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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation, Policy
Principles of Consolidation—The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and conform to practices within the banking industry. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, principally the Bank. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks, interest-earning deposits, and federal funds sold, which have original maturities less than 90 days. The Company may be required to maintain reserve and clearing balances with the Federal Reserve Bank under the Federal Reserve Act. The reserve and clearing requirement balance was $0 at December 31, 2024 and 2023. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, investment transactions, federal funds purchased, deferred income taxes, and other assets and liabilities.
Investment Securities, Policy
Investment Securities—Securities are classified and accounted for as follows:
(i)Securities are classified as “available for sale” when they might be sold before maturity and are reported at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes.
(ii)Securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and reported at amortized cost.
Accreted discounts and amortized premiums on securities are included in interest income using the interest method, and realized gains or losses related to sales of securities recorded on trade date and are calculated using the specific identification method, without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are expected.
The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of debt securities and report accrued interest separately in accrued interest receivable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Investment securities AFS and HTM are placed on non-accrual status when management no longer expects to receive all contractual amounts due, which is generally at 90 days past due. Accrued interest receivable is reversed against interest income when a security is placed on non-accrual status. Accordingly, the Company does not recognize an allowance for credit loss against accrued interest receivable.
Management may transfer investment securities classified as AFS to HTM when upon reassessment it is determined that the Company has both the positive intent and ability to hold these securities to maturity. The investment securities are transferred at fair value resulting in a premium or discount recorded on the transfer date. Unrealized gains or losses at the date of transfer continue to be reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income/loss, net (“AOCI”). The premium or discount and the unrealized gain or loss, net of tax, in AOCI will be amortized to interest income over the remaining life of the securities using the interest method. There were no transfers between investment categories in 2023 and 2024.
Investment securities AFS are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of AOCI. For investment securities AFS in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell, the securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis. If either of these criteria is met, the securities’ amortized cost basis is written down to fair value as a current period expense recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. If either of the above criteria is not met, management evaluates whether the decline in fair value is the result of credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management may consider various factors including the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, performance of any underlying collateral and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security and any excess is recorded as an allowance for credit losses, limited to the amount by which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment not recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in AOCI, net of tax, as a non-credit related impairment.
For allowance for credit losses on investment securities AFS and HTM, refer to the Allowance for credit losses on securities AFS and Allowance for credit losses on securities HTM sections of Note 3 “Investment Securities” for details.
Equity Investments, Policy
Equity Investments—Equity investments include mutual funds, correspondent bank stock, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (“CDFI”) investments, and Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) investments. The Company’s mutual funds are considered equity investments with readily determinable fair values and changes to fair value are recorded in other noninterest income. The Company’s investment in correspondent bank stock, CDFI investments, and CRA investments are equity investments without readily determinable fair values. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values are measured at cost, less impairment, and are adjusted for observable price changes which is recorded in noninterest income.
Financing Receivables
Loans Held for Sale—Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and residential mortgage loans that the Company has the intent to sell prior to maturity have been designated as held for sale at origination and are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, on an aggregate basis. Certain loans which were originated with the intent to hold to maturity are subsequently transferred to held for sale once there is an intent to sell the loan. A valuation allowance is established if the aggregate fair value of such loans is lower than their cost and charged to earnings. Gains or losses recognized upon the sale of loans are determined on a specific identification basis. Loan transfers are accounted for as sales when control over the loan has been surrendered. Control over such loans is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets and (3) the Company does not maintain control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Loans Receivable—Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the amount of unpaid principal, adjusted for net deferred fees and costs, premiums and discounts, purchase accounting fair value adjustments, and allowance for credit losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Nonrefundable loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method over the life of the loan. Interest on loans is credited to income as earned and is accrued only if deemed collectible.
The loan portfolio consists of four segments: commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans, commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, residential mortgage loans, and consumer and other loans. CRE loans are extended for the purchase and refinance of commercial real estate and are generally secured by first deeds of trust and are collateralized by residential or commercial properties. C&I loans are loans provided to businesses for various purposes such as for working capital, purchasing inventory, debt refinancing, business acquisitions, international trade finance activities, and other business-related financing needs, and also include syndicated loans. The Company exited its residential mortgage warehouse line business in 2023. Residential mortgage loans are extended for personal, family, or household use and are secured by a mortgage or deed of trust. Consumer and other loans consist of home equity, credit card, and other personal loans.
Generally, loans are placed on nonaccrual status and the accrual of interest is discontinued if principal or interest payments become 90 days past due and/or management deems the collectability of the principal and/or interest to be in question. Loans to a customer whose financial condition has deteriorated are considered for nonaccrual status whether or not the loan is 90 days or more past due. Generally, payments received on nonaccrual loans are recorded as principal reductions. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Other loan fees and charges, representing service costs for the prepayment of loans, for delinquent payments, or for miscellaneous loan services, are recorded as income when collected.
The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, including, but not limited to, current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends. Homogeneous loans (i.e., home mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, overdraft loans, express business loans, and automobile loans) are not risk rated and credit risk is analyzed largely by the number of days past due. This analysis is performed at least on a quarterly basis:
Pass: Loans that meet a preponderance or more of the Company’s underwriting criteria and that evidence an acceptable level of risk.
Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the institution’s credit position at some future date.
Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or by the collateral pledged, if any. Loans in this classification have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the repayment of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
Doubtful/Loss: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or repayment in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Allowance for Credit Losses (“ACL”)—The Company calculates its ACL by estimating expected credit losses on a collective basis for loans that share similar risk characteristics. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics with other loans are evaluated for credit losses on an individual basis. The Company differentiates its loan segments based on shared risk characteristics for which allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective basis.
Risk Characteristics
CRE loansProperty type, location, owner occupied status
C&I loansDelinquency status, risk rating, industry type
Residential mortgage loansFICO score, LTV, delinquency status, maturity date, collateral value, location
Consumer and other loansHistorical losses
The Company uses a combination of a modeled and non-modeled approach that incorporates current and future economic conditions to estimate lifetime expected losses on a collective basis. The Company uses Probability of Default (“PD”), Loss Given Default (“LGD”), and Exposure at Default (“EAD”) methodologies with quantitative factors and qualitative considerations in calculation of the allowance for credit losses for collectively assessed loans. The Company uses a reasonable and supportable period of 2 years at which point loss assumptions revert back to historical loss information by means of 1 year reversion period.
The ACL for the Company’s construction, credit card, and certain consumer loans is calculated based on a non-modeled approach utilizing historical loss rates to estimate losses. A non-modeled approach was chosen for these loans as fewer data points exist which could result in high levels of estimated loss volatility under a modeled approach. Materiality was another factor in using a non-modeled approach for these loans as in aggregate, non-modeled loans represented approximately 2% of the Company’s total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2024.
The Economic Forecast Committee (“EFC”) reviews multiple scenarios put together by an independent third-party and chooses a single scenario that best aligns with management’s expectation of future economic conditions. The forecast scenarios contain certain macroeconomic variables that are incorporated into the Company’s modeling process, including GDP, unemployment rates, interest rates, and commercial real estate prices. As of December 31, 2024, the Company chose a forecast scenario that incorporated the latest projected economic assumptions. The allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2024, utilized the Moody’s consensus scenario, as well as more specific information, including updated market data that reflected the economic conditions aligned with management’s view. In the prior year, the Company also utilized Moody’s consensus scenario in its ACL calculation.
In order to quantify the credit risk impact of other trends and changes within the loan portfolio that may not be captured by the modeled and non-modeled approach, the Company utilizes qualitative adjustments to estimate total expected losses. The parameters for making adjustments are established under a Credit Risk Matrix that provides different possible scenarios for each of the factors below. The Credit Risk Matrix and the possible scenarios enable the Bank to qualitatively adjust the allowance for credit losses by as much as 25 basis points for each factor. This matrix considers the following seven factors, which are patterned after the guidelines provided under the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (“FFIEC”) Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowances for Credit Losses, updated to reflect the application of the CECL methodology:
Changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices;
Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio;
Changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff;
Changes in the trends of the volume and severity of past due loans, classified loans, nonaccrual loans, and other loan modifications;
Changes in the quality of the loan review system and the degree of oversight by the management and the Board;
The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; and
The effect of other external factors, such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements, and others that have an impact on the level of estimated losses in the Company’s loan portfolio.
For loans that do not share similar risk characteristics such as nonaccrual loans above $1.0 million, the Company evaluates these loans on an individual basis in accordance with ASC 326. Such nonaccrual loans are considered to have different risk profiles than performing loans and are therefore evaluated individually. The Company elected to collectively assess nonaccrual loans with balances below $1.0 million along with the performing and accrual loans in order to reduce the operational burden of individually assessing small nonaccrual loans with immaterial balances. For individually assessed loans, the ACL is measured using either 1) the present value of future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; 2) the loan’s observable market price; or 3) the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral-dependent. For the collateral-dependent loans, the Company obtains a new appraisal to determine the fair value of underlying loan collateral. The appraisals are based on an “as-is” valuation. To ensure that appraised values remain current, the Company either obtains updated appraisals every twelve months from a qualified independent appraiser or an internal evaluation of the collateral is performed by qualified personnel. If the third-party market data indicates that the value of the collateral property has declined since the most recent valuation date, management adjusts the value of the property downward to reflect current market conditions. If the fair value of the collateral is less than the amortized balance of the loan, the Company recognizes an ACL with a corresponding charge to the provision for credit losses.
With the adoption of CECL, the Company elected not to consider accrued interest receivable in its estimates of expected credit losses because the Company writes off uncollectible accrued interest receivable in a timely manner. The Company considers writing off accrued interest amounts once the amounts become 90 days past due to be considered within a timely manner for all of its loan segments. The Company has elected to write off accrued interest receivable by reversing interest income.
Loan Modifications to Borrowers Experiencing Financial Difficulty—Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2022-02, which eliminated TDR accounting prospectively for all restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2023. Loans that were considered a TDR prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02 was collectively evaluated for ACL purposes until the loan is paid off, liquidated, or subsequently modified. Since its adoption of ASU 2022-02, the Company has evaluated all loan modifications under ASC 310-20 to determine whether a modification made to a borrower results in a new loan or is a continuation of the existing loan. GAAP requires the Company to make certain disclosures related to these loans, including certain types of modifications, as well as how such loans have performed since their modifications. Please see Note 4 “Loans Receivable and the Allowance for Credit Losses” for additional information concerning loan modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.
Purchase Credit Deteriorated (“PCD”)—PCD is a classification of purchased financial assets for which there has been a more-than insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination. The Company adds the allowance for credit losses at the date of acquisition to the purchase price to determine the initial amortized cost basis for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. Any noncredit discount or premium resulting from acquiring loans with credit deterioration shall be allocated to each individual asset. At the acquisition date, the initial allowance for credit losses is determined on a collective basis and is allocated to individual assets to appropriately allocate any noncredit discount or premium. The Company accounts for purchased financial assets that do not have a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination in a manner consistent with originated financial assets. After initial recognition, the Company shall treat PCD assets like all other loans and apply one of the impairment models under CECL for instruments measured at amortized cost. The noncredit discount shall be amortized into interest income over the life of the loan. Subsequent changes to the allowance for credit losses are recorded through provision for credit losses.
Derivatives, Policy
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Transactions—As part of the Company’s asset and liability management strategy, the Company uses derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, risk participation agreements, foreign exchange contracts, collars, and caps and floors, with the overall goal of minimizing the impact of interest rate fluctuations on net interest margin. The Company’s interest rate swaps and caps involve the exchange of fixed rate and variable rate interest payment obligations without the exchange of the underlying notional amounts and are therefore accounted for as stand-alone derivatives. Derivative instruments are included in other assets or other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. At the inception of the derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative as (1) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”), or (2) an instrument with no hedging designation (“stand-alone derivative”). For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings, in noninterest income. Net cash settlements on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported in noninterest income. The related cash flows are recognized on the cash flows from operating activities section on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Residential mortgage loans funded with interest rate lock commitments and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors, are both considered derivatives. The Company accounts for loan commitments related to the origination of mortgage loans that will be held-for-sale as derivatives at fair value on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings in the period in which the changes occur. As part of the Company’s overall risk management, the Company’s Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALM”), which meets monthly, monitors and measures interest rate risk and the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, including the impact of derivative transactions.
The Company formally documents all relationships between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This documentation includes linking cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instruments that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that (1) the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item, (2) the derivative expires, is sold, or terminated, (3) the derivative instrument is de-designated as a hedge because the forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, (4) a hedged firm commitment no longer meets the definition of a firm commitment, or (5) management otherwise determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. When hedge accounting is discontinued, subsequent changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded as noninterest income. When a fair value hedge is discontinued, the hedged asset or liability is no longer adjusted for changes in fair value and the existing basis adjustment is amortized or accreted over the remaining life of the asset or liability. When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transaction is still expected to occur, changes in value that were accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized or accreted into earnings over the same periods in which the hedged transactions will affect earnings.
The Company enters into interest rate collars which is an interest rate risk management tool that effectively creates a band within which the borrower's variable interest rate fluctuates, by combining an interest rate cap (or ceiling) with an interest rate floor. The Company entered into interest rate collar derivatives as a protection should the Fed lower interest rates in the event of a recession or other economic changes. The interest rate collars are designated as cash flow hedges.
The Company enters into risk participation agreements with outside counterparties for interest rate swaps related to loans in which it is a participant. The risk participation agreements provide credit protection to the financial institution should the borrower fail to perform on its interest rate derivative contract. Risk participation agreements are credit derivatives not designated as hedges. Credit derivatives are not speculative and are not used to manage interest rate risk in assets or liabilities. Changes in the fair value in credit derivatives are recognized directly in earnings. The fee received, less the estimate of the loss for credit exposure, was recognized in earnings at the time of the transaction.
The Company enters into foreign exchange contracts to accommodate the business needs of its customers and to manage its foreign currency risk. For the foreign exchange contracts entered with its customers, the Company entered into offsetting foreign exchange contracts with third-party financial institutions to manage its exposure. The fair value of foreign exchange contracts is determined at each reporting period based on changes in the foreign exchange rates. These are over-the-counter contracts where quoted market prices are not readily available.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
FHLB Stock—The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy
Premises and Equipment—Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment are computed on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings - 15 to 39 years
Furniture, fixture, and equipment - 3 to 10 years
Computer equipment - 1 to 5 years
Computer software - 1 to 5 years
Leasehold improvement - life of lease or improvements, whichever is shorter
bank owned life insurance
BOLI—The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives and directors. BOLI is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.
investment in affordable housing partnership, policy
Investments in Tax Credit Structures—The Company invests in the equity of certain limited partnerships or limited liability companies that typically qualify under the CRA. These investments are associated with affordable housing projects that generate Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) and other income tax benefits for the Company.
The Company’s investments in affordable housing partnerships are accounted under the equity method of accounting, the annual amortization is based on the estimated tax deduction the Company would receive during the year. The carrying value of such investments is recorded as investments in affordable housing partnerships in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition while the commitment to fund investments in affordable housing is recorded as an off-balance sheet liability.
The Company also invests in renewable energy tax credits such as solar tax credit fund that provide tax benefits for the Company. The Company typically accounts for investments in tax credit structures using the proportional amortization method (“PAM”), if certain criteria are met. The election to account for investments in tax credit structures using the proportional amortization method is done so on a tax credit program-by-tax credit program basis. Under the PAM, the Company amortizes the initial cost of the investment, which is inclusive of any commitments to make future equity contributions, in proportion to the income tax credits and other income tax benefits that are allocated to the Company over the period of the investment. The net benefits of these investments, which are comprised of income tax credits and operating loss income tax benefits, net of investment amortization, are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of income tax provision. The investments in tax credit structures accounted under PAM are recorded under other assets while the commitment to fund investments in tax credit structures is recorded as part of other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
In 2024, the Company adopted ASU 2023-02 - “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method”. During 2024, the Company made an adjustment related to the adoption of ASU 2023-02 and recorded $15.1 million in the derecognition of delayed contribution liabilities related to the Company’s investments in affordable housing partnerships, as adjustments on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. In addition, the Company recorded adjustments to equity including a $1.1 million adjustment to retained earnings net of a $472 thousand reduction to account for deferred tax assets. Please see Note 23 “Investments in Tax Credit Structures” for additional information on investments accounted under PAM and equity method.
Lessee, Leases
Leases — Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset during the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of the future lease payments using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The Company calculates its incremental borrowing rate by adding a spread to the FHLB borrowing interest rate at a given period. The Company defines short-term operating lease liabilities as liabilities due in twelve months or less, and long-term lease liabilities are due in more than twelve months at the end of each reporting period. The Company does not capitalize short-term leases, which are leases with terms of twelve months or less. ROU assets and related operating lease liabilities are remeasured when lease terms are amended, extended, or when management intends to exercise available extension options. In accordance with ASC 360 "Property, Plant, and Equipment", an impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an ROU asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.
Operating lease expense, which is comprised of amortization of the ROU asset and the implicit interest accreted on the operating lease liability, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded in occupancy expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company’s occupancy expense also includes variable lease costs which is comprised of the Company's share of actual costs for utilities, common area maintenance, property taxes, and insurance that are not included in lease liabilities and are expensed as incurred. Variable lease costs also include rent escalations based on changes to indices, such as the Consumer Price Index.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy
Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized but tested for impairment at least annually.
In accordance with ASC 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”, the Company makes a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the goodwill quantitative impairment test. If management concludes that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the step 1 impairment test is bypassed. Management assessed the qualitative factors related to goodwill as of December 31, 2024, and determined a step 1 fair value assessment was not required. Qualitative factors reviewed in making this determination included macroeconomic condition, industry and market considerations, stock price for the Company and its peers, the Company’s financial performance, and other considerations. Based on the qualitative assessment, management determined that goodwill was not impaired at December 31, 2024. Goodwill is assessed for impairment on an interim basis if circumstances change or an event occurs between annual assessments that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. The quantitative impairment assessment involves significant judgment. This judgment includes developing cash flow projections, selecting appropriate discount rates, calculation of a terminal growth rate, minimum target capitalization levels, identifying relevant market comparables, incorporating general economic and market conditions, and selecting an appropriate control premium. The selection and weighting of the various fair value techniques may result in a higher or lower fair value. Judgment is applied in determining the weighting that is most representative of fair value.
Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. Core deposit intangibles are amortized over a ten year period.
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets, Servicing of Financial Assets, Policy
Servicing Assets—A portion of the premium on sale of SBA loans is recognized as gain on sale of loans at the time of the sale by allocating the carrying amount between the asset sold and the retained interest, including these servicing assets, based on their relative fair values. The remaining portion of the premium is recorded as a discount on the retained interest and is amortized over the remaining life of the loan as an adjustment to yield. The retained interest, net of any discount, are included in loans receivable—net of allowance for credit losses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Servicing assets are recognized when SBA and residential mortgage loans are sold with servicing retained with the income statement effect recorded in gains on sales of loans. Servicing assets are initially recorded at fair value based on the present value of the contractually specified servicing fee, net of servicing costs, over the estimated life of the loan, using a discount rate. The Company utilizes an actual cost to service SBA loans of 32 basis points and an overall weighted average cost to service residential mortgage loans of $75.01 per loan per year subject to servicing inflation rate of 1.5% for market valuation. All classes of servicing assets are subsequently measured using the amortization method which requires servicing rights to be amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans.
Management periodically evaluates servicing assets for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights into groupings based on predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rate, loan type and investor type. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual grouping, to the extent that fair value is less than the carrying amount. If the Company later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists for a particular grouping, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income. No impairment charges were recorded during the years 2024, 2023, or 2022.
Share-Based Payment Arrangement
Stock-Based Compensation—Compensation cost is recognized for stock options and restricted stock awards issued to employees and directors, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
Income Tax, Policy
Income Taxes—Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effects, based on current tax law, of future deductible or taxable amounts attributable to events that have been recognized in the financial statements. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. 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. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Company recognizes interest and / or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a limitation (“382 Limitation”) on a corporation’s ability to use any net unrealized built in losses and other tax attributes, such as net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards, when it undergoes a 50% ownership change over a designated testing period not to exceed three years (“382 Ownership Change”). As a result of the acquisition on July 29, 2016, Wilshire Bancorp underwent a 382 Ownership Change resulting in a 382 Limitation to its net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Wilshire Bancorp did not have a net unrealized built in loss as of the 382 Ownership Change date. Given the applicable 382 Limitation, the Company is expected to fully utilize Wilshire Bancorp’s net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards before expiration. However, future transactions, such as issuances of common stock or sales of shares of the Company’s stock by certain holders of the Company’s shares, including persons who have held, currently hold or may accumulate in the future 5% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock for their own account, could trigger a future Section 382 Ownership Change of the Company which could limit the Company’s use of these tax attributes.
Earnings Per Share, Policy
Earnings per Common Share—Basic Earnings per Common Share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted Earnings per Common Share reflects the potential dilution of common shares that could share in the earnings of the Company.
Stockholders' Equity, Policy
Equity—The Company accrues for common stock dividends as declared. Common stock dividends of $67.5 million and $67.1 million, were paid in 2024 and 2023, respectively. There were no common stock dividends declared but unpaid at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Dividend Restrictions, Policy
Dividend Restrictions—Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to the Company, or dividends paid by the Company to stockholders.
Comprehensive Income, Policy
Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes the changes in unrealized gains and losses on securities AFS, unrealized losses on transferred investment securities HTM, and interest rate swaps used in cash flow hedges which is also recognized as separate components of stockholders’ equity, net of tax.
Segment Reporting, Policy
Operating Segments—The Company is managed as a single business segment. The financial performance of the Company is reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) on an aggregate basis and financial and strategic decisions are made based on the Company as a whole. “Banking Operations” is considered to be the Company’s single combined operating segment, which raises funds from deposits and borrowings for loans and investments, and provides lending products, including real estate, commercial, and consumer loans to its customers. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” retrospectively for all periods presented in the financial statements effective on calendar year ended December 31, 2024. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) serves as the CODM. The significant segment expenses are disclosed on Note 22 “Segment Reporting”.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy
Loss Contingencies—Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company believes there are no such matters that would have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2024 or 2023. Accrued loss contingencies for all legal claims totaled approximately $664 thousand at December 31, 2024, and $535 thousand at December 31, 2023.
Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments—Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. See Note 14 “Commitments and Contingencies” for further discussion.
Allowance for Unfunded Commitments—The allowance for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to these unfunded credit facilities. The determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the unfunded credit facilities including an assessment of the probability of commitment usage, credit risk factors for loans outstanding to these same customers, and the terms and expiration dates of the unfunded credit facilities. The allowance for unfunded commitments is recognized as a liability (other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition), with adjustments to the allowance for unfunded commitments recognized through provision for credit losses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy
Fair Values of Financial Instruments—Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted) over the remaining useful life of the asset are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would be recorded to reduce the related asset to its estimated fair value.
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets, Transfers of Financial Assets, Policy
Transfer of Financial Assets—Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Use of estimates
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Reclassification, Comparability Adjustment
Reclassifications—Some items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on the prior year net income or stockholders’ equity.
Pending Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In 2024, the Company adopted ASU 2023-02, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credits Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method”. These amendments allow reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. During 2024, the Company made an adjustment related to the adoption of ASU 2023-02 and recorded $15.1 million in the derecognition of delayed contribution liabilities related to the Company’s investments in affordable housing partnerships, as adjustments to the Consolidated Statements of Condition. In addition, the Company’s recorded adjustments to equity including a $1.1 million adjustment to retained earnings net of $472 thousand reduction to account for deferred tax assets.
In 2024, the Company adopted ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” which expands segment disclosure requirements for public entities. ASU 2023-07 requires disclosure of significant segment expenses and other segment items on an annual and interim periods about a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets that are currently required annually. The expanded segment disclosures are in Note 22 “Segment Reporting”.
Pending Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”. ASU 2023-09 requires public business entities to disclose in the rate reconciliation table additional categories of information about federal, state, and foreign income taxes and to provide more details about the reconciling items in some categories if items meet a quantitative threshold. It also requires all entities to disclose income taxes paid, net of refunds, disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign taxes for annual periods and to disaggregate the information by jurisdiction based on a quantitative threshold. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. ASU 2023-09 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses”, which requires disaggregated disclosure of income statement expenses for public business entities. ASU 2024-03 requires new financial statement disclosures in tabular format, disaggregating information about prescribed categories underlying any relevant income statement expense caption. The prescribed categories include, among other things, employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization. Additionally, entities must disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and for interim reporting periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. The guidance can be applied prospectively with an option for retrospective application and early adoption is permitted. ASU 2024-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Revenue from Contract with Customer
Revenue from Contracts with Customers—The Company recognizes revenue when obligations under the terms of a contract with customers are satisfied. Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. In addition, certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with mortgage servicing rights, financial guarantees, derivatives, and certain credit card fees are also out of scope of the new guidance. Topic 606 is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as deposit related fees, wire transfer fees, and certain OREO related net gains or expenses.