10-K 1 isbc-12312017x10k.htm 10-K Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-K
þ
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017 or
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                     to                    
Commission File No. 001-36441
 
Investors Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
Delaware
 
46-4702118
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey
 
07078
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
Zip Code
(973) 924-5100
(Registrant’s telephone number)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(Title of Class)
 
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large accelerated filer
 
þ
 
 
  
Accelerated filer
o
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
o
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
o
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  þ
As of February 23, 2018, the registrant had 359,070,852 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued and 303,952,719 shares outstanding.
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the last sale price on June 30, 2017, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market, was approximately $3.80 billion.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
1. Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the registrant (Part III).



INVESTORS BANCORP, INC.
2017 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
Page
Part I.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
Part II.
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
 
 
 
Part III.
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
 
 
Part IV.
Item 15.
Item 16.
 



PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements may be identified by the use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.
Forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our management’s experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors are outlined in Item 1A. Risk Factors herein and include, without limitation, the following:
•
the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond our control;
•
there may be increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions;
•
changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins or affect the value of our investments;
•
changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values may adversely affect our business;
•
changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause our financial condition to be perceived differently;
•
general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which we do business, or conditions in the real estate or securities markets or the banking industry may be less favorable than we currently anticipate;
•
legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect our business;
•
technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than we anticipate;
•
success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than we anticipate;
•
litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may be determined adverse to us or may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than we anticipate;
•
the risks associated with continued diversification and growth of assets and adverse changes to credit quality;
•
difficulties associated with achieving expected future financial results;
•
impact on our financial performance associated with the effective deployment of capital raised in our second step conversion offering; and
•
the risk of an economic slowdown that would adversely affect credit quality and loan originations.
We have no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document.
As used in this Form 10-K, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiary, Investors Bank. Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s electronic filings with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as amended, are made available at no cost in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.myinvestorsbank.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. The Company’s SEC filings are also available through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
PART I


ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
Investors Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation which became the holding company for Investors Bank (“the Bank”) in May 2014, upon the completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion of Investors Bancorp, MHC. Prior to the 2014 conversion, Investors Bancorp, MHC held 55% of Investors Bancorp’s outstanding common stock in connection with its initial public offering in October 2005, which raised net proceeds of $509.7 million. The second step conversion was completed on May 7, 2014. The Company raised net proceeds of $2.15 billion by selling a total of 219,580,695 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share in the second step stock offering and issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock and a $10.0 million cash contribution to the Investors Charitable Foundation. Concurrent with the completion of the stock offering, each share of Investors Bancorp common stock owned by public stockholders (stockholders other than Investors Bancorp, MHC) was exchanged for 2.55 shares of Company common stock. As a result of the conversion, all share information prior to May 2014 has been revised to reflect the 2.55-to-one exchange ratio. At December 31, 2017, the Company had 359,070,852 common stock issued and 306,126,087 outstanding.

1

The Company is subject to regulation as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve Board. Investors Bancorp neither owns nor leases any property, but instead uses the premises, equipment and furniture of the Bank. At the present time, the Company employs as officers only certain persons who are also officers of the Bank and uses the support staff of the Bank from time to time. These persons are not separately compensated by Investors Bancorp. Investors Bancorp may hire additional employees, as appropriate, to the extent it expands its business in the future.    
Investors Bank is a New Jersey-chartered savings bank headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey. Originally founded in 1926 as a New Jersey-chartered mutual savings and loan association, it has grown through acquisitions and internal growth, including de novo branching. In 1992, the charter was converted to a mutual savings bank and in 1997 the charter was converted to a New Jersey-chartered stock savings bank.
The Bank is in the business of attracting deposits from the public through its branch network and borrowing funds in the wholesale markets to originate loans and to invest in securities. The Bank originates multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, one-to four- family residential mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate, construction loans and consumer loans, the majority of which are home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and cash surrender value lending on life insurance contracts. Securities, primarily mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Government and Federal Agency obligations, and other securities represented 15% of consolidated assets at December 31, 2017. The Bank is subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“NJDBI”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”).
Our Business Strategy
Since the Company’s initial public offering in 2005, we have transitioned from a wholesale thrift business to a retail commercial bank. This transition has been primarily accomplished by increasing the amount of our commercial loans and core deposits (savings, checking and money market accounts). Our transformation can be attributed to a number of factors, including organic growth, de novo branch openings, bank and branch acquisitions, as well as product expansion. We believe the attractive markets we operate in, namely, New Jersey and the greater New York metropolitan areas, will continue to provide us with growth opportunities. Our primary focus is to build and develop profitable customer relationships across all lines of business, both consumer and commercial.

Opportunities through Our Attractive Markets
The markets we operate in are considered attractive banking markets within the United States, and we believe they will continue to provide us with opportunities to grow. We have expanded our franchise to include the suburbs of Philadelphia and the boroughs of New York City as well as Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. Additionally, we have strengthened our presence in our historic markets throughout New Jersey. We accomplished this expansion through de novo growth and select bank and branch acquisitions. As a result of this growth, Investors Bank is the largest bank headquartered in the state of New Jersey as measured by assets. The markets in which we operate are desirable from an economic and demographic perspective as they are characterized by large and dense population centers, areas of high income households and centers of robust business and commercial activity. Our competition in these markets tends to be from out-of-state headquartered money centers and super-regional financial institutions as well as smaller local community banks. We believe that as a locally headquartered institution, situated between these extremes, we can compete and capitalize on opportunities that exist in our market area. We continue to examine our branch network to optimize our market presence, which may include branch rationalization plans.
Many of the counties we serve are projected to experience moderate to strong household income growth through 2023. Though slower population growth is projected for many of the counties we serve, it is important to note that these counties are densely populated. All of the counties we serve have a strong mature market and nearly all have median household incomes greater than the national median.
We face intense competition in making loans as well as attracting deposits in our market area. Our competition for loans and deposits comes principally from commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms, credit unions and insurance companies. We face additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds, brokerage firms and mutual funds. Some of our competitors offer products and services that we currently do not offer, such as trust services and private banking. As of June 30, 2017, the latest date for which statistics are available, our market share of deposits was ranked in the top 10 of total deposits in the State of New Jersey and in the top 20 within the New York metropolitan area.

2


Growing and Diversifying the Loan Portfolio
Our business plan has been, and will continue to be, to grow and diversify our loan portfolio. We have accomplished the majority of this growth by focusing on originating multi-family and commercial real estate loans in our market area through our New York City and New Jersey loan production offices. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we originated $1.16 billion in multi-family loans and $705.1 million in commercial real estate loans. We are focusing on growing our commercial loan portfolio because it helps to diversify the loan portfolio and reduces our interest rate exposure to mortgage-backed securities and one- to four-family mortgages.
To further diversify our loan portfolio we have increased C&I lending by building relationships with small to medium sized companies in our market area. We have hired a number of experienced C&I lending teams, including a team specializing in the healthcare industry. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we originated $663.4 million in C&I loans. A significant portion of our C&I loans are secured by commercial real estate and are primarily on properties and businesses located in New Jersey and New York. We have diversified our loan portfolio, as evidenced by the fact that commercial loans (including commercial real estate, multi-family, C&I and construction loans) represent approximately 72% of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2017 as compared to December 31, 2013, when commercial loans were approximately 53% of total loans. Growing and diversifying our loan portfolio will continue to be a major focus of our business strategy going forward, however, we are mindful of concentrations as it pertains to capital.

Changing the Mix of Deposits
We have focused on changing our deposit mix from certificates of deposit to core deposits (savings, checking and money market accounts). Although recent increases in interest rates has resulted in consumer preference for and growth in time deposits, we continue to focus on the growth of core deposits as they are an attractive funding alternative because they are generally a more stable source of low cost funding and are less sensitive to changes in market interest rates. As of December 31, 2017, we had core deposits of $13.90 billion, representing approximately 80% of total deposits, compared to December 31, 2013 when core deposits were $7.33 billion, representing 68% of total deposits. Over the same time, the percent of non-interest bearing deposits to total deposits has grown from 10% to 14%. In order to maintain these favorable results and trends, we will continue to invest in branch staff training, product development, de novo branch growth based on existing market presence, as well as commercial deposit gathering efforts. Over the past few years we have developed a suite of commercial deposit and cash management products, designed to appeal to small and mid-sized business owners and non-profit organizations including electronic deposit services such as remote deposit capture. Mobile banking services have also been developed to serve our customers’ needs and adapt to a changing environment. We will continue to enhance our web site and use social media as a way to stay connected to our customers.
Our deposit business has become more diversified over the past few years as we attract more deposits from commercial entities, including most of the businesses that borrow from us. Investors Bank has become one of the largest depositories for government and municipal deposits in New Jersey, which provides us with an additional funding source. Our branch network, concentrated in markets with attractive demographics and a high density population, will continue to provide us with opportunities to grow and improve our deposit base.

Acquisitions
A significant portion of our historic growth can be attributed to our acquisition strategy. Through 2014 we completed eight bank or branch acquisitions. Our most recent acquisition, Gateway Community Financial Corp, was completed in January 2014, with $254.7 million of deposits and 4 branches in Gloucester County, NJ and our acquisition of Roma Financial Corporation was completed in December 2013, with $1.34 billion of deposits and 26 branches in the Philadelphia suburbs of New Jersey. Although management evaluates a number of factors when considering an acquisition, we have maintained a fundamental focus on preserving tangible book value per share. Acquisitions have provided us with the opportunity to grow our business, expand our geographic footprint and improve our financial performance. We intend to continue to evaluate potential acquisition opportunities that may present themselves in the future while maintaining the financial and pricing discipline that we have adhered to in the past.

Capital Management
Capital management is a key component of our business strategy. We raised net proceeds of $2.15 billion in equity in May 2014 upon the completion of the second step mutual conversion. As of December 31, 2017 our tangible equity to asset ratio was 12.10%. Since our second step, we have managed our capital through a combination of organic growth, stock repurchases and dividends. In March 2015 we received approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to commence a 5% buyback program and announced our first share repurchase program. Subsequently we announced two additional repurchase programs each authorizing a 10% buyback program. Since receiving approval in March 2015 we have repurchased 67.4 million shares totaling $805.4 million at an average price of $11.95.

3

Beginning September of 2012, we began to pay a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share. Since then our dividend has increased to $0.09 per share. For the year ended December 31, 2017 our dividend payout ratio was 75% which includes a 12.5% dividend increase in the fourth quarter of 2017 to $0.09 per share.
Involvement in Our Communities
Investors Bank proudly promotes a higher quality of life in the communities it serves in New Jersey and New York through employee volunteer efforts and our Charitable Foundations. Employees are continually encouraged to become leaders in their communities and use Investors Bank’s support to help others. Through the Investors Charitable Foundation, established in 2005, and the Roma Charitable Foundation, which we acquired in December 2013, Investors Bank has contributed or committed $27.9 million in donations to enrich the lives of New Jersey and New York citizens by supporting initiatives in the arts, education, youth development, affordable housing, and health and human services.
Community involvement is one of the principal values of Investors Bank and provides our staff with a meaningful ability to help others. We believe these efforts contribute to creating a culture at Investors Bank that promotes high employee morale while enhancing the presence of Investors Bank in our local markets.
Lending Activities
Our loan portfolio is comprised of multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, commercial and industrial loans, residential mortgage loans and consumer and other loans. At December 31, 2017, multi-family loans totaled $7.80 billion, or 38.8% of our total loan portfolio, commercial real estate loans totaled $4.55 billion, or 22.6% of our total loan portfolio, commercial and industrial loans totaled $1.63 billion, or 8.1% of our total loan portfolio, and construction loans totaled $416.9 million, or 2.1% of our total loan portfolio. Residential mortgage loans represented $5.03 billion, or 25.0% of our total loans at December 31, 2017. We also offer consumer loans, which consist primarily of home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and cash surrender value lending on life insurance contracts. At December 31, 2017, consumer and other loans totaled $671.1 million, or 3.3% of our total loan portfolio.

4

Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio by type of loan. Commercial loans are comprised of multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans and construction loans. Our primary focus over recent years has been on the origination of commercial loans.

 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
Amount
%
 
Amount
%
 
Amount
%
 
Amount
%
 
Amount
%
 
 
(Dollars in thousands )
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
$
7,802,835

38.84

%
$
7,459,131

39.65

%
$
6,255,904

37.04

%
$
5,049,114

33.44

%
$
3,986,208

30.51

%
Commercial real estate loans
4,548,101

22.64

 
4,452,300

23.67

 
3,829,099

22.67

 
3,147,153

20.84

 
2,505,327

19.18

 
Commercial and industrial loans
1,625,375

8.09

 
1,275,283

6.78

 
1,044,385

6.18

 
544,458

3.61

 
268,422

2.05

 
Construction loans
416,883

2.07

 
314,843

1.67

 
225,843

1.34

 
148,396

0.98

 
202,261

1.55

 
Total commercial loans
14,393,194

71.64

 
13,501,557

71.77

 
11,355,231

67.23

 
8,889,121

58.87

 
6,962,218

53.29

 
Residential mortgage loans
5,026,517

25.02

 
4,711,880

25.05

 
5,039,543

29.83

 
5,769,477

38.21

 
5,698,351

43.62

 
Consumer and other loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity loans
137,964

0.69

 
161,356

0.86

 
201,063

1.19

 
222,871

1.48

 
245,653

1.88

 
Home equity credit lines
251,654

1.25

 
240,518

1.28

 
220,357

1.30

 
200,066

1.32

 
150,796

1.15

 
Other
281,519

1.40

 
195,391

1.04

 
75,136

0.45

 
18,017

0.12

 
7,600

0.06

 
Total consumer and other loans
671,137

3.34

 
597,265

3.18

 
496,556

2.94

 
440,954

2.92

 
404,049

3.09

 
Total loans
$
20,090,848

100.00

%
$
18,810,702

100.00

%
$
16,891,330

100.00

%
$
15,099,552

100.00

%
$
13,064,618

100.00

%
Deferred fees and premiums on purchased loans, net (1)
(7,778
)
 
 
(12,474
)
 
 
(11,692
)
 
 
(11,698
)
 
 
(8,146
)
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
(230,969
)
 
 
(228,373
)
 
 
(218,505
)
 
 
(200,284
)
 
 
(173,928
)
 
 
Net loans
$
19,852,101

 
 
$
18,569,855

 
 
$
16,661,133

 
 
$
14,887,570

 
 
$
12,882,544

 
 
(1) Included in deferred fees and premiums on purchased loans are accretable purchase accounting adjustments in connection with loans acquired.



5

    Portfolio Maturities. The following table summarizes the scheduled repayments of our loan portfolio based on contractual maturity or next repricing date, including PCI loans at December 31, 2017. Overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less.
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
Multi-Family Loans
 
Commercial
Real Estate Loans
 
Commercial and
Industrial Loans
 
Construction
Loans
 
Residential
Mortgage Loans
 
Consumer  and
Other Loans
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Amounts Due:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One year or less
$
874,423

 
$
543,398

 
$
486,108

 
$
325,852

 
$
351,249

 
$
154,677

 
$
2,735,707

After one year:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One to three years
1,567,409

 
776,632

 
195,666

 
91,031

 
371,221

 
193,322

 
3,195,281

Three to five years
2,512,638

 
1,674,815

 
248,454

 
—

 
306,824

 
96,702

 
4,839,433

Five to ten years
2,599,631

 
1,301,523

 
464,897

 
—

 
861,563

 
62,042

 
5,289,656

Ten to twenty years
248,734

 
251,733

 
200,566

 
—

 
899,752

 
61,971

 
1,662,756

Over twenty years
—

 
—

 
29,684

 
—

 
2,235,908

 
102,423

 
2,368,015

Total due after one year
6,928,412

 
4,004,703

 
1,139,267

 
91,031

 
4,675,268

 
516,460

 
17,355,141

Total loans
$
7,802,835

 
$
4,548,101

 
$
1,625,375

 
$
416,883

 
$
5,026,517

 
$
671,137

 
$
20,090,848

Deferred fees and premiums on purchased loans, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(7,778
)
Allowance for loan losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(230,969
)
Net loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
19,852,101


The following table sets forth fixed- and adjustable-rate loans at December 31, 2017 that are contractually due after December 31, 2018.
 
 
Due After December 31, 2018
 
Fixed
 
Adjustable
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
$
2,386,500

 
$
4,541,912

 
$
6,928,412

Commercial real estate loans
1,412,058

 
2,592,645

 
4,004,703

Commercial and industrial loans
914,023

 
225,244

 
1,139,267

Construction loans
91,031

 
—

 
91,031

Total commercial loans
4,803,612

 
7,359,801

 
12,163,413

Residential mortgage loans
3,367,806

 
1,307,462

 
4,675,268

Consumer and other loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity loans
136,244

 
—

 
136,244

Home equity credit lines
—

 
119,162

 
119,162

Other
159

 
260,895

 
261,054

Total consumer and other loans
136,403

 
380,057

 
516,460

Total loans
$
8,307,821

 
$
9,047,320

 
$
17,355,141

Multi-family Loans. At December 31, 2017, $7.80 billion, or 38.8%, of our total loan portfolio was comprised of multi-family loans. Our policy generally has been to originate multi-family loans in New York, New Jersey and surrounding states. The multi-family loans in our portfolio consist of both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans, which were originated at prevailing market rates. Multi-family loans are generally five to fifteen year term balloon loans amortized over fifteen to thirty years.
Commercial Real Estate Loans. At December 31, 2017, $4.55 billion, or 22.6%, of our total loan portfolio was commercial real estate loans. We originate commercial real estate loans in New Jersey, New York and surrounding states, which are secured by industrial properties, retail buildings, office buildings and other commercial properties. Commercial real estate loans in our portfolio consist of both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans which were originated at prevailing market rates. Commercial real estate loans are generally five to fifteen year term balloon loans amortized over fifteen to thirty years.

6

Commercial and Industrial Loans. At December 31, 2017, $1.63 billion, or 8.1%, of our total loan portfolio was commercial and industrial loans. We offer a wide range of credit facilities to commercial and industrial clients throughout our geographic footprint. Our credit offerings are lines of credit, fixed-rate and adjustable-rate term loans and letters of credit. A significant portion of our commercial and industrial loans are secured by commercial real estate and are primarily on properties and businesses located in New Jersey and New York. Other collateral for these types of loans can be comprised of real estate and/or a lien on the general assets, including inventory and receivables of the business, and in many cases are further supported by a personal guarantee of the owner. As the Company and our footprint have grown, we have broadened our product offerings to create certain commercial and industrial lending subspecialties, including expanded lending to the healthcare industry. Included in the Company’s commercial and industrial loans were $108.1 million of loans to Co-operative housing corporations and groups (“Co-Op loans”).
Construction Loans.  At December 31, 2017, we held $416.9 million in construction loans representing 2.1% of our total loan portfolio. We offer loans directly to builders and developers on income-producing properties and residential for-sale housing units. Generally, construction loans are structured to have a three-year term and are made in amounts of up to 70% of the appraised value of the completed property, or the actual cost of the improvements. Funds are disbursed based on inspections in accordance with a schedule reflecting the completion of portions of the project. Construction financing for units to be sold require a pre-sale contract or we will limit the amount of speculative building without a sales contract.
Residential Mortgage Loans. At December 31, 2017, $5.03 billion, or 25.0%, of our loan portfolio consisted of residential mortgage loans. Residential mortgage loans are originated by our mortgage subsidiary, Investors Home Mortgage, for our loan portfolio and for sale to third parties. We also purchase mortgage loans from correspondent entities including other banks and mortgage brokers. Our agreements call for these correspondent entities to originate loans that adhere to our underwriting standards. In most cases, we acquire the loans with servicing rights.
We offer various loan programs to provide financing for low-and moderate-income home buyers, some of which include down payment assistance for home purchases. Through these programs, qualified individuals receive a reduced rate of interest on most of our loan programs and have their application fee refunded at closing, as well as other incentives if certain conditions are met.
Consumer and Other Loans. At December 31, 2017, consumer and other loans totaled $671.1 million, or 3.3% of our total loan portfolio. We offer consumer loans, most of which consist of home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and cash surrender value lending on life insurance contracts. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit are secured by residences primarily located in New Jersey and New York. Home equity loans are offered with fixed rates of interest, terms up to 20 years and to a maximum of $500,000. Home equity lines of credit have adjustable rates of interest, indexed to the prime rate.
At December 31, 2017, cash surrender value loans totaled $279.4 million, or 42% of consumer and other loans. Acceptable credit history and FICO scores are reviewed along with the evaluation of the financial rating of the insurance carrier.
Loan Originations and Purchases. The following table shows our loan originations, loan purchases and repayment activities with respect to our portfolio of loans receivable for the periods indicated. Origination, sale and repayment activities with respect to our loans-held-for-sale are excluded from the table.

7

 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Loan originations and purchases
 
 
 
 
 
Loan originations:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
$
1,164,910

 
$
2,162,447

 
$
2,079,201

Commercial real estate loans
705,107

 
1,078,601

 
936,889

Commercial and industrial loans
663,433

 
608,899

 
930,777

Construction loans
414,183

 
451,505

 
82,455

Total commercial loans
2,947,633

 
4,301,452

 
4,029,322

Residential mortgage loans
516,532

 
523,342

 
646,521

Consumer and other loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity loans
16,781

 
14,614

 
23,177

Home equity credit lines
36,505

 
145,147

 
131,533

Other
79,717

 
100,262

 
93,081

Total consumer and other loans
133,003

 
260,023

 
247,791

Total loan originations
3,597,168

 
5,084,817

 
4,923,634

Loan purchases:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
—

 
—

 
2,760

Commercial real estate loans
—

 
—

 
141,563

Total commercial loans
—

 
—

 
144,323

Residential mortgage loans
540,898

 
141,562

 
54,300

Consumer and other loans
—

 
—

 
—

Total loan purchases
540,898

 
141,562

 
198,623

Loans sold
(48,099
)
 
(9,752
)
 
(394,742
)
Principal repayments
(2,809,630
)
 
(3,302,545
)
 
(2,945,852
)
Other items, net (1)
1,909

 
(5,360
)
 
(8,100
)
Net increase in loan portfolio
$
1,282,246

 
$
1,908,722

 
$
1,773,563

 
(1) Other items include charge-offs and recoveries, loan loss provisions, loans transferred to other real estate owned, and amortization and accretion of deferred fees and costs, discounts and premiums, and purchase accounting adjustments.
Credit Policy and Procedures
Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. The credit approval process provides for prompt and thorough underwriting and approval or decline of loan requests. The approval method used is a hierarchy of individual credit authorities for new credit requests and renewals. All credit actions require a total of two signatures, one from the Bank’s business line and one from the Bank’s credit risk management group. Transactions exceeding certain thresholds are submitted to the Bank’s Credit Approval Committee for decision. Our credit authority standards and limits are reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors. Approval limits are established on criteria such as the risk associated with each credit action, amount, and aggregate credit exposure of a borrower. The Bank’s Credit Risk Committee approves authorities for lending and credit personnel, which are ultimately submitted to our Board for ratification. Credit authorities are based on position, capability, and experience of the individuals.
Loans to One Borrower. The Bank’s regulatory limit on total loans to any one borrower or attributed to any one borrower is 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus. As of December 31, 2017, the regulatory lending limit was $444.7 million. The Bank’s internal policy limit is $150.0 million, with exceptions to this policy communicated to the Board of Directors. The Bank reviews these group exposures on a regular basis. The Bank also sets additional limits on size of loans by loan type. At December 31, 2017 the largest relationship with an individual borrower and its related entities was $186.1 million in commercial loans. This was the only relationship which exceeded the internal limit, had been communicated to the Board of Directors and was performing in accordance with its contractual terms as of December 31, 2017.


8

Asset Quality. One of the Bank’s key operating objectives has been, and continues to be, maintaining a high level of asset quality. The Bank maintains sound credit standards for new loan originations and purchases. We do not originate or purchase sub-prime loans, negative amortization loans or option ARM loans. While our portfolio contains interest only and no income verification residential mortgage loans, we have not originated or purchased these types of residential loan products in recent years. Included in residential and consumer loans for the period ended December 31, 2017 are $77.8 million of interest only and $208.9 million of no income verification loans. The Bank does, from time to time and for competitive purposes, originate commercial loans with limited interest only periods. Included in total commercial loans for the period ended December 31, 2017 are $171.2 million in interest only loans. In addition, the Bank uses proactive collection and workout processes in dealing with delinquent and problem loans.
The underlying credit quality of our loan portfolio is dependent primarily on each borrower’s continued ability to make required loan payments and, in the event a borrower is unable to do so, is dependent on the value of the collateral securing the loan, if any. A borrower’s ability to pay is typically dependent on employment and other sources of income in the case of one-to four-family mortgage loans and consumer loans. In the case of multi-family and commercial real estate loans, repayment is dependent on the cash flow generated by the property; in the case of C&I loans, on the cash flows generated by the business, which in turn is impacted by general economic conditions. Other factors, such as unanticipated expenditures or changes in the financial markets, may also impact a borrower’s ability to pay. Collateral values, particularly real estate values, may also be impacted by a variety of factors including general economic conditions, demographics, maintenance and collection or foreclosure delays.
Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans. Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans are loans acquired at a discount, due in part to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”, and are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance (i.e., the allowance for loan losses). As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 PCI loans totaled $8.3 million and $9.0 million, respectively.



9

Delinquent Loans. The following table sets forth our loan delinquencies by type and by amount at the dates indicated, excluding loans classified as PCI.
 
 
Loans Delinquent For
 
 
 
 
 
60-89 Days
 
90 Days and Over
 
Total
 
Number
 
Amount
 
Number
 
Amount
 
Number
 
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
At December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
2

 
$
7,652

 
1

 
$
203

 
3

 
$
7,855

Commercial real estate loans
2

 
778

 
16

 
11,519

 
18

 
12,297

Commercial and industrial loans
—

 
—

 
2

 
75

 
2

 
75

Construction loans
1

 
295

 
—

 
—

 
1

 
295

Total commercial loans
5

 
8,725

 
19

 
11,797

 
24

 
20,522

Residential mortgage loans
42

 
8,739

 
260

 
54,900

 
302

 
63,639

Consumer and other loans
14

 
521

 
83

 
5,755

 
97

 
6,276

Total
61

 
$
17,985

 
362

 
$
72,452

 
423

 
$
90,437

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
1

 
$
1,099

 
1

 
$
234

 
2

 
$
1,333

Commercial real estate loans
8

 
31,964

 
14

 
6,445

 
22

 
38,409

Commercial and industrial loans
4

 
885

 
6

 
2,971

 
10

 
3,856

Construction loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total commercial loans
13

 
33,948

 
21

 
9,650

 
34

 
43,598

Residential mortgage loans
52

 
10,930

 
286

 
58,119

 
338

 
69,049

Consumer and other loans
10

 
719

 
115

 
7,065

 
125

 
7,784

Total
75

 
$
45,597

 
422

 
$
74,834

 
497

 
$
120,431

Non-Performing Assets. Non-performing assets include loans delinquent 90 days or more, non-accrual loans, performing troubled debt restructurings and real estate owned (“REO”), and excludes PCI loans. Loans are classified as non-accrual when they are delinquent 90 days or more or if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. We did not have any loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing interest at December 31, 2017 and 2016. Non-accrual loans increased by $41.4 million to $135.7 million at December 31, 2017 from $94.3 million at December 31, 2016. Included in the increase were $13.9 million of multi family loans, $5.6 million of commercial real estate loans and $6.4 million of commercial and industrial loans that were classified as non-accrual which were performing in accordance with their contractual terms. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company sold $48.1 million of non-performing commercial real estate and multi-family loans from one relationship, resulting in no charge-off recorded through the allowance. There were no sales of non-performing loans during 2016.
The ratio of non-accrual loans to total loans increased to 0.68% at December 31, 2017 from 0.50% at December 31, 2016. Our ratio of non-performing assets to total assets increased to 0.61% at December 31, 2017 from 0.47% at December 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans decreased to 170.17% at December 31, 2017 from 242.24% at December 31, 2016. For further discussion of our non-performing assets and non-performing loans and the allowance for loan losses, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets excluding PCI loans at the dates indicated.
 

10

 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
$
14,978

 
$
482

 
$
3,467

 
$
2,989

 
$
5,905

Commercial real estate loans
34,043

 
9,205

 
10,820

 
13,940

 
2,711

Commercial and industrial loans
9,989

 
4,659

 
9,225

 
2,903

 
1,281

Construction loans
295

 
—

 
792

 
4,345

 
16,181

Total commercial loans
59,305

 
14,346

 
24,304

 
24,177

 
26,078

Residential mortgage loans
70,220

 
72,593

 
81,816

 
79,971

 
72,309

Consumer and other loans
6,202

 
7,335

 
9,306

 
4,211

 
1,973

Total non-accrual loans
135,727

 
94,274

 
115,426

 
108,359

 
100,360

Real estate owned
5,830

 
4,492

 
6,283

 
7,839

 
8,516

Performing troubled debt restructurings
10,957

 
9,445

 
22,489

 
35,624

 
39,570

Total non-performing assets
$
152,514

 
$
108,211

 
$
144,198

 
$
151,822

 
$
148,446

Total non-accrual loans to total loans
0.68
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.68
%
 
0.72
%
 
0.77
%
Total non-performing assets to total assets
0.61
%
 
0.47
%
 
0.69
%
 
0.81
%
 
0.95
%
 
At December 31, 2017, there were $43.9 million of loans deemed troubled debt restructured loans, of which $11.0 million were classified as accruing and $32.9 million were classified as non-accrual. For the year ended December 31, 2017, interest income that would have been recorded had our non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms amounted to $4.8 million. We recognized interest income of $1.4 million on such loans for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate we acquire as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as other real estate owned (“REO”) until sold. When property is acquired it is recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure less estimated costs to sell the property. Holding costs and declines in fair value result in charges to expense after acquisition. At December 31, 2017, we had REO of $5.8 million consisting of 32 residential properties and 7 commercial properties.
Classified Assets. Federal regulations provide that loans and other assets of lesser quality should be classified as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss” assets. An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” we will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such little value their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted. We classify an asset as “special mention” if the asset has a potential weakness that warrants management’s close attention. While such assets are not impaired or classified assets, management has concluded that if the potential weakness in the asset is not addressed, the value of the asset may deteriorate, adversely affecting the repayment of the asset.
We are required to establish an allowance for loan losses in an amount that management considers prudent for loans classified substandard or doubtful, as well as for other problem loans. General allowances represent loss allowances, which have been established to recognize the inherent losses associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When we classify problem assets as “loss,” we are required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of the amount of the asset so classified or to charge off such amount. Our determination as to the classification of our assets and the amount of our valuation allowances is subject to review by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which can require that we establish additional general or specific loss allowances.
We review the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether any loans require classification in accordance with applicable regulations. Not all classified assets constitute non-performing assets.
Impaired Loans. The Company defines an impaired loan as a loan for which it is probable, based on current information, that the lender will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company evaluates commercial loans with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), and other commercial loans with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement for

11

impairment. Impaired loans are individually evaluated to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the expected future cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans are evaluated for impairment collectively unless they are modified in a TDR. Such loans include residential mortgage loans, consumer loans, and loans not meeting the Company’s definition of impaired, and are specifically excluded from impaired loans. At December 31, 2017, loans meeting the Company’s definition of an impaired loan totaled $80.8 million. The allowance for loan losses related to loans classified as impaired at December 31, 2017, amounted to $1.8 million. Interest income received during the year ended December 31, 2017 on loans classified as impaired totaled $1.5 million. For further detail on our impaired loans, see Note 1 and Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in “Item 15 - Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.”
Allowance for Loan Losses
Our allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level necessary to absorb loan losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management considers the losses inherent in our loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of loan activities, along with the general economic and real estate market conditions. A description of our methodology in establishing our allowance for loan losses is set forth in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Allowance for Loan Losses.” The allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2017 is maintained at a level that represents management’s best estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio. However, this analysis process is inherently subjective, as it requires us to make estimates that may be susceptible to significant revisions based upon changes in economic and real estate market conditions. Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, additions may be necessary if the current economic environment deteriorates.
As an integral part of their examination processes, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

12

Allowance for Loan Losses. The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance balance (beginning of period)
$
228,373

 
$
218,505

 
$
200,284

 
$
173,928

 
$
142,172

Provision for loan losses
16,250

 
19,750

 
26,000

 
37,500

 
50,500

Charge-offs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
(6
)
 
(161
)
 
(284
)
 
(323
)
 
(1,266
)
Commercial real estate loans
(8,072
)
 
(455
)
 
(1,021
)
 
(6,147
)
 
(1,101
)
Commercial and industrial loans
(5,656
)
 
(4,485
)
 
(516
)
 
(2,447
)
 
(516
)
Construction loans
(100
)
 
(52
)
 
(466
)
 
(640
)
 
(3,424
)
Residential mortgage loans
(4,875
)
 
(9,425
)
 
(9,526
)
 
(7,715
)
 
(15,508
)
Consumer and other loans
(500
)
 
(419
)
 
(403
)
 
(972
)
 
(795
)
Total charge-offs
(19,209
)
 
(14,997
)
 
(12,216
)
 
(18,244
)
 
(22,610
)
Recoveries:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
1,677

 
1,885

 
445

 
3,784

 
219

Commercial real estate loans
549

 
689

 
807

 
201

 
65

Commercial and industrial loans
200

 
541

 
295

 
516

 
604

Construction loans
—

 
267

 
317

 
799

 
315

Residential mortgage loans
2,816

 
1,631

 
2,295

 
1,783

 
2,528

Consumer and other loans
313

 
102

 
278

 
17

 
135

Total recoveries
5,555

 
5,115

 
4,437

 
7,100

 
3,866

Net charge-offs
(13,654
)
 
(9,882
)
 
(7,779
)
 
(11,144
)
 
(18,744
)
Allowance balance (end of period)
$
230,969

 
$
228,373

 
$
218,505

 
$
200,284

 
$
173,928

Total loans outstanding
$
20,090,848

 
$
18,810,702

 
$
16,891,330

 
$
15,099,552

 
$
13,064,618

Average loans outstanding
19,414,842

 
17,479,932

 
15,716,010

 
13,776,250

 
11,065,190

Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans outstanding
1.15
%
 
1.21
%
 
1.29
%
 
1.33
%
 
1.33
%
Net loans charged off as a percent of average loans outstanding
0.07
%
 
0.06
%
 
0.05
%
 
0.08
%
 
0.17
%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans (1)
157.46
%
 
220.18
%
 
158.43
%
 
139.10
%
 
124.30
%
(1) Non performing loans include non-accrual loans and performing TDRs.

13

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses. The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses allocated by loan category and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated. The allowance for loan losses allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular category and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories.
 
 
December 31,
 
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
 
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Percent of
Loans in
Each
Category to
Total  Loans
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Percent of
Loans in
Each
Category to
Total  Loans
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Percent of
Loans in
Each
Category to
Total  Loans
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Percent of
Loans in
Each
Category to
Total  Loans
Allowance
for Loan
Losses
Percent of
Loans in
Each
Category to
Total Loans
 
(Dollars in thousands)
End of period allocated to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
$
81,469

38.9
%
$
95,561

39.6
%
$
88,223

37.0
%
$
71,147

33.4
%
$
42,103

30.5
%
Commercial real estate loans
56,137

22.6

52,796

23.7

46,999

22.7

44,030

20.8

46,657

19.2

Commercial and industrial loans
54,563

8.1

43,492

6.8

40,585

6.2

20,759

3.6

9,273

2.1

Construction loans
11,609

2.1

11,653

1.7

6,794

1.3

6,488

1.0

8,947

1.6

Residential mortgage loans
21,835

25.0

19,831

25.0

31,443

29.8

47,936

38.2

51,760

43.6

Consumer and other loans
3,099

3.3

2,850

3.2

3,155

2.9

3,347

2.9

2,161

3.1

Unallocated
2,257

 
2,190

 
1,306

 
6,577

 
13,027

 
Total allowance
$
230,969

100.0
%
$
228,373

100.0
%
$
218,505

100.0
%
$
200,284

100.0
%
$
173,928

100.0
%
 
Security Investments
The Board of Directors has adopted our Investment Policy. This policy determines the types of securities in which we may invest. The Investment Policy is reviewed annually by management and changes to the policy are recommended to and subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors delegates operational responsibility for the implementation of the Investment Policy to the Asset Liability Committee, which is primarily comprised of senior officers. While general investment strategies are developed by the Asset Liability Committee, the execution of specific actions rests primarily with our Treasurer. The Treasurer is responsible for ensuring the guidelines and requirements included in the Investment Policy are followed and all securities are considered prudent for investment. Investment transactions are reviewed and ratified by the Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled meetings.
Our Investment Policy requires that investment transactions conform to Federal and New Jersey State investment regulations. Our investments purchased may include, but are not limited to, U.S. Treasury obligations, securities issued by various Federal Agencies, State and Municipal subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities, certain certificates of deposit of insured financial institutions, overnight and short-term loans to other banks, investment grade corporate debt instruments, and mutual funds. In addition, Investors Bancorp may invest in equity securities subject to certain limitations.
The Investment Policy requires that securities transactions be conducted in a safe and sound manner. Purchase and sale decisions are based upon a thorough pre-purchase analysis of each security to determine it conforms to our overall asset/liability management objectives. The analysis must consider its effect on our risk-based capital measurement, prospects for yield and/or appreciation and other risk factors.
In December 2013, regulatory agencies adopted a rule on the treatment of certain collateralized debt obligations backed by trust preferred securities to implement sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-

14

Frank Act”), known as the Volcker Rule. At December 31, 2017, none of our securities were deemed to be a covered fund under the Volcker Rule.
At December 31, 2017, our securities portfolio totaled $3.78 billion representing 15.1% of our total assets. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale when purchased. At December 31, 2017, $1.80 billion of our securities were classified as held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost and $1.99 billion were classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value.
Mortgage-Backed Securities. We purchase mortgage-backed pass through and collateralized mortgage obligation (“CMO”) securities insured or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (government-sponsored enterprises) and Ginnie Mae (government agency), and to a lesser extent, a variety of federal and state housing authorities (collectively referred to below as “agency-issued mortgage-backed securities”). At December 31, 2017, agency-issued mortgage-backed securities including CMOs, totaled $3.65 billion, or 96.4%, of our total securities portfolio.
Mortgage-backed securities present a risk that actual prepayments may differ from estimated prepayments over the life of the security, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such instruments that can change the net yield on such securities. There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities. The fair value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates and/or other market variables.
Our mortgage-backed securities portfolio had a weighted average yield of 2.05% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The estimated fair value of our mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2017 was $3.63 billion, which is $44.1 million less than the carrying value. The decrease to the fair value is attributed to an increase in interest rates during 2017.
We also may invest in securities issued by non-agency or private mortgage originators, provided those securities are rated AAA by nationally recognized rating agencies and satisfactorily pass an internal credit review at the time of purchase. Currently, the Company does not hold any non-agency mortgage-backed securities in its portfolio.
Corporate and Other Debt Securities. Our corporate and other debt securities portfolio primarily consists of collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) backed by pooled trust preferred securities (“TruPS”), principally issued by banks and to a lesser extent insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, and collateralized debt obligations. The interest rates on these securities reset quarterly in relation to 3 month LIBOR rate. These securities have been classified in the held-to-maturity portfolio since their purchase. At December 31, 2017, corporate and other debt securities totaled $48.1 million, or 1.27%, of our total securities portfolio.
At December 31, 2017, the trust preferred securities portfolio had a carrying value of $43.1 million, or 1.14% of our total securities portfolio, and a fair value of $81.2 million with none of the securities in an unrealized loss position. Throughout the year we engage an independent valuation firm to assist us in valuing our TruPS portfolio and prepare our other-than temporary impairment, or OTTI, analysis. At December 31, 2017, management deemed that the present value of projected cash flows for each security was greater than the book value and we did not recognize any OTTI charges for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company received sale proceeds of $3.1 million from the liquidation of one TruP security. As a result, $1.9 million was recognized as interest income from securities in the Consolidated Statements of Income. There was no liquidation of TruP securities for the year ended December 31, 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company recognized a loss of $646,000 on one TruP security which was entirely liquidated by its Trustee.
We continue to closely monitor the performance of the securities we own as well as the events surrounding this segment of the market. We will continue to evaluate for other-than-temporary impairment, which could result in a future non-cash charge to earnings.
Municipal Bonds.  At December 31, 2017, we had $40.6 million in municipal bonds which represents 1.07% of our total securities portfolio. These bonds are comprised of $36.3 million in short-term Bond Anticipation or Tax Anticipation notes and $4.3 million of longer term New Jersey Revenue Bonds. These purchases were made to diversify the securities portfolio and are designated as held to maturity.

Government Sponsored Enterprises. At December 31, 2017, debt securities issued by Government Sponsored Enterprises held in our security portfolio totaled $43.3 million representing 1.14% of our total securities portfolio.
Marketable Equity Securities. At December 31, 2017, we had $5.7 million in equity securities representing 0.15% of our total securities portfolio. Equity securities are not insured or guaranteed investments and are affected by market interest rates and stock market fluctuations. Such investments are classified as available-for-sale, carried at their fair value with fluctuations in the fair value of such investments, including temporary declines in value, directly affect our net capital position.

15

Securities Portfolios. The following table sets forth the composition of our investment securities portfolios at the dates indicated.
 
At December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
4,911

 
$
5,701

 
$
5,825

 
$
6,660

 
$
5,778

 
$
6,495

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal National Mortgage Association
1,322,255

 
1,303,576

 
1,022,383

 
1,008,587

 
724,851

 
726,072

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
649,060

 
640,242

 
603,774

 
598,439

 
546,652

 
547,451

Government National Mortgage Association
39,577

 
38,208

 
47,538

 
46,747

 
24,841

 
24,679

Total mortgage-backed securities available for sale
2,010,892

 
1,982,026

 
1,673,695

 
1,653,773

 
1,296,344

 
1,298,202

Total available-for-sale securities
$
2,015,803

 
$
1,987,727

 
$
1,679,520

 
$
1,660,433

 
$
1,302,122

 
$
1,304,697

Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government sponsored enterprises
$
43,281

 
$
42,596

 
$
2,128

 
$
2,140

 
$
4,232

 
$
4,243

Municipal bonds
40,595

 
41,846

 
37,978

 
39,493

 
43,058

 
44,365

Corporate and other debt securities
48,087

 
86,294

 
44,092

 
84,245

 
35,113

 
77,817

Total debt securities
131,963

 
170,736

 
84,198

 
125,878

 
82,403

 
126,425

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal National Mortgage Association
1,101,093

 
1,091,600

 
1,244,833

 
1,233,079

 
1,226,140

 
1,227,325

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
473,345

 
468,436

 
410,133

 
407,424

 
514,339

 
513,470

Government National Mortgage Association
90,220

 
89,353

 
16,392

 
16,420

 
21,330

 
21,455

Federal housing authorities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
11

 
11

Total mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity
1,664,658

 
1,649,389

 
1,671,358

 
1,656,923

 
1,761,820

 
1,762,261

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
1,796,621

 
$
1,820,125

 
$
1,755,556

 
$
1,782,801

 
$
1,844,223

 
$
1,888,686

Total securities
$
3,812,424

 
$
3,807,852

 
$
3,435,076

 
$
3,443,234

 
$
3,146,345

 
$
3,193,383


At December 31, 2017, except for our investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities, we had no investment in the securities of any issuer that had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of our equity.

16

Portfolio Maturities and Coupon. The composition, maturities and coupon rate of the securities portfolio at December 31, 2017 are summarized in the following table. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the impact of prepayments or early redemptions that may occur. Municipal securities coupons have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis.
 
 
One Year or Less
 
More than One Year
through Five Years
 
More than Five Years
through Ten Years
 
More than Ten Years
 
Total Securities
 
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon
 
Carrying Value
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-Sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
4,911

 
—
%
 
$
4,911

 
$
5,701

 
—
%
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
101,275

 
2.44

 
547,785

 
2.18

 
649,060

 
640,242

 
2.22

Federal National Mortgage Association
 
—

 
—

 
11,384

 
2.60

 
213,633

 
2.24

 
1,097,238

 
2.15

 
1,322,255

 
1,303,576

 
2.17

Government National Mortgage Association
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
15,264

 
1.73

 
24,313

 
1.90

 
39,577

 
38,208

 
1.83

Total mortgage-backed securities
 
—

 
—

 
11,384

 
2.60

 
330,172

 
2.28

 
1,669,336

 
2.15

 
2,010,892

 
1,982,026

 
2.18

Total available-for- sale securities
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
11,384

 
2.60
%
 
$
330,172

 
2.28
%
 
$
1,674,247

 
2.15
%
 
$
2,015,803

 
$
1,987,727

 
2.17
%
Held-to-Maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government sponsored enterprises
 
$
2,037

 
1.55
%
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
41,244

 
2.58
%
 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
43,281

 
$
42,596

 
2.53
%
Municipal bonds
 
36,295

 
1.92

 
—

 
—

 
4,300

 
9.13

 
—

 
—

 
40,595

 
41,846

 
2.69

Corporate and other debt securities
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,000

 
5.13

 
43,087

 
2.79

 
48,087

 
86,294

 
3.03

 
 
38,332

 
1.91

 
—

 
—

 
50,544

 
3.39

 
43,087

 
2.79

 
131,963

 
170,736

 
2.76

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
 
—

 
—

 
97

 
5.37

 
200,476

 
2.46

 
272,772

 
2.28

 
473,345

 
468,436

 
2.36

Federal National Mortgage Association
 
—

 
—

 
25,037

 
1.73

 
277,781

 
2.18

 
798,275

 
2.38

 
1,101,093

 
1,091,600

 
2.31

Government National Mortgage Association
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
90,220

 
2.59

 
90,220

 
89,353

 
2.59

Total mortgage-backed securities
 
—

 
—

 
25,134

 
1.74

 
478,257

 
2.30

 
1,161,267

 
2.37

 
1,664,658


1,649,389

 
2.34

Total held-to-maturity securities
 
$
38,332

 
1.91
%
 
$
25,134

 
1.74
%
 
$
528,801

 
2.40
%
 
$
1,204,354

 
2.39
%
 
$
1,796,621


$
1,820,125

 
2.37
%

17

Sources of Funds
General. Deposits are the primary source of funds used for our lending and investment activities. Our strategy is to increase core deposit growth to fund these activities. In addition, we use a significant amount of borrowings, primarily advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”), to supplement cash flow needs, to lengthen the maturities of liabilities for interest rate risk management and to manage our cost of funds. Additional sources of funds include principal and interest payments from loans and securities, loan and security prepayments and maturities, repurchase agreements, brokered deposits, income on other earning assets and retained earnings. While cash flows from loans and securities payments can be relatively stable sources of funds, deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by prevailing interest rates, market conditions and levels of competition.
Deposits. At December 31, 2017, we held $17.36 billion in total deposits, representing 78.9% of our total liabilities. Although recent increases in market interest rates have resulted in consumer preference for and growth in time deposits, our deposit strategy has been focused on attracting core deposits (savings, checking and money market accounts) as they represent a more stable source of low cost funds and may be less sensitive to changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2017, we held $13.90 billion in core deposits, representing 80.1% of total deposits, of which $709.7 million are brokered money market deposits. At December 31, 2017, $3.46 billion, or 19.9%, of our total deposit balances were certificates of deposit, which included $759.5 million of brokered certificates of deposit. In addition, municipal deposits are a significant source of funds. At December 31, 2017, $4.70 billion, or 27.1%, of our total deposits consisted of public fund deposits from local government entities.
We have a suite of commercial deposit products, designed to appeal to small and mid-sized business owners and non-profit organizations. The interest rates we pay, our maturity terms, service fees and withdrawal penalties are all reviewed on a periodic basis. Deposit rates and terms are based primarily on our current operating strategies, market rates, liquidity requirements, rates paid by competitors and growth goals. We also rely on personalized customer service, long-standing relationships with customers and an active marketing program to attract and retain deposits.
The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in money market and other prevailing interest rates and competition. The variety of deposit accounts we offer allows us to respond to changes in consumer demands and to be competitive in obtaining deposit funds. Our ability to attract and maintain deposits and the rates we pay on deposits will continue to be significantly affected by market conditions.
We intend to continue to invest in technology platforms and branch staff training, de novo branches, and to aggressively market and advertise our core deposit products and will attempt to generate our deposits from a diverse client group within our primary market area. We remain focused on attracting and maintaining deposits from consumers, businesses and municipalities which operate in our marketplace.
The following table sets forth the distribution of total deposit accounts, by account type, at the dates indicated.
 
 
At December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
Balance
Percent
of Total
Deposits
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
Balance
Percent
of Total
Deposits
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
Balance
Percent
of Total
Deposits
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Non-interest bearing:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking accounts
$
2,424,608

14.0
%
—
%
 
$
2,173,493

14.2
%
—
%
 
$
1,890,536

13.4
%
—
%
Interest-bearing:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking accounts
4,909,054

28.3

0.91

 
3,916,208

25.6

0.45

 
2,745,489

19.5

0.29

Money market deposits
4,243,545

24.4

0.90

 
4,150,583

27.2

0.65

 
3,861,317

27.5

0.67

Savings
2,320,228

13.4

0.48

 
2,092,989

13.7

0.29

 
2,150,004

15.3

0.29

Certificates of deposit
3,460,262

19.9

1.13

 
2,947,560

19.3

0.91

 
3,416,310

24.3

1.14

Total deposits
$
17,357,697

100.0
%
0.77
%
 
$
15,280,833

100.0
%
0.51
%
 
$
14,063,656

100.0
%
0.56
%


18

The following table sets forth, by rate category, the amount of certificates of deposit outstanding as of the dates indicated.
 
 
At December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Certificates of Deposit
 
 
 
 
 
0.00% - 0.25%
$
527,836

 
$
639,425

 
$
606,970

0.26% - 0.50%
141,253

 
194,827

 
304,458

0.51% - 1.00%
396,098

 
643,526

 
384,941

1.01% - 2.00%
2,355,997

 
1,427,999

 
1,791,549

2.01% - 3.00%
37,808

 
31,956

 
301,930

Over 3.00%
1,270

 
9,827

 
26,462

Total
$
3,460,262

 
$
2,947,560

 
$
3,416,310

The following table sets forth, by rate category, the remaining period to maturity of certificates of deposit outstanding at December 31, 2017.
 
 
 
Within
Three
Months
 
Over
Three to
Six Months
 
Over
Six Months to
One Year
 
Over
One Year to
Two Years
 
Over
Two Years to
Three Years
 
Over
Three
Years
 
Total
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Certificates of Deposit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.00% - 0.25%
 
$
219,678

 
$
121,546

 
$
159,436

 
$
8,309

 
$
8,290

 
$
10,577

 
$
527,836

0.26% - 0.50%
 
25,076

 
26,751

 
36,365

 
52,996

 
56

 
9

 
141,253

0.51% - 1.00%
 
68,130

 
132,725

 
29,067

 
37,397

 
40,078

 
88,701

 
396,098

1.01% - 2.00%
 
375,905

 
488,746

 
1,156,638

 
285,021

 
20,475

 
29,212

 
2,355,997

2.01% - 3.00%
 
—

 
20

 
555

 
4,432

 
27,866

 
4,935

 
37,808

Over 3.00%
 
139

 
334

 
108

 
106

 
326

 
257

 
1,270

Total
 
$
688,928

 
$
770,122

 
$
1,382,169

 
$
388,261

 
$
97,091

 
$
133,691

 
$
3,460,262

The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of outstanding certificates of deposit in amounts greater than or equal to $100,000 and the respective maturity of those certificates as of December 31, 2017.
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
(In thousands)
Three months or less
$
475,735

Over three months through six months
591,987

Over six months through one year
908,666

Over one year
394,349

Total
$
2,370,737


19

Borrowings. We borrow directly from the FHLB. Our FHLB borrowings, frequently referred to as advances, are collateralized by our residential and commercial mortgage portfolios. The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our advances from the FHLB at the dates and for the periods indicated.
 
 
At or for the Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at end of period
$
4,331,052

 
$
4,391,420

 
$
3,106,783

 
$
2,598,186

 
$
3,099,593

Average balance during period
4,526,596

 
3,663,087

 
2,997,873

 
2,548,744

 
3,015,058

Maximum outstanding at any month end
5,355,298

 
4,391,420

 
3,548,000

 
3,230,000

 
3,586,000

Weighted average interest rate at end of period
1.96
%
 
1.79
%
 
2.12
%
 
2.24
%
 
1.83
%
Average interest rate during period
1.88
%
 
1.86
%
 
2.06
%
 
2.19
%
 
1.90
%
We also borrow funds under repurchase agreements with the FHLB and various brokers. These agreements are recorded as financing transactions as we maintain effective control over the transferred or pledged securities. The dollar amount of the securities underlying the agreements continues to be carried in our securities portfolio while the obligations to repurchase the securities are reported as liabilities. The securities underlying the agreements are delivered to the party with whom each transaction is executed. Those parties agree to resell to us the identical securities we delivered to them at the maturity of the agreement. The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the dates and for the periods indicated. In addition, the Bank had uncommitted unsecured overnight borrowing lines with other institutions totaling $475.0 million, of which no balance was outstanding at December 31, 2017.

 
At or for the Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at end of period
$
130,481

 
$
154,831

 
$
156,307

 
$
167,918

 
$
267,681

Average balance during period
149,030

 
153,000

 
159,438

 
192,865

 
164,415

Maximum outstanding at any month end
153,000

 
154,831

 
163,000

 
261,205

 
267,681

Weighted average interest rate at end of period
1.87
%
 
2.19
%
 
2.21
%
 
2.28
%
 
1.60
%
Average interest rate during period
2.11
%
 
2.16
%
 
2.25
%
 
2.02
%
 
1.50
%
Subsidiary Activities
Investors Bancorp, Inc. has one direct subsidiary, which is Investors Bank.
Investors Bank. Investors Bank is a New Jersey chartered savings bank headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey. Originally founded in 1926, the bank is in the business of attracting deposits from the public through its branch network and borrowing funds in the wholesale markets to originate loans and to invest in securities. Investors Bank has the following active direct and indirect subsidiaries: Investors Home Mortgage, Investors Investment Corp., Investors Commercial, Inc., Investors Financial Group, Inc., My Way Development LLC, Marathon Realty Investors Inc. and Investors Financial Group Insurance Agency, Inc. In addition, Investors Bank has the following direct and indirect subsidiaries that are dormant and are in the process of being dissolved or merged into other subsidiaries: MNBNY Holdings Inc., B.F.S. Agency, Inc. and 3D Holding Company, Inc. Two other dormant direct or indirect subsidiaries, Roma Capital Investment Corp. and Roma Service Corporation, were dissolved in 2017. Investors Bank has two additional subsidiaries which are inactive; these subsidiaries are Investors Financial Services, Inc. and Investors Real Estate Corporation.
•Investors Home Mortgage. Investors Home Mortgage is a New Jersey limited liability company that was formed in 2001 for the purpose of originating loans for sale to both Investors Bank and third parties. During 2011, in conjunction with the rebranding of Investors Bank, this subsidiary changed the name it does business under from ISB Mortgage Co., LLC to Investors Home Mortgage. Investors Home Mortgage serves as Investors Bank’s retail lending production arm throughout the branch network.
•Investors Investment Corp. Investors Savings Investment Corp. is a New Jersey corporation that was formed in 2004 as an investment company subsidiary. The purpose of this subsidiary is to invest in securities such as, but not limited to,

20

U.S. Treasury obligations, mortgage-backed securities, certificates of deposit, mutual funds, and equity securities, subject to certain limitations.
•Investors Commercial, Inc. Investors Commercial, Inc. is a New Jersey corporation that was formed in 2010 as an operating subsidiary of Investors Bank. The purpose of this subsidiary is to originate and purchase residential mortgage loans and commercial loans including multi-family mortgage loans, commercial real estate mortgage loans and commercial and industrial mortgage loans primarily in New York State.
•Investors Financial Group, Inc. Investors Financial Group, Inc. is a New Jersey corporation that was formed in 2011 as an operating subsidiary of Investors Bank. The primary purpose of this subsidiary is to process sales of non-deposit investment products through third party service providers to customers and consumers as may be referred by Investors Bank.
•My Way Development LLC. My Way Development LLC is a New Jersey single-member limited liability company formed in 2001 for the sole purpose of holding Bank owned real estate, pending sale or other disposition.
•Marathon Realty Investors Inc. Marathon Realty Investors Inc. is a New York corporation established in 2006 and acquired in the merger with Marathon Banking Corporation in October 2012. Marathon Realty Investors Inc. operates, and is taxed, in a manner that enables it to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a result of this election, Marathon Realty Investors Inc. is not taxed at the corporate level on taxable income distributed to stockholders, provided that certain REIT qualification tests are met.
•Investors Financial Group Insurance Agency, Inc. Investors Financial Group Insurance Agency, Inc. is a New Jersey licensed insurance agency formed in 2016. The purpose of this subsidiary is to receive commissions relating to the sale of certain insurance products, including, but not limited to, life insurance, fixed annuities and indexed annuities.
Enterprise Risk Management Framework
Our Board of Directors oversees our risk management process, including the bank-wide approach to risk management, carried out by our management. Our Board approves the strategic plans and the policies that set standards for the nature and level of risk we are willing to assume. The Board receives reports on the management of critical risks and the effectiveness of risk management systems. While our full Board maintains the ultimate oversight responsibility for the risk management process, its committees, including Audit, Risk Oversight and Compensation committees, oversee risk in certain specified areas. The Risk Oversight Committee of the Board meets quarterly and provides independent oversight of all risk functions. Our Board has assigned responsibility to our Chief Risk Officer for maintaining the Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) framework to identify, assess, monitor and mitigate risks in the execution of our strategic goals and objectives and ensure we operate in a safe and sound manner in accordance with the Board approved policies.
During 2017, the Bank has continued to enhance its risk management systems, policies and procedures and has added significant staffing and expertise.  The Bank’s Management Risk Committee meets regularly and provides governance over risk policy and risk escalation. The ERM framework supports a culture that promotes proactive risk management by all Investors Bank Employees, a risk appetite framework with defined risk tolerance limits, and risk governance with a three line of defense model to manage and oversee risk. In a three line of defense structure, each line of business and corporate function serve as the first line of defense and have responsibility for identifying, assessing, managing and mitigating risks in their areas. Independent Risk Management serves as the second line of defense and is responsible for providing guidance, oversight and appropriate challenge to the first line of defense. Internal Audit serves as the third line of defense and ensures that appropriate risk management controls, processes and systems are in place and functioning effectively.
Our ERM framework is consistent with common industry practices and regulatory guidance and is appropriate to our size, growth trajectory and the complexity of our business activities. The ERM Framework encompasses the following categories of risks; credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, price risk, operational risk, model risk, supplier risk, fraud risk, information security including cybersecurity, compliance risk, strategic risk, and reputational risk.
Personnel
As of December 31, 2017, we had 1,910 full-time employees and 49 part-time employees. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit and we consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

21

Supervision and Regulation
Investors Bank is a New Jersey-chartered savings bank, and its deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) under the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”). Investors Bank is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (the “Commissioner”) as the issuer of its charter, and, as a non-member state chartered savings bank, by the FDIC as the deposit insurer and its primary federal regulator. Investors Bank must file reports with the Commissioner and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, and it must obtain regulatory approval prior to entering into certain transactions, such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions and opening or acquiring branch offices. The Commissioner and the FDIC each conduct periodic examinations to assess Investors Bank’s compliance with various regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which a savings bank may engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the DIF and its depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes.
As a bank holding company controlling Investors Bank, Investors Bancorp, Inc. is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”), and the rules and regulations of the Federal Reserve Board under the BHCA and to the provisions of the New Jersey Banking Act of 1948 (the “New Jersey Banking Act”) and the regulations of the Commissioner under the New Jersey Banking Act applicable to bank holding companies.
The regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks is intended to protect depositors, the DIF, and the U.S. banking system as a whole. This system is not designed to protect equity investors in bank holding companies. Investors Bancorp, Inc. is required to file reports with, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of, the Federal Reserve Board, the Commissioner and the FDIC. The Federal Reserve Board and the Commissioner conduct periodic examinations to assess the Company’s compliance with various regulatory requirements. Investors Bancorp, Inc. files certain reports with, and otherwise complies with, the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws and the listing requirements of NASDAQ.
Our business is heavily regulated by both state and federal agencies. Both the scope of the laws and regulations and the intensity of supervision to which our business is subject have increased in recent years, in response to the financial crisis as well as other factors such as technological and market changes. Regulatory enforcement and fines have also increased across the banking and financial services sector. Many of these changes have occurred as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations, most of which are now in place. President Trump has issued an executive order that sets forth principles for the reform of the federal financial regulatory framework and the Republican majority in Congress has also proposed an agenda for financial regulatory change. It is too early to assess whether there will be any major changes in the regulatory environment or merely a rebalancing of the post-financial crisis framework. The Company expects that its business will remain subject to extensive regulation and supervision.
Stress Tests
The Dodd-Frank Act requires banks with total consolidated assets of more than $10 billion to conduct annual stress tests. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the FDIC, in coordination with federal financial regulatory agencies, to issue regulations establishing methodologies for stress testing that provide for at least three different sets of conditions, including baseline, adverse, and severely adverse. The regulations also require banks to publish a summary of the results of the stress tests.
The Bank has developed a repeatable and comprehensive process to comply with the stress testing requirements, which involves the Board of Directors, Senior Management and Risk Management, along with third-party consultants who assist in this process. The Board of Directors receives regular updates as to the progress and challenges in complying with this regulatory requirement. The Bank submitted its stress tests results by July 31, 2017, as required, and published updated stress test results on October 25, 2017. The stress testing results affirmed the adequacy of the Bank’s capital, even under severe economic conditions. As the related methodologies and best practices for banks of Investors’ size continue to evolve, the stress testing process requires significant investment and we continue to seek ways to maximize shareholder value from the process while complying with regulatory requirements.
Volcker Rule
Under the provisions of the Volcker Rule we are prohibited from: (i) engaging in short-term proprietary trading for our own account; and (ii) having certain ownership interest in and relationships with hedge funds or private equity funds. The fundamental prohibitions of the Volcker Rule apply to banking entities of any size, including the Company and Investors Bank. The final Volcker Rule regulations impose significant compliance and reporting obligations on banking entities. The Company has put in place the compliance programs required by the Volcker Rule and has also implemented a governance and control program to ensure appropriate oversight and ongoing compliance.

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Consumer Protection and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Supervision
The Dodd-Frank Act also established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). The CFPB has rulemaking authority over all banks, and its examination and enforcement authority applies to banks at or greater than $10 billion in total assets. Investors Bank is subject to CFPB supervision and examination of compliance with Federal Consumer Protection Laws. In addition, this agency is responsible for interpreting and enforcing a broad range of consumer protection laws (“Federal Consumer Protection Laws”) that govern the provision of deposit accounts and the making of loans, including the regulation of mortgage lending and servicing. This includes laws such as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
In 2013, the CFPB issued final rules related to new mortgage servicing standards, and mortgage lending requirements that established a “qualified mortgage” which fulfills the Dodd-Frank Act requirement that mortgages be provided to borrowers with an ability to repay. These mortgage servicing and lending rules became effective in January 2014. These and other CFPB regulations have increased the Bank’s compliance expenses, and limit the terms under which the Bank can provide consumer financial products.
The Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt stricter consumer protection laws and for state attorneys general to enforce consumer protection rules issued by the CFPB. In addition, while the CFPB is under new leadership, it is too early to assess whether this will result in any major change to the supervision or enforcement focus of the CFPB. The Company expects that its business will remain subject to extensive regulations and supervision by the CFPB as well as applicable state consumer protection laws and regulations, which will continue to increase our operating and compliance costs.
New Jersey Banking Regulation
Activity Powers. Investors Bank derives its lending, investment and other powers primarily from the applicable provisions of the New Jersey Banking Act and its related regulations. Under these laws and regulations, savings banks, including Investors Bank, generally may invest in:
•
real estate mortgages;
•
consumer and commercial loans;
•
specific types of debt securities, including certain corporate debt securities and obligations of federal, state and local governments and agencies;
•
certain types of corporate equity securities; and
•
certain other assets.
A savings bank may also make investments pursuant to a “leeway” power, which permits investments not otherwise permitted by the New Jersey Banking Act, subject to certain restrictions imposed by the FDIC. “Leeway” investments must comply with a number of limitations on the individual and aggregate amounts of “leeway” investments. A savings bank may also exercise trust powers upon approval of the Commissioner. Lastly, New Jersey savings banks may exercise those powers, rights, benefits or privileges authorized for national banks or out-of-state banks or for federal or out-of-state savings banks or savings associations, provided that before exercising any such power, right, benefit or privilege, prior approval by the Commissioner by regulation or by specific authorization is required. The exercise of these lending, investment and activity powers are limited by federal law and the related regulations. See “Federal Banking Regulation — Activity Restrictions on State-Chartered Banks” below.
Loans-to-One-Borrower Limitations. With certain specified exceptions, a New Jersey-chartered savings bank may not make loans or extend credit to a single borrower or to entities related to the borrower in an aggregate amount that would exceed 15% of the bank’s capital funds. A savings bank may lend an additional 10% of the bank’s capital funds if secured by collateral meeting the requirements of the New Jersey Banking Act. Investors Bank currently complies with applicable loans-to-one-borrower limitations.
Dividends. Under the New Jersey Banking Act, a stock savings bank may declare and pay a dividend on its capital stock only to the extent that the payment of the dividend would not impair the capital stock of the savings bank. In addition, a stock savings bank may not pay a dividend unless the savings bank would, after the payment of the dividend, have a surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock, or alternatively, the payment of the dividend would not reduce the surplus. Federal law may also limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by Investors Bank. See “— Federal Banking Regulation — Prompt Corrective Action” below.
Minimum Capital Requirements. Regulations of the Commissioner impose on New Jersey-chartered depository institutions, including Investors Bank, minimum capital requirements similar to those imposed on insured state banks. See “— Federal Banking Regulation — Capital Requirements” below.

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Examination and Enforcement. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance may examine Investors Bank whenever it deems an examination advisable. The Department engages in routine annual examinations of Investors Bank. The Commissioner may order any savings bank to discontinue any violation of law or unsafe or unsound business practice, and may direct any director, officer, attorney or employee of a savings bank engaged in an objectionable activity, after the Commissioner has ordered the activity to be terminated, to show cause at a hearing before the Commissioner why such person should not be removed. The Commissioner may also seek the appointment of receiver or conservator for a New Jersey saving bank under certain conditions.
Federal Banking Regulation
Capital Requirements. In July 2013, the FDIC and the other federal bank regulatory agencies issued a final rule that revised their leverage and risk-based capital requirements and the method for calculating risk-weighted assets to make them consistent with agreements that were reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Final Capital Rules also revised the quantity and quality of required minimum risk-based and leverage capital requirements, consistent with the Reform Act and the Third Basel Accord adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, or Basel III capital standards. In doing so, the Final Capital Rules:
•
Established a new minimum Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (common equity tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets) of 4.5% and increased the minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio from 4.0% to 6.0%, while maintaining the minimum Total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% and the minimum Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 4.0%.
•
Revised the rules for calculating risk-weighted assets to enhance their risk sensitivity.
•
Phased out trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred stock as Tier 1 capital.
•
Added a requirement to maintain a minimum Conservation Buffer, composed of Common equity tier 1 capital, of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets, to be applied to the new Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and the Total risk-based capital ratio, which means that banking organizations, on a fully phased in basis no later than January 1, 2019, must maintain a minimum Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 7.0%, a minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.5% and a minimum Total risk-based capital ratio of 10.5% or have restrictions imposed on capital distributions and discretionary cash bonus payments.
•
Changed the definitions of capital categories for insured depository institutions for purposes of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 prompt corrective action provisions. Under these revised definitions, to be considered well-capitalized, an insured depository institution must have a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of at least 5.0%, a Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8.0% and a Total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10.0%.
The new minimum regulatory capital ratios and changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets became effective for the Bank and Company on January 1, 2015. The required minimum Conservation Buffer was phased in incrementally, starting at 0.625% on January 1, 2016, increased to 1.25% on January 1, 2017 and further increased to 1.875% on January 1, 2018. The Conservation Buffer will increase to 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The rules impose restrictions on capital distributions and certain discretionary cash bonus payments if the minimum Conservation Buffer is not met. As of December 31, 2017 the Company and the Bank met the currently applicable Conservation Buffer of 1.25%.
In assessing an institution’s capital adequacy, the FDIC takes into consideration, not only these numeric factors, but qualitative factors as well, and has the authority to establish higher capital requirements for individual institutions where deemed necessary.
The federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, have also adopted regulations to require an assessment of an institution’s exposure to declines in the economic value of a bank’s capital due to changes in interest rates when assessing the bank’s capital adequacy. Under such a risk assessment, examiners evaluate a bank’s capital for interest rate risk on a case-by-case basis, with consideration of both quantitative and qualitative factors. Institutions with significant interest rate risk may be required to hold additional capital. According to the agencies, applicable considerations include:
•
the quality of the bank’s interest rate risk management process;
•
the overall financial condition of the bank; and
•
the level of other risks at the bank for which capital is needed.

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As of December 31, 2017, the Bank and the Company were considered “well capitalized” under applicable regulations and exceeded all regulatory capital requirements as follows:
 
 
As of December 31, 2017 (1)
 
 
Actual
 
Minimum Capital Requirement
 
To be Well Capitalized under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions (2)
 
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Bank:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
 
$
2,732,757

 
11.00
%
 
$
993,750

 
4.00
%
 
$
1,242,188

 
5.00
%
Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
 
2,732,757

 
13.94
%
 
1,127,081

 
5.75
%
 
1,274,092

 
6.50
%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
 
2,732,757

 
13.94
%
 
1,421,102

 
7.25
%
 
1,568,113

 
8.00
%
Total Risk-Based Capital
 
2,964,721

 
15.13
%
 
1,813,131

 
9.25
%
 
1,960,141

 
10.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investors Bancorp, Inc.:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
 
$
3,072,783

 
12.36
%
 
$
994,164

 
4.00
%
 
n/a
 
n/a
Common Equity Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
 
3,072,783

 
15.67
%
 
1,127,662

 
5.75
%
 
n/a
 
n/a
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
 
3,072,783

 
15.67
%
 
1,421,835

 
7.25
%
 
n/a
 
n/a
Total Risk-Based Capital
 
3,304,747

 
16.85
%
 
1,814,066

 
9.25
%
 
n/a
 
n/a
(1)
For purposes of calculating Tier 1 leverage ratio, assets are based on adjusted total average assets. In calculating Tier 1 risk-based capital and Total risk-based capital, assets are based on total risk-weighted assets.
(2)
Prompt corrective action provisions do not apply to the bank holding company.
Activity Restrictions on State-Chartered Banks. Federal law and FDIC regulations generally limit the activities and investments of state-chartered FDIC insured banks and their subsidiaries to those permissible for national banks and their subsidiaries, unless such activities and investments are specifically exempted by law or consented to by the FDIC.
Before making a new investment or engaging in a new activity that is not permissible for a national bank or otherwise permissible under federal law or FDIC regulations, an insured bank must seek approval from the FDIC to make such investment or engage in such activity. The FDIC will not approve the activity unless the bank meets its minimum capital requirements and the FDIC determines that the activity does not present a significant risk to the FDIC insurance funds. Certain activities of subsidiaries that are engaged in activities permitted for national banks only through a “financial subsidiary” are subject to additional restrictions.
Federal law permits a state-chartered savings bank to engage, through financial subsidiaries, in any activity in which a national bank may engage through a financial subsidiary and on substantially the same terms and conditions. In general, the law permits a national bank that is well-capitalized and well-managed to conduct, through a financial subsidiary, any activity permitted for a financial holding company other than insurance underwriting, insurance investments or real estate development or merchant banking. The total assets of all such financial subsidiaries may not exceed the lesser of 45% of the bank’s total assets or $50 billion. The bank must have policies and procedures to assess the financial subsidiary’s risk and protect the bank from such risk and potential liability, must not consolidate the financial subsidiary’s assets with the bank’s and must exclude from its own assets and equity all equity investments, including retained earnings, in the financial subsidiary. State-chartered savings banks may retain subsidiaries in existence as of March 11, 2000 and may engage in activities that are not authorized under federal law. Although Investors Bank meets all conditions necessary to establish and engage in permitted activities through financial subsidiaries, it has not chosen to engage in such activities.
Federal Home Loan Bank System. Investors Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank system, which consists of the regional Federal Home Loan Banks, each subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). The Federal Home Loan Banks provide a credit facility for member institutions. It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Banks make loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies and procedures, including collateral requirements, established by the respective Boards of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Banks. These policies and procedures are subject to the regulation and oversight of the FHFA. All long-term advances are required to provide funds for residential home financing. The FHFA has also established standards of community or investment service that members must meet to maintain access to such long-term advances.
Safety and Soundness Standards. Pursuant to the requirements of FDICIA, as amended by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, each federal banking agency, including the FDIC, has adopted guidelines establishing general standards relating to matters such as internal controls, information and internal audit systems, loan

25

documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings and compensation, fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director, or principal stockholder.
In addition, the FDIC adopted regulations to require a savings bank that is given notice by the FDIC that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan to the FDIC. If, after being so notified, a savings bank fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any material respect to implement an accepted compliance plan, the FDIC may issue an order directing corrective and other actions of the types to which a significantly undercapitalized institution is subject under the “prompt corrective action” provisions of FDICIA. If a savings bank fails to comply with such an order, the FDIC may seek to enforce such an order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil monetary penalties.
Enforcement. The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over insured savings banks, including Investors Bank. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist orders and to remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and to unsafe or unsound practices.
Prompt Corrective Action. Federal law establishes a prompt corrective action framework to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation. Those regulations were amended effective January 1, 2015 to incorporate the previously mentioned increased regulatory capital standards that were effective on the same date. An institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or greater. An institution is “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 4.5% or greater. An institution is “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 4.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 4.5%. An institution is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 3.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 3.0%. An institution is considered to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%.
Generally a receiver or conservator must be appointed for an institution that is “critically “undercapitalized” within specific time frames. The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the FDIC within 45 days of the date a savings bank receives notice that it is undercapitalized,” “significantly “undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Various restrictions, such as restrictions on capital distributions and growth, also apply to “undercapitalized” institutions. The FDIC may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.
Investors Bank was classified as “well-capitalized” under the prompt corrective action framework as of December 31, 2017.
Liquidity. Investors Bank maintains sufficient liquidity to ensure its safe and sound operation, in accordance with FDIC regulations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Deposit Insurance. Investors Bank is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the FDIC. Deposit accounts in Investors Bank are insured by the FDIC, up to a maximum of $250,000 for each separately insured depositor.
The FDIC imposes an assessment for deposit insurance against all insured depository institutions. Each institution’s assessment is based on the perceived risk to the insurance fund of the institution, with institutions deemed riskiest paying higher assessments. The Dodd-Frank Act required the FDIC to revise its procedures to base assessments on average total assets less tangible capital, rather than deposits. The FDIC’s assessment schedule ranges from 1.5 basis points to 40 basis points of average total assets less tangible capital. The FDIC has a more comprehensive approach to evaluating, for assessment purposes, the risk presented by larger institutions such as Investors Bank. Large institutions (i.e., $10 billion more in assets) such as Investors Bank are subject to assessment based upon a detailed scorecard approach involving (i) a performance score determined using forward-looking risk measures, including certain stress testing, and (ii) a loss severity score, which is designed to measure, based on modeling, potential loss to the FDIC insurance fund if the institution failed.  The total score is converted to an assessment rate, subject to certain adjustments. In addition, effective as of July 1, 2016 the FDIC implemented a requirement of the Dodd-Frank Act that institutions with assets of $10 billion or more be responsible for increasing the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio from 1.15% to 1.35%.

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Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. We are not currently aware of any practice, condition or violation that may lead to termination of our deposit insurance.
In addition to the FDIC assessments, the Financing Corporation is authorized to impose and collect, with the approval of the FDIC, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance costs and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. The bonds issued by the FICO began to mature in 2017 and continue to mature through 2019. For the fourth quarter of 2017, the annualized Financing Corporation assessment was equal to 0.54 basis points of total average assets less tangible capital.
Transactions with Affiliates of Investors Bank. Transactions between an insured bank, such as Investors Bank, and any of its affiliates are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and implementing regulations. An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the bank. Generally, a subsidiary of a bank that is not also a depository institution or financial subsidiary is not treated as an affiliate of the bank for purposes of Sections 23A and 23B.
Section 23A:
•
limits the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such bank’s capital and surplus, as defined in the applicable regulations. Such transactions with all affiliates are limited to an amount equal to 20% of such capital and surplus; and
•
requires that all such transactions be on terms that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of guarantees and other similar types of transactions. Further, most loans by a bank to any of its affiliates must be secured by collateral in amounts ranging from 100% to 130% of the loan amounts. In addition, any covered transaction by a bank with an affiliate and any purchase of assets or services by a bank from an affiliate must be on terms that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank, as those that would be provided to a non-affiliate.
Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements. Banks are subject to the prohibitions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1972 on certain tying arrangements. A depository institution is prohibited, subject to specific exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution.
Privacy Standards. FDIC regulations require Investors Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including identifying with whom it shares “non-public personal information,” to customers at the time of establishing the customer relationship and annually thereafter.
Investors Bank is also required to provide its customers with the ability to “opt-out” of having Investors Bank share their non-public personal information with unaffiliated third parties before it can disclose such information, subject to certain exceptions.
In addition, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Investors Bank must provide its customers with the ability to “opt-out” of having Investors Bank share their non-public personal information for marketing purposes with an affiliate or subsidiary before it can disclose such information.
The FDIC and other federal banking agencies adopted guidelines establishing standards for safeguarding customer information. The guidelines describe the agencies’ expectations for the creation, implementation and maintenance of an information security program, which includes administrative, technical and physical safeguards appropriate to the size and complexity of the institution and the nature and scope of its activities. The standards set forth in the guidelines are intended to insure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.
Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws. All FDIC-insured institutions have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and related regulations to help meet the credit needs of their communities, including low- and moderate-income individuals and neighborhoods. In connection with its examination of a state chartered savings bank, the FDIC is required to assess the institution’s record of compliance with the CRA. Among other things, the current CRA regulations rates an institution based on its actual performance in meeting community needs. In particular, the current evaluation system focuses on three tests:
•
a lending test, to evaluate the institution’s record of making loans in its service areas;

27

•
an investment test, to evaluate the institution’s record of investing in community development projects, affordable housing, and programs benefiting low or moderate income individuals and/or census tracts and businesses; and
•
a service test, to evaluate the institution’s delivery of services through its branches, ATMs and other offices.
An institution’s failure to comply with the provisions of the CRA could, at a minimum, result in regulatory restrictions on its activities. Investors Bank received a “satisfactory” CRA rating in our most recent publicly-available federal evaluation, which was conducted by the FDIC in August 2014.
In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes. The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the FDIC, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice.
Loans to a Bank’s Insiders
Federal Regulation. A bank’s loans to its insiders — executive officers, directors, principal shareholders (any owner of 10% or more of its stock) and any of certain entities affiliated with any such persons (an insider’s related interest) are subject to the conditions and limitations imposed by Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and its implementing regulations. Under these restrictions, the aggregate amount of the loans to any insider and the insider’s related interests may not exceed the loans-to-one-borrower limit applicable to national banks, which is comparable to the loans-to-one-borrower limit applicable to Investors Bank. All loans by a bank to all insiders and insiders’ related interests in the aggregate may not exceed the bank’s capital and surplus. With certain exceptions, loans to an executive officer, other than loans for the education of the officer’s children and certain loans secured by the officer’s residence, may not exceed the lesser of (1) $100,000 or (2) the greater of $25,000 or 2.5% of the bank’s capital and surplus. Federal regulation also requires that any proposed loan to an insider or a related interest of that insider be approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the bank, with any interested directors not participating in the voting, if such loan, when aggregated with any existing loans to that insider and the insider’s related interests, would exceed either (1) $500,000 or (2) the greater of $25,000 or 5% of the bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus.
Generally, loans to insiders must be made on substantially the same terms as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those that are prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. An exception is made for extensions of credit made pursuant to a benefit or compensation plan of a bank that is widely available to employees of the bank and that does not give any preference to insiders of the bank over other employees of the bank.
In addition, federal law prohibits extensions of credit to a bank’s insiders and their related interests by any other institution that has a correspondent banking relationship with the bank, unless such extension of credit is on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.
Extensions of credit to a savings bank’s executive officers are subject to specific limits based on the type of loans involved. Generally, loans are limited to $100,000, except for a mortgage loan secured by the officer’s primary residence and education loans for the officer’s children.
New Jersey Regulation. The New Jersey Banking Act imposes conditions and limitations on loans and extensions of credit to directors and executive officers of a savings bank and to corporations and partnerships controlled by such persons, which are comparable in many respects to the conditions and limitations imposed on the loans and extensions of credit to insiders and their related interests under federal law, as discussed above. The New Jersey Banking Act also provides that a savings bank that is in compliance with federal law is deemed to be in compliance with such provisions of the New Jersey Banking Act.

Federal Reserve System

Under Federal Reserve Board regulations, Investors Bank is required to maintain non-interest earning reserves against its transaction accounts. The Federal Reserve Board regulations generally require that reserves of 3% must be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts over $16.0 million and up to $122.3 million, and 10% against that portion of total transaction accounts in excess of up to $122.3 million. The first $16.0 million of otherwise reservable balances are exempted from the reserve requirements. Investors Bank is in compliance with these requirements. These requirements are adjusted annually by the Federal Reserve Board. Required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash and/or an interest bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank; or a pass-through account as defined by the Federal Reserve Board.

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Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Identification
Investors Bank is subject to FDIC regulations implementing the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, or the USA PATRIOT Act. The USA PATRIOT Act gives the federal government powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing, and broadened anti-money laundering requirements. By way of amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act contains measures intended to encourage information sharing among bank regulatory and law enforcement agencies. Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including banks, thrifts, brokers, dealers, credit unions, money transfer agents and parties registered under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act and the related FDIC regulations require the:
•
Establishment of anti-money laundering compliance programs that includes policies, procedures, and internal controls; the appointment of an anti-money laundering compliance officer; an effective training program; and independent testing;
•
Making of certain reports to FinCEN and law enforcement that are designated to assist in the detection and prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing activities;
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Establishment of a program specifying procedures for obtaining and maintaining certain records from customers seeking to open new accounts, including verifying the identity of customers within a reasonable period of time;
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Establishment of enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report money-laundering, terrorist financing and other suspicious activity;
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Monitoring account activity for suspicious transactions; and
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Impose a heightened level of review for certain high risk customers or accounts.
The USA PATRIOT Act also includes prohibitions on correspondent accounts for foreign shell banks and requires compliance with record keeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks. Bank regulators are directed to consider a holding company’s effectiveness in combating money laundering when ruling on Federal Reserve Act and Bank Merger Act applications.
The bank regulatory agencies have increased the regulatory scrutiny of the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering programs maintained by financial institutions. Significant penalties and fines, as well as other supervisory orders may be imposed on a financial institution for non-compliance with these requirements. In addition, the federal bank regulatory agencies must consider the effectiveness of financial institutions engaging in a merger transaction in combating money laundering activities. Investors Bank has adopted policies and procedures to comply with these requirements.
On August 12, 2016, Investors Bank agreed to enter into an informal agreement (“Informal Agreement”) with the FDIC and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“NJDOBI”) with regard to Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) compliance matters. Investors Bank agreed to; 1) develop, adopt and implement a system of internal controls designed to ensure full compliance with BSA; 2) conduct a comprehensive validation of Investors Bank’s BSA/AML automated compliance system; and 3) develop, adopt and implement effective training programs relating to BSA. Investors Bank also agreed to review certain transactions and accounts for BSA and AML compliance and to establish a Compliance Committee of the Board. Numerous actions have been taken or commenced by Investors Bank to strengthen its BSA and AML compliance practices, policies, procedures and controls. Throughout 2017, Investors Bank has continued to enhance its risk management and compliance programs through process and technology improvements and increased qualified staff.
Holding Company Regulation
Federal Regulation. Bank holding companies, including Investors Bancorp, Inc., are subject to examination, regulation and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding Company Act, as administered by the Federal Reserve Board. Federal Reserve Board regulations imposed consolidated capital adequacy requirements on bank holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act required the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate consolidated capital requirements for depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent, both quantitatively and in terms of components of capital, than those applicable to institutions themselves.
In addition, Federal Reserve Board guidance sets forth the supervisory expectation that bank holding companies will inform and consult with Federal Reserve Board staff in advance of issuing a dividend that exceeds earnings for the quarter and should inform the Federal Reserve Board and should eliminate, defer or significantly reduce dividends if (i) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends, (ii) prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition, or (iii) the bank holding company will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios.

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A bank holding company is required to provide the Federal Reserve Board prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, would be equal to 10% or more of the company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve Board order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve Board. Such notice and approval is not required for a bank holding company that is as “well capitalized” under applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, that has received a composite “1” or “2” rating, as well as a “satisfactory” rating for management, at its most recent bank holding company examination by the Federal Reserve Board, and that is not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues.
As a bank holding company, Investors Bancorp is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire all, or substantially all, of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. Prior Federal Reserve Board approval is also required for Investors Bancorp to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting securities of any bank or bank holding company if, after giving effect to such acquisition, it would, directly or indirectly, own or control more than 5% of any class of voting shares of such bank or bank holding company.
In addition, a bank holding company that does not elect to be a financial holding company under federal regulations is generally prohibited from engaging in, or acquiring direct or indirect control of any company engaged in non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks. Some of the principal activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined by regulation to be closely related to banking are:
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making or servicing loans;
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performing certain data processing services;
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providing discount brokerage services; or acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor;
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leasing personal or real property;
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making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare; and
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acquiring a savings and loan association.
A bank holding company that elects to be a financial holding company may engage in activities that are financial in nature or incident to activities which are financial in nature. Investors Bancorp, Inc. has not elected to be a financial holding company, although it may seek to do so in the future. A bank holding company may elect to become a financial holding company if:
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each of its depository institution subsidiaries is “well capitalized”;
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each of its depository institution subsidiaries is “well managed”;
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each of its depository institution subsidiaries has at least a “satisfactory” Community Reinvestment Act rating at its most recent examination; and
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the bank holding company has filed a certification with the Federal Reserve Board stating that it elects to become a financial holding company.
Under federal law, depository institutions are liable to the FDIC for losses suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with the default of a commonly controlled depository institution, or for any assistance provided by the FDIC to such an institution in danger of default. This law would potentially be applicable to Investors Bancorp, Inc. if it ever acquired as a separate subsidiary a depository institution in addition to Investors Bank.
The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, as amended by Section 613 of the Dodd-Frank Act, regulates interstate banking activities by establishing a framework for nationwide interstate banking and branching. As amended, this interstate banking and branching authority generally permits a bank in one state to establish a de novo branch at a location in another host state if state banks chartered in such host state would also be permitted to establish a branch at that location in the state. Under these amendments, Investors Bank is permitted to establish branch offices in other states in addition to its existing New Jersey and New York branch offices.
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 eliminated most of the barriers to affiliations among banks, securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial companies previously imposed under federal banking laws if certain criteria are satisfied. Certain subsidiaries of well-capitalized and well-managed banks may be treated as “financial subsidiaries,” which are generally permitted to engage in activities that are financial in nature, including securities underwriting, dealing, and market making; sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies, and other activities that the Federal Reserve has determined to be closely related to banking.
New Jersey Regulation. Under the New Jersey Banking Act, a company owning or controlling a savings bank is regulated as a bank holding company. The New Jersey Banking Act defines the terms “company” and “bank holding company” as such

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terms are defined under the BHCA. Each bank holding company controlling a New Jersey-chartered bank or savings bank must file certain reports with the Commissioner and is subject to examination by the Commissioner.
Acquisition of Investors Bancorp, Inc. Under federal law and under the New Jersey Banking Act, no person may acquire control of Investors Bancorp, Inc. or Investors Bank without first obtaining approval of such acquisition of control by the Federal Reserve Board and the Commissioner. See “Restrictions on the Acquisition of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Investors Bank.”
Federal Securities Laws. Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Investors Bancorp, Inc. is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Investors Bancorp, Inc. common stock held by persons who are affiliates (generally officers, directors and principal stockholders) of Investors Bancorp, Inc. may not be resold without registration or unless sold in accordance with certain resale restrictions. If Investors Bancorp, Inc. meets specified current public information requirements, each affiliate of Investors Bancorp, Inc. is able to sell in the public market, without registration, a limited number of shares in any three-month period.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was enacted to address, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information.
As directed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are required to certify that our quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. The rules adopted by the SEC under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; they have made certain disclosures to our auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about our internal control over financial reporting; and they have included information in our quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and whether there have been changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could materially affect internal control over financial reporting.
We have existing policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these regulations.
Taxation
Federal Taxation
General. Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary are subject to federal income taxation in the same general manner as other corporations, with some exceptions discussed below. Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary file a consolidated federal income tax return. On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law H.R. 1, also known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”). The new legislation reduces the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and will impact the manner in which the Company is taxed going forward. Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s federal tax returns are not currently under audit. The following discussion of federal taxation is intended only to summarize certain pertinent federal income tax matters and is not a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to Investors Bancorp, Inc. or its subsidiary.
Method of Accounting. For federal income tax purposes, Investors Bancorp, Inc. currently reports its income and expenses on the accrual method of accounting and uses a tax year ending December 31 for filing its federal and state income tax returns.
Bad Debt Reserves. Historically, Investors Bank was subject to special provisions in the tax law regarding allowable bad debt tax deductions and related reserves. Tax law changes were enacted in 1996 pursuant to the Small Business Protection Act of 1996 (the “1996 Act”), which eliminated the use of the percentage of taxable income method for tax years after 1995 and required recapture into taxable income over a six-year period of all bad debt reserves accumulated after 1987. Investors Bank has fully recaptured its post-1987 reserve balance. Currently, Investors Bank uses the specific charge off method to account for bad debt deductions for income tax purposes.
Taxable Distributions and Recapture. Prior to the 1996 Act, bad debt reserves created prior to January 1, 1988 (pre-base year reserves) were subject to recapture into taxable income if Investors Bank failed to meet certain thrift asset and definitional tests. As a result of the 1996 Act, bad debt reserves accumulated after 1987 are required to be recaptured into income over a six-year period. However, all pre-base year reserves are subject to recapture if Investors Bank makes certain non-dividend distributions, repurchases any of its stock, pays dividends in excess of tax earnings and profits, or ceases to maintain a bank charter. At December 31, 2017, Investors Bank’s total federal pre-base year reserve was approximately $45.2 million.
Alternative Minimum Tax. The Internal Revenue Code imposes an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) at a rate of 20% on a base of regular taxable income plus certain tax preferences (“alternative minimum taxable income” or “AMTI”). The AMT is payable to the extent such AMTI is in excess of an exemption amount and the AMT exceeds the regular income tax. Net

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operating losses can offset no more than 90% of AMTI. Certain payments of AMT may be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years. Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary have not been subject to the AMT and have no such amounts available as credits for carryover. On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Act, which repealed the AMT on corporations for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Net Operating Loss Carryovers. A corporation may carry back net operating losses to the preceding two taxable years and forward to the succeeding 20 taxable years. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had total federal net operating loss carryforwards of $6.1 million related to prior acquisitions. On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Act, which eliminates, with certain exceptions, the net operating loss carryback period and permits an indefinite carryforward period, subject to 80 percent of taxable income, for net operating losses generated in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.
Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction. Investors Bancorp, Inc. may exclude from its federal taxable income 100% of dividends received from Investors Bank as a wholly owned subsidiary. The corporate dividends-received deduction is 80% when the dividend is received from a corporation having at least 20% of its stock owned by the recipient corporation. A 70% dividends-received deduction is available for dividends received from a corporation having less than 20% of its stock owned by the recipient corporation. On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Act, which reduces the 70% dividends-received deduction to 50%, and the 80% dividends-received deduction to 65%, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017.
State Taxation
New Jersey State Taxation. Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary file separate New Jersey corporate business tax returns on an unconsolidated basis. Generally, the income of corporations and savings institutions in New Jersey, which is calculated based on federal taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, is subject to New Jersey tax. On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Act. The provisions of the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Act continue to conform to federal taxing provisions in the same manner as prior to the enactment of the new legislation.
Investors Bancorp, Inc. is required to file a New Jersey income tax return and is generally subject to a state income tax at a 9% rate. If Investors Bancorp, Inc. meets certain requirements, it may be eligible to elect to be taxed as a New Jersey Investment Company, which would allow it to be taxed at a rate of 3.6%. At December 31, 2017, Investors Bancorp, Inc. currently meets the eligibility requirements and therefore elects to be taxed as a New Jersey Investment Company.
New Jersey tax law does not and has not allowed for a taxpayer to file a tax return on a combined or consolidated basis with another member of the affiliated group where there is common ownership. However, under tax legislation, if the taxpayer cannot demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the tax filing discloses the true earnings of the taxpayer on its business carried on in the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey Director of the Division of Taxation may, at the director’s discretion, require the taxpayer to file a consolidated return for the entire operations of the affiliated group or controlled group, including its own operations and income.
In connection with the Company’s second step conversion, a $20.0 million charitable contribution was made to the Investors Charitable Foundation, $10.0 million of which was made by Investors Bank and the remaining $10.0 million by Investors Bancorp, Inc. For Investors Bancorp, Inc., the excess contribution over the allowable deduction limit for the standalone entity may be carried forward to the succeeding 5 taxable years. Based on the entity’s standalone future state taxable income, a valuation allowance was established for the portion of the state tax benefit related to the contribution that is not more likely than not to be realized.
New York State Taxation. The New York State corporate franchise tax is based on the combined entire net income of the Company and its affiliates allocable and apportionable to New York State and taxed at a rate of 6.5%. The amount of revenues that are sourced to New York State under the new legislation can be expected to fluctuate over time. In addition, the Company and its affiliates are subject to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”) Surcharge allocable to business activities carried on in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District. The MTA surcharge for 2017 was 28.3% of a recomputed New York State franchise tax, calculated using a 6.5% tax rate on allocated and apportioned entire net income. Investors Bank is currently under audit with respect to its New York State combined franchise tax return for tax years 2013 and 2014. On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Act. Since the starting point for computing entire net income, the primary base of the New York general corporation franchise tax, is federal taxable income, the federal concepts of income and deductions which apply for New York franchise tax purposes, subject to statutory additions, subtractions and modifications, continue to apply in the same manner as prior to the enactment of the new legislation.
New York City Taxation. The Company and its affiliates are subject to the combined corporate tax for New York City calculated on a similar basis as the New York State franchise tax, subject to the New York City apportionment rules. While the majority of the Company’s entire net income is derived from outside of the New York City jurisdiction, the sourcing rules enacted

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by the 2015 tax law provisions have increased the income apportioned to New York City and in turn, caused an increase to our effective tax rate.
Pennsylvania Taxation. Considered a mutual thrift institution conducting business in Pennsylvania, Investors Bank is subject to the mutual thrift institutions tax. The mutual thrift institutions tax is imposed at the rate of 11.5% on apportionable net taxable income and is required to be reported and filed on the annual Net Income Tax Report. Mutual thrift institutions are exempt from all other Pennsylvania corporate taxes.
Delaware State Taxation. As a Delaware holding company not earning income in Delaware, Investors Bancorp, Inc. is exempted from Delaware corporate income tax but is required to file annual returns and pay annual fees and an annual franchise tax to the State of Delaware.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
The risks set forth below, in addition to the other risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition to the risks set forth below and the other risks described in this annual report, there may also be additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results. As a result, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us.

We operate in a highly regulated environment and may be adversely affected by changes in laws and regulations.
Investors Bank is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the NJDBI, our chartering authority, by the FDIC, as insurer of our deposits, and by the CFPB, with respect to consumer protection laws. As a bank holding company, Investors Bancorp is subject to regulation and oversight by the Federal Reserve Board. Such regulation and supervision govern the activities in which a bank and its holding company may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. These regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the requirement for additional capital, the imposition of restrictions on our operations, restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and make other capital distributions to shareholders, restrictions on our ability to repurchase shares, the classification of our assets and the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, compliance and privacy issues, Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering compliance, and approval of merger transactions. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, or legislation, could have a material impact on Investors Bank, Investors Bancorp and our operations.
The potential exists for additional Federal or state laws and regulations regarding capital requirements, lending and funding practices and liquidity standards, and bank regulatory agencies are expected to remain active in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, including the potential issuance of formal enforcement orders. New laws, regulations, and other regulatory changes, along with negative developments in the financial industry and the domestic and international credit markets, could increase our costs of regulatory compliance and may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the markets for and value of our loans and investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability.

If the bank regulators impose limitations on our commercial real estate lending activities, our earnings, dividend paying capacity and/or ability to repurchase shares could be adversely affected.
In 2006, the FDIC, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (collectively, the “Agencies”) issued joint guidance entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices” (the “CRE Guidance”). Although the CRE Guidance did not establish specific lending limits, it provides that a bank’s commercial real estate lending exposure may receive increased supervisory scrutiny where total non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, including loans secured by apartment buildings, investor commercial real estate and construction and land loans, represent 300% or more of an institution’s total risk-based capital and the outstanding balance of the commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the preceding 36 months. Our level of non-owner occupied commercial real estate equaled 420% of Bank total risk-based capital at December 31, 2017 and our commercial real estate loan portfolio increased by 62% during the preceding 36 months.

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In December 2015, the Agencies released a new statement on prudent risk management for commercial real estate lending (the “2015 Statement”). In the 2015 Statement, the Agencies express concerns about easing commercial real estate underwriting standards, direct financial institutions to maintain underwriting discipline and exercise risk management practices to identify, measure and monitor lending risks, and indicate that the Agencies will continue “to pay special attention” to commercial real estate lending activities and concentrations going forward. If the FDIC, the Bank’s primary federal regulator were to impose restrictions on the amount of commercial real estate loans we can hold in our portfolio, or require higher capital ratios as a result of the level of commercial real estate loans we hold, our earnings, dividend paying capacity and/or ability to repurchase shares would be adversely affected.

If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could decrease.
We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loans and our loss and delinquency experience, and we evaluate economic conditions. If actual results differ significantly from our assumptions, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance. Material additions to our allowance would materially decrease our net income. Our allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2017 of $231.0 million was 1.15% of total loans and 157.46% of non-performing loans at such date.
In addition, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs. A material increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Because we intend to continue to increase our commercial originations, our credit risk will increase.
At December 31, 2017, our portfolio of multi-family, commercial real estate, C&I and construction loans totaled $14.39 billion, or 71.6% of our total loans. We intend to continue to increase our originations of multi-family, commercial real estate, C&I and construction loans, which generally have more risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Since repayment of commercial loans depends on the successful management and operation of the borrower’s properties or related businesses, repayment of such loans can be affected by adverse conditions in the real estate market, local economy or the management of the business or property. In addition, our commercial borrowers may have more than one loan outstanding with us. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose us to significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one- to four-family residential mortgage loan. Because we plan to continue to increase our originations of these loans, it may be necessary to increase the level of our allowance for loan losses because of the increased risk characteristics associated with these types of loans. Any such increase to our allowance for loan losses would adversely affect our earnings.

Significant portions of our multi-family loan portfolio and commercial real estate portfolio and nearly all of our C&I loan portfolio are unseasoned. It is difficult to judge the future performance of unseasoned loans.
Our multi-family loan portfolio has increased to $7.80 billion at December 31, 2017 from $3.99 billion at December 31, 2013. Our commercial real estate portfolio has increased to $4.55 billion at December 31, 2017 from $2.51 billion at December 31, 2013. Our C&I loan portfolio has increased to $1.63 billion at December 31, 2017 from $268.4 million at December 31, 2013. Consequently, a large portion of our multi-family loans and commercial real estate loans and nearly all of our C&I loans are unseasoned. It is difficult to assess the future performance of these recently originated loans because of their relatively limited payment history from which to judge future collectability, especially in the economic environment since 2013. These loans may experience higher delinquency or charge-off levels than our historical loan portfolio experience, which could adversely affect our future performance.
 
Our liabilities reprice faster than our assets and future increases in interest rates will reduce our profits.
Our ability to make a profit largely depends on our net interest income, which could be negatively affected by changes in interest rates. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities; and the interest expense we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.
The interest income we earn on our assets and the interest expense we pay on our liabilities are generally fixed for a contractual period of time. Our liabilities generally have shorter contractual maturities than our assets. This imbalance can create significant earnings volatility, because market interest rates change over time. In a period of rising interest rates, the interest income earned on our assets may not increase as rapidly as the interest paid on our liabilities. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Management of Market Risk.”

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In addition, changes in interest rates can affect the average life of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities. Increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and/or make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable-rate loans. In addition, an increase in interest rates cause decreased prepayment of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities. Conversely, a reduction in interest rates causes increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities as borrowers refinance their debt to reduce their borrowing costs. This creates reinvestment risk, which is the risk that we may not be able to reinvest the funds from faster prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates we earned on the prepaid loans or securities.
Changes in interest rates also affect the current market value of our interest-earning securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2017, the fair value of our total securities portfolio was $3.81 billion. Unrealized net losses on securities available-for-sale are reported as a separate component of equity. To the extent interest rates increase and the value of our available-for-sale portfolio decreases, our stockholders’ equity will be adversely affected.
We evaluate interest rate sensitivity using models that estimate the change in our net portfolio value over a range of interest rate scenarios. The economic value of equity analysis is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. At December 31, 2017, in the event of a 200 basis point increase in interest rates, whereby rates increase evenly over a twelve-month period, and assuming management took no action to mitigate the effect of such change, the model projects that we would experience a 6.5% or $44.1 million decrease in net interest income and 8.1% or $377.7 million decrease in economic value of equity.

Historically low interest rates may adversely affect our net interest income and profitability.
During the past several years it has been the policy of the Federal Reserve Board to maintain interest rates at historically low levels. As a result, market rates on the loans we have originated and the yields on securities we have purchased have been at these lower levels. As a general matter, our interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature more quickly than our interest-earning assets. While we have experienced a recent rising short term interest rate environment, our ability to lower our interest expense will be limited at these interest rate levels while the average yield on our interest-earning assets may continue to decrease. Accordingly, our net interest income may be adversely affected and may decrease, which may have an adverse effect on our future profitability.

We may not be able to continue to grow our business, which may adversely impact our results of operations.
Our total assets have grown from approximately $15.62 billion at December 31, 2013 to $25.13 billion at December 31, 2017. Our business strategy calls for continued growth. Our ability to continue to grow depends, in part, upon our ability to successfully attract deposits, identify favorable loan and investment opportunities, acquire other banks and non-bank entities and enhance our market presence. In the event that we do not continue to grow, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Our ability to grow successfully will depend on whether we can continue to fund this growth while maintaining cost controls and asset quality, remain in good standing with our regulators, as well as on factors beyond our control, such as national and regional economic conditions and interest rate trends. If we are not able to control costs and maintain asset quality, such growth could adversely impact our earnings and financial condition.

Public funds deposits are an important source of funds for us and a reduced level of those deposits may hurt our profits.
Public funds deposits are a significant source of funds for our lending and investment activities. At December 31, 2017, $4.70 billion, or 27.1% of our total deposits, consisted of public funds deposits from local government entities, primarily domiciled in the state of New Jersey, such as townships, school districts, hospital districts, sheriff departments and other municipalities, which are collateralized by letters of credit from the FHLB and investment securities. Given our use of these high-average balance public funds deposits as a source of funds, our inability to retain such funds could adversely affect our liquidity. Further, our public funds deposits are primarily interest-bearing demand deposit accounts or short-term time deposits and are therefore more sensitive to interest rate risks. If we are forced to pay higher rates on our public funds accounts to retain those funds, or if we are unable to retain such funds and we are forced to resort to other sources of funds for our lending and investment activities, such as borrowings from the FHLB, the interest expense associated with these other funding sources may be higher than the rates we are currently paying on our public funds deposits, which would adversely affect our net income.

Public funds deposits are an important source of funds for us and legislation concerning a State-chartered bank in New Jersey could challenge our overall strategies and potentially reduce the level of public fund deposits.
At December 31, 2017, we had $4.70 billion in municipal deposits from various municipalities and other governmental entities. Such deposits are generally used to fund our loans and investments. The State of New Jersey is considering creating a

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State Bank, whose purpose would be to promote economic development, commerce, and industry in the State. It intends to permit State funds, including funds from State institutions and any State public source, to be held by the State Bank. Given the degree of our funding reliance on New Jersey-based municipal deposits and the potential lending ability of the proposed State Bank, we are uncertain of the impact this proposal may have on us. The possible loss of public funds on deposit may increase the costs of our funding needs, which could have a negative impact on our net income and negatively impact liquidity. The proposed legislation was only recently introduced, and there is no assurance it will become law, or will become law in its current form.

We could be required to repurchase mortgage loans or indemnify mortgage loan purchasers due to breaches of representations and warranties, borrower fraud, or certain borrower defaults, which could have an adverse impact on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.
We sell into the secondary market a portion of the residential mortgage loans that we originate through our mortgage subsidiary, Investors Home Mortgage. The whole loan sale agreements we enter into in connection with such loan sales require us to repurchase or substitute mortgage loans in the event there is a breach of any of representations or warranties. In addition, we may be required to repurchase mortgage loans as a result of borrower fraud or in the event of early payment default of the borrower on a mortgage loan. We have established a reserve for estimated repurchase and indemnification obligations on the residential mortgage loans that we sell. We make various assumptions and judgments in determining this reserve. If our assumptions are incorrect, our reserve may not be sufficient to cover losses from repurchase and indemnification obligations related to our residential loans sold. Such event would have an adverse effect on our earnings.

FHLB funds are an important source of funding for the Company and a reduced level may have an adverse impact on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.
We borrow directly from the FHLB and various financial institutions.  Our financial flexibility will be severely constrained if we are unable to maintain our access to funding or if adequate financing is not available to accommodate future growth at acceptable interest rates. If we are unable to secure alternative funding or need to rely on more expensive funding sources, our operating margins, profitability and liquidity would be negatively impacted.

We may incur impairments to goodwill.
At December 31, 2017, we had approximately $77.6 million recorded as goodwill. We evaluate goodwill for impairment, at least annually. Significant negative industry or economic trends, including declines in the market price of our common stock, reduced estimates of future cash flows or disruptions to our business, could result in impairments to goodwill. We operate in competitive environments and projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from actual results. If our analysis results in impairment to goodwill, we would be required to record an impairment charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which such impairment is determined to exist. Any such change could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Investors Bank Entered Into an Informal Agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.
On August 12, 2016, Investors Bank agreed to enter into an informal agreement (“Informal Agreement”) with the FDIC and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“NJDOBI”) with regard to Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) compliance matters. Investors Bank agreed to; 1) develop, adopt and implement a system of internal controls designed to ensure full compliance with BSA; 2) conduct a comprehensive validation of Investors Bank’s BSA/AML automated compliance system; and 3) develop, adopt and implement effective training programs relating to BSA. Investors Bank also agreed to review certain transactions and accounts for BSA and AML compliance and to establish a BSA/AML Compliance Committee of the Board. Numerous actions have been taken or commenced by Investors Bank to strengthen its BSA and AML compliance practices, policies, procedures and controls. These remediation actions are ongoing. Investors Bank has enhanced its risk management and compliance programs through restructured reporting lines, improved technology and increased staff, including hiring senior personnel. The failure to achieve compliance with the requirements of the Informal Agreement could lead to further action by the FDIC and NJDOBI, which could include fines and penalties that would adversely affect Investors Bank. The ultimate costs to remediate are unknown and could adversely affect our growth prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

A worsening of economic conditions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Although the U.S. economy has emerged from the severe recession that occurred in 2008 and 2009, economic growth has been slow relative to prior post-recession periods despite the Federal Reserve Board’s unprecedented efforts to maintain low market interest rates and encourage economic growth. A return to prolonged deteriorating economic conditions could significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the value of our loans and investments, and our on-going operations, costs and profitability. Declines in real estate values and sales volumes and unemployment levels may result in greater loan delinquencies,

36

increases in our nonperforming, criticized and classified assets and a decline in demand for our products and services. These events may cause us to incur losses and may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our inability to achieve profitability on new branches may negatively affect our earnings.
We have expanded our presence throughout our market area and may pursue further expansion through de novo branching or the purchase of branches from other financial institutions. The profitability of our expansion strategy will depend on whether the income that we generate from the new branches will offset the increased expenses resulting from operating these branches. We expect that it may take a period of time before these branches can become profitable, especially in areas in which we do not have an established presence. During this period, the expense of operating these branches may negatively affect our net income.

Growing by acquisition entails integration and certain other risks.
Although we have successfully integrated business acquisitions in recent years, failure to successfully integrate systems subsequent to the completion of any future acquisitions could have a material impact on the operations of Investors Bank.
 
Future acquisition activity could dilute book value.
Both nationally and in our region, the banking industry is undergoing consolidation marked by numerous mergers and acquisitions. From time to time we may be presented with opportunities to acquire institutions and/or bank branches and we may engage in discussions and negotiations. Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and trading values, and therefore, may result in the dilution of our book value per share.

The Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations have increased our costs of operations.
The Dodd-Frank Act significantly changed the bank regulatory structure and the intensity of supervision relating to the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act required various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new rules and regulations, most of which are now in place. The CFPB is under new leadership but it is too early to assess whether this will result in any major change to the supervision or enforcement focus of the CFPB. The Company expects that its business will remain subject to extensive regulations and supervision by the CFPB as well as applicable state consumer protection laws and regulations, which will continue to increase our operating and compliance costs.
The Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The CFPB has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The CFPB has examination and enforcement authority over all banks with more than $10 billion in assets, such as Investors Bank. Banks with $10 billion or less in assets will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators. The Dodd-Frank Act modified the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations, and gave state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws.
The Dodd-Frank Act required minimum leverage (Tier 1) and risk-based capital requirements for bank and savings and loan holding companies that are no less than those applicable to banks, which excludes (subject to certain grandfathering rules) certain instruments that previously have been eligible for inclusion by bank holding companies as Tier 1 capital, such as trust preferred securities.
The Dodd-Frank Act also broadened the base for FDIC deposit insurance assessments. Assessments are now based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution, rather than deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009. The legislation also increased the required minimum reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits, and directed the FDIC to offset the effects of increased assessments on depository institutions with less than $10 billion in assets.
The Dodd-Frank Act required publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments. It also provided that the listing standards of the national securities exchanges shall require listed companies to implement and disclose “clawback” policies mandating the recovery of incentive compensation paid to executive officers in connection with accounting restatements. The legislation also directed the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives.
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, federal banking and securities regulators issued final rules to implement the Volcker Rule. Generally, the Volcker Rule restricts insured depository institutions and their affiliated companies from engaging in short-term proprietary trading of certain securities, investing in funds with collateral comprised of less than 100% loans that are not

37

registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and from engaging in hedging activities that do not hedge a specific identified risk. The Volcker Rule prohibitions and restrictions apply to banking entities of any size, including Investors Bancorp, unless an exception applies.

We are subject to more stringent capital requirements, which may adversely impact our return on equity, or constrain us from paying dividends or repurchasing shares.
In 2015, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board instituted a new rule which substantially amended the regulatory risk-based capital rules applicable to Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp. This rule implemented the “Basel III” regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act.
The rule included new minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, and refines the definition of what constitutes “capital” for purposes of calculating these ratios. The new minimum capital requirements are: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 to risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 6% (increased from 4% under prior rules); (iii) a total capital to risk-based assets ratio of 8%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. The rule also established a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital, and resulted in the following minimum ratios: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%; (ii) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 8.5%; and (iii) a total capital to risk-based assets ratio of 10.5%. The required minimum capital conservation buffer was phased in incrementally and increased to 1.25% on January 1, 2017 and further increased to 1.875% on January 1, 2018. The Conservation Buffer will increase to 2.5% on January 1, 2019. An institution will be subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations will establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that can be utilized for such actions.
The application of more stringent capital requirements for Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp could, among other things, result in lower returns on equity, require the raising of additional capital, and result in regulatory actions constraining us from paying dividends or repurchasing shares if we were to be unable to comply with such requirements.

Certain CFPB regulations may continue to restrict our ability to originate and sell mortgage loans.
The CFPB issued a rule which requires lenders to make a reasonable, good faith determination of a borrower’s ability to repay a mortgage loan. Loans that meet this “qualified mortgage” definition will be presumed to have complied with the new ability-to-repay standard. Under the CFPB’s rule, a “qualified mortgage” loan must not contain certain specified features, including:
•
excessive upfront points and fees (those exceeding 3% of the total loan amount, less “bona fide discount points” for prime loans);
•interest-only payments;
•negative-amortization; and
•terms longer than 30 years.
Also, to qualify as a “qualified mortgage,” a borrower’s total debt-to-income ratio may not exceed 43%. Lenders must also verify and document the income and financial resources relied upon to qualify the borrower for the loan and underwrite the loan based on a fully amortizing payment schedule and maximum interest rate during the first five years, taking into account all applicable taxes, insurance and assessments. The CFPB’s rule on qualified mortgages could continue to limit our ability or desire to make certain types of loans or loans to certain borrowers, or could make it more expensive and/or time consuming to make these loans, which could limit our growth or profitability.

We may be adversely affected by changes in U.S. tax laws and regulations.
The Tax Act, the full impact of which is subject to further evaluation and analysis, is likely to have both positive and negative effects on our financial performance. The new legislation will result in a reduction in our federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018, which will have a favorable impact on our earnings and capital generation abilities. However, the new legislation also enacted limitations on certain deductions, such as the deduction of FDIC deposit insurance premiums and executive compensation, which will partially offset the anticipated increase in net earnings from the lower tax rate. In addition, under ASC 740, Income Taxes, companies are required to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment. As a result of the lower corporate tax rate, the resulting impact of the re-measurement of the Company’s deferred tax balances was $49.2 million, which was recorded as a tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2017. The impact of the Tax Act may differ from the foregoing, possibly materially, due to changes in interpretations or in assumptions that we have made, guidance or regulations that may be promulgated, and other actions that we may take as a result of the Tax Act. Similarly, the Bank’s customers are likely to experience varying effects from both the individual and business tax provisions of the Tax Act and such effects, whether positive or negative, may have a corresponding impact on our business and the economy as a whole. We are subject to changes in tax law

38

that could increase our effective tax rates. These law changes may be retroactive to previous periods and as a result could negatively affect our current and future financial performance.

We currently utilize incentive-based payment arrangements with our employees as compensation practices. Potential regulatory changes to this practice could have an impact on our current practices and impact our results of operations.
Investors Bank is subject to the compensation-related provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act which prohibit incentive-based payment arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking. The scope and content of the U.S. banking regulators’ policies on incentive compensation are continuing to develop and are likely to continue evolving in the future.

Strong competition within our market area may limit our growth and profitability.
Competition in the banking and financial services and non bank industry is intense. In our market area, we compete with numerous commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms operating locally and elsewhere. In addition, we compete with numerous online financial service providers who compete in the new digital fintech marketplace and who may not be subject to our regulatory requirements. Some of our competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we have, have greater name recognition and market presence that benefit them in attracting business, and offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide. In addition, larger bank and non bank competitors may be able to price loans and deposits more aggressively than we can. Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to successfully compete in our market area. The greater resources and deposit and loan products offered by some of our competitors may limit our ability to increase our interest-earning assets. For additional information see “Item 1. Business.”

Any future increase in FDIC insurance premiums will adversely impact our earnings.
As a “large institution” within the meaning of FDIC regulations (i.e., greater than $10 billion in assets), Investors Bank’s deposit insurance premium is determined differently than smaller banks.  Small banks are assessed based on a risk classification determined by examination ratings, financial ratios and certain specified adjustments.  Large institutions are subject to assessment based upon a more detailed scorecard approach involving (i) a performance score determined using forward-looking risk measures, including certain stress testing, and (ii) a loss severity score, which is designed to measure, based on modeling, potential loss to the FDIC insurance fund if the institution failed. The total score is converted to an assessment rate, subject to certain adjustments, with institutions deemed riskier paying higher assessments.

We may eliminate dividends on our common stock.
Although we pay quarterly cash dividends to our stockholders, stockholders are not entitled to receive dividends. Downturns in domestic and global economies and other factors could cause our board of directors to consider, among other things, the elimination of or reduction in the amount and/or frequency of cash dividends paid on our common stock.

We could be adversely affected by failure in our internal controls.
We continue to devote a significant amount of effort, time and resources to continually strengthen our controls and ensure compliance with complex accounting standards and banking regulations. A failure in our internal controls could have a significant negative impact not only on our earnings, but also on the perception that customers, regulators and investors may have of us.

Failures or material breaches in security of the Company’s systems and telecommunications networks, or those of a third-party service provider, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and earnings.
Investors Bank collects, processes and stores sensitive consumer data by utilizing computer systems and telecommunications networks operated by both the Bank and third-party service providers. Our necessary dependence upon automated systems to record and process transactions poses the risk that technical system flaws, employee errors, tampering or manipulation of those systems, or attacks by third parties will result in losses and may be difficult to detect. The Bank has security and backup recovery systems in place, as well as a business continuity plan, designed to ensure the computer systems will not be inoperable, to the extent possible. Our inability to use or access those information systems at critical points in time could unfavorably impact the timeliness and efficiency of the Bank’s business operations. Risks to our systems result from a variety of factors, including the potential for bad acts on the part of hackers, criminals, employees or others. As one example, in recent years, some banks have experience denial of service attacks in which individuals or organizations flood the bank’s website with extraordinarily high volumes of traffic, with the goal and effect of disrupting the ability of the bank to process transactions. Other businesses have been victims of ransomware attacks in which the business becomes unable to access its own information and is presented with a demand to pay a ransom in order to once again have access to its information. The Bank is also at risk from the impact of natural disasters, terrorism and international hostilities on its systems or from the effects of outages or other failures involving power or

39

communications systems operated by others. These risks also arise from the same types of threats to businesses with which the Bank conducts business.
The Bank could be adversely affected if one of its employees causes a significant operational break-down or failure, either as a result of human error or where an individual purposefully sabotages or fraudulently manipulates our operations or systems. The Bank is further exposed to the risk that its third-party service providers may be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same risks as the Bank). These disruptions may interfere with service to our customers, cause additional regulatory scrutiny and result in a financial loss or liability.
Misconduct by employees could include fraudulent, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of clients or improper use of confidential information. The Bank may not be able to prevent employee errors or misconduct, and the precautions the Bank takes to detect this type of activity might not be effective in all cases. Employee errors or misconduct could subject the Bank to civil claims for negligence or regulatory enforcement actions, including fines and restrictions on our business.
In addition, there have been instances where financial institutions have been victims of fraudulent activity in which criminals pose as customers to initiate wire and automated clearinghouse transactions out of customer accounts. The recent massive breach of the systems of a credit bureau presents additional threats as criminals now have more information about a larger portion of the population of the United States than past breaches have involved, which could be used by criminals to pose as customers initiating transfers of money from customer accounts. Although the Bank has policies and procedures in place to verify the authenticity of its customers, the Bank cannot assure that such policies and procedures will prevent all fraudulent transfers. Such activity can result in financial liability and harm to our reputation.
The Bank has implemented security controls to prevent unauthorized access to its computer systems and requires its third-party service providers to maintain similar controls. However, we cannot be certain that these measures will be successful. A security breach of our computer systems and loss of confidential information, such as customer account numbers and related information, could result in a loss of customers’ confidence and, thus, loss of business. The Bank could also lose revenue if competitors gain access to confidential information about our business operations and use it to compete with the Bank. In addition, unauthorized access to or use of sensitive data could subject the Bank to litigation and liability, and costs to prevent further such occurrences.
Further, the Bank may be affected by data breaches at retailers and other third parties who participate in data interchanges with the Bank and its customers that involve the theft of customer debit card data, which may include the theft of the Bank debit card PIN numbers and card information used to make purchases at such retailers and other third parties. Such data breaches could result in the Bank incurring significant expenses to reissue debit cards and cover losses, which could result in a material adverse effect on the Bank’s results of operations. To date, the Bank has not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, but there can be no assurance that the Bank will not suffer such attacks or attempted breaches, or incur resulting losses, in the future. The Bank’s risk and exposure to these matters remains heightened because of, among other things, the evolving nature of these threats. The Bank plans to continue to implement internet and mobile banking capabilities to meet customer demand and the current economic environment. As cyber and other data security threats continue to evolve, the Bank may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify and enhance its protective measures or to investigate and remediate any security vulnerabilities.
The Bank’s assets at risk for cyber-attacks include financial assets and non-public information belonging to customers. Investors Bank uses several third-party vendors who have access to Investors Bank’s assets via electronic media. Certain cyber security risks arise due to this access, including cyber espionage, blackmail, ransom and theft.
All of the types of cyber incidents discusses above could result in damage to the Bank’s reputation, loss of customer business, costs of incentives to customers or business partners in order to maintain their relationships, litigation, increased regulatory scrutiny and potential enforcement actions, repairs of system damage, increased investments in cybersecurity (such as obtaining additional technology, making organizational changes, deploying additional personnel, training personnel and engaging consultants), increased insurance premiums, and loss of investor confidence, all of which could result in financial loss and material adverse effects on the Bank’s results of operations, financial condition and earnings.


40

Our failure to effectively deploy the capital raised in our second step conversion offering may have an adverse effect on our financial performance.
We invested 50% of the net proceeds from our second step conversion offering in Investors Bank; provided funding to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan for the purchase of 6,617,421 shares of common stock sold in the offering; and contributed $20.0 million to Investors Charitable foundation by issuing 1,000,000 shares and a $10.0 million cash contribution.  A substantial portion of the net proceeds were used to pay off short-term borrowings as they matured and invest in securities. We continue to utilize the remainder of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including, among other items, paying cash dividends and repurchasing shares of our common stock.  Our failure to deploy the capital effectively may reduce our profitability and may adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Our recruitment efforts may not be sufficient to implement our business strategy and execute successful operations.
As we continue to grow, we may find our recruitment efforts more challenging. If we do not succeed in attracting, hiring, and integrating experienced or qualified personnel, we may not be able to continue to successfully implement our business strategy.

We continue to expand our business lending efforts, which may expose us to increased lending risks and may have a negative effect on our results of operations.
In an effort to diversify our loan portfolio, we have expanded our lending team to include leveraged lending teams as well as a healthcare lending team. We will continue to explore other markets within business lending. These types of loans generally have a higher risk of loss compared to our one- to four-family residential real estate loans and multi-family loans, which could have a negative effect on our results of operations. In addition, because we are not as experienced with these new loan products, we may require additional time and resources for offering and managing such products effectively or may be unsuccessful in offering such products at a profit.

Severe weather, acts of terrorism and other external events could impact our ability to conduct business.
Weather-related events have adversely impacted our market area in recent years, especially areas located near coastal waters and flood prone areas. Such events that may cause significant flooding and other storm-related damage may become more common events in the future. Financial institutions have been, and continue to be, targets of terrorist threats aimed at compromising operating and communication systems and the metropolitan New York area and Northern New Jersey remain central targets for potential acts of terrorism. Such events could cause significant damage, impact the stability of our facilities and result in additional expenses, impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, reduce the value of collateral securing repayment of our loans, and result in the loss of revenue. While we have established and regularly test disaster recovery procedures, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.

ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None. 

ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2017, the Company and the Bank conducted business from their corporate headquarters in Short Hills, New Jersey, with operation centers located in Iselin, Robbinsville and Dunellen, New Jersey as well as lending offices in Short Hills, Robbinsville, Mount Laurel, Spring Lake, Newark, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Melville, as well as a full-service branch network of 156 offices.

ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company, the Bank and its subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.


41

Part II

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our shares of common stock are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ISBC”. The approximate number of holders of record of Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock as of February 23, 2018 was approximately 8,600. Certain shares of Investors Bancorp, Inc. are held in “nominee” or “street” name and accordingly, the number of beneficial owners of such shares is not known or included in the foregoing number. The following table presents quarterly market information for Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock for the periods indicated. The following information was provided by the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
High
 
Low
 
Dividends Declared
 
High
 
Low
 
Dividends Declared
First Quarter
 
$
15.11

 
$
13.39

 
$
0.08

 
$
12.37

 
$
10.77

 
$
0.06

Second Quarter
 
14.85

 
12.89

 
0.08

 
12.05

 
10.67

 
0.06

Third Quarter
 
13.80

 
12.48

 
0.08

 
12.30

 
10.71

 
0.06

Fourth Quarter
 
14.68

 
13.06

 
0.09

 
14.39

 
11.58

 
0.08

 Since 2012, we have been paying quarterly cash dividends to our stockholders, however stockholders are not entitled to receive dividends. We pay dividends to stockholders quarterly. The timing and amount of cash dividends paid depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other relevant factors. Downturns in domestic and global economies and other factors could cause our board of directors to consider, among other things, the elimination of or reduction in the amount and/or frequency of cash dividends paid on our common stock. In addition, Federal Reserve Board guidance sets forth the supervisory expectation that bank holding companies will inform and consult with Federal Reserve Board staff in advance of issuing a dividend that exceeds earnings for the quarter and should inform the Federal Reserve Board and should eliminate, defer or significantly reduce dividends if (i) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends, (ii) prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition, or (iii) the bank holding company will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios.
In the future, dividends from Investors Bancorp, Inc. may depend, in part, upon the receipt of dividends from Investors Bank, because Investors Bancorp, Inc. has no source of income other than earnings from the investment of net proceeds retained from the sale of shares of common stock, investment income, and interest earned on its loan to the employee stock ownership plan. Under New Jersey law, Investors Bank may not pay a cash dividend unless, after the payment of such dividend, its capital stock will not be impaired and either it will have a statutory surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock, or the payment of such dividend will not reduce its statutory surplus.
Stock Performance Graph
Set forth below is a stock performance graph comparing (a) the cumulative total return on the Company’s common stock for the period beginning December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2017, (b) the cumulative total return of publicly traded thrifts over such period, and, (c) the cumulative total return of all publicly traded banks and thrifts over such period. Cumulative return assumes the reinvestment of dividends, and is expressed in dollars based on an assumed investment of $100.

42

chart-94882b98ae835df0935.jpg
 
Index
12/31/2012

 
12/31/2013

 
12/31/2014

 
12/31/2015

 
12/31/2016

 
12/31/2017

Investors Bancorp, Inc.
100.00

 
145.26

 
164.41

 
186.03

 
213.31

 
217.45

SNL U.S. Bank and Thrift
100.00

 
136.92

 
152.85

 
155.94

 
196.86

 
231.49

SNL U.S. Thrift
100.00

 
128.33

 
138.02

 
155.20

 
190.11

 
188.72

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence, New York, NY
Stock Repurchases
    
The following table reports information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 and the stock repurchase plans approved by our Board of Directors.

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)(2)
 
Average Price paid Per Share
 
As part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Yet to be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017
 
75,841

 
$
13.53

 
74,300

 
17,365,176

November 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017
 
15,917

 
$
13.69

 
—

 
17,365,176

December 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017
 
264

 
$
14.20

 
—

 
17,365,176

Total
 
92,022

 
$
13.56

 
74,300

 
 
(1) On April 28, 2016, the Company announced its third share repurchase program, which authorized the purchase of 10% of its publicly-held outstanding shares of common stock, or approximately 31,481,189 shares. The plan commenced upon the completion of the second repurchase plan on June 17, 2016. This program has no expiration date and has 17,365,176 shares yet to be repurchased as of December 31, 2017.
(2) 17,722 shares were withheld to cover income taxes related to restricted stock vesting under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. Shares withheld to pay income taxes are repurchased pursuant to the terms of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and not under our share repurchase program.

43

Equity Compensation Plan Information
The information set forth in Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” is incorporated by reference herein.


44

ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following information is derived in part from the consolidated financial statements of Investors Bancorp, Inc. As a result of the completion of the second step conversion on May 7, 2014, all share information prior to that date has been revised to reflect the 2.55-to-one exchange ratio. For additional information, reference is made to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
 
 
At December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(In thousands)
Selected Financial Condition Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
25,129,244

 
$
23,174,675

 
$
20,888,684

 
$
18,773,639

 
$
15,623,070

Loans receivable, net
19,852,101

 
18,569,855

 
16,661,133

 
14,887,570

 
12,882,544

Loans held-for-sale
5,185

 
38,298

 
7,431

 
6,868

 
8,273

Securities held-to-maturity
1,796,621

 
1,755,556

 
1,844,223

 
1,564,479

 
831,819

Securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
1,987,727

 
1,660,433

 
1,304,697

 
1,197,924

 
785,032

Bank owned life insurance
155,635

 
161,940

 
159,152

 
161,609

 
152,788

Deposits
17,357,697

 
15,280,833

 
14,063,656

 
12,172,326

 
10,718,811

Borrowed funds
4,461,533

 
4,546,251

 
3,263,090

 
2,766,104

 
3,367,274

Goodwill
77,571

 
77,571

 
77,571

 
77,571

 
77,571

Stockholders’ equity
3,125,451

 
3,123,245

 
3,311,647

 
3,577,855

 
1,334,327

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(In thousands)
Selected Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and dividend income
$
881,683

 
$
793,521

 
$
731,723

 
$
660,862

 
$
545,068

Interest expense
201,907

 
153,336

 
136,639

 
118,891

 
109,642

Net interest income
679,776

 
640,185

 
595,084

 
541,971

 
435,426

Provision for loan losses
16,250

 
19,750

 
26,000

 
37,500

 
50,500

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
663,526

 
620,435

 
569,084

 
504,471

 
384,926

Non-interest income
35,637

 
37,201

 
40,125

 
41,861

 
36,571

Non-interest expenses
418,574

 
358,564

 
328,332

 
339,860

 
245,711

Income before income tax expense
280,589

 
299,072

 
280,877

 
206,472

 
175,786

Income tax expense (1)
153,845

 
106,947

 
99,372

 
74,751

 
63,755

Net income
$
126,744

 
$
192,125

 
$
181,505

 
$
131,721

 
$
112,031

Earnings per share — basic
$
0.44

 
$
0.65

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.38

 
$
0.40

Earnings per share — diluted
$
0.43

 
$
0.64

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.38

 
$
0.40

 
(1) Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes $49.2 million related to the enactment of the Tax Act in December 2017.

45

 
 
At or for the Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on assets (ratio of net income to average total assets)
 
0.52
%
 
0.88
%
 
0.92
%
 
0.76
%
 
0.83
%
Return on assets - Adjusted (1)
 
0.73
%
 
0.88
%
 
0.92
%
 
0.76
%
 
0.83
%
Return on equity (ratio of net income to average equity)
 
4.00
%
 
6.06
%
 
5.26
%
 
4.71
%
 
10.00
%
Return on equity - Adjusted (1)
 
5.56
%
 
6.06
%
 
5.26
%
 
4.71
%
 
10.00
%
Net interest rate spread (2)
 
2.67
%
 
2.83
%
 
2.91
%
 
3.08
%
 
3.24
%
Net interest margin (3)
 
2.89
%
 
3.04
%
 
3.12
%
 
3.27
%
 
3.37
%
Efficiency ratio (4)
 
58.51
%
 
52.93
%
 
51.69
%
 
58.21
%
 
52.06
%
Non-interest expenses to average total assets
 
1.73
%
 
1.64
%
 
1.66
%
 
1.96
%
 
1.82
%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
 
1.26x

 
1.29x

 
1.30x

 
1.28x

 
1.15x

Dividend payout ratio (5)
 
75.00
%
 
40.00
%
 
45.45
%
 
31.58
%
 
19.61
%
Asset Quality Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-performing assets to total assets
 
0.61
%
 
0.47
%
 
0.69
%
 
0.81
%
 
0.95
%
Non-accrual loans to total loans
 
0.68
%
 
0.50
%
 
0.68
%
 
0.72
%
 
0.77
%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans (6)
 
157.46
%
 
220.18
%
 
158.43
%
 
139.10
%
 
124.30
%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
 
1.15
%
 
1.21
%
 
1.29
%
 
1.33
%
 
1.33
%
Capital Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 leverage ratio (7)
 
11.00
%
 
12.03
%
 
12.41
%
 
12.79
%
 
8.20
%
Common equity tier 1 risk-based (7)
 
13.94
%
 
14.75
%
 
15.87
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

Tier 1 risk-based capital (7)
 
13.94
%
 
14.75
%
 
15.87
%
 
17.01
%
 
10.14
%
Total-risk-based capital (7)
 
15.13
%
 
15.99
%
 
17.12
%
 
18.26
%
 
11.39
%
Equity to total assets
 
12.44
%
 
13.48
%
 
15.85
%
 
19.06
%
 
8.54
%
Tangible equity to tangible assets (8)
 
12.10
%
 
13.10
%
 
15.43
%
 
18.60
%
 
7.90
%
Average equity to average assets
 
13.06
%
 
14.52
%
 
17.41
%
 
16.16
%
 
8.32
%
Other Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Book value per common share (8)
 
$
10.64

 
$
10.53

 
$
10.30

 
$
10.39

 
$
9.85

Tangible book value per common share (8)
 
$
10.31

 
$
10.18

 
$
9.97

 
$
10.08

 
$
9.04

Number of full service offices
 
156

 
151

 
140

 
132

 
129

Full time equivalent employees
 
1,931

 
1,829

 
1,734

 
1,682

 
1,541

 
(1)
The adjusted return on assets and adjusted return on equity ratios for the year ended December 31, 2017 exclude $49.2 million of income tax expense related to the enactment of the Tax Act in December 2017.
(2)
The net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted- average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the period.
(3)
The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period.
(4)
The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.
(5)
The dividend payout ratio represents dividends paid per share divided by net income per share.
(6)
Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans and performing troubled debt restructured loans.
(7)
Ratios are for Investors Bank and do not include capital retained at the holding company level. The information presented prior to December 31, 2015 reflect the requirements in effect at that time, as the Basel III requirements became effective on January 1, 2015, see “Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation”.
(8)
Excludes goodwill and intangible assets for the calculation of tangible book value and tangible equity. For common share calculation, excludes treasury shares and unallocated ESOP shares.

46



ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Since the Company’s initial public offering in 2005, we have transitioned from a wholesale thrift business to a retail commercial bank. This transition has been primarily accomplished by increasing the amount of our commercial loans and core deposits (savings, checking and money market accounts). Our transformation can be attributed to a number of factors, including organic growth, de novo branch openings, bank and branch acquisitions, as well as product expansion. We believe the attractive markets we operate in, namely, New Jersey and the greater New York metropolitan area, will continue to provide us with growth opportunities. Our primary focus is to build and develop profitable customer relationships across all lines of business, both consumer and commercial.
Our results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is directly impacted by the market interest rate environment. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, primarily loans and investment securities, and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, primarily interest-bearing transaction accounts, time deposits, and borrowed funds. Net interest income is affected by the level and direction of interest rates, the shape of the market yield curve, the timing of the placement and the repricing of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities on our balance sheet, and the prepayment rates on our mortgage-related assets.
A flattening of the yield curve, caused primarily by rising short term interest rates combined with competitive pricing in both the loan and deposit markets, continues to create a challenging net interest margin environment. We continue to actively manage our interest rate risk against a backdrop of slow but positive economic growth and the potential for additional increases in short-term rates. If short-term interest rates increase, we may be subject to near-term net interest margin compression. Should the yield curve steepen, we may experience an improvement in net interest income, particularly if short-term interest rates do not increase further.
Our results of operations are also significantly affected by general economic conditions. In December 2017, the Tax Act was enacted which reduced our federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. This however resulted in the Company recognizing a $49.2 million increase to income tax expense for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 as a result of revaluing our deferred tax assets. While the consumer continues to benefit from lower energy costs and improved housing and employment metrics, the velocity of economic growth, domestically and internationally, while recently improving may be negatively impacted by rising interest rates.
Total assets increased $1.95 billion, or 8.4%, to $25.13 billion at December 31, 2017 from $23.17 billion at December 31, 2016. Net loans increased $1.28 billion, or 6.9%, to $19.85 billion at December 31, 2017 from $18.57 billion at December 31, 2016, while securities increased $368.4 million, or 10.8%, to $3.78 billion at December 31, 2017 from $3.42 billion at December 31, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we originated or funded $1.16 billion in multi-family loans, $705.1 million in commercial real estate loans, $663.4 million in commercial and industrial loans, $516.5 million in residential loans, $414.2 million in construction loans and $133.0 million in consumer and other loans. Our loan growth in 2017 was slower than in previous years, reflecting, in part the highly competitive nature of originating loans in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan markets. Our ongoing strategy is to continue to work towards becoming more commercial bank-like and maintain a well-diversified loan portfolio. We understand the heightened regulatory sensitivity around commercial real estate and multi-family concentration and continue to be diligent in our underwriting and credit risk monitoring of these portfolios. The overall level of non-performing loans remains low compared to our national and regional peers; however, our commercial real estate concentration is above 300% of regulatory capital and therefore subjects us to heightened regulatory scrutiny.
Capital management is a key component of our business strategy. We continue to manage our capital through a combination of organic growth, stock repurchases and cash dividends. Effective capital management and prudent growth allows us to effectively leverage the capital from the Company’s public offerings, while being mindful of tangible book value for stockholders. Our capital to total assets ratio has decreased to 12.44% at December 31, 2017 from 13.48% at December 31, 2016. Since the commencement of our first stock repurchase plan in March 2015 through December 31, 2017, the Company has repurchased a total of 67.4 million shares at an average cost of $11.95 per share totaling $805.4 million. Stockholders’ equity was impacted for the year ended December 31, 2017 by the repurchase of 4.5 million shares of common stock for $59.1 million as well as cash dividends of $0.33 per share totaling $101.6 million.
We will continue to execute our business strategies with a focus on prudent and opportunistic growth while striving to produce financial results that will create value for our stockholders. We intend to continue to grow our business by successfully

47

attracting deposits, identifying favorable loan and investment opportunities, acquiring other banks and non-bank entities, enhancing our market presence and product offerings as well as continuing investments in our people. We continue to enhance our employee training and development programs, build additional risk management and operational infrastructure and add key personnel as our Company grows and our business changes. In August 2016 we entered into an informal agreement with the FDIC and NJDOBI with regard to Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) compliance matters. Our BSA/AML team continues to work diligently to enhance the risk infrastructure procedures and technology, while ensuring its long term sustainability for the Company.

Critical Accounting Policies
We consider accounting policies that require management to exercise significant judgment or discretion or to make significant assumptions that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies.
Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses that is charged against income. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management because of the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions used, and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses has been determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, under which we are required to maintain an allowance for probable losses at the balance sheet date. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover specifically identifiable losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in our portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable. Loans acquired are marked to fair value on the date of acquisition with no valuation allowance reflected in the allowance for loan losses. In conjunction with the quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the Company performs an analysis on acquired loans to determine whether or not an allowance has been ascribed to those loans.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans determined to be impaired. A loan is deemed to be impaired if it is a commercial loan with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), and other commercial loans greater than $1.0 million if management has specific information that it is probable it will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans by type of loan, risk rating (if applicable) and payment history. In addition, the Company’s residential portfolio is subdivided between fixed and adjustable rate loans as adjustable rate loans are deemed to be subject to more credit risk if interest rates rise. Reserves for each loan segment or the loss factors are generally determined based on the Company’s historical loss experience over a look-back period determined to provide the appropriate amount of data to accurately estimate expected losses as of period end. Additionally, management assesses the loss emergence period for the expected losses of each loan segment and adjusts each historical loss factor accordingly. The loss emergence period is the estimated time from the date of a loss event (such as a personal bankruptcy) to the actual recognition of the loss (typically via the first full or partial loan charge-off), and is determined based upon a study of the Company’s past loss experience by loan segment. The loss factors may also be adjusted to account for qualitative or environmental factors that are likely to cause estimated credit losses inherent in the portfolio to differ from historical loss experience. This evaluation is based on among other things, loan and delinquency trends, general economic conditions, credit concentrations, industry trends and lending and credit management policies and procedures, but is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revisions based upon changes in economic and real estate market conditions. Actual loan losses may be different than the allowance for loan losses we have established which could have a material negative effect on our financial results.
On a quarterly basis, management reviews the current status of various loan assets in order to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. In this evaluation process, specific loans are analyzed to determine their potential risk of loss. Loans determined to be impaired are evaluated for potential loss exposure. Any shortfall results in a recommendation of a specific allowance or charge-off if the likelihood of loss is evaluated as probable. To determine the adequacy of collateral on a particular loan, an estimate of the fair value of the collateral is based on the most current appraised value available for real property or a discounted cash flow analysis on a business. This appraised value for real property is then reduced to reflect estimated liquidation expenses.

48

The allowance contains reserves identified as unallocated. These reserves reflect management’s attempt to provide for the imprecision and the uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of probable credit losses.
Our lending emphasis has been the origination of multi-family loans; commercial real estate loans; commercial and industrial loans; one- to four-family residential mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate; construction loans; and consumer loans, the majority of which are home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and cash surrender value lending on life insurance contracts. We also originate home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. These activities resulted in a concentration of loans secured by real estate property and businesses located in New Jersey and New York. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks to our loan portfolio are increases in interest rates, a decline in the general economy, and declines in real estate market values in New Jersey, New York and surrounding states. Any one or combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in increased delinquencies, loan losses and future levels of loan loss provisions. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Negative changes to appraisal assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are carefully reviewed to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans.
The Company obtains an appraisal for all commercial loans that are collateral dependent upon origination. An updated appraisal is obtained annually for loans rated substandard or worse with a balance of $500,000 or greater. An updated appraisal is obtained biennially for loans rated special mention with a balance of $2.0 million or greater. This is done in order to determine the specific reserve or charge off needed. As part of the allowance for loan losses process, the Company reviews each collateral dependent commercial loan classified as non-accrual and/or impaired and assesses whether there has been an adverse change in the collateral value supporting the loan. The Company utilizes information from its commercial lending officers and its credit department and special assets department’s knowledge of changes in real estate conditions in our lending area to identify if possible deterioration of collateral value has occurred. Based on the severity of the changes in market conditions, management determines if an updated appraisal is warranted or if downward adjustments to the previous appraisal are warranted. If it is determined that the deterioration of the collateral value is significant enough to warrant ordering a new appraisal, an estimate of the downward adjustments to the existing appraised value is used in assessing if additional specific reserves are necessary until the updated appraisal is received.
For homogeneous residential mortgage loans, the Company’s policy is to obtain an appraisal upon the origination of the loan and an updated appraisal in the event a loan becomes 90 days delinquent. Thereafter, the appraisal is updated every two years if the loan remains in non-performing status and the foreclosure process has not been completed. Management adjusts the appraised value of residential loans to reflect estimated selling costs and declines in the real estate market.
Management believes the potential risk for outdated appraisals for impaired and other non-performing loans has been mitigated due to the fact that the loans are individually assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral. Loans are generally charged off after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt.
Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, additions may be necessary if the current economic environment deteriorates. Management uses relevant information available; however, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.
Deferred Income Taxes. The Company records income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, as amended, using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities: (i) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns; (ii) are attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases; and (iii) are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and carryforwards became deductible. Where applicable, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance for any portions determined not likely to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period of enactment. The valuation allowance is adjusted, by a charge or credit to income tax expense, as changes in facts and circumstances warrant.
Investment Impairment Judgments. Certain of our assets are carried on our consolidated balance sheets at cost, fair value or at the lower of cost or fair value. Valuation allowances or write-downs are established when necessary to recognize impairment

49

of such assets. We periodically perform analyses to test for impairment of such assets. In addition to the impairment analyses related to our loans discussed above, another significant impairment analysis is the determination of whether there has been an other-than-temporary decline in the value of one or more of our securities.
Our available-for-sale portfolio is carried at estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders’ equity. While the Company does not intend to sell these securities, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities before their anticipated recovery of the remaining carrying value, we have the ability to sell the securities. Our held-to-maturity portfolio, consisting primarily of mortgage- backed securities and other debt securities for which we have a positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, is carried at carrying value. We conduct a periodic review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if the value of any security has declined below its cost or amortized cost, and whether such decline is other-than-temporary. Management utilizes various inputs to determine the fair value of the portfolio. The use of different assumptions could have a positive or negative effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
If a determination is made that a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors. The credit related component will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income as a component of gain (loss) on securities, net. The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.
Stock-Based Compensation. We recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. We estimate the per share fair value of option grants on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using assumptions for the expected dividend yield, expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected option term. These assumptions are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. The per share fair value of options is highly sensitive to changes in assumptions. In general, the per share fair value of options will move in the same direction as changes in the expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected option term, and in the opposite direction as changes in the expected dividend yield. For example, the per share fair value of options will generally increase as expected stock price volatility increases, risk-free interest rate increases, expected option term increases and expected dividend yield decreases. The use of different assumptions or different option pricing models could result in materially different per share fair values of options.
Derivative Financial Instruments. As part of our interest rate risk management, we may utilize, from time-to-time, derivative financial instruments which are recorded as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value.  The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is initially recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives, if any, would be recognized directly in earnings.
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
Total Assets. Total assets increased by $1.95 billion, or 8.4%, to $25.13 billion at December 31, 2017 from $23.17 billion at December 31, 2016. Net loans increased by $1.28 billion to $19.85 billion at December 31, 2017, securities increased by $368.4 million, or 10.8%, to $3.78 billion at December 31, 2017 from $3.42 billion at December 31, 2016 and cash increased by $454.2 million to $618.4 million at December 31, 2017 from $164.2 million at December 31, 2016.
Net Loans. Net loans increased by $1.28 billion, or 6.9%, to $19.85 billion at December 31, 2017 from $18.57 billion at December 31, 2016. The detail of the loan portfolio (including PCI loans) is below:

50

 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial Loans:
 
 
 
Multi-family loans
$
7,802,835

 
7,459,131

Commercial real estate loans
4,548,101

 
4,452,300

Commercial and industrial loans
1,625,375

 
1,275,283

Construction loans
416,883

 
314,843

Total commercial loans
14,393,194

 
13,501,557

Residential mortgage loans
5,026,517

 
4,711,880

Consumer and other
671,137

 
597,265

Total Loans
20,090,848

 
18,810,702

Deferred fees and premiums on purchased loans, net
(7,778
)
 
(12,474
)
Allowance for loan losses
(230,969
)
 
(228,373
)
Net loans
$
19,852,101

 
$
18,569,855

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we originated or funded $1.16 billion in multi-family loans, $705.1 million in commercial real estate loans, $663.4 million in commercial and industrial loans, $516.5 million in residential loans, $414.2 million in construction loans and $133.0 million in consumer and other loans. This increase in net loans reflects our continued focus on generating multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans, which was partially offset by pay downs and payoffs of loans. A significant portion of our commercial loan portfolio, including commercial and industrial loans, are secured by commercial real estate and are primarily on properties and businesses located in New Jersey and New York. In addition to the loans originated for our portfolio, our mortgage subsidiary, Investors Home Mortgage Co., originated residential mortgage loans for sale to third parties totaling $140.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. We also purchased mortgage loans from correspondent entities including other banks and mortgage bankers. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we purchased loans totaling $442.2 million from these entities.
    

51

The following table sets forth non-accrual loans (excluding PCI loans and loans held-for-sale) on the dates indicated as well as certain asset quality ratios:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
# of Loans
Amount
 
# of Loans
Amount
 
# of Loans
Amount
 
# of Loans
Amount
 
# of Loans
Amount
 
(Dollars in millions)
Multi-family
5

$
15.0

 
4

$
14.2

 
6

$
19.0

 
2

$
0.5

 
2

$
0.5

Commercial real estate
37

34.0

 
31

35.3

 
36

75.6

 
24

8.2

 
24

9.2

Commercial and industrial
11

10.0

 
6

1.9

 
5

1.8

 
4

2.2

 
8

4.7

Construction
1

0.3

 
—

—

 
—

—

 
—

—

 
—

—

Total commercial loans
54

59.3

 
41

51.4

 
47

96.4

 
30

10.9

 
34

14.4

Residential and consumer
427

76.4

 
417

74.3

 
447

81.0

 
470

76.2

 
478

79.9

Total non-accrual loans
481

$
135.7

 
458

$
125.7

 
494

$
177.4

 
500

$
87.1

 
512

$
94.3

Accruing troubled debt restructured loans
49

$
11.0

 
58

$
13.4

 
45

$
11.7

 
47

$
12.2

 
42

$
9.4

Non-accrual loans to total loans
 
0.68
%
 
 
0.63
%
 
 
0.89
%
 
 
0.45
%
 
 
0.50
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of non-accrual loans
 
170.17
%
 
 
183.09
%
 
 
129.68
%
 
 
265.16
%
 
 
242.24
%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans
 
1.15
%
 
 
1.15
%
 
 
1.16
%
 
 
1.18
%
 
 
1.21
%
Total non-accrual loans increased to $135.7 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $94.3 million at December 31, 2016. Included in the increase were $13.9 million of multi family loans, $5.6 million of commercial real estate loans and $6.4 million of commercial and industrial loans that were classified as non-accrual which were performing in accordance with their contractual terms. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company sold $48.1 million of non-performing commercial real estate and multi-family loans, resulting in no charge-off recorded through the allowance. There were no sales of non-performing loans during 2016. Classified loans as a percentage of total loans increased to 2.17% at December 31, 2017 from 1.00% at December 31, 2016. We continue to proactively and diligently work to resolve our troubled loans. At December 31, 2017, our allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans was 1.15%. At December 31, 2017, there were $43.9 million of loans deemed as TDRs, of which $27.3 million were residential and consumer loans, $14.5 million were commercial real estate loans, $1.3 million were commercial and industrial loans and $918,000 were multi-family loans. TDRs of $11.0 million were classified as accruing and $32.9 million were classified as non-accrual at December 31, 2017.
In addition to non-accrual loans, we continue to monitor our portfolio for potential problem loans. Potential problem loans are defined as loans about which we have concerns as to the ability of the borrower to comply with the current loan repayment terms and which may cause the loan to be placed on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has deemed potential problem loans, excluding PCI loans, totaling $25.4 million, which is comprised of 8 commercial real estate loans totaling $6.8 million, 12 commercial and industrial loans totaling $4.6 million and 7 multi-family loans totaling $14.0 million. Management is actively monitoring all of these loans.
The allowance for loan losses increased by $2.6 million to $231.0 million at December 31, 2017 from $228.4 million at December 31, 2016. The increase in our allowance for loan losses from December 31, 2016 is due to the inherent credit risk in our overall portfolio, the growth and composition of the loan portfolio, and the level of non-accrual loans and charge-offs. Future increases in the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on the growth and composition of the loan portfolio, the level of loan delinquency and the economic conditions in our lending area. At December 31, 2017, our allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans was 1.15%.

52

Securities. Securities are held primarily for liquidity, interest rate risk management and yield enhancement. Our Investment Policy requires that investment transactions conform to Federal and New Jersey State investment regulations. Our investments purchased may include, but are not limited to, U.S. Treasury obligations, securities issued by various Federal Agencies, State and Municipal subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities, certain certificates of deposit of insured financial institutions, overnight and short-term loans to other banks, investment grade corporate debt instruments, and mutual funds. In addition, the Company may invest in equity securities subject to certain limitations. Purchase decisions are based upon a thorough analysis of each security to determine if it conforms to our overall asset/liability management objectives. The analysis must consider its effect on our risk-based capital measurement, prospects for yield and/or appreciation and other risk factors. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale when purchased.
At December 31, 2017, our securities portfolio represented 15.1% of our total assets. Securities, in the aggregate, increased by $368.4 million, or 10.8%, to $3.78 billion at December 31, 2017 from $3.42 billion at December 31, 2016. This increase was a result of purchases partially offset by paydowns and sales.
Stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank, Bank Owned Life Insurance and Other Assets. The amount of stock we own in the FHLB decreased by $6.3 million, or 2.7% to $231.5 million at December 31, 2017 from $237.9 million at December 31, 2016. The amount of stock we own in the FHLB is primarily related to the balance of our outstanding borrowings from the FHLB. Bank owned life insurance was $155.6 million at December 31, 2017 and $161.9 million at December 31, 2016. Other assets were $3.8 million at December 31, 2017 and $14.5 million at December 31, 2016.
Deposits.  At December 31, 2017, deposits totaled $17.36 billion, representing 78.9% of our total liabilities. Our deposit strategy is focused on attracting core deposits (savings, checking and money market accounts), resulting in a deposit mix of lower cost core products. We remain committed to our plan of attracting more core deposits because core deposits represent a more stable source of low cost funds and may be less sensitive to changes in market interest rates.
Deposits increased by $2.08 billion, or 13.6%, from $15.28 billion at December 31, 2016 to $17.36 billion at December 31, 2017. Total checking accounts increased $1.24 billion to $7.33 billion at December 31, 2017 from $6.09 billion at December 31, 2016. At December 31, 2017, we held $13.90 billion in core deposits, representing 80.1% of total deposits, of which $709.7 million are brokered money market deposits. At December 31, 2017, $3.46 billion, or 19.9%, of our total deposit balances were certificates of deposit, of which included $759.5 million of brokered certificates of deposit.
Borrowed Funds.  Our FHLB borrowings, frequently referred to as advances, are collateralized by our residential and commercial mortgage portfolios. Borrowed funds decreased by $84.7 million, or 1.9%, to $4.46 billion at December 31, 2017 from $4.55 billion at December 31, 2016 to help fund the continued growth of the loan portfolio.
Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity increased by $2.2 million to $3.13 billion at December 31, 2017 from $3.12 billion at December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily attributed to net income of $126.7 million and share-based plan activity of $36.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. These increases were partially offset by cash dividends of $0.33 per share totaling $101.6 million and the repurchase of 4.5 million shares of common stock for $59.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Analysis of Net Interest Income
Net interest income represents the difference between income we earn on our interest-earning assets and the expense we pay on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income depends on the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned on such assets and paid on such liabilities.

Average Balances and Yields. The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments were made, as the effect thereof was not material. All average balances are daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances, however interest receivable on these loans have been fully reserved for and not included in interest income. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.


53

 
 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
Average
Outstanding
Balance
 
Interest
Earned/
Paid
 
Average
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Outstanding
Balance
 
Interest
Earned/
Paid
 
Average
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Outstanding
Balance
 
Interest
Earned/
Paid
 
Average
Yield/
Rate
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits
 
$
272,382

 
$
2,164

 
0.79
%
 
$
144,610

 
$
342

 
0.24
%
 
207,331

 
$
225

 
0.11
%
Securities available-for-sale
 
1,850,586

 
37,291

 
2.02

 
1,398,373

 
25,515

 
1.82

 
1,245,745

 
22,646

 
1.82

Securities held-to-maturity
 
1,704,333

 
44,923

 
2.64

 
1,836,692

 
42,643

 
2.32

 
1,708,176

 
38,547

 
2.26

Net loans
 
19,414,842

 
783,938

 
4.04

 
17,479,932

 
715,901

 
4.10

 
15,716,010

 
663,424

 
4.22

Stock in FHLB
 
243,409

 
13,367

 
5.49

 
204,735

 
9,120

 
4.45

 
172,367

 
6,881

 
3.99

Total interest-earning assets
 
23,485,552

 
881,683

 
3.75

 
21,064,342

 
793,521

 
3.77

 
19,049,629

 
731,723

 
3.84

Non-interest-earning assets
 
758,134

 
 
 
 
 
779,138

 
 
 
 
 
770,262

 
 
 
 
Total assets
 
$
24,243,686

 
 
 
 
 
$
21,843,480

 
 
 
 
 
$
19,819,891

 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings deposits
 
$
2,107,363

 
$
8,395

 
0.40
%
 
$
2,096,769

 
$
6,304

 
0.30
%
 
$
2,235,703

 
$
6,402

 
0.29
%
Interest-bearing checking
 
4,383,110

 
37,091

 
0.85

 
3,381,909

 
16,268

 
0.48

 
2,735,513

 
9,642

 
0.35

Money market accounts
 
4,240,775

 
34,366

 
0.81

 
3,925,095

 
25,621

 
0.65

 
3,564,311

 
24,136

 
0.68

Certificates of deposit
 
3,202,312

 
33,691

 
1.05

 
3,161,843

 
33,864

 
1.07

 
2,972,611

 
31,234

 
1.05

Total interest-bearing deposits
 
13,933,560

 
113,543

 
0.81

 
12,565,616

 
82,057

 
0.65

 
11,508,138

 
71,414

 
0.62

Borrowed funds
 
4,675,626

 
88,364

 
1.89

 
3,816,087

 
71,279

 
1.87

 
3,157,311

 
65,225

 
2.07

Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
18,609,186

 
201,907

 
1.08

 
16,381,703

 
153,336

 
0.94

 
14,665,449

 
136,639

 
0.93

Non-interest-bearing liabilities
 
2,468,005

 
 
 
 
 
2,289,036

 
 
 
 
 
1,702,945

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
 
21,077,191

 
 
 
 
 
18,670,739

 
 
 
 
 
16,368,394

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity
 
3,166,495

 
 
 
 
 
3,172,741

 
 
 
 
 
3,451,497

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
24,243,686

 
 
 
 
 
$
21,843,480

 
 
 
 
 
$
19,819,891

 
 
 
 
Net interest income
 
 
 
$
679,776

 
 
 
 
 
$
640,185

 
 
 
 
 
$
595,084

 
 
Net interest rate spread (1)
 
 
 
 
 
2.67
%
 
 
 
 
 
2.83
%
 
 
 
 
 
2.91
%
Net interest-earning assets (2)
 
$
4,876,366

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,682,639

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,384,180

 
 
 
 
Net interest margin (3)
 
 
 
 
 
2.89
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.04
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.12
%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to total interest-bearing liabilities
 
1.26

 
 
 
 
 
1.29

 
 
 
 
 
1.30

 
 
 
 

(1)
Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(2)
Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.
(3)
Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The net column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately, based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
2017 vs. 2016
 
Years Ended December 31,
2016 vs. 2015
 
 
Increase (Decrease) Due to
 
Net
Increase
(Decrease)
 
Increase (Decrease) Due to
 
Net
Increase
(Decrease)
 
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits
 
$
310

 
1,512

 
1,822

 
$
(86
)
 
203

 
117

Securities available-for-sale
 
8,279

 
3,497

 
11,776

 
2,772

 
97

 
2,869

Securities held-to-maturity
 
(1,582
)
 
3,862

 
2,280

 
3,103

 
993

 
4,096

Net loans
 
82,931

 
(14,894
)
 
68,037

 
77,752

 
(25,275
)
 
52,477

Stock in FHLB
 
1,719

 
2,528

 
4,247

 
1,387

 
852

 
2,239

Total interest-earning assets
 
91,657

 
(3,495
)
 
88,162

 
84,928

 
(23,130
)
 
61,798

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings deposits
 
31

 
2,060

 
2,091

 
(351
)
 
253

 
(98
)
Interest-bearing checking
 
4,760

 
16,063

 
20,823

 
2,576

 
4,050

 
6,626

Money market accounts
 
2,031

 
6,714

 
8,745

 
2,524

 
(1,039
)
 
1,485

Certificates of deposit
 
447

 
(620
)
 
(173
)
 
2,024

 
606

 
2,630

Total deposits
 
7,269

 
24,217

 
31,486

 
6,773

 
3,870

 
10,643

Borrowed funds
 
16,240

 
845

 
17,085

 
12,607

 
(6,553
)
 
6,054

Total interest-bearing liabilities
 
23,509

 
25,062

 
48,571

 
19,380

 
(2,683
)
 
16,697

Increase in net interest income
 
$
68,148

 
(28,557
)
 
39,591

 
$
65,548

 
(20,447
)
 
45,101

Comparison of Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
Net Income.  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $126.7 million compared to net income of $192.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Included in net income for 2017 was a $49.2 million increase to income tax expense related to the enactment of the Tax Act due to the revaluation of the Company’s deferred tax assets.
Net Interest Income.  Net interest income increased by $39.6 million, or 6.2%, to $679.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 from $640.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The net interest margin decreased 15 basis points to 2.89% for the year ended December 31, 2017 from 3.04% for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Interest and Dividend Income. Total interest and dividend income increased by $88.2 million, or 11.1%, to $881.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Interest income on loans increased by $68.0 million, or 9.5%, to $783.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, as a result of a $1.93 billion, or 11.1%, increase in the average balance of net loans to $19.41 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily attributed to the growth in the commercial loan portfolio. This increase was offset by a decrease of 6 basis points in the weighted average yield on net loans to 4.04%. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income, totaled $17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Interest income on all other interest-earning assets, excluding loans, increased by $20.1 million, or 25.9%, to $97.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 which is attributable to a $486.3 million increase in the average balance of all other interest earning assets, excluding loans, to $4.07 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets, excluding loans, increased 23 basis points to 2.40%.
Interest Expense. Total interest expense increased by $48.6 million, or 31.7%, to $201.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $31.5 million, or 38.4%, to $113.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The average balance of total interest-bearing deposits increased $1.37 billion, or 10.9%, to $13.93 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, the weighted average cost of interest-bearing deposits increased 16 basis points to 0.81% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Interest expense on borrowed funds increased by $17.1 million, or

54

24.0%, to $88.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The average balance of borrowed funds increased $859.5 million or 22.5%, to $4.68 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, the weighted average cost of borrowings increased 2 basis points to 1.89% for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Non-Interest Income.  Total non-interest income decreased by $1.6 million, or 4.2%, to $35.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Gain on securities transactions decreased $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. In addition, gain on loans decreased $1.6 million and other income decreased $1.1 million attributed to non-depository investment products. These decreases were offset by an increase of $3.2 million in fees and service charges for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Non-Interest Expense. Total non-interest expense was $418.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $60.0 million, or 16.7%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. In December 2017, we announced a plan to reduce operating expenses including a workforce reduction and the closure of branches. This plan resulted in the recognition of $5.9 million of expenses during the year ended December 31, 2017 attributed to $3.4 million of severance benefits and $2.5 million related to the branch closures. In addition, professional fees increased $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, largely attributable to BSA remediation efforts and the continued risk management infrastructure enhancements. Compensation and fringe benefits increased $17.1 million, excluding the workforce reduction severance benefits, for the year ended December 31, 2017 as a result of additions to our staff to support continued growth and continued build out of our risk management and operating infrastructure, as well as normal merit increases, partially offset by lower pension costs. Advertising and promotional expenses increased $5.8 million due to our current advertising campaigns and federal insurance premiums increased $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense was $153.8 million and $106.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. In December 2017, the Tax Act was enacted and resulted in the Company recognizing a $49.2 million increase to income tax expense due to the revaluation of the Company’s deferred tax assets during the year ended December 31, 2017. The effective tax rate was 54.8% for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 35.8% for the year ended December 31, 2016. Additionally, income tax expense includes the excess tax benefits related to the Company’s stock plans of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
Net Income. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $192.1 million compared to net income of $181.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $45.1 million, or 7.6%, to $640.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $595.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The net interest margin decreased 8 basis points to 3.04% for the year ended December 31, 2016 from 3.12% for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Interest and Dividend Income. Total interest and dividend income increased by $61.8 million, or 8.4%, to $793.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Interest income on loans increased by $52.5 million, or 7.9%, to $715.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as a result of a $1.8 billion, or 11.2%, increase in the average balance of net loans to $17.48 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily attributed to the growth in the commercial loan portfolio. This increase was offset by a decrease of 12 basis points in the weighted average yield on net loans to 4.10%. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income, totaled $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to $21.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Interest income on all other interest-earning assets, excluding loans, increased by $9.3 million, or 13.6%, to $77.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 which is attributable to a $250.8 million increase in the average balance of all other interest earning assets, excluding loans, to $3.58 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016. In addition, the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets, excluding loans, increased 12 basis points to 2.17%.
Interest Expense. Total interest expense increased by $16.7 million, or 12.2%, to $153.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $10.6 million, or 14.9%, to $82.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The average balance of total interest-bearing deposits increased $1.06 billion, or 9.2% to $12.57 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016. In addition, the weighted average cost of interest-bearing deposits increased 3 basis points to 0.65% for the year ended December 31, 2016. Interest expense on borrowed funds increased by $6.1 million, or 9.3%, to $71.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The average balance of borrowed funds increased $658.8 million or 20.9%, to $3.82 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was offset by a decrease of 20 basis points in the weighted average cost of borrowings to 1.87% for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Non-Interest Income. Total non-interest income decreased by $2.9 million, or 7.3%, to $37.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Gain on loans decreased for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily as a result of fewer loan sales at the Bank. Loan sales at our mortgage subsidiary were consistent year over year. In addition, gain on sale of other real estate owned

55

decreased $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. These decreases were offset by an increase of $2.1 million in gain on securities transactions for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to the sale of securities totaling $69.1 million, resulting in a gain of $3.1 million.
Non-Interest Expense. Total non-interest expense was $358.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $30.2 million, or 9.2% as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. Compensation and fringe benefits increased $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $12.8 million in equity incentive expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 resulting from the restricted stock and stock option grants on June 23, 2015 to certain employees, officers and directors of the Company, pursuant to the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan; additions to our staff to support our growth and continued build out of our risk management and operating infrastructure; as well as normal merit increases. These increases were partially offset by decreases of approximately $1.7 million in benefit expenses related to the freezing of both the defined benefit pension plan and supplemental executive retirement wage replacement plan that was approved by the Board of Directors during the fourth quarter of 2016. Office occupancy and equipment expense increased $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to new branch openings. Professional fees and other operating expenses increased $4.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2016 as we continue to enhance additional risk management and operational infrastructure as our company grows and we enhance our employee training and development programs. Included in professional fees for the three months ended December 31, 2016 is $840,000 related to the recently announced termination of the Bank of Princeton acquisition.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense was $106.9 million and $99.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU No. 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows, and accounting for forfeitures. In the fourth quarter of 2016 the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-09. Adjustments to previously reported 2016 interim periods were made to reflect the adoption of this ASU.
The adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 resulted in a tax benefit of $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes a tax benefit realized from revaluing the Company’s deferred tax asset as a result of the New York City tax law reform enacted in 2015 and a discrete item related to a net operating loss carryforward on a prior acquisition.
Management of Market Risk
Qualitative Analysis. We believe one significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk results from
timing differences in the cash flow or re-pricing of our assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts (i.e., loan commitments); the effect of loan prepayments, deposit activity; the difference in the behavior of lending and funding rates arising from the uses of different indices; and “yield curve risk” arising from changing interest rate relationships across the term structure of interest rates. Changes in market interest rates can affect net interest income by influencing the amount and rate of new loan originations, the ability of borrowers to repay variable rate loans, the volume of loan prepayments and the mix and flow of deposits.

The general objective of our interest rate risk management process is to determine the appropriate level of risk given our business model and then manage that risk in a manner consistent with our policy to reduce, to the extent possible, the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Our Asset Liability Committee, which consists of senior management and executives, evaluates the interest rate risk inherent in our balance sheet, our operating environment and capital and liquidity requirements and may modify our lending, investing and deposit gathering strategies accordingly. On a quarterly basis, our Board of Directors reviews the Asset Liability Committee report, the aforementioned activities and strategies, the estimated effect of those strategies on our net interest margin and the estimated effect that changes in market interest rates may have on the economic value of our loan and securities portfolios, as well as the intrinsic value of our deposits and borrowings.

We use various financial instruments, including derivatives, to manage our exposure to interest rate risk. Certain derivatives are designated as hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship (fair value or cash flow
hedge). As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company has cash flow hedges with aggregate notional amounts of $900.0 million and $400.0 million, respectively.

We actively evaluate interest rate risk in connection with our lending, investing and deposit activities. At December 31, 2017, 25% of our total loan portfolio was comprised of residential mortgages, of which approximately 33% was in variable rate products, while 67% was in fixed rate products. Our variable rate and short term fixed rate mortgage related assets have helped to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Long term fixed-rate products may adversely impact our net interest income

56

in a rising rate environment. The origination of commercial real estate loans, particularly multi-family loans and commercial and industrial loans, which have outpaced the growth in the residential portfolio in recent years, generally help reduce our interest rate risk due to their shorter term compared to fixed rate residential mortgage loans. In addition, we primarily invest in securities which display relatively conservative interest rate risk characteristics.

We use an internally managed and implemented industry standard asset/ liability model to complete our quarterly interest rate risk reports. The model projects net interest income based on various interest rate scenarios and horizons. We use a combination of analyses to monitor our exposure to changes in interest rates.

Our net interest income sensitivity analysis determines the relative balance between the repricing of assets and liabilities over various horizons. This asset and liability analysis includes expected cash flows from loans and securities, using forecasted prepayment rates, reinvestment rates, as well as contractual and forecasted liability cash flows. This analysis identifies mismatches in the timing of asset and liability cash flows but does not necessarily provide an accurate indicator of interest rate risk because the rate forecasts and assumptions used in the analysis may not reflect actual experiences. The economic value of equity (“EVE”) analysis estimates the change in the net present value (“NPV”) of assets and liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts over a range of immediately changed interest rate scenarios. In calculating changes in EVE, for the various scenarios we forecast loan and securities prepayment rates, reinvestment rates and deposit decay rates.
    
Quantitative Analysis. The table below sets forth, as of December 31, 2017, the estimated changes in our EVE and our net interest income that would result from the designated changes in interest rates. Such changes to interest rates are calculated as an immediate and permanent change for the purposes of computing EVE and a gradual change over a one-year period for the purposes of computing net interest income. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit decay, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. The following table reflects management’s expectations of the changes in EVE and net interest income for an interest rate decrease of 100 basis points and increase of 200 basis points.

 
 
EVE (1) (2)
 
Net Interest Income (3)
Change in
Interest Rates
(basis points)
 
Estimated
EVE
 
Estimated Increase (Decrease)
 
Estimated  Net
Interest
Income
 
Estimated Increase (Decrease)
Amount
 
Percent
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
+ 200bp
 
$
4,288,102

 
 
(377,715
)
 
(8.1
)%
 
$
628,982

 
(44,054
)
 
(6.5
)%
0bp
 
$
4,665,817

 
 
—

 
—

 
$
673,036

 
—

 
—

-100bp
 
$
4,774,987

 
 
109,170

 
2.3
 %
 
$
693,003

 
19,967

 
3.0
 %
(1)
Assumes an instantaneous and parallel shift in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)
EVE is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.
(3)
Assumes a gradual change in interest rates over a one year period at all maturities.
The table set forth above indicates at December 31, 2017, in the event of a 200 basis points increase in interest rates, we would be expected to experience a 8.1% decrease in EVE and a $44.1 million, or 6.5%, decrease in net interest income. In the event of a 100 basis points decrease in interest rates, we would be expected to experience a 2.3% increase in EVE and a $20.0 million, or 3.0%, increase in net interest income. This data does not reflect any future actions we may take in response to changes in interest rates, such as changing the mix in or growth of our assets and liabilities, which could change the results of the EVE and net interest income calculations.
As mentioned above, we use an internally developed asset liability model to compute our quarterly interest rate risk reports. Certain shortcomings are inherent in any methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in EVE and net interest income require certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. The EVE and net interest income table presented above assumes no growth and that generally the composition of our interest-rate sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and, accordingly, the data does not reflect any actions we may take in response to changes in interest rates. The table also assumes a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve. Accordingly, although the EVE and net interest income table provide an indication of our sensitivity to interest rate changes at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to and does not provide a precise forecast of the effects of changes in market interest rates on our EVE and net interest income.

57

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability to economically meet current and future financial obligations. Our primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, FHLB and other borrowings and, to a lesser extent, proceeds from the sale of loans and investment maturities. While scheduled amortization of loans is a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition. Our Asset Liability Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the needs of our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. The Company has other sources of liquidity if a need for additional funds arises, including unsecured overnight lines of credit, brokered deposits and other borrowings from the FHLB and other correspondent banks.
A primary source of funds is cash provided by cash flows on loans and securities. Principal repayments on loans for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $2.81 billion, $3.30 billion and $2.95 billion, respectively. Principal repayments on securities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $660.3 million, $671.3 million and $553.2 million, respectively. There were sales of securities during years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 of $102.1 million and $72.2 million, respectively. There were no sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2015. Included in principal repayments for the year ended December 31, 2015 were security payoffs of $2.6 million.
    
In addition to cash provided by principal and interest payments on loans and securities, our other sources of funds include cash provided by operating activities, deposits and borrowings. Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled $302.4 million, $227.1 million and $536.1 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 deposits increased $2.08 billion, $1.22 billion and $1.89 billion, respectively. Deposit flows are affected by the overall level of and direction of changes in market interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by us and our local competitors, and other factors.
For the year ended December 31, 2017 net borrowed funds decreased $84.7 million. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, net borrowed funds increased $1.28 billion, and $497.0 million, respectively largely due to new loan originations outpacing deposit growth.
Our primary use of funds are for the origination and purchase of loans and the purchase of securities. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we originated loans of $3.60 billion, $5.08 billion and $4.92 billion, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 we purchased loans of $540.9 million, $141.6 million and $198.6 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 we purchased securities of $1.15 billion, $1.04 billion and $957.9 million, respectively. In addition, we utilized $59.1 million, $363.4 million and $382.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, to repurchase shares of our common stock under our stock repurchase plans.
At December 31, 2017, we had commitments to originate commercial loans of $347.9 million. Additionally, we had commitments to originate residential loans of approximately $143.4 million and purchase residential loans of $168.2 million. Unused home equity lines of credit and undisbursed business and constructions loans totaled approximately $1.22 billion at December 31, 2017. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2017 totaled $2.84 billion, or 16.4% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including but not limited to other certificates of deposit and wholesale funding. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before December 31, 2017.
Liquidity management is both a short and long-term function of business management. Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The levels of these assets depend upon our operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At December 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents totaled $618.4 million. Securities, which provide additional sources of liquidity, totaled $3.78 billion at December 31, 2017. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, we have wholesale funding alternatives, which provide an additional source of funds. At December 31, 2017, our borrowing capacity at the FHLB was $11.58 billion, of which we had outstanding borrowings of $8.03 billion, which included letters of credit totaling $3.70 billion. In addition, the Bank had uncommitted unsecured overnight borrowing lines with other institutions totaling $475.0 million, of which no balance was outstanding at December 31, 2017.
    
Investors Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2017, Investors Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. Investors Bank is considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See “Item 1. Supervision and Regulation — Federal Banking Regulation — Capital Requirements.”

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. As a financial services provider, we routinely are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit. While these contractual obligations represent our future cash requirements, a significant portion of our commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval processes that we use for loans that we originate.
Contractual Obligations. In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include operating leases for premises and equipment.
The following table summarizes our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations and other funding needs by payment date at December 31, 2017. The payment amounts represent those amounts due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying amount adjustments.
 
 
 
Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations
 
Less than
One Year
 
One to
Three Years
 
Three to
Five Years
 
More than
Five Years
 
Total
 
 
(In thousands)
Other borrowed funds
 
$
731,000

 
$
1,694,349

 
$
1,400,703

 
$
505,000

 
$
4,331,052

Repurchase agreements
 
130,481

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
130,481

Operating leases
 
24,017

 
66,009

 
51,942

 
80,571

 
222,539

Total
 
$
885,498

 
$
1,760,358

 
$
1,452,645

 
$
585,571

 
$
4,684,072


The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s borrowings. For the year ended December 31, 2017, such derivatives were used to hedge the variability in cash flows associated with certain short term wholesale funding transactions. These derivatives had an aggregate notional amount of $900.0 million as of December 31, 2017. The fair value of the derivatives as of December 31, 2017 was a liability of $613,000. In accordance with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) rulebook changes effective January 3, 2017, the fair value is inclusive of accrued interest and variation margin posted by the CME.
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
The consolidated financial statements and related notes of Investors Bancorp, Inc. have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on performance than the effects of inflation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This update was issued to address a narrow-scope financial reporting issue that arose as a consequence of the change in the tax law. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted a tax bill, H.R.1, An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017).  ASU 2018-02 permits a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate of 35 percent and the newly enacted 21 percent corporate income tax rate.  ASU 2018-02 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for (i) public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (ii) all other entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The changes are required to be applied retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is recognized. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02, which

59

resulted in the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings totaling $4.6 million, reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. See Footnote 18, Comprehensive Income, for further details.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 718): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”. The purpose of this guidance is to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with the company’s risk management activities by expanding strategies that qualify for hedge accounting, modifying the presentation of certain hedging relationships in the financial statements and simplifying the application of hedge accounting in certain situations. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted in any interim or annual period before the effective date. ASU 2017-12 will be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment related to the elimination of the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to the balance of accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the amendments in this update are adopted. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2018 which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”. This update provides guidance about changes to terms or conditions of a share-based payment award which would require modification accounting. In particular, an entity is required to account for the effects of a modification if the fair value, vesting condition or the equity/liability classification of the modified award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the award. The update is to be applied prospectively for awards modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities”. The amendments in this update require the premium on callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date rather than the maturity date; however, securities held at a discount continue to be amortized to maturity. The amendments apply only to debt securities purchased at a premium that are callable at fixed prices and on preset dates. The amendments more closely align interest income recorded on debt securities held at a premium or discount with the economics of the underlying instrument. ASU No. 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating its provisions to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
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”, which requires that companies disaggregate the service cost component from other components of net benefit cost. This update calls for companies that offer postretirement benefits to present the service cost, which is the amount an employer has to set aside each quarter or fiscal year to cover the benefits, in the same line item with other current employee compensation costs. Other components of net benefit cost will be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. The Company adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This ASU simplifies subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 of the impairment test while retaining the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine whether the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The ASU also eliminates 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. Therefore, the same impairment assessment applies to all reporting units. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment testing dates beginning after January 1, 2017. The update is to be applied prospectively. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2017-04 to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-03, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250) and Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the September 22, 2016 and November 17, 2016 EITF Meetings (SEC Update)”, which amends certain paragraphs in the ASC to give effect to announcements made by the SEC observer at two recent Emerging Issues Task Force meetings. SEC registrants are required to reasonably estimate the impact that adoption of the standards on revenue recognition, leases, and measurement of credit losses on financial instruments is expected to have on financial statements. If such estimate is indeterminate, registrants should consider providing additional qualitative disclosures to assess the effect on financial statements as a result of adopting of these new standards. There is no effective date or transition requirements for this standard.

60

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” The amendments in this ASU provide a practical way to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen provided in this ASU requires that when all or substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. The amendments also provide other considerations to determine whether a set is a business if the screen is not met. The update is to be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the determination of whether future acquisitions are considered a business combination and the resulting impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” This ASU addresses the recognition of current and deferred taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer and amends current U.S. GAAP by eliminating the exception for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory to defer such recognition until sale to an outside party. The Company adopted ASU 2016-16 on January 1, 2018, which did not have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, a new standard which addresses diversity in practice related to eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or 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. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If it is impracticable to apply the amendments retrospectively for some of the issues, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that aren’t measured at fair value through net income. In issuing the standard, the FASB is responding to criticism that today’s guidance delays recognition of credit losses. The standard will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model. The new model, referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, will apply to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities. For AFS debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to what they do today, except that the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. As a result, entities will recognize improvements to estimated credit losses immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time, as they do today. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. ASU 2016-13 also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for loan and lease losses. In addition, entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (i.e., modified retrospective approach). While early adoption is permitted, the Company does not expect to elect that option. The Company has begun its evaluation of the amended guidance including the potential impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. The extent of the change is indeterminable at this time as it will be dependent upon portfolio composition and credit quality at the adoption date, as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time. Upon adoption, any impact to the allowance for credit losses - currently allowance for loan and lease losses - will have an offsetting impact on retained earnings.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which requires all lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset, measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments, at the lease commencement date for leases classified as operating leases as well as finance leases. The update also requires new quantitative disclosures related to leases in the Consolidated Financial Statements. There are practical expedients in this update that relate to leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs and the use of hindsight to extend or terminate a lease or purchase the leased asset. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged under the new guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective approach must be applied for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance, including determining whether other contracts exist that are deemed to be in scope. As such, no conclusions have yet been reached regarding the potential

61

impact on adoption on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and regulatory capital and risk-weighted assets; however, the Company does not expect the amendment to have a material impact on its results of operations.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments- Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This amendment supersedes the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories, requires equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income, and simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The amendment requires public business entities that are required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet to measure that fair value using the exit price notion. The amendment requires 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. The amendment requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The amendment reduces diversity in current practice by clarifying 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. Entities should apply the amendment by means of a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with the exception of the amendment related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values, which should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and liquidity due to the Company’s proportionately small portfolio of equity securities.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The objective of this amendment is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This update affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are in the scope of other standards. The ASU is effective for public business entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. Subsequently, the FASB issued the following standards related to ASU 2014-09: ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations” ; ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”; ASU 2016-11, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting”; ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”; and ASU 2017-05, “Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets.” These amendments are intended to improve and clarify the implementation guidance of ASU 2014-09 and have the same effective date as the original standard. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. As the guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans, leases, securities and derivatives that are accounted for under other U.S. GAAP, the new revenue recognition standard does not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s implementation efforts have included the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance, as well as the evaluation of revenue contracts. While there were no material changes related to the timing or amount of revenue recognition, the Company will continue to evaluate the need for additional disclosures.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
For information regarding market risk see “Item 7. - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The Financial Statements are included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K.

ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.


62

ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
With the participation of management, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2017. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of that date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
(b) Changes in internal controls.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
(c) Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting.
The management of Investors Bancorp, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Investors Bancorp’s internal control system is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of Investors Bancorp; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Investors Bancorp’s assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Investors Bancorp’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2017, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. This report appears on page 67.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Certifications have been filed with the SEC as Exhibit 31.1 and Exhibit 31.2 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.

Part III

ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information regarding directors, executive officers and corporate governance of the Company is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018.

63

ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018. Information regarding equity compensation plans is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated herein by reference in Investors Bancorp’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 22, 2018.

Part IV

ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) (1) Financial Statements






64




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Stockholders and Board of Directors
Investors Bancorp, Inc.:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 1, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have not been able to determine the specific year that we began serving as the Company’s auditor, however we are aware that we have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1954.
Short Hills, New Jersey
March 1, 2018

65


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Stockholders and Board of Directors
Investors Bancorp, Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”), and our report dated March 1, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Short Hills, New Jersey
March 1, 2018



66

INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(In thousands except share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
618,394

 
164,178

Securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
1,987,727

 
1,660,433

Securities held-to-maturity, net (estimated fair value of $1,820,125 and $1,782,801 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)
1,796,621

 
1,755,556

Loans receivable, net
19,852,101

 
18,569,855

Loans held-for-sale
5,185

 
38,298

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
231,544

 
237,878

Accrued interest receivable
72,855

 
65,969

Other real estate owned
5,830

 
4,492

Office properties and equipment, net
180,231

 
177,417

Net deferred tax asset
121,663

 
222,277

Bank owned life insurance
155,635

 
161,940

Goodwill and intangible assets
97,665

 
101,839

Other assets
3,793

 
14,543

Total assets
$
25,129,244

 
23,174,675

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Deposits
$
17,357,697

 
15,280,833

Borrowed funds
4,461,533

 
4,546,251

Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
104,308

 
105,851

Other liabilities
80,255

 
118,495

Total liabilities
22,003,793

 
20,051,430

Commitments and contingencies

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 authorized shares; none issued
—

 
—

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 359,070,852 issued at December 31, 2017 and 2016; 306,126,087 and 309,449,388 outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
3,591

 
3,591

Additional paid-in capital
2,784,390

 
2,765,732

Retained earnings
1,084,177

 
1,053,750

Treasury stock, at cost; 52,944,765 and 49,621,464 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
(633,110
)
 
(587,974
)
Unallocated common stock held by the employee stock ownership plan
(84,258
)
 
(87,254
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(29,339
)
 
(24,600
)
Total stockholders’ equity
3,125,451

 
3,123,245

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
25,129,244

 
23,174,675

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

67

INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest and dividend income:
 
 
 
 
 
Loans receivable and loans held-for-sale
$
783,938

 
715,901

 
663,424

Securities:
 
 
 
 

Equity
139

 
198

 
123

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations
486

 
36

 
45

Mortgage-backed securities
70,827

 
60,211

 
55,096

Municipal bonds and other debt
10,762

 
7,713

 
5,929

Interest-bearing deposits
2,164

 
342

 
225

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
13,367

 
9,120

 
6,881

Total interest and dividend income
881,683

 
793,521

 
731,723

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 

Deposits
113,543

 
82,057

 
71,414

Borrowed Funds
88,364

 
71,279

 
65,225

Total interest expense
201,907

 
153,336

 
136,639

Net interest income
679,776

 
640,185

 
595,084

Provision for loan losses
16,250

 
19,750

 
26,000

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
663,526

 
620,435

 
569,084

Non-interest income
 
 
 
 

Fees and service charges
20,326

 
17,148

 
17,119

Income on bank owned life insurance
3,742

 
4,423

 
3,948

Gain on loans, net
3,187

 
4,787

 
7,786

Gain on securities transactions, net
1,275

 
3,100

 
1,036

Gain on sale of other real estate owned, net
591

 
96

 
1,631

Other income
6,516

 
7,647

 
8,605

Total non-interest income
35,637

 
37,201

 
40,125

Non-interest expense
 
 
 
 

Compensation and fringe benefits
227,177

 
206,698

 
186,320

Advertising and promotional expense
14,411

 
8,644

 
10,988

Office occupancy and equipment expense
61,509

 
56,220

 
50,865

Federal deposit insurance premiums
16,610

 
12,183

 
9,050

General and administrative
3,030

 
3,131

 
4,372

Professional fees
38,853

 
20,104

 
16,104

Data processing and communication
24,364

 
21,043

 
22,366

Other operating expenses
32,620

 
30,541

 
28,267

Total non-interest expenses
418,574

 
358,564

 
328,332

Income before income tax expense
280,589

 
299,072

 
280,877

Income tax expense
153,845

 
106,947

 
99,372

Net income
$
126,744

 
192,125

 
181,505

Basic earnings per share
$
0.44

 
0.65

 
0.55

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.43

 
0.64

 
0.55

Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
290,183,952

 
297,580,834

 
329,763,527

Diluted
291,966,475

 
300,954,885

 
332,933,448

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


68

INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Net income
$
126,744

 
192,125

 
181,505

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Change in funded status of retirement obligations
(745
)
 
7,471

 
(1,455
)
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale
(8,148
)
 
(12,284
)
 
(4,933
)
Accretion of loss on securities reclassified to held to maturity
468

 
1,092

 
1,448

Reclassification adjustment for security gains included in net income
(765
)
 
(1,358
)
 
(1,547
)
Other-than-temporary impairment accretion on debt securities
(1,612
)
 
880

 
1,066

Net gains on derivatives arising during the period
6,063

 
7,424

 
—

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
(4,739
)
 
3,225

 
(5,421
)
Total comprehensive income
$
122,005

 
195,350

 
176,084



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

69

INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Year ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
 
Common
stock
 
Additional
paid-in
capital
 
Retained
earnings
 
Treasury
stock
 
Unallocated
Common Stock
Held by ESOP
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
 
Total
stockholders’
equity
 
(In thousands except share data)
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
3,591

 
2,864,406

 
836,639

 
(11,131
)
 
(93,246
)
 
(22,404
)
 
3,577,855

Net income
—

 
—

 
181,505

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
181,505

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(5,421
)
 
(5,421
)
Purchase of treasury stock (31,576,421 shares)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(382,922
)
 
—

 
—

 
(382,922
)
Treasury stock allocated to restricted stock plan (6,849,832 shares)
—

 
(85,897
)
 
5,472

 
80,425

 
—

 
—

 
—

Compensation cost for stock options and restricted stock
—

 
9,220

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
9,220

Net tax benefit from stock-based compensation
—

 
2,985

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,985

Option exercise
—

 
(9,045
)
 
—

 
19,164

 
—

 
—

 
10,119

Restricted stock forfeitures (90,000 shares)
—

 
1,129

 
(181
)
 
(948
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Cash dividend paid ($0.25 per common share)
—

 
—

 
(87,395
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(87,395
)
ESOP shares allocated or committed to be released
—

 
2,705

 
—

 
—

 
2,996

 
—

 
5,701

Balance at December 31, 2015
3,591

 
2,785,503

 
936,040

 
(295,412
)
 
(90,250
)
 
(27,825
)
 
3,311,647

Cumulative effect of adopting ASU No. 2016-09
—

 
(8,051
)
 
8,051

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Net income
—

 
—

 
192,125

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
192,125

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,225

 
3,225

Purchase of treasury stock (31,336,369 shares)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(363,410
)
 
—

 
—

 
(363,410
)
Treasury stock allocated to restricted stock plan (276,890 shares)
—

 
(3,237
)
 
(85
)
 
3,322

 
—

 
—

 
—

Compensation cost for stock options and restricted stock
—

 
21,975

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
21,975

Option exercise
—

 
(34,325
)
 
—

 
68,642

 
—

 
—

 
34,317

Restricted stock forfeitures (100,205 shares)
—

 
1,206

 
(90
)
 
(1,116
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Cash dividend paid ($0.26 per common share)
—

 
—

 
(82,291
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(82,291
)
ESOP shares allocated or committed to be released
—

 
2,661

 
—

 
—

 
2,996

 
—

 
5,657

Balance at December 31, 2016
3,591

 
2,765,732

 
1,053,750

 
(587,974
)
 
(87,254
)
 
(24,600
)
 
3,123,245

Net income
—

 
—

 
126,744

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
126,744

Effect of adopting ASU No. 2018-02
—

 
—

 
4,629

 
—

 
—

 
(4,629
)
 
—

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(110
)
 
(110
)
Purchase of treasury stock (4,463,669 shares)
—

 
—

 
—

 
(59,090
)
 
—

 
—

 
(59,090
)
Treasury stock allocated to restricted stock plan (440,000 shares)
—

 
(6,329
)
 
1,030

 
5,299

 
—

 
—

 
—

Compensation cost for stock options and restricted stock
—

 
20,542

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
20,542

Option exercise
—

 
(3,689
)
 
—

 
12,830

 
—

 
—

 
9,141

Restricted stock forfeitures (367,734 shares)
—

 
4,601

 
(426
)
 
(4,175
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Cash dividend paid ($0.33 per common share)
—

 
—

 
(101,550
)
 

 
—

 
—

 
(101,550
)
ESOP shares allocated or committed to be released
—

 
3,533

 
—

 
—

 
2,996

 
—

 
6,529

Balance at December 31, 2017
3,591

 
2,784,390

 
1,084,177

 
(633,110
)
 
(84,258
)
 
(29,339
)
 
3,125,451

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

70

INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
126,744

 
192,125

 
181,505

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
ESOP and stock-based compensation expense
27,071

 
27,632

 
14,921

Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on securities, net
15,077

 
13,702

 
13,943

Amortization of premiums and accretion of fees and costs on loans, net
(4,506
)
 
(4,508
)
 
(10,122
)
Amortization of intangible assets
2,427

 
2,881

 
3,350

Provision for loan losses
16,250

 
19,750

 
26,000

Depreciation and amortization of office properties and equipment
17,421

 
16,190

 
13,930

Gain on securities transactions, net
(1,275
)
 
(3,100
)
 
(1,036
)
Mortgage loans originated for sale
(140,171
)
 
(245,792
)
 
(238,608
)
Proceeds from mortgage loan sales
175,669

 
219,078

 
590,636

Gain on sales of mortgage loans, net
(2,384
)
 
(4,154
)
 
(5,258
)
Gain on sale of other real estate owned
(591
)
 
(96
)
 
(1,631
)
Income on bank owned life insurance
(3,742
)
 
(4,423
)
 
(3,948
)
Increase in accrued interest receivable
(6,886
)
 
(7,406
)
 
(3,296
)
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
100,008

 
11,640

 
(3,180
)
Decrease in other assets
19,840

 
3,479

 
4,245

Decrease in other liabilities
(38,542
)
 
(9,862
)
 
(45,332
)
Total adjustments
175,666

 
35,011

 
354,614

Net cash provided by operating activities
302,410

 
227,136

 
536,119

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of loans receivable
(540,898
)
 
(141,562
)
 
(198,623
)
Net originations of loans receivable
(807,105
)
 
(1,795,505
)
 
(1,990,008
)
Proceeds from disposition of loans held for investment
48,902

 
10,398

 
49,938

Gain on disposition of loans held for investment
(803
)
 
(646
)
 
(2,528
)
Net proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate
4,751

 
5,021

 
7,104

Proceeds from principal repayments/calls/maturities of securities available for sale
339,049

 
302,769

 
252,683

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale
102,120

 
57,879

 
—

Proceeds from principal repayments/calls/maturities of securities held to maturity
321,294

 
368,543

 
300,549

Proceeds from sales of securities held to maturity
—

 
14,348

 
—

Purchases of securities available for sale
(785,917
)
 
(744,380
)
 
(375,605
)
Purchases of securities held to maturity
(364,837
)
 
(295,157
)
 
(582,337
)
Proceeds from redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
180,599

 
215,142

 
157,342

Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
(174,265
)
 
(274,583
)
 
(184,492
)
Purchases of office properties and equipment
(20,235
)
 
(21,088
)
 
(25,550
)

71

Death benefit proceeds from bank owned life insurance
10,047

 
875

 
6,405

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,687,298
)
 
(2,297,946
)
 
(2,585,122
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase in deposits
2,076,864

 
1,217,177

 
1,891,330

Repayments of funds borrowed under other repurchase agreements
(23,000
)
 
—

 
(10,000
)
Net (decrease) increase in other borrowings
(61,718
)
 
1,283,161

 
506,986

Net (decrease) increase in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance
(1,543
)
 
(2,870
)
 
38,828

Dividends paid
(101,550
)
 
(82,291
)
 
(87,395
)
Exercise of stock options
9,141

 
34,317

 
10,119

Purchase of treasury stock
(59,090
)
 
(363,410
)
 
(382,922
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
1,839,104

 
2,086,084

 
1,966,946

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
454,216

 
15,274

 
(82,057
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
164,178

 
148,904

 
230,961

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
618,394

 
164,178

 
148,904

Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
 
Non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Real estate acquired through foreclosure
5,913

 
3,351

 
4,448

Transfer of loans to loans held for sale
—

 
—

 
347,955

Cash paid during the year for:
 
 
 
 

    Interest
197,810

 
152,807

 
135,930

    Income taxes
101,948

 
117,127

 
88,169

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

72

INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following significant accounting and reporting policies of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary (collectively, the Company) conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and are used in preparing and presenting these consolidated financial statements.
 
(a)
Basis of Presentation    
The consolidated financial statements are comprised of the accounts of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Investors Bank (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements to conform with current year classifications. In the opinion of management, all the adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial condition and the consolidated results of operations for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations and other data presented for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for subsequent years.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The estimate of our allowance for loan losses, the valuation of deferred tax assets, impairment judgments and fair value regarding securities, stock based compensation and derivative instruments are particularly critical because they involve a higher degree of complexity and subjectivity and require estimates and assumptions about highly uncertain matters. Actual results may differ from our estimates and assumptions. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these material estimates.
Business
Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s primary business is holding the common stock of the Bank and a loan to the Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Bank provides banking services to customers primarily through branch offices in New Jersey and New York. The Bank’s competition for loans and deposits comes principally from commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms, credit unions and insurance companies. The Company faces additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds, brokerage firms and mutual funds and is subject to the regulations of certain federal and state regulatory authorities and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.
 
(b)
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, amounts due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions. The Company is required by the Federal Reserve System to maintain cash reserves equal to a percentage of certain deposits. The reserve requirement totaled $68.3 million at December 31, 2017 and $62.8 million at December 31, 2016.
 
(c)
Securities
Securities include securities held-to-maturity and securities available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. If management has the positive intent not to sell and the Company would not be required to sell prior to maturity, they are classified as held-to-maturity securities. Such securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for unamortized purchase premiums and discounts. Securities in the available-for-sale category are debt and mortgage-backed securities which the Company may sell prior to maturity, and all marketable equity securities. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value with any unrealized appreciation or depreciation, net of tax effects, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss in stockholders’ equity. Discounts and premiums on securities are accreted or amortized using the level-yield method over the estimated lives of the securities, including the effect of prepayments. Realized gains and losses are recognized when securities are sold or called using the specific identification method.
The Company periodically evaluates the security portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment. Other-than-temporary impairment means the Company believes the security’s impairment is due to factors that could include its inability to pay interest or dividends, its potential for default, and/or other factors. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320, ”Investments — Debt and Equity Securities”, when a held to maturity or available for sale debt security is assessed for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company has to first consider (a) whether it intends to sell the security, and (b) whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. If one of these circumstances applies to a security, an other-than-temporary impairment

73

loss is recognized in the statement of income equal to the full amount of the decline in fair value below amortized cost. If neither of these circumstances applies to a security, but the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment loss has occurred that must be separated into two categories: (a) the amount related to credit loss, and (b) the amount related to other factors. In assessing the level of other-than-temporary impairment attributable to credit loss, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected with the amortized cost basis of the security. The portion of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss is recognized in earnings, while the amount related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. The total other-than-temporary impairment loss is presented in the statement of income, less the portion recognized in other comprehensive income. When a debt security becomes other-than-temporarily impaired, its amortized cost basis is reduced to reflect the portion of the total impairment related to credit loss.
To determine whether a security’s impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers factors that include, the duration and severity of the impairment; the Company’s ability and intent to hold security investments until they recover in value (as well as the likelihood of such a recovery in the near term); the Company’s intent to sell security investments; and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell such securities before recovery of their individual amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss. For debt securities, the primary consideration in determining whether impairment is other-than-temporary is whether or not it is probable that current or future contractual cash flows have been or may be impaired.
 
(d)
Loans Receivable, Net
Loans receivable, other than loans held-for-sale, are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted by unamortized premiums and unearned discounts, net deferred origination fees and costs, net purchase accounting adjustments and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to income as earned. Premiums and discounts on purchased loans and net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and amortized to interest income over the estimated life of the loan as an adjustment to yield.
The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses charged to earnings and is decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance which considers, among other things, the Company’s past loan loss experience (using the appropriate look-back and loss emergence periods), known and inherent risks in the portfolio, existing adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions. While management uses available information to recognize estimated losses on loans, future additions may be necessary based on changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based upon their judgments and information available to them at the time of their examinations.
A loan is considered delinquent when we have not received a payment within 30 days of its contractual due date. The accrual of income on loans is discontinued when interest or principal payments are 90 days in arrears or when the timely collection of such income is doubtful. Loans on which the accrual of income has been discontinued are designated as non-accrual loans and outstanding interest previously credited is reversed. Interest income on non-accrual loans and impaired loans is recognized in the period collected unless the ultimate collection of principal is considered doubtful. A loan is returned to accrual status when all amounts due have been received and the remaining principal is deemed collectible. Loans are generally charged off after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt.
The Company defines an impaired loan as a loan for which it is probable, based on current information, that the lender will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company evaluates commercial loans with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), and other commercial loans with $1.0 million in outstanding principal if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are individually evaluated to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the expected future cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans are evaluated for impairment collectively unless they are modified in a troubled debt restructure. Such loans include residential mortgage loans, consumer loans, and loans not meeting the Company’s definition of impaired, and are specifically excluded from impaired loans.
Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans, are loans acquired at a discount due, in part, to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”, and are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance (i.e., the allowance for loan losses). The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the initial carrying amount (fair value) of the PCI loans, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income utilizing the level-yield method over the life of the loans. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “non-accretable difference,” are not recognized as a yield adjustment, as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Reclassifications of the non-accretable difference to the accretable yield may occur subsequent to the loan

74

acquisition dates due to increases in expected cash flows of the loans and would result in an increase in yield on a prospective basis.

(e)
Loans Held-for-Sale
Loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, as determined on an aggregate basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized in a valuation allowance through charges to earnings. Premiums and discounts and origination fees and costs on loans held-for-sale are deferred and recognized as a component of the gain or loss on sale. Gains and losses on sales of loans held-for-sale are recognized on settlement dates and are determined by the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the loans. These transactions are accounted for as sales based on our satisfaction of the criteria for such accounting which provide that, as transferor, we have surrendered control over the loans.

(f)
Stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank
The Bank, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”), is required to hold shares of capital stock of the FHLB based on our activities, primarily our outstanding borrowings, with the FHLB. The stock is carried at cost, less any impairment.

(g)
Office Properties and Equipment, Net
Land is carried at cost. Office buildings, leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Office buildings and furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases or the lives of the assets, whichever is shorter.

(h)
Bank Owned Life Insurance
Bank owned life insurance is carried at the amount that could be realized under the Company’s life insurance contracts as of the date of the consolidated balance sheets and is classified as a non-interest earning asset. Increases in the carrying value are recorded as non-interest income in the consolidated statements of income and insurance proceeds received are generally recorded as a reduction of the carrying value. The carrying value consists of cash surrender value of $147.7 million at December 31, 2017 and $152.8 million at December 31, 2016 and a claims stabilization reserve of $8.0 million at December 31, 2017 and $9.1 million at December 31, 2016. Repayment of the claims stabilization reserve (funds transferred from the cash surrender value to provide for future death benefit payments) and the deferred acquisition costs (costs incurred by the insurance carrier for the policy issuance) is guaranteed by the insurance carrier provided that certain conditions are met at the date on which a contract is surrendered. The Company satisfied these conditions at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(i)
Intangible Assets
Goodwill. Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite useful life and is tested, at least annually, for impairment at the reporting unit level. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. For purposes of our goodwill impairment testing, we have identified the Bank as a single reporting unit.
At December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of our goodwill totaled $77.6 million. In connection with our annual impairment assessment we applied the guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company’s qualitative assessment concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.
Mortgage Servicing Rights. The Company recognizes as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans. The right to service loans for others is generally obtained through the sale of loans with servicing retained. The initial asset recognized for originated mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) is measured at fair value. The estimated fair value of MSR is obtained through independent third party valuations through an analysis of future cash flows, incorporating assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value including market discount rates, prepayment speeds, servicing income, servicing costs, default rates and other market driven data, including the market’s perception of future interest rate movements. MSR are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. We apply the amortization method for measurements of our MSR. MSR are assessed for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. MSR impairment, if any, is recognized in a valuation allowance through charges to earnings as a component of fees and service charges. Subsequent increases in the fair value of impaired MSR are recognized only up to the amount of the previously recognized valuation allowance. Fees earned for servicing loans are reported as income when the related mortgage loan payments are collected.

75

Core Deposit Premiums. Core deposit premiums represent the intangible value of depositor relationships assumed in purchase acquisitions and are amortized on an accelerated basis over 10 years. The Company periodically evaluates the value of core deposit premiums to ensure the carrying amount exceeds it implied fair value.

(j)
Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned (“REO”) consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Such assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated selling costs, based on independent appraisals. Write-downs required at the time of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Thereafter, decreases in the properties’ estimated fair value are charged to income along with any additional property maintenance and protection expenses incurred in owning the properties.

(k)
Borrowed Funds
    Our FHLB borrowings, frequently referred to as advances, are collateralized by our residential and non-residential mortgage portfolios. In addition, the Bank had uncommitted unsecured overnight borrowing lines with other institutions totaling $475.0 million, of which no balance was outstanding at December 31, 2017.
The Bank also enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase with selected brokers and the FHLB. The securities underlying the agreements are delivered to the counterparty who agrees to resell to the Bank the identical securities at the maturity or call of the agreement. These agreements are recorded as financing transactions, as the Bank maintains effective control over the transferred securities, and no gain or loss is recognized. The dollar amount of the securities underlying the agreements continues to be carried in the Bank’s securities portfolio. The obligations to repurchase the securities are reported as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets.

(l)
Income Taxes
The Company records income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” as amended, using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities: (i) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns; (ii) are attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases; and (iii) are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and carryforwards became deductible. Where applicable, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance for any portions determined not likely to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period of enactment. The valuation allowance is adjusted, by a charge or credit to income tax expense, as changes in facts and circumstances warrant. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, where applicable, in income tax expense.
 
(m)
Employee Benefits
The Company has a defined-benefit pension plan which operates as a multi-employer plan for accounting purposes and as a multiple-employer plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. As of December 31, 2016, the annual benefit provided under the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions (“Pentegra DB Plan”) was frozen by an amendment to the plan. Freezing the plan eliminates all future benefit accruals and each participant’s frozen accrued benefit was determined as of December 31, 2016 and no further benefits will accrue beyond such date.
The Company has an Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan (“Wage Replacement Plan”) and the Supplemental Retirement Plan (“SERP I”) (collectively, the “SERPs”). The Wage Replacement Plan is a nonqualified, defined benefit plan which provides benefits to certain executives as designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. More specifically, the Wage Replacement Plan was designed to provide participants with a normal retirement benefit equal to an annual benefit of 60% of the participant’s highest annual base salary and cash incentive (over a consecutive 36-month period within the participant’s credited service period) reduced by the sum of the benefits provided under the Pentegra DB Plan and SERP I.
Effective as of the close of business of December 31, 2016, the Wage Replacement Plan was amended to freeze future benefit accruals, and for certain participants, structure the benefits payable attributable solely to the participants’ 2016 year of service to vest over a two-year period such that the participants had a right to 50% of their accrued benefits attributable to their 2016 year of service as of December 31, 2016, which became 100% vested as of December 31, 2017.
The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees. The Company currently matches 50% of the first 8% contributed by participants and recognizes expense as its contributions are made. In addition, the 401(k) plan includes a discretionary profit sharing plan for eligible employees.

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The employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is accounted for in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718-40, “Employers’ Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans.” The funds borrowed by the ESOP from the Company to purchase the Company’s common stock are being repaid from the Bank’s contributions over a period of up to 30 years. The Company’s common stock not yet allocated to participants is recorded as a reduction of stockholders’ equity at cost. Compensation expense for the ESOP is based on the market price of the Company’s stock and is recognized as shares are committed to be released to participants due to the repayment of the loan by the ESOP to the Company.
The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”. The Company estimates the per share fair value of option grants on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using assumptions for the expected dividend yield, expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected option term. These assumptions are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. The Black-Scholes option pricing model also contains certain inherent limitations when applied to options that are not traded on public markets.
The per share fair value of options is highly sensitive to changes in assumptions. In general, the per share fair value of options will move in the same direction as changes in the expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected option term, and in the opposite direction as changes in the expected dividend yield. For example, the per share fair value of options will generally increase as expected stock price volatility increases, risk-free interest rate increases, expected option term increases and expected dividend yield decreases. The use of different assumptions or different option pricing models could result in materially different per share fair values of options.

(n)
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per common share, or EPS, are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the year. The weighted-average common shares outstanding includes the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding less the weighted average number of unvested shares of restricted stock and unallocated shares held by the ESOP. For EPS calculations, ESOP shares that have been committed to be released are considered outstanding. ESOP shares that have not been committed to be released are excluded from outstanding shares on a weighted average basis for EPS calculations.
Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but includes the effect of all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period, such as unexercised stock options and unvested shares of restricted stock, calculated using the treasury stock method. When applying the treasury stock method, we add: (1) the assumed proceeds from option exercises and (2) the average unamortized compensation costs related to unvested shares of restricted stock and stock options. We then divide this sum by our average stock price to calculate shares repurchased. The excess of the number of shares issuable over the number of shares assumed to be repurchased is added to basic weighted average common shares to calculate diluted EPS.

(o)
Derivative Financial Instruments
As part of our interest rate risk management, we may utilize, from time-to-time, derivative financial instruments which are recorded as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value, inclusive of accrued interest and variation margin posted in accordance with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is initially recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives would be recognized directly in earnings.

2. Stock Transactions
Stock Repurchase Programs
Under applicable federal regulations, the Company was not permitted to implement a stock repurchase program during the first year following completion of the second-step conversion without prior notice to, and the receipt of a non-objection from, the Federal Reserve Board. On March 16, 2015, the Company announced it had received approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to commence a 5% buyback program prior to the one-year anniversary of the completion of its second step conversion. Accordingly, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 17,911,561 shares. The first program was completed on June 30, 2015.
On June 9, 2015, the Company announced its second share repurchase program, which authorized the purchase of an additional 10% of its publicly-held outstanding shares of common stock, or 34,779,211 shares. The second repurchase program commenced immediately upon completion of the first repurchase plan on June 30, 2015. The second program was completed on June 17, 2016.

77

On April 28, 2016, the Company announced its third share repurchase program, which authorized the purchase of an additional 10% of its publicly-held outstanding shares of common stock, or 31,481,189 shares. The third repurchase program commenced immediately upon completion of the second repurchase plan on June 17, 2016.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company purchased 4,463,669 shares at a cost of $59.1 million, or approximately $13.24 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company purchased 31,336,369 shares at a cost of $363.4 million, or approximately $11.60 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company purchased 31,576,421 shares at a cost of $382.9 million, or approximately $12.13 per share.
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, shares repurchased include 313,269 shares and 256,405 shares, respectively, withheld to cover income taxes related to restricted stock vesting under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. Shares withheld to pay income taxes are repurchased pursuant to the terms of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
Cash Dividends
Since September 2012, we have paid a quarterly cash dividend. Our dividend payout ratio for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 75%.

3. Securities
The following tables present the carrying value, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value for available-for-sale securities and the amortized cost, net unrealized losses, carrying value, gross unrecognized gains and losses and estimated fair value for held-to-maturity securities as of the dates indicated:

 
At December 31, 2017
 
Carrying value
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
 
(In thousands)
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
4,911

 
903

 
113

 
5,701

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
649,060

 
382

 
9,200

 
640,242

Federal National Mortgage Association
1,322,255

 
700

 
19,379

 
1,303,576

Government National Mortgage Association
39,577

 
—

 
1,369

 
38,208

Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale
2,010,892

 
1,082

 
29,948

 
1,982,026

Total available-for-sale securities
$
2,015,803

 
1,985

 
30,061

 
1,987,727


78

 
At December 31, 2017
 
Amortized cost
 
Net unrealized losses (1)
 
Carrying value
 
Gross
unrecognized
gains (2)
 
Gross
unrecognized
losses (2)
 
Estimated
fair value
 
(In thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government-sponsored enterprises
$
43,281

 
—

 
43,281

 
—

 
685

 
42,596

Municipal bonds
40,595

 
—

 
40,595

 
1,251

 
—

 
41,846

Corporate and other debt securities
68,232

 
20,145

 
48,087

 
38,207

 
—

 
86,294

Total debt securities held-to-maturity
152,108

 
20,145

 
131,963

 
39,458

 
685

 
170,736

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
474,314

 
969

 
473,345

 
530

 
5,439

 
468,436

Federal National Mortgage Association
1,102,242

 
1,149

 
1,101,093

 
2,787

 
12,280

 
1,091,600

Government National Mortgage Association
90,220

 
—

 
90,220

 
—

 
867

 
89,353

Total mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity
1,666,776

 
2,118

 
1,664,658

 
3,317

 
18,586

 
1,649,389

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
1,818,884

 
22,263

 
1,796,621

 
42,775

 
19,271

 
1,820,125


(1) Net unrealized losses of held-to-maturity corporate and other debt securities represent the other than temporary charge related to other non-credit factors and is being amortized through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) over the remaining life of the securities. For mortgage-backed securities, it represents the net loss on previously designated available-for sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity at fair value and is being amortized through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) over the remaining life of the securities.
(2) Unrecognized gains and losses of held-to-maturity securities are not reflected in the financial statements, as they represent fair value fluctuations from the later of: (i) the date a security is designated as held-to-maturity; or (ii) the date that an other than temporary impairment charge is recognized on a held-to-maturity security, through the date of the balance sheet.

 
At December 31, 2016
 
Carrying value
 
Gross
unrealized
gains
 
Gross
unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
 
(In thousands)
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
5,825

 
918

 
83

 
6,660

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
603,774

 
1,971

 
7,306

 
598,439

Federal National Mortgage Association
1,022,383

 
2,678

 
16,474

 
1,008,587

Government National Mortgage Association
47,538

 
—

 
791

 
46,747

Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale
1,673,695

 
4,649

 
24,571

 
1,653,773

Total available-for-sale securities
$
1,679,520

 
5,567

 
24,654

 
1,660,433


79

 
At December 31, 2016
 
Amortized cost
 
Net unrealized losses (1)
 
Carrying Value
 
Gross
unrecognized
gains (2)
 
Gross
unrecognized
losses (2)
 
Estimated
fair value
 
(In thousands)
Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government-sponsored enterprises
$
2,128

 
—

 
2,128

 
12

 
—

 
2,140

Municipal bonds
37,978

 
—

 
37,978

 
1,515

 
—

 
39,493

Corporate and other debt securities
65,852

 
21,760

 
44,092

 
40,153

 
—

 
84,245

Total debt securities held-to-maturity
105,958

 
21,760

 
84,198

 
41,680

 
—

 
125,878

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
411,692

 
1,559

 
410,133

 
793

 
3,502

 
407,424

Federal National Mortgage Association
1,246,635

 
1,802

 
1,244,833

 
3,635

 
15,389

 
1,233,079

Government National Mortgage Association
16,392

 
—

 
16,392

 
28

 
—

 
16,420

Total mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity
1,674,719

 
3,361

 
1,671,358

 
4,456

 
18,891

 
1,656,923

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
1,780,677

 
25,121

 
1,755,556

 
46,136

 
18,891

 
1,782,801


(1) Net unrealized losses of held-to-maturity corporate and other debt securities represent the other than temporary charge related to other non-credit factors and is being amortized through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) over the remaining life of the securities. For mortgage-backed securities, it represents the net loss on previously designated available-for sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity at fair value and is being amortized through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) over the remaining life of the securities.
(2) Unrecognized gains and losses of held-to-maturity securities are not reflected in the financial statements, as they represent fair value fluctuations from the later of: (i) the date a security is designated as held-to-maturity; or (ii) the date that an other-than-temporary impairment charge is recognized on a held-to-maturity security, through the date of the balance sheet.
At December 31, 2017, corporate and other debt securities include a portfolio of collateralized debt obligations backed by pooled trust preferred securities (“TruPS”), principally issued by banks and to a lesser extent insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, and collateralized debt obligations. At December 31, 2017 the TruPS had a carrying value and estimated fair value of $43.1 million and $81.2 million, respectively. While all were investment grade at purchase, securities classified as non-investment grade at December 31, 2017 had an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $41.0 million and $74.9 million, respectively. Fair value is derived from considering specific assumptions, including terms of the TruPS structure, events of deferrals, defaults and liquidations, the projected cash flow for principal and interest payments, and discounted cash flow modeling.
Investment securities with a carrying value of $1.11 billion and an estimated fair value of $1.09 billion are pledged to secure borrowings and municipal deposits. The contractual maturities of the Bank’s mortgage-backed securities are generally less than 20 years with effective lives expected to be shorter due to prepayments. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to underlying loan prepayments or early call privileges of the issuer, therefore, mortgage-backed securities are not included in the following table. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below. 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated
fair value
 
(In thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
38,333

 
38,333

Due after one year through five years
—

 
—

Due after five years through ten years
50,544

 
51,184

Due after ten years
43,086

 
81,219

Total
$
131,963

 
170,736


80


Gross unrealized losses on securities and the estimated fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, was as follows:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 
Estimated
fair value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
(In thousands)
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Securities
$
4,778

 
113

 
—

 
—

 
4,778

 
113

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
365,078

 
3,115

 
220,744

 
6,085

 
585,822

 
9,200

Federal National Mortgage Association
684,327

 
6,276

 
447,310

 
13,103

 
1,131,637

 
19,379

Government National Mortgage Association
14,981

 
283

 
23,227

 
1,086

 
38,208

 
1,369

Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale
1,064,386

 
9,674

 
691,281

 
20,274

 
1,755,667

 
29,948

Total available-for-sale securities
1,069,164

 
9,787

 
691,281

 
20,274

 
1,760,445

 
30,061

Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Government-sponsored enterprises
$
42,596

 
685

 
—

 
—

 
42,596

 
685

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
290,340

 
2,946

 
111,849

 
2,493

 
402,189

 
5,439

Federal National Mortgage Association
369,484

 
2,380

 
430,955

 
9,900

 
800,439

 
12,280

Government National Mortgage Association
51,126

 
867

 
—

 
—

 
51,126

 
867

Total mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity
710,950

 
6,193

 
542,804

 
12,393

 
1,253,754

 
18,586

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
753,546

 
6,878

 
542,804

 
12,393

 
1,296,350

 
19,271

Total
$
1,822,710

 
16,665

 
1,234,085

 
32,667

 
3,056,795

 
49,332

 

81

 
December 31, 2016
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
 
Estimated
fair value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
Estimated
fair value
 
Unrealized
losses
 
(In thousands)
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Securities
$
4,722

 
83

 
—

 
—

 
4,722

 
83

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
406,878

 
7,220

 
12,756

 
86

 
419,634

 
7,306

Federal National Mortgage Association
762,272

 
15,977

 
25,089

 
497

 
787,361

 
16,474

Government National Mortgage Association
46,747

 
791

 
—

 
—

 
46,747

 
791

Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale
1,215,897

 
23,988

 
37,845

 
583

 
1,253,742

 
24,571

Total available-for-sale securities
1,220,619

 
24,071

 
37,845

 
583

 
1,258,464

 
24,654

Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
339,666

 
3,354

 
3,623

 
148

 
343,289

 
3,502

Federal National Mortgage Association
970,194

 
15,389

 
—

 
—

 
970,194

 
15,389

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
1,309,860

 
18,743

 
3,623

 
148

 
1,313,483

 
18,891

Total
$
2,530,479

 
42,814

 
41,468

 
731

 
2,571,947

 
43,545

At December 31, 2017, the majority of gross unrealized losses primarily relate to our mortgage-backed-security portfolio which is comprised of securities issued by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises. The fair values of these securities have been negatively impacted by the recent increase in intermediate-term market interest rates.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (“OTTI”)
We conduct a quarterly review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if the value of any security has declined below its cost or amortized cost, and whether such decline is other-than-temporary. If a determination is made that a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors. The credit related component will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income. The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.
With the assistance of a valuation specialist, we evaluate the credit and performance of each issuer underlying our pooled trust preferred securities. Cash flows for each security are forecasted using assumptions for defaults, recoveries, pre-payments and amortization. At December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 management deemed that the present value of projected cash flows for each security was greater than the book value and did not recognize any additional OTTI charges for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. At December 31, 2017, non-credit related OTTI recorded on the previously impaired TruPS was $20.1 million ($14.5 million after-tax). This amount is being accreted into income over the estimated remaining life of the securities.

82

The following table presents the changes in the credit loss component of the impairment loss of debt securities that the Company has written down for such loss as an other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings.
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Balance of credit related OTTI, beginning of period
$
95,743

 
100,200

 
108,817

Additions:
 
 
 
 
 
Initial credit impairments
—

 
—

 
—

Subsequent credit impairments
—

 
—

 
—

Reductions:
 
 
 
 
 
Accretion of credit loss impairment due to an increase in expected cash flows
(6,164
)
 
(4,457
)
 
(3,804
)
Reductions for securities sold or paid off during the period
(3,811
)
 
—

 
(4,813
)
Balance of credit related OTTI, end of period
$
85,768

 
95,743

 
100,200


The credit loss component of the impairment loss represents the difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the securities prior to considering credit losses. The beginning balance represents the credit loss component for debt securities for which OTTI occurred prior to the period presented. If OTTI is recognized in earnings for credit impaired debt securities, they would be presented as additions based upon whether the current period is the first time a debt security was credit impaired (initial credit impairment) or is not the first time a debt security was credit impaired (subsequent credit impairments). The credit loss component is reduced if the Company sells, intends to sell or believes it will be required to sell previously credit impaired debt securities. Additionally, the credit loss component is reduced if (i) the Company receives cash flows in excess of what it expected to receive over the remaining life of the credit impaired debt security, (ii) the security matures or (iii) the security is fully written down.
Realized Gains and Losses
Gains and losses on the sale of all securities are determined using the specific identification method. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company received sales proceeds of $102.1 million on pools of mortgage-backed securities from the available-for-sale portfolio resulting in gross realized gains of $1.3 million and gross realized losses of $69,000.
There were no proceeds from sales of securities in the held-to-maturity portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2017; however, for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company received sale proceeds of $3.1 million from the liquidation of a TruP security. As a result, $1.9 million was recognized as interest income from securities in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company received proceeds of $57.9 million on equity securities and pools of mortgage-backed securities sold from the available-for-sale portfolio resulting in a gross realized gain of $2.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company received sale proceeds of $14.3 million on a pool of mortgage-backed securities from the held-to-maturity portfolio resulting in a gross realized gain of $836,000. These securities met the criteria of principal pay downs under 85% of the original investment amount and therefore did not result in a tainting of the held-to-maturity portfolio. The Company sells securities when, in management’s assessment, market pricing presents an economic benefit that outweighs holding such securities, and when securities with smaller balances become cost prohibitive to carry.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company received proceeds of $2.6 million on an equity security from the available-for-sale portfolio resulting in a gross realized gain of $1.5 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized gains on available-for-sale securities of $145,000 related to capital distributions of equity securities held in the available-for-sale portfolio.     For the year ended December 31, 2015, there were no sales of securities from held-to-maturity portfolio, however for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recognized a loss of $646,000 on a TruP security which was liquidated by its Trustee.
    

83

4. Loans Receivable, Net
The detail of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(In thousands)
Multi-family loans
$
7,802,835

 
7,459,131

Commercial real estate loans
4,541,347

 
4,445,194

Commercial and industrial loans
1,625,375

 
1,275,283

Construction loans
416,883

 
314,843

Total commercial loans
14,386,440

 
13,494,451

Residential mortgage loans
5,025,266

 
4,710,373

Consumer and other loans
670,820

 
596,922

Total loans excluding PCI loans
20,082,526

 
18,801,746

PCI loans
8,322

 
8,956

Deferred fees and premiums on purchased loans, net (1)
(7,778
)
 
(12,474
)
Allowance for loan losses
(230,969
)
 
(228,373
)
Net loans
$
19,852,101

 
18,569,855

(1) Included in deferred fees and premiums are accretable purchase accounting adjustments in connection with loans acquired.

Allowance for Loan Losses
An analysis of the allowance for loan losses is summarized as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of the period
$
228,373

 
218,505

 
200,284

Loans charged off
(19,209
)
 
(14,997
)
 
(12,216
)
Recoveries
5,555

 
5,115

 
4,437

Net charge-offs
(13,654
)
 
(9,882
)
 
(7,779
)
Provision for loan losses
16,250

 
19,750

 
26,000

Balance at end of the period
$
230,969

 
228,373

 
218,505

The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses that is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we make significant estimates and therefore, have identified the allowance as a critical accounting policy. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management because of the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions used, and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses has been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, under which we are required to maintain an allowance for probable losses at the balance sheet date. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover specifically identifiable losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in our portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable. Loans acquired are marked to fair value on the date of acquisition with no valuation allowance reflected in the allowance for loan losses. In conjunction with the quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the Company performs an analysis on acquired loans to determine whether or not an allowance should be ascribed to those loans. Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans are loans acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 310-30 and are initially recorded at fair value as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows with

84

no valuation allowance reflected in the allowance for loan losses. For the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded charge-offs of $96,000 and $52,000, respectively, related to PCI loans acquired.
Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans determined to be impaired. A loan is deemed to be impaired if it is a commercial loan with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), and other commercial loans greater than $1.0 million if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans by type of loan, risk rating (if applicable) and payment history. In addition, the Company’s residential portfolio is subdivided between fixed and adjustable rate loans as adjustable rate loans are deemed to be subject to more credit risk if interest rates rise. Reserves for each loan segment or the loss factors are generally determined based on the Company’s historical loss experience over a look-back period determined to provide the appropriate amount of data to accurately estimate expected losses as of period end. Additionally, management assesses the loss emergence period for the expected losses of each loan segment and adjusts each historical loss factor accordingly. The loss emergence period is the estimated time from the date of a loss event (such as a personal bankruptcy) to the actual recognition of the loss (typically via the first full or partial loan charge-off), and is determined based upon a study of the Company’s past loss experience by loan segment. The loss factors may also be adjusted to account for qualitative or environmental factors that are likely to cause estimated credit losses inherent in the portfolio to differ from historical loss experience. This evaluation is based on among other things, loan and delinquency trends, general economic conditions, credit concentrations, industry trends and lending and credit management policies and procedures, but is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revisions based upon changes in economic and real estate market conditions. Actual loan losses may be different than the allowance for loan losses we have established which could have a material negative effect on our financial results.
On a quarterly basis, management reviews the current status of various loan assets in order to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. In this evaluation process, specific loans are analyzed to determine their potential risk of loss. Loans determined to be impaired are evaluated for potential loss exposure. Any shortfall results in a recommendation of a specific allowance or charge-off if the likelihood of loss is evaluated as probable. To determine the adequacy of collateral on a particular loan, an estimate of the fair value of the collateral is based on the most current appraised value available for real property or a discounted cash flow analysis on a business. The appraised value for real property is then reduced to reflect estimated liquidation expenses.
The allowance contains reserves identified as unallocated. These reserves reflect management’s attempt to provide for the imprecision and the uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of probable credit losses.
Our lending emphasis has been the origination of multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans, one- to four-family residential mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate, construction loans and consumer loans, the majority of which are home equity loans, home equity lines of credit and cash surrender value lending on life insurance contracts. These activities resulted in a concentration of loans secured by real estate property and businesses located in New Jersey and New York. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks to our loan portfolio are increases in interest rates, a decline in the general economy, and declines in real estate market values in New Jersey, New York and surrounding states. Any one or combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in increased delinquencies, loan losses and future levels of loan loss provisions. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Negative changes to appraisal assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are carefully reviewed to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans.
The Company obtains an appraisal for all commercial loans that are collateral dependent upon origination. An updated appraisal is obtained annually for loans rated substandard or worse with a balance of $500,000 or greater. An updated appraisal is obtained biennially for loans rated special mention with a balance of $2.0 million or greater. This is done in order to determine the specific reserve or charge off needed. As part of the allowance for loan losses process, the Company reviews each collateral dependent commercial loan classified as non-accrual and/or impaired and assesses whether there has been an adverse change in the collateral value supporting the loan. The Company utilizes information from its commercial lending officers and its credit department and special assets department’s knowledge of changes in real estate conditions in our lending area to identify if possible deterioration of collateral value has occurred. Based on the severity of the changes in market conditions, management determines if an updated appraisal is warranted or if downward adjustments to the previous appraisal are warranted. If it is determined that the deterioration of the collateral value is significant enough to warrant ordering a new appraisal, an estimate of the downward adjustments to the existing appraised value is used in assessing if additional specific reserves are necessary until the updated appraisal is received.

85

For homogeneous residential mortgage loans, the Company’s policy is to obtain an appraisal upon the origination of the loan and an updated appraisal in the event a loan becomes 90 days delinquent. Thereafter, the appraisal is updated every two years if the loan remains in non-performing status and the foreclosure process has not been completed. Management adjusts the appraised value of residential loans to reflect estimated selling costs and declines in the real estate market.
Management believes the potential risk for outdated appraisals for impaired and other non-performing loans has been mitigated due to the fact that the loans are individually assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral. Loans are generally charged off after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt.
Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, additions may be necessary if the current economic environment deteriorates. Management uses relevant information available; however, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.


86

The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method as of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Multi-
Family Loans
 
Commercial
Real Estate Loans
 
Commercial
and Industrial
Loans
 
Construction
Loans
 
Residential
Mortgage Loans
 
Consumer
and Other
Loans
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance-December 31, 2016
$
95,561

 
52,796

 
43,492

 
11,653

 
19,831

 
2,850

 
2,190

 
228,373

Charge-offs
(6
)
 
(8,072
)
 
(5,656
)
 
(100
)
 
(4,875
)
 
(500
)
 
—

 
(19,209
)
Recoveries
1,677

 
549

 
200

 
—

 
2,816

 
313

 
—

 
5,555

Provision
(15,763
)
 
10,864

 
16,527

 
56

 
4,063

 
436

 
67

 
16,250

Ending balance-December 31, 2017
$
81,469

 
56,137

 
54,563

 
11,609

 
21,835

 
3,099

 
2,257

 
230,969

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,678

 
97

 
—

 
1,775

Collectively evaluated for impairment
81,469

 
56,137

 
54,563

 
11,609

 
20,157

 
3,002

 
2,257

 
229,194

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Balance at December 31, 2017
$
81,469

 
56,137

 
54,563

 
11,609

 
21,835

 
3,099

 
2,257

 
230,969

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
14,776

 
29,736

 
8,989

 
—

 
26,376

 
879

 
—

 
80,756

Collectively evaluated for impairment
7,788,059

 
4,511,611

 
1,616,386

 
416,883

 
4,998,890

 
669,941

 
—

 
20,001,770

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
—

 
6,754

 
—

 
—

 
1,251

 
317

 
—

 
8,322

Balance at December 31, 2017
$
7,802,835

 
4,548,101

 
1,625,375

 
416,883

 
5,026,517

 
671,137

 
—

 
20,090,848


87

 
December 31, 2016
 
Multi-
Family Loans
 
Commercial
Real Estate Loans
 
Commercial
and Industrial
Loans
 
Construction
Loans
 
Residential
Mortgage Loans
 
Consumer
and Other
Loans
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance-December 31, 2015
$
88,223

 
46,999

 
40,585

 
6,794

 
31,443

 
3,155

 
1,306

 
218,505

Charge-offs
(161
)
 
(455
)
 
(4,485
)
 
(52
)
 
(9,425
)
 
(419
)
 
—

 
(14,997
)
Recoveries
1,885

 
689

 
541

 
267

 
1,631

 
102

 
—

 
5,115

Provision
5,614

 
5,563

 
6,851

 
4,644

 
(3,818
)
 
12

 
884

 
19,750

Ending balance-December 31, 2016
$
95,561

 
52,796

 
43,492

 
11,653

 
19,831


2,850

 
2,190

 
228,373

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,581

 
20

 
—

 
1,601

Collectively evaluated for impairment
95,561

 
52,796

 
43,492

 
11,653

 
18,250

 
2,830

 
2,190

 
226,772

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
95,561

 
52,796

 
43,492

 
11,653

 
19,831


2,850

 
2,190

 
228,373

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
248

 
5,962

 
3,370

 
—

 
24,453

 
371

 
—

 
34,404

Collectively evaluated for impairment
7,458,883

 
4,439,232

 
1,271,913

 
314,843

 
4,685,920

 
596,551

 
—

 
18,767,342

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
—

 
7,106

 
—

 
—

 
1,507

 
343

 
—

 
8,956

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
7,459,131

 
4,452,300

 
1,275,283

 
314,843

 
4,711,880


597,265

 
—

 
18,810,702

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors. For non-homogeneous loans, such as commercial and commercial real estate loans the Company analyzes the loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk and assesses the probability of collection for each type of class. This analysis is performed on a quarterly basis. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:
Pass - “Pass” assets are well protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor (or guarantors, if any) or by the fair value, less cost to acquire and sell, of any underlying collateral in a timely manner.
Watch - A “Watch” asset has all the characteristics of a Pass asset but warrants more than the normal level of supervision. These loans may require more detailed reporting to management because some aspects of underwriting may not conform to policy or adverse events may have affected or could affect the cash flow or ability to continue operating profitably, provided, however, the events do

88

not constitute an undue credit risk. Residential and consumer loans delinquent 30-59 days are considered watch if not already identified as impaired.
Special Mention - A “Special Mention” asset has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the institution’s credit position at some future date. Special Mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification. Residential and consumer loans delinquent 60-89 days are considered special mention if not already identified as impaired.
Substandard - A “Substandard” asset is inadequately protected by the current worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Residential and consumer loans delinquent 90 days or greater as well as those identified as impaired are considered substandard.
Doubtful - An asset classified “Doubtful” has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable on the basis of currently known facts, conditions, and values.
Loss - An asset or portion thereof, classified “Loss” is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance on the institution’s books as an asset, without establishment of a specific valuation allowance or charge-off, is not warranted. This classification does not necessarily mean that an asset has no recovery or salvage value; but rather, there is much doubt about whether, how much, or when the recovery will occur. As such, it is not practical or desirable to defer the write-off.
The following tables present the risk category of loans as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 by class of loans excluding PCI loans:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Pass
 
Watch
 
Special  Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Loss
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
$
6,791,999

 
702,384

 
154,125

 
154,327

 
—

 
—

 
7,802,835

Commercial real estate
3,751,790

 
528,179

 
105,089

 
156,289

 
—

 
—

 
4,541,347

Commercial and industrial
1,102,304

 
443,669

 
37,944

 
41,458

 
—

 
—

 
1,625,375

Construction
272,882

 
109,252

 
34,454

 
295

 
—

 
—

 
416,883

Total commercial loans
11,918,975

 
1,783,484

 
331,612

 
352,369

 
—

 
—

 
14,386,440

Residential mortgage
4,926,002

 
14,272

 
7,749

 
77,243

 
—

 
—

 
5,025,266

Consumer and other
657,515

 
6,270

 
521

 
6,514

 
—

 
—

 
670,820

Total
$
17,502,492

 
1,804,026

 
339,882

 
436,126

 
—

 
—

 
20,082,526


 
December 31, 2016
 
Pass
 
Watch
 
Special  Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Loss
 
Total
 
(In thousands)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
$
6,961,809

 
276,858

 
165,948

 
54,516

 
—

 
—

 
7,459,131

Commercial real estate
3,900,988

 
373,319

 
134,154

 
36,733

 
—

 
—

 
4,445,194

Commercial and industrial
900,190

 
344,628

 
23,588

 
6,877

 
—

 
—

 
1,275,283

Construction
230,630

 
76,773

 
3,200

 
4,240

 
—

 
—

 
314,843

Total commercial loans
11,993,617

 
1,071,578

 
326,890

 
102,366

 
—

 
—

 
13,494,451

Residential mortgage
4,600,611

 
21,873

 
10,239

 
77,650

 
—

 
—

 
4,710,373

Consumer and other
583,140

 
5,627

 
719

 
7,436

 
—

 
—

 
596,922

Total
$
17,177,368

 
1,099,078

 
337,848

 
187,452

 
—

 
—

 
18,801,746

    

89

The following tables present the payment status of the recorded investment in past due loans as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 by class of loans excluding PCI loans:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
30-59 Days
 
60-89 Days
 
Greater
than 90
Days
 
Total Past
Due
 
Current
 
Total
Loans
Receivable
 
(In thousands)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
$
7,263

 
7,652

 
203

 
15,118

 
7,787,717

 
7,802,835

Commercial real estate
19,355

 
778

 
11,519

 
31,652

 
4,509,695

 
4,541,347

Commercial and industrial
4,855

 
—

 
75

 
4,930

 
1,620,445

 
1,625,375

Construction
—

 
295

 
—

 
295

 
416,588

 
416,883

Total commercial loans
31,473

 
8,725

 
11,797

 
51,995

 
14,334,445

 
14,386,440

Residential mortgage
15,191

 
8,739

 
54,900

 
78,830

 
4,946,436

 
5,025,266

Consumer and other
6,357

 
521

 
5,755

 
12,633

 
658,187

 
670,820

Total
$
53,021

 
17,985

 
72,452

 
143,458

 
19,939,068

 
20,082,526

 

 
December 31, 2016
 
30-59 Days
 
60-89 Days
 
Greater
than 90
Days
 
Total Past
Due
 
Current
 
Total
Loans
Receivable
 
(In thousands)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
$
5,272

 
1,099

 
234

 
6,605

 
7,452,526

 
7,459,131

Commercial real estate
6,568

 
31,964

 
6,445

 
44,977

 
4,400,217

 
4,445,194

Commercial and industrial
864

 
885

 
2,971

 
4,720

 
1,270,563

 
1,275,283

Construction
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
314,843

 
314,843

Total commercial loans
12,704

 
33,948

 
9,650

 
56,302

 
13,438,149

 
13,494,451

Residential mortgage
24,052

 
10,930

 
58,119

 
93,101

 
4,617,272

 
4,710,373

Consumer and other
5,627

 
719

 
7,065

 
13,411

 
583,511

 
596,922

Total
$
42,383

 
45,597

 
74,834

 
162,814

 
18,638,932

 
18,801,746

The following table presents non-accrual loans, excluding PCI loans, at the dates indicated:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
# of loans
 
amount
 
# of loans
 
amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual:
 
Multi-family
5

 
$
14,978

 
2

 
$
482

Commercial real estate
37

 
34,043

 
24

 
9,205

Commercial and industrial
11

 
9,989

 
8

 
4,659

Construction
1

 
295

 
—

 
—

Total commercial loans
54

 
59,305

 
34

 
14,346

Residential mortgage and consumer
427

 
76,422

 
478

 
79,928

Total non-accrual loans
481

 
$
135,727

 
512

 
$
94,274

Included in the non-accrual table above are TDR loans whose payment status is current but the Company has classified as non-accrual as the loans have not maintained their current payment status for six consecutive months under the restructured terms and

90

therefore do not meet the criteria for accrual status. As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, these loans are comprised of the following:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Current TDR classified as non-accrual:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
—

 
$
—

 
1

 
$
248

Commercial real estate
1

 
10

 
1

 
63

Commercial and industrial
—

 
—

 
1

 
286

Total commercial loans
1

 
10

 
3

 
597

Residential mortgage and consumer
24

 
4,103

 
23

 
5,721

Total current TDR classified as non-accrual
25

 
$
4,113

 
26

 
$
6,318

The following table presents TDR loans which were also 30-89 days delinquent and classified as non-accrual at the dates indicated:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
TDR 30-89 days delinquent classified as non-accrual:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
1

 
$
918

 
—

 
$
—

Commercial real estate
2

 
14,321

 
2

 
169

Total commercial loans
3

 
15,239

 
2

 
169

Residential mortgage and consumer
13

 
1,995

 
14

 
2,869

Total TDR 30-89 days delinquent classified as non-accrual
16

 
$
17,234

 
16

 
$
3,038

The Company has no loans past due 90 days or more delinquent that are still accruing interest.
PCI loans are excluded from non-accrual loans, as they are recorded at fair value based on the present value of expected future cash flows. As of December 31, 2017, PCI loans with a carrying value of $8.3 million included $7.1 million of which were current, $203,000 of which were 30-89 days delinquent and $1.0 million of which were 90 days or more delinquent. As of December 31, 2016, PCI loans with a carrying value of $9.0 million included $7.7 million of which were current, none of which were 30-89 days delinquent and $1.3 million of which were 90 days or more delinquent.
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, loans meeting the Company’s definition of an impaired loan were primarily collateral dependent loans which totaled $80.8 million and $34.4 million, respectively, with allocations of the allowance for loan losses of $1.8 million and $1.6 million for the periods ending December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, interest income received and recognized on these loans totaled $1.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively.


91

The following tables present loans individually evaluated for impairment by portfolio segment as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(In thousands)
With no related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
$
14,776

 
14,819

 
—

 
14,365

 
249

Commercial real estate
29,736

 
37,288

 
—

 
29,974

 
404

Commercial and industrial
8,989

 
12,008

 
—

 
8,681

 
28

Construction
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total commercial loans
53,501

 
64,115

 
—

 
53,020

 
681

Residential mortgage and consumer
12,357

 
16,236

 
—

 
12,100

 
430

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Commercial real estate
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Commercial and industrial
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Construction
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total commercial loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Residential mortgage and consumer
14,898

 
15,461

 
1,775

 
14,767

 
386

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
14,776

 
14,819

 
—

 
14,365

 
249

Commercial real estate
29,736

 
37,288

 
—

 
29,974

 
404

Commercial and industrial
8,989

 
12,008

 
—

 
8,681

 
28

Construction
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total commercial loans
53,501

 
64,115

 
—

 
53,020

 
681

Residential mortgage and consumer
27,255

 
31,697

 
1,775

 
26,867

 
816

Total impaired loans
$
80,756

 
95,812

 
1,775

 
79,887

 
1,497


92

 
December 31, 2016
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(In thousands)
With no related allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
$
248

 
248

 
—

 
252

 
20

Commercial real estate
5,962

 
9,265

 
—

 
5,790

 
301

Commercial and industrial
3,370

 
3,972

 
—

 
3,953

 
169

Construction
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total commercial loans
9,580

 
13,485

 
—

 
9,995

 
490

Residential mortgage and consumer
11,030

 
14,565

 
—

 
9,899

 
483

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Commercial real estate
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Commercial and industrial
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Construction
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total commercial loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Residential mortgage and consumer
13,794

 
14,382

 
1,601

 
13,689

 
479

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
248

 
248

 
—

 
252

 
20

Commercial real estate
5,962

 
9,265

 
—

 
5,790

 
301

Commercial and industrial
3,370

 
3,972

 
—

 
3,953

 
169

Construction
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total commercial loans
9,580

 
13,485

 
—

 
9,995

 
490

Residential mortgage and consumer
24,824

 
28,947

 
1,601

 
23,588

 
962

Total impaired loans
$
34,404

 
42,432

 
1,601

 
33,583

 
1,452

The average recorded investment is the annual average calculated based upon the ending quarterly balances. The interest income recognized is the year to date interest income recognized on a cash basis.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
On a case-by-case basis, the Company may agree to modify the contractual terms of a borrower’s loan to remain competitive and assist customers who may be experiencing financial difficulty, as well as preserve the Company’s position in the loan. If the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and a concession has been made at the time of such modification, the loan is classified as a TDR.
Substantially all of our TDR loan modifications involve lowering the monthly payments on such loans through either a reduction in interest rate below a market rate, an extension of the term of the loan, or a combination of these two methods. These modifications rarely result in the forgiveness of principal or accrued interest. In addition, we frequently obtain additional collateral or guarantor support when modifying commercial loans. Restructured loans remain on non-accrual status until there has been a sustained period of repayment performance (generally six consecutive months of payments) and both principal and interest are deemed collectible.


93

The following tables present the total TDR loans at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. There were four residential PCI loans that were classified as TDRs for the period ended December 31, 2017. There were three residential PCI loans that were classified as TDRs for the period ended December 31, 2016.
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Accrual
 
Non-accrual
 
Total
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
—

 
$
—

 
1

 
$
918

 
1

 
$
918

Commercial real estate
—

 
—

 
4

 
14,489

 
4

 
14,489

Commercial and industrial
—

 
—

 
1

 
1,287

 
1

 
1,287

Total commercial loans
—

 
—

 
6

 
16,694

 
6

 
16,694

Residential mortgage and consumer
49

 
10,957

 
71

 
16,298

 
120

 
27,255

Total
49

 
$
10,957

 
77

 
$
32,992

 
126

 
$
43,949


 
December 31, 2016
 
Accrual
 
Non-accrual
 
Total
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
# of loans
 
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
—

 
$
—

 
1

 
$
248

 
1

 
$
248

Commercial real estate
2

 
352

 
4

 
3,240

 
6

 
3,592

Commercial and industrial
—

 
—

 
2

 
1,688

 
2

 
1,688

Total commercial loans
2

 
352

 
7

 
5,176

 
9

 
5,528

Residential mortgage and consumer
40

 
9,093

 
61

 
15,731

 
101

 
24,824

Total
42

 
$
9,445

 
68

 
$
20,907

 
110

 
$
30,352


The following tables present information about TDRs that occurred during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Number of
Loans
 
Pre-modification
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
modification
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of
Loans
 
Pre-modification
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
modification
Recorded
Investment
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
1

 
$
929

 
$
929

 
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Commercial real estate
3

 
20,225

 
15,787

 
6

 
1,289

 
1,289

Residential mortgage and consumer
27

 
5,445

 
5,345

 
27

 
4,538

 
4,538

    
Post-modification recorded investment represents the net book balance immediately following modification.
All TDRs are impaired loans, which are individually evaluated for impairment, as discussed above. Collateral dependent impaired loans classified as TDRs were written down to the estimated fair value of the collateral. There were charge offs of $4.8 million for collateral dependent TDRs during the year ended December 31, 2017. There were no charge-offs for collateral dependent TDRs during the year ended December 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses associated with the TDRs presented in the above tables totaled $1.8 million and $1.6 million for the periods at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

94

Residential mortgage loan modifications generally involve the reduction in loan interest rate and extension of loan maturity dates and also may include step up interest rates in their modified terms which will impact their weighted average yield in the future. All residential loans deemed to be TDRs were modified to reflect a reduction in interest rates to current market rates. The commercial loan modifications which qualified as TDRs had their maturity extended.
The following tables present information about pre and post modification interest yield for troubled debt restructurings which occurred during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Number of
Loans
 
Pre-modification
Interest Yield
 
Post-
modification
Interest Yield
 
Number of
Loans
 
Pre-modification
Interest Yield
 
Post-
modification
Interest Yield
 
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Multi-family
1

 
5.75
%
 
5.75
%
 
—

 
—
%
 
—
%
Commercial real estate
3

 
4.67
%
 
4.67
%
 
6

 
5.11
%
 
5.20
%
Residential mortgage and consumer
27

 
4.36
%
 
3.37
%
 
27

 
6.18
%
 
3.61
%
Payment defaults for loans modified as a TDR in the previous 12 months to December 31, 2017 consisted of 6 residential loans, 2 commercial real estate loans and 1 multi family loan with a recorded investment of $442,000, $14.4 million and $918,000, respectively, at December 31, 2017. Payment defaults for loans modified as a TDR in the previous 12 months to December 31, 2016 consisted of 11 residential mortgage loans, 4 commercial real estate loans and 1 construction loan with a recorded investment of $1.8 million, $573,000 and $132,000, respectively, at December 31, 2016.
Loan Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company sold $48.1 million of non-performing commercial real estate and multi-family loans resulting in no charge-off recorded through the allowance.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company sold $9.7 million of performing residential loans resulting in a net gain of approximately $600,000.
    
5. Office Properties and Equipment, Net
Office properties and equipment are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Land
 
$
19,884

 
20,006

Office buildings
 
83,659

 
83,699

Leasehold improvements
 
112,485

 
95,489

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
92,650

 
83,246

Construction in process
 
6,567

 
13,070

 
 
315,245

 
295,510

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
135,014

 
118,093

 
 
$
180,231

 
177,417

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $17.4 million, $16.2 million and $13.9 million, respectively.


95

6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes net intangible assets and goodwill at December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Mortgage servicing rights
 
$
13,228

 
14,889

Core deposit premiums
 
6,024

 
8,451

Other
 
842

 
928

Total other intangible assets
 
20,094

 
24,268

Goodwill
 
77,571

 
77,571

Goodwill and intangible assets
 
$
97,665

 
101,839

The following table summarizes other intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
 
Gross Intangible Asset
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Valuation Allowance
 
Net Intangible Assets
 
 
(In thousands)
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
$
20,236

 
(6,886
)
 
(122
)
 
13,228

Core Deposit Premiums
 
25,058

 
(19,034
)
 
—

 
6,024

Other
 
1,150

 
(308
)
 
—

 
842

Total other intangible assets
 
$
46,444

 
(26,228
)
 
(122
)
 
20,094

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
$
24,340

 
(9,286
)
 
(165
)
 
14,889

Core Deposit Premiums
 
25,058

 
(16,607
)
 
—

 
8,451

Other
 
1,150

 
(222
)
 
—

 
928

Total other intangible assets
 
$
50,548

 
(26,115
)
 
(165
)
 
24,268

Mortgage servicing rights are accounted for using the amortization method. Under this method, the Company amortizes the loan servicing asset in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. The Company sells loans on a servicing-retained basis. Loans that were sold on this basis had an unpaid principal balance of $1.77 billion and $1.98 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, all of which relate to residential mortgage loans. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the servicing asset, included in intangible assets, had an estimated fair value of $15.0 million and $16.2 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, fair value was based on expected future cash flows considering a weighted average discount rate of 13.20%, a weighted average constant prepayment rate on mortgages of 9.60% and a weighted average life of 6.9 years.
Core deposit premiums are amortized using an accelerated method and having a weighted average amortization period of 10 years.
The following presents the estimated future amortization expense of other intangible assets for the next five years:
 
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
Core Deposit Premiums
 
Other
 
(In thousands)
2018
$
437

 
$
1,974

 
$
87

2019
463

 
1,521

 
87

2020
479

 
1,112

 
87

2021
494

 
756

 
67

2022
506

 
466

 
57



96

7. Deposits
Deposits are summarized as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
Weighted Average Rate
 
Amount
 
% of Total
 
Weighted Average Rate
 
Amount
 
% of Total
 
(In thousands)
Non-interest bearing:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking accounts
—
%
 
$
2,424,608

 
13.97
%
 
—
%
 
$
2,173,493

 
14.22
%
Interest-bearing:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Checking accounts
0.91
%
 
4,909,054

 
28.28
%
 
0.45
%
 
3,916,208

 
25.63
%
Money market deposits
0.90
%
 
4,243,545

 
24.45
%
 
0.65
%
 
4,150,583

 
27.16
%
Savings
0.48
%
 
2,320,228

 
13.37
%
 
0.29
%
 
2,092,989

 
13.70
%
Certificates of deposit
1.13
%
 
3,460,262

 
19.93
%
 
0.91
%
 
2,947,560

 
19.29
%
Total Deposits
0.77
%
 
$
17,357,697

 
100.00
%
 
0.51
%
 
$
15,280,833

 
100.00
%

Included in the above balances for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are money market deposits of $709.7 million and $736.8 million, respectively, obtained through brokers and certificates of deposit of $759.5 million and $687.8 million, respectively, obtained through brokers.

Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit are as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Within one year
 
$
2,841,219

 
1,866,000

One to two years
 
388,261

 
674,552

Two to three years
 
97,091

 
237,506

Three to four years
 
65,116

 
62,500

After four years
 
68,575

 
107,002

 
 
$
3,460,262

 
2,947,560

The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more totaled approximately $2.37 billion and $1.94 billion at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Interest expense on deposits consists of the following:
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Checking accounts
$
37,091

 
16,268


9,642

Money market deposits
34,366

 
25,621


24,136

Savings
8,395

 
6,304

 
6,402

Certificates of deposit
33,691

 
33,864


31,234

Total
$
113,543

 
82,057

 
71,414



97

8. Borrowed Funds
Borrowed funds are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Principal
 
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
Principal
 
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Funds borrowed under repurchase agreements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB
 
$
—

 
—%
 
$
23,629

 
3.90%
Other brokers
 
130,481

 
1.87%
 
131,202

 
1.88%
Total funds borrowed under repurchase agreements
 
130,481

 
1.87%
 
154,831

 
2.19%
Other borrowed funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FHLB advances
 
4,331,052

 
1.96%
 
4,391,420

 
1.79%
Other
 
—

 
—
 
—

 
—%
Total other borrowed funds:
 
4,331,052

 
1.96%
 
4,391,420

 
1.79%
Total borrowed funds
 
$
4,461,533

 
1.96%
 
$
4,546,251

 
1.81%
Borrowed funds had scheduled maturities as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Principal
 
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
Principal
 
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Within one year
 
$
861,481

 
2.18%
 
$
983,629

 
1.26%
One to two years
 
719,349

 
1.80%
 
862,202

 
2.12%
Two to three years
 
975,000

 
1.95%
 
619,567

 
1.80%
Three to four years
 
700,000

 
2.00%
 
775,000

 
1.96%
Four to five years
 
700,703

 
1.98%
 
600,000

 
2.01%
After five years
 
505,000

 
1.77%
 
705,853

 
1.84%
Total borrowed funds
 
$
4,461,533

 
1.96%
 
$
4,546,251

 
1.81%
Mortgage-backed securities have been sold, subject to repurchase agreements, to the FHLB and various brokers. Mortgage-backed securities sold, subject to repurchase agreements, are held by the FHLB for the benefit of the Company. Repurchase agreements require repurchase of the identical securities. Whole mortgage loans have been pledged to the FHLB as collateral for advances, but are held by the Company.
The amortized cost and fair value of the underlying securities used as collateral for borrowings are as follows:
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized cost of collateral:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
 
$
411,933

 
468,159

Total amortized cost of collateral
 
$
411,933

 
468,159

Fair value of collateral:
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
 
$
404,331

 
469,200

Total fair value of collateral
 
$
404,331

 
469,200


98


During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the maximum month-end balance of the repurchase agreements was $153.0 million, $153.0 million and $163.0 million, respectively. The average amount of repurchase agreements outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $149.0 million, $153.0 million and $159.4 million, respectively, and the average interest rate was 2.11%, 2.16% and 2.25%, respectively.
At December 31, 2017, our borrowing capacity at the FHLB was $11.58 billion, of which the Company had outstanding borrowings of $8.03 billion, which included letters of credit totaling $3.70 billion. In addition, the Bank had access to unsecured overnight borrowings (Fed Funds) with other financial institutions totaling $475.0 million, of which no balance was outstanding at December 31, 2017.

9. Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense are as follows:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Current tax expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
47,101

 
82,708

 
87,748

State
 
6,736

 
12,599

 
14,804

 
 
53,837

 
95,307

 
102,552

Deferred tax expense (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
105,044

 
8,107

 
4,310

State
 
(5,036
)
 
3,533

 
(7,490
)
 
 
100,008

 
11,640

 
(3,180
)
Total income tax expense
 
$
153,845

 
106,947

 
99,372

 

99

The following table presents the reconciliation between the actual income tax expense and the “expected” amount computed using the applicable statutory federal income tax rate of 35%:
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
“Expected” federal income tax expense
 
$
98,206

 
104,675


98,307

State tax, net
 
6,051

 
9,887

 
4,753

Impact of tax reform
 
49,164

 
—

 
—

Bank owned life insurance
 
(1,310
)
 
(1,548
)
 
(1,382
)
Excess tax benefits from employee share-based payments
 
(1,722
)
 
(7,735
)
 
—

Acquisition related net operating loss
 
—

 
—

 
(4,076
)
ESOP fair market value adjustment
 
1,237

 
931

 
947

Non-deductible compensation
 
1,451

 
1,602

 
276

Expiration of stock options
 
—

 
—

 
19

Other
 
768

 
(865
)
 
528

Total income tax expense
 
$
153,845

 
106,947

 
99,372

The temporary differences and loss carryforwards which comprise the deferred tax asset and liability are as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Deferred tax asset:
 
 
 
 
Employee benefits
 
$
21,201

 
34,218

Deferred compensation
 
994

 
1,596

Premises and equipment
 
—

 
1,587

Allowance for loan losses
 
67,307

 
92,738

Net unrealized loss on securities
 
12,542

 
17,078

Net other than temporary impairment loss on securities
 
—

 
40,228

ESOP
 
3,518

 
4,333

Allowance for delinquent interest
 
283

 
14,539

Fair value adjustments related to acquisitions
 
12,750

 
20,823

Charitable contribution carryforward
 
720

 
406

Loan origination costs
 
7,964

 
9,599

Intangible assets
 
—

 
—

State NOL
 
3,996

 
—

Other
 
1,720

 
1,305

Gross deferred tax asset
 
132,995

 
238,450

Valuation allowance
 
(284
)
 
(346
)
 
 
132,711

 
238,104

Deferred tax liability:
 
 
 
 
Intangible assets
 
71

 
363

Discount accretion
 
—

 
4,080

Mortgage servicing rights
 
4,039

 
6,257

Premises and equipment
 
1,664

 
—

Net unrealized gain on hedging activities
 
5,274

 
5,127

Gross deferred tax liability
 
11,048

 
15,827

Net deferred tax asset
 
$
121,663

 
222,277



100

A deferred tax asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, are more likely than not to be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and carryforwards become deductible. A valuation allowance is recorded for tax benefits which management has determined are not more likely than not to be realized.
On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Act. The new law reduces the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Under ASC 740, “Income Taxes”, companies are required to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment; therefore, the Company re-measured its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rate expected to apply when its temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. As of the date of enactment, the resulting impact of the re-measurement of the Company’s deferred tax balances was $49.2 million.
Based on the Company’s standalone future state taxable income, a valuation allowance was established for the portion of the state tax benefit related to a prior year charitable contribution that is not more likely than not to be realized. At December 31, 2017, the Company’s valuation allowance pertaining to the charitable contribution was $284,000.
Based upon projections of future taxable income and the ability to carry forward net operating losses indefinitely, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the remaining deferred tax asset.
Retained earnings at December 31, 2017 included approximately $45.2 million for which deferred income taxes of approximately $13.8 million have not been provided. The retained earnings amount represents the base year allocation of income to bad debt deductions for tax purposes only. Base year reserves are subject to recapture if the Bank makes certain non-dividend distributions, repurchases any of its stock, pays dividends in excess of tax earnings and profits, or ceases to maintain a bank charter. Under ASC 740, this amount is treated as a permanent difference and deferred taxes are not recognized unless it appears that it will be reduced and result in taxable income in the foreseeable future. Events that would result in taxation of these reserves include failure to qualify as a bank for tax purposes or distributions in complete or partial liquidation.
The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits or related interest or penalties at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
The Company files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and in the states of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2017, the Company is no longer subject to federal income tax examination for years prior to 2014. Investors Bank and its affiliates are currently under audit by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for tax years 2013 and 2014. The Company is no longer subject to income tax examination by New Jersey and New York for years prior to 2013 and 2014, respectively.

10. Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
The Company participates in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions (“Pentegra DB Plan”), a tax-qualified defined-benefit pension plan. The Pentegra DB Plan’s Employer Identification Number is 13-5645888 and the Plan Number is 333. The Pentegra DB Plan operates as a multi-employer plan for accounting purposes and as a multiple-employer plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. There are no collective bargaining agreements in place that require contributions to the Pentegra DB Plan.
The Pentegra DB Plan is a single plan under Internal Revenue Code Section 413(c) and, as a result, all of the assets stand behind all of the liabilities. Accordingly, under the Pentegra DB Plan contributions made by a participating employer may be used to provide benefits to participants of other participating employers. As of December 31, 2016, the annual benefit provided under the Pentegra DB plan was frozen by an amendment to the plan. Freezing the plan eliminates all future benefit accruals and each participant’s frozen accrued benefit was determined as of December 31, 2016 and no further benefits will accrue beyond such date.
The funded status (fair value of plan assets divided by funding target) as of July 1, 2017 and 2016 was 93.06% and 94.92%, respectively. The fair value of plan assets reflects any contributions received through June 30, 2017.
The Company’s required contribution and pension cost was $1.6 million, $4.2 million and $6.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The accrued pension liability was $499,000 and $780,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company’s contributions to the Pentegra DB Plan are not more than 5% of the total contributions to the Pentegra DB Plan. The Company’s expected contribution for the 2018 plan year is approximately $3.9 million.

101

SERPs, Directors’ Plan and Other Postretirement Benefits Plan
The Company has an Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan (“Wage Replacement Plan”) and the Supplemental Retirement Plan (“SERP I”) (collectively, the “SERPs”). The Wage Replacement Plan is a nonqualified, defined benefit plan which provides benefits to certain executives as designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. More specifically, the Wage Replacement Plan was designed to provide participants with a normal retirement benefit equal to an annual benefit of 60% of the participant’s highest annual base salary and cash incentive (over a consecutive 36-month period within the participant’s credited service period) reduced by the sum of the benefits provided under the Pentegra DB Plan and SERP I.
Effective as of the close of business of December 31, 2016, the Wage Replacement Plan was amended to freeze future benefit accruals, and for certain participants, structure the benefits payable attributable solely to the participants’ 2016 year of service to vest over a two-year period such that the participants had a right to 50% of their accrued benefits attributable to their 2016 year of service as of December 31, 2016, which became 100% vested as of December 31, 2017.
The Supplemental ESOP compensates certain executives (as designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors) participating in the ESOP whose contributions are limited by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company also maintains the Amended and Restated Director Retirement Plan (“Directors’ Plan”) for certain directors, which is a nonqualified, defined benefit plan. The Directors’ Plan was frozen on November 21, 2006 such that no new benefits accrued under, and no new directors were eligible to participate in the plan. The Wage Replacement Plan, Supplemental ESOP and the Directors’ Plan are unfunded and the costs of the plans are recognized over the period that services are provided.
The following table sets forth information regarding the Wage Replacement Plan and the Directors’ Plan:
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
40,296

 
47,887

Service cost
1,486

 
2,088

Interest cost
1,513

 
1,895

Gain due to change in mortality assumption
(260
)
 
(468
)
Loss due to change in discount rate
2,270

 
1,035

Gain due to demographic changes
(1,375
)
 
(6,716
)
Settlements
—

 
(233
)
Actuarial gain
(196
)
 
(27
)
Curtailment
—

 
(4,294
)
Benefits paid
(833
)
 
(871
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
42,901

 
40,296

Funded status
$
(42,901
)
 
(40,296
)
The unfunded pension benefits of $42.9 million and $40.3 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss related to pension plans, on a pre-tax basis, at December 31, 2017 and 2016, are summarized in the following table.
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In thousands)
Prior service cost
$
—

 
—

Net actuarial loss
6,738

 
6,759

Total amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
6,738

 
6,759

The accumulated benefit obligation for the Wage Replacement Plan and Directors’ Plan was $36.2 million and $33.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The measurement date for our Wage Replacement Plan and Directors’ Plan is December 31 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

102

The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used in the plan determinations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Discount rate
3.34
%
 
3.80
%
Rate of compensation increase
—
%
 
—
%
The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Service cost
$
1,486

 
2,088

 
3,096

Interest cost
1,513

 
1,895

 
1,497

Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service cost
—

 
—

 
49

Net loss
458

 
2,055

 
1,282

Total net periodic benefit cost
$
3,457

 
6,038

 
5,924

The following are the weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Discount rate
3.80
%
 
3.99
%
 
3.71
%
Rate of compensation increase
—
%
 
4.36
%
 
4.19
%
Estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate for the next ten calendar years are as follows:
 
Amount
 
(In thousands)
2018
$
896

2019
879

2020
2,078

2021
2,718

2022
2,694

2023 through 2027
14,452

401(k) Plan
The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees provided they meet the eligibility age requirement of age 21. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company matched 50% of the first 8% contributed by the participants to the 401(k) plan. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 the Company matched 50% of the first 6% contributed by participants. In addition, for 2017, the 401(k) plan includes a discretionary profit sharing plan for eligible employees. The Company’s aggregate contributions to the 401(k) plan for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $4.9 million, $2.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
The ESOP is a tax-qualified plan designed to invest primarily in the Company’s common stock that provides employees with the opportunity to receive a funded retirement benefit from the Bank, based primarily on the value of the Company’s common stock. During the Company’s initial public stock offering in October 2005, the ESOP was authorized to purchase, and did purchase, 10,847,883 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $3.92 per share with the proceeds of a loan from the Company to the ESOP. In connection with the completion of the Company’s mutual to stock conversion on May 7, 2014, the ESOP purchased an additional 6,617,421 common shares of stock at a price of $10.00 per share with the proceeds of a loan from the Company to the ESOP. The Company refinanced the outstanding principal and interest balance of $33.9 million and borrowed an additional $66.2 million to purchase the additional shares. The outstanding loan principal balance at December 31, 2017 was $90.8 million.

103

Shares of the Company’s common stock pledged as collateral for the loan are released from the pledge pro-rata for allocation to participants as loan payments are made.
At December 31, 2017, shares allocated to participants were 5,149,155 since the plan inception. ESOP shares that were unallocated or not yet committed to be released totaled 12,316,149 at December 31, 2017, and had a fair value of $170.9 million. ESOP compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $5.8 million, $5.4 million and $5.5 million, respectively, representing the fair value of shares allocated or committed to be released during the year.
The Supplemental ESOP also provides supplemental benefits to certain executives as designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors who are prevented from receiving the full benefits contemplated by ESOP’s benefit formula due to the Internal Revenue Code. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, compensation expense related to this plan amounted to $262,000, $766,000 and $656,000, respectively.
Equity Incentive Plan
At the annual meeting held on June 9, 2015, stockholders of the Company approved the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”) which provides for the issuance or delivery of up to 30,881,296 shares (13,234,841 restricted stock awards and 17,646,455 stock options) of Investors Bancorp, Inc. common stock.
Restricted shares granted under the 2015 Plan vest in equal installments, over the service period generally ranging from 5 to 7 years beginning one year from the date of grant. Additionally, certain restricted shares awarded are performance vesting awards, which may or may not vest depending upon the attainment of certain corporate financial targets. The vesting of restricted stock may accelerate in accordance with the terms of the 2015 Plan. The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date closing market price of the Company’s common stock determine the fair value of restricted shares under the 2015 Plan. Management recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of restricted shares on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company granted 440,000 shares of restricted stock awards under the 2015 Plan.
Stock options granted under the 2015 Plan vest in equal installments, over the service period generally ranging from 5 to 7 years beginning one year from the date of grant. The vesting of stock options may accelerate in accordance with the terms of the 2015 Plan. Stock options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date based on the closing market price and have an expiration period of 10 years. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company granted 93,800 stock options under the 2015 Plan.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Compensation and Benefits Committee approved the issuance of 276,890 restricted stock awards and 201,440 stock options to certain officers under the 2015 Plan. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Compensation and Benefits Committee approved the issuance of 6,849,832 restricted stock awards and 11,576,611 stock options to certain officers under the 2015 Plan.
The fair value of stock options granted as part of the 2015 Plan was estimated utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions for the period presented below:
 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Weighted average expected life (in years)
6.50

 
7.00

 
7.43

Weighted average risk-free rate of return
2.05
%
 
1.67
%
 
1.96
%
Weighted average volatility
24.12
%
 
24.05
%
 
25.33
%
Dividend yield
2.45
%
 
1.93
%
 
1.59
%
Weighted average fair value of options granted
$
2.91

 
$
2.80

 
$
3.12

Total stock options granted
93,800

 
201,440

 
11,576,611


The weighted average expected life of the stock option represents the period of time that stock options are expected to be outstanding and is estimated using historical data of stock option exercises and forfeitures. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair values of these awards, which have graded vesting, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards. Upon exercise of vested options, management expects to draw on treasury stock as the source for shares.

104

The following table presents the share based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Stock option expense
$
5,994

 
6,556

 
2,905

Restricted stock expense
14,548

 
15,419

 
6,315

Total share based compensation expense
$
20,542

 
21,975

 
9,220

The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s restricted shares as of December 31, 2017 and changes therein during the year then ended:
 
 
Number of
Shares
Awarded
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Non-vested at December 31, 2016
 
5,876,491

 
$
12.51

Granted
 
440,000

 
14.38

Vested
 
(1,008,422
)
 
12.52

Forfeited
 
(367,734
)
 
12.51

Non-vested at December 31, 2017
 
4,940,335

 
$
12.67

Expected future expenses relating to the non-vested restricted shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017 is $51.7 million over a weighted average period of 3.89 years.
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for its option plan for the year ended December 31, 2017:
 
 
Number of
Stock
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
 
13,165,333

 
$
11.74

 
8.2
 
$
29,101

Granted
 
93,800

 
13.24

 
9.5
 
 
Exercised
 
(1,068,103
)
 
8.56

 
3.7
 
 
Forfeited
 
(704,470
)
 
12.53

 
 
 
 
Expired
 
(17,143
)
 
12.54

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
 
11,469,417

 
$
12.00

 
7.0
 
$
21,587

Exercisable at December 31, 2017
 
4,514,219

 
$
11.18

 
6.3
 
$
12,186

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $2.91, $2.80 and $3.12 per share, respectively. Expected future expense relating to the non-vested options outstanding as of December 31, 2017 is $20.7 million over a weighted average period of 3.74 years.


11. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is a defendant in certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Management and the Company’s legal counsel are of the opinion that the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
At December 31, 2017, the Company was obligated under various non-cancelable operating leases on buildings and land used for office space and banking purposes. These operating leases contain escalation clauses which provide for increased rental expense, based primarily on increases in real estate taxes and cost-of-living indices. Rental expense under these leases aggregated approximately $23.7 million, $22.3 million and $19.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

105


The projected annual minimum rental commitments are as follows:
 
 
 
 
Amount
 
(In thousands)
2018
$
24,017

2019
23,527

2020
22,001

2021
20,481

2022
18,838

Thereafter
113,675

 
$
222,539

Financial Transactions with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company is a party to transactions with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. These transactions consist of commitments to extend credit. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
At December 31, 2017, the Company had commitments to originate total commercial loans of $347.9 million. Additionally, the Company had commitments to originate residential loans of approximately $143.4 million and purchase residential loans of $168.2 million. Unused home equity lines of credit and undisbursed business and construction lines totaled approximately $1.22 billion at December 31, 2017. No commitments are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company has no exposure to credit loss if the customer does not exercise its rights to borrow under the commitment.
The Company uses the same credit policies and collateral requirements in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet loans. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower.
The Company principally grants commercial real estate loans, multi-family loans, commercial and industrial loans, construction loans, residential mortgage loans and consumer and other loans to borrowers throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and states in close proximity. Its borrowers’ abilities to repay their obligations are dependent upon various factors, including the borrowers’ income and net worth, cash flows generated by the underlying collateral or from business operations, value of the underlying collateral and priority of the Company’s lien on the property. Such factors are dependent upon various economic conditions and individual circumstances beyond the Company’s control; the Company is, therefore, subject to risk of loss. The Company believes its lending policies and procedures adequately minimize the potential exposure to such risks and adequate provisions for loan losses are provided for all probable and estimable losses.
The Company also holds in its loan portfolio interest-only one-to four-family mortgage loans in which the borrower makes only interest payments for the first five, seven or ten years of the mortgage loan term. This feature will result in future increases in the borrower’s contractually required payments due to the required amortization of the principal amount after the interest-only period. These payment increases could affect the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. The amount of interest-only one-to four-family mortgage loans at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $76.0 million, and $122.0 million, respectively. The Company maintained stricter underwriting criteria for these interest-only loans than it did for its amortizing loans. The Company believes these criteria adequately control the potential exposure to such risks and that adequate provisions for loan losses are provided for all known and inherent risks.
In the normal course of business the Company sells residential mortgage loans to third parties. These loan sales are subject to customary representations and warranties. In the event that the Company is found to be in breach of these representations and warranties, it may be obligated to repurchase certain of these loans.
The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the

106

Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s borrowings. These derivatives were used to hedge the variability in cash flows associated with certain short term wholesale funding transactions. The fair value of the derivative as of December 31, 2017 was liability of $613,000, inclusive of accrued interest and variation margin posted in accordance with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
In connection with its mortgage banking activities, the Company has certain freestanding derivative instruments. At December 31, 2017, the Company had commitments of approximately $8.2 million to fund loans which will be classified as held-for-sale with a like amount of commitments to sell such loans which are considered derivative instruments under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” The Company also had commitments of $5.0 million to sell loans at December 31, 2017. The fair values of these derivative instruments are immaterial to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The guarantees generally extend for a term of up to one year and are fully collateralized. For each guarantee issued, if the customer defaults on a payment or performance to the third party, the Company would have to perform under the guarantee. Outstanding standby letters of credit totaled $35.5 million at December 31, 2017. The fair values of these obligations were immaterial at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, the Company had no commercial letters of credit outstanding.

12. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
The Company uses various financial instruments, including derivatives, to manage its exposure to interest rate risk. Certain derivatives are designated as hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship (fair value or cash flow hedge). As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company has cash flow hedges with aggregate notional amounts of $900.0 million and $400.0 million, respectively.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are primarily to reduce cost and add stability to interest expense in an effort to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of amounts subject to variability caused by changes in interest rates from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is initially recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The Company did not have any derivatives outstanding prior to the third quarter of 2016.

During 2017, such derivatives were used to hedge the variability in cash flows associated with certain short term wholesale funding transactions. Since entering into the derivatives in the third quarter of 2016, the Company did not record any hedge ineffectiveness. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives would be recognized directly in earnings.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable rate borrowings. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $762,000 will be reclassified as a decrease to interest expense.

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet
The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
At December 31, 2017 (1)
 
At December 31, 2016
 
At December 31, 2017 (1)
 
At December 31, 2016
 
Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value
 
(In thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
Other assets
$
—

 
Other assets
$
12,550

 
Other liabilities
$
613

 
Other liabilities
$
—

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
$
—

 
 
$
12,550

 
 
$
613

 
 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

107

(1) In accordance with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) rulebook changes effective January 3, 2017, the fair value is inclusive of accrued interest and variation margin posted by the CME.

The CME amended their rules to legally characterize the variation margin posted between counterparties to be classified as settlements of the outstanding derivative contracts instead of cash collateral. The Company adopted the new rule on a prospective basis to include the accrued interest and variation margin posted by the CME in the fair value.

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement
The following table presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In thousands)
Cash Flow Hedges - Interest rate swaps
 
 
 
Amount of gain recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
$
2,049

 
$
12,110

Amount of (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense
(4,160
)
 
$
(440
)
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other non-interest income (ineffective portion)
—

 
—


Offsetting Derivatives
The following table presents a gross presentation, the effects of offsetting, and a net presentation of the Company’s derivatives in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The net amounts of derivative liabilities and assets can be reconciled to the tabular disclosure of the fair value hierarchy, see Footnote 13, Fair Value Measurements. The tabular disclosure of fair value provides the location that derivative assets and liabilities are presented on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Recognized
 
Gross Amounts Offset
 
Net Amounts Presented
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral Posted
 
Net Amount
 
(In thousands)
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps (1)
$
613

 
$
—

 
$
613

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
613

Total
$
613

 
$
—

 
$
613

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
613

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps
$
12,550

 
$
—

 
$
12,550

 
$
—

 
$
12,550

 
$
—

Total
$
12,550

 
$
—

 
$
12,550

 
$
—

 
$
12,550

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) In accordance with the CME rulebook changes effective January 3, 2017, the gross amounts recognized are inclusive of accrued interest and variation margin posted by the CME.

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features
The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations and could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty. The Company has agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company fails to maintain its status as a well capitalized institution, then the Company could be required to terminate its derivative positions with the counterparty.


108

The Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with certain of its derivative counterparties and posts collateral on a daily basis as required by the clearing house against the Company’s obligations, as required by these agreements.

13. Fair Value Measurements
We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Our securities available-for-sale and derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record at fair value other assets or liabilities on a non-recurring basis, such as held-to-maturity securities, mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”), loans receivable and other real estate owned. These non-recurring fair value adjustments involve the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. Additionally, in connection with our mortgage banking activities we have commitments to fund loans held-for-sale and commitments to sell loans, which are considered free-standing derivative instruments, the fair values of which are not material to our financial condition or results of operations.
In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, we group our assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
•
Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
•
Level 2 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
•
Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect our own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include the use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques. The results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability.
We base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Securities available-for-sale
Our available-for-sale portfolio is carried at estimated fair value on a recurring basis, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss in stockholders’ equity. The fair values of available-for-sale securities are based on quoted market prices (Level 1), where available. The Company obtains one price for each security primarily from a third-party pricing service (pricing service), which generally uses quoted or other observable inputs for the determination of fair value. The pricing service normally derives the security prices through recently reported trades for identical or similar securities, making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available observable market information. For securities not actively traded (Level 2), the pricing service may use quoted market prices of comparable instruments or discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs that are often used in the valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, credit spreads, default rates, prepayment speeds and non-binding broker quotes. As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, it performs quarterly analyses on the prices received from the pricing service to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, the Company compares the prices received from the pricing service to a secondary pricing source. Additionally, the Company compares changes in the reported market values and returns to relevant market indices to test the reasonableness of the reported prices. The Company’s internal price verification procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services has not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service.

Derivatives
Derivatives are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are based on a valuation model that uses primarily observable inputs, such as benchmark yield curves and interest rate spreads.


109

The following tables provide the level of valuation assumptions used to determine the carrying value of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
 
 
Carrying Value at December 31, 2017
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
(In thousands)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
5,701

 
5,701

 
—

 
—

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
640,242

 
—

 
640,242

 
—

Federal National Mortgage Association
1,303,576

 
—

 
1,303,576

 
—

Government National Mortgage Association
38,208

 
—

 
38,208

 
—

Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale
1,982,026

 
—

 
1,982,026

 
—

Total securities available-for-sale
$
1,987,727

 
5,701

 
1,982,026

 
—

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments (1)
$
613

 
—

 
613

 
—

 
(1) In accordance with the CME rulebook changes effective January 3, 2017, the gross amounts recognized are inclusive of accrued interest and variation margin posted by the CME.
 
Carrying Value at December 31, 2016
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
(In thousands)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
6,660

 
6,660

 
—

 
—

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
598,439

 
—

 
598,439

 
—

Federal National Mortgage Association
1,008,587

 
—

 
1,008,587

 
—

Government National Mortgage Association
46,747

 
—

 
46,747

 
—

Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale
1,653,773

 
—

 
1,653,773

 
—

Total securities available-for-sale
$
1,660,433

 
6,660

 
1,653,773

 
—

Derivative financial instruments
$
12,550

 
—

 
12,550

 
—

There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2017 from December 31, 2016, and there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2017.

110

There were no Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
Mortgage Servicing Rights, Net
Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of MSR is obtained through independent third party valuations through an analysis of future cash flows, incorporating assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value including market discount rates, prepayment speeds, servicing income, servicing costs, default rates and other market driven data, including the market’s perception of future interest rate movements. The prepayment speed and the discount rate are considered two of the most significant inputs in the model. At December 31, 2017, the fair value model used prepayment speeds ranging from 5.56% to 23.22% and a discount rate of 13.20% for the valuation of the mortgage servicing rights. A significant degree of judgment is involved in valuing the mortgage servicing rights using Level 3 inputs. The use of different assumptions could have a significant positive or negative effect on the fair value estimate.

Impaired Loans Receivable
Loans which meet certain criteria are evaluated individually for impairment. A loan is deemed to be impaired if it is a commercial loan with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring, and other commercial loans with $1.0 million in outstanding principal if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Our impaired loans are generally collateral dependent and, as such, are carried at the estimated fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. Estimated fair value is calculated using an independent third-party appraisals for collateral-dependent loans. In the event the most recent appraisal does not reflect the current market conditions due to the passage of time and other factors, management will obtain an updated appraisal or make downward adjustments to the existing appraised value based on their knowledge of the property, local real estate market conditions, recent real estate transactions, and for estimated selling costs, if applicable. At December 31, 2017, appraisals were discounted in a range of 0%-25% for estimated costs to sell. For non collateral-dependent loans, management estimates the fair value using discounted cash flows based on inputs that are largely unobservable and instead reflect management’s own estimates of the assumptions as a market participant would in pricing such loans.
Other Real Estate Owned
Other Real Estate Owned is recorded at estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs when acquired, thus establishing a new cost basis. Fair value is generally based on independent appraisals. These appraisals include adjustments to comparable assets based on the appraisers’ market knowledge and experience, and are discounted an additional 0%-25% for estimated costs to sell. When an asset is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over fair value, less estimated selling costs, is charged to the allowance for loan losses. If further declines in the estimated fair value of the asset occur, a writedown is recorded through expense. The valuation of foreclosed assets is subjective in nature and may be adjusted in the future because of changes in economic conditions. Operating costs after acquisition are generally expensed.

Loans Held For Sale
Residential mortgage loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value and are therefore measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. When available, the Company uses observable secondary market data, including pricing on recent closed market transactions for loans with similar characteristics.

111

The following tables provide the level of valuation assumptions used to determine the carrying value of our assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, there was no change to the carrying value of MSR or loans held for sale. For the year ended December 31, 2016, there was no change to carrying value of other real estate owned measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
 
 Security Type
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Range
Weighted Average Input
Carrying Value at December 31, 2017
 




Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
 




(In thousands)
Impaired loans
Market comparable and estimated cash flow
Lack of marketability and probability of default
1.0% - 45.0%
21.00%
30,445

—

—

30,445

Other real estate owned
Market comparable
Lack of marketability
0.0% - 25.0%
21.65%
263

—

—

263






$
30,708

—

—

30,708

 
 Security Type
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Range
Weighted Average Input
Carrying Value at December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
MSR, net
Estimated cash flow
Prepayment speeds
3.15% - 24.18%
9.84%
$
12,877

—

—

12,877

Impaired loans
Estimated cash flow
Lack of marketability and probability of default
22.0% - 29.0%
26.00%
1,403

—

—

1,403

Loans held for sale
Market comparable
Lack of marketability
2.5% - 4.5%
3.45%
313

—

—

313

 
 
 
 
 
$
14,593

—

—

14,593

Other Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions for the Company’s financial instruments not recorded at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis are set forth below.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
For cash and due from banks, the carrying amount approximates fair value.
Securities Held-to-Maturity
Our held-to-maturity portfolio, consisting primarily of mortgage backed securities and other debt securities for which we have a positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, is carried at amortized cost. Management utilizes various inputs to determine the fair value of the portfolio. The Company obtains one price for each security primarily from a third-party pricing service, which generally uses quoted or other observable inputs for the determination of fair value. The pricing service normally derives the security prices through recently reported trades for identical or similar securities, making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available observable market information. For securities not actively traded, the pricing service may use quoted market prices of comparable instruments or discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs that are often used in the valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, credit spreads, default rates, prepayment speeds and non-binding broker quotes. In the absence of quoted prices and in an illiquid market, valuation techniques, which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable, are used to determine fair value of the investment. Valuation techniques are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to forecasted cash flows, discount rates, rate of return, adjustments for nonperformance and liquidity, and liquidation values. As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, it performs quarterly analyses on the prices received from the pricing service to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, the Company compares the prices received from the pricing service to a secondary pricing source. Additionally, the Company compares changes in the reported market values and returns to relevant market indices to test the reasonableness of the reported prices. The Company’s

112

internal price verification procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services has not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service.
FHLB Stock
The fair value of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) stock is its carrying value, since this is the amount for which it could be redeemed. There is no active market for this stock and the Bank is required to hold a minimum investment based upon the balance of mortgage related assets held by the member and or FHLB advances outstanding.
Loans
Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as residential mortgage and consumer. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and non-performing categories.
The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting forecasted cash flows through the estimated maturity date using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan. Fair value for significant non-performing loans is based on recent external appraisals of collateral securing such loans, adjusted for the timing of anticipated cash flows. Fair values estimated in this manner do not fully incorporate an exit price approach to fair value, but instead are based on a comparison to current market rates for comparable loans.
Deposit Liabilities
The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as savings, checking accounts and money market accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates which approximate currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
Borrowings
The fair value of borrowings are based on securities dealers’ estimated fair values, when available, or estimated using discounted contractual cash flows using rates which approximate the rates offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

113

Commitments to Extend Credit
The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For commitments to originate fixed rate loans, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. Due to the short-term nature of our outstanding commitments, the fair values of these commitments are immaterial to our financial condition.
The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are presented in the following table.
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Carrying
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
value
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(In thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
618,394

 
618,394

 
618,394

 
—

 
—

Securities available-for-sale
1,987,727

 
1,987,727

 
5,701

 
1,982,026

 
—

Securities held-to-maturity
1,796,621

 
1,820,125

 
—

 
1,738,906

 
81,219

Stock in FHLB
231,544

 
231,544

 
231,544

 
—

 
—

Loans held for sale
5,185

 
5,185

 
—

 
5,185

 
—

Net loans
19,852,101

 
20,003,717

 
—

 
—

 
20,003,717

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits, other than time deposits
$
13,897,435

 
13,897,435

 
13,897,435

 
—

 
—

Time deposits
3,460,262

 
3,438,673

 
—

 
3,438,673

 
—

Borrowed funds
4,461,533

 
4,437,346

 
—

 
4,437,346

 
—

Derivative financial instruments (1)
613

 
613

 
—

 
613

 
—


 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
value
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(In thousands)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
164,178

 
164,178

 
164,178

 
—

 
—

Securities available-for-sale
1,660,433

 
1,660,433

 
6,660

 
1,653,773

 
—

Securities held-to-maturity
1,755,556

 
1,782,801

 
—

 
1,703,559

 
79,242

Stock in FHLB
237,878

 
237,878

 
237,878

 
—

 
—

Loans held for sale
38,298

 
38,298

 
—

 
38,298

 
—

Net loans
18,569,855

 
18,391,018

 
—

 
—

 
18,391,018

Derivative financial instruments
12,550

 
12,550

 
—

 
12,550

 
—

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits, other than time deposits
$
12,333,273

 
12,333,273

 
12,333,273

 
—

 
—

Time deposits
2,947,560

 
2,938,137

 
—

 
2,938,137

 
—

Borrowed funds
4,546,251

 
4,545,745

 
—

 
4,545,745

 
—

(1) In accordance with the CME rulebook change effective January 3, 2017, the gross amounts recognized are inclusive of accrued interest variation margin posted by the CME.
Limitations
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a portion of the Company’s

114

financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets that are not considered financial assets include deferred tax assets, premises and equipment and bank owned life insurance. Liabilities for pension and other postretirement benefits are not considered financial liabilities. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

14. Regulatory Capital
The Bank and the Company are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank and the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank and the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Tier 1 leverage ratio, Common equity tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based capital and Total risk-based capital (as defined in the regulations). In July 2013, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the other federal bank regulatory agencies issued a final rule that revised their leverage and risk-based capital requirements and the method for calculating risk-weighted assets to make them consistent with agreements that were reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Final Capital Rules also revised the quantity and quality of required minimum risk-based and leverage capital requirements, consistent with the Reform Act and the Third Basel Accord adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, or Basel III capital standards. The Common equity tier 1 risk-based ratio and changes to the calculation of risk-weighted assets became effective for the Bank and Company on January 1, 2015. The required minimum Conservation Buffer will be phased in incrementally, starting at 0.625% on January 1, 2016 and increasing to 1.25% on January 1, 2017. The Conservation Buffer increased to 1.875% on January 1, 2018 and will increase to 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The rules impose restrictions on capital distributions and certain discretionary cash bonus payments if the minimum Conservation Buffer is not met. As of December 31, 2017 the Company and the Bank met the currently applicable Conservation Buffer of 1.25%.
As of December 31, 2017, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank and the Company must maintain minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio, Common equity tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based capital and Total risk-based capital as set forth in the tables. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank and the Company’s category.

115

The following is a summary of the Bank and the Company’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2017 compared to the FDIC minimum capital adequacy requirements and the FDIC requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution.
 
 
 
Actual
 
Minimum Capital Requirement
 
To be Well  Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions (1)
 
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount    
 
Ratio    
 
Amount    
 
Ratio    
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bank:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
 
$
2,732,757

 
11.00
%
 
$
993,750

 
4.00
%
 
$
1,242,188

 
5.00
%
Common equity tier 1 risk-based
 
2,732,757

 
13.94
%
 
1,127,081

 
5.75
%
 
1,274,092

 
6.50
%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
 
2,732,757

 
13.94
%
 
1,421,102

 
7.25
%
 
1,568,113

 
8.00
%
Total Risk-Based Capital
 
2,964,721

 
15.13
%
 
1,813,131

 
9.25
%
 
1,960,141

 
10.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investors Bancorp, Inc:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
 
$
3,072,783

 
12.36
%
 
$
994,164

 
4.00
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

Common equity tier 1 risk-based
 
3,072,783

 
15.67
%
 
1,127,662

 
5.75
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
 
3,072,783

 
15.67
%
 
1,421,835

 
7.25
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

Total Risk-Based Capital
 
3,304,747

 
16.85
%
 
1,814,066

 
9.25
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

 
 
Actual
 
Minimum Capital Requirement
 
To be Well  Capitalized
Under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions (1)
 
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount    
 
Ratio    
 
Amount    
 
Ratio    
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bank:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
 
$
2,736,173

 
12.03
%
 
$
909,534

 
4.00
%
 
$
1,136,917

 
5.00
%
Common equity tier 1 risk-based
 
2,736,173

 
14.75
%
 
950,740

 
5.125
%
 
1,205,817

 
6.50
%
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
 
2,736,173

 
14.75
%
 
1,229,006

 
6.625
%
 
1,484,082

 
8.00
%
Total Risk-Based Capital
 
2,965,720

 
15.99
%
 
1,600,026

 
8.625
%
 
1,855,103

 
10.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investors Bancorp, Inc:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
 
$
3,066,401

 
13.48
%
 
$
910,058

 
4.00
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

Common equity tier 1 risk-based
 
3,066,401

 
16.52
%
 
951,411

 
5.125
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital
 
3,066,401

 
16.52
%
 
1,229,872

 
6.625
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

Total Risk-Based Capital
 
3,295,948

 
17.75
%
 
1,601,155

 
8.625
%
 
n/a

 
n/a

 (1) Prompt corrective action provisions do not apply to the Bank holding company.


116

15. Parent Company Only Financial Statements
The following condensed financial statements for Investors Bancorp, Inc. (parent company only) reflect the investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Investors Bank, using the equity method of accounting.
 
Balance Sheets

 
 
December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from bank
 
$
194,848

 
195,114

Securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value
 
5,903

 
6,918

Investment in subsidiary
 
2,800,867

 
2,792,474

ESOP loan receivable
 
90,794

 
92,839

Other assets
 
42,196

 
43,711

Total Assets
 
$
3,134,608

 
3,131,056

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
 
$
9,157

 
7,811

Total stockholders’ equity
 
3,125,451

 
3,123,245

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
3,134,608

 
3,131,056

Statements of Operations

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Income:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on ESOP loan receivable
$
3,481

 
3,084

 
3,151

Dividend from subsidiary
131,400

 
30,000

 
—

Interest on deposit with subsidiary
2

 
2

 
2

Interest and dividends on investments
277

 
132

 
65

Gain on securities transactions
—

 
72

 
1,682

Other income
2

 
—

 
—

 
135,162

 
33,290

 
4,900

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
144

 
120

 
54

Other expenses
2,578

 
3,933

 
3,170

Income before income tax expense
132,440

 
29,237

 
1,676

Income tax expense
276

 
452

 
540

Income before undistributed earnings of subsidiary
132,164

 
28,785

 
1,136

(Dividend in excess of earnings) equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary
(5,420
)
 
163,340

 
180,370

Net income
$
126,744

 
192,125

 
181,506



117

 Other Comprehensive Income
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(In thousands)
Net income
$
126,744

 
192,125

 
181,506

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale
534

 
543

 
433

Total other comprehensive income
534

 
543

 
433

Total comprehensive income
$
127,278

 
192,668

 
181,939


Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
126,744

 
192,125

 
181,506

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend in excess of earnings (equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary)
 
5,420

 
(163,340
)
 
(180,370
)
Gain on securities transactions, net
 
—

 
(72
)
 
1,682

Decrease in other assets
 
14,678

 
14,805

 
2,107

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
 
1,346

 
(3,655
)
 
4,927

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
148,188

 
39,863

 
9,852

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity
 
—

 
(5,000
)
 
—

Proceeds from principal repayments on equity securities available-for-sale
 
1,000

 
72

 
2,700

Principal collected on ESOP loan
 
2,045

 
2,050

 
2,062

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
3,045

 
(2,878
)
 
4,762

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase of treasury stock
 
(59,090
)
 
(363,410
)
 
(382,922
)
Exercise of stock options
 
9,141

 
34,317

 
2,985

Dividends paid
 
(101,550
)
 
(82,291
)
 
(87,395
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(151,499
)
 
(411,384
)
 
(467,332
)
Net decrease in cash and due from bank
 
(266
)
 
(374,399
)
 
(452,718
)
Cash and due from bank at beginning of year
 
195,114

 
569,513

 
1,022,231

Cash and due from bank at end of year
 
$
194,848

 
195,114

 
569,513

 

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16. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
The following tables are a summary of certain quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 
 
2017 Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest and dividend income
 
$
210,094

 
215,508

 
225,764

 
230,317

Interest expense
 
42,975

 
48,452

 
54,853

 
55,627

Net interest income
 
167,119

 
167,056

 
170,911

 
174,690

Provision for loan losses
 
4,000

 
6,000

 
1,750

 
4,500

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
163,119

 
161,056

 
169,161

 
170,190

Non-interest income
 
9,703

 
9,320

 
8,395

 
8,219

Non-interest expenses
 
99,558

 
106,268

 
103,274

 
109,474

Income before income tax expense
 
73,264

 
64,108

 
74,282

 
68,935

Income tax expense
 
27,244

 
24,475

 
28,437

 
73,689

Net income (loss)
 
$
46,020

 
39,633

 
45,845

 
(4,754
)
Basic earnings per common share
 
$
0.16

 
0.14

 
0.16

 
(0.02
)
Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.16

 
0.14

 
0.16

 
(0.02
)
 
 
 
2016 Quarter Ended
 
 
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest and dividend income
 
$
192,107

 
194,960

 
198,374

 
208,079

Interest expense
 
37,544

 
37,655

 
38,768

 
39,369

Net interest income
 
154,563

 
157,305

 
159,606

 
168,710

Provision for loan losses
 
5,000

 
5,000

 
5,000

 
4,750

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
149,563

 
152,305

 
154,606

 
163,960

Non-interest income
 
8,707

 
11,469

 
8,520

 
8,504

Non-interest expenses
 
87,146

 
91,009

 
91,398

 
89,010

Income before income tax expense
 
71,124

 
72,765

 
71,728

 
83,454

Income tax expense
 
26,455

 
27,625

 
21,878

 
30,989

Net income
 
$
44,669

 
45,140

 
49,850

 
52,465

Basic earnings per common share
 
$
0.14

 
0.15

 
0.17

 
0.18

Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.14

 
0.15

 
0.17

 
0.18



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17. Earnings Per Share
The following is a summary of our earnings per share calculations and reconciliation of basic to diluted earnings per share.
 
 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per common share
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings applicable to common stockholders
$
126,744

 
$
192,125

 
$
181,505

 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic
290,183,952

 
297,580,834

 
329,763,527

Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents(1)
1,782,523

 
3,374,051

 
3,169,921

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted
291,966,475

 
300,954,885

 
332,933,448

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.44

 
$
0.65

 
$
0.55

Diluted
$
0.43

 
$
0.64

 
$
0.55

(1) For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, there were 10,246,677, 19,046,222, and 18,200,877 equity awards, respectively, that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

18. Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income, both gross and net of tax, are as follows:
 
Year ended December 31, 2017
 
Year ended December 31, 2016
 
Year ended December 31, 2015
 
Gross
 
Tax
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Tax
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Tax
 
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
280,589

 
(153,845
)
 
126,744

 
299,072

 
(106,947
)
 
192,125

 
280,877

 
(99,372
)
 
181,505

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in funded status of retirement obligations
313

 
(1,058
)
 
(745
)
 
12,452

 
(4,981
)
 
7,471

 
(2,425
)
 
970

 
(1,455
)
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale
(7,714
)
 
(434
)
 
(8,148
)
 
(19,399
)
 
7,115

 
(12,284
)
 
(7,982
)
 
3,049

 
(4,933
)
Accretion of loss on securities reclassified to held-to-maturity from available-for-sale
1,243

 
(775
)
 
468

 
1,846

 
(754
)
 
1,092

 
2,448

 
(1,000
)
 
1,448

Reclassification adjustment for security gains included in net income
(1,275
)
 
510

 
(765
)
 
(2,264
)
 
906

 
(1,358
)
 
(1,553
)
 
6

 
(1,547
)
Other-than-temporary impairment accretion on debt securities
1,614

 
(3,226
)
 
(1,612
)
 
1,488

 
(608
)
 
880

 
1,802

 
(736
)
 
1,066

Net gains on derivatives arising during the period
6,209

 
(146
)
 
6,063

 
12,550

 
(5,126
)
 
7,424

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
390

 
(5,129
)
 
(4,739
)
 
6,673

 
(3,448
)
 
3,225

 
(7,710
)
 
2,289

 
(5,421
)
Total comprehensive income
$
280,979

 
(158,974
)
 
122,005

 
305,745

 
(110,395
)
 
195,350

 
273,167

 
(97,083
)
 
176,084


120

The following table presents the after-tax changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
Change in funded status of retirement obligations
 
Accretion of loss on securities reclassified to held-to-maturity
 
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities available-for-sale and gains included in net income
 
Other-than-temporary impairment accretion on debt securities
 
Unrealized gains on derivatives
 
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance - December 31, 2016
$
(4,895
)
 
(1,988
)
 
(12,271
)
 
(12,870
)
 
7,424

 
(24,600
)
Net change
188

 
398

 
(2,113
)
 
(2,256
)
 
3,673

 
(110
)
Reclassification due to the adoption of ASU No. 2018-02
(933
)
 
70

 
(6,800
)
 
644

 
2,390

 
(4,629
)
Balance - December 31, 2017
$
(5,640
)
 
(1,520
)
 
(21,184
)
 
(14,482
)
 
13,487

 
(29,339
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance - December 31, 2015
$
(12,366
)
 
(3,080
)
 
1,371

 
(13,750
)
 
—

 
(27,825
)
Net change
7,471

 
1,092

 
(13,642
)
 
880

 
7,424

 
3,225

Balance - December 31, 2016
$
(4,895
)
 
(1,988
)
 
(12,271
)
 
(12,870
)
 
7,424

 
(24,600
)

The following table presents information about amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the consolidated statements of income and the affected line item in the statement where net income is presented.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(In thousands)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income
 
 
 
Gain on securities transactions, net
$
(1,275
)
 
(2,264
)
Change in funded status of retirement obligations
 
 
 
Adjustment of net obligation
(20
)
 
249

Amortization of net loss
479

 
1,610

Compensation and fringe benefits
459

 
1,859

Interest expense
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment for unrealized losses on derivatives
4,161

 
440

Total before tax
3,345

 
35

Income tax (expense) benefit
(1,213
)
 
1,179

Net of tax
$
2,132

 
(1,144
)

19. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This update was issued to address a narrow-scope financial reporting issue that arose as a consequence of the change in the tax law. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted a tax bill, H.R.1, An Act to Provide for Reconciliation Pursuant to Titles II and V of the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017).  ASU 2018-02 permits a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate of 35 percent and the newly enacted 21 percent corporate income tax rate.  ASU 2018-02 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for (i) public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (ii) all other entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The changes are required to be applied retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is recognized. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02, which resulted in the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings totaling $4.6 million, reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. See Footnote 18, Comprehensive Income, for further details.

121

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 718): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”. The purpose of this guidance is to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with the company’s risk management activities by expanding strategies that qualify for hedge accounting, modifying the presentation of certain hedging relationships in the financial statements and simplifying the application of hedge accounting in certain situations. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted in any interim or annual period before the effective date. ASU 2017-12 will be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment related to the elimination of the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to the balance of accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the amendments in this update are adopted. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required only prospectively. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-12 on January 1, 2018 which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”. This update provides guidance about changes to terms or conditions of a share-based payment award which would require modification accounting. In particular, an entity is required to account for the effects of a modification if the fair value, vesting condition or the equity/liability classification of the modified award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the award. The update is to be applied prospectively for awards modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities”. The amendments in this update require the premium on callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date rather than the maturity date; however, securities held at a discount continue to be amortized to maturity. The amendments apply only to debt securities purchased at a premium that are callable at fixed prices and on preset dates. The amendments more closely align interest income recorded on debt securities held at a premium or discount with the economics of the underlying instrument. ASU No. 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating its provisions to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
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”, which requires that companies disaggregate the service cost component from other components of net benefit cost. This update calls for companies that offer postretirement benefits to present the service cost, which is the amount an employer has to set aside each quarter or fiscal year to cover the benefits, in the same line item with other current employee compensation costs. Other components of net benefit cost will be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. The Company adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This ASU simplifies subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 of the impairment test while retaining the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine whether the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The ASU also eliminates 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. Therefore, the same impairment assessment applies to all reporting units. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment testing dates beginning after January 1, 2017. The update is to be applied prospectively. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2017-04 to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-03, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250) and Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the September 22, 2016 and November 17, 2016 EITF Meetings (SEC Update)”, which amends certain paragraphs in the ASC to give effect to announcements made by the SEC observer at two recent Emerging Issues Task Force meetings. SEC registrants are required to reasonably estimate the impact that adoption of the standards on revenue recognition, leases, and measurement of credit losses on financial instruments is expected to have on financial statements. If such estimate is indeterminate, registrants should consider providing additional qualitative disclosures to assess the effect on financial statements as a result of adopting of these new standards. There is no effective date or transition requirements for this standard.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” The amendments in this ASU provide a practical way to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen provided in this ASU requires that when all or substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated

122

in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. The amendments also provide other considerations to determine whether a set is a business if the screen is not met. The update is to be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the determination of whether future acquisitions are considered a business combination and the resulting impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” This ASU addresses the recognition of current and deferred taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer and amends current U.S. GAAP by eliminating the exception for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory to defer such recognition until sale to an outside party. The Company adopted ASU 2016-16 on January 1, 2018, which did not have an impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, a new standard which addresses diversity in practice related to eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or 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. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If it is impracticable to apply the amendments retrospectively for some of the issues, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that aren’t measured at fair value through net income. In issuing the standard, the FASB is responding to criticism that today’s guidance delays recognition of credit losses. The standard will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model. The new model, referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model, will apply to: (1) financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, and (2) certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments, and financial guarantees. The CECL model does not apply to available-for-sale (“AFS”) debt securities. For AFS debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to what they do today, except that the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. As a result, entities will recognize improvements to estimated credit losses immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time, as they do today. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. ASU 2016-13 also expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models, and methods for estimating the allowance for loan and lease losses. In addition, entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (i.e., modified retrospective approach). While early adoption is permitted, the Company does not expect to elect that option. The Company has begun its evaluation of the amended guidance including the potential impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements. The extent of the change is indeterminable at this time as it will be dependent upon portfolio composition and credit quality at the adoption date, as well as economic conditions and forecasts at that time. Upon adoption, any impact to the allowance for credit losses - currently allowance for loan and lease losses - will have an offsetting impact on retained earnings.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”, which requires all lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset, measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments, at the lease commencement date for leases classified as operating leases as well as finance leases. The update also requires new quantitative disclosures related to leases in the Consolidated Financial Statements. There are practical expedients in this update that relate to leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs and the use of hindsight to extend or terminate a lease or purchase the leased asset. Lessor accounting remains largely unchanged under the new guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective approach must be applied for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the guidance, including determining whether other contracts exist that are deemed to be in scope. As such, no conclusions have yet been reached regarding the potential impact on adoption on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and regulatory capital and risk-weighted assets; however, the Company does not expect the amendment to have a material impact on its results of operations.

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In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments- Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This amendment supersedes the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories, requires equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income, and simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The amendment requires public business entities that are required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet to measure that fair value using the exit price notion. The amendment requires 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. The amendment requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or in the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The amendment reduces diversity in current practice by clarifying 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. Entities should apply the amendment by means of a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with the exception of the amendment related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values, which should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and liquidity due to the Company’s proportionately small portfolio of equity securities.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The objective of this amendment is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This update affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are in the scope of other standards. The ASU is effective for public business entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. Subsequently, the FASB issued the following standards related to ASU 2014-09: ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations” ; ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”; ASU 2016-11, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting”; ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”; and ASU 2017-05, “Other Income-Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets.” These amendments are intended to improve and clarify the implementation guidance of ASU 2014-09 and have the same effective date as the original standard. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. As the guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans, leases, securities and derivatives that are accounted for under other U.S. GAAP, the new revenue recognition standard does not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s implementation efforts have included the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance, as well as the evaluation of revenue contracts. While there were no material changes related to the timing or amount of revenue recognition, the Company will continue to evaluate the need for additional disclosures.

20. Subsequent Events
As defined in FASB ASC 855, “Subsequent Events”, subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. Financial statements are considered issued when they are widely distributed to stockholders and other financial statement users for general use and reliance in a form and format that complies with GAAP.     
On January 25, 2018, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.09 per share. The $0.09 dividend per share was paid to stockholders on February 23, 2018, with a record date of February 9, 2018.
On February 6, 2018, the Company announced the acquisition of a portfolio of capital equipment leases of approximately $350 million which will enhance its C&I lending capabilities with middle market companies. This acquisition includes a seven-person team of financing professionals to lead the Equipment Finance Group.
    

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(a)(3)
Exhibits
The following exhibits are either filed as part of this report or are incorporated herein by reference:
 

  
 
 
 

  
 
 
 

  
 
 
 

  
 
 
 

  
 
 
 

  

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

  

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

  
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

  

 
 
 

  

 
 
 

  

 
 
 

  

 
 
 

  
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

  

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 

125

 
 
 

  
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

  
 
 
 

  
 
 
 

  
 
 
 
101

  
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) related notes to these financial statements

 
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File no. 333-192966), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 20, 2013.

(2)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 000-51557) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2010.

(3)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on 10-Q of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 001-36441) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2016.

(4)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 000-51557) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2010.

(5)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 001-36441) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2015.

(6)
Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement for Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Commission File No. 001-36441) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015.

(7)
Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Definitive Proxy Statement for Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Commission File No. 000-51557) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2006.

(8)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 333-192717) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2013.

(9)
Incorporated by reference to Annex D to the Definitive Proxy Statement for Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Commission File No. 000-51557) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2013.

(10)
Incorporated by reference to the Amended Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 333-192966) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2014.

(11)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.15 and 10.16 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 001-36441) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2017.
(12)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 001-36441) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2017.

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ITEM 16.
FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INVESTORS BANCORP, INC.
 
 
 
Date: March 1, 2018
 
By:
 
/s/  Kevin Cummings
 
 
 
 
Kevin Cummings
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
(Duly Authorized Representative)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 

128

 
 
 
 
 
Signatures
  
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
/s/  Kevin Cummings
Kevin Cummings
  
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
/s/  Domenick Cama
Domenick Cama
  
Director, Chief Operating Officer
and Senior Executive Vice President
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/  Sean Burke
Sean Burke
  
Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice President
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
/s/  Robert M. Cashill
Robert M. Cashill
  
Director, Chairman
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Robert C. Albanese
Robert C. Albanese
 
Director
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/  Dennis M. Bone
Dennis M. Bone
  
Director
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/  Doreen R. Byrnes
Doreen R. Byrnes
  
Director
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Peter H. Carlin
Peter H. Carlin
 
Director
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/ William Cosgrove
William Cosgrove
 
Director
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/  Brian D. Dittenhafer
Brian D. Dittenhafer
  
Director
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
/s/  James Garibaldi
James Garibaldi
 
Director
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Michele N. Siekerka
Michele N. Siekerka
 
Director
 
March 1, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
/s/  James H. Ward III
James H. Ward III
  
Director
 
March 1, 2018



129