loan, as necessary, when additional relevant information becomes available. The methodology used to estimate the recourse liability is a function of the recourse arrangements given and considers a variety of factors, which include actual defaults and historical loss experience, foreclosure rate, estimated future defaults and the probability that a loan would be delinquent. The methodology leverages the expected loss framework for mortgage loans to estimate expected future losses. The reserve for the estimated losses under the credit recourse arrangements is presented separately within other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at amortized cost. Amortized cost is the principal balance outstanding, net of purchase premiums and discounts, deferred loan fees and costs.

Loans held for investment that were not purchased with credit deterioration are referred to as Non-PCD loans and loans that were purchased with credit deterioration are referred to as PCD loans.

Oriental discontinues accrual of interest after payments become more than 90 days past due or earlier if Oriental does not expect the full collection of principal or interest, except for residential mortgage loans insured or guaranteed under applicable FHA and VA programs that are not placed in non-accrual status until they become 12 months or more past due, as they are insured loans. At that time, any accrued income is reversed. The delinquency status is based upon the contractual terms of the loans. Loans for which the recognition of interest income has been discontinued are designated as non-accruing. Collections are accounted for on the cash method thereafter, until qualifying to return to accrual status. Such loans are not reinstated to accrual status until interest is received on a current basis and other factors indicative of doubtful collection cease to exist. The determination as to the ultimate collectability of the loan’s balance may involve management’s judgment in the evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and prospects for repayment. Interest income is based on effective yield on the Non-PCD loans.

Purchased Credit Deteriorated (PCD) Loans: Oriental has purchased loans, some of which have experienced more than insignificant credit deterioration since origination. Oriental considered the following factors as indicators that an acquired loan had evidence of deterioration in credit quality: loans that were 90 days or more past due; loans that had an internal loan grade of substandard or worse - substandard loans have a well-defined weakness that jeopardizes collection of the loan; loans that were classified as nonaccrual by the acquired bank at the time of acquisition; and loans that had been previously modified in a troubled debt restructuring. As such, our PCD loans are recorded at the purchase price plus the allowance for credit losses expected at the time of acquisition or implementation of the standard. An allowance for credit losses is determined using an undiscounted cashflow methodology.

Upon adoption of CECL, Oriental elected to maintain pools of loans that were previously accounted for under ASC 310-30 and will continue to account for these pools as a unit of account. As such, for these loans the determination of nonaccrual or accrual status is made at the pool level, not the individual loan level. Upon adoption of CECL, the allowance for credit losses was determined for each pool and added to the pool’s carrying amount to establish a new amortized cost basis. The difference between the unpaid principal balance of the pool and the new amortized cost basis is the non-credit premium or discount which will be amortized interest income over the remaining life of the pool. On a quarterly basis, management will monitor the composition and behavior of the pools to assess the ability for cash flow estimation and timing. If based on the analysis performed, the pool is classified as non-accrual the accretion/amortization of the non-credit (discount) premium will cease. Changes to the allowance for credit losses after adoption are recorded through the provision expense.

Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”) – Loans: On January 1, 2020, Oriental adopted CECL, which utilizes a lifetime “expected credit loss” measurement objective for the recognition of credit losses for loans at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. The allowance for credit losses is adjusted each period for changes in expected credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. Determining the amount of the ACL is complex and requires extensive judgment by management about matters that are inherently uncertain. Re-evaluation of the ACL estimate in future periods in light of changes in composition and characteristics of the loan portfolio, changes in the reasonable and supportable forecast and other factors then prevailing may result in material changes in the amount of the ACL and credit loss expense in those future periods. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Oriental continues to monitor and modify the level of the ACL to ensure it is adequate.

Our methodology for estimating expected credit losses for our loan portfolios include the following key components:

 Expected credit losses are estimated on a collective basis for groups of loans that share similar risk characteristics. Factors that may be considered in aggregating loans for this purpose include but are not necessarily limited to, product or collateral type, internal risk rating, credit characteristics such as credit scores or collateral values, and historical or expected credit loss patterns.

 Credit losses for loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are estimated on an individual basis. Individual evaluations are typically performed for nonaccrual loans and modified loans classified as troubled debt restructurings. The lifetime losses for individually measured loans are estimated based on one of several methods, including the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, observable market value of similar debt or the present value of expected cash flows.

 ACL reserves are estimated over the contractual term of the financial asset adjusted for expected prepayments. As part of the calculation of the contractual term, expected extension are generally not considered unless the option to extend the loan cannot be canceled unilaterally by Oriental, and loan modifications are also not considered, unless Oriental has a reasonable expectation that it will execute a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). In the case of unconditionally cancelable accounts, such as credit cards, reserves are based on the expected life of the balance as of the evaluation date (assuming no further charges) and do not include any undrawn commitments that are unconditionally cancelable.

 The quantitative model utilizes a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) or undiscounted cash flow (“UDCF”) approach to estimate expected credit losses using probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”), and exposure at default ("EAD”). DCF method is used for most of the Non-PCD portfolio using the amortized cost, and UDCF method for the PCD portfolio using the unpaid principal balance. For the EAD, the Company uses a prepayment model which projects prepayments over the life of the loans.

 An economic forecast period based on the relation of losses with key economic variables for each portfolio segment; Oriental has elected a 2-year reasonable and supportable forecast period, with an additional 1-year to mean straight-line reversion occurring within the credit loss models based on the economic inputs. The length of the reasonable and supportable forecast is evaluated at each reporting period and adjusted if deemed necessary.

 Inclusion of qualitative adjustment to consider factors for asset-specific risk characteristics to the extent they do not exist in the historical information that have not been accounted and could impact the amount of future losses. For example, factors that Oriental considers include changes in lending policies and procedures, business conditions, the nature and size of the portfolio, portfolio concentrations, the volume and severity of past due loans and nonaccrual loans, the effect of external factors such as competition, and legal and regulatory requirements, among others.

 The estimate of credit losses includes expected recoveries of amounts previously charged off as well as consideration of expected amounts to be written off. If a loan has been charged off, the expected cash flows on the loan are not limited by the current amortized cost balance. Instead, expected cash flows can be assumed up to the unpaid principal balance immediately prior to the charge-off.

 The ACL excludes accrued interest since all our products are subject to a non-accrual and timely write-off policy, except for accrued interest receivable on loans that participated in the Covid-19 deferral programs with delinquency status in 30 to 89 days past due and is calculated by applying the corresponding loan projected loss factors to the accrued interest receivable balance.

In our loss forecasting framework, Oriental incorporates forward-looking information through the use of macroeconomic scenarios applied over the forecasted life of the assets. These macroeconomic scenarios include variables that have historically been key drivers of increases and decreases in credit losses. These variables include, but are not limited to, unemployment rates, real estate prices, gross domestic product levels, business and personal bankruptcies. As any one economic outlook is inherently uncertain, Oriental leverages multiple scenarios. The scenarios that are chosen each quarter and the amount of weighting given to each scenario depend on a variety of factors including recent economic events, leading economic indicators, views of internal as well as third-party economists and industry trends.

The ACL for troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) is measured based on the present value of projected future lifetime principal and interest cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or in cases where foreclosure is probable or the loan is collateral dependent, at the loan’s collateral value or its observable market price, if available. For purposes of computing the specific loss component of the allowance, larger impaired loans are evaluated individually, and smaller impaired loans are evaluated in pools.

Management has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on loans from the estimate of credit losses, except for accrued interest receivable on loans that participated in the Covid-19 deferral programs. Oriental has elected to estimate expected credit losses on accrued interest receivable for loans that participated in the Covid-19 deferral programs separately from other components of the amortized costs basis. Accrued interest receivable totaled $64.5 million and $32.7 million on December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, reported in accrued interest receivable on the consolidated statement of financial condition. Accrued interest receivable on loans that participated in the Covid-19 deferral programs amounted to $35.4 million at December 31, 2020, of which $30.5 million corresponds to loans in current status. Allowance for credit losses for accrued interest receivable on loans that participated in the Covid-19 deferral programs amounted to $711 thousand at December 31, 2020.

Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income through the life of the loan.

Oriental has identified the following portfolio segments, commercial loans, mortgage loans, consumer loans, and auto loans and leases, and measures the allowance for credit losses using the methods described below for each.

Commercial Loans – The segmentation of commercial loans was established by business line, collateral type, and size, delinquency or risk rating/classification to assess the loans based on common risk characteristics. The segmentation aligns with Oriental’s current credit policies, and procedures for these portfolios. The estimate of expected credit losses on commercial loans is forecasted using models that estimate credit losses over the loan’s contractual life at an individual loan level. The models use the contractual terms to forecast future principal cash flows while also considering expected prepayments, considering that all our lines of credit are unconditionally cancellable. The loss forecasting model determines the probabilities of transition to different credit risk ratings or default at each point over the life of the asset based on the borrower’s current credit risk rating and business segment. Assumptions of expected loss are conditioned to the economic outlook and the model considers key economic variables such as unemployment rate, gross national product (“GNP”) (P.R. projections), gross domestic product (U.S. projections) and retail sales (U.S. projections).

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. Individual evaluations are typically performed for nonaccrual loans and modified loans classified as troubled debt restructurings. Loans evaluated individually are not included in the collective evaluation. When management determines that foreclosure is probable or when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty at the reporting date and repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are based on the fair value of the collateral at the reporting date, adjusted for selling costs as appropriate, as Oriental elected the collateral-dependent practical expedient. For loans evaluated individually that are not collateral dependent, a discounted cash flow method is used to determine the allowance for credit losses.

Commercial loans are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days or more past due and are written down, if necessary, based on the specific evaluation of the underlying collateral, if any.

Oriental’s lending activities in the continental United States – referred to as the U.S. Loan Program – are conducted through OIB and OFG USA. These activities include the purchase of middle market senior secured cash flow loan participations and the purchase of participations of loans to small and medium sized businesses.

Mortgage Loans – This segment includes traditional mortgages, non-traditional mortgages, mortgages in the loss mitigation program, residential performing TDRs and residential non-performing TDRs. To estimate the expected credit losses for mortgage loans, Oriental estimates the number of loans that will default over the life of the existing portfolio, after factoring in estimated prepayments, using quantitative modeling methodologies. The most significant attribute in estimating Oriental’s lifetime expected credit losses is the vintage. The estimates are based on Oriental’s historical experience with the loan portfolio, adjusted to reflect the economic outlook. The outlook on the housing price index and unemployment are key factors that impact the frequency and severity of loss estimates. Oriental expects to collect the amortized cost basis of government insured residential loans due to the nature of the government guarantee, so the ACL is zero for these loans.

Mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days or more past due and are written-down, if necessary, based on the specific evaluation of the collateral underlying the loan, except for FHA and VA insured mortgage loans which are placed in non-accrual when they become 12 months or more past due. For loans that are more than 180 days past due, with the exception of Oriental’s fully insured portfolio, the outstanding balance of loans that is in excess of the estimated property value after adjusting for costs to sell is charged off. If the estimated property value decreases in periods subsequent to the initial charge-off, Oriental will record additional charge-offs.

Consumer Loans – This portfolio consists of smaller retail loans such as unsecured personal loans, unsecured personal lines of credit, retail credit cards and overdrafts. To estimate the expected credit losses for consumer loans, Oriental estimates the number of loans that will default over the life of the existing portfolio, using quantitative modeling methodologies. The estimates are based on the Oriental’s historical experience with the loan portfolios, adjusted to reflect the economic outlook. The outlook on the GNP and unemployment rate are key factors that impact the frequency and severity of loss estimates. Credit cards are revolving lines of credit without a defined maturity date. Oriental elected to apply the remaining life methodology for the credit cards and revolving line segments. The remaining life methodology takes projected losses based on economic forecast and applies it to a pool of loans on a periodic basis, based on the remaining life expectation of that pool. Economic variables for the forecast are GNP and personal bankruptcy. Future draws on the credit card lines are excluded from the estimated expected credit losses as they are unconditionally cancellable.

Consumer loans are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days past due and written-off when payments are delinquent 120 days in personal loans and 180 days in credit cards and personal lines of credit.

Auto Loans and Leases - This portfolio consists of auto loans and leases. To estimate the expected credit losses for auto loans and leases, Oriental estimates the number of loans that will default over the life of the existing portfolio, after factoring in estimated prepayments, using quantitative modeling methodologies. The most significant attribute in estimating Oriental’s expected credit losses is the FICO score. The estimates are based on Oriental’s historical experience with the loan portfolio, adjusted to reflect the economic outlook. The outlook on the GNP and unemployment are key factors that impact the frequency and severity of loss estimates.

Auto loans and leases are placed on non-accrual status when they become 90 days past due, partially written-off to collateral value when payments are delinquent 120 days, and fully written-off when payments are delinquent 180 days.

For the principal enhancements that management made to its methodology, refer to Note 7.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Under the Incurred Losses Model for the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018

Oriental followed a systematic methodology to establish and evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses to provide for inherent losses in loan portfolio. This methodology included the consideration of factors such as economic conditions, portfolio risk characteristics, prior loss experience, and results of periodic credit reviews of individual loans.

Oriental’s assessment of the allowance for loan losses was determined in accordance with the guidance of loss contingencies in ASC Subtopic 450-20 and loan impairment guidance in ASC Section 310-10-35. Also, Oriental determined the allowance for loan losses on purchased impaired loans and purchased loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 by analogy, by evaluating decreases in expected cash flows after the acquisition date.

The quantitative component used a loss factor for the general reserve of these loans established by considering Oriental’s historical loss experience adjusted for an estimated loss emergence period and the consideration of qualitative factors. Qualitative factors considered were: change in non-performing loans; migration in classification; trends in charge offs; trends in volume of loans; changes in collateral values; changes in risk selections and underwriting standards, and other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff, including Oriental’s loan review system; national and local economic trends and industry conditions; and effect of external factors such as competition and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses. The sum of the adjusted loss experience factors and the qualitative factors were the general valuation reserve (“GVA”) factor used for the determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses in each category.

Loans and Leases Held for Investment, Excluding Loans Accounted for under ASC 310-30

Oriental determined the allowance for loan and lease losses by portfolio segment, which consisted of mortgage loans, commercial loans, consumer loans, and auto and leasing, as follows:

Mortgage loans: These loans were divided into four classes: traditional mortgages, non-traditional mortgages, loans in loan modification programs and mortgage secured personal loans. Traditional mortgage loans included loans secured by a dwelling, fixed coupons and regular amortization schedules. Non-traditional mortgages included loans with interest-first amortization schedules and loans with balloon considerations as part of their terms. Mortgages in loan modification programs were loans that were being serviced under such programs. Mortgage loans were mainly equity lines of credit. The allowance factor on mortgage loans was impacted by the adjusted historical loss factors on the sub-segments and the qualitative factors described above and by delinquency buckets. The traditional mortgage loan portfolio was further segregated by vintages and then by delinquency buckets. The calculation of the loss factor used probability of default (“PD”) and loss given default (“LGD”) methodology. The PD resulted from a delinquency migration analysis and the LGD was based on the Bank’s historical loss experience.

Commercial loans: The commercial portfolio was segmented by business line (corporate, institutional, middle market, corporate retail, floor plan, and real estate), by collateral type (secured by real estate and other commercial and industrial assets), and loan grades. Quantitative components used a loss factor for the GVA of these loans established by considering Oriental's historical loss experience of each segment adjusted for the loss realization period and the consideration of qualitative factors. The sum of the adjusted loss experience and the qualitative factors was the GVA factor used for the determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses on each segment.

Consumer loans: The consumer portfolio consisted of smaller retail loans such as retail credit cards, overdrafts, unsecured personal lines of credit, and personal unsecured loans. The allowance factor, which consisted of the adjusted historical loss factor and the qualitative factors, was calculated for each sub-class of loans by delinquency bucket.

Auto and Leasing: The auto and leasing portfolio consisted of financing for the purchase of new or used motor vehicles for private or public use. The allowance factor was impacted by the adjusted historical loss factor and the qualitative factors. For the determination of the allowance factor, the portfolio was segmented by FICO score, which was updated on a quarterly basis and then by delinquency bucket.

Oriental established its allowance for loan losses through a provision for credit losses based on our evaluation of the credit quality of the loan portfolio. This evaluation, which included a review of loans on which full collectability may not have been reasonably assured, considered, among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical net loan loss experience, and other factors that warranted recognition in determining our allowance for loan losses. Oriental continuously monitored and modified, if applicable, the level of the allowance for loan losses to ensure it was adequate to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio.

Our allowance for loan losses consisted of the following elements: (i) specific valuation allowances based on probable losses on specifically identified impaired loans; and (ii) valuation allowances based on net historical loan loss experience for similar loans with similar inherent risk characteristics and performance trends, adjusted, as appropriate, for qualitative risk factors specific to respective loan types.

When current information and events indicated that it was probable that we would be unable to collect all amounts of principal and interest due under the original terms of a business or commercial real estate loan greater than $500 thousand, such loan was classified as impaired. Additionally, all loans modified in a TDR were considered impaired. The need for specific valuation allowances were determined for impaired loans and recorded as necessary. For impaired loans, we considered the fair value of the underlying collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if the loan was collateral dependent, or we used the present value of estimated future cash flows in determining the estimates of impairment and any related allowance for loan losses for these loans. Confirmed losses were charged off immediately.

Loan loss ratios and loan grades, for commercial loans, were updated at least quarterly and were applied in the context of GAAP. Management used current available information in estimating possible loan and lease losses, factors beyond Oriental’s control, such as those affecting general economic conditions, may have required future changes to the allowance.

Acquired Loans Accounted for under ASC 310-30 (including those accounted for under ASC 310-30 by analogy)

For our acquired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, our allowance for loan losses was estimated based upon our expected cash flows for these loans. To the extent that we experienced a deterioration in borrower credit quality resulting in a decrease in the net present value of our expected cash flows (which were used as a proxy to identify probable incurred losses) subsequent to the acquisition of the loans, an allowance for loan losses was established based on our estimate of future credit losses over the remaining life of the loans.

Acquired loans accounted for under ASC Subtopic 310-30 were not considered non-performing and continued to have an accretable yield as long as there was a reasonable expectation about the timing and amount of cash flows expected to be collected. Also, loans charged-off against the non-accretable difference established in purchase accounting were not reported as charge-offs. Charge-offs on loans accounted under ASC Subtopic 310-30 were recorded only to the extent that losses exceeded the non-accretable difference established with purchase accounting.

Foreclosed Real Estate and Other Repossessed Property

Foreclosed real estate and other repossessed property are initially recorded at the fair value of the real estate or repossessed property less the cost of selling it at the date of foreclosure or repossession. At the time properties are acquired in full or partial satisfaction of loans, any excess of the loan balance over the estimated fair value of the property is charged against the allowance for loan and lease losses. After foreclosure or repossession, these properties are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated cost to sell based on recent appraised values or options to purchase the foreclosed or repossessed property. Any excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, is charged to non-interest expense. The costs and expenses associated to holding these properties in portfolio are expensed as incurred.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each type of asset. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the terms of the leases or estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

Off-Balance Sheet Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, Oriental enters into off-balance sheet instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, further discussed in Note 26 hereto. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when these are funded or related fees are incurred or received. Oriental periodically evaluates the credit risks inherent in these commitments and establishes reserves for such risks if and when these are deemed necessary.

Income Taxes

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, Oriental is required to estimate income taxes. This involves an estimate of current income tax expense together with an assessment of deferred taxes resulting from differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The determination of current income tax expense involves estimates and assumptions that require Oriental to assume certain positions based on its interpretation of current tax laws and regulations. Changes in assumptions affecting estimates may be required in the future, and estimated tax assets or liabilities may need to be increased or decreased accordingly. The accrual for tax contingencies is adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law and emerging legislation. When particular matters arise, a number of years may elapse before such matters are audited and finally resolved. Favorable resolution of such matters could be recognized as a reduction to Oriental’s effective tax rate in the year of resolution. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue could increase the effective tax rate and may require the use of cash in such year.

On December 30, 2019, Oriental Financial Services was converted into a limited liability company (“LLC”), and on June 30, 2020, made the election to be treated as a partnership for income tax purposes which was effective on January 1, 2019. As such, Oriental Financial Services is currently a pass-through entity not subject to income taxes at the company level, and the parent (Oriental) will be subject to Puerto Rico income taxes on its distributable share of OFS taxable income under the partnership provisions of the PR Code. At the date of the election all tax attributes of Oriental Financial Services were also transferred to the parent. The same tax treatment applies to Oriental Insurance since its conversion to an LLC in December 2015, and tax election to be treated as a partnership effective on January 1, 2016. Pursuant to these elections Oriental is required to pay income taxes on its distributable share of both entities; in the case of losses reported by any of the entities, the same may be offset with the taxable income of the other entity. However, Oriental is not permitted to use its operating losses to offset the taxable income of its partnerships.

The determination of deferred tax expense or benefit is based on changes in the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that generate temporary differences. The carrying value of Oriental’s net deferred tax assets assumes that Oriental will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, Oriental may be required to record valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Management evaluates on a regular basis whether the deferred tax assets can be realized and assesses the need for a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance is established when management believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowance from period to period are included in Oriental’s tax provision in the period of change.

In addition to valuation allowances, Oriental establishes accruals for uncertain tax positions when, despite the belief that Oriental’s tax return positions are fully supported, Oriental believes that certain positions are likely to be challenged. The accruals for uncertain tax positions are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law, and emerging legislation. The accruals for Oriental’s uncertain tax positions are reflected as income tax payable as a component of accrued expenses and other liabilities. These accruals are reduced upon expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.

Oriental follows a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.

Oriental’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits within the provision for income taxes on the consolidated statements of operations.

Oriental is potentially subject to income tax audits in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for taxable years 2016 to 2019, until the applicable statute of limitations expires. In addition, Oriental’s US subsidiaries are potentially subject to income tax audits by the IRS for taxable years 2017 to 2019. Tax audits by their nature are often complex and can require several years to complete.

Equity-Based Compensation Plan

Oriental’s 2007 Omnibus Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “Omnibus Plan”), provides for equity-based compensation incentives through the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted units and dividend equivalents, as well as equity-based performance awards. The Omnibus Plan was adopted in 2007, amended and restated in 2008, and further amended in 2010 and 2013.

The purpose of the Omnibus Plan is to provide flexibility to Oriental to attract, retain and motivate directors, officers, and key employees through the grant of awards based on performance and to adjust its compensation practices to the best compensation practice and corporate governance trends as they develop from time to time. The Omnibus Plan is further intended to motivate high levels of individual performance coupled with increased shareholder returns. Therefore, awards under the Omnibus Plan (each, an “Award”) are intended to be based upon the recipient’s individual performance, corporate performance, level of responsibility and potential to make significant contributions to Oriental. Generally, the Omnibus Plan will terminate as of (a) the date when no more of Oriental’s shares of common stock are available for issuance under the Omnibus Plan or, (b) if earlier, the date the Omnibus Plan is terminated by Oriental’s Board of Directors.

The Board’s Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), or such other committee as the Board may designate, has full authority to interpret and administer the Omnibus Plan in order to carry out its provisions and purposes. The Committee has the authority to determine those persons eligible to receive an Award and to establish the terms and conditions of any Award. The Committee may delegate, subject to such terms or conditions or guidelines as it shall determine, to any employee or group of employees any portion of its authority and powers under the Omnibus Plan with respect to participants who are not directors or executive officers subject to the reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Only the Committee may exercise authority in respect to Awards granted to such participants.

The expected term of stock options granted represents the period of time that such options are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of Oriental’s shares of common stock over the most recent period equal to the expected term of the stock options. For stock options issued during 2015, the expected volatilities are based on both historical and implied volatility of Oriental’s shares of common stock.

Oriental follows the fair value method of recording stock-based compensation. Oriental used the modified prospective transition method, which requires measurement of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award with the cost to be recognized over the service period. It applies to all awards unvested and granted after the effective date and awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date.

Commitments and Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies, arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

Subsequent Events

Oriental has evaluated other events subsequent to the balance sheet date and prior to the filing of this annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and has adjusted and disclosed those events that have occurred that would require adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

Cloud Computing Arrangements

Cloud computing arrangements

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated guidance that is intended to reduce potential diversity in practice in accounting for the costs of implementing cloud computing arrangements (i.e., hosting arrangements) that are service contracts. The updated guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs for these arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this guidance, effective January 1, 2020, did not have a material impact on Oriental’s consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill

In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance intended to simplify how an entity tests goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the updated guidance, an entity will perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, with the loss recognized limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this guidance, effective January 1, 2020, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.