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Summary of significant accounting policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of significant accounting policies |
Note 1 · Summary of significant accounting policies
General
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (HEI) is a holding company with direct and indirect subsidiaries principally engaged in electric utility, banking, and renewable/sustainable infrastructure investment businesses operating in the State of Hawaii. HEI owns Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. (Hawaiian Electric), ASB Hawaii, Inc., an intermediate holding company, that owns American Savings Bank, F.S.B. (ASB), and Pacific Current, LLC (Pacific Current), which indirectly owns Hamakua Energy, LLC (Hamakua Energy) and Mauo, LLC (Mauo). Hawaiian Electric and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Hawaii Electric Light Company, Inc. (Hawaii Electric Light) and Maui Electric Company, Limited (Maui Electric), are regulated public electric utilities (collectively, the Utilities) in the business of generating, purchasing, transmitting, distributing and selling electric energy on all major islands in Hawaii other than Kauai. See Note 2. ASB is a federally chartered savings bank providing a full range of banking services to individual and business customers through its branch system in Hawaii. Hamakua Energy, owns and operates a 60-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power plant, which sells the power it produces only to Hawaii Electric Light. Mauo is a commercial-scale, solar-plus-storage project (8.6 MW of solar and 42.3 MW of storage) currently under construction on the islands of Oahu and Maui. Basis of presentation. In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change for HEI and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) include the amounts reported for investment securities (ASB only); property, plant and equipment; pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; contingencies and litigation; income taxes; regulatory assets and liabilities (Utilities only); electric utility unbilled revenues (Utilities only); and allowance for loan losses (ASB only). Consolidation. The HEI consolidated financial statements include the accounts of HEI and its subsidiaries. The Hawaiian Electric consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries, except for HECO Capital Trust III (Trust III), which is accounted for under the equity method because Hawaiian Electric does not have a controlling financial interest or variable interest in Trust III, but has the ability to exercise significant influence. When HEI or Hawaiian Electric has a controlling financial interest in another entity (usually, majority voting interest), that entity is consolidated. Investments in companies over which the Company or the Utilities have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method. The consolidated financial statements exclude variable interest entities (VIEs) when the Company or the Utilities are not the primary beneficiaries. See Note 3 for information regarding Trust III unconsolidated VIEs. In general, intercompany amounts are eliminated in consolidation (see Note 2 for exceptions). Cash and cash equivalents. The Utilities consider cash on hand, deposits in banks, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, short-term commercial paper of non-affiliates and liquid investments (with original maturities of three months or less) to be cash and cash equivalents. The Company considers the same items to be cash and cash equivalents as well as ASB’s deposits with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB), federal funds sold (excess funds that ASB loans to other banks overnight at the federal funds rate) and securities purchased under resale agreements. Additionally, ASB is required by the Federal Reserve System to maintain noninterest-bearing cash reserves equal to a percentage of deposits. The reserve requirement for ASB at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $28.1 million and $17.9 million, respectively. Property, plant and equipment. Property, plant and equipment are reported at cost. Self-constructed electric utility plant includes engineering, supervision, administrative and general costs and an allowance for the cost of funds used during the construction period. These costs are recorded in construction in progress and are transferred to utility plant when construction is completed and the facilities are either placed in service or become useful for public utility purposes. Costs for betterments that make utility plant more useful, more efficient, of greater durability or of greater capacity are also capitalized. Upon the retirement or sale of electric utility plant, generally no gain or loss is recognized. The cost of the plant retired is charged to accumulated depreciation. Amounts collected from customers for cost of removal are included in regulatory liabilities. See discussion regarding “Utility projects” in Note 3. Depreciation. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets being depreciated. Electric utility plant additions in the current year are depreciated beginning January 1 of the following year in accordance with rate-making. Electric utility plant has lives ranging from 16 to 88 years for production plant, from 10 to 79 years for transmission and distribution plant and from 5 to 65 years for general plant. The Utilities’ composite annual depreciation rate, which includes a component for cost of removal, was 3.2% in 2018, 2017 and 2016. Leases. HEI, the Utilities and ASB have entered into lease agreements for the use of equipment and office space. The provisions of some of the lease agreements contain renewal options. HEI’s consolidated operating lease expense was $21 million, $20 million and $19 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Utilities’ operating lease expense was $11 million, $11 million and $10 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. HEI’s consolidated and the Utilities’ future minimum lease payments are as follows:
(in millions) | HEI |  | Hawaiian Electric
2019 | $ | 11 |  |  | $ | 6 |
2020 | 9 |  |  | 6 |
2021 | 8 |  |  | 5 |
2022 | 5 |  |  | 2 |
2023 | 4 |  |  | 2 |
Thereafter | 12 |  |  | 3 |
| $ | 49 |  |  | $ | 24 |
Retirement benefits. Pension and other postretirement benefit costs are charged primarily to expense and electric utility plant (in the case of the Utilities). Funding for the Company’s qualified pension plans (Plans) is based on actuarial assumptions adopted by the Pension Investment Committee administering the Plans. The participating employers contribute amounts to a master pension trust for the Plans in accordance with the funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), including changes promulgated by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and considering the deductibility of contributions under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company generally funds at least the net periodic pension cost during the year, subject to limits and targeted funded status. Under a pension tracking mechanism approved by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Hawaii (PUC), the Utilities generally will make contributions to the pension fund at the greater of the minimum level required under the law or net periodic pension cost. Certain health care and/or life insurance benefits are provided to eligible retired employees and the employees’ beneficiaries and covered dependents. The Company generally funds the net periodic postretirement benefit costs other than pensions (except for executive life) for postretirement benefits other than pensions (OPEB), while maximizing the use of the most tax-advantaged funding vehicles, subject to cash flow requirements and reviews of the funded status with the consulting actuary. The Utilities must fund OPEB costs as specified in the OPEB tracking mechanisms, which were approved by the PUC. Future decisions in rate cases could further impact funding amounts. Environmental expenditures. The Company and the Utilities are subject to numerous federal and state environmental statutes and regulations. In general, environmental contamination treatment costs are charged to expense. Environmental costs are capitalized if the costs extend the life, increase the capacity, or improve the safety or efficiency of property; the costs mitigate or prevent future environmental contamination; or the costs are incurred in preparing the property for sale. Environmental costs are either capitalized or charged to expense when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and the cost can be reasonably estimated. The Utilities review their sites and measure the liability quarterly by assessing a range of reasonably likely costs of each identified site using currently available information, including existing technology, presently enacted laws and regulations, experience gained at similar sites, and the probable level of involvement and financial condition of other potentially responsible parties. Income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are established for the temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of the Company’s and the Utilities’ assets and liabilities at federal and state tax rates expected to be in effect when such deferred tax assets or liabilities are realized or settled. As a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act), the accumulated deferred income tax balances (ADIT) were adjusted in 2017 for the lower federal income tax rate expected to be in effect when the deferred tax assets or liabilities are realized or settled. See further discussion under “Recent tax developments” in Note 11. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. HEI and the Utilities’ investment tax credits are deferred and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the properties to which the credits relate (and for the Utilities, this treatment is in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 980, “Regulated Operations”). The Utilities are included in the consolidated income tax returns of HEI. However, income tax expense has been computed for financial statement purposes as if each utility filed a separate income tax return and Hawaiian Electric filed a consolidated Hawaiian Electric income tax return. Governmental tax authorities could challenge a tax return position taken by the Company. The Company and the Utilities use a “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold and measurement standard for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Fair value measurements. Fair value estimates are estimates of the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid upon the transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value estimates are generally determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are based on market data obtained from independent sources. However, in certain cases, the Company and the Utilities use their own assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances. These valuations are estimates at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information, information about the financial instrument and judgments regarding future expected loss experience, economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result if the Company or the Utilities were to sell its entire holdings of a particular financial instrument at one time. Because no active trading market exists for a portion of the Company’s and the Utilities’ financial instruments, fair value estimates cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the estimates. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses could have a significant effect on fair value estimates, but have not been considered in making such estimates. The Company and the Utilities group their financial assets measured at fair value in three levels outlined as follows:
Level 1: | Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and is used to measure fair value whenever available.
Level 2: | Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or inputs to the valuation methodology that are derived principally from or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3: | Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Classification in the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. For instruments classified in Level 1 and 2 where inputs are primarily based upon observable market data, there is less judgment applied in arriving at the fair value. For instruments classified in Level 3, management judgment is more significant due to the lack of observable market data. Fair value is also used on a nonrecurring basis to evaluate certain assets for impairment or for disclosure purposes. Examples of nonrecurring uses of fair value include mortgage servicing rights accounted for by the amortization method, loan impairments for certain loans, real estate acquired in settlement of loans, goodwill and asset retirement obligations (AROs). Earnings per share (HEI only). Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income for common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed similarly, except that dilutive common shares for stock compensation and the equity forward transactions are added to the denominator. Impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of. The Company and the Utilities review long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Recent accounting pronouncements. Revenues from contracts with customers. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The core principle of the guidance in ASU No. 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. ASU No. 2014-09 also requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company and Hawaiian Electric adopted ASU No. 2014-09 (and subsequently issued revenue-related ASUs, as applicable) in the first quarter of 2018. There was no cumulative effect adjustment and no impact on the timing or pattern of revenue recognition, but ASU No. 2014-09 required changes with respect to the Company’s and Hawaiian Electric’s revenue disclosures. See Note 8. Financial instruments. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which, among other things:
• | Requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.
• | Requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.
• | Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables).
• | Eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost.
The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-01 in the first quarter of 2018 and the impact of adoption was not material to the Company’s and Hawaiian Electric’s consolidated financial statements. Cash flows. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues - debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies), distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-15 in the first quarter of 2018 using a retrospective transition method and there was no impact from the adoption to the Company’s and Hawaiian Electric’s consolidated statements of cash flows. Restricted cash. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash,” which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 using a retrospective transition method and the impact of adoption was not material to the Company’s and Hawaiian Electric’s consolidated statements of cash flows. Definition of a Business. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations-Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” This update clarifies the definition of a business and adds guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-01 in the first quarter of 2018 and the impact of adoption was not material to the Company’s and Hawaiian Electric’s consolidated financial statements. Net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which requires that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. It also requires the other components of net periodic pension cost (NPPC) and net periodic postretirement benefit cost (NPBC) as defined in paragraphs 715-30-35-4 and 715-60-35-9 to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. Additionally, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization under GAAP, when applicable. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-07 in the first quarter of 2018: (1) retrospectively for the presentation in the income statement of the service cost component and the other components of NPPC and NPBC, and (2) prospectively for the capitalization in assets of the service cost component of NPPC and NPBC for Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries. HEI and ASB do not capitalize pension and OPEB costs. The Company and Hawaiian Electric elected the practical expedient that permits an entity to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The PUC approved in the Utilities’ rate cases, stipulated agreements to defer non-service cost components of NPPC and NPBC, which would have been capitalized prior to ASU No. 2017-07, as part of each utility’s pension tracking mechanisms. Such treatment is effective starting in 2018 and continues until each utility’s next rate case. In each utility’s next rate case, rates established would include recovery of the deferred non-service cost components and the Utilities’ will seek approval to capitalize only the service components of NPPC and NPBC going forward, which reflects the requirements of ASU No.2017-07. The adoption of ASU 2017-07 in the first quarter of 2018 did not have an impact on 2018 net income. The following table summarizes the impact to the prior period financial statements of the adoption of ASU No. 2017-07:
| 2017 |  | 2016
(in thousands) | As previously filed | Adjustment from adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 | As currently reported |  | As previously filed | Adjustment from adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 | As currently reported
HEI Consolidated Statements of Income |  |  |  |  |
Expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Electric utility | $ | 2,000,045 |  | $ | (6,003 | ) | $ | 1,994,042 |  |  | $ | 1,809,900 |  | $ | (5,602 | ) | $ | 1,804,298 |
Bank | 198,924 |  | (820 | ) | 198,104 |  |  | 198,572 |  | (875 | ) | 197,697 |
Other | 18,365 |  | (1,119 | ) | 17,246 |  |  | 24,007 |  | (1,186 | ) | 22,821 |
Total expenses | $ | 2,217,334 |  | $ | (7,942 | ) | $ | 2,209,392 |  |  | $ | 2,032,479 |  | $ | (7,663 | ) | $ | 2,024,816 |
Operating income |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Electric utility | $ | 257,521 |  | $ | 6,003 |  | $ | 263,524 |  |  | $ | 284,468 |  | $ | 5,602 |  | $ | 290,070 |
Bank | 98,716 |  | 820 |  | 99,536 |  |  | 87,352 |  | 875 |  | 88,227 |
Other | (17,946 | ) | 1,119 |  | (16,827 | ) |  | (23,645 | ) | 1,186 |  | (22,459 | )
Total operating income | $ | 338,291 |  | $ | 7,942 |  | $ | 346,233 |  |  | $ | 348,175 |  | $ | 7,663 |  | $ | 355,838 |
Retirement defined benefits expense--other than service costs | $ | — |  | $ | (7,942 | ) | $ | (7,942 | ) |  | $ | — |  | $ | (7,663 | ) | $ | (7,663 | )
Hawaiian Electric Consolidated Statements of Income |  |  |  |
Other operation and maintenance | $ | 417,910 |  | $ | (6,003 | ) | $ | 411,907 |  |  | $ | 405,533 |  | $ | (5,602 | ) | $ | 399,931 |
Total expense | 2,000,045 |  | (6,003 | ) | 1,994,042 |  |  | 1,809,900 |  | (5,602 | ) | 1,804,298 |
Operating income | 257,521 |  | 6,003 |  | 263,524 |  |  | 284,468 |  | 5,602 |  | 290,070 |
Retirement defined benefits expense--other than service costs | — |  | (6,003 | ) | (6,003 | ) |  | — |  | (5,602 | ) | (5,602 | )
Hawaiian Electric Consolidating Statements of Income (in Note 3) |  |  |  |
Hawaiian Electric (parent only) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other operation and maintenance | 279,440 |  | (5,049 | ) | 274,391 |  |  | 273,176 |  | (5,058 | ) | 268,118 |
Total expense | 1,425,655 |  | (5,049 | ) | 1,420,606 |  |  | 1,277,245 |  | (5,058 | ) | 1,272,187 |
Operating income | 172,849 |  | 5,049 |  | 177,898 |  |  | 197,139 |  | 5,058 |  | 202,197 |
Retirement defined benefits expense--other than service costs | — |  | (5,049 | ) | (5,049 | ) |  | — |  | (5,058 | ) | (5,058 | )
| 2017 |  | 2016
(in thousands) | As previously filed | Adjustment from adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 | As currently reported |  | As previously filed | Adjustment from adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 | As currently reported
Hawaiian Electric Consolidating Statements of Income (in Note 3) |  |  |  |
Hawaii Electric Light |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other operation and maintenance | $ | 66,277 |  | $ | (93 | ) | $ | 66,184 |  |  | $ | 63,897 |  | $ | 319 |  | $ | 64,216 |
Total expense | 287,868 |  | (93 | ) | 287,775 |  |  | 266,823 |  | 319 |  | 267,142 |
Operating income | 45,599 |  | 93 |  | 45,692 |  |  | 44,562 |  | (319 | ) | 44,243 |
Retirement defined benefits expense--other than service costs | — |  | (93 | ) | (93 | ) |  | — |  | 319 |  | 319 |
Maui Electric |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other operation and maintenance | 72,193 |  | (861 | ) | 71,332 |  |  | 68,460 |  | (863 | ) | 67,597 |
Total expense | 286,522 |  | (861 | ) | 285,661 |  |  | 265,832 |  | (863 | ) | 264,969 |
Operating income | 39,156 |  | 861 |  | 40,017 |  |  | 42,873 |  | 863 |  | 43,736 |
Retirement defined benefits expense--other than service costs | — |  | (861 | ) | (861 | ) |  | — |  | (863 | ) | (863 | )
ASB Statements of Income Data (in Note 4) |  |  |  |  |  |
Compensation and employee benefits | 95,751 |  | (820 | ) | 94,931 |  |  | 90,117 |  | (875 | ) | 89,242 |
Other expense | 19,324 |  | 820 |  | 20,144 |  |  | 18,487 |  | 875 |  | 19,362 |
Derivatives and Hedging. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” which is intended to improve and simplify accounting rules around hedge accounting. The amendments in ASU No. 2017-12 improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results in the financial statements. The amendments also expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. For public business entities, the new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods, but early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted ASU No. 2017-12 in the second quarter of 2018, with an effective date of April 1, 2018, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which requires that lessees recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use (ROU) asset, representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, for all leases (except short-term leases) at the commencement date. For finance leases, a lessee is required to recognize interest on the lease liability separately from amortization of the ROU asset in the consolidated statements of income. For operating leases, a lessee is required to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 on January 1, 2019 and used the effective date as the date of initial application. Consequently, financial information for dates and periods before January 1, 2019 will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided (i.e., the Company will continue to report comparative periods presented in the financial statements in the period of adoption under ASC 840, including the required disclosures under ASC 840). The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company has elected the practical expedient package under which the Company will not have to reassess its prior conclusions about whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, whether there is a change in lease classification for any expired or existing leases under the new standard, or whether there were initial direct costs for any existing leases that would be treated differently under the new standard. The most significant effect of the new standard relates to the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet for purchase power agreements and real estate operating leases. On adoption, the Company recognized additional lease liabilities of approximately $257 million for the Company and approximately $236 million for the Utilities ($215 million related to PPAs), with corresponding ROU assets of the same amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. The Company has elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all of its leases that qualify, which means the Company will not recognize lease liabilities and ROU assets for all leases that have lease terms that are 12 months or less. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for its real estate leases. The Utilities also elected the practical expedient to not assess all existing land easements that were not previously accounted for in accordance with ASC 840. Credit losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. ASU No. 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date (based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts) and enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. In addition, ASU No. 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The other-than-temporary impairment model of accounting for credit losses on AFS debt securities will be replaced with an estimate of expected credit losses only when the fair value is below the amortized cost of the asset. The length of time the fair value of an AFS debt security has been below the amortized cost will no longer impact the determination of whether a credit loss exists. The AFS debt security model will also require the use of an allowance to record the estimated losses (and subsequent recoveries). The accounting for the initial recognition of the estimated expected credit losses for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration would be recognized through an allowance for credit losses with an offset to the cost basis of the related financial asset at acquisition (i.e., there is no impact to net income at initial recognition). The Company plans to adopt ASU No. 2016-13 in the first quarter of 2020. The guidance is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis with the cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments recognized in retained earnings at the date of initial application. The Company has assembled a project team that meets regularly to evaluate the provisions of this ASU, identify additional data requirements necessary and determine an approach for implementation. The team has assigned roles and responsibilities and developed key tasks to complete and a general timeline to be followed. The Company is evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on the consolidated financial statements and disclosures. Economic conditions and the composition of the Company’s loan portfolio at the time of adoption will influence the extent of the adopting accounting adjustment. Compensation-retirement benefits-defined benefit plans. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans,” which makes minor changes to the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefit plans. The new guidance eliminates requirements for certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial and requires new ones that the FASB considers pertinent. ASU No. 2018-14 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2018-14 on its financial statement disclosures, but does not expect it to have a material impact. Reclassifications. Reclassifications made to prior year-end financial statements to conform to 2018 presentation include a reclassification of contributions in aid of construction (CIAC) balances to “Property, plant and equipment, net” and “Total property, plant and equipment, net” for the Company and Hawaiian Electric, respectively, which reduced the amounts of the respective balances.
Electric utility
Regulation by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Hawaii (PUC). The Utilities are regulated by the PUC and account for the effects of regulation under FASB ASC Topic 980, “Regulated Operations.” As a result, the Utilities’ financial statements reflect assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses based on current cost-based rate-making regulations (see Note 3—“Regulatory assets and liabilities.” Their continued accounting under ASC Topic 980 generally requires that rates are established by an independent, third-party regulator; rates are designed to recover the costs of providing service; and it is reasonable to assume that rates can be charged to, and collected from, customers. The rate schedules of the Utilities include energy cost adjustment clauses (ECACs) and energy costs recovery clauses (ECRCs) under which electric rates are adjusted for changes in the weighted-average price paid for fuel oil and certain components of purchased power, and the relative amounts of company-generated power and purchased power. The rate schedules also include purchased power adjustment clauses (PPACs) under which the remaining purchase power expenses are recovered through surcharge mechanisms. The amounts collected through the ECAC/ECRCs and PPACs are required to be reconciled quarterly. Accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. The Utilities generally assess a late payment charge on balances unpaid from the previous month. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Utilities’ best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Utilities existing accounts receivable. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the allowance for customer accounts receivable, accrued unbilled revenues and other accounts receivable was $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Contributions in aid of construction. The Utilities receive contributions from customers for special construction requirements. As directed by the PUC, contributions are amortized on a straight-line basis over 30 to 55 years as an offset against depreciation expense. The carrying value of CIAC is included in property, plant and equipment, net. Electric utility revenues. Revenues related to electric service are generally recorded when service is rendered and include revenues applicable to energy consumed in the accounting period but not yet billed to the customers. The Utilities also record revenue under a decoupling mechanism. See “Decoupling” discussion in Note 3 Electric Utility segment. Repairs and maintenance costs. Repairs and maintenance costs for overhauls of generating units are generally expensed as they are incurred. Allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC). AFUDC is an accounting practice whereby the costs of debt and equity funds used to finance plant construction are credited on the statement of income and charged to construction in progress on the balance sheet. If a project under construction is delayed for an extended period of time, AFUDC on the delayed project may be stopped after assessing the causes of the delay and probability of recovery. The weighted-average AFUDC rate was 7.3% in 2018, 7.7% in 2017 and 7.6% in 2016, and reflected quarterly compounding.
Bank (HEI only)
Investment securities. Investments in debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity (HTM), trading or available-for-sale (AFS). ASB determines the appropriate classification at the time of purchase. Debt securities that ASB intends to and has the ability to hold to maturity are classified as HTM securities and reported at amortized cost. Marketable debt securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Marketable debt securities not classified as either HTM or trading securities are classified as AFS and reported at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for AFS securities are excluded from earnings and reported on a net basis in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) until realized. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts and premiums on securities are accreted or amortized into interest income using the interest method over the remaining contractual lives of the agency obligation securities and the estimated lives of the mortgage-backed securities adjusted for anticipated prepayments. ASB uses actual prepayment experience and estimates of future prepayments to determine the constant effective yield necessary to apply the interest method of income recognition. The discounts and premiums on the agency obligations portfolio are accreted or amortized on a prospective basis using expected contractual cash flows. The discounts and premiums on the mortgage-backed securities portfolio are accreted or amortized on a retrospective basis using changes in anticipated prepayments. This method requires a retrospective adjustment of the effective yield each time ASB changes the estimated life as if the new estimate had been known since the original acquisition date of the securities. Estimates of future prepayments are based on the underlying collateral characteristics and historic or projected prepayment behavior of each security. The specific identification method is used in determining realized gains and losses on the sales of securities. For securities that are not trading securities, individual securities are assessed for impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant. A security is impaired if the fair value of the security is less than its carrying value at the financial statement date. When a security is impaired, ASB determines whether this impairment is temporary or other-than-temporary. If ASB does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security or there is a change in the expected cash flows, an OTTI exists. If ASB intends to sell the security, or will more likely than not be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, the OTTI must be recognized in earnings. If ASB does not intend to sell the security, and it is not more likely than not that ASB will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, the OTTI must be separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The amount of OTTI related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings, while the remaining OTTI is recognized in AOCI. Based on ASB’s evaluation as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, there was no indicated impairment as the bank expects to collect the contractual cash flows for these investments. Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) is carried at cost and is reviewed at least quarterly for impairment, with valuation adjustments recognized in noninterest income. Loans. ASB carries loans at amortized cost less the allowance for loan losses, loan origination fees (net of direct loan origination costs), commitment fees and purchase premiums and discounts. Interest on loans is credited to income as it is earned. Discounts and premiums are accreted or amortized over the life of the loans using the interest method. Loan origination fees (net of direct loan origination costs) are deferred and recognized as an adjustment in yield over periods not exceeding the contractual life of the loan using the interest method or taken into income when the loan is paid off or sold. Nonrefundable commitment fees (net of direct loan origination costs, if applicable) received for commitments to originate or purchase loans are deferred and, if the commitment is exercised, recognized as an adjustment of yield over the life of the loan using the interest method. Nonrefundable commitment fees received for which the commitment expires unexercised are recognized as income upon expiration of the commitment. Loans held for sale are stated at the lower of cost or estimated fair value on an aggregate basis. Premiums, discounts and net deferred loan fees are not amortized while a loan is classified as held for sale. A sale is recognized only when the consideration received is other than beneficial interests in the assets sold and control over the assets is transferred irrevocably to the buyer. Gains or losses on sales of loans are recognized at the time of sale and are determined by the difference between the net sales proceeds and the allocated basis of the loans sold. Allowance for loan losses. ASB maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb losses inherent in its loan portfolio. The level of allowance for loan losses is based on a continuing assessment of existing risks in the loan portfolio, historical loss experience, changes in collateral values and current conditions (e.g., economic conditions, real estate market conditions and interest rate environment). The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan types using both a formula-based approach applied to groups of loans and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. The formula-based approach emphasizes loss factors primarily derived from actual historical default and loss rates, which are combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors to determine the allowance amounts allocated to the various loan categories. Adverse changes in any of these factors could result in higher charge-offs and provision for loan losses. ASB disaggregates its portfolio loans into portfolio segments for purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses. Commercial, commercial real estate, and commercial construction loans are defined as non-homogeneous loans and ASB utilizes a risk rating system for evaluating the credit quality of the loans. Non-homogeneous loans are also categorized into the regulatory asset quality classifications-Pass, Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, and Loss based on credit quality. ASB utilizes a numerical-based, risk rating “PD Model” that takes into consideration fiscal year-end financial information of the borrower and identified financial attributes including retained earnings, operating cash flows, interest coverage, liquidity and leverage that demonstrate a strong correlation with default to assign default probabilities at the borrower level. In addition, a loss given default (LGD) value is assigned to each loan to measure loss in the event of default based on loan specific features such as collateral that mitigates the amount of loss in the event of default. Residential, consumer and credit scored business loans are considered homogeneous loans, which are typically underwritten based on common, uniform standards. For the homogeneous portfolio, the quality of the loan is best indicated by the repayment performance of an individual borrower. ASB supplements performance data with external credit bureau data and credit scores such as the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) score on a quarterly basis. ASB has built portfolio loss models for each major segment based on the combination of internal and external data to predict the probability of default at the loan level. ASB also considers qualitative factors in determining the allowance for loan losses. These include but are not limited to adjustments for changes in policies and procedures in underwriting, monitoring or collections, economic conditions, portfolio mix, lending and risk management personnel, results of internal audit and quality control reviews, collateral values and any concentrations of credit. The reserve for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities and is included in accounts payable and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The determination of the adequacy of the reserve is based upon an evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment of historical commitment utilization experience, credit risk grading and historical loss rates. This process takes into consideration the same risk elements that are analyzed in the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, as discussed above. Net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in other noninterest expense in the consolidated statements of income. The allowance for loan losses is based on currently available information and historical experience, and future adjustments may be required from time to time to the allowance for loan losses based on new information and changes that occur (e.g., due to changes in economic conditions, particularly in Hawaii). Actual losses could differ from management’s estimates, and these differences and subsequent adjustments could be material. Nonperforming loans. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when contractually past due 90 days or more, or earlier if the probability of collection is insufficient to warrant further accrual. All interest that is accrued but not collected is reversed. A loan may be returned to accrual status if (i) principal and interest payments have been brought current and repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest is expected to be made, (ii) the loan has otherwise become well-secured and in the process of collection, or (iii) the borrower has been making regularly scheduled payments in full for the prior six months and it is reasonably assured that the loan will be brought fully current within a reasonable period. Cash receipts on nonaccruing loans are generally applied to reduce the unpaid principal balance. Loans considered to be uncollectible are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses. The amount and timing of charge-offs on loans includes consideration of the loan type, length of delinquency, insufficiency of collateral value, lien priority and the overall financial condition of the borrower. Recoveries on loans previously charged-off are credited back to the allowance for loan losses. Loans that have been charged-off against the allowance for loan losses are periodically monitored to evaluate whether further adjustments to the allowance are necessary. Loans in the commercial and commercial real estate portfolio are charged-off when the loan is risk rated “Doubtful” or “Loss.” The loan or a portion thereof is determined to be uncollectible after considering the borrower’s overall financial condition and collateral deficiency. A commercial or commercial real estate loan is considered uncollectible when: (a) the borrower is delinquent in principal or interest 90 days or more; (b) significant improvement in the borrower’s repayment capacity is doubtful; and/or (c) collateral value is insufficient to cover outstanding indebtedness and no other viable assets or repayment sources exist. Loans in the residential mortgage and home equity portfolios are charged-off when the loan or a portion thereof is determined to be uncollectible after considering the borrower’s overall financial condition and collateral deficiency. Such loan is considered uncollectible when: (a) the borrower is delinquent in principal or interest 180 days or more; (b) it is probable that collateral value is insufficient to cover outstanding indebtedness and no other viable assets or repayment sources exist; (c) notification of the borrower’s bankruptcy is received or the borrower’s debt is discharged in bankruptcy and the loan is not reaffirmed; or (d) in cases where ASB is in a subordinate position to other debt, the senior lien holder has foreclosed and ASB’s junior lien is extinguished. Other consumer loans are generally charged-off when the balance becomes 120 days delinquent. Loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring. Loans are considered to have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) when, due to a borrower’s financial difficulties, ASB makes concessions to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider for a non-troubled borrower. Modifications may include interest rate reductions, interest only payments for an extended period of time, protracted terms such as amortization and maturity beyond the customary length of time found in the normal market place, and other actions intended to minimize economic loss and to provide alternatives to foreclosure or repossession of collateral. Generally, a nonaccrual loan that has been modified in a TDR remains on nonaccrual status until the borrower has demonstrated sustained repayment performance for a period of six consecutive months. However, performance prior to the modification, or significant events that coincide with the modification, are included in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and may result in the loan being returned to accrual status at the time of loan modification or after a shorter performance period. If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is uncertain, or there is reasonable doubt over the full collectability of principal and interest, the loan remains on nonaccrual status. Real estate acquired in settlement of loans. ASB records real estate acquired in settlement of loans at fair value, less estimated selling expenses. ASB obtains appraisals based on recent comparable sales to assist management in estimating the fair value of real estate acquired in settlement of loans. Subsequent declines in value are charged to expense through a valuation allowance. Costs related to holding real estate are charged to operations as incurred. Goodwill. Goodwill is initially recorded as the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination and is subsequently evaluated at least annually for impairment during the fourth quarter. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the amount of goodwill was $82.2 million. The goodwill relates to ASB and is the Company’s only intangible asset with an indefinite useful life. To determine if there was an impairment to the book value of goodwill pertaining to ASB, the fair value of ASB was estimated using a valuation method based on a market approach and discounted cash flow method with each method having an equal weighting in determining the fair value of ASB. The market approach considers publicly traded financial institutions and measures the institutions’ market values as a multiple to (1) net income and (2) book equity. The median market value multiples for net income and book equity from the selected institutions were applied to ASB’s net income and book equity to calculate ASB’s fair value using the market approach. The discounted cash flow method values a company on a going concern basis and is based on the concept that the future benefits derived from a particular company can be measured by its sustainable after-tax cash flows in the future. For the three years ended December 31, 2018, there has been no impairment of goodwill. Mortgage banking. Mortgage loans held for sale are stated at the lower of cost or estimated fair value on an aggregate basis. Premiums, discounts and net deferred loan fees are not amortized while a loan is classified as held-for-sale. A sale is recognized only when the consideration received is other than beneficial interests in the assets sold and control over the assets is transferred irrevocably to the buyer. Gains or losses on sales of loans are recognized at the time of sale and are determined by the difference between the net sales proceeds and the allocated basis of the loans sold. ASB is obligated to subsequently repurchase a loan if the purchaser discovers a standard representation or warranty violation such as noncompliance with eligibility requirements, customer fraud or servicing violations. This primarily occurs during a loan file review. ASB considers and records a reserve for loan repurchases if appropriate. ASB recognizes a mortgage servicing asset when a mortgage loan is sold with servicing rights retained. This mortgage servicing right (MSR) is initially capitalized at its presumed fair value based on market data at the time of sale and accounted for in subsequent periods at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Mortgage servicing assets or liabilities are included as a component of gain on sale of loans. Under ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” ASB amortizes the MSRs in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income and assess for impairment at each reporting date. ASB’s MSRs are stratified based on predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans including loan type such as fixed-rate 15- and 30-year mortgages and note rate in bands primarily of 50 to 100 basis points. For each stratum, fair value is calculated by discounting expected net income streams using discount rates that reflect industry pricing for similar assets. Expected net income streams are estimated based on industry assumptions regarding prepayment expectations and income and expenses associated with servicing residential mortgage loans for others. ASB uses a present value cash flow model using techniques described above to estimate the fair value of MSRs. Because observable market prices with exact terms and conditions may not be readily available, ASB compares the fair value of MSRs to an estimated value calculated by an independent third-party on a semi-annual basis. The third-party relies on both published and unpublished sources of market related assumptions and their own experience and expertise to arrive at a value. ASB uses the third-party value only to assess the reasonableness of fair value generated by the valuation model. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for each stratum when the carrying amount exceeds fair value, with any associated provision recorded as a component of loan servicing fees included in “Revenues - bank” in the consolidated statements of income. A direct write-down is recorded when the recoverability of the valuation allowance is deemed to be unrecoverable. Loan servicing fee income represents income earned for servicing mortgage loans owned by investors. It includes mortgage servicing fees and other ancillary servicing income, net of guaranty fees. Servicing fees are generally calculated on the outstanding principal balances of the loans serviced and are recorded as income when earned. Tax credit investments. ASB invests in limited liability entities formed to operate qualifying affordable housing projects. The affordable housing investments provide tax benefits to investors in the form of tax deductions from operating losses and tax credits. As a limited partner, ASB has no significant influence over the operations. These investments are initially recorded at the initial capital contribution with a liability recognized for the commitment to contribute additional capital over the term of the investment. ASB uses the proportional amortization method of accounting for its investments. Under the proportional amortization method, ASB amortizes the cost of its investments in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits it receives. The amortization, tax credits and tax benefits are reported as a component of income tax expense. For these limited liability entities, ASB assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of the limited liability entity, which is a variable interest entity (VIE). The primary beneficiary of a VIE is determined to be the party that meets both of the following criteria: (i) has the power to make decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE; and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that in either case could potentially be significant to the VIE. Generally, ASB, as a limited partner, is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary as it does not meet the power criterion, i.e., no power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and no direct ability to unilaterally remove the general partner. All tax credit investments are evaluated for potential impairment at least annually, or more frequently, when events or conditions indicate that it is deemed probable that ASB will not recover its investment. If an investment is determined to be impaired, it is written down to its estimated fair value and the new cost basis of the investment is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in value. As of December 31, 2018, ASB did not have any impairment losses resulting from forfeiture or ineligibility of tax credits or other circumstances related to its low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) investments. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying amount of LIHTC investments was $67.6 million and $59.0 million, respectively, and included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. ASB’s unfunded commitments to fund its LIHTC investments were $18.1 million and $15.8 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These unfunded commitments are unconditional and legally binding and are recorded in accounts payable and other liabilities with an increase in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The table below summarizes the amounts in income tax expense related to ASB’s LIHTC investments:
Years ended December 31 | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |  |  | 2016 |
(in millions) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amounts in income taxes related to low-income housing tax credit investments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization recognized in the provision for income taxes | $ | (7.7 | ) |  | $ | (7.4 | ) |  | $ | (5.8 | )
Tax credits and other tax benefits recognized in the provision for income taxes | 10.9 |  |  | 10.7 |  |  | 8.4 |
Net benefit to income tax expense | $ | 3.2 |  |  | $ | 3.3 |  |  | $ | 2.6 |

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