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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business



First United Corporation is a Maryland corporation chartered in 1985 and a bank holding company registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.   The Corporation’s primary business is serving as the parent company of First United Bank & Trust, a Maryland trust company (the “Bank”), First United Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”) and First United Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), both Connecticut statutory business trusts.  Until September 14, 2018 when it was canceled, the Corporation also served as the parent company to First United Statutory Trust III, a Delaware statutory business trust (“Trust III” and together with Trust I and Trust II, the “Trusts”).  The Trusts were formed for the purpose of selling trust preferred securities that qualified as Tier 1 capital.  The Bank has two consumer finance company subsidiaries - OakFirst Loan Center, Inc., a West Virginia corporation, and OakFirst Loan Center, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company - and two subsidiaries that it uses to hold real estate acquired through foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure - First OREO Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, and FUBT OREO I, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company.  The Bank also owns 99.9% of the limited partnership interests in Liberty Mews Limited Partnership; a Maryland limited partnership formed for the purpose of acquiring, developing and operating low-income housing units in Garrett County, Maryland (“Liberty Mews”)



First United Corporation and its subsidiaries operate principally in four counties in Western Maryland and four counties in West Virginia.



As used in these Notes, the terms “the Corporation”, “we”, “us”, and “our” mean First United Corporation and, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries.



Basis of Presentation



The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) that require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the assessment of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) pertaining to investment securities, potential impairment of goodwill, and the valuation of deferred tax assets. For purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2018 presentation.  Such reclassifications had no impact on net income or equity.



The Corporation has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the statement of financial condition date of December 31, 2018 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements as prescribed by ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events. 



Principles of Consolidation



The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation include the accounts of First United Corporation, the Bank, the OakFirst Loan Centers, First OREO Trust and FUBT OREO I, LLC.  All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.



First United Corporation determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in accordance with GAAP.  Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make financial and operating decisions.  The Corporation consolidates voting interest entities in which it has 100%, or at least a majority, of the voting interest.  As defined in applicable accounting standards, a VIE is an entity that either (i) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (ii) has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities.  A controlling financial interest in an entity exists when an enterprise has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests that will absorb a majority of an entity’s expected losses, receive a majority of an entity’s expected residual returns, or both.  The enterprise with a controlling financial interest, known as the primary beneficiary, consolidates the VIE. 



The Corporation accounts for its investment in Liberty Mews utilizing the effective yield method under guidance that applies specifically to investments in limited partnerships that operate qualified affordable housing projects.  Under the effective yield method, the investor recognizes tax credits as they are allocated and amortizes the initial cost of the investment to provide a constant effective yield over the period that tax credits are allocated to the investor. The effective yield is the internal rate of return on the investment, based on the cost of the investment and the guaranteed tax credits allocated to the investor.  The tax credit allocated, net of the amortization of the investment in the limited partnership, is recognized in the income statement as a component of income taxes attributable to continuing operations. 



Correction of Prior Period Error



In February 2019, the Company determined that a valuation allowance write-down on an other real estate owned (“OREO”) property had not been recorded properly for year ended 2017.  In 2016, the Company received a two-thirds ownership interest in additional collateral in a forbearance agreement on a large tract of raw land. OREO procedures require that for properties booked in excess of $250,000, an updated appraisal will be ordered every 18 months to ensure our book values are in line with the current market and OREO balances are properly reflected at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value.  Based upon this requirement, an updated appraisal for this property was due in 2019.  Upon reviewing the file and preparing to order the appraisal,  it was discovered that the prior appraisal of September 2017 was not discounted appropriately based upon our two-thirds ownership in the property. 



The error resulted in an overstatement of OREO on the 2017 Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition of $.4 million and an understatement of Other Real Estate Owned Expense included within other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Income of $.3 million, net of tax, which has carried forward in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition throughout 2018.  The noted corrections were made for the year ended 2018 Consolidated Statement of Income and as a result of a quantitative and qualitative analysis, Management determined the inclusion of correction of the errors was not considered material to the 2017 or 2018 consolidated financial statements.



Significant Concentrations of Credit Risk



Most of the Corporation’s relationships are with customers located in Western Maryland and Northeastern West Virginia.  At December 31, 2018, approximately 12%, or $118.4 million, of total loans were secured by real estate acquisition, construction and development projects, with $117.7 million performing according to their contractual terms and $.7 million considered to be impaired based on management’s concerns about the borrowers’ ability to comply with present repayment terms. Of the $.7 million in impaired loans, $.5 million were classified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) performing in accordance with their modified terms, and $.2 million were classified as non-performing loans at December 31, 2018.  Additionally, loans collateralized by commercial rental properties represented 16% of the total loan portfolio as of December 31, 2018.  Note 6 discusses the types of securities in which the Corporation invests and Note 7 discusses the Corporation’s lending activities.   



Investments



The investment portfolio is classified and accounted for based on the guidance of ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity SecuritiesSecurities bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading account securities and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in net gains/losses in other operating income. Securities purchased with the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity securities and are recorded at amortized cost.  All other investment securities are classified as available-for-sale.  These securities are held for an indefinite period of time and may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions or for liquidity purposes as part of our overall asset/liability management strategy.  Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes.  



The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for the amortization of premiums to the first call date, if applicable, or to maturity, and for the accretion of discounts to maturity, or, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security.  Such amortization and accretion is included in interest income from investments.  Interest and dividends are included in interest income from investments.  Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded using the specific identification method.    



Restricted Investment in Bank Stock



Restricted stock, which represents required investments in the common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Atlanta, Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”) and Community Banker’s Bank (“CBB”), is carried at cost and is considered a long-term investment



Management evaluates the restricted stock for impairment in accordance with ASC Industry Topic 942, Financial Services – Depository and Lending, (942-325-35).  Management’s evaluation of potential impairment is based on its assessment of the ultimate recoverability of the cost of the restricted stock rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value.  The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability is influenced by criteria such as (i) the significance of the decline in net assets of the issuing bank as compared to the capital stock amount for that bank and the length of time this situation has persisted, (ii) commitments by the issuing bank to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance of that bank, and (iii) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the issuing bank. Management has evaluated the restricted stock for impairment and believes that no impairment charge is necessary as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.



The Corporation recognizes dividends on a cash basis.  For the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, dividends of $279,762 and $251,709, respectively, were recorded in other operating income. 



Loans



Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or full repayment by the borrower are reported at their unpaid principal balance outstanding, adjusted for any deferred fees or costs pertaining to origination. Loans that management has the intent to sell are reported at the lower of cost or fair value determined on an individual basis.



The segments of the Bank’s loan portfolio are disaggregated to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance.  The commercial real estate (“CRE”) loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes. Non-owner occupied CRE loans, which include loans secured by non-owner occupied nonfarm nonresidential properties, generally have a greater risk profile than all other CRE loans, which include loans secured by farmland, multifamily structures and owner-occupied commercial structures.  The acquisition and development (“A&D”) loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes. One-to-four family residential construction loans are generally made to individuals for the acquisition of and/or construction on a lot or lots on which a residential dwelling is to be built.  All other A&D loans are generally made to developers or investors for the purpose of acquiring, developing and constructing residential or commercial structures.  These loans have a higher risk profile because the ultimate buyer, once development is completed, is generally not known at the time of the A&D loan.  The commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loan segment consists of loans made for the purpose of financing the activities of commercial customers.  The residential mortgage loan segment is further disaggregated into two classes: amortizing term loans, which are primarily first liens, and home equity lines of credit, which are generally second liens.  The consumer loan segment consists primarily of installment loans (direct and indirect), student loans and overdraft lines of credit connected with customer deposit accounts.



Interest and Fees on Loans



Interest on loans (other than those on non-accrual status) is recognized based upon the principal amount outstanding.   Loan fees in excess of the costs incurred to originate the loan are recognized as income over the life of the loan utilizing either the interest method or the straight-line method, depending on the type of loan.  Generally, fees on loans with a specified maturity date, such as residential mortgages, are recognized using the interest method.  Loan fees for lines of credit are recognized using the straight-line method.



A loan is considered to be past due when a payment has not been received for 30 days past its contractual due date.  For all loan segments, the accrual of interest is discontinued when principal or interest is delinquent for 90 days or more unless the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection.  All non-accrual loans are considered to be impaired.  Interest payments received on non-accrual loans are applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.  The Corporation’s policy for recognizing interest income on impaired loans does not differ from its overall policy for interest recognition. 



Generally, consumer installment loans are not placed on non-accrual status, but are charged off after they are 120 days contractually past due.  Loans other than consumer loans are charged-off based on an evaluation of the facts and circumstances of each individual loan.



Allowance for Loan Losses



An allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) is maintained to absorb losses from the loan portfolio.  The ALL is based on management’s continuing evaluation of the risk characteristics and credit quality of the loan portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, diversification and size of the portfolio, adequacy of collateral, past and anticipated loss experience, and the amount of non-performing loans.



The Corporation’s methodology for determining the ALL is based on the requirements of ASC Section 310-10-35, Receivables-Overall-Subsequent Measurement, for loans individually evaluated for impairment and ASC Subtopic 450-20, Contingencies-Loss Contingencies, for loans collectively evaluated for impairment, as well as the Interagency Policy Statements on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and other bank regulatory guidance.   The total of the two components represents the Bank’s ALL.



The Corporation maintains an ALL on unfunded commercial lending commitments and letters of credit to provide for the risk of loss inherent in these arrangements.  The allowance is determined utilizing a methodology that is similar to that used to determine the ALL, modified to take into account the probability of a draw down on the commitment.  This allowance is reported as a liability on the balance sheet within accrued interest payable and other liabilities.  The balance in the liability account was $63,230 at December 31, 2018 and $64,688 at December 31, 2017.



Premises and Equipment



Land is carried at cost.  Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The provision for depreciation for financial reporting has been made by using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 10 to 31.5 years for buildings and three to 20 years for furniture and equipment. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax purposes.



Goodwill



Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations.  In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test.



Bank-Owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”)



BOLI policies are recorded at their cash surrender values. Changes in the cash surrender values are recorded as other operating income.



Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”)



Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less the cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, with any losses charged to the ALL, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.  Changes in the valuation allowance, sales gains and losses, and revenue and expenses from holding and operating properties are all included in net expenses from other real estate owned.  



Income Taxes



First United Corporation and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.  Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, the deferred tax liability or asset is determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities (temporary differences) and is measured at the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when these differences reverse. Deferred tax expense is determined by the change in the net liability or asset for deferred taxes adjusted for changes in any deferred tax asset valuation allowance.



ASC Topic 740, Taxes, provides clarification on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  We have not identified any income tax uncertainties.



State corporate income tax returns are filed annually.  Federal and state returns may be selected for examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the states where we file, subject to statutes of limitations.  At any given point in time, the Corporation may have several years of filed tax returns that may be selected for examination or review by taxing authorities. 



Interest and penalties on income taxes are recognized as a component of income tax expense.

Defined Benefit Plans



The defined benefit pension plan and supplemental executive retirement plan are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits. Under the provisions of Topic 715, the defined benefit pension plan and the supplemental executive retirement plan are recognized as liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition, and unrecognized net actuarial losses, prior service costs and a net transition asset are recognized as a separate component of other comprehensive loss, net of tax.  Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10 percent of the greater of plan assets or the pension benefit obligation are amortized over a blend of future service of active employees and life expectancy of inactive participants.  Refer to Note 18 for a further discussion of the pension plan and supplemental executive retirement plan obligations.



Statement of Cash Flows



Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash and due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.



Trust Assets and Income



Assets held in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not the Bank’s assets and, accordingly, are not included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.  Income from the Bank’s trust department represents fees charged to customers.



Business Segments



The Corporation operates in one segment, community banking, as defined by ASC Topic 280, Segment ReportingThe Corporation in its entirety is managed and evaluated on an ongoing basis by First United Corporation’s Board of Directors and executive management, with no division or subsidiary receiving separate analysis regarding performance or resource allocation.



Equity Compensation Plan



At the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, First United Corporation’s shareholders approved the First United Corporation 2018 Equity Compensation Plan which authorizes the issuance of up to 325,000 shares of common stock to employees, directors and qualifying consultants pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards. 

The Corporation complies with the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, in measuring and disclosing stock compensation cost.   The measurement objective in ASC Paragraph 718-10-30-6 requires public companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award.  The cost is recognized in expense over the period in which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award (the vesting period).



Stock-based awards were made to non-employee directors in the second quarter of 2018 pursuant to First United Corporation’s director compensation policy.  Each director received an annual retainer of 1,000 shares of First United Corporation common stock, plus $10,000 that was paid, at the director’s election, in cash or additional shares of common stock.  In 2018 and 2017, a total of 12,936 and 14,795, respectively, fully-vested shares of common stock were issued to directors, which had a fair market value of $20.63 and $14.48 per share, respectively.  Director stock compensation expense was $249,324 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $192,398 for the year ended December 31, 2017. 



Stock Repurchases



Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, shares of capital stock that are repurchased are cancelled and treated as authorized but unissued shares.  When a share of capital stock is repurchased, the payment of the repurchase price reduces stated capital by the par value of that share (currently, $0.01 for common stock and $0.00 for preferred stock), and any excess over par value reduces capital surplus.  There were no stock repurchases in 2018 and 2017.



Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements



In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for virtually all industries under U.S. GAAP, including those that previously followed industry-specific guidance such as the real estate, construction and software industries.  ASU 2014-09 specifies that an entity shall recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a promised good or service (i.e. an asset) to a customer.  An asset is transferred when, or as, the customer obtains control of the asset. Entities are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information on the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.  The guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2018.   The Corporation has elected to implement ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective application, with the cumulative effect recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings at January 1, 2018. There was no cumulative effect adjustment required upon adoption.  Financial instruments which are the sources of the majority of our operating revenue are excluded from the scope of this amended guidance, which includes interest income and securities gains/losses.  The following revenue streams were identified to be in scope of ASC Topic 606: Wealth Management, includes trust and brokerage services, service charges on deposit accounts, interchange fee income – debit card income and gains/losses on sale of OREO.  The Corporation adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 and did not identify any significant changes in the timing of revenue recognition when considering the amended accounting guidance (see Note 25, Revenue Recognition).



In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10).  This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments by making targeted improvements to GAAP as follows: (i) require 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. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer; (ii) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value; (iii) eliminate 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 on the balance sheet; (iv) require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (v) require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; (vi) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and (vii) clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations. In accordance with item (iv) above, the Corporation measured the fair value of its loan portfolio as of December 31, 2018 using an exit price notion (see Note 23, Fair Value of Financial Instruments).



In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.  ASU 2016-13 introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments.  It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchases financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination.  The new model referred to as current expected credit losses model, will apply to: (i) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (b) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures.  This includes loans, held to maturity debt securities, loan commitments, financial guarantees and net investments in leases as well as reinsurance and trade receivables.  The estimate of expected credit losses should consider historical information, current information, and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments.  ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Corporation for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods.  Management currently intends to adopt the guidance on January 1, 2020 and is assessing the impact of this guidance on the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.  Management has formed a focus group consisting of multiple members from areas including credit, finance, loan servicing, reporting, and information systems.  We are planning data and model validation completion during the first half of 2019, with parallel processing of our existing allowance for loan losses model with the CECL for 2 – 3 quarters prior to implementation.  Currently, the focus group has identified eleven loan segments for all data which has been populated and internally validated within the model.  During 2019, the Company is focused on testing methodologies and refining assumptions.  Concurrent with this, the Company is also focused on researching and resolving interpretive accounting issues in the ASU, contemplating various related accounting policies, developing processes and related controls, and considering various reporting disclosures.  In December 2018, the OCC, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the FDIC approved a final rule to address changes to credit loss accounting under GAAP, including banking organizations’ implementation of CECL.  The final rule provides banking organizations the option to phase in over a three-year period the day-one adverse effects on regulatory capital that may result from the adoption of the new accounting standard.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.  ASU 2016-15 addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: (i) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (ii) 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; (iii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (iv) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (v) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); (vi) distributions received from equity method investees; (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle.  The amendments in this Update apply to all entities, including both business entities and not-for-profit entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230.    ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Corporation for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods.  The Corporation adopted ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018.  The adoption did not have an impact on the Corporation’s statement of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles- Goodwill and Other (Topic 350):  Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.  ASU 2017-04 simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test.  Instead, if “the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.”  The ASU does not change the qualitative assessment, however, it removes the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test.  ASU 2017-04 is effective for the Corporation for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods.  The Corporation is evaluating the provisions of ASU 2017-04 but believes that its adoption will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.



In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).  ASU 2016-02 is intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions by requiring organizations that lease assets – referred to as “lessees” – to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases.  From the lessee’s perspective, the new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement for lessees. The guidance also eliminates the current real estate-specific provision and changes the guidance on sale-leaseback transactions, initial direct costs and lease executory costs. With respect to lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. All entities will classify leases to determine how to recognize lease-related revenue and expense. In applying this guidance, entities will also need to determine whether an arrangement contains a lease or service agreement. Disclosures are required by lessees and lessors to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.  The amendments will require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods after December 15, 2018.

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715):  Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.  Under the new guidance, employers are required to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item (e.g., Salaries and Benefits) as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. In addition, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets. Employers will present the other components of net periodic benefit cost separately (e.g., Other Noninterest Expense) from the line item that includes the service cost. ASU 2017-07 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Employers will apply the guidance on the presentation of the components of net periodic benefit cost in the income statement retrospectively. The guidance limiting the capitalization of net periodic benefit cost in assets to the service cost component will be applied prospectively.  The Corporation adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements.



In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.  ASU 2017-12 is intended to better align 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.  ASU 2017-12 is effective for the Corporation for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Corporation is evaluating the provisions of ASU 2017-12 but believes that its adoption will not have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.



In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.  ASU No. 2018-10 provides improvements related to ASU No. 2016-02 to increase stakeholders’ awareness of the amendments and to expedite the improvements.  The amendments affect narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU No. 2016-02.  ASU No. 2018-11 allows entities adopting ASU No. 2016-02 to choose an additional (and optional) transition method, under which an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption.  ASU No. 2018-11 also allows lessors to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component if certain conditions are met.  The amendments in these updates become effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018.

 

The Corporation elected the optional transition method permitted by ASU No. 2018-11.  Under this method, an entity shall recognize and measure leases that exist at the application date and prior comparative periods are not adjusted.  In addition, the Corporation elected the package of practical expedients to leases that commenced before the effective date:



 

1.

An entity need not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases.

 

2.

An entity need not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases.



3.

An entity need not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases.

The Corporation also elected the practical expedient, which must be applied consistently to all leases, to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment of our right-of-use assets.  The Corporation will record a ROU asset in the amount of approximately $2.7 million and a lease liability in the amount of approximately $3.3 million on the Statement of Financial Condition upon adoption on January 1, 2019.  We do not believe there will be a material impact to the Statement of Income or the Statement of Cash Flows.