UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
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 NUMBER: 0-14703

NBT BANCORP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
  
16-1268674
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

52 SOUTH BROAD STREET, NORWICH, NEW YORK 13815
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) (607) 337-2265

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
NBTB
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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 ☒  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 ☒

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 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for  the  past  90  days.  Yes ☒  No ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted  pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒  No ☐

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.

Large accelerated filer ☒
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐

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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐ Yes  ☒ No

Based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock as of June 30, 2019, the aggregate market value of the voting stock, common stock, par value, $0.01 per share, held by non-affiliates of the registrant is $1,594,211,159.

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of February 10, 2020, was 43,844,649.




DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 19, 2020 are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Form 10-K.


NBT BANCORP INC.
FORM 10-K – Year Ended December 31, 2019
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
4
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
16
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
24
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
25
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
25
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
25
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
26
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
28
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
30
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
47
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
49
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
49
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018
51
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019
52
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019
53
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019
54
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019
55
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
56
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
104
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
104
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
107
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
107
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
107
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
107
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
107
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
107
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
108
ITEM 16.
FORM 10-K SUMMARY
111
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
112

Table of Contents
PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

NBT Bancorp Inc. (the “Company”) is a registered financial holding company incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1986, with its principal headquarters located in Norwich, New York. The Company, on a consolidated basis, at December 31, 2019 had assets of $9.7 billion and stockholders’ equity of $1.1 billion.
 
The principal assets of the Company consist of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of its subsidiaries, including NBT Bank, National Association (the “Bank”), NBT Financial Services, Inc. (“NBT Financial”), NBT Holdings, Inc. (“NBT Holdings”), CNBF Capital Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust II, Alliance Financial Capital Trust I and Alliance Financial Capital Trust II (collectively, the “Trusts”). The Company’s principal sources of revenue are the management fees and dividends it receives from the Bank, NBT Financial and NBT Holdings.
 
The Company’s business, primarily conducted through the Bank, consists of providing commercial banking, retail banking and wealth management services primarily to customers in its market area, which includes central and upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Hampshire, western Massachusetts, Vermont and the southern coastal Maine area. The Company has been, and intends to continue to be, a community-oriented financial institution offering a variety of financial services. The Company’s business philosophy is to operate as a community bank with local decision-making, providing a broad array of banking and financial services to retail, commercial and municipal customers. The financial condition and operating results of the Company are dependent on its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and dividend income earned on its earning assets, primarily loans and investments and the interest expense paid on its interest-bearing liabilities, primarily consisting of deposits and borrowings. Among other factors, net income is also affected by provisions for loan losses and noninterest income, such as service charges on deposit accounts, insurance and other financial services revenue, trust revenue and gains/losses on securities sales, bank owned life insurance income, ATM and debit card fees and retirement plan administration fees, as well as noninterest expense, such as salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, data processing and communications, professional fees and outside services, office supplies and postage, amortization of intangible assets, loan collection and other real estate owned ("OREO") expenses, advertising, FDIC expenses and other expenses.

Some of the market areas that the Company serves are experiencing economic challenges and volatility. A variety of factors (e.g., any substantial rise in inflation or rise in unemployment rates, decrease in consumer confidence, adverse international economic conditions, natural disasters, war or political instability) may adversely affect both the Company’s markets and the national market. The Company will continue to emphasize effectively managing its funding costs and lending and investment rates to maintain profitability. In addition, the Company will continue to seek and maintain relationships that can generate noninterest income. We anticipate that this approach should help mitigate profit fluctuations that are caused by movements in interest rates, business and consumer loan cycles and local economic factors.

NBT Bank, N.A.

The Bank is a full service commercial bank formed in 1856, which provides a broad range of financial products to individuals, corporations and municipalities throughout the central and upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, Vermont and southern coastal Maine market areas.

Through its network of branch locations, the Bank offers a wide range of products and services tailored to individuals, businesses and municipalities. Deposit products offered by the Bank include demand deposit accounts, savings accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal (“NOW”) accounts, money market deposit accounts (“MMDA”) and certificate of deposit (“CD”) accounts. The Bank offers various types of each deposit account to accommodate the needs of its customers with varying rates, terms and features. Loan products offered by the Bank include indirect and direct consumer loans, home equity loans, mortgages, business banking loans and commercial loans, with varying rates, terms and features to accommodate the needs of its customers. The Bank also offers various other products and services through its branch network such as trust and investment services and financial planning and life insurance services. In addition to its branch network, the Bank also offers access to certain products and services electronically through 24-hour online, mobile and telephone channels that enable customers to check balances, make deposits, transfer funds, pay bills, access statements, apply for loans and access various other products and services. 

NBT Financial Services, Inc.

Through NBT Financial Services, the Company operates EPIC Advisors, Inc. (“EPIC”), a retirement plan administrator. Through EPIC, the Company offers services including retirement plan consulting and recordkeeping services. EPIC’s headquarters are located in Rochester, New York.
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NBT Holdings, Inc.

Through NBT Holdings, the Company operates NBT Insurance Agency, LLC (“NBT Insurance”), a full-service insurance agency acquired by the Company on September 1, 2008. NBT Insurance’s headquarters are located in Norwich, New York. Through NBT Insurance, the Company offers a full array of insurance products, including personal property and casualty, business liability and commercial insurance, tailored to serve the specific insurance needs of individuals as well as businesses in a range of industries operating in the markets served by the Company.

The Trusts

The Trusts were organized to raise additional regulatory capital and to provide funding for certain acquisitions. CNBF Capital Trust I and NBT Statutory Trust I are Delaware statutory business trusts formed in 1999 and 2005, respectively, for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities and lending the proceeds to the Company. In connection with the acquisition of CNB Bancorp, Inc., the Company formed NBT Statutory Trust II in February 2006 to fund the cash portion of the acquisition as well as to provide regulatory capital. In connection with the acquisition of Alliance Financial Corporation (“Alliance”), the Company acquired two statutory trusts, Alliance Financial Capital Trust I and Alliance Financial Capital Trust II, which were formed in 2003 and 2006, respectively. The Company guarantees, on a limited basis, payments of distributions on the trust preferred securities and payments on redemption of the trust preferred securities. The Trusts are variable interest entities for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). In accordance with ASC, the accounts of the Trusts are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Operating Subsidiaries of the Bank

The Bank has four operating subsidiaries, NBT Capital Corp., Broad Street Property Associates, Inc., CNB Realty Trust and NBT Capital Management, Inc. NBT Capital Corp., formed in 1998, is a venture capital corporation. Broad Street Property Associates, Inc., formed in 2004, is a property management company. CNB Realty Trust, formed in 1998, is a real estate investment trust. NBT Capital Management, Inc., formerly Columbia Ridge Capital Management, Inc., was acquired in 2016 and is a registered investment advisor that provides investment management and financial consulting services. Two operating subsidiaries, Alliance Preferred Funding Corp. and Alliance Leasing, Inc. acquired in 2013, were dissolved during 2019.

Competition

The financial services industry, including commercial banking, is highly competitive, and we encounter strong competition for deposits, loans and other financial products and services in our market area. The increasingly competitive environment is the result of the continued low rate environment, changes in regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems, additional financial service providers and the accelerating pace of consolidation among financial services providers. The Company competes for loans, deposits and customers with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, insurance companies, finance companies, money market funds, credit unions and other nonbank financial service providers.

The financial services industry could become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Banks, securities firms and insurance companies can merge under the umbrella of a financial holding company, which can offer virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. In addition, technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems.

Some of the Company’s nonbanking competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. In addition, some of the Company’s competitors have assets, capital and lending limits greater than that of the Company, have greater access to capital markets and offer a broader range of products and services than the Company. These institutions may have the ability to finance wide-ranging advertising campaigns and may be able to offer lower rates on loans and higher rates on deposits than the Company can offer. Some of these institutions offer services, such as credit cards and international banking, which the Company does not directly offer.

Various in-state market competitors and out-of-state banks continue to enter or have announced plans to enter or expand their presence in the market areas in which the Company currently operates. With the addition of new banking presences within our market, the Company expects increased competition for loans, deposits and other financial products and services.

In order to compete with other financial services providers, the Company stresses the community nature of its banking operations and principally relies upon local promotional activities, personal relationships established by officers, directors and employees with the Company's customers and specialized services tailored to meet the needs of the communities served. We also offer certain customer services, such as agricultural lending, that many of our larger competitors do not offer. While the Company’s position varies by market, the Company’s management believes that it can compete effectively as a result of local market knowledge, local decision making and awareness of customer needs.
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The table below summarizes the Bank’s deposits and market share as June 30, 2019 by the thirty-eight counties of New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine. Market share is based on deposits of all commercial banks, credit unions, savings and loans associations and savings banks.

County
State
Deposits
in Thousands
 
Market Share
 
Market
Rank
 
Number of
Branches*
 
Number of ATMs*
Chenango
NY
$
993,037
 
 
95.39%
 
 
1
 
 
11
 
 
12
Fulton
NY
 
481,065
 
 
63.19%
 
 
1
 
 
5
 
 
6
Schoharie
NY
 
227,328
 
 
46.36%
 
 
1
 
 
4
 
 
4
Hamilton
NY
 
46,660
 
 
44.08%
 
 
2
 
 
1
 
 
1
Montgomery
NY
 
285,857
 
 
36.59%
 
 
2
 
 
5
 
 
4
Cortland
NY
 
272,985
 
 
34.55%
 
 
1
 
 
4
 
 
7
Otsego
NY
 
370,637
 
 
33.06%
 
 
1
 
 
8
 
 
11
Delaware
NY
 
331,900
 
 
32.54%
 
 
1
 
 
5
 
 
5
Essex
NY
 
212,881
 
 
28.33%
 
 
2
 
 
3
 
 
4
Madison
NY
 
229,963
 
 
27.17%
 
 
2
 
 
4
 
 
8
Susquehanna
PA
 
192,595
 
 
20.83%
 
 
2
 
 
5
 
 
7
Oneida
NY
 
549,687
 
 
14.92%
 
 
2
 
 
7
 
 
9
Broome
NY
 
397,388
 
 
13.82%
 
 
2
 
 
7
 
 
9
St. Lawrence
NY
 
162,612
 
 
13.24%
 
 
4
 
 
4
 
 
4
Herkimer
NY
 
86,610
 
 
11.52%
 
 
4
 
 
2
 
 
1
Pike
PA
 
76,509
 
 
10.70%
 
 
5
 
 
2
 
 
2
Oswego
NY
 
147,257
 
 
10.66%
 
 
4
 
 
4
 
 
6
Wayne
PA
 
122,361
 
 
8.71%
 
 
4
 
 
3
 
 
4
Lackawanna
PA
 
433,119
 
 
7.65%
 
 
6
 
 
11
 
 
17
Tioga
NY
 
34,861
 
 
7.48%
 
 
5
 
 
1
 
 
1
Clinton
NY
 
105,228
 
 
7.36%
 
 
5
 
 
3
 
 
3
Franklin
NY
 
30,538
 
 
5.96%
 
 
4
 
 
1
 
 
1
Schenectady
NY
 
168,228
 
 
5.84%
 
 
5
 
 
2
 
 
2
Warren
NY
 
93,920
 
 
4.60%
 
 
4
 
 
2
 
 
2
Onondaga
NY
 
464,174
 
 
4.33%
 
 
6
 
 
11
 
 
13
Saratoga
NY
 
165,993
 
 
3.32%
 
 
9
 
 
4
 
 
5
Chittenden
VT
 
140,599
 
 
3.07%
 
 
7
 
 
3
 
 
4
Monroe
PA
 
78,826
 
 
2.88%
 
 
8
 
 
3
 
 
3
Cheshire
NH
 
46,811
 
 
2.86%
 
 
7
 
 
1
 
 
1
Berkshire
MA
 
115,376
 
 
2.51%
 
 
7
 
 
5
 
 
6
Greene
NY
 
33,435
 
 
1.94%
 
 
6
 
 
1
 
 
1
Albany
NY
 
293,260
 
 
1.49%
 
 
9
 
 
4
 
 
5
Luzerne
PA
 
90,236
 
 
1.47%
 
 
13
 
 
4
 
 
5
Rensselaer
NY
 
25,612
 
 
1.14%
 
 
10
 
 
1
 
 
1
Hillsborough
NH
 
88,713
 
 
0.74%
 
 
13
 
 
2
 
 
2
Rutland
VT
 
6,128
 
 
0.64%
 
 
10
 
 
1
 
 
1
Cumberland
ME
 
32,369
 
 
0.32%
 
 
15
 
 
1
 
 
1
Rockingham
NH
 
9,061
 
 
0.11%
 
 
24
 
 
1
 
 
2
 
 
$
7,643,819
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
146
 
 
180

Source: SNL Financial LLC
* Branch and ATM data is as of December 31, 2019.

Data Privacy and Security Practices

The Company’s enterprise security strategy revolves around people, processes and technology. The Company employs a defense in depth strategy, which combines physical control measures with logical control measures and uses a layered security model to provide end-to-end security of Company and client information. The high-level objective of the information security program is to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all information assets in our environment. We accomplish this by building our program around six foundational control areas: program oversight and governance, safeguards and controls, security awareness training, service provider oversight, incident response and business continuity. The Company’s data security and privacy practices are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations including the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act of 2001 ("GLBA") and applicable privacy laws described under the heading Supervision and Regulation in this Item 1. Business section.
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The controls identified in our enterprise security program are managed by various stakeholders throughout the Company and monitored by the information security team. All employees are required to complete information security and privacy training when they join the Company and then complete annual online training certification and ad hoc face to face trainings. The Company engages outside consultants to perform periodic audits of our information and data security controls and processes including penetration testing of the Company’s public facing websites and corporate networks. The Board of Directors requires the Company's Information Security Officer to report to them the status of the overall information security and data privacy program on a recurring basis. More information can be located on the Company’s website https://www.nbtbank.com/Personal/Customer-Support/Fraud-Information-Center.

Investment in Human Capital

The Company’s strategic initiative regarding investing in human capital includes key initiatives to attract, develop and retain our valued employees. Talent management continues to be a top priority as specific competencies are predicted to be in short-supply with the transition of retirement age skill sets.

To aid in retention and attract talent, the Company has implemented a minimum hiring pay rate of $15 per hour. Our employee pay policies have resulted in even increased levels of employee retention rates, which results in greater customer satisfaction and continuity. The Company offers total rewards that address employees at various stages of their personal lives and careers. Recently added were a student loan repayment program, paid parental leave, more flexibility in paid time off and work arrangement and a retirement transition option. The Company’s incentive programs recognize all full-time employees at all levels and are designed to motivate employees to support achievement of company success, with appropriate risk assessment and prevention measures designed to prevent fraud.

Learning and Development

The Company focuses on the future by encouraging and promoting internal development. We have four distinct training and development programs that address and encourage development and foster retention. Our high-potential program is in its sixth cycle of leader development. Our emerging leaders program develops our up-and-coming next generation of leaders. Our management development program aims at attracting key external talent, particularly through benefit programs such as financial education, tuition repayment, graduate school tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements. The management development program has placed many graduates in key positions where they have made significant contributions. Our professional development program provides an entry point for early career professionals. This program provides an overview of banking functions over a 12-18 month period, ultimately placing employees with working knowledge in positions of responsibility around the Company. In addition, employees have access to career paths throughout the Company’s business areas, supported by individual development plans and internal learning management system resources. To support this process, we named an internal career counselor to work as a liaison with employees and managers to direct their personal career aspirations.

Diversity and Inclusion

We have enhanced the visibility and structure of our long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion ("D&I"). Our Chief Diversity Officer has placed a high level of focus on relevant and impactful D&I initiatives by building upon our strong cultural foundation. The Company has implemented a variety of initiatives from being transparent by posting our diversity values on our website to providing forums to listen more closely to what our employees want to say. The Company has a D&I steering committee comprised of members of the executive team, including the Chief Executive Officer. The plan is shared with our board of directors, management and employees, who are often included in implementing specific action items.

The Company developed a purpose statement to support the D&I initiative, which states that the Company strives to create an environment that is open and welcoming to all, leading to high employee engagement and job performance. We believe this will enable the Company to outperform its peers, ensure high levels of shareholder return and provide for financial independence. We strive to ensure our executives are demonstrating the highest ethical leadership, are approachable and inspire trust. More information can be located on the Company’s website at https://www.nbtbank.com/Personal/About-Us/Our-Bank/Diversity-and-Inclusion.

Conduct and Ethics

It is critical that the board of directors and senior management vigorously endorse a no-tolerance stance for workplace harassment, biases and unethical behavior. The Company’s values-based Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is extensively communicated on our website, intranet, company newsletter and internally socialized through a blog entitled “Respectfully Yours.” Frequent training specific to managers and employees, regular publication of our whistleblower policy and reporting mechanisms provide framework to the Company’s motto of: “The right people. Doing the right things. In the right way.”
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Engaging Employees

The Company seeks to further refine its workforce programs through its employee engagement survey. Based on the most recent survey, high impact strengths included leadership, alignment to company goals and individual work, sense of team and identity, autonomy to get things done, access to learning and development and social responsibility. The executive team owns several initiatives directly tied to the survey feedback, including the employee forums mentioned above. With technology and the implementation of Office 365, we have increased interactions among team members across our geography. The Company believes that engaged employees will drive retention and effort, ultimately correlating to a better experience for our customers.

Environmental

The Company is focused on the environment and committed to business practices and activities that encourage sustainability and minimize our environmental impact. In larger facilities, the Company conserves energy through the use of building energy management systems and motion sensor lighting controls. In new construction and renovations, the Company incorporates high-efficiency mechanical equipment, LED lighting, and modern building techniques to reduce our carbon footprint wherever possible.  The Company has an ongoing initiative to replace existing lighting with LED lighting to reduce energy consumption.

Through our solar financing partnership, the Company offers homeowners across the country the opportunity to power their homes with a sustainable energy source. Services like mobile and online banking, remote deposit capture, eStatements and combined statements enable us to support all customers in their efforts to consume less fuel and paper. We continue to digitize loan origination processes, reducing trips to the bank and paper documents for our customers. Across our footprint, we host community shred days with multiple confidential document destruction companies to promote safe document disposal and recycling.

Supervision and Regulation

The Company, the Bank and certain of its non-banking subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws. The regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks is intended to protect depositors, federal deposit insurance funds and the stability of the U.S. banking system. This system is not designed to protect equity investors in bank holding companies, such as the Company.

Set forth below is a summary of the significant laws and regulations applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries. The description that follows is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes, regulations and policies that are described. Such statutes, regulations and policies are subject to ongoing review by Congress and state legislatures and federal and state regulatory agencies. A change in any of the statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries could have a material effect on the results of the Company.

Overview

The Company is a registered bank holding company and financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”) and is subject to the supervision of, and regular examination by, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board” or “FRB”) as its primary federal regulator. The Company is also subject to the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is subject to the disclosure and other regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act"), as administered by the SEC. The Company's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select market under the ticker symbol, “NBTB,” and the Company is subject to the NASDAQ stock market rules.

The Bank is chartered as a national banking association under the National Bank Act. The Bank is subject to the supervision of, and to regular examination by, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) as its chartering authority and primary federal regulator. The Bank is also subject to the supervision and regulation, to a limited extent, of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as its deposit insurer. Financial products and services offered by the Company and the Bank are subject to federal consumer protection laws and implementing regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). The Company and the Bank are also subject to oversight by state attorneys general for compliance with state consumer protection laws. The Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC up to the applicable deposit insurance limits in accordance with FDIC laws and regulations. The non-bank subsidiaries of the Company and the Bank are subject to federal and state laws and regulations, including regulations of the FRB and the OCC, respectively.

Since the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), U.S. banks and financial services firms have been subject to enhanced regulation and oversight. Since 2016, the current administration and its appointees to the federal banking agencies have enacted legislation and taken other steps to modify and scale back portions of the Dodd-Frank Act and certain of its implementing regulations. It is not clear whether any additional such legislation or regulatory changes will be enacted or implemented or, if enacted or implemented, what the effect on the Company would be, though major changes are not expected in the near term.
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Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation

The Company is a bank holding company as defined by the BHC Act. The BHC Act generally limits the business of the Company to banking, managing or controlling banks and other activities that the FRB has determined to be so closely related to banking “as to be a proper incident thereto.” The Company has also qualified for and elected to be a financial holding company. Financial holding companies may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (i) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity (as determined by the FRB in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury), or (ii) complementary to a financial activity and that does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system (as solely determined by the FRB). If a bank holding company seeks to engage in the broader range of activities permitted under the BHC Act for financial holding companies, (i) the bank holding company and all of its depository institution subsidiaries must be “well-capitalized” and “well-managed,” as defined in the FRB's Regulation Y and (ii) it must file a declaration with the FRB that it elects to be a “financial holding company.” In order for a financial holding company to commence any activity that is financial in nature, incidental thereto, or complementary to a financial activity, or to acquire a company engaged in any such activity permitted by the BHC Act, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (the “CRA”). See the section titled “Community Reinvestment Act of 1977” for further information relating to the CRA.

Regulation of Mergers and Acquisitions

The BHC Act, the Bank Merger Act and other federal and state statutes regulate acquisitions of depository institutions and their holding companies. The BHC Act requires prior FRB approval for a bank holding company to acquire, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of any class of voting securities of a commercial bank or its parent holding company and for a company, other than a bank holding company, to acquire 25% or more of any class of voting securities of a bank or bank holding company (and sometimes a lower percentage if there are other indications of control). Under the Change in Bank Control Act, any person, including a company, may not acquire, directly or indirectly, control of a bank without providing 60 days’ prior notice and receiving a non-objection from the appropriate federal banking agency.

Under the Bank Merger Act, prior approval of the OCC is required for a national bank to merge with another bank where the national bank is the surviving bank or to purchase the assets or assume the deposits of another bank. In reviewing applications seeking approval of merger and acquisition transactions, the federal banking agencies will consider, among other criteria, the competitive effect and public benefits of the transactions, the capital position of the combined banking organization, the applicant's performance record under the CRA and the effectiveness of the subject organizations in combating money laundering activities.

As a financial holding company, the Company is permitted to acquire control of non-depository institutions engaged in activities that are financial in nature and in activities that are incidental to financial activities without prior FRB approval. However, the BHC Act, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Act, requires prior written approval from the FRB or prior written notice to the FRB before a financial holding company may acquire control of a company with consolidated assets of $10 billion or more.

Capital Distributions

The principal source of the Company's liquidity is dividends from the Bank. The OCC oversees the ability of the Bank to make capital distributions, including dividends. The OCC generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the bank would thereafter be undercapitalized. The OCC’s prior approval is required if the total of all dividends declared by a national bank in any calendar year would exceed the sum of the bank's net income for that year and its undistributed net income for the preceding two calendar years, less any required transfers to surplus. The National Bank Act also prohibits national banks from paying dividends that would be greater than the bank's undivided profits after deducting statutory bad debt in excess of the bank's allowance for loan losses.

The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a bank's capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice and that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. The appropriate federal regulatory authority is authorized to determine, based on the financial condition of a bank holding company or a bank, that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit such payment.

Affiliate and Insider Transactions

Transactions between the Bank and its affiliates, including the Company, are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (the “FRA”) and the FRB’s implementing Regulation W. An “affiliate” of a bank includes any company or entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such bank. In a bank holding company context, at a minimum, the parent holding company of a bank and companies that are controlled by such parent holding company, are affiliates of the bank. Generally, Sections 23A and 23B of the FRA are intended to protect insured depository institutions from losses in transactions with affiliates. These sections place quantitative and qualitative limitations on covered transactions between the Bank and its affiliates and require that all transactions between a bank and its affiliates occur on market terms that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
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Section 22(h) of the FRA and its implementing Regulation O restricts loans to the Bank's and its affiliates' directors, executive officers and principal stockholders (“Insiders”). Under Section 22(h), loans to Insiders and their related interests may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such persons and affiliated entities, the Bank's total capital and surplus. Loans to Insiders above specified amounts must receive the prior approval of the Bank’s board of directors. Further, under Section 22(h) of the FRA, loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders must be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons, except that such Insiders may receive preferential loans made under a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to the Bank’s employees and does not give preference to the Insider over the employees. Section 22(g) of the FRA places additional limitations on loans to the Bank's and its affiliates' executive officers.

Federal Deposit Insurance and Brokered Deposits

The FDIC’s deposit insurance limit is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category, in accordance with applicable FDIC regulations. The Bank’s deposit accounts are fully insured by the FDIC Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”) up to the deposit insurance limits in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

The FDIC uses a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that takes into account a bank's capital level and supervisory rating (“CAMELS rating”). The risk matrix uses different risk categories distinguished by capital levels and supervisory ratings. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, the base for deposit insurance assessments is the consolidated average assets less average tangible equity. Assessment rates are calculated using formulas that take into account the risk of the institution being assessed.

Under FDIC laws and regulations, no FDIC-insured depository institution can accept brokered deposits unless it is well-capitalized or unless it is adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from the FDIC. Applicable laws and regulations also prohibit any depository institution that is not well-capitalized from paying an interest rate on brokered deposits in excess of three-quarters of one percentage point over certain prevailing market rates.

Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA"), the FDIC may terminate deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and 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. The Bank's management is not aware of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to the termination of its deposit insurance.

Federal Home Loan Bank System

The Bank is also a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of New York, which provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions for home mortgage and neighborhood lending. The Bank is subject to the rules and requirements of the FHLB, including the requirement to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB in an amount at least equal to the sum of 0.125% of mortgage related assets at the beginning of each year. The Bank was in compliance with FHLB rules and requirements as of December 31, 2019.

Debit Card Interchange Fees

The Dodd-Frank Act requires that any interchange transaction fee charged for a debit transaction be reasonable and proportional to the cost incurred by the issuer for the transaction. FRB regulations mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act limit interchange fees on debit cards to a maximum of 21 cents per transaction plus 5 basis points of the transaction amount. The rule also permits a fraud-prevention adjustment of 1 cent per transaction conditioned upon an issuer developing, implementing and updating reasonably designed fraud-prevention policies and procedures. Issuers that, together with their affiliates, have less than $10 billion of assets, such as the Company, are exempt from the debit card interchange fee standards. However, FRB regulations prohibit all issuers, including the Company and the Bank, from restricting the number of networks over which electronic debit transactions may be processed to less than two unaffiliated networks.

Source of Strength Doctrine

FRB policy requires bank holding companies to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks. Section 616 of the Dodd-Frank Act codifies the requirement that bank holding companies serve as a source of financial strength to their subsidiary depository institutions. A bank holding company’s failure to meet its obligations to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks will generally be considered by the FRB to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice or a violation of FRB regulations or both. As a result, the Company is expected to commit resources to support the Bank, including at times when the Company may not be in a financial position to provide such resources. Any capital loan by the Company to the Bank is subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. The U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides that, in the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment.
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In addition, under the National Bank Act, if the Bank’s capital stock is impaired by losses or otherwise, the OCC is authorized to require payment of the deficiency by assessment upon the Company. If the assessment is not paid within three months, the OCC could order a sale of Bank stock held by the Company to cover any deficiency.

Capital Adequacy and Prompt Corrective Action

In July 2013, the FRB, the OCC and the FDIC approved final rules (the “Capital Rules”) that established a new capital framework for U.S. banking organizations. The Capital Rules generally implement the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s (the “Basel Committee”) December 2010 final capital framework referred to as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards. The Capital Rules revise the definitions and the components of regulatory capital, as well as address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The Capital Rules also address asset risk weights and other matters affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios and replace the existing general risk-weighting approach with a more risk-sensitive approach.

The Capital Rules: (i) require a capital measure called “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”) and related regulatory capital ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets; (ii) specify that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting certain revised requirements; (iii) mandate that most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital; and (iv) expand the scope of the deductions from and adjustments to capital as compared to existing regulations. Under the Capital Rules, for most banking organizations, including the Company, the most common form of Additional Tier 1 capital is non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and the most common forms of Tier 2 capital are subordinated notes and a portion of the allocation for loan losses, in each case, subject to the Capital Rules’ specific requirements.
  
Pursuant to the Capital Rules, the minimum capital ratios as of January 1, 2015 are:
 
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4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets;
 
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6.0% Tier 1 capital (CET1 plus Additional Tier 1 capital) to risk-weighted assets;
 
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8.0% Total capital (Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets; and
 
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4.0% Tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets as reported on consolidated financial statements (known as the “leverage ratio”).

The Capital Rules also require a “capital conservation buffer,” composed entirely of CET1, on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity and other capital instrument repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. The capital conservation buffer was phased in incrementally until when, on January 1, 2019, the capital conservation buffer was fully phased in, resulting in the capital standards applicable to the Company and the Bank including an additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of CET1, and effectively resulting in minimum ratios inclusive of the capital conservation buffer of (i) CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.5% and (iii) Total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10.5%. The risk-weighting categories in the Capital Rules are standardized and include a risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset classes.

The Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such items, in the aggregate, exceed 15% of CET1.

In September 2017, the federal banking agencies proposed simplifying the Capital Rules. The proposal would apply primarily to non-advanced approaches institutions, such as the Company. The proposal would simplify and clarify a number of the more complex aspects of the Capital Rules, including the treatment for certain acquisition, development and construction loans, mortgage servicing assets, certain deferred tax assets, investments in the capital instruments of unconsolidated financial institutions and minority interest. In November 2017, the FRB finalized a rule extending the then-applicable capital rules for mortgage servicing assets and certain other items for non-advanced approaches institutions and effectively pausing phase-in of related deductions and adjustments. In July 2019, the OCC, the FRB and the FDIC adopted a final rule, which non-advanced approaches institutions may implement beginning on January 1, 2020 and must implement them by April 1, 2020. This final rule supersedes the rule from November 2017.
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In addition, under the prior general risk-based capital rules, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss (“AOCI”) items included in stockholders’ equity (for example, marks-to-market of securities held in the available for sale ("AFS") portfolio) under GAAP were excluded for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios. Under the Capital Rules, the effects of certain AOCI items are not excluded; however, banking organizations not using the advanced approaches, including the Company and the Bank, were permitted to make a one-time permanent election to continue to exclude these items in January 2015. The Capital Rules also preclude certain hybrid securities, such as trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010, from inclusion in bank holding companies’ Tier 1 capital.

In addition, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”), which was enacted in May 2018, required the federal banking agencies to promulgate rules establishing a new “community bank leverage ratio” for depository institutions and their holding companies with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, such as us. This change is intended to simplify regulatory capital requirements for institutions like us with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, which will have an option to calculate this leverage ratio, rather than multiple existing measures of capital adequacy. Such an institution would be considered to have met the capital ratio requirements to be well-capitalized if it has a community bank leverage ratio greater than 9%. The federal banking agencies issues proposed rules to implement this section of the EGRRCPA in November 2018, and in September 2019, the final rule was adopted. This final rule became effective on January 1, 2020. Under this final rule, if we meet the qualifying criteria, including having a leverage ratio (equal to tier 1 capital divided by average total consolidated assets) of greater than 9 percent, we will be eligible to opt into the community bank leverage ratio framework. If we opt into this framework, we will be considered to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and leverage capital requirements in the Capital Rules (as modified pursuant to the simplification rule) and will be considered to have met the well-capitalized ratio requirements for PCA purposes. As of December 31, 2019 the Company does not intend to opt into this framework.

Management believes that the Company is in compliance, with the targeted capital ratios.

Prompt Corrective Action and Safety and Soundness

Pursuant to Section 38 of the FDIA, federal banking agencies are required to take “prompt corrective action” (“PCA”) should an insured depository institution fail to meet certain capital adequacy standards. At each successive lower capital category, an insured depository institution is subject to more restrictions and prohibitions, including restrictions on growth, restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, restrictions or prohibitions on payment of dividends and restrictions on the acceptance of brokered deposits. Furthermore, if an insured depository institution is classified in one of the undercapitalized categories, it is required to submit a capital restoration plan to the appropriate federal banking agency and the holding company must guarantee the performance of that plan. Based upon its capital levels, a bank that is classified as well-capitalized, adequately capitalized or undercapitalized, may be treated as though it were in the next lower capital category if the appropriate federal banking agency, after notice and opportunity for hearing, determines that an unsafe or unsound condition or an unsafe or unsound practice, warrants such treatment.

For purposes of PCA, to be: (i) well-capitalized, an insured depository institution must have a total risk based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk based capital ratio of at least 8%, a CET1 risk based capital ratio of at least 6.5%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%; (ii) adequately capitalized, an insured depository institution must have a total risk based capital ratio of at least 8%, a Tier 1 risk based capital ratio of at least 6%, a CET1 risk based capital ratio of at least 4.5%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 4%; (iii) undercapitalized, an insured depository institution would have a total risk based capital ratio of less than 8%, a Tier 1 risk based capital ratio of less than 6%, a CET1 risk based capital ratio of less than 4.5%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 4%; (iv) significantly undercapitalized, an insured depository institution would have a total risk based capital ratio of less than 6%, a Tier 1 risk based capital ratio of less than 4%, a CET1 risk based capital ratio of less than 3%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 3%.; (v) critically undercapitalized, an insured depository institution would have a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is less than or equal to 2%. At December 31, 2019, the Bank qualified as “well-capitalized” under applicable regulatory capital standards.

Bank holding companies and insured depository institutions may also be subject to potential enforcement actions of varying levels of severity by the federal banking agencies for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their business or for violation of any law, rule, regulation, condition imposed in writing by the agency or term of a written agreement with the agency. In more serious cases, enforcement actions may include the issuance of directives to increase capital; the issuance of formal and informal agreements; the imposition of civil monetary penalties; the issuance of a cease and desist order that can be judicially enforced; the issuance of removal and prohibition orders against officers, directors and other institution−affiliated parties; the termination of the insured depository institution’s deposit insurance; the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the insured depository institution; and the enforcement of such actions through injunctions or restraining orders based upon a judicial determination that the FDIC, as receiver, would be harmed if such equitable relief was not granted.

Volcker Rule

Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, commonly known as the Volcker Rule, restricts the ability of banking entities from: (i) engaging in “proprietary trading” and (ii) investing in or sponsoring certain covered funds, subject to certain limited exceptions. Under the EGRRCPA, depository institutions and their holding companies with less than $10 billion in assets, like us, are excluded from the prohibitions of the Volcker Rule. Accordingly, we are no longer subject to the Volcker Rule, although if we grow to have more than $10 billion in assets, we will become subject to the Volcker Rule again. Given the Company’s size and the scope of its activities, the implementation of the Volcker Rule did not have a significant effect on its consolidated financial statements, and we expect this will remain true if the Company becomes subject to the Volcker Rule again in the future.
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Depositor Preference

The FDIA provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including the parent bank holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.

Consumer Protection and CFPB Supervision

The Dodd-Frank Act centralized responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating the CFPB, an independent agency charged with responsibility for implementing, enforcing and examining compliance with federal consumer financial laws. The CFPB has examination authority over all banks and savings institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. As the Company is below this threshold, the OCC continues to exercise primary examination authority over the Bank with regard to compliance with federal consumer financial laws and regulations. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, state attorneys general are empowered to enforce rules issued by the CFPB.

The Company is subject to federal consumer financial statutes and the regulations promulgated thereunder including, but not limited to:

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the Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;

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the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”), prohibiting discrimination in connection with the extension of credit;

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the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (“HMDA”), requiring home mortgage lenders, including the Bank, to make available to the public expanded information regarding the pricing of home mortgage loans, including the “rate spread” between the annual percentage rate and the average prime offer rate for mortgage loans of a comparable type;

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the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), governing the provision of consumer information to credit reporting agencies and the use of consumer information; and

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the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may be collected by collection agencies.

The Bank’s failure to comply with any of the consumer financial laws can result in civil actions, regulatory enforcement action by the federal banking agencies and the U.S. Department of Justice.

USA PATRIOT Act

The Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), as amended by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”), imposes obligations on U.S. financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealer subsidiaries, to implement policies, procedures and controls which are reasonably designed to detect and report instances of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Financial institutions also are required to respond to requests for information from federal banking agencies and law enforcement agencies. Information sharing among financial institutions for the above purposes is encouraged by an exemption granted to complying financial institutions from the privacy provisions of the GLBA and other privacy laws. Financial institutions that hold correspondent accounts for foreign banks or provide private banking services to foreign individuals are required to take measures to avoid dealing with certain foreign individuals or entities, including foreign banks with profiles that raise money laundering concerns and are prohibited from dealing with foreign “shell banks” and persons from jurisdictions of particular concern. The primary federal banking agencies and the Secretary of the Treasury have adopted regulations to implement several of these provisions. Beginning on May 11, 2018, the Bank is required to comply with the Customer Due Diligence Rule, which clarified and strengthened the existing obligations for identifying new and existing customers and explicitly included risk-based procedures for conducting ongoing customer due diligence. All financial institutions also are required to establish internal anti-money laundering programs. The effectiveness of a financial institution in combating money laundering activities is a factor to be considered in any application submitted by the financial institution under the Bank Merger Act. The Company has a Bank Secrecy Act and USA PATRIOT Act board-approved compliance program commensurate with its risk profile.

Identity Theft Prevention

The Fair Credit Reporting Act’s (“FCRA”) Red Flags Rule requires financial institutions with covered accounts (e.g., consumer bank accounts and loans) to develop, implement and administer an identity theft prevention program. This program must include reasonable policies and procedures to detect suspicious patterns or practices that indicate the possibility of identity theft, such as inconsistencies in personal information or changes in account activity.
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Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation

The United States government has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. These are typically known as the “OFAC” rules based on their administration by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). The OFAC-administered sanctions targeting countries take many different forms. Generally, they contain one or more of the following elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on “U.S. persons” engaging in financial transactions relating to making investments in or providing investment-related advice or assistance to a sanctioned country; and (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons). Blocked assets (property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences.

Financial Privacy and Data Security

The Company and the Bank are subject to federal laws, including the GLBA and certain state laws containing consumer privacy protection provisions. These provisions limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose nonpublic information about consumers to affiliated and non-affiliated third parties and limit the reuse of certain consumer information received from nonaffiliated financial institutions. These provisions require notice of privacy policies to clients and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain nonpublic personal information to affiliates or non-affiliated third parties by means of “opt out” or “opt in” authorizations.

The GLBA requires that financial institutions implement comprehensive written information security programs that include administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect consumer information. Further, pursuant to interpretive guidance issued under the GLBA and certain state laws, financial institutions are required to notify clients of security breaches resulting in unauthorized access to their personal information. The Bank believes it is in compliance with all GLBA obligations.

The Bank is also subject to data security standards, privacy and data breach notice requirements, primarily those issued by the OCC. The federal banking agencies, through the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, have adopted guidelines to encourage financial institutions to address cyber security risks and identify, assess and mitigate these risks, both internally and at critical third party services providers.

Community Reinvestment Act of 1977

The Bank has a responsibility under the CRA, as implemented by OCC regulations, to help meet the credit needs of the communities it serves, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. Regulators periodically assess the Bank’s record of compliance with the CRA. The Bank’s failure to comply with the CRA could, at a minimum, result in regulatory restrictions on its activities and the activities of the Company. The Bank’s latest CRA rating was “Satisfactory.”

Future Legislative Initiatives

Congress, state legislatures and financial regulatory agencies may introduce various legislative and regulatory initiatives that could affect the financial services industry, generally. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and/or depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions and other financial institutions. The Company cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it or any implementing regulations would have on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. A change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries could have a material effect on the business of the Company.

Employees

At December 31, 2019, the Company had 1,788 full-time equivalent employees. The Company’s employees are not presently represented by any collective bargaining group.
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Available Information

The Company’s website is http://www.nbtbancorp.com. The Company makes available free of charge through its website its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. We also make available through our website other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC under the Exchange Act, including our proxy statements and reports filed by officers and directors under Section 16(a) of that Act, as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other codes/committee charters. The references to our website do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained in the website and such information should not be considered part of this document.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the SEC are available on the SEC’s website, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website address is www.sec.gov.
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ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

There are risks inherent to the Company’s business. The material risks and uncertainties that management believes affect the Company are described below. Any of the following risks could affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and could be material and/or adverse in nature. You should consider all of the following risks together with all of the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Deterioration in local economic conditions may negatively impact our financial performance.

The Company’s success depends primarily on the general economic conditions in central and upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Hampshire, western Massachusetts, Vermont, southern coastal Maine and the specific local markets in which the Company operates. Unlike larger national or other regional banks that are more geographically diversified, the Company provides banking and financial services to customers primarily in the upstate New York areas of Norwich, Syracuse, Oneonta, Amsterdam-Gloversville, Albany, Binghamton, Utica-Rome, Plattsburgh, Glens Falls and Ogdensburg-Massena, the northeastern Pennsylvania areas of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, Vermont and the southern coastal Maine area. The local economic conditions in these areas have a significant impact on the demand for the Company’s products and services as well as the ability of the Company’s customers to repay loans, the value of the collateral securing loans and the stability of the Company’s deposit funding sources.

As a lender with the majority of our loans secured by real estate or made to businesses in New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine, a downturn in these local economies could cause significant increases in nonperforming loans, which could negatively impact our earnings. Declines in real estate values in our market areas could cause any of our loans to become inadequately collateralized, which would expose us to greater risk of loss. Additionally, a decline in real estate values could result in the decline of originations of such loans, as most of our loans and the collateral securing our loans, are located in those areas.

Variations in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s earnings and financial condition, like that of most financial institutions, are largely dependent upon net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned from loans and investments and interest paid on deposits and borrowings. The narrowing of interest rate spreads could adversely affect the Company’s earnings and financial condition. The Company cannot predict with certainty, or control, changes in interest rates. Regional and local economic conditions and the policies of regulatory authorities, including monetary policies of the FRB, affect rates and, therefore, interest income and interest expense. High interest rates could also affect the amount of loans that the Company can originate because higher rates could cause customers to apply for fewer mortgages or cause depositors to shift funds from accounts that have a comparatively lower cost to accounts with a higher cost. The Company may also experience customer attrition due to competitor pricing. If the cost of interest-bearing deposits increases at a rate greater than the yields on interest-earning assets increase, net interest income will be negatively affected. Changes in the asset and liability mix may also affect net interest income. Similarly, lower interest rates cause higher yielding assets to prepay and floating or adjustable rate assets to reset to lower rates. If the Company is not able to reduce its funding costs sufficiently, due to either competitive factors or the maturity schedule of existing liabilities, then the Company’s net interest margin will decline.

Any substantial or unexpected change in, or prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. See the section captioned “Net Interest Income” in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk located elsewhere in this report for further discussion related to the Company’s management of interest rate risk.

Our lending, and particularly our emphasis on commercial lending, exposes us to the risk of losses upon borrower default.

As of December 31, 2019, approximately 48% of the Company’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial and industrial, agricultural, commercial construction and commercial real estate loans. These types of loans generally expose a lender to greater risk of non-payment and loss than residential real estate loans because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation of the property, the income stream of the borrowers and, for construction loans, the accuracy of the estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost of construction. Such loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to residential real estate loans. Because the Company’s loan portfolio contains a significant number of commercial and industrial, agricultural, construction and commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in nonperforming loans. An increase in nonperforming loans could result in a net loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for loan losses and/or an increase in loan charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. See the section captioned “Loans” in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations located elsewhere in this report for further discussion related to our commercial and industrial, agricultural, construction and commercial real estate loans.
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Changes in accounting policies, standards, and interpretations could materially affect how we report our financial condition and results of operations.

The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as revenues and expenses during the period.

A variety of factors could affect the ultimate values of assets, liabilities, income and expenses recognized and reported in the Company’s financial statements, and these ultimate values may differ materially from those determined based on management’s estimates and assumptions. In addition, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), regulatory agencies, and other bodies that establish accounting standards from time to time change the financial accounting and reporting standards governing the preparation of the Company’s financial statements. Further, those bodies that establish and interpret the accounting standards (such as the FASB, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and banking regulators) may change prior interpretations or positions regarding how these standards should be applied. These changes can be difficult to predict and can materially affect how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. For example, during 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard, Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, that will require the recognition of credit losses on loans and other financial assets based on an entity’s current estimate of expected losses over the lifetime of each loan or other financial asset, referred to as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model, as opposed to current accounting standards, which require recognition of losses on loans and other financial assets only when those losses are “probable.” On December 21, 2018, the bank regulatory agencies approved a final rule modifying the agencies' regulatory capital rules and providing an option to phase in over a period of three years the day-one regulatory capital effects of adoption of the CECL model. The final rule also revises the agencies' other rules to reflect the update to the accounting standards. The final rule took effect April 1, 2019. The new CECL standard became effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. While certain key assumptions to be used in the Company's CECL model and methodologies are being finalized, as well as certain review controls, the day-one impact of adopting CECL is not expected to be material to the Company's total capital.

Our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses, which is an allowance established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, that represents management’s best estimate of incurred losses within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations; specific credit risks; loan loss experience; current loan portfolio quality; present economic, political, environmental and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires the Company to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of the Company’s control, may require an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Bank regulatory agencies periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different from those of management. In addition, if charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for loan losses, the Company may need additional provisions to increase the allowance for loan losses. These potential increases in the allowance for loan losses would result in a decrease in net income and, possibly, capital and may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. See the section captioned “Risk Management – Credit Risk” in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations located elsewhere in this report for further discussion related to the Company’s process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses. Management expects that the CECL model may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for loan losses from quarter to quarter as changes in the level of allowance for loan losses will be dependent upon, among other things, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, loan portfolio volumes and credit quality.

Strong competition within our industry and market area could adversely affect our performance and slow our growth.

The Company faces substantial competition in all areas of its operations from a variety of different competitors, many of which are larger and may have more financial resources. Such competitors primarily include national, regional and community banks within the various markets in which the Company operates. Additionally, various banks continue to enter or have announced plans to enter the market areas in which the Company currently operates. The Company also faces competition from many other types of financial institutions, including, without limitation, savings and loans, credit unions, finance companies, brokerage firms, insurance companies and other financial intermediaries. The financial services industry could continue to become even more competitive as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and continued consolidation. Technology has lowered barriers to entry and made it possible for non-banks to offer products and services traditionally provided by banks, such as automatic transfer and automatic payment systems. Many of the Company’s competitors have fewer regulatory constraints and may have lower cost structures. Additionally, due to their size, many competitors may be able to achieve economies of scale and, as a result, may offer a broader range of products and services as well as better pricing for those products and services than the Company can.
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The Company’s ability to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including, among other things:
 
●
the ability to develop, maintain and build upon long-term customer relationships based on top quality service, high ethical standards and safe, sound assets;
 
●
the ability to expand the Company’s market position;
 
●
the scope, relevance and pricing of products and services offered to meet customer needs and demands;
 
●
the rate at which the Company introduces new products, services and technologies relative to its competitors;
 
●
customer satisfaction with the Company’s level of service;
 
●
industry and general economic trends; and
 
●
the ability to attract and retain talented employees.

Failure to perform in any of these areas could significantly weaken the Company’s competitive position, which could adversely affect the Company’s growth and profitability, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision, which may interfere with our ability to conduct our business and may negatively impact our financial results.

We are subject to extensive federal and state regulation and supervision. Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, the DIF and the safety and soundness of the banking system as a whole, not stockholders. These regulations affect the Company’s lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject the Company to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products the Company may offer and/or limit the pricing the Company may charge on certain banking services, among other things. Compliance personnel and resources may increase our costs of operations and adversely impact our earnings.

Failure to comply with laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. While the Company has policies and procedures designed to prevent any such violations, there can be no assurance that such violations will not occur. See the section captioned “Supervision and Regulation” in Item 1. Business of this report for further information.

We will be subject to heightened regulatory requirements if we exceed $10 billion in total consolidated assets.

As of December 31, 2019, we had total assets of approximately $9.7 billion and, based on our historical growth rates and current size, it is possible that our total assets could exceed $10 billion dollars in the near future. The Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations impose enhanced supervisory requirements on bank holding companies with more than $10 billion in total consolidated assets. For bank holding companies with more than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, such requirements include, among other things:

●
applicability of Volcker Rule requirements and restrictions;

●
increased capital, leverage, liquidity and risk management standards;

●
examinations by the CFPB for compliance with federal consumer financial protection laws and regulations; and

●
limits on interchange fees on debit cards.

The EGRRCPA, which was enacted in 2018, amended Dodd-Frank Act to raise the $10 billion stress testing threshold to $250 billion, among other things. The federal financial regulators issued final rules in 2019 to increase the threshold for these stress testing requirements from $10 billion to $250 billion, consistent with the EGRRCPA.

Federal financial regulators may require us to take actions to prepare for compliance with the foregoing requirements before we exceed $10 billion in total consolidated assets. Our regulators may consider our preparation for compliance with these regulatory requirements when examining our operations or considering any request for regulatory approval. We may, therefore, incur compliance costs before we reach $10 billion in total consolidated assets and may be required to maintain the additional compliance procedures even if we do not grow at the anticipated rate or at all.
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Failure to comply with these new requirements may negatively impact the results of our operations and financial condition. To ensure compliance, we will be required to investment significant resources, which may necessitate hiring additional personnel and implementing additional internal controls. These additional compliance costs may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company is subject to liquidity risk, which could adversely affect net interest income and earnings.

The purpose of the Company’s liquidity management is to meet the cash flow obligations of its customers for both deposits and loans. The primary liquidity measurement the Company utilizes is called basic surplus, which captures the adequacy of the Company’s access to reliable sources of cash relative to the stability of its funding mix of average liabilities. This approach recognizes the importance of balancing levels of cash flow liquidity from short and long-term securities with the availability of dependable borrowing sources, which can be accessed when necessary. However, competitive pressure on deposit pricing could result in a decrease in the Company’s deposit base or an increase in funding costs. In addition, liquidity will come under additional pressure if loan growth exceeds deposit growth. These scenarios could lead to a decrease in the Company’s basic surplus measure to an amount below the minimum policy level of 5%. To manage this risk, the Company has the ability to purchase brokered time deposits, borrow against established borrowing facilities with other banks (Federal funds) and enter into repurchase agreements with investment companies. Depending on the level of interest rates applicable to these alternatives, the Company’s net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. See the section captioned “Liquidity Risk” in Item 7.

Our ability to service our debt, pay dividends and otherwise pay our obligations as they come due is substantially dependent on capital distributions from our subsidiaries.

The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries. It receives substantially all of its revenue from dividends from its subsidiaries. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on the Company’s common stock and interest and principal on the Company’s debt. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to the Company. In addition, the Company’s right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors. In the event the Bank is unable to pay dividends to the Company, the Company may not be able to service debt, pay obligations or pay dividends on the Company’s common stock. The inability to receive dividends from the Bank could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company faces operational risks and cybersecurity risks associated with incidents which have the potential to disrupt our operations, cause material harm to our financial condition, result in misappropriation of assets, compromise confidential information and/or damage our business relationships and cannot guarantee that the steps we and our service providers take in response to these risks will be effective.

We depend upon data processing, communication systems, and information exchange on a variety of platforms and networks and over the internet to conduct business operations. In addition, we rely on the services of a variety of vendors to meet our data processing and communication needs. Although we require third party providers to maintain certain levels of security, such providers remain vulnerable to breaches, security incidents, system unavailability or other malicious attacks that could compromise sensitive information. The risk of experiencing security incidents and disruptions, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusions has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions by organized crime, hackers, terrorists, nation-states, activists and other external parties has increased. These security incidents may result in disruption of our operations; material harm to our financial condition, cash flows and the market price of our common stock; misappropriation of assets; compromise or corruption of confidential information; liability for information or assets stolen during the incident; remediation costs; increased cybersecurity and insurance costs; regulatory enforcement; litigation; and damage to our stakeholder and customer relationships.

Moreover, in the normal course of business, we and our service providers collect and retain certain personal information provided by our customers, employees and vendors. If this information gets mishandled, misused, improperly accessed, lost or stolen, we could suffer significant financial, business, reputations, regulatory or other harm. These risks may increase as we continue to increase and expand our usage of web-based products and applications.

These risks require continuous and likely increasing attention and resources from us to, among other actions, identify and quantify potential cybersecurity risks, upgrade and expand our technologies, systems and processes to adequately address the risk. We provide on-going training for our employees to assist them in detecting phishing, malware and other malicious schemes. Such attention diverts time and resources from other activities and, while we have implemented policies and procedures designed to maintain the security and integrity of the information we and our service providers collect on our and their computer systems, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be effective. Likewise, while we have implemented security measures to prevent unauthorized access to personal information and prevent or limit the effect of possible incidents, we can provide no assurance that a security breach or disruption will not be successful or damaging, or, if any such breach or disruption does occur, that it can be sufficiently or timely remediated.
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Even the most well protected information, networks, systems and facilities remain potentially vulnerable because the techniques used in such attempted security breaches evolve and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and in some cases are designed not to be detected and, in fact, may not be detected. Accordingly, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures, and thus it is impossible for us to entirely mitigate this risk.

The Company may be adversely affected by fraud.

As a financial institution, the Company is inherently exposed to operational risk in the form of theft and other fraudulent activity by employees, customers and other third parties targeting the Company and/or the Company’s customers or data. Such activity may take many forms, including check fraud, electronic fraud, wire fraud, phishing, social engineering and other dishonest acts. Although the Company devotes substantial resources to maintaining effective policies and internal controls to identify and prevent such incidents, given the increasing sophistication of possible perpetrators, the Company may experience financial losses or reputational harm as a result of fraud.

We continually encounter technological change and the failure to understand and adapt to these changes could have a material adverse impact our business.

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to serve customers better and to reduce costs. The Company’s future success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the Company’s operations. Many of the Company’s competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. The Company may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological changes affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and, in turn, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company relies on third parties to provide key components of its business infrastructure.

The Company relies on third parties to provide key components for its business operations, such as data processing and storage, recording and monitoring transactions, online banking interfaces and services, internet connections and network access. While the Company selects these third-party vendors carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problems caused by these third parties, including those resulting from breakdowns or other disruptions in communication services provided by a vendor, failure of a vendor to handle current or higher volumes, cyber-attacks and security breaches at a vendor, failure of a vendor to provide services for any reason or poor performance of services by a vendor, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to its customers and otherwise conduct its business. Financial or operational difficulties of a third-party vendor could also hurt the Company’s operations if those difficulties interfere with the vendor's ability to serve the Company. Replacing these third party vendors also could create significant delays and expense that adversely affect the Company’s business and performance.

The possibility of the economy’s return to recessionary conditions and the possibility of further turmoil or volatility in the financial markets would likely have an adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

The economy in the United States and globally has experienced volatility in recent years and may continue to do so for the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that economic conditions will not worsen. Unfavorable or uncertain economic conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence, limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital, increases in inflation or interest rates, the timing and impact of changing governmental policies, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, acts of war or a combination of these or other factors. A worsening of business and economic conditions recovery could have adverse effects on our business, including the following:

●
investors may have less confidence in the equity markets in general and in financial services industry stocks in particular, which could place downward pressure on the Company’s stock price and resulting market valuation; 

●
consumer and business confidence levels could be lowered and cause declines in credit usage and adverse changes in payment patterns, causing increases in delinquencies and default rates; 

●
the Company’s ability to assess the creditworthiness of its customers may be impaired if the models and approaches the Company uses to select, manage and underwrite its customers become less predictive of future behaviors;

●
the Company could suffer decreases in demand for loans or other financial products and services or decreased deposits or other investments in accounts with the Company; 
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●
demand for and income received from the Company's fee-based services could decline;

●
customers of the Company's trust and benefit plan administration business may liquidate investments, which together with lower asset values, may reduce the level of assets under management and administration and thereby decrease the Company's investment management and administration revenues; 

●
competition in the financial services industry could intensify as a result of the increasing consolidation of financial services companies in connection with current market conditions or otherwise; and; 

●
the value of loans and other assets or collateral securing loans may decrease.

We are subject to other-than-temporary impairment risk, which could negatively impact our financial performance.

The Company recognizes an impairment charge when the decline in the fair value of equity, debt securities and cost-method investments below their cost basis are judged to be other-than-temporary. Significant judgment is used to identify events or circumstances that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the future use of the investment. The Company considers various factors in determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, including the severity and duration of the impairment, forecasted recovery, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, whether the Company has the intent to sell and whether it is more likely than not it will be forced to sell the security in question. Information about unrealized gains and losses is subject to changing conditions. The values of securities with unrealized gains and losses will fluctuate, as will the values of securities that we identify as potentially distressed. Our current evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments reflects our intent to hold securities for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value. However, our intent to hold certain of these securities may change in future periods as a result of facts and circumstances impacting a specific security. If our intent to hold a security with an unrealized loss changes and we do not expect the security to fully recover prior to the expected time of disposition, we will write down the security to its fair value in the period that our intent to hold the security changes.

The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and other intangibles is highly subjective and requires significant judgment. The Company estimates the expected future cash flows of its various businesses and determines the carrying value of these businesses. The Company exercises judgment in assigning and allocating certain assets and liabilities to these businesses. The Company then compares the carrying value, including goodwill and other intangibles, to the discounted future cash flows. If the total of future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. Estimates of the future cash flows associated with the assets are critical to these assessments. Changes in these estimates based on changed economic conditions or business strategies could result in material impairment charges and therefore have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and performance.

The risks presented by acquisitions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The business strategy of the Company has included and may continue to include growth through acquisition. Any future acquisitions will be accompanied by the risks commonly encountered in acquisitions. These risks may include, among other things:

●
exposure to potential asset quality issues of the acquired business;

●
potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the acquired business;

●
our ability to realize anticipated cost savings;

●
the difficulty of integrating operations and personnel and the potential loss of key employees;

●
the potential disruption of our or the acquired company’s ongoing business in such a way that could result in decreased revenues or the inability of our management to maximize our financial and strategic position;

●
the inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; and

●
the impairment of relationships with the acquired company’s employees and customers as a result of changes in ownership and management.

We cannot provide any assurance that we will be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with acquisitions. Our inability to overcome these risks could have an adverse effect on the achievement of our business strategy and results of operations.
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There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with the introduction or expansion of lines of business or new products and services within existing lines of business.

From time to time, the Company may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new products and services, the Company may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove attainable. External factors, such as compliance with regulations, competitive alternatives and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business or a new product or service. Furthermore, any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal controls. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented, which may result in a material adverse effect on our business.

Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We may be held responsible for environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which we obtain title, resulting in significant financial loss.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2019 was secured by real estate. In the course of our business, we may foreclose and take title to real estate and could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. We may be held liable to a government entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination or may be required to clean up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation and remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, if we are the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. These costs and claims could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

We may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions including the FHLB of New York.

Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services companies are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services companies, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated if the collateral held by us cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The Company owns common stock of FHLB of New York in order to qualify for membership in the FHLB system, which enables it to borrow funds under the FHLB of New York’s advance program. The carrying value and fair market value of our FHLB of New York common stock was $29.4 million as of December 31, 2019. There are 11 branches of the FHLB, including New York, which are jointly liable for the consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. To the extent that one FHLB branch cannot meet its obligations to pay its share of the system’s debt, other FHLB branches can be called upon to make the payment. Any adverse effects on the FHLB of New York could adversely affect the value of our investment in its common stock and negatively impact our results of operations.

Replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), announced that the FCA intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit the rates required to calculate LIBOR after 2021. This announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. Consequently, at this time, it is not possible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide submissions for the calculation of LIBOR. Similarly, it is not possible to predict whether LIBOR will continue to be viewed as an acceptable market benchmark, what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR or what the effect of any such changes in views or alternatives may be on the markets for LIBOR-indexed financial instruments. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) has proposed that the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) is the rate that represents best practice as the alternative to LIBOR for use in derivatives and other financial contracts that are currently indexed to LIBOR. ARRC has proposed a paced market transition plan to SOFR from LIBOR and organizations are currently working on industry wide and company specific transition plans as it relates to derivatives and cash markets exposed to LIBOR.
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We have a significant number of loans, derivative contracts, borrowings and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR. The transition from LIBOR, or any changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR, could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us, could create considerable costs and additional risk and could have an adverse impact on our overall financial condition or results of operations. Since proposed alternative rates are calculated differently, payments under contracts referencing new rates will differ from those referencing LIBOR. The transition will change our market risk profiles, requiring changes to risk and pricing models, valuation tools, product design and hedging strategies. Furthermore, failure to adequately manage this transition process with our customers could adversely impact our reputation.

We rely on our management and other key personnel, and the loss of any of them may adversely affect our operations.

We are and will continue to be dependent upon the services of our executive management team. In addition, we will continue to depend on our ability to retain and recruit key client relationship managers. The unexpected loss of services of any key management personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Delaware law and certain banking laws, could delay or prevent a takeover of us by a third party.

Provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the corporate law of the State of Delaware and state and federal banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements, could delay, defer or prevent a third party from acquiring the Company, despite the possible benefit to the Company’s stockholders, or otherwise adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock. These provisions include supermajority voting requirements for certain business combinations and advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the Company’s board of directors and for proposing matters that stockholders may act on at stockholder meetings. In addition, the Company is subject to Delaware law, which among other things prohibits the Company from engaging in a business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years from the date the person became an interested stockholder unless certain conditions are met. These provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for the Company’s common stock at a premium over market price or adversely affect the market price of and the voting and other rights of the holders of the Company’s common stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors other than candidates nominated by the Board.

The Company’s common stock price may fluctuate significantly.

The Company’s common stock price constantly changes. The market price of the Company's common stock may continue to fluctuate significantly in response to a number of factors including, but not limited to:

●
the political climate and whether the proposed policies of the current Presidential administration in the U.S. that have affected market prices for financial institution stocks are successfully implemented;

●
changes in securities analysts’ recommendations or expectations of financial performance;

●
volatility of stock market prices and volumes;

●
incorrect information or speculation;

●
changes in industry valuations;

●
variations in operating results from general expectations;

●
actions taken against the Company by various regulatory agencies;

●
changes in authoritative accounting guidance;

●
changes in general domestic economic conditions such as inflation rates, tax rates, unemployment rates, labor and healthcare cost trend rates, recessions and changing government policies, laws and regulations; and

●
severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events.
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There may be future sales or other dilution of the Company's equity, which may adversely affect the market price of the Company's stock.

The Company is not restricted from issuing additional common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock. The Company also grants a significant number of shares of common stock to employees and directors under the Company's incentive plan each year. The issuance of any additional shares of the Company's common stock or preferred stock or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive common stock or the exercise of such securities could be substantially dilutive to stockholders of the Company's common stock. Holders of the Company's common stock have no preemptive rights that entitle such holders to purchase their pro rata share of any offering of shares or any class or series. Because the Company's decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions, its acquisition activity and other factors, the Company cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of its future offerings. Thus, the Company's stockholders bear the risk of the Company's future offerings reducing the market price of the Company's common stock and diluting their stock holdings in the Company.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.
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ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
The Company owns its headquarters located at 52 South Broad Street, Norwich, New York 13815. The Company operated the following community banking branches and ATMs as of December 31, 2019:

County
Branches
 
ATMs
 
County
Branches
 
ATMs
New York
 
 
 
 
Pennsylvania
 
 
 
Albany
 
4
 
 
5
 
Lackawanna
 
11
 
 
17
Broome
 
7
 
 
9
 
Luzerne
 
4
 
 
5
Chenango
 
11
 
 
12
 
Monroe
 
3
 
 
3
Clinton
 
3
 
 
3
 
Pike
 
2
 
 
2
Cortland
 
4
 
 
7
 
Susquehanna
 
5
 
 
7
Delaware
 
5
 
 
5
 
Wayne
 
3
 
 
4
Essex
 
3
 
 
4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Franklin
 
1
 
 
1
 
New Hampshire
 
 
 
 
 
Fulton
 
5
 
 
6
 
Cheshire
 
1
 
 
1
Greene
 
1
 
 
1
 
Hillsborough
 
2
 
 
2
Hamilton
 
1
 
 
1
 
Rockingham
 
1
 
 
2
Herkimer
 
2
 
 
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Madison
 
4
 
 
8
 
Vermont
 
 
 
 
 
Montgomery
 
5
 
 
4
 
Chittenden
 
3
 
 
4
Oneida
 
7
 
 
9
 
Rutland
 
1
 
 
1
Onondaga
 
11
 
 
13
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oswego
 
4
 
 
6
 
Massachusetts
 
 
 
 
 
Otsego
 
8
 
 
11
 
Berkshire
 
5
 
 
6
Rensselaer
 
1
 
 
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
St. Lawrence
 
4
 
 
4
 
Maine
 
 
 
 
 
Saratoga
 
4
 
 
5
 
Cumberland
 
1
 
 
1
Schenectady
 
2
 
 
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Schoharie
 
4
 
 
4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tioga
 
1
 
 
1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warren
 
2
 
 
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
146
 
 
180

The Company leases 62 of the above listed branches from third parties. The Company owns all other banking premises. The Company believes that its offices are sufficient for its present operations and that all properties are adequately covered by insurance. All of the above ATMs are owned by the Company.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is subject.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

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Table of Contents

PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

The common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “NBTB.” The closing price of the Common Stock on February 10, 2020 was $38.86. As of February 10, 2020, there were 5,733 stockholders of record of Common Stock. No unregistered securities were sold by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Stock Performance Graph

The following stock performance graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return (i.e., price change, reinvestment of cash dividends and stock dividends received) on our Common Stock against the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S. Companies) Index and the KBW Regional Bank Index (Peer Group). The stock performance graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2014. The graph further assumes the reinvestment of dividends into additional shares of the same class of equity securities at the frequency with which dividends are paid on such securities during the relevant fiscal year. The yearly points marked on the horizontal axis correspond to December 31 of that year. We calculate each of the referenced indices in the same manner. All are market-capitalization-weighted indices, so companies judged by the market to be more important (i.e., more valuable) count for more in all indices.

graphic

 
Period Ending
Index
12/31/14
 
12/31/15
 
12/31/16
 
12/31/17
 
12/31/18
 
12/31/19
NBT Bancorp
$
100.00
 
$
109.73
 
$
169.66
 
$
152.84
 
$
147.47
 
$
177.83
KBW Regional Bank Index
$
100.00
 
$
105.99
 
$
147.46
 
$
150.13
 
$
123.87
 
$
153.43
NASDAQ Composite Index
$
100.00
 
$
107.11
 
$
116.72
 
$
151.41
 
$
147.16
 
$
201.22
Source: Bloomberg, L.P.

26
Table of Contents

Dividends

The Company depends primarily upon dividends from subsidiaries for a substantial part of the Company's revenue. Accordingly, the ability to pay dividends to stockholders depends primarily upon the receipt of dividends or other capital distributions from the subsidiaries. Payment of dividends to the Company from the Bank is subject to certain regulatory and other restrictions. Under OCC regulations, the Bank may pay dividends to the Company without prior regulatory approval so long as it meets its applicable regulatory capital requirements before and after payment of such dividends and its total dividends do not exceed its net income to date over the calendar year plus retained net income over the preceding two years. At December 31, 2019, the Bank was in compliance with all applicable minimum capital requirements and had the ability to pay dividends of $175.0 million to the Company without the prior approval of the OCC.

If the capital of the Company is diminished by depreciation in the value of its property or by losses, or otherwise, to an amount less than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets, no dividends may be paid out of net profits until the deficiency in the amount of capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets has been repaired. See the section captioned “Supervision and Regulation” in Item 1. Business and Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements is included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, which are located elsewhere in this report.

Stock Repurchase

The Company did not purchase shares of its common stock during year ended December 31, 2019. On October 28, 2019, the NBT Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for NBT to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of its outstanding stock. This plan expires on December 31, 2021.
27
Table of Contents

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA   

The following summary of financial and other information about the Company is derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for each of the last five fiscal years ended December 31 and should be read in conjunction with Item 7 and the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, included elsewhere in this report:

 
  
Year ended December 31,
  
(In thousands, except per share data)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
    
2016
    
2015
  
Interest, fee and dividend income
  
$
367,534
    
$
344,255
    
$
309,407
    
$
286,947
    
$
273,224
  
Interest expense
    
55,979
      
38,626
      
25,914
      
22,506
      
20,616
  
Net interest income
    
311,555
      
305,629
      
283,493
      
264,441
      
252,608
  
Provision for loan losses
    
25,412
      
28,828
      
30,988
      
25,431
      
18,285
  
Noninterest income excluding net securities gains (losses)
    
139,810
      
131,103
      
119,437
      
116,357
      
115,394
  
Net securities gains (losses)
    
4,213
      
(6,341
)
    
1,867
      
(644
)
    
3,087
  
Noninterest expense
    
274,734
      
264,561
      
245,648
      
235,922
      
236,176
  
Income before income taxes
    
155,432
      
137,002
      
128,161
      
118,801
      
116,628
  
Net income
    
121,021
      
112,566
      
82,151
      
78,409
      
76,425
  
                                         
Per common share
                                        
Basic earnings
  
$
2.76
    
$
2.58
    
$
1.89
    
$
1.81
    
$
1.74
  
Diluted earnings
    
2.74
      
2.56
      
1.87
      
1.80
      
1.72
  
Cash dividends paid
    
1.05
      
0.99
      
0.92
      
0.90
      
0.87
  
Book value at year-end
    
25.58
      
23.31
      
22.01
      
21.11
      
20.31
  
Tangible book value at year-end (1)
    
19.03
      
16.66
      
15.54
      
14.61
      
13.79
  
Average diluted common shares outstanding
    
44,124
      
44,020
      
43,905
      
43,622
      
44,389
  
                                         
Securities available for sale, at fair value
  
$
975,340
    
$
998,496
    
$
1,255,925
    
$
1,338,290
    
$
1,174,544
  
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
    
630,074
      
783,599
      
484,073
      
527,948
      
471,031
  
Loans
    
7,136,098
      
6,887,709
      
6,583,639
      
6,196,978
      
5,882,642
  
Allowance for loan losses
    
72,965
      
72,505
      
69,500
      
65,200
      
63,018
  
Assets
    
9,715,925
      
9,556,363
      
9,136,812
      
8,867,268
      
8,262,646
  
Deposits
    
7,587,820
      
7,368,211
      
7,170,636
      
6,973,688
      
6,604,843
  
Borrowings
    
820,682
      
1,046,616
      
909,188
      
886,986
      
674,124
  
Stockholders’ equity
    
1,120,397
      
1,017,909
      
958,177
      
913,316
      
882,004
  
                                         
Key ratios
                                        
Return on average assets
    
1.26
%
    
1.20
%
    
0.91
%
    
0.92
%
    
0.96
%
Return on average equity
    
11.32
%
    
11.49
%
    
8.71
%
    
8.74
%
    
8.70
%
Average equity to average assets
    
11.17
%
    
10.47
%
    
10.45
%
    
10.49
%
    
10.98
%
Net interest margin
    
3.58
%
    
3.58
%
    
3.47
%
    
3.43
%
    
3.50
%
Dividend payout ratio
    
38.32
%
    
38.67
%
    
49.20
%
    
50.00
%
    
49.92
%
Tier 1 leverage
    
10.33
%
    
9.52
%
    
9.14
%
    
9.11
%
    
9.44
%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio
    
11.29
%
    
10.49
%
    
10.06
%
    
9.98
%
    
10.20
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
    
12.56
%
    
11.79
%
    
11.42
%
    
11.42
%
    
11.73
%
Total risk-based capital
    
13.52
%
    
12.78
%
    
12.42
%
    
12.39
%
    
12.74
%

(1)
Tangible book value calculation (non-GAAP):

 
  
Year ended December 31,
  
(In thousands, except per share data)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
    
2016
    
2015
  
Stockholders' equity
  
$
1,120,397
    
$
1,017,909
    
$
958,177
    
$
913,316
    
$
882,004
  
Intangibles
    
286,789
      
290,368
      
281,463
      
281,254
      
283,222
  
Tangible equity
    
833,608
      
727,541
      
676,714
      
632,062
      
598,782
  
Diluted common shares outstanding
    
43,797
      
43,673
      
43,543
      
43,258
      
43,431
  
Tangible book value
  
$
19.03
    
$
16.66
    
$
15.54
    
$
14.61
    
$
13.79
  
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Selected Quarterly Financial Data

 
  
2019
    
2018
  
(In thousands, except per share data)
  
Fourth
    
Third
    
Second
    
First
    
Fourth
    
Third
    
Second
    
First
  
Interest, fee and dividend income
  
$
90,576
    
$
92,381
    
$
93,233
    
$
91,344
    
$
90,524
    
$
88,204
    
$
84,767
    
$
80,760
  
Interest expense
    
13,393
      
14,327
      
14,606
      
13,653
      
11,649
      
10,677
      
9,026
      
7,274
  
Net interest income
    
77,183
      
78,054
      
78,627
      
77,691
      
78,875
      
77,527
      
75,741
      
73,486
  
Provision for loan losses
    
6,004
      
6,324
      
7,277
      
5,807
      
6,528
      
6,026
      
8,778
      
7,496
  
Noninterest income excluding net securities gains (losses)
    
36,052
      
35,684
      
34,310
      
33,764
      
32,862
      
32,969
      
34,067
      
31,205
  
Net securities gains (losses)
    
189
      
4,036
      
(69
)
    
57
      
(6,916
)
    
412
      
91
      
72
  
Noninterest expense
    
70,294
      
69,749
      
66,231
      
68,460
      
68,904
      
66,497
      
64,888
      
64,272
  
Net income
    
28,960
      
32,379
      
30,555
      
29,127
      
28,652
      
29,807
      
28,121
      
25,986
  
Basic earnings per share
  
$
0.66
    
$
0.74
    
$
0.70
    
$
0.67
    
$
0.66
    
$
0.68
    
$
0.64
    
$
0.60
  
Diluted earnings per share
  
$
0.66
    
$
0.73
    
$
0.69
    
$
0.66
    
$
0.65
    
$
0.68
    
$
0.64
    
$
0.59
  
Annualized net interest margin
    
3.52
%
    
3.57
%
    
3.61
%
    
3.64
%
    
3.61
%
    
3.57
%
    
3.57
%
    
3.57
%
Annualized return on average assets
    
1.20
%
    
1.34
%
    
1.28
%
    
1.24
%
    
1.20
%
    
1.25
%
    
1.21
%
    
1.15
%
Annualized return on average equity
    
10.36
%
    
11.83
%
    
11.63
%
    
11.52
%
    
11.34
%
    
11.96
%
    
11.64
%
    
10.99
%
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
    
44,174
      
44,138
      
44,120
      
44,081
      
44,060
      
44,051
      
44,017
      
43,975
  

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Table of Contents
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this filing and future filings by the Company with the SEC, in the Company’s press releases or other public or stockholder communications or in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements may be identified by the use of phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “will,” “can,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or other similar terms. There are a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on the Company and its customers and the Company’s assessment of that impact; (2) changes in the level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs; (3) changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; (4) the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board ("FRB"); (5) inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations; (6) political instability; (7) acts of war or terrorism; (8) the timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users; (9) changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits; (10) changes in the financial performance and/or condition of the Company’s borrowers; (11) technological changes; (12) acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; (13) the ability to increase market share and control expenses; (14) changes in the competitive environment among financial holding companies; (15) the effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which the Company and its subsidiaries must comply, including those under the Dodd-Frank Act; (16) the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and other accounting standard setters; (17) changes in the Company’s organization, compensation and benefit plans; (18) the costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments including the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries and the results of regulatory examinations or reviews; (19) greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of business; and (20) the Company’s success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.
 
The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and advises readers that various factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and other factors discussed in the Company's annual and quarterly reports previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause the Company’s actual results or circumstances for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.
 
Unless required by law, the Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligations to, publicly release any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

General

The financial review that follows focuses on the factors affecting the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Bank, NBT Financial and NBT Holdings during 2019 and, in summary form, the preceding two years. Collectively, the registrant and its subsidiaries are referred to herein as “the Company.” Net interest margin is presented in this discussion on a fully taxable equivalent ("FTE") basis. Average balances discussed are daily averages unless otherwise described. The audited consolidated financial statements and related notes as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019 should be read in conjunction with this review.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company has identified policies as being critical because they require management to make particularly difficult, subjective and/or complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because of the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. These policies relate to the allowance for loan losses, pension accounting and provision for income taxes.

Management of the Company considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy given the uncertainty in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio and the material effect that such judgments can have on the results of operations. While management’s current evaluation of the allowance for loan losses indicates that the allowance is appropriate, the allowance may need to be increased under adversely different conditions or assumptions. For example, if historical loan loss experience significantly worsened or if current economic conditions significantly deteriorated, additional provision for loan losses would be required to increase the allowance. In addition, the assumptions and estimates used in the internal reviews of the Company’s nonperforming loans and potential problem loans have a significant impact on the overall analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. While management has concluded that the current evaluation of collateral values is reasonable, if collateral values were significantly lower, the Company’s allowance for loan loss policy would also require additional provision for loan losses.

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”). While certain key assumptions to be used in NBT's CECL model and methodologies are being finalized, as well as certain review controls, the day-one impact of adopting CECL is not expected to be material to the Company's total capital. Management expects that the CECL model may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for loan losses from quarter to quarter as changes in the level of allowance for loan losses will be dependent upon, among other things, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, loan portfolio volumes and credit quality.

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Table of Contents

Management is required to make various assumptions in valuing the Company's pension assets and liabilities. These assumptions include the expected rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate and the rate of increase in future compensation levels. Changes to these assumptions could impact earnings in future periods. The Company takes into account the plan asset mix, funding obligations and expert opinions in determining the various rates used to estimate pension expense. The Company also considers the Citigroup Pension Liability Index, market interest rates and discounted cash flows in setting the appropriate discount rate. In addition, the Company reviews expected inflationary and merit increases to compensation in determining the rate of increase in future compensation levels.

The Company is subject to examinations from various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in challenges to the tax return treatment applied by the Company to specific transactions. Management believes that the assumptions and judgments used to record tax-related assets or liabilities have been appropriate. Should tax laws change or the taxing authorities determine that management’s assumptions were inappropriate, an adjustment may be required which could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company’s policies on the allowance for loan losses, pension accounting and provision for income taxes are disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. A more detailed description of the allowance for loan losses is included in the section captioned “Risk Management – Credit Risk” in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-K. All significant pension accounting assumptions and income tax assumptions are disclosed in Notes 13 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements, respectively. All accounting policies are important and as such, the Company encourages the reader to review each of the policies included in Note 1 to obtain a better understanding of how the Company’s financial performance is reported.

Non-GAAP Measures

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These measures adjust GAAP measures to exclude the effects of acquisition-related intangible amortization expense on earnings, equity and assets as well as providing a FTE yield on securities and loans. Where non-GAAP disclosures are used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the comparable GAAP measure, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP measure, is provided in the accompanying tables. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information that is important to an understanding of the results of the Company’s core business as well as provide information standard in the financial institution industry. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP and investors should consider the Company’s performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company.

Overview

Significant factors management reviews to evaluate the Company’s operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: net income and earnings per share, return on average assets and equity, net interest margin, noninterest income, operating expenses, asset quality indicators, loan and deposit growth, capital management, liquidity and interest rate sensitivity, enhancements to customer products and services, technology advancements, market share and peer comparisons. The following information should be considered in connection with the Company's results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019:
   
●
diluted earnings per share up 7.0% from prior year

●
net income up 7.5% from 2018

●
loan growth for the year ended December 31, 2019 of 3.6%

●
strong asset quality continued with nonperforming loans to total loans of 0.40%, down 4 basis points from prior year

●
tangible equity ratio of 8.84%, up 99 bps from prior year, and tangible book value per share of $19.03, up 14.2% from 2018

The Company reported net income of $121.0 million or $2.74 per diluted share for 2019, up 7.5% from net income of $112.6 million or up 7.0% from $2.56 per diluted share for 2018. Net interest income was $311.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, up $5.9 million, or 1.9%, from 2018. FTE net interest margin of 3.58% for the year ended December 31, 2019, was comparable to the year ended December 31, 2018. Average interest earning assets were up $144.8 million, or 1.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 2018. The provision for loan losses totaled $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared with $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Significant non-recurring transactions occurring in the third quarter of 2019 included a $4.0 million gain on the sale of Visa Class B common stock and a $3.1 million expense primarily related to branch optimization strategies. Significant non-recurring transactions occurring in the fourth quarter 2018 included a one-time tax benefit of $5.5 million related to tax return accounting method changes and $6.6 million in losses on securities sold due to the restructuring of a portion of the investment securities portfolio.
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Table of Contents

Return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP measure and excludes amortization of intangible assets (net of tax) from net income and average tangible equity calculated as follows:

 
  
Years ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Net income
  
$
121,021
    
$
112,566
    
$
82,151
  
Amortization of intangible assets (net of tax)
    
2,684
      
3,032
      
2,446
  
Net income, excluding intangible amortization
  
$
123,705
    
$
115,598
    
$
84,597
  
                         
Average stockholders' equity
  
$
1,068,948
    
$
980,005
    
$
943,676
  
Less: average goodwill and other intangibles
    
288,539
      
288,273
      
283,573
  
Average tangible common equity
  
$
780,409
    
$
691,732
    
$
660,103
  

2020 Outlook

The Company’s 2019 earnings reflected the Company’s continued ability to manage through the existing economic conditions and challenges in the financial services industry, while investing in the Company’s future. During 2019, the Company, along with other financial services companies, experienced pressure in the second half of the year from lower short-term rates and a flatter yield curve. Significant items that may have an impact on 2020 results include:

●
continued modest economic growth may result in interest rates remaining low or falling further. This would result in principal and interest payments on currently outstanding loans and investments being reinvested at lower rates. While low market rates would likely reduce borrowing costs from current levels, already-low deposit costs would likely fall less. The benefit of lower funding costs could potentially not be large enough to offset the impact of lower rates on our earning assets. The magnitude and timing of interest rate changes, if any, along with the shape of the yield curve, will impact net interest income in 2020.

●
slower economic growth could reduce demand for credit, slowing loan growth.

●
the Company's continued focus on long-term strategies including growth in the New England markets, diversification of revenue, improving operating efficiencies and investing in technology.

●
the Company’s 2020 outlook is subject to factors in addition to those identified above and those risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company’s future results are explained in ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Asset/Liability Management
 
The Company attempts to maximize net interest income and net income, while actively managing its liquidity and interest rate sensitivity through the mix of various core deposit products and other sources of funds, which in turn fund an appropriate mix of earning assets. The changes in the Company’s asset mix and sources of funds, and the resulting impact on net interest income, on a FTE basis, are discussed below. The following table includes the condensed consolidated average balance sheet, an analysis of interest income/expense and average yield/rate for each major category of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities on a taxable equivalent basis. Interest income for tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a taxable-equivalent basis using the statutory Federal income tax rate of 21% for 2019 and 2018 and 35% for 2017.
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Table of Contents

Average Balances and Net Interest Income

 
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
(Dollars in thousands)
  
Average
Balance
    
Interest
    
Yield/
Rate
    
Average
Balance
    
Interest
    
Yield/
Rate
    
Average
Balance
    
Interest
    
Yield/
Rate
  
Assets:
                                                      
Short-term interest bearing accounts
  
$
36,174
    
$
773
      
2.14
%
  
$
3,377
    
$
183
      
5.42
%
  
$
9,636
    
$
179
      
1.86
%
Securities available for sale (1)(3)
    
961,909
      
23,334
      
2.43
%
    
1,210,013
      
27,081
      
2.24
%
    
1,350,995
      
28,969
      
2.14
%
Securities held to maturity (1)
    
725,352
      
20,410
      
2.81
%
    
567,117
      
14,657
      
2.58
%
    
507,583
      
13,490
      
2.66
%
Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock
    
43,385
      
2,879
      
6.64
%
    
48,214
      
3,083
      
6.39
%
    
46,673
      
2,634
      
5.64
%
Loans (2)
    
6,972,438
      
321,805
      
4.62
%
    
6,765,748
      
301,258
      
4.45
%
    
6,359,447
      
267,934
      
4.21
%
Total interest-earning assets
  
$
8,739,258
    
$
369,201
      
4.22
%
  
$
8,594,469
    
$
346,262
      
4.03
%
  
$
8,274,334
    
$
313,206
      
3.79
%
Other assets (3)
    
831,954
                      
764,670
                      
752,258
                  
Total assets
  
$
9,571,212
                    
$
9,359,139
                    
$
9,026,592
                  
 
                                                                        
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
                                                                        
Money market deposit accounts
  
$
1,949,147
    
$
22,257
      
1.14
%
  
$
1,706,823
    
$
8,314
      
0.49
%
  
$
1,697,386
    
$
3,864
      
0.23
%
NOW deposit accounts
    
1,095,402
      
1,518
      
0.14
%
    
1,191,008
      
1,894
      
0.16
%
    
1,153,361
      
1,051
      
0.09
%
Savings deposits
    
1,265,112
      
733
      
0.06
%
    
1,266,970
      
725
      
0.06
%
    
1,214,480
      
683
      
0.06
%
Time deposits
    
910,546
      
15,478
      
1.70
%
    
866,388
      
11,211
      
1.29
%
    
817,370
      
8,877
      
1.09
%
Total interest-bearing deposits
  
$
5,220,207
    
$
39,986
      
0.77
%
  
$
5,031,189
    
$
22,144
      
0.44
%
  
$
4,882,597
    
$
14,475
      
0.30
%
Short-term borrowings
    
573,927
      
9,693
      
1.69
%
    
727,635
      
10,552
      
1.45
%
    
690,036
      
5,996
      
0.87
%
Long-term debt
    
80,528
      
1,875
      
2.33
%
    
80,195
      
1,790
      
2.23
%
    
93,389
      
2,299
      
2.46
%
Junior subordinated debt
    
101,196
      
4,425
      
4.37
%
    
101,196
      
4,140
      
4.09
%
    
101,196
      
3,144
      
3.11
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  
$
5,975,858
    
$
55,979
      
0.94
%
  
$
5,940,215
    
$
38,626
      
0.65
%
  
$
5,767,218
    
$
25,914
      
0.45
%
Demand deposits
    
2,351,515
                      
2,321,264
                      
2,217,785
                  
Other liabilities
    
174,891
                      
117,655
                      
97,913
                  
Stockholders' equity
    
1,068,948
                      
980,005
                      
943,676
                  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  
$
9,571,212
                    
$
9,359,139
                    
$
9,026,592
                  
Net interest income (FTE)
          
$
313,222
                    
$
307,636
                    
$
287,292
          
Interest rate spread
                    
3.28
%
                    
3.38
%
                    
3.34
%
Net interest margin (FTE)
                    
3.58
%
                    
3.58
%
                    
3.47
%
Taxable equivalent adjustment
          
$
1,667
                    
$
2,007
                    
$
3,799
          
Net interest income
          
$
311,555
                    
$
305,629
                    
$
283,493
          

(1) Securities are shown at average amortized cost. 
(2) For purposes of these computations, nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in the average loan balances outstanding.
(3) For purposes of the average balance sheet presentation, equity securities amounts reclassified for the current period from securities available for sale to other assets, related to the adoption of Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, in the first quarter of 2018.

2019 OPERATING RESULTS AS COMPARED TO 2018 OPERATING RESULTS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the year ended 2019 was $311.6 million, up $5.9 million, or 1.9%, from 2018. FTE net interest margin of 3.58% for the year ended December 31, 2019, was comparable to the year ended December 31, 2018. Average interest-earning assets were up $144.8 million, or 1.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, driven by a $206.7 million increase in loans that was partially offset by an $89.9 million decrease in securities. Interest income increased $23.3 million, or 6.8%, due to the increase in earning assets combined with a 17 basis point ("bp") improvement in loan yields. Interest expense was up $17.4 million, or 44.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 as the cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 29 bps, driven by interest-bearing deposit costs increasing 33 bps.
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Analysis of Changes in FTE Net Interest Income

 
  
Increase (Decrease)
2019 over 2018
    
Increase (Decrease)
2018 over 2017
  
(In thousands)
  
Volume
    
Rate
    
Total
    
Volume
    
Rate
    
Total
  
Short-term interest-bearing accounts
  
$
764
    
$
(174
)
  
$
590
    
$
(173
)
  
$
177
    
$
4
  
Securities available for sale
    
(5,883
)
    
2,136
      
(3,747
)
    
(3,115
)
    
1,227
      
(1,888
)
Securities held to maturity
    
4,365
      
1,388
      
5,753
      
1,547
      
(380
)
    
1,167
  
Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock
    
(317
)
    
113
      
(204
)
    
89
      
360
      
449
  
Loans
    
9,356
      
11,191
      
20,547
      
17,632
      
15,692
      
33,324
  
Total FTE interest income
  
$
8,285
    
$
14,654
    
$
22,939
    
$
15,980
    
$
17,076
    
$
33,056
  
Money market deposit accounts
    
1,332
      
12,611
      
13,943
      
22
      
4,428
      
4,450
  
NOW deposit accounts
    
(145
)
    
(231
)
    
(376
)
    
35
      
808
      
843
  
Savings deposits
    
(1
)
    
9
      
8
      
30
      
12
      
42
  
Time deposits
    
596
      
3,671
      
4,267
      
557
      
1,777
      
2,334
  
Short-term borrowings
    
(2,435
)
    
1,576
      
(859
)
    
343
      
4,213
      
4,556
  
Long-term debt
    
7
      
78
      
85
      
(307
)
    
(202
)
    
(509
)
Junior subordinated debt
    
-
      
285
      
285
      
-
      
996
      
996
  
Total FTE interest expense
  
$
(646
)
  
$
17,999
    
$
17,353
    
$
680
    
$
12,032
    
$
12,712
  
Change in FTE net interest income
  
$
8,931
    
$
(3,345
)
  
$
5,586
    
$
15,300
    
$
5,044
    
$
20,344
  

Loans and Corresponding Interest and Fees on Loans

The average balance of loans increased by approximately $206.7 million, or 3.1%, from 2018 to 2019. The yield on average loans increased from 4.45% in 2018 to 4.62% in 2019, as loan rates increased due to the interest rate environment in 2019. FTE interest income from loans increased 6.8%, from $301.3 million in 2018 to $321.8 million in 2019. This increase was due to the increases in yields and the average loan balances.

Total loans increased $248.4 million, or 3.6%, from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019. Increases in Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate and Specialty Lending loans were the primary drivers of the increase in total loans from 2018 with the New England market accounting for the majority of the growth.

The following table reflects the loan portfolio by major categories for the years indicated:

Composition of Loan Portfolio

 
  
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
    
2016
    
2015
  
Commercial
  
$
1,302,209
    
$
1,291,568
    
$
1,258,212
    
$
1,242,701
    
$
1,159,089
  
Commercial Real Estate
    
2,142,057
      
1,930,742
      
1,769,620
      
1,543,301
      
1,430,618
  
Residential Real Estate
    
1,445,156
      
1,380,836
      
1,320,370
      
1,262,041
      
1,196,780
  
Indirect Auto
    
1,193,635
      
1,216,144
      
1,227,870
      
1,169,129
      
1,173,729
  
Specialty Lending
    
542,063
      
524,928
      
438,866
      
361,152
      
287,096
  
Home Equity
    
444,082
      
474,566
      
498,179
      
507,784
      
528,442
  
Other Consumer
    
66,896
      
68,925
      
70,522
      
110,870
      
106,888
  
Total loans
  
$
7,136,098
    
$
6,887,709
    
$
6,583,639
    
$
6,196,978
    
$
5,882,642
  

Residential Real Estate consist primarily of loans secured by first or second deeds of trust on primary residences. Loans in the Commercial and Commercial Real Estate, consist primarily of loans made to small and medium-sized entities. Indirect Auto loans include indirect installment loans to individuals, which are primarily secured by automobiles. Other Consumer loans also consist of direct installment loans to individuals most secured by automobiles and other personal property. Although automobile loans have generally been originated through dealers, all applications submitted through dealers are subject to the Company’s normal underwriting and loan approval procedures. The Specialty Lending portfolio includes unsecured consumer loans across a national footprint originated through our relationship with national technology-driven consumer lending companies that began over 10 years ago as the result of our investment in Springstone Financial LLC ("Springstone"). Advances of credit through this specialty lending business line are to prime borrowers and are subject to the Company's underwriting standards. As of December 31, 2019, there were $149.4 million in construction and development loans included in total loans.

Risks associated with the Commercial Real Estate portfolio include the ability of borrowers to pay interest and principal during the loan’s term, as well as the ability of the borrowers to refinance at the end of the loan term.

The following table, Maturities and Sensitivities of Certain Loans to Changes in Interest Rates, summarizes the maturities of the commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios and the sensitivity of those loans to interest rate fluctuations at December 31, 2019. Scheduled repayments are reported in the maturity category in which the contractual payment is due.
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Table of Contents

Maturities and Sensitivities of Certain Loans to Changes in Interest Rates

 
  
Remaining maturity at December 31, 2019
  
(In thousands)
  
Within One Year
    
After One
Year But
Within Five
Years
    
After Five Years
    
Total
  
Floating/adjustable rate:
                        
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate
  
$
465,550
    
$
432,655
    
$
1,633,498
    
$
2,531,703
  
Fixed rate:
                                
Commercial and Commercial Real Estate
    
71,679
      
459,477
      
381,407
      
912,563
  
Total
  
$
537,229
    
$
892,132
    
$
2,014,905
    
$
3,444,266
  

Securities and Corresponding Interest and Dividend Income
 
The average balance of securities available for sale ("AFS") decreased $248.1 million, or 20.5%, from 2018 to 2019. The FTE yield on average AFS securities was 2.43% for 2019 compared to 2.24% in 2018.
 
The average balance of securities held to maturity ("HTM") increased from $567.1 million in 2018 to $725.4 million in 2019. At December 31, 2019, HTM securities were comprised primarily of tax-exempt municipal securities and government-sponsored collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"). The FTE yield on HTM securities increased from 2.58% in 2018 to 2.81% in 2019.
 
The average balance of Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock decreased to $43.4 million in 2019 from $48.2 million in 2018. The FTE yield from investments in Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock increased from 6.39% in 2018 to 6.64% in 2019.

Securities Portfolio

 
  
As of December 31,
  
 
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
(In thousands)
  
Amortized
Cost
    
Fair
Value
    
Amortized
Cost
    
Fair
Value
    
Amortized
Cost
    
Fair
Value
  
AFS securities:
                                    
Federal agency
  
$
34,998
    
$
34,758
    
$
84,982
    
$
84,299
    
$
109,862
    
$
108,899
  
State & municipal
    
2,533
      
2,513
      
30,136
      
29,915
      
42,171
      
41,956
  
Mortgage-backed
    
498,372
      
503,626
      
522,415
      
512,295
      
556,755
      
554,927
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    
432,651
      
434,443
      
380,093
      
371,987
      
546,754
      
535,994
  
Equity securities
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
10,623
      
14,149
  
Total AFS securities
  
$
968,554
    
$
975,340
    
$
1,017,626
    
$
998,496
    
$
1,266,165
    
$
1,255,925
  
 
                                                
HTM securities:
                                                
Federal agency
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
19,995
    
$
20,047
    
$
-
    
$
-
  
Mortgage-backed
    
163,115
      
166,728
      
179,848
      
178,190
      
96,775
      
96,107
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    
299,900
      
304,853
      
340,623
      
338,590
      
186,327
      
183,974
  
State & municipal
    
167,059
      
169,681
      
243,133
      
241,848
      
200,971
      
201,790
  
Total HTM securities
  
$
630,074
    
$
641,262
    
$
783,599
    
$
778,675
    
$
484,073
    
$
481,871
  

The Company's mortgage-backed securities, U.S. agency notes and CMOs are all guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHLB, Federal Farm Credit Banks or Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”). GNMA securities are considered similar in credit quality to U.S. Treasury securities, as they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Currently, there are no subprime mortgages in our investment portfolio.

The following tables set forth information with regard to contractual maturities of debt securities at December 31, 2019:

(Dollars in thousands)
  
Amortized Cost
    
Estimated Fair Value
    
Weighted Average Yield
  
AFS debt securities:
                  
Within one year
  
$
268
    
$
272
      
3.21
%
From one to five years
    
28,692
      
28,668
      
2.33
%
From five to ten years
    
170,771
      
171,943
      
2.61
%
After ten years
    
768,823
      
774,457
      
2.65
%
Total AFS debt securities
  
$
968,554
    
$
975,340
          
                         
HTM debt securities:
                        
Within one year
  
$
27,010
    
$
27,010
      
2.32
%
From one to five years
    
53,895
      
54,358
      
2.98
%
From five to ten years
    
171,942
      
175,630
      
2.28
%
After ten years
    
377,227
      
384,264
      
2.97
%
Total HTM debt securities
  
$
630,074
    
$
641,262
          

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Table of Contents

Funding Sources and Corresponding Interest Expense

The Company utilizes traditional deposit products such as time, savings, NOW, money market and demand deposits as its primary source for funding. Other sources, such as short-term FHLB advances, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, brokered time deposits and long-term FHLB borrowings are utilized as necessary to support the Company’s growth in assets and to achieve interest rate sensitivity objectives. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $35.6 million from 2018 and totaled $6.0 billion in 2019. The rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased from 0.65% in 2018 to 0.94% in 2019. This increase in rates and increase in average balances caused an increase in interest expense of $17.4 million, or 44.9%, from $38.6 million in 2018 to $56.0 million in 2019.

Deposits

Average interest bearing deposits increased $189.0 million, or 3.8%, from 2018 to 2019, due primarily to organic deposit growth. Average money market deposits increased $242.3 million, or 14.2% during 2019 compared to 2018. This growth in money market deposits was driven principally by increases in accounts from commercial customers. Average NOW accounts decreased $95.6 million, or 8.0% during 2019 as compared to 2018. The average balance of savings accounts decreased $1.9 million, or 0.1% during 2019 compared to 2018. The average balance of time deposits increased $44.2 million, or 5.1%, from 2018 to 2019. The average balance of demand deposits increased $30.3 million, or 1.3%, during 2019 compared to 2018. This growth in demand deposits was driven principally by increases in accounts from retail, municipal and commercial customers.

The rate paid on average interest-bearing deposits was 0.77% for 2019 and 0.44% for 2018. The rate paid for money market deposit accounts increased from 0.49% during 2018 to 1.14% during 2019. The rate paid for NOW deposit accounts decreased from 0.16% in 2018 to 0.14% in 2019. The rate paid for savings deposits was 0.06% for 2019 and 2018. The rate paid for time deposits increased from 1.29% during 2018 to 1.70% during 2019.

The following table presents the maturity distribution of time deposits of $250,000 or more:

(In thousands)
  
December 31, 2019
  
Within three months
  
$
16,060
  
After three but within twelve months
    
77,039
  
After one but within three years
    
39,124
  
Over three years
    
8,182
  
Total
  
$
140,405
  

Borrowings

Average short-term borrowings decreased to $573.9 million in 2019 from $727.6 million in 2018. The average rate paid on short-term borrowings increased from 1.45% in 2018 to 1.69% in 2019. Average long-term debt increased from $80.2 million in 2018 to $80.5 million in 2019.

The average balance of junior subordinated debt remained at $101.2 million in 2019. The average rate paid for junior subordinated debt in 2019 was 4.37%, up from 4.09% in 2018.

Short-term borrowings consist of federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements, which generally represent overnight borrowing transactions and other short-term borrowings, primarily FHLB advances, with original maturities of one year or less. The Company has unused lines of credit with the FHLB and access to brokered deposits available for short-term financing of approximately $2.4 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Securities collateralizing repurchase agreements are held in safekeeping by nonaffiliated financial institutions and are under the Company’s control. Long-term debt, which is comprised primarily of FHLB advances, are collateralized by the FHLB stock owned by the Company, certain of its mortgage-backed securities and a blanket lien on its residential real estate mortgage loans.
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Noninterest Income

Noninterest income is a significant source of revenue for the Company and an important factor in the Company’s results of operations. The following table sets forth information by category of noninterest income for the years indicated:

 
  
Years ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Insurance and other financial services revenue
  
$
25,006
    
$
24,345
    
$
23,532
  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    
17,151
      
17,224
      
16,750
  
ATM and debit card fees
    
23,893
      
22,699
      
21,372
  
Retirement plan administration fees
    
30,388
      
26,992
      
20,213
  
Trust
    
19,164
      
19,524
      
19,586
  
Bank owned life insurance income
    
5,355
      
5,091
      
5,175
  
Net securities gains (losses)
    
4,213
      
(6,341
)
    
1,867
  
Gain on the sale of equity investment
    
-
      
-
      
818
  
Other
    
18,853
      
15,228
      
11,991
  
Total noninterest income
  
$
144,023
    
$
124,762
    
$
121,304
  

Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $144.0 million, up $19.3 million, or 15.4%, from the year ended December 31, 2018. Excluding net securities gains (losses), noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $139.8 million, up $8.7 million or 6.6%, from the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase from the prior year was driven by higher other noninterest income primarily due to higher swap fee income, higher retirement plan administration fees due to a full year's contributions from Retirement Plan Services, LLC ("RPS"), which was acquired in the second quarter of 2018, and higher ATM and debit card fees due to an increase in the number of accounts and usage.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expenses are also an important factor in the Company’s results of operations. The following table sets forth the major components of noninterest expense for the years indicated:

 
  
Years ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Salaries and employee benefits
  
$
156,867
    
$
151,685
    
$
135,222
  
Occupancy
    
22,706
      
22,318
      
21,808
  
Data processing and communications
    
18,318
      
17,652
      
17,068
  
Professional fees and outside services
    
14,785
      
14,376
      
13,499
  
Equipment
    
18,583
      
17,037
      
15,225
  
Office supplies and postage
    
6,579
      
6,204
      
6,284
  
FDIC expenses
    
1,946
      
4,651
      
4,767
  
Advertising
    
2,773
      
2,782
      
2,744
  
Amortization of intangible assets
    
3,579
      
4,042
      
3,960
  
Loan collection and other real estate owned, net
    
4,158
      
4,217
      
4,763
  
Other
    
24,440
      
19,597
      
20,308
  
Total noninterest expense
  
$
274,734
    
$
264,561
    
$
245,648
  

Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $274.7 million, up $10.2 million or 3.8%, from the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase from the prior year was driven by higher salaries and employee benefits, equipment expense and other noninterest expenses as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, partially offset by lower FDIC insurance expense. The increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to the RPS acquisition in the second quarter of 2018 and $0.7 million in one-time charges related to efficiency initiatives and general wage and benefit increases. The increase in equipment expense resulted from the Company's technology investments over the past several years. The $4.8 million increase in other noninterest expenses was due to $3.1 million in reorganization expenses incurred during the third quarter of 2019, primarily related to branch optimization strategies to improve future operating efficiencies and an increase in the amortization expense for pension plan actuarial costs. FDIC insurance expense decreased from 2018 due to receipt of the Small Bank Assessment Credit in 2019.

Income Taxes

We calculate our current and deferred tax provision based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. Adjustments based on filed returns are recorded when identified, which is generally in the fourth quarter of the subsequent year for U.S. federal and state provisions.

The amount of income taxes the Company pays is subject at times to ongoing audits by U.S. federal and state tax authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. Future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to the estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are proposed or resolved or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. As a result, the Company’s effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly or annual basis.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). The TCJA includes significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax system including: a federal corporate rate reduction from 35% to 21% and establishing other tax laws affecting years subsequent to 2017. In connection with the analysis of the impact of the TCJA, the Company recorded a $4.4 million adjustment in the year ended December 31, 2017 for remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the corporate rate reduction.
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Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $34.4 million, up $10.0 million, or 40.8%, from the year ended December 31, 2018. The effective tax rate of 22.1% in 2019 was up from 17.8% in 2018. The increase in income tax expense from the prior year was due to a $5.5 million tax benefit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 primarily related to one-time income tax return accounting method changes during the fourth quarter of 2018, combined with a higher level of taxable income. The adjusted income tax expense on the Company's income was different from the income tax expense at the Federal statutory rate of 21% for 2019 and 2018 due primarily to tax-exempt income and, to a lesser extent, the effect of state income taxes and Federal low income housing credits.

Risk Management – Credit Risk

Credit risk is managed through a network of loan officers, credit committees, loan policies and oversight from senior credit officers and Board of Directors. Management follows a policy of continually identifying, analyzing and grading credit risk inherent in each loan portfolio. An ongoing independent review of individual credits in the commercial loan portfolio is performed by the independent loan review function. These components of the Company’s underwriting and monitoring functions are critical to the timely identification, classification and resolution of problem credits.

Nonperforming Assets

 
  
As of December 31,
  
(Dollars in thousands)
  
2019
    
%
    
2018
    
%
    
2017
    
%
    
2016
    
%
    
2015
    
%
  
Nonaccrual loans:
                                                            
Commercial, Agricultural and Real Estate loans
  
$
12,379
      
49
%
  
$
11,804
      
46
%
  
$
12,485
      
48
%
  
$
19,351
      
54
%
  
$
14,655
      
43
%
Residential Real Estate
    
5,233
      
21
%
    
6,526
      
26
%
    
5,919
      
23
%
    
8,027
      
23
%
    
8,625
      
26
%
Consumer
    
4,046
      
16
%
    
4,068
      
16
%
    
4,324
      
17
%
    
4,653
      
13
%
    
6,009
      
18
%
Troubled debt restructured loans
    
3,516
      
14
%
    
3,089
      
12
%
    
2,980
      
12
%
    
3,681
      
10
%
    
4,455
      
13
%
Total nonaccrual loans
  
$
25,174
      
100
%
  
$
25,487
      
100
%
  
$
25,708
      
100
%
  
$
35,712
      
100
%
  
$
33,744
      
100
%
 
                                                                                
Loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing:
                                                                                
Commercial, Agricultural and Real Estate loans
  
$
-
      
-
    
$
588
      
12
%
  
$
-
      
-
    
$
-
      
-
    
$
-
      
-
  
Residential Real Estate
    
927
      
25
%
    
1,182
      
23
%
    
1,402
      
26
%
    
1,733
      
36
%
    
1,022
      
28
%
Consumer
    
2,790
      
75
%
    
3,315
      
65
%
    
4,008
      
74
%
    
3,077
      
64
%
    
2,640
      
72
%
Total loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing
  
$
3,717
      
100
%
  
$
5,085
      
100
%
  
$
5,410
      
100
%
  
$
4,810
      
100
%
  
$
3,662
      
100
%
 
                                                                                
Total nonperforming loans
  
$
28,891
            
$
30,572
            
$
31,118
            
$
40,522
            
$
37,406
          
Other real estate owned
    
1,458
              
2,441
              
4,529
              
5,581
              
4,666
          
Total nonperforming assets
  
$
30,349
            
$
33,013
            
$
35,647
            
$
46,103
            
$
42,072
          
 
                                                                                
Total nonperforming loans to total loans
    
0.40
%
            
0.44
%
            
0.47
%
            
0.65
%
            
0.64
%
        
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
    
0.31
%
            
0.35
%
            
0.39
%
            
0.52
%
            
0.51
%
        
Total allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
    
252.55
%
            
237.16
%
            
223.34
%
            
160.90
%
            
168.47
%
        

Total nonperforming assets were $30.3 million at December 31, 2019, compared to $33.0 million at December 31, 2018. Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2019 were $28.9 million or 0.40% of total loans compared with $30.6 million or 0.44% of total loans at December 31, 2018. Included in nonperforming loans are $1.6 million and $2.1 million of nonaccrual loans in the acquired loan portfolio at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Excluding nonaccrual acquired loans, originated nonperforming loans to originated loans was 0.39% and 0.43% at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $25.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Net charge-offs to average loans for the year ended December 31, 2019 were 0.36%, compared with 0.38% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The allowance for loan losses was 252.55% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2019 as compared to 237.16% at December 31, 2018. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans was 1.02% (1.06% excluding acquired loans with no related allowance recorded) at December 31, 2019 compared to 1.05% (1.10% excluding acquired loans with no related allowance recorded) at December 31, 2018.
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Impaired loans, which primarily consist of nonaccruing Commercial, Commercial Real Estate and Residential Real Estate loans, as well as loans that have been modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), decreased to $18.3 million at December 31, 2019 as compared to $20.6 million at December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2019, there were no impaired loans that had a specific reserve allocation compared to $0.2 million of impaired loans at December 31, 2018, which had a specific reserve allocation of $25 thousand.
 
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide adequately for risk of probable incurred losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is continuously monitored using a methodology designed to ensure the level of the allowance reasonably reflects the loan portfolio’s risk profile. It is evaluated to ensure that it is sufficient to absorb all reasonably estimable incurred credit losses inherent in the current loan portfolio.
 
Management considers the accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses to be a critical accounting policy given the degree of judgment exercised in evaluating the level of the allowance required to cover credit losses in the portfolio and the material effect that such judgments can have on the consolidated results of operations.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company made adjustments to the class segments within the portfolios to better align risk characteristics and reflect the monitoring and assessment of risks. Agricultural and Agricultural Real Estate were consolidated with Commercial and Industrial and Commercial Real Estate, respectively. Agricultural loans are a type of Commercial loan with certain specific underwriting guidelines; however, as of March 31, 2018, the portfolio has decreased to less than 3% of the Commercial portfolio and separate classification was no longer warranted. The Indirect Lending class was further separated into Indirect Auto and Specialty Lending. The growth in our Specialty Lending portfolio to 21% of Consumer Loans as of March 31, 2018 warranted evaluation of this class segment separately due to different risk characteristics from the Indirect Auto segment. The Direct and Home Equity class segments were consolidated into Direct to reflect common management, similar underwriting and in-market focus. The change to the class segments in the allowance methodology did not have a significant impact on the allowance for loan losses.
 
For purposes of evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, the Company considers a number of significant factors that affect the collectability of the portfolio. For individually analyzed loans, these factors include estimates of loss exposure, which reflect the facts and circumstances that affect the likelihood of repayment of such loans as of the evaluation date. For homogeneous pools of loans, estimates of the Company’s exposure to credit loss reflect a thorough current assessment of a number of factors, which affect collectability. These factors include: past loss experience; the size, trend, composition and nature of the loans; changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices; trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans; current economic conditions in the Company’s market; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experienced across one or more components of the portfolio; the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements; and the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral component 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 on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.
 
After a thorough consideration and validation of the factors discussed above, required additions or reductions to the allowance for loan losses are made periodically by charges or credits to the provision for loan losses. These are necessary to maintain the allowance at a level which management believes is reasonably reflective of the level of incurred credit losses inherent in the portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, additions or reductions to the allowance may fluctuate from one reporting period to another. These fluctuations are reflective of changes in risk associated with portfolio content and/or changes in management’s assessment of any or all of the determining factors discussed above. Management considers the allowance for loan losses to be appropriate based on evaluation and analysis of the loan portfolio.
 
Total net charge-offs for 2019 were $25.0 million, down from $25.8 million in 2018. Net charge-offs to average loans was 0.36% for 2019 as compared with 0.38% for 2018. For the originated portfolio, net charge-offs to average loans for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 0.37%, compared to 0.40% for 2018. Gross charge-offs were down to $32.5 million for 2019 from $34.1 million for 2018. Recoveries were down to $7.6 million for 2019 from $8.3 million for 2018.

Allowance for Loan Losses

(Dollars in thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
    
2016
    
2015
  
Balance at January 1
  
$
72,505
    
$
69,500
    
$
65,200
    
$
63,018
    
$
66,359
  
Loans charged-off
                                        
Commercial and Agricultural
    
3,151
      
3,463
      
4,169
      
4,592
      
5,718
  
Residential Real Estate
    
991
      
913
      
1,846
      
1,343
      
2,229
  
Consumer*
    
28,398
      
29,752
      
27,072
      
23,364
      
18,140
  
Total loans charged-off
  
$
32,540
    
$
34,128
    
$
33,087
    
$
29,299
    
$
26,087
  
Recoveries
                                        
Commercial and Agricultural
  
$
534
    
$
1,178
    
$
1,077
    
$
1,887
    
$
1,014
  
Residential Real Estate
    
141
      
306
      
180
      
293
      
320
  
Consumer*
    
6,913
      
6,821
      
5,142
      
3,870
      
3,127
  
Total recoveries
  
$
7,588
    
$
8,305
    
$
6,399
    
$
6,050
    
$
4,461
  
Net loans charged-off
  
$
24,952
    
$
25,823
    
$
26,688
    
$
23,249
    
$
21,626
  
 
                                        
Provision for loan losses
  
$
25,412
    
$
28,828
    
$
30,988
    
$
25,431
    
$
18,285
  
Balance at December 31
  
$
72,965
    
$
72,505
    
$
69,500
    
$
65,200
    
$
63,018
  
Allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding at end of year
    
1.02
%
    
1.05
%
    
1.06
%
    
1.05
%
    
1.07
%
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
    
0.36
%
    
0.38
%
    
0.42
%
    
0.39
%
    
0.38
%

* Consumer charge-off and recoveries include consumer and home equity.

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Table of Contents

In addition to the nonperforming loans discussed above, the Company has also identified approximately $84.1 million in potential problem loans at December 31, 2019 as compared to $90.0 million at December 31, 2018. Potential problem loans are loans that are currently performing, with a possibility of loss if weaknesses are not corrected. Such loans may need to be disclosed as nonperforming at some time in the future. Potential problem loans are classified by the Company’s loan rating system as “substandard.” At December 31, 2019, there were 23 potential problem loans exceeding $1.0 million, totaling $46.8 million in aggregated compared to 21 potential problem loans exceeding $1.0 million, totaling $45.8 million in aggregate at December 31, 2018. Management cannot predict the extent to which economic conditions may worsen or other factors, which may impact borrowers and the potential problem loans. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that other loans will not become 90 days or more past due, be placed on nonaccrual, become restructured or require increased allowance coverage and provision for loan losses. To mitigate this risk the Company maintains a diversified loan portfolio, has no significant concentration in any particular industry and originates loans primarily within its footprint.
 
The following table sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by category, as well as the percentage of loans in each category to total loans, as prepared by the Company. This allocation is based on management’s assessment of the risk characteristics of each of the component parts of the total loan portfolio as of a given point in time and is subject to changes as and when the risk factors of each such component part change. The allocation is not indicative of either the specific amounts of the loan categories in which future charge-offs may be taken, nor should it be taken as an indicator of future loss trends. The allocation of the allowance to each category does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in any category. On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted CECL and while certain key assumptions to be used in NBT's CECL model and methodologies are being finalized, as well as certain review controls, the day-one impact of adopting CECL is not expected to be material to the Company's total capital. Management expects that the CECL model may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for loan losses from quarter to quarter as changes in the level of allowance for loan losses will be dependent upon, among other things, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, loan portfolio volumes and credit quality.

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

 
  
December 31,
  
 
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
    
2016
    
2015
  
(Dollars in thousands)
  
Allowance
    
Category
Percent of
Loans
    
Allowance
    
Category
Percent of
Loans
    
Allowance
    
Category
Percent of
Loans
    
Allowance
    
Category
Percent of
Loans
    
Allowance
    
Category
Percent of
Loans
  
Commercial and Agricultural
  
$
34,525
      
48
%
  
$
32,759
      
47
%
  
$
27,606
      
46
%
  
$
25,444
      
45
%
  
$
25,545
      
44
%
Residential Real Estate
    
2,793
      
20
%
    
2,568
      
20
%
    
5,064
      
20
%
    
6,381
      
20
%
    
7,960
      
20
%
Consumer
    
35,647
      
32
%
    
37,178
      
33
%
    
36,830
      
34
%
    
33,375
      
35
%
    
29,253
      
36
%
Unallocated
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
260
      
-
  
Total
  
$
72,965
      
100
%
  
$
72,505
      
100
%
  
$
69,500
      
100
%
  
$
65,200
      
100
%
  
$
63,018
      
100
%

The Company’s accounting policy relating to the allowance for loan losses requires a review of each significant loan type within the loan portfolio, considering asset quality trends for each type, including, but not limited to, delinquencies, nonaccruals, historical charge-off experience and specific economic factors such as changes in unemployment statistics and used car prices. Based on this review, management believes the reserve allocations are adequate to address any trends in asset quality indicators. As a result of the general improvement and stabilization of asset quality indicators in 2019, as well as the aforementioned review of the loan portfolio, the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of originated loans decreased from 1.10% as of December 31, 2018 to 1.06% as of December 31, 2019. Acquired loans were recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition, with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. Generally, the fair value discount represents expected credit losses, net of market interest rate adjustments. The discount on loans receivable will be amortized to interest income over the estimated remaining life of the acquired loans using the level yield method.
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Table of Contents

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately 61% and 59%, respectively, of the Company’s loans were secured by real estate located in central and northern New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Hampshire, western Massachusetts, Vermont and southern coastal area of Maine. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Company’s portfolio is susceptible to changes in market conditions of those areas. Management is not aware of any material concentrations of credit to any industry or individual borrowers.

Subprime mortgage lending, which has been the riskiest sector of the residential housing market, is not a market that the Company has ever actively pursued. The market does not apply a uniform definition of what constitutes “subprime” lending. Our reference to subprime lending relies upon the “Statement on Subprime Mortgage Lending” issued by the OTS and the other federal bank regulatory agencies (the “Agencies”), on June 29, 2007, which further referenced the “Expanded Guidance for Subprime Lending Programs,” or the Expanded Guidance, issued by the Agencies by press release dated January 31, 2001. In the Expanded Guidance, the Agencies indicated that subprime lending does not refer to individual subprime loans originated and managed, in the ordinary course of business, as exceptions to prime risk selection standards. The Agencies recognize that many prime loan portfolios will contain such accounts. The Agencies also excluded prime loans that develop credit problems after acquisition and community development loans from the subprime arena. According to the Expanded Guidance, subprime loans are other loans to borrowers, which display one or more characteristics of reduced payment capacity. Five specific criteria, which are not intended to be exhaustive and are not meant to define specific parameters for all subprime borrowers and may not match all markets or institutions’ specific subprime definitions, are set forth, including having a FICO score of 660 or below. Based upon the definition and exclusions described above, the Company is a prime lender. Within the loan portfolio, there are loans that, at the time of origination, had FICO scores of 660 or below. However, since the Company is a portfolio lender, it reviews all data contained in borrower credit reports and does not base underwriting decisions solely on FICO scores. We believe the aforementioned loans, when made, were amply collateralized and otherwise conformed to our prime lending standards.

For acquired loans that are not deemed to be impaired at acquisition, credit discounts representing the principal losses expected over the life of the loan are a component of the initial fair value and amortized over the life of the asset.

As a result of the application of this accounting methodology, certain credit-related ratios may not necessarily be directly comparable with periods prior to acquisitions, or comparable with other institutions. The credit metrics most impacted by our acquisitions were the allowance for loans losses to total loans and total allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans. As of December 31, 2019, the allowance for loan losses to total originated loans and the total allowance for loan losses to originated nonperforming loans were 1.06% and 269.90%, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses to total originated loans and the total allowance for loan losses to originated nonperforming loans were 1.10% and 254.92%, respectively.
 
Liquidity Risk

Liquidity involves the ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors wanting to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. Management's Asset Liability Committee ("ALCO") is responsible for liquidity management and has developed guidelines, which cover all assets and liabilities, as well as off-balance sheet items that are potential sources or uses of liquidity. Liquidity policies must also provide the flexibility to implement appropriate strategies. Requirements change as loans grow, deposits and securities mature and payments on borrowings are made. Liquidity management includes a focus on interest rate sensitivity management with a goal of avoiding widely fluctuating net interest margins through periods of changing economic conditions.

The primary liquidity measurement the Company utilizes is called “Basic Surplus,” which captures the adequacy of its access to reliable sources of cash relative to the stability of its funding mix of average liabilities. This approach recognizes the importance of balancing levels of cash flow liquidity from short and long-term securities with the availability of dependable borrowing sources, which can be accessed when necessary. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company's Basic Surplus measurement was 15.8% and 11.2% of total assets, or $1.5 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, which were above the Company's minimum of 5% (calculated at $485.8 million and $477.8 million, of period end total assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively) set forth in its liquidity policies.
 
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, FHLB advances outstanding totaled $585.8 million and $795.8 million, respectively. The Bank is a member of the FHLB system and had additional borrowing capacity from the FHLB of approximately $1.2 billion and $0.8 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, unpledged securities could have been used to increase borrowing capacity at the FHLB by an additional $627.6 million and $630.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, or used to collateralize other borrowings, such as repurchase agreements. The Company also has the ability to issue brokered time deposits and to borrow against established borrowing facilities with other banks (federal funds), which could provide additional liquidity of $1.4 billion at December 31, 2019 and $1.3 billion at December 31, 2018. In addition, the Bank has a “Borrower-in-Custody” program with the FRB with the addition of the ability to pledge automobile loans. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Bank had the capacity to borrow $837.3 million and $854.7 million, respectively, from this program. The Company's internal policies authorize borrowings up to 25% of assets. Under this policy, remaining available borrowings capacity totaled $1.8 billion at December 31, 2019 and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2018.
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This Basic Surplus approach enables the Company to appropriately manage liquidity from both operational and contingency perspectives. By tempering the need for cash flow liquidity with reliable borrowing facilities, the Company is able to operate with a more fully invested and, therefore, higher interest income generating securities portfolio. The makeup and term structure of the securities portfolio is, in part, impacted by the overall interest rate sensitivity of the balance sheet. Investment decisions and deposit pricing strategies are impacted by the liquidity position. The Company considered its Basic Surplus position to be strong. However, certain events may adversely impact the Company’s liquidity position in 2020. Increasing competition for deposits could result in a decrease in the Company’s deposit base or increase funding costs. Additionally, liquidity will come under additional pressure if loan growth exceeds deposit growth in 2020. These scenarios could lead to a decrease in the Company’s Basic Surplus measure below the minimum policy level of 5%. 

At December 31, 2019, a portion of the Company’s loans and securities were pledged as collateral on borrowings. Therefore, future growth of earning assets will depend upon the Company’s ability to obtain additional funding, through growth of core deposits and collateral management and may require further use of brokered time deposits or other higher cost borrowing arrangements.
 
Net cash flows provided by operating activities totaled $153.5 million and $147.8 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively. The critical elements of net operating cash flows include net income, adjusted for non-cash income and expense items such as the provision for loan losses, deferred income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and cash flows generated through changes in other assets and liabilities.
 
Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled $64.3 million and $417.6 million in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Critical elements of investing activities are loan and investment securities transactions.
 
Net cash flows used in financing activities totaled $53.2 million in 2019 and net cash flows provided by financing activities totaled $291.1 million in 2018. The critical elements of financing activities are proceeds from deposits, borrowings and stock issuance. In addition, financing activities are impacted by dividends and treasury stock transactions.
 
Contractual Obligations

In connection with its financing and operating activities, the Company has entered into certain contractual obligations. The Company’s future minimum cash payments, excluding interest, associated with its contractual obligations pursuant to its borrowing agreements, operating leases and other obligations at December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 
  
Payments Due by Period
  
(In thousands)
  
2020
    
2021
    
2022
    
2023
    
2024
    
Thereafter
    
Total
  
Long-term debt obligations
  
$
25,000
    
$
25,021
    
$
10,598
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
3,592
    
$
64,211
  
Junior subordinated debt
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
101,196
      
101,196
  
Operating lease obligations
    
7,435
      
6,646
      
5,870
      
4,969
      
4,365
      
12,876
      
42,161
  
Capital lease obligations
    
149
      
77
      
8
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
234
  
IT/Software obligations
    
3,285
      
176
      
100
      
34
      
-
      
-
      
3,595
  
Data processing commitments
    
15,735
      
15,735
      
14,884
      
14,600
      
14,600
      
14,600
      
90,154
  
Total contractual obligations
  
$
51,604
    
$
47,655
    
$
31,460
    
$
19,603
    
$
18,965
    
$
132,264
    
$
301,551
  

We have obligations under our pension, post-retirement plan, directors’ retirement and supplemental executive retirement plans as described in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements. The supplemental executive retirement, pension and postretirement benefit and directors’ retirement payments represent actuarially determined future benefit payments to eligible plan participants.

Commitments to Extend Credit

The Company makes contractual commitments to extend credit, which include unused lines of credit, which are subject to the Company’s credit approval and monitoring procedures. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, commitments to extend credit in the form of loans, including unused lines of credit, amounted to $1.9 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. In the opinion of management, there are no material commitments to extend credit, including unused lines of credit that represent unusual risks. All commitments to extend credit in the form of loans, including unused lines of credit, expire within one year.
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Standby Letters of Credit

The Company does not issue any guarantees that would require liability-recognition or disclosure, other than its standby letters of credit. The Company guarantees the obligations or performance of customers by issuing standby letters of credit to third parties. These standby letters of credit are frequently issued in support of third party debt, such as corporate debt issuances, industrial revenue bonds and municipal securities. The risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers and letters of credit are subject to the same credit origination, portfolio maintenance and management procedures in effect to monitor other credit and off-balance sheet products. Typically, these instruments have one year expirations with an option to renew upon annual review; therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, outstanding standby letters of credit were approximately $34.5 million and $41.2 million, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s standby letters of credit at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was not significant. The following table sets forth the commitment expiration period for standby letters of credit at:

(In thousands)
  
December 31, 2019
  
Within one year
  
$
23,024
  
After one but within three years
    
9,805
  
After three but within five years
    
49
  
After five years
    
1,601
  
Total
  
$
34,479
  

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting, and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. When the cash flows associated with the hedged item are realized, the gain or loss included in OCI is recognized in the consolidated statements of income.

When the Company participates with another lending institution in a commercial loan with an associated interest rate swap, it may enter a risk participation agreement with the participating lending institution. In cases where the other institution originated the swap, the Company  may assume a portion of the credit risk related to the swap. In cases where the Company originated the swap, the other institution may assume a portion of the credit risk related to the swap. Any fee paid to or by the Company under a risk participation agreement is in consideration of the credit risk of the counterparties and is recognized in the income statement. Credit risk on the risk participation agreements is determined after considering the risk rating, probability of default and loss given default of the counterparties.

Loans Serviced for Others and Loans Sold with Recourse

The total amount of loans serviced by the Company for unrelated third parties was approximately $612.3 million and $557.9 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had approximately $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of mortgage servicing rights. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company serviced $25.6 million and $27.2 million, respectively, of agricultural loans sold with recourse. Due to sufficient collateral on these loans and government guarantees, no reserve is considered necessary at December 31, 2019 and 2018. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company serviced $64.7 million and $62.1 million, respectively, of consumer loans for Springstone.

Capital Resources

Consistent with its goal to operate a sound and profitable financial institution, the Company actively seeks to maintain a “well-capitalized” institution in accordance with regulatory standards. The principal source of capital to the Company is earnings retention. The Company’s capital measurements are in excess of both regulatory minimum guidelines and meet the requirements to be considered well-capitalized.
 
The Company’s primary source of funds to pay interest on trust preferred debentures and pay cash dividends to its shareholders are dividends from its subsidiaries. Various laws and regulations restrict the ability of banks to pay dividends to their shareholders. Generally, the payment of dividends by the Company in the future as well as the payment of interest on the capital securities will require the generation of sufficient future earnings by its subsidiaries.

The Bank also is subject to substantial regulatory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the Company. Under OCC regulations, the Bank may not pay a dividend, without prior OCC approval, if the total amount of all dividends declared during the calendar year, including the proposed dividend, exceeds the sum of its retained net income to date during the calendar year and its retained net income over the preceding two years. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately $175.0 million and $174.1 million, respectively, of the total stockholders’ equity of the Bank was available for payment of dividends to the Company without approval by the OCC. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends also is subject to the Bank being in compliance with regulatory capital requirements. The Bank is currently in compliance with these requirements.
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Stock Repurchase Plan

The Company did not purchase shares of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, there were 1,000,000 shares available for repurchase under a plan authorized on October 28, 2019, which expires on December 31, 2021.

Recent Accounting Updates
 
See Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of new accounting pronouncements.

2018 OPERATING RESULTS AS COMPARED TO 2017 OPERATING RESULTS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income for the year ended 2018 was $305.6 million, up $22.1 million, or 7.8%, from 2017. FTE net interest margin of 3.58% for the year ended December 31, 2018, was up from 3.47% for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to asset yields increasing 24 bps, more than offsetting the 20 bp rise in the cost of interest bearing liabilities. Average interest earning assets were up $320.1 million, or 3.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, driven by a $406.3 million increase in loans that was partially offset by a $81.4 million decrease in securities. Interest income increased $34.8 million, or 11.3%, due to the increase in earning assets combined with a 24 bp improvement in loan yields. Interest expense was up $12.7 million, or 49.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 resulting primarily from a 20 bp increase in rates on interest bearing liabilities driven by higher borrowing costs and a 14 bp increase in the cost of interest bearing deposits, combined with an increase in average interest bearing liabilities of $173.0 million.

Loans and Corresponding Interest and Fees on Loans

The average balance of loans increased by approximately $406.3 million, or 6.4%, from 2017 to 2018. The yield on average loans increased from 4.21% in 2017 to 4.45% in 2018, as loan rates increased due to the interest rate environment in 2018. FTE interest income from loans increased 12.4%, from $267.9 million in 2017 to $301.3 million in 2018. This increase was due to the increases in yields and the average loan balances.

Total loans increased $304.1 million, or 4.6%, from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018. Increases in Commercial Real Estate, Specialty Lending and Residential Real Estate loans were the primary drivers of the increase in total loans from 2017 with New York and New England markets accounting for the majority of the growth.

Securities and Corresponding Interest and Dividend Income

The average balance of securities available for sale AFS decreased $141.0 million, or 10.4%, from 2017 to 2018. The FTE yield on average AFS securities was 2.24% for 2018 compared to 2.14% in 2017.

The average balance of securities held to maturity HTM increased from $507.6 million in 2017 to $567.1 million in 2018. At December 31, 2018, HTM securities were comprised primarily of tax-exempt municipal securities and government-sponsored collateralized mortgage obligations CMOs. The FTE yield on HTM securities decreased from 2.66% in 2017 to 2.58% in 2018.

The average balance of Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock increased to $48.2 million in 2018 from $46.7 million in 2017. The FTE yield from investments in Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock increased from 5.64% in 2017 to 6.39% in 2018.

Funding Sources and Corresponding Interest Expense

The Company utilizes traditional deposit products such as time, savings, NOW, money market and demand deposits as its primary source for funding. Other sources, such as short-term FHLB advances, federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, brokered time deposits and long-term FHLB borrowings are utilized as necessary to support the Company’s growth in assets and to achieve interest rate sensitivity objectives. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $173.0 million from 2017 and totaled $5.9 billion in 2018. The rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased from 0.45% in 2017 to 0.65% in 2018. This increase in rates and increase in average balances caused an increase in interest expense of $12.7 million, or 49.1%, from $25.9 million in 2017 to $38.6 million in 2018.
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Deposits

Average interest-bearing deposits increased $148.6 million, or 3.0%, from 2017 to 2018, due primarily to organic deposit growth. Average money market deposits increased $9.4 million, or 0.6% during 2018 compared to 2017. Average NOW accounts increased $37.6 million, or 3.3% during 2018 as compared to 2017. The average balance of savings accounts increased $52.5 million, or 4.3% during 2018 compared to 2017. These average balance of time deposits increased $49.0 million, or 6.0%, from 2017 to 2018. The average balance of demand deposits increased $103.5 million, or 4.7%, during 2018 compared to 2017. This growth in demand deposits was driven principally by increases in accounts from retail, municipal and commercial customers.

The rate paid on average interest-bearing deposits was 0.44% for 2018 and 0.30% for 2017. The rate paid for money market deposit accounts increased from 0.23% during 2017 to 0.49% during 2018. The rate paid for NOW deposit accounts increased from 0.09% in 2017 to 0.16% in 2018. The rate paid for savings deposits was 0.06% for 2018 and 2017. The rate paid for time deposits increased from 1.09% during 2017 to 1.29% during 2018.

Borrowings

Average short-term borrowings increased to $727.6 million in 2018 from $690.0 million in 2017 funding earning asset growth. The average rate paid on short-term borrowings increased from 0.87% in 2017 to 1.45% in 2018. Average long-term debt decreased from $93.4 million in 2017 to $80.2 million in 2018.

The average balance of junior subordinated debt remained at $101.2 million in 2018. The average rate paid for junior subordinated debt in 2018 was 4.09%, up from 3.11% in 2017.

Short-term borrowings consist of federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements, which generally represent overnight borrowing transactions and other short-term borrowings, primarily FHLB advances, with original maturities of one year or less. The Company has unused lines of credit with the FHLB and access to brokered deposits available for short-term financing of approximately $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Securities collateralizing repurchase agreements are held in safekeeping by non-affiliated financial institutions and are under the Company’s control. Long-term debt, which is comprised primarily of FHLB advances, are collateralized by the FHLB stock owned by the Company, certain of its mortgage-backed securities and a blanket lien on its residential real estate mortgage loans.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $124.8 million, up $3.5 million, or 2.9%, from the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase from the prior year was driven by higher retirement plan administration fees and an increase in other noninterest income that was partially offset by net securities losses in 2018. Retirement plan administration fees increased due to the acquisitions of RPS in the second quarter of 2018 and of Downeast Pension Services in the second quarter of 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company restructured the investment portfolio by selling $109 million lower yielding bonds and reinvesting the proceeds in higher yielding bonds, which resulted in a $6.6 million loss on securities sold. Other noninterest income in 2018 increased compared to 2017 due to non-recurring gains recognized in 2018. Excluding net securities (losses) gains, noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2018 would have been $131.1 million, up $11.7 million, or 9.8%, from the year ended December 31, 2017.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $264.6 million, up $18.9 million, or 7.7%, from the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase from the prior year was driven by higher salaries and employee benefits due to the retirement plan services acquisitions in 2018 and 2017, higher incentive compensation and wage increases for over 60% of our employees from the Company’s commitment to invest a portion of the tax reform benefit in our employees.
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Income Taxes

We calculate our current and deferred tax provision based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from the actual results reflected in income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. Adjustments based on filed returns are recorded when identified, which is generally in the fourth quarter of the subsequent year for U.S. federal and state provisions.

The amount of income taxes the Company pays is subject at times to ongoing audits by U.S. federal and state tax authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. Future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to the estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are proposed or resolved or when statutes of limitation on potential assessments expire. As a result, the Company’s effective tax rate may fluctuate significantly on a quarterly or annual basis.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the TCJA. The TCJA includes significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax system including: a federal corporate rate reduction from 35% to 21% and establishing other tax laws affecting years subsequent to 2017. In connection with the analysis of the impact of the TCJA, the Company recorded a $4.4 million adjustment in the year ended December 31, 2017 for remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the corporate rate reduction.

Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $24.4 million, down $21.6 million, or 46.9%, from the year ended December 31, 2017. The effective tax rate of 17.8% in 2018 was down from 35.9% in 2017. The decrease in income tax expense from the prior year was due to the lower effective tax rate resulting from the TCJA, a $5.5 million tax benefit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 primarily related to one-time income tax return accounting method changes during the fourth quarter of 2018, combined with the $4.4 million non-cash charge related to the enactment of the TCJA in 2017 for the Company’s deferred tax assets due to the tax rate reduction. This was partially offset by a higher level of taxable income and lower tax benefit from equity-based transactions. Excluding the tax benefit from equity-based transactions, the tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the TCJA charge in 2017, the effective tax rate was 22.2% and 33.8% for the years ending December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The adjusted income tax expense on the Company's income was different from the income tax expense at the Federal statutory rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 due primarily to tax-exempt income and, to a lesser extent, the effect of state income taxes and Federal low income housing credits.
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ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest rate risk is the most significant market risk affecting the Company. Other types of market risk, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk, do not arise in the normal course of the Company’s business activities or are immaterial to the results of operations.

Interest rate risk is defined as an exposure to a movement in interest rates that could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest income. Net interest income is susceptible to interest rate risk to the degree that interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice on a different basis than earning assets. When interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than earning assets in a given period, a significant increase in market rates of interest could adversely affect net interest income. Similarly, when earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities, falling interest rates could result in a decrease in net interest income.
 
To manage the Company’s exposure to changes in interest rates, management monitors the Company’s interest rate risk. ALCO meets monthly to review the Company’s interest rate risk position and profitability and to recommend strategies for consideration by the Board of Directors. Management also reviews loan and deposit pricing and the Company’s securities portfolio, formulates investment and funding strategies and oversees the timing and implementation of transactions to assure attainment of the Board’s objectives in the most effective manner. Notwithstanding the Company’s interest rate risk management activities, the potential for changing interest rates is an uncertainty that can have an adverse effect on net income.
 
In adjusting the Company’s asset/liability position, the Board and management attempt to manage the Company’s interest rate risk while minimizing the net interest margin compression. At times, depending on the level of general interest rates, the relationship between long and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, the Board and management may determine to increase the Company’s interest rate risk position somewhat in order to increase its net interest margin. The Company’s results of operations and net portfolio values remain vulnerable to changes in interest rates and fluctuations in the difference between long and short-term interest rates.
 
The primary tool utilized by ALCO to manage interest rate risk is earnings at risk modeling (interest rate sensitivity analysis). Information, such as principal balance, interest rate, maturity date, cash flows, next repricing date (if needed) and current rates are uploaded into the model to create an ending balance sheet. In addition, ALCO makes certain assumptions regarding prepayment speeds for loans and mortgage related investment securities along with any optionality within the deposits and borrowings. The model is first run under an assumption of a flat rate scenario (i.e. no change in current interest rates) with a static balance sheet. Three additional models are run in which a gradual increase of 200 bps, gradual increase of 100 bps and a gradual decrease of 100 bps takes place over a 12 month period with a static balance sheet. Under these scenarios, assets subject to prepayments are adjusted to account for faster or slower prepayment assumptions. Any investment securities or borrowings that have callable options embedded into them are handled accordingly based on the interest rate scenario. The resulting changes in net interest income are then measured against the flat rate scenario. The Company also runs other interest rate scenarios to highlight potential interest rate risk.

In the declining rate scenario, net interest income is projected to decrease when compared to the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario through the simulation period. The decrease in net interest income is a result of earning assets (particularly LIBOR-based loans) repricing downward faster than the interest-bearing liabilities that remain at or near their floors. In the rising rate scenarios, net interest income is projected to experience a slight decline from the flat rate scenario; however the potential impact on earnings may be affected by the ability to lag deposit repricing on NOW, savings, MMDA and time accounts. Net interest income for the next twelve months in the +200/+100/-100 bp scenarios, as described above, is within the internal policy risk limits of not more than a 7.5% change in net interest income. The following table summarizes the percentage change in net interest income in the rising and declining rate scenarios over a 12-month period from the forecasted net interest income in the flat rate scenario using the December 31, 2019 balance sheet position:

Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis
Change in interest rates
(in basis points)
Percent change in net interest income
+200
 
(1.0%)
+100
 
0.2%
-100
  
(1.5%)

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The Company anticipates that in the current environment, the trajectory of net interest income will depend significantly on the ability to manage deposit pricing in a competitive market. Deposit rates began to rise in 2018 as the federal funds rate increased four times, through December 2018 bringing the cycle total to nine increases totaling 225 basis points. Beginning in July 2019, the federal funds rate decreased three times for a total of 75 bps. The Company anticipates that deposit rates may move lower responding to the lower federal funds rate. Competitive pressure may limit the Company's ability to quickly reduce deposit rates following reductions in the federal funds rate. In order to maintain the net interest margin in 2020, the Company will continue to focus funding growth through lower cost core deposits.

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ITEM  8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
NBT Bancorp Inc.:
 
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NBT Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, 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, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, 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, 2019, 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 2, 2020 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.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgment. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Allowance for loan losses related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment

As discussed in Note 1 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s allowance for loan losses related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment (ALL) was $72.965 million which also represents the total allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2019. The Company estimates the ALL by applying historical loss rates to pools of loans with similar risk characteristics and by internal risk grades for commercial loans. The historical loss rates are calculated by using the average annual historical charge-offs that have occurred within each pool of loans over the lookback period multiplied by the loss emergence period. The Company subjects the historical loss rates to qualitative adjustments to reflect inherent incurred loan losses that are not fully captured in the historical loss rates.

We identified the assessment of the ALL as a critical audit matter because it involved significant measurement uncertainty requiring complex auditor judgment, and knowledge and experience in the industry. This assessment encompassed the evaluation of the ALL methodology, inclusive of the methodologies used to estimate 1) the historical loss rates for each pool of loans and their key factors and assumptions, including the lookback period, the loss emergence periods, and how loans with similar characteristics are pooled, 2) the internal risk grades for commercial loans, and 3) the qualitative adjustments.
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The primary procedures we performed to address the critical auditing matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the (1) development and approval of the ALL methodology, including key factors and assumptions, (2) determination of the qualitative adjustments, (3) periodic testing of internal risk grades for commercial loans, and (4) analysis of the ALL results, trends, and ratios. We assessed the Company’s process to develop the ALL estimate; specifically, we tested the sources of data, factors and assumptions that the Company used to consider whether they were relevant and reliable, and whether additional factors and alternative assumptions should have been used. We tested the qualitative adjustments by:

−
assessing the maximum qualitative adjustment based on the highest annual losses over the recent full credit cycle for each pool of loans,
−
evaluating the metrics, including the relevance of sources of data and assumptions, used to allocate the qualitative adjustments, and
−
evaluating trends in the ALL, including the qualitative adjustments, for consistency with trends in the loan portfolio and credit performance.

We involved credit risk professionals with specialized industry knowledge and experience, who assisted in evaluating:

−
the Company’s ALL methodology for compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles,
−
the lookback period assumption used in calculating the historical loss rates to evaluate the relevance of that period,
−
whether loans are pooled by similar risk characteristics,
−
the methodology used to develop the loss emergence periods,
−
the methodology used to develop the resulting qualitative adjustments and the effect of those adjustments on the ALL compared with relevant credit risk factors and credit trends,
−
the determination of each qualitative adjustment, and
−
the internal risk grades for a selection of commercial loans in the current year.


/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1987.

Albany, New York
March 2, 2020
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Consolidated Balance Sheets
  
   
As of December 31,
  
   
2019
    
2018
  
(In thousands except share and per share data)
            
Assets
            
Cash and due from banks
  
$
170,595
    
$
175,550
  
Short-term interest bearing accounts
    
46,248
      
5,405
  
Equity securities, at fair value
    
27,771
      
23,053
  
Securities available for sale, at fair value
    
975,340
      
998,496
  
Securities held to maturity (fair value $641,262 and $778,675, respectively)
    
630,074
      
783,599
  
Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    
44,620
      
53,229
  
Loans held for sale
    
11,731
      
6,943
  
Loans
    
7,136,098
      
6,887,709
  
Less allowance for loan losses
    
72,965
      
72,505
  
Net loans
  
$
7,063,133
    
$
6,815,204
  
Premises and equipment, net
    
75,631
      
78,970
  
Goodwill
    
274,769
      
274,769
  
Intangible assets, net
    
12,020
      
15,599
  
Bank owned life insurance
    
181,748
      
177,479
  
Other assets
    
202,245
      
148,067
  
Total assets
  
$
9,715,925
    
$
9,556,363
  
Liabilities
                
Demand (noninterest bearing)
  
$
2,414,383
    
$
2,361,099
  
Savings, NOW and money market
    
4,312,244
      
4,076,434
  
Time
    
861,193
      
930,678
  
Total deposits
  
$
7,587,820
    
$
7,368,211
  
Short-term borrowings
    
655,275
      
871,696
  
Long-term debt
    
64,211
      
73,724
  
Junior subordinated debt
    
101,196
      
101,196
  
Other liabilities
    
187,026
      
123,627
  
Total liabilities
  
$
8,595,528
    
$
8,538,454
  
Stockholders’ equity
                
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 2,500,000 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018
  
$
-
    
$
-
  
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively; issued 49,651,493 at December 31, 2019 and 2018
    
497
      
497
  
Additional paid-in-capital
    
576,708
      
575,466
  
Retained earnings
    
696,214
      
621,203
  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    
(19,026
)
    
(43,174
)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 5,854,882 and 5,978,527 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively
    
(133,996
)
    
(136,083
)
Total stockholders’ equity
  
$
1,120,397
    
$
1,017,909
  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  
$
9,715,925
    
$
9,556,363
  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Income
      
   
Years Ended December 31,
  
   
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
(In thousands, except per share data)
                  
Interest, fee and dividend income
                  
Interest and fees on loans
  
$
321,474
    
$
300,827
    
$
267,096
  
Securities available for sale
    
23,303
      
26,920
      
28,564
  
Securities held to maturity
    
19,105
      
13,242
      
10,934
  
Other
    
3,652
      
3,266
      
2,813
  
Total interest, fee and dividend income
  
$
367,534
    
$
344,255
    
$
309,407
  
Interest expense
                        
Deposits
  
$
39,986
    
$
22,144
    
$
14,475
  
Short-term borrowings
    
9,693
      
10,552
      
5,996
  
Long-term debt
    
1,875
      
1,790
      
2,299
  
Junior subordinated debt
    
4,425
      
4,140
      
3,144
  
Total interest expense
  
$
55,979
    
$
38,626
    
$
25,914
  
Net interest income
  
$
311,555
    
$
305,629
    
$
283,493
  
Provision for loan losses
    
25,412
      
28,828
      
30,988
  
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  
$
286,143
    
$
276,801
    
$
252,505
  
Noninterest income
                        
Insurance and other financial services revenue
  
$
25,006
    
$
24,345
    
$
23,532
  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    
17,151
      
17,224
      
16,750
  
ATM and debit card fees
    
23,893
      
22,699
      
21,372
  
Retirement plan administration fees
    
30,388
      
26,992
      
20,213
  
Trust
    
19,164
      
19,524
      
19,586
  
Bank owned life insurance
    
5,355
      
5,091
      
5,175
  
Net securities gains (losses)
    
4,213
      
(6,341
)
    
1,867
  
Gain on the sale of equity investment
    
-
      
-
      
818
  
Other
    
18,853
      
15,228
      
11,991
  
Total noninterest income
  
$
144,023
    
$
124,762
    
$
121,304
  
Noninterest expense
                        
Salaries and employee benefits
  
$
156,867
    
$
151,685
    
$
135,222
  
Occupancy
    
22,706
      
22,318
      
21,808
  
Data processing and communications
    
18,318
      
17,652
      
17,068
  
Professional fees and outside services
    
14,785
      
14,376
      
13,499
  
Equipment
    
18,583
      
17,037
      
15,225
  
Office supplies and postage
    
6,579
      
6,204
      
6,284
  
FDIC expenses
    
1,946
      
4,651
      
4,767
  
Advertising
    
2,773
      
2,782
      
2,744
  
Amortization of intangible assets
    
3,579
      
4,042
      
3,960
  
Loan collection and other real estate owned, net
    
4,158
      
4,217
      
4,763
  
Other
    
24,440
      
19,597
      
20,308
  
Total noninterest expense
  
$
274,734
    
$
264,561
    
$
245,648
  
Income before income tax expense
  
$
155,432
    
$
137,002
    
$
128,161
  
Income tax expense
    
34,411
      
24,436
      
46,010
  
Net income
  
$
121,021
    
$
112,566
    
$
82,151
  
Earnings per share
                        
Basic
  
$
2.76
    
$
2.58
    
$
1.89
  
Diluted
  
$
2.74
    
$
2.56
    
$
1.87
  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
  
   
Years Ended December 31,
  
   
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
(In thousands)
                  
Net income
  
$
121,021
    
$
112,566
    
$
82,151
  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                        
                         
Securities available for sale:
                        
Unrealized net holding gains (losses) arising during the period, gross
  
$
25,836
    
$
(11,985
)
  
$
(6,915
)
Tax effect
    
(6,459
)
    
2,996
      
2,845
  
Unrealized net holding gains (losses) arising during the period, net
  
$
19,377
    
$
(8,989
)
  
$
(4,070
)
                         
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) in net income, gross
  
$
79
    
$
6,622
    
$
(1,869
)
Tax effect
    
(20
)
    
(1,655
)
    
716
  
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) in net income, net
  
$
59
    
$
4,967
    
$
(1,153
)
                         
Amortization of unrealized net gains for the reclassification of available for sale securities to held to maturity, gross
  
$
737
    
$
688
    
$
875
  
Tax effect
    
(184
)
    
(172
)
    
(335
)
Amortization of unrealized net gains for the reclassification of available for sale securities to held to maturity, net
  
$
553
    
$
516
    
$
540
  
                         
Reclassification adjustment for an impairment write-down of equity security, gross
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
1,312
  
Tax effect
    
-
      
-
      
(501
)
Reclassification adjustment for an impairment write-down of equity security, net
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
811
  
                         
Total securities available for sale, net
  
$
19,989
    
$
(3,506
)
  
$
(3,872
)
                         
Cash flow hedges:
                        
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivatives (cash flow hedges), gross
  
$
(459
)
  
$
1,218
    
$
901
  
Tax effect
    
115
      
(304
)
    
(350
)
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivatives (cash flow hedges), net
  
$
(344
)
  
$
914
    
$
551
  
                         
Reclassification of net unrealized (gains) on cash flow hedges to interest (income), gross
  
$
(2,012
)
  
$
(2,300
)
  
$
(292
)
Tax effect
    
503
      
575
      
113
  
Reclassification of net unrealized (gains) on cash flow hedges to interest (income), net
  
$
(1,509
)
  
$
(1,725
)
  
$
(179
)
                         
Total cash flow hedges, net
  
$
(1,853
)
  
$
(811
)
  
$
372
  
                         
Pension and other benefits:
                        
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses, gross
  
$
2,686
    
$
1,145
    
$
1,852
  
Tax effect
    
(672
)
    
(286
)
    
(740
)
Amortization of prior service cost and actuarial losses, net
  
$
2,014
    
$
859
    
$
1,112
  
                         
Decrease (increase) in unrecognized actuarial loss, gross
  
$
5,331
    
$
(12,457
)
  
$
2,401
  
Tax effect
    
(1,333
)
    
3,038
      
(570
)
Decrease (increase) in unrecognized actuarial loss, net
  
$
3,998
    
$
(9,419
)
  
$
1,831
  
                         
Total pension and other benefits, net
  
$
6,012
    
$
(8,560
)
  
$
2,943
  
                         
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
  
$
24,148
    
$
(12,877
)
  
$
(557
)
Comprehensive income
  
$
145,169
    
$
99,689
    
$
81,594
  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
  
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
  
Common
Stock
    
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
    
Retained
Earnings
    
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
    
Common
Stock in
Treasury
    
Total
  
Balance at December 31, 2016
  
$
497
    
$
575,078
    
$
501,761
    
$
(21,520
)
  
$
(142,500
)
  
$
913,316
  
Net income
    
-
      
-
      
82,151
      
-
      
-
      
82,151
  
Cash dividends - $0.92 per share
    
-
      
-
      
(40,104
)
    
-
      
-
      
(40,104
)
Net issuance of 285,059 shares to employee and other stock plans
    
-
      
(4,608
)
    
-
      
-
      
4,335
      
(273
)
Stock-based compensation
    
-
      
3,739
      
(95
)
    
-
      
-
      
3,644
  
Other comprehensive (loss)
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
(557
)
    
-
      
(557
)
Balance at December 31, 2017
  
$
497
    
$
574,209
    
$
543,713
    
$
(22,077
)
  
$
(138,165
)
  
$
958,177
  
Net income
    
-
      
-
      
112,566
      
-
      
-
      
112,566
  
Cumulative effect adjustment for ASU 2016-01 implementation
    
-
      
-
      
2,618
      
(2,645
)
    
-
      
(27
)
Cumulative effect adjustment for ASU 2018-02 implementation
    
-
      
-
      
5,575
      
(5,575
)
    
-
      
-
  
Cash dividends - $0.99 per share
    
-
      
-
      
(43,269
)
    
-
      
-
      
(43,269
)
Net issuance of 130,157 shares to employee and other stock plans
    
-
      
(2,679
)
    
-
      
-
      
2,082
      
(597
)
Stock-based compensation
    
-
      
3,936
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
3,936
  
Other comprehensive (loss)
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
(12,877
)
    
-
      
(12,877
)
Balance at December 31, 2018
  
$
497
    
$
575,466
    
$
621,203
    
$
(43,174
)
  
$
(136,083
)
  
$
1,017,909
  
Net income
    
-
      
-
      
121,021
      
-
      
-
      
121,021
  
Cash dividends - $1.05 per share
    
-
      
-
      
(46,010
)
    
-
      
-
      
(46,010
)
Net issuance of 123,645 shares to employee and other stock plans
    
-
      
(2,968
)
    
-
      
-
      
2,087
      
(881
)
Stock-based compensation
    
-
      
4,210
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
4,210
  
Other comprehensive income
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
24,148
      
-
      
24,148
  
Balance at December 31, 2019
  
$
497
    
$
576,708
    
$
696,214
    
$
(19,026
)
  
$
(133,996
)
  
$
1,120,397
  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
      
   
Years Ended December 31,
  
   
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
(In thousands)
                  
Operating activities
                  
Net income
  
$
121,021
    
$
112,566
    
$
82,151
  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
                        
Provision for loan losses
    
25,412
      
28,828
      
30,988
  
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
    
9,497
      
9,280
      
9,056
  
Net amortization on securities
    
3,375
      
4,007
      
4,786
  
Amortization of intangible assets
    
3,579
      
4,042
      
3,960
  
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets
    
7,239
      
-
      
-
  
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation
    
(409
)
    
(543
)
    
(1,769
)
Stock-based compensation expense
    
4,210
      
3,936
      
3,644
  
Bank owned life insurance income
    
(5,355
)
    
(5,091
)
    
(5,175
)
Trading security purchases
    
-
      
-
      
(1,586
)
Net unrealized losses on trading securities
    
-
      
-
      
(623
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
    
175,829
      
102,547
      
111,284
  
Originations of loans held for sale
    
(181,261
)
    
(108,070
)
    
(111,206
)
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
    
(786
)
    
(286
)
    
(349
)
Net security (gains) losses
    
(4,213
)
    
6,341
      
(1,867
)
Net losses (gains) on sales and write-down of other real estate owned
    
227
      
(230
)
    
(221
)
Gain on sale of equity investment
    
-
      
-
      
(818
)
Impairment write-down of equity security
    
-
      
-
      
1,312
  
Impairment write-down of goodwill and intangible assets
    
-
      
-
      
1,530
  
Re-evaluation of deferred tax amounts from Tax Act
    
-
      
-
      
4,407
  
Net change in other assets and other liabilities
    
(4,902
)
    
(9,554
)
    
7,400
  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  
$
153,463
    
$
147,773
    
$
136,904
  
Investing activities
                        
Net cash used in acquisitions
  
$
-
    
$
(7,884
)
  
$
(4,000
)
Securities available for sale:
                        
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal paydowns
    
273,578
      
259,446
      
290,613
  
Proceeds from sales
    
26,203
      
101,315
      
14,788
  
Purchases
    
(252,963
)
    
(132,448
)
    
(233,804
)
Securities held to maturity:
                        
Proceeds from maturities, calls and principal paydowns
    
223,733
      
100,738
      
103,759
  
Proceeds from sales
    
-
      
-
      
764
  
Purchases
    
(70,660
)
    
(400,602
)
    
(60,706
)
Equity securities:
                        
Proceeds from sales
    
3,966
      
3,318
      
-
  
Purchases
    
(93
)
    
(2
)
    
-
  
Other:
                        
Net increase in loans
    
(272,698
)
    
(331,166
)
    
(419,114
)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank stock redemption
    
182,752
      
246,844
      
248,887
  
Purchases of Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    
(174,143
)
    
(253,367
)
    
(248,560
)
Proceeds from settlement of bank owned life insurance
    
1,086
      
-
      
799
  
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
    
(6,647
)
    
(7,402
)
    
(6,691
)
Proceeds from sale of equity investment
    
-
      
-
      
818
  
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
    
1,543
      
3,591
      
7,254
  
Net cash used in investing activities
  
$
(64,343
)
  
$
(417,619
)
  
$
(305,193
)
Financing activities
                        
Net increase in deposits
  
$
219,609
    
$
197,575
    
$
196,948
  
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings
    
(216,421
)
    
152,573
      
37,419
  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    
10,598
      
25,000
      
25,000
  
Repayments of long-term debt
    
(20,111
)
    
(40,145
)
    
(40,218
)
Proceeds from the issuance of shares to employee and other stock plans
    
725
      
1,296
      
3,309
  
Cash paid by employer for tax-withholding on stock issuance
    
(1,622
)
    
(1,893
)
    
(3,582
)
Cash dividends
    
(46,010
)
    
(43,269
)
    
(40,104
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
  
$
(53,232
)
  
$
291,137
    
$
178,772
  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
  
$
35,888
    
$
21,291
    
$
10,483
  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    
180,955
      
159,664
      
149,181
  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  
$
216,843
    
$
180,955
    
$
159,664
  

 
Years Ended December 31,
  
   
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                  
Cash paid during the year for:
                  
Interest expense
  
$
55,908
    
$
36,691
    
$
25,887
  
Income taxes paid
    
28,374
      
31,898
      
33,675
  
Noncash investing activities:
                        
Loans transferred to other real estate owned
  
$
787
    
$
1,273
    
$
5,981
  
Acquisitions:
                        
Fair value of assets acquired
  
$
-
    
$
6,274
    
$
3,096
  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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NBT BANCORP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2019 and 2018

1.          Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting and reporting policies of NBT Bancorp Inc. (“NBT Bancorp”) and its subsidiaries, NBT Bank, National Association (“NBT Bank” or the “Bank"), NBT Holdings, Inc. and NBT Financial Services, Inc., conform, in all material respects, with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and to general practices within the banking industry. Collectively, NBT Bancorp and its subsidiaries are referred to herein as “the Company.”

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Estimates associated with the allowance for loan losses, income taxes, pension expense, fair values of financial instruments, status of contingencies and other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on investments are particularly susceptible to material change in the near term.

The following is a description of significant policies and practices:

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NBT Bancorp and its wholly-owned subsidiaries mentioned above. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Amounts previously reported in the consolidated financial statements are reclassified whenever necessary to conform to the current year’s presentation. In the “Parent Company Financial Information,” the investment in subsidiaries is recorded using the equity method of accounting.

The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting interest entity or a variable interest entity under GAAP. Voting interest entities are entities in which the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance itself independently and provides the equity holders with the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. The Company consolidates voting interest entities in which it has all, or at least a majority of, the voting interest. As defined in applicable accounting standards, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a voting interest entity. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when the Company has both the power and ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries CNBF Capital Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust II, Alliance Financial Capital Trust I and Alliance Financial Capital Trust II are VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the accounts of these entities are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Segment Reporting

The Company’s operations are primarily in the community banking industry and include the provision of traditional banking services. The Company also provides other services through its subsidiaries such as insurance, retirement plan administration and trust administration. The Company operates solely in the geographical regions of central and upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, western Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, Vermont and southern coastal Maine. The Company has no reportable operating segments.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers amounts due from correspondent banks, cash items in process of collection and institutional money market mutual funds to be cash equivalents for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Securities

The Company classifies its securities at date of purchase as either held to maturity ("HTM"), trading, available for sale ("AFS") or equity. HTM debt securities are those that the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. Trading securities are securities purchased with the intent to sell within a short period of time. AFS debt securities are securities that are not classified as HTM or trading securities. AFS securities are recorded at fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on AFS securities are excluded from earnings and are reported in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss ("AOCI"). HTM securities are recorded at amortized cost. Trading securities and equity securities are recorded at fair value, with net unrealized gains and losses recognized in income. Transfers of securities between categories are recorded at fair value at the date of transfer. Non-marketable equity securities are carried at cost. Equity securities without readily determinable fair values are carried at cost. The Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether investments are impaired. Downward or upward adjustments are recognized through the income statement.
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Declines in the fair value of AFS and HTM securities below their amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses, or in other comprehensive income ("OCI"). The classification is dependent upon whether the Company intends to sell the security, or whether it is more likely than not, that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery. The OTTI shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss, the OTTI shall be separated into (i) the amount representing the credit loss and (ii) the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the total OTTI impairment related to the credit loss shall be recognized in earnings. The amount of the total OTTI related to other factors shall be recognized in OCI, net of applicable taxes.

In estimating OTTI losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iii) the historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security.

Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security as an adjustment to yield using the interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses on securities sold are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.

Investments in Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock are required for membership in those organizations and are carried at cost since there is no market value available. The FHLB New York continues to pay dividends and repurchase stock. As such, the Company has not recognized any impairment on its holdings of Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock.

Loan Held for Sale and Loan Servicing

Loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value on an individual basis. Loan sales are recorded when the sales are funded. Gains and losses on sales of loans held for sale are included in other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Mortgage loans held for sale are generally sold with servicing rights retained. Mortgage servicing rights are recorded at fair value upon sale of the loan, and are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income.

Loans

Loans are recorded at their current unpaid principal balance, net of unearned income and unamortized loan fees and expenses, which are amortized under the effective interest method over the estimated lives of the loans. Interest income on loans is accrued based on the principal amount outstanding.

For all loan classes within the Company’s loan portfolio, loans are placed on nonaccrual status when timely collection of principal and/or interest in accordance with contractual terms is in doubt. Loans are transferred to nonaccrual status generally when principal or interest payments become ninety days delinquent, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection or sooner when management concludes circumstances indicate that borrowers may be unable to meet contractual principal or interest payments. When a loan is transferred to a nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued in the current period but not collected is reversed against interest income in that period. Interest accrued in a prior period and not collected is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.

If ultimate repayment of a nonaccrual loan is expected, any payments received are applied in accordance with contractual terms. If ultimate repayment of principal is not expected, any payment received on a nonaccrual loan is applied to principal until ultimate repayment becomes expected. For all loan classes within the Company’s loan portfolio, nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when they become current as to principal and interest and demonstrate a period of performance under the contractual terms and, in the opinion of management, are fully collectible as to principal and interest. For loans in all portfolios, the principal amount is charged off in full or in part as soon as management determines, based on available facts, that the collection of principal in full or in part is improbable. For Commercial loans, management considers specific facts and circumstances relative to individual credits in making such a determination. For Consumer and Residential Real Estate loan classes, management uses specific guidance and thresholds from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy.

Commercial type loans are considered impaired when it is probable that the borrower will not repay the loan according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement and all loan types are considered impaired if the loan is restructured in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). In determining that the Company will be unable to collect all principal and/or interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreements, the Company considers factors such as payment history and changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, local economic conditions, historical loss experience and the conditions of the various markets in which the collateral may be liquidated.

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A loan is considered to be a TDR when the Company grants a concession to the borrower because of the borrower’s financial condition that the Company would not otherwise consider. Such concessions generally include one or a combination of the following: an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; a temporary reduction in the interest rate; or a change in scheduled payment amount. TDR loans are nonaccrual loans; however, they can be returned to accrual status after a period of performance, generally evidenced by six months of compliance with their modified terms.

When the Company modifies a loan in a troubled debt restructuring, management measures for impairment, if any, based on the present value of the expected future cash flows, discounted at the contractual interest rate of the original loan agreement, except when the sole (remaining) source of repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In these cases, management uses the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs. If management determines that the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan an impairment charge would be recognized.

Acquired Loans

Acquired loans are initially measured at fair value as of the acquisition date without carryover of historical allowance for loan losses.

For loans that meet the criteria stipulated in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310-30, Receivables - Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, the Company shall recognize the accretable yield, which is defined as the excess of all cash flows expected at acquisition over the initial fair value of the loan, as interest income on a level-yield basis over the expected remaining life of the loan. The excess of the loan's contractually required payments over the cash flows expected to be collected is the nonaccretable difference. The nonaccretable difference shall not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Decreases in the expected cash flows in subsequent periods require the establishment of an allowance for loan losses. Improvements in expected cash flows in future periods result in a reduction of the nonaccretable discount, with such amount reclassified as part of the accretable yield and subsequently recognized in interest income over the remaining lives of the acquired loans on a level-yield basis if the amount and timing of future cash flows is reasonably estimable.

Acquired loans that met the criteria for nonaccrual of interest prior to the acquisition are considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if the Company can reasonably estimate the timing and amount of the expected cash flows on such loans and if the Company expects to fully collect the new carrying value of the loans. As such, the Company may no longer consider the loan to be nonaccrual or nonperforming and may accrue interest on these loans, including the impact of any accretable yield. As such, charge-offs on acquired loans are first applied to the nonaccretable difference and then to any allowance for loan losses recognized subsequent to acquisition.

For loans that meet the criteria stipulated in ASC 310-20 - Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs ("ASC 310-20"), the Company shall amortize/accrete into interest income the premium/discount determined at the date of purchase on a level-yield basis over the life of the loan. Subsequent to the acquisition date, the methods utilized to estimate the required allowance for loan losses are similar to originated loans. Loans accounted for under ASC 310-20 are placed on nonaccrual status when past due in accordance with the Company's nonaccrual policy.

An acquired loan may be resolved either through receipt of payment (in full or in part) from the borrower, the sale of the loan to a third party, or foreclosure of the collateral. In the event of a sale of the loan, a gain or loss on sale is recognized and reported within noninterest income based on the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the loan. In other cases, individual loans are removed from the pool based on comparing the amount received from its resolution (fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell in the case of a foreclosure) with its outstanding balance. Any difference between these amounts is recorded as a charge-off through the allowance for loan losses. Acquired loans subject to modification are not removed from the pool even if those loans would otherwise be deemed TDRs as the pool and not the individual loan, represents the unit of account.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide adequately for probable incurred losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The allowance is determined based upon numerous considerations, including local and regional conditions, the growth and composition of the loan portfolio with respect to the mix between the various types of loans and their related risk characteristics, a review of the value of collateral supporting the loans, comprehensive reviews of the loan portfolio by the independent loan review staff and management, as well as consideration of volume and trends of delinquencies, nonperforming loans and loan charge-offs. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the allowance. As a result of tests of adequacy, required additions to the allowance for loan losses are made periodically by charges to the provision for loan losses.
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The allowance for loan losses related to impaired loans specifically allocated for impairment is based on discounted expected cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain loans where repayment of the loan is expected to be provided solely by the underlying collateral ("collateral dependent"). The Company’s impaired loans, if any, are generally collateral dependent. The Company considers the estimated cost to sell, on a discounted basis, when determining the fair value of collateral in the measurement of impairment if those costs are expected to reduce the cash flows available to repay or otherwise satisfy the loans.

The allowance for loan losses for collectively evaluated for impairment loans is calculated using a systematic methodology with both a quantitative and a qualitative analysis that is applied on a quarterly basis. For purposes of our allowance methodology, the loan portfolio is segmented as described in Note 5. Each segment has a distinct set of risk characteristics monitored by management. The Company further assess and monitor risk and performance at a more disaggregated level, which includes our internal risk grading system for the Commercial segments.

Historical loss rates are first applied to pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. Loss rates are calculated by historical charge-offs that have occurred within each pool of loans over the lookback period ("LBP"), multiplied by the loss emergence period ("LEP"). The LBP represents the historical data period utilized to calculate loss rates. The LEP is an estimate of the average amount of time from the point at which a loss is incurred on a loan to the point at which the loss is confirmed. In general, the LEP will be shorter in an economic slowdown or recession and longer during times of economic stability or growth, as customers are better able to delay loss confirmation after a potential loss event has occurred. In conjunction with our annual review of the allowance for loan loss assumptions, the Company updates our study of LEPs for each portfolio segment using our loan charge-off history.

After consideration of the historic loss analysis, management applies additional qualitative adjustments so that the allowance for loan losses is reflective of the estimate of incurred losses that exist in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.  Qualitative adjustments are made if, in the judgment of management, incurred loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio are not fully captured in the historical loss analysis. Qualitative considerations include the loan portfolio trends, composition and nature of loans; changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-offs and recoveries; trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans; current economic conditions in the Company’s market; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experience across one of more components of the portfolio; the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements; and the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. The evaluation of the various components of the allowance for loan losses requires considerable judgment in order to estimate inherent loss exposures.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, additions and reductions of the allowance for loan losses may fluctuate from one reporting period to another based on changes in economic conditions or changes in the values of properties securing loans in the process of foreclosure. 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 for loan losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of premises and equipment is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor replacements are charged to expense as incurred.

Leases

The Company determines if a lease is present at the inception of an agreement. Right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of the remaining lease payments using a discount rate that represents the Company's incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities, are included in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. Leases with original terms of 12 months or less are recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Operating lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are further adjusted for lease incentives. Operating lease expense, which is comprised of amortization of the ROU asset and the implicit interest accreted on the operating lease liability, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and is recorded in occupancy expense in the consolidated statements of income.

The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. For real estate leases, non-lease components and other non-components, such as common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes and insurance are not included in the measurement of the lease liability since they are generally able to be segregated. Our leases relate primarily to office space and bank branches, and some contain options to renew the lease. These options to renew are generally not considered reasonably certain to exercise, and are therefore not included in the lease term until such time that the option to renew is reasonably certain.
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Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned ("OREO") consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or by acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure. These assets are recorded at the lower of fair value of the asset acquired less estimated costs to sell or “cost” (defined as the fair value at initial foreclosure). At the time of foreclosure, or when foreclosure occurs in-substance, the excess, if any, of the loan over the fair market value of the assets received, less estimated selling costs, is charged to the allowance for loan losses and any subsequent valuation write-downs are charged to other expense. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of OREO, management obtains appraisals for properties. Operating costs associated with the properties are charged to expense as incurred. Gains on the sale of OREO are included in income when title has passed and the sale has met the minimum down payment requirements prescribed by GAAP. The balance of OREO is recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the cost of acquired business in excess of the fair value of the related net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but tested at the reporting unit level for impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis or when events or circumstances dictate. The Company has elected June 30 as the annual impairment testing date for the insurance and retirement services reporting units and December 31 for the Bank reporting unit.

The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors, by performing a qualitative analysis, to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the events or circumstances, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, the impairment test is not required. If the Company concludes otherwise, the Company is required to perform a quantitative impairment test. In the quantitative impairment test, the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount in order to determine if impairment is indicated. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying amount, the reporting unit is not deemed to be impaired. If the estimated fair value is below the carrying value of the reporting unit, the difference is the amount of impairment.

Intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are tested at least annually for impairment. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. Core deposit intangibles and trust intangibles at the Company are amortized using the sum-of-the-years’-digits method. Covenants not to compete are amortized on a straight-line basis. Customer lists are amortized using an accelerated method. When facts and circumstances indicate potential impairment of amortizable intangible assets, the Company evaluates the recoverability of the asset carrying value, using estimates of undiscounted future cash flows over the remaining asset life. Any impairment loss is measured by the excess of carrying value over fair value.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit under the goodwill impairment tests and determining the fair value of other intangible assets are judgmental and often involve the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using the discounted cash flows method, which uses significant estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows, discount rates reflecting the market rate of return and projected growth rates. Future events may impact such estimates and assumptions and could cause the Company to conclude that our goodwill or intangible assets have become impaired, which would result in recording an impairment loss.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Bank has purchased life insurance policies on certain employees, key executives and directors. Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock acquisitions are recorded at cost. Subsequent sales of treasury stock are recorded on an average cost basis. Gains on the sale of treasury stock are credited to additional paid-in-capital. Losses on the sale of treasury stock are charged to additional paid-in-capital to the extent of previous gains, otherwise charged to retained earnings.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
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Tax positions are recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

Pension Costs

The Company has a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its employees, as well as supplemental employee retirement plans to certain current and former executives and a defined benefit postretirement healthcare plan that covers certain employees. Costs associated with these plans, based on actuarial computations of current and future benefits for employees, are charged to current operating expenses.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains various long-term incentive stock benefit plans under which restricted stock units are granted to certain directors and key employees. Compensation expense are recognized in the consolidated statements of income over the requisite service period, based on the grant-date fair value of the award. For restricted stock units, compensation expense is recognized ratably over the vesting period for the fair value of the award, measured at the grant date.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity (such as the Company’s dilutive stock options and restricted stock units).

Comprehensive Income

At the Company, comprehensive income represents net income plus OCI, which consists primarily of the net change in unrealized gains (losses) on AFS debt securities for the period, changes in the funded status of employee benefit plans and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives designated as hedging instruments. AOCI represents the net unrealized gains (losses) on AFS debt securities, the previously unrecognized portion of the funded status of employee benefit plans and the fair value of instruments designated as hedging instruments, net of income taxes, as of the consolidated balance sheet dates.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value of the effective portion of the cash flow hedges are reported in OCI. When the cash flows associated with the hedged item are realized, the gain or loss included in OCI is recognized in the consolidated statements of income.

When the Company purchases or sells a portion of a commercial loan that has an existing interest rate swap, it may enter into a risk participation agreement with the counterparty and assumes the credit risk of the loan customer related to the swap. Any fee paid to the Company under a risk participation agreement is in consideration of the credit risk of the counterparties and is recognized in the income statement. Credit risk on the risk participation agreements is determined after considering the risk rating, probability of default and loss given default of the counterparties.
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Fair Value Measurements

GAAP states that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. A fair value hierarchy exists within GAAP that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include most U.S. government and agency securities, many other sovereign government obligations, liquid mortgage products, active listed equities and most money market securities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include most investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, less liquid mortgage products, less liquid agency securities, less liquid listed equities, state, municipal and provincial obligations and certain physical commodities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Certain common equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs (exchange quoted prices). Other investment securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The prices for Level 2 instruments are obtained through an independent pricing service or dealer market participants with whom the Company has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities. Prices obtained from these sources include prices derived from market quotations and matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond's terms and conditions, among other things. Management reviews the methodologies used in pricing the securities by its third party providers.

Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions. Valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate will be used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments. Subsequent to inception, management only changes Level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.

Other Financial Instruments

The Company is a party to certain instruments with off-balance-sheet risk such as commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, standby letter of credit and certain Commercial loans sold to investors with recourse. The Company’s policy is to record such instruments when funded.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Under the standby letters of credit, the Company is required to make payments to the beneficiary of the letters of credit upon request by the beneficiary contingent upon the customer's failure to perform under the terms of the underlying contract with the beneficiary. Standby letters of credit typically have one year expirations with an option to renew upon annual review. The Company typically receives a fee for these transactions. The fair value of standby letters of credit is recorded upon inception.
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Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are accounted for as secured financing transactions since the Company maintains effective control over the transferred securities and the transfer meets the other criteria for such accounting. Obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets. The securities underlying the agreements are delivered to a custodial account for the benefit of the counterparties with whom each transaction is executed. The counterparties, who may sell, loan or otherwise dispose of such securities to other parties in the normal course of their operations, agree to resell to the Company the same securities at the maturities of the agreements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606) ("ASC 606” and “ASU 2014-09"), and all subsequent ASUs that modified ASC 606. The implementation of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue; as such, a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not deemed necessary. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC 605. ASC 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities and certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with mortgage servicing rights, financial guarantees, derivatives and certain credit card fees are also not in scope. ASC 606 is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as retirement plan administration fees, trust and asset management income, deposit related fees and annuity and insurance commissions; however, the recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of ASC 606.

Insurance and Other Financial Services Revenue

Insurance and other financial services revenue primarily consists of commissions received on insurance and brokered investment product sales. The Company acts as an intermediary between the Company's customer and the insurance carrier. The Company's performance obligation related to insurance sales for both property and casualty insurance and employee benefit plans is generally satisfied upon the later of the issuance or effective date of the policy. The Company earns performance based incentives, commonly known as contingency payments, which usually are based on certain criteria established by the insurance carrier such as premium volume, growth and insured loss ratios. Contingent payments are accrued for based upon management's expectations for the year. Commission expense associated with sales of insurance products is expensed as incurred. For other financial services revenue, the Company's performance obligation is generally satisfied upon the issuance of the annuity policy. Shortly after the policy is issued, the carrier remits the commission payment to the Company, and the Company recognizes the revenue. The Company does not earn a significant amount of trailing commission fees on insurance or brokered investment product sales. The majority of the trailing commission fees are calculated based on a percentage of market value of a period end and revenue is recognized when an investment product's market value can be determined.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of overdraft fees, monthly service fees, check orders and other deposit account related fees. Overdraft, monthly service, check orders and other deposit account related fees are transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

ATM and Debit Card Fees

ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a Company ATM. Debit card income is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit cards are processed through card payment networks. The Company’s performance obligations for these revenue streams are satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month.

Retirement Plan Administration Fees

Retirement plan administration fees are primarily generated for services related to the recordkeeping, administration and plan design solutions of defined benefit, defined contribution and revenue sharing plans. Revenue is recognized in arrears for services already provided in accordance with fees established in contracts with customers or based on rates agreed to with investment trade platforms based on ending investment balances held. The Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized based on services completed or ending investment balances, for which receivables are recorded at the time of revenue recognition.
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Trust

Trust and asset management income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts, pensions and other customer assets. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied with the resulting fees recognized monthly, based upon services completed or the month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fee rate. Payment is generally received shortly after services are rendered or a few days after month end through a direct charge to customers’ accounts. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives.

Other

Other noninterest income consists of other recurring revenue streams such as account and loan fees, interest rate swap fees, safety deposit box rental fees and other miscellaneous revenue streams. These revenue streams are primarily transactional based and payment is received immediately or in the following month, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time.

The following table presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of ASC 606:


 
Years ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Noninterest income
                  
In-Scope of ASC 606:
                  
Insurance and other financial services revenue
  
$
25,006
    
$
24,345
    
$
23,532
  
Service charges on deposit accounts
    
17,151
      
17,224
      
16,750
  
ATM and debit card fees
    
23,893
      
22,699
      
21,372
  
Retirement plan administration fees
    
30,388
      
26,992
      
20,213
  
Trust
    
19,164
      
19,524
      
19,586
  
Other
    
18,853
      
15,228
      
11,991
  
Total noninterest income in-scope of ASC 606
  
$
134,455
    
$
126,012
    
$
113,444
  
Total noninterest income out-of-scope of ASC 606
  
$
9,568
    
$
(1,250
)
  
$
7,860
  
Total noninterest income
  
$
144,023
    
$
124,762
    
$
121,304
  

Contract Balances

A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration or before payment is due, which would result in contract receivables or assets, respectively. A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment or for which payment is due from the customer. The Company’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as asset management fees based on month-end market values. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances.

Contract Acquisition Costs

ASC 606 requires the capitalization, and subsequently amortization into expense, certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if these costs are expected to be recovered. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained. The Company elected the practical expedient, which allows immediate expensing of contract acquisition costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less, and did not capitalize any contract acquisition costs upon adoption of ASC 606 as of or during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Trust Operations

Assets held by the Company in a fiduciary or agency capacity for its customers are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, since such assets are not assets of the Company. Trust income is recognized on the accrual method based on contractual rates applied to the balances of trust accounts.
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Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure and there were none identified.

2.          Acquisitions

In 2018, the Company acquired Retirement Plan Services, LLC for a total consideration of $13.0 million. As part of the acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $6.7 million and $5.1 million contingent consideration recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018.

In 2017, the Company acquired Downeast Pension Services, Inc. for total consideration of $5.7 million. As part of the acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $2.6 million and $1.7 million contingent consideration recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017.

The operating results of acquired companies are included in the consolidated results after the dates of acquisition.

3.          Securities

The amortized cost, estimated fair value and unrealized gains (losses) of AFS securities are as follows:

(In thousands)
  
Amortized Cost
    
Unrealized Gains
    
Unrealized Losses
    
Estimated Fair Value
  
As of December 31, 2019
                        
Federal agency
  
$
34,998
    
$
3
    
$
243
    
$
34,758
  
State & municipal
    
2,533
      
-
      
20
      
2,513
  
Mortgage-backed:
                                
Government-sponsored enterprises
    
453,614
      
4,982
      
239
      
458,357
  
U.S. government agency securities
    
44,758
      
667
      
156
      
45,269
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                                
Government-sponsored enterprises
    
328,499
      
1,949
      
467
      
329,981
  
U.S. government agency securities
    
104,152
      
718
      
408
      
104,462
  
Total AFS securities
  
$
968,554
    
$
8,319
    
$
1,533
    
$
975,340
  
As of December 31, 2018
                                
Federal agency
  
$
84,982
    
$
10
    
$
693
    
$
84,299
  
State & municipal
    
30,136
      
16
      
237
      
29,915
  
Mortgage-backed:
                                
Government-sponsored enterprises
    
493,225
      
439
      
10,354
      
483,310
  
U.S. government securities
    
29,190
      
270
      
475
      
28,985
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                                
Government-sponsored enterprises
    
332,409
      
344
      
7,211
      
325,542
  
U.S. government securities
    
47,684
      
137
      
1,376
      
46,445
  
Total AFS securities
  
$
1,017,626
    
$
1,216
    
$
20,346
    
$
998,496
  

The components of net realized gains (losses) on the sale of AFS securities are as follows. These amounts were reclassified out of AOCI and into earnings:


 
Years Ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Gross realized gains
  
$
73
    
$
-
    
$
2,241
  
Gross realized (losses)
    
(152
)
    
(6,622
)
    
(372
)
Net AFS realized (losses) gains
  
$
(79
)
  
$
(6,622
)
  
$
1,869
  

Included in net realized gains (losses) on AFS securities, the Company recorded gains from calls of approximately $25 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019, none for the year ended December 31, 2018 and approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
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The amortized cost, estimated fair value and unrealized gains (losses) of HTM securities are as follows:

(In thousands)
  
Amortized
Cost
    
Unrealized
Gains
    
Unrealized
Losses
    
Estimated
Fair Value
  
As of December 31, 2019
                        
Mortgage-backed:
                        
Government-sponsored enterprises
  
$
149,448
    
$
3,184
    
$
155
    
$
152,477
  
U.S. government agency securities
    
13,667
      
584
      
-
      
14,251
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                                
Government-sponsored enterprises
    
189,402
      
2,165
      
368
      
191,199
  
U.S. government agency securities
    
110,498
      
3,256
      
100
      
113,654
  
State & municipal
    
167,059
      
2,628
      
6
      
169,681
  
Total HTM securities
  
$
630,074
    
$
11,817
    
$
629
    
$
641,262
  
As of December 31, 2018
                                
Federal agency
  
$
19,995
    
$
52
    
$
-
    
$
20,047
  
Mortgage-backed:
                                
Government-sponsored enterprises
    
164,618
      
712
      
2,773
      
162,557
  
U.S. government agency securities
    
15,230
      
403
      
-
      
15,633
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations:
                                
Government-sponsored enterprises
    
257,475
      
1,097
      
3,897
      
254,675
  
U.S. government agency securities
    
83,148
      
767
      
-
      
83,915
  
State & municipal
    
243,133
      
331
      
1,616
      
241,848
  
Total HTM securities
  
$
783,599
    
$
3,362
    
$
8,286
    
$
778,675
  

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, all of the mortgaged-backed HTM securities were comprised of U.S. government agency and Government-sponsored enterprises securities.

There were no sales of HTM securities in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. In the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized a loss of $2 thousand on HTM securities sales transactions.

Included in net realized gains (losses), the Company recorded gains from calls on HTM securities of approximately $12 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019. There were no recorded gains from calls on HTM securities included in net realized gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017.

AFS and HTM securities with amortized costs totaling $1.3 billion at December 31, 2019 and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2018, were pledged to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law. Additionally, at December 31, 2019 and 2018, AFS and HTM securities with an amortized cost of $189.8 million and $215.3 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral for securities sold under repurchase agreements.
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The following table sets forth information with regard to investment securities with unrealized losses segregated according to the length of time the securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position:


 
Less Than 12 Months
    
12 Months or Longer
    
Total
  
(In thousands)
  
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
Losses
    
Number
of
Positions
    
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
Losses
    
Number
of
Positions
    
Fair
Value
    
Unrealized
Losses
    
Number
of
Positions
  
As of December 31, 2019
                                                  
AFS securities:
                                                      
Federal agency
  
$
14,891
    
$
(109
)
    
2
    
$
9,866
    
$
(134
)
    
1
    
$
24,757
    
$
(243
)
    
3
  
State & municipal
    
2,503
      
(20
)
    
1
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
2,503
      
(20
)
    
1
  
Mortgage-backed
    
67,986
      
(273
)
    
21
      
37,745
      
(122
)
    
16
      
105,731
      
(395
)
    
37
  
Collateralized Mortgage obligations
    
113,121
      
(316
)
    
24
      
49,632
      
(559
)
    
17
      
162,753
      
(875
)
    
41
  
Total securities with unrealized losses
  
$
198,501
    
$
(718
)
    
48
    
$
97,243
    
$
(815
)
    
34
    
$
295,744
    
$
(1,533
)
    
82
  
                                                                         
HTM securities:
                                                                        
Mortgage-backed
  
$
-
    
$
-
      
-
    
$
25,370
    
$
(155
)
    
2
    
$
25,370
    
$
(155
)
    
2
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    
18,040
      
(181
)
    
3
      
22,389
      
(287
)
    
5
      
40,429
      
(468
)
    
8
  
State & municipal
    
2,257
      
(6
)
    
4
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
2,257
      
(6
)
    
4
  
Total securities with unrealized losses
  
$
20,297
    
$
(187
)
    
7
    
$
47,759
    
$
(442
)
    
7
    
$
68,056
    
$
(629
)
    
14
  
                                                                         
As of December 31, 2018
                                                                  
AFS securities:
                                                                        
Federal agency
  
$
-
    
$
-
      
-
    
$
64,294
    
$
(693
)
    
6
    
$
64,294
    
$
(693
)
    
6
  
State & municipal
    
1,715
      
(3
)
    
3
      
22,324
      
(234
)
    
35
      
24,039
      
(237
)
    
38
  
Mortgage-backed
    
18,462
      
(65
)
    
12
      
428,440
      
(10,764
)
    
101
      
446,902
      
(10,829
)
    
113
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    
12,118
      
(69
)
    
5
      
320,908
      
(8,518
)
    
62
      
333,026
      
(8,587
)
    
67
  
Total securities with unrealized losses
  
$
32,295
    
$
(137
)
    
20
    
$
835,966
    
$
(20,209
)
    
204
    
$
868,261
    
$
(20,346
)
    
224
  
                                                                         
HTM securities:
                                                                        
Mortgage-backed
  
$
-
    
$
-
      
-
    
$
82,579
    
$
(2,773
)
    
6
    
$
82,579
    
$
(2,773
)
    
6
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    
4,386
      
(7
)
    
2
      
145,396
      
(3,890
)
    
26
      
149,782
      
(3,897
)
    
28
  
State & municipal
    
18,907
      
(84
)
    
30
      
58,258
      
(1,532
)
    
86
      
77,165
      
(1,616
)
    
116
  
Total securities with unrealized losses
  
$
23,293
    
$
(91
)
    
32
    
$
286,233
    
$
(8,195
)
    
118
    
$
309,526
    
$
(8,286
)
    
150
  

Declines in the fair value of HTM securities below their amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses or in OCI. The classification is dependent upon whether the Company intends to sell the security, or whether it is more likely than not, that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery. The OTTI shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss, the OTTI shall be separated into (i) the amount representing the credit loss and (ii) the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the total OTTI related to the credit loss shall be recognized in earnings. The amount of the total OTTI related to other factors shall be recognized in OCI, net of applicable taxes.

In estimating OTTI losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iii) the historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security.
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Management has the intent to hold the securities classified as HTM until they mature, at which time it is believed the Company will receive full value for the securities. The unrealized losses on HTM debt securities are due to increases in market interest rates over yields at the time the underlying securities were purchased. When necessary, the Company has performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine whether or not it will receive the contractual principal and interest on certain securities. The fair value is expected to recover as the bond approaches its maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments declines.

Management also has the intent to hold and will not be required to sell, the debt securities classified as AFS for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost, which may be until maturity. The unrealized losses on AFS debt securities are due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. When necessary, the Company has performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine whether or not it will receive the contractual principal and interest on certain securities. For AFS debt securities, OTTI losses are recognized in earnings if the Company intends to sell the security. In other cases the Company considers the relevant factors noted above, as well as the Company's intent and ability to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and whether evidence exists to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the cost basis. Any impairment loss on an equity security is equal to the full difference between the cost basis and the fair value of the security.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no OTTI losses realized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. For the year ended December 31, 2017, $1.3 million of an OTTI loss on an AFS equity investment was realized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

There were no sales of HTM securities in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company sold HTM securities with an amortized cost of $0.8 million and an unrealized loss of $2 thousand. Due to significant deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuers of the HTM securities, the circumstances caused the Company to change its intent to hold the HTM securities to maturity, which did not affect the Company's intent to hold the remainder of the HTM portfolio to maturity.

The following tables set forth information with regard to gains and losses on equity securities:


 
Years ended
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Net gains and losses recognized on equity securities
  
$
4,280
    
$
281
  
Less: Net gains and losses recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period
    
3,966
      
555
  
Unrealized gains and losses recognized on equity securities still held
  
$
314
    
$
(274
)

Included in the net realized gains and losses recognized on equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company recorded a $4.0 million gain from the sale of Visa Class B common stock, which had no readily determinable fair value at the time of the sale. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of equity securities without readily determinable fair values was $4.0 million. The Company performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether the investments were impaired and identified no areas of concern as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. There were no impairments, downward or upward adjustments recognized for equity securities without readily determinable fair values during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
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The following tables set forth information with regard to contractual maturities of debt securities at December 31, 2019:

(In thousands)
  
Amortized
Cost
    
Estimated Fair
Value
  
AFS debt securities:
            
Within one year
  
$
268
    
$
272
  
From one to five years
    
28,692
      
28,668
  
From five to ten years
    
170,771
      
171,943
  
After ten years
    
768,823
      
774,457
  
Total AFS debt securities
  
$
968,554
    
$
975,340
  
HTM debt securities:
                
Within one year
  
$
27,010
    
$
27,010
  
From one to five years
    
53,895
      
54,358
  
From five to ten years
    
171,942
      
175,630
  
After ten years
    
377,227
      
384,264
  
Total HTM debt securities
  
$
630,074
    
$
641,262
  

Maturities of mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities are stated based on their estimated average lives. Actual maturities may differ from estimated average lives or contractual maturities because, in certain cases, borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Except for U.S. Government and Government-sponsored enterprises securities, there were no holdings, when taken in the aggregate, of any single issuer that exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

4.          Loans

A summary of loans, net of deferred fees and origination costs, by category is as follows:


 
At December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Commercial
  
$
1,302,209
    
$
1,291,568
  
Commercial Real Estate
    
2,142,057
      
1,930,742
  
Residential Real Estate
    
1,445,156
      
1,380,836
  
Indirect Auto
    
1,193,635
      
1,216,144
  
Specialty Lending
    
542,063
      
524,928
  
Home Equity
    
444,082
      
474,566
  
Other Consumer
    
66,896
      
68,925
  
Total loans
  
$
7,136,098
    
$
6,887,709
  

Included in the above loans are net deferred loan origination costs totaling $35.3 million and $43.5 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company had $11.5 million residential loans held for sale as of December 31, 2019. The Company had $6.9 million of residential loans held for sale as of December 31, 2018.

The total amount of loans serviced by the Company for unrelated third parties was $612.3 million and $557.9 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of mortgage servicing rights.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company serviced $25.6 million and $27.2 million, respectively, of agricultural loans sold with recourse. Due to sufficient collateral on these loans and government guarantees, no reserve is considered necessary at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

FHLB advances are collateralized by a blanket lien on the Company’s residential real estate mortgages.
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In the ordinary course of business, the Company has made loans at prevailing rates and terms to directors, officers and other related parties. Such loans, in management’s opinion, do not present more than the normal risk of collectability or incorporate other unfavorable features. The aggregate amount of loans outstanding to qualifying related parties and changes during the years are summarized as follows:

(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Balance at January 1
  
$
1,638
    
$
1,577
  
New loans
    
587
      
260
  
Adjustment due to change in composition of related parties
    
389
      
-
  
Repayments
    
(448
)
    
(199
)
Balance at December 31
  
$
2,166
    
$
1,638
  

5.          Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality of Loans

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level estimated by management to provide adequately for probable incurred losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses is continuously monitored. It is assessed for appropriateness using a methodology designed to ensure the level of the allowance reasonably reflects the loan portfolio’s risk profile and can absorb all reasonably estimable credit losses inherent in the current loan portfolio.

To develop and document a systematic methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses, the Company has divided the loan portfolio into three segments, each with different risk characteristics and methodologies for assessing risk. Those segments are further segregated between our loans accounted for under the amortized cost method (referred to as “originated” loans) and loans acquired in a business combination (referred to as “acquired” loans). Each portfolio segment is broken down into class segments where appropriate. Class segments contain unique measurement attributes, risk characteristics and methods for monitoring and assessing risk that are necessary to develop the allowance for loan losses. Unique characteristics such as borrower type, loan type, collateral type and risk characteristics define each class segment.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company made adjustments to the class segments within the portfolios to better align risk characteristics and reflect the monitoring and assessment of risks as the portfolios continue to evolve. Agricultural and Agricultural Real Estate were consolidated with Commercial and Industrial and Commercial Real Estate, respectively. Agricultural loans are a type of Commercial loan with some specific underwriting guidelines; however, as of March 31, 2018, the portfolio had decreased to less than 3% of the Commercial portfolio and separation was no longer warranted. The Indirect class segment was further separated into Indirect Auto and Specialty Lending class segments. The growth in our Specialty Lending portfolio to 21% of Consumer Loans as of March 31, 2018 warranted evaluation of this class separately due to different risk characteristics from Indirect Auto class segments. The Direct and Home Equity class segments were consolidated into Direct to reflect common management, similar underwriting and in-market focus. The change to the class segments in the allowance methodology did not have a significant impact on the allowance for loan losses. The following table illustrates the portfolio and class segments for the Company’s loan portfolio in 2019 and 2018 compared to 2017:

Portfolio
Class - 2019 & 2018
Class - 2017
 Commercial Loans
Commercial and Industrial
Commercial
 
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
 
Business Banking
Agricultural
   
Agricultural Real Estate
   
Business Banking
 Consumer Loans
Indirect Auto
Indirect
 
Specialty Lending
Home Equity
 
Direct
Direct
 Residential Real Estate

Commercial Loans

The Company offers a variety of Commercial loan products. The Company’s underwriting analysis for commercial loans typically includes credit verification, independent appraisals, a review of the borrower’s financial condition and a detailed analysis of the borrower’s underlying cash flows.

Commercial and Industrial ("C&I") – The Company offers a variety of loan options to meet the specific needs of our C&I customers including term loans, time notes and lines of credit. Such loans are made available to businesses for working capital needs such as inventory and receivables, business expansion, equipment purchases, livestock purchases and seasonal crop expenses. These loans typically are usually collateralized by business assets such as equipment, accounts receivable and perishable agricultural products, which are exposed to industry price volatility. To reduce these risks, management also attempts to obtain personal guarantees of the owners or obtain government loan guarantees to provide further support. In 2018, the Commercial and Agricultural class segments were combined to create the C&I class segment.
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Commercial Real Estate ("CRE") – The Company offers CRE loans to finance real estate purchases, refinancings, expansions and improvements to commercial and agricultural properties. CRE loans are loans are secured by liens on the real estate, which may include both owner occupied and non-owner-occupied properties, such as apartments, commercial structures, health care facilities and other facilities. The Company's underwriting analysis includes credit verification, independent appraisals, a review of the borrower's financial condition and a detailed analysis of the borrower's underlying cash flows. These loans are typically originated in amounts of no more than 80% of the appraised value of the property. Government loan guarantees may be obtained to provide further support for agricultural property. In 2018, the Commercial Real Estate and Agricultural Real Estate class segments were combined to create the CRE segment.

Business Banking – The Company offers a variety of loan options to meet the specific needs of our Business Banking customers including term loans, mortgages and lines of credit. Such loans are generally less than $1.0 million and are made available to businesses for working capital such as inventory and receivables, business expansion, equipment purchases and agricultural needs. Generally, a collateral lien is placed on assets owned by the borrower and can include real estate, equipment, inventory, receivables or other business assets. These loans carry a higher risk than C&I and CRE loans due to the smaller size of the borrower and lower levels of capital.

Consumer Loans

The Company offers a variety of Consumer loan products including Indirect Auto, Specialty Lending and Direct loans.

Indirect Auto – The Company maintains relationships with many dealers primarily in the communities that we serve. Through these relationships, the Company primarily finances the purchases of automobiles indirectly through dealer relationships. Approximately 95% of the Indirect Auto relationships represent automobile financing. Most of these loans carry a fixed rate of interest with principal repayment terms typically ranging from three to six years, based upon the nature of the collateral and the size of the loan. The majority of Indirect Auto Consumer loans are underwritten on a secured basis using the underlying collateral being financed. In 2018, the Indirect class segment was further separated into Indirect Auto and Specialty Lending class segments (see above and below).

Specialty Lending – The Company offers unsecured Consumer loans across a national footprint originated through our relationships with national technology-driven consumer lending companies to finance such things as dental and medical procedures, K-12 tuition, solar energy installations and other consumer purpose loans. Advances of credit through this specialty lending business line are subject to the Company's underwriting standards including criteria such as FICO score and debt to income thresholds. In 2018, the Indirect class segment has been further separated into Indirect Auto (see above) and Specialty Lending class segments.

Direct – The Company offers a variety of consumer installment loans to finance vehicle purchases, mobile home purchases and personal expenditures. In addition to installment loans, the Company also offers personal lines of credit, overdraft protection, home equity lines of credit and second mortgage loans (loans secured by a lien position on one-to-four family residential real estate) to finance home improvements, debt consolidation, education and other uses. For home equity loans, consumers are able to borrow up to 85% of the equity in their homes, and are generally tied to Prime with a ten year draw followed by a fifteen year amortization. These loans carry a higher risk than first mortgage residential loans as they are often in a second position with respect to collateral. Consumer installment loans carry a fixed rate of interest with principal repayment terms typically ranging from one to ten years, based upon the nature of the collateral and the size of the loan. Consumer installment loans are often secured with collateral consisting of a perfected lien on the asset being purchased or a perfected lien on a consumer's deposit account. Risk is reduced through underwriting criteria, which include credit verification, appraisals, a review of the borrower's financial condition and personal cash flows. A security interest, with title insurance when necessary, is taken in the underlying real estate. In 2018, the Home Equity segment was consolidated into the Direct class segment.

Residential Real Estate

Residential real estate loans consist primarily of loans secured by a first or second mortgage on primary residences. We originate adjustable-rate and fixed-rate, one-to-four-family residential real estate loans for the construction, purchase or refinancing of a mortgage. These loans are collateralized by properties located in the Company’s market area. When market conditions are favorable, for longer term, fixed-rate residential real estate mortgages without escrow, the Company retains the servicing, but sells the right to receive principal and interest to Government-sponsored enterprises. This practice allows the Company to manage interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. Loans on one-to-four-family residential real estate are generally originated in amounts of no more than 85% of the purchase price or appraised value (whichever is lower) or have private mortgage insurance. Mortgage title insurance and hazard insurance are normally required. Construction loans have a unique risk, because they are secured by an incomplete dwelling. This risk is reduced through periodic site inspections, including one at each loan draw period.
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Allowance for Loan Loss Calculation

For purposes of evaluating the adequacy of the allowance, the Company considers a number of significant factors that affect the collectability of the portfolio. For individually impaired loans, these include estimates of impairment, if any, which reflect the facts and circumstances that affect the likelihood of repayment of such loans as of the evaluation date. For homogeneous pools of loans, estimates of the Company’s exposure to credit loss reflect a current assessment of a number of factors, which could affect collectability. These factors include: past loss experience, size, trend, composition and nature of loans; changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-offs and recoveries; trends experienced in nonperforming and delinquent loans; current economic conditions in the Company’s market; portfolio concentrations that may affect loss experienced across one or more components of the portfolio; the effect of external factors such as competition, legal and regulatory requirements; and the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral component of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to make loan grade changes as well as recognize additions to the allowance based on their examinations.

After a thorough consideration of the factors discussed above, any required additions or reductions to the allowance for loan losses are made periodically by charges or credits to the provision for loan losses. These charges are necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that management believes is reflective of overall level of incurred loss in the portfolio. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, additions and reductions of the allowance may fluctuate from one reporting period to another. These fluctuations are reflective of changes in risk associated with portfolio content or changes in management’s assessment of any or all of the determining factors discussed above.

The following tables illustrate the changes in the allowance for loan losses by our portfolio segments: 

(In thousands)
  
Commercial
Loans
    
Consumer
Loans
    
Residential
Real Estate
    
Total
  
Balance as of December 31, 2018
  
$
32,759
    
$
37,178
    
$
2,568
    
$
72,505
  
Charge-offs
    
(3,151
)
    
(28,398
)
    
(991
)
    
(32,540
)
Recoveries
    
534
      
6,913
      
141
      
7,588
  
Provision
    
4,383
      
19,954
      
1,075
      
25,412
  
Ending Balance as of December 31, 2019
  
$
34,525
    
$
35,647
    
$
2,793
    
$
72,965
  
                                 
Balance as of December 31, 2017
  
$
27,606
    
$
36,830
    
$
5,064
    
$
69,500
  
Charge-offs
    
(3,463
)
    
(29,752
)
    
(913
)
    
(34,128
)
Recoveries
    
1,178
      
6,821
      
306
      
8,305
  
Provision
    
7,438
      
23,279
      
(1,889
)
    
28,828
  
Ending Balance as of December 31, 2018
  
$
32,759
    
$
37,178
    
$
2,568
    
$
72,505
  
                                 
Balance as of December 31, 2016
  
$
25,444
    
$
33,375
    
$
6,381
    
$
65,200
  
Charge-offs
    
(4,169
)
    
(27,072
)
    
(1,846
)
    
(33,087
)
Recoveries
    
1,077
      
5,142
      
180
      
6,399
  
Provision
    
5,254
      
25,385
      
349
      
30,988
  
Ending Balance as of December 31, 2017
  
$
27,606
    
$
36,830
    
$
5,064
    
$
69,500
  

For acquired loans, to the extent that we experience deterioration in borrower credit quality resulting in a decrease in our expected cash flows subsequent to the acquisition of the loans, an allowance for loan losses is established based on our estimate of incurred losses at the balance sheet date. There was no allowance for loan losses for the acquired loan portfolio as of December 31, 2019 and  2018. Net charge-offs related to acquired loans totaled approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are included in the table above.
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The following table illustrates the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment by portfolio segment: 

 (In thousands)
  
Commercial
Loans
    
Consumer
Loans
    
Residential
Real Estate
    
Total
  
As of December 31, 2019
                        
Allowance for loan losses
  
$
34,525
    
$
35,647
    
$
2,793
    
$
72,965
  
Allowance for loans individually evaluated for impairment
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
  
Allowance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment
  
$
34,525
    
$
35,647
    
$
2,793
    
$
72,965
  
Ending balance of loans
  
$
3,444,266
    
$
2,246,676
    
$
1,445,156
    
$
7,136,098
  
Ending balance of originated loans individually evaluated for impairment
    
3,488
      
7,044
      
7,721
      
18,253
  
Ending balance of acquired loans collectively evaluated for impairment
    
115,266
      
23,733
      
125,879
      
264,878
  
Ending balance of originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment
  
$
3,325,512
    
$
2,215,899
    
$
1,311,556
    
$
6,852,967
  
                                 
As of December 31, 2018
                                
Allowance for loan losses
  
$
32,759
    
$
37,178
    
$
2,568
    
$
72,505
  
Allowance for loans individually evaluated for impairment
    
25
      
-
      
-
      
25
  
Allowance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment
  
$
32,734
    
$
37,178
    
$
2,568
    
$
72,480
  
Ending balance of loans
  
$
3,222,310
    
$
2,284,563
    
$
1,380,836
    
$
6,887,709
  
Ending balance of originated loans individually evaluated for impairment
    
5,786
      
7,887
      
6,905
      
20,578
  
Ending balance of acquired loans collectively evaluated for impairment
    
143,690
      
31,624
      
147,277
      
322,591
  
Ending balance of originated loans collectively evaluated for impairment
  
$
3,072,834
    
$
2,245,052
    
$
1,226,654
    
$
6,544,540
  

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The following table sets forth information with regard to past due and nonperforming loans by loan class:

(In thousands)
  
31-60 Days
Past Due
Accruing
    
61-90 Days
Past Due
Accruing
    
Greater
Than
90 Days
Past Due
Accruing
    
Total
Past Due
Accruing
    
Nonaccrual
    
Current
    
Recorded Total
Loans
  
As of December 31, 2019
                                          
Originated
                                          
Commercial Loans:
                                          
C&I
  
$
1,227
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
1,227
    
$
1,177
    
$
838,502
    
$
840,906
  
CRE
    
3,576
      
-
      
-
      
3,576
      
4,847
      
1,941,143
      
1,949,566
  
Business Banking
    
794
      
162
      
-
      
956
      
7,035
      
530,537
      
538,528
  
Total Commercial Loans
  
$
5,597
    
$
162
    
$
-
    
$
5,759
    
$
13,059
    
$
3,310,182
    
$
3,329,000
  
Consumer Loans:
                                                        
Indirect Auto
  
$
11,860
    
$
2,108
    
$
1,005
    
$
14,973
    
$
2,175
    
$
1,176,487
    
$
1,193,635
  
Specialty Lending
    
3,153
      
2,087
      
1,307
      
6,547
      
-
      
535,516
      
542,063
  
Direct
    
2,564
      
564
      
478
      
3,606
      
2,475
      
481,164
      
487,245
  
Total Consumer Loans
  
$
17,577
    
$
4,759
    
$
2,790
    
$
25,126
    
$
4,650
    
$
2,193,167
    
$
2,222,943
  
Residential Real Estate
  
$
1,179
    
$
190
    
$
663
    
$
2,032
    
$
5,872
    
$
1,311,373
    
$
1,319,277
  
Total Originated Loans 
  
$
24,353
    
$
5,111
    
$
3,453
    
$
32,917
    
$
23,581
    
$
6,814,722
    
$
6,871,220
  
                                                         
Acquired
                                                        
Commercial Loans:
                                                        
C&I
  
$
149
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
149
    
$
-
    
$
19,215
    
$
19,364
  
CRE
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
60,937
      
60,937
  
Business Banking
    
397
      
287
      
-
      
684
      
382
      
33,899
      
34,965
  
Total Commercial Loans
  
$
546
    
$
287
    
$
-
    
$
833
    
$
382
    
$
114,051
    
$
115,266
  
Consumer Loans:
                                                        
Direct
  
$
136
    
$
58
    
$
-
    
$
194
    
$
105
    
$
23,434
    
$
23,733
  
Total Consumer Loans
  
$
136
    
$
58
    
$
-
    
$
194
    
$
105
    
$
23,434
    
$
23,733
  
Residential Real Estate
  
$
575
    
$
20
    
$
264
    
$
859
    
$
1,106
    
$
123,914
    
$
125,879
  
Total Acquired Loans
  
$
1,257
    
$
365
    
$
264
    
$
1,886
    
$
1,593
    
$
261,399
    
$
264,878
  
                                                         
Total Loans
  
$
25,610
    
$
5,476
    
$
3,717
    
$
34,803
    
$
25,174
    
$
7,076,121
    
$
7,136,098
  

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(In thousands)
  
31-60 Days
Past Due
Accruing
    
61-90 Days
Past Due
Accruing
    
Greater
Than
90 Days
Past Due
Accruing
    
Total
Past Due
Accruing
    
Nonaccrual
    
Current
    
Recorded Total
Loans
  
As of December 31, 2018
                                          
Originated
                                          
Commercial Loans:
                                          
C&I
  
$
909
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
909
    
$
1,062
    
$
846,148
    
$
848,119
  
CRE
    
1,089
      
-
      
588
      
1,677
      
4,995
      
1,734,558
      
1,741,230
  
Business Banking
    
1,092
      
302
      
-
      
1,394
      
5,974
      
481,903
      
489,271
  
Total Commercial Loans
  
$
3,090
    
$
302
    
$
588
    
$
3,980
    
$
12,031
    
$
3,062,609
    
$
3,078,620
  
Consumer Loans:
                                                        
Indirect Auto
  
$
14,519
    
$
2,300
    
$
1,186
    
$
18,005
    
$
1,971
    
$
1,196,136
    
$
1,216,112
  
Specialty Lending
    
3,479
      
1,773
      
1,562
      
6,814
      
-
      
518,114
      
524,928
  
Direct
    
2,962
      
1,437
      
552
      
4,951
      
2,592
      
504,356
      
511,899
  
Total Consumer Loans
  
$
20,960
    
$
5,510
    
$
3,300
    
$
29,770
    
$
4,563
    
$
2,218,606
    
$
2,252,939
  
Residential Real Estate
  
$
1,426
    
$
157
    
$
1,182
    
$
2,765
    
$
6,778
    
$
1,224,016
    
$
1,233,559
  
Total Originated Loans
  
$
25,476
    
$
5,969
    
$
5,070
    
$
36,515
    
$
23,372
    
$
6,505,231
    
$
6,565,118
  
                                                         
Acquired
                                                        
Commercial Loans:
                                                        
C&I
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
26,124
    
$
26,124
  
CRE
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
84,492
      
84,492
  
Business Banking
    
466
      
288
      
-
      
754
      
390
      
31,930
      
33,074
  
Total Commercial Loans
  
$
466
    
$
288
    
$
-
    
$
754
    
$
390
    
$
142,546
    
$
143,690
  
Consumer Loans:
                                                        
Indirect Auto
  
$
1
    
$
1
    
$
-
    
$
2
    
$
-
    
$
30
    
$
32
  
Direct
    
152
      
41
      
15
      
208
      
227
      
31,157
      
31,592
  
Total Consumer Loans
  
$
153
    
$
42
    
$
15
    
$
210
    
$
227
    
$
31,187
    
$
31,624
  
Residential Real Estate
  
$
546
    
$
42
    
$
-
    
$
588
    
$
1,498
    
$
145,191
    
$
147,277
  
Total Acquired Loans
  
$
1,165
    
$
372
    
$
15
    
$
1,552
    
$
2,115
    
$
318,924
    
$
322,591
  
                                                         
Total Loans
  
$
26,641
    
$
6,341
    
$
5,085
    
$
38,067
    
$
25,487
    
$
6,824,155
    
$
6,887,709
  

There were no material commitments to extend further credit to borrowers with nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Impaired Loans

The methodology used to establish the allowance for loan losses on impaired loans incorporates specific allocations on loans analyzed individually. Classified loans, including all TDRs and nonaccrual Commercial loans that are graded Substandard, Doubtful or Loss, with outstanding balances of $1.0 million or more are evaluated for impairment through the Company’s quarterly status review process. The Company considers Commercial loans less than $1.0 million to be homogeneous loans. In the third quarter of 2019 the threshold for evaluating loans for impairment was increased from $750 thousand. In determining that we will be unable to collect all principal and/or interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreements, we consider factors such as payment history and changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, local economic conditions, historical loss experience and the conditions of the various markets in which the collateral may be liquidated. For loans that are identified as impaired, impairment is measured by one of three methods: 1) the fair value of collateral less cost to sell, 2) present value of expected future cash flows or 3) the loan’s observable market price. These impaired loans are reviewed on a quarterly basis for changes in the level of impairment. Impaired amounts are charged off immediately if such amounts are determined by management to be uncollectable. Any change to the previously recognized impairment loss is recognized as a component of the provision for loan losses.
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The following table provides information on loans specifically evaluated for impairment:


 
December 31, 2019
    
December 31, 2018
  
(In thousands)
  
Recorded
Investment
Balance
(Book)
    
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
(Legal)
    
Related
Allowance
    
Recorded
Investment
Balance
(Book)
    
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
(Legal)
    
Related
Allowance
  
Originated
                                    
With no related allowance recorded:
                                    
Commercial Loans:
                                    
C&I
  
$
76
    
$
302
          
$
228
    
$
497
        
CRE
    
2,410
      
2,437
      
-
      
4,312
      
6,330
      
-
  
Business Banking
    
1,002
      
1,443
              
1,013
      
2,001
          
Total Commercial Loans
  
$
3,488
    
$
4,182
            
$
5,553
    
$
8,828
          
Consumer Loans:
                                                
Indirect Auto
  
$
154
    
$
242
            
$
143
    
$
241
          
Direct
    
6,862
      
8,335
              
7,744
      
9,831
          
Specialty Lending
    
28
      
28
              
-
      
-
          
Total Consumer Loans
  
$
7,044
    
$
8,605
            
$
7,887
    
$
10,072
          
Residential Real Estate
  
$
7,721
    
$
9,754
            
$
6,905
    
$
9,414
          
Total
  
$
18,253
    
$
22,541
            
$
20,345
    
$
28,314
          
With an allowance recorded:
                                                
Commercial Loans:
                                                
C&I
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
233
    
$
238
    
$
25
  
    Total Commercial Loans
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
233
    
$
238
    
$
25
  
                                                 
Total Loans
  
$
18,253
    
$
22,541
    
$
-
    
$
20,578
    
$
28,552
    
$
25
  

There were no acquired impaired loans specifically evaluated for impairment as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
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The following table summarizes the average recorded investments on loans specifically evaluated for impairment and the interest income recognized:


 
December 31, 2019
    
December 31, 2018
    
December 31, 2017
  
(In thousands)
  
Average
Recorded
Investment
    
Interest Income
Recognized
    
Average
Recorded
Investment
    
Interest Income
Recognized
    
Average
Recorded
Investment
    
Interest Income
Recognized
  
Originated
                                    
Commercial Loans:
                                    
C&I
  
$
242
    
$
1
    
$
453
    
$
1
    
$
-
    
$
-
  
CRE
    
3,311
      
123
      
4,078
      
128
      
-
      
-
  
Commercial
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
1,841
      
-
  
Commercial Real Estate
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
3,534
      
115
  
Agricultural
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
224
      
1
  
Agricultural Real Estate
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
1,709
      
43
  
Business Banking
    
1,089
      
24
      
1,018
      
26
      
875
      
12
  
Total Commercial Loans
  
$
4,642
    
$
148
    
$
5,549
    
$
155
    
$
8,183
    
$
171
  
Consumer Loans:
                                                
Indirect Auto
  
$
192
    
$
10
    
$
179
    
$
10
    
$
-
    
$
-
  
Direct
    
7,387
      
382
      
7,922
      
431
      
-
      
-
  
Specialty Lending
    
7
      
1
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
  
Indirect
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
35
      
3
  
Home Equity
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
8,226
      
446
  
Direct
    
-
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
178
      
8
  
Total Consumer Loans
  
$
7,586
    
$
393
    
$
8,101
    
$
441
    
$
8,439
    
$
457
  
Residential Real Estate
  
$
7,505
    
$
350
    
$
6,779
    
$
305
    
$
6,523
    
$
296
  
Total Originated
  
$
19,733
    
$
891
    
$
20,429
    
$
901
    
$
23,145
    
$
924
  
                                                 
Acquired
                                                
Commercial Loans:
                                                
Commercial Real Estate
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
93
    
$
-
  
Total Commercial Loans
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
93
    
$
-
  
Total Acquired Loans
  
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
-
    
$
93
    
$
-
  
                                                 
Total Loans
  
$
19,733
    
$
891
    
$
20,429
    
$
901
    
$
23,238
    
$
924
  

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company has developed an internal loan grading system to evaluate and quantify the Company’s loan portfolio with respect to quality and risk. The system focuses on, among other things, financial strength of borrowers, experience and depth of borrower’s management, primary and secondary sources of repayment, payment history, nature of the business and outlook on particular industries. The internal grading system enables the Company to monitor the quality of the entire loan portfolio on a consistent basis and provide management with an early warning system, enabling recognition and response to problem loans and potential problem loans.

Commercial Grading System

For C&I and CRE loans, the Company uses a grading system that relies on quantifiable and measurable characteristics when available. This includes comparison of financial strength to available industry averages, comparison of transaction factors (loan terms and conditions) to loan policy and comparison of credit history to stated repayment terms and industry averages. Some grading factors are necessarily more subjective such as economic and industry factors, regulatory environment and management. C&I and CRE loans are graded Doubtful, Substandard, Special Mention and Pass.

 ●
Doubtful

A Doubtful loan has a high probability of total or substantial loss, but because of specific pending events that may strengthen the asset, its classification as a loss is deferred. Doubtful borrowers are usually in default, lack adequate liquidity or capital and lack the resources necessary to remain an operating entity. Pending events can include mergers, acquisitions, liquidations, capital injections, the perfection of liens on additional collateral, the valuation of collateral and refinancing. Generally, pending events should be resolved within a relatively short period and the ratings will be adjusted based on the new information. Nonaccrual treatment is required for Doubtful assets because of the high probability of loss.
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●
Substandard

Substandard loans have a high probability of payment default or they have other well-defined weaknesses. They require more intensive supervision by bank management. Substandard loans are generally characterized by current or expected unprofitable operations, inadequate debt service coverage, inadequate liquidity or marginal capitalization. Repayment may depend on collateral or other credit risk mitigants. For some Substandard loans, the likelihood of full collection of interest and principal may be in doubt and those loans should be placed on nonaccrual. Although Substandard assets in the aggregate will have a distinct potential for loss, an individual asset’s loss potential does not have to be distinct for the asset to be rated Substandard.

●
Special Mention

Special Mention loans have potential weaknesses that may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Company’s position at some future date. These loans pose elevated risk, but their weakness does not yet justify a Substandard classification. Borrowers may be experiencing adverse operating trends (i.e., declining revenues or margins) or may be struggling with an ill-proportioned balance sheet (i.e., increasing inventory without an increase in sales, high leverage, tight liquidity). Adverse economic or market conditions, such as interest rate increases or the entry of a new competitor, may also support a Special Mention rating. Although a Special Mention loan has a higher probability of default than a Pass asset, its default is not imminent.

●
Pass

Loans graded as Pass encompass all loans not graded as Doubtful, Substandard or Special Mention. Pass loans are in compliance with loan covenants and payments are generally made as agreed. Pass loans range from superior quality to fair quality.

Business Banking Grading System

Business Banking loans are graded as either Classified or Non-classified:

●
Classified

Classified loans are inadequately protected by the current worth and paying capacity of the obligor or, if applicable, the collateral pledged. These loans have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses, that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt or in some cases make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Classified loans have a high probability of payment default or a substantial loss. These loans require more intensive supervision by management and are generally characterized by current or expected unprofitable operations, inadequate debt service coverage, inadequate liquidity or marginal capitalization. Repayment may depend on collateral or other credit risk mitigants. Classified loans where the full collection of interest and principal is in doubt are considered to have a nonaccrual status. In some cases, Classified loans are considered uncollectable and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted.

●
Non-classified


Loans graded as Non-classified encompass all loans not graded as Classified. Payments on non-classified loans are generally made as agreed.

Consumer and Residential Real Estate Grading System

Consumer and Residential Real Estate loans are graded as either Nonperforming or Performing.   

●
Nonperforming

Nonperforming loans are loans that are 1) over 90 days past due and interest is still accruing or 2) on nonaccrual status.

●
Performing

All loans not meeting any of these criteria are considered Performing.
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The following tables illustrate the Company’s credit quality by loan class:

(In thousands)
  
As of December 31, 2019
  
Originated
                  
Commercial Credit Exposure
                  
By Internally Assigned Grade:
  
C&I
    
CRE
    
Total
  
Pass
  
$
782,763
    
$
1,868,678
    
$
2,651,441
  
Special Mention
    
28,380
      
30,519
      
58,899
  
Substandard
    
29,257
      
50,369
      
79,626
  
Doubtful
    
506
      
-
      
506
  
Total
  
$
840,906
    
$
1,949,566
    
$
2,790,472
  

Business Banking Credit Exposure
            
By Internally Assigned Grade:
  
Business Banking
    
Total
  
Non-classified
  
$
524,725
    
$
524,725
  
Classified
    
13,803
      
13,803
  
Total
  
$
538,528
    
$
538,528
  

Consumer Credit Exposure
                        
By Payment Activity:
  
Indirect Auto
    
Specialty Lending
    
Direct
    
Total
  
Performing
  
$
1,190,455
    
$
540,756
    
$
484,292
    
$
2,215,503
  
Nonperforming
    
3,180
      
1,307
      
2,953
      
7,440
  
Total
  
$
1,193,635
    
$
542,063
    
$
487,245
    
$
2,222,943
  

Residential Real Estate Credit Exposure
            
By Payment Activity:
  
Residential Real Estate
    
Total
  
Performing
  
$
1,312,742
    
$
1,312,742
  
Nonperforming
    
6,535
      
6,535
  
Total
  
$
1,319,277
    
$
1,319,277
  

Acquired
                  
Commercial Credit Exposure
                  
By Internally Assigned Grade:
  
C&I
    
CRE
    
Total
  
Pass
  
$
17,801
    
$
60,545
    
$
78,346
  
Special Mention
    
1,269
      
-
      
1,269
  
Substandard
    
294
      
392
      
686
  
Total
  
$
19,364
    
$
60,937
    
$
80,301
  

Business Banking Credit Exposure
            
By Internally Assigned Grade:
  
Business Banking
    
Total
  
Non-classified
  
$
32,030
    
$
32,030
  
Classified
    
2,935
      
2,935
  
Total
  
$
34,965
    
$
34,965
  

Consumer Credit Exposure
            
By Payment Activity:
  
Direct
    
Total
  
Performing
  
$
23,628
    
$
23,628
  
Nonperforming
    
105
      
105
  
Total
  
$
23,733
    
$
23,733
  

Residential Real Estate Credit Exposure
            
By Payment Activity:
  
Residential Real Estate
    
Total
  
Performing
  
$
124,509
    
$
124,509
  
Nonperforming
    
1,370
      
1,370
  
Total
  
$
125,879
    
$
125,879
  

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Table of Contents


(In thousands)
  
As of December 31, 2018
  
Originated
                  
Commercial Credit Exposure
                  
By Internally Assigned Grade:
  
C&I
    
CRE
    
Total
  
Pass
  
$
796,778
    
$
1,681,330
    
$
2,478,108
  
Special Mention
    
11,348
      
13,894
      
25,242
  
Substandard
    
39,993
      
46,006
      
85,999
  
Total
  
$
848,119
    
$
1,741,230
    
$
2,589,349
  

Business Banking Credit Exposure
  
Business
        
By Internally Assigned Grade:
  
Banking
    
Total
  
Non-classified
  
$
476,052
    
$
476,052
  
Classified
    
13,219
      
13,219
  
Total
  
$
489,271
    
$
489,271
  

Consumer Credit Exposure
                        
By Payment Activity:
  
Indirect Auto
    
Specialty Lending
    
Direct
    
Total
  
Performing
  
$
1,212,955
    
$
523,366
    
$
508,755
    
$
2,245,076
  
Nonperforming
    
3,157
      
1,562
      
3,144
      
7,863
  
Total
  
$
1,216,112
    
$
524,928
    
$
511,899
    
$
2,252,939
  

Residential Real Estate Credit Exposure
  
Residential
        
By Payment Activity:
  
Real Estate
    
Total
  
Performing
  
$
1,225,599
    
$
1,225,599
  
Nonperforming
    
7,960
      
7,960
  
Total
  
$
1,233,559
    
$
1,233,559
  

Acquired
                  
Commercial Credit Exposure
                  
By Internally Assigned Grade:
  
C&I
    
CRE
    
Total
  
Pass
  
$
23,283
    
$
83,762
    
$
107,045
  
Special Mention
    
2,831
      
92
      
2,923
  
Substandard
    
10
      
638
      
648
  
Total
  
$
26,124
    
$
84,492
    
$
110,616
  

Business Banking Credit Exposure
  
Business
        
By Internally Assigned Grade:
  
Banking
    
Total
  
Non-classified
  
$
29,945
    
$
29,945
  
Classified
    
3,129
      
3,129
  
Total
  
$
33,074
    
$
33,074
  

Consumer Credit Exposure
                  
By Payment Activity:
  
Indirect Auto
    
Direct
    
Total
  
Performing
  
$
32
    
$
31,350
    
$
31,382
  
Nonperforming
    
-
      
242
      
242
  
Total
  
$
32
    
$
31,592
    
$
31,624
  

Residential Real Estate Credit Exposure
  
Residential
        
By Payment Activity:
  
Real Estate
    
Total
  
Performing
  
$
145,779
    
$
145,779
  
Nonperforming
    
1,498
      
1,498
  
Total
  
$
147,277
    
$
147,277
  

Troubled Debt Restructuring

When the Company modifies a loan in a troubled debt restructuring, such modifications generally include one or a combination of the following: an extension of the maturity date at a stated rate of interest lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk; temporary reduction in the interest rate; or change in scheduled payment amount. Residential Real Estate and Consumer TDRs occurring during 2019 and 2018 were due to the reduction in the interest rate or extension of the term. Commercial TDRs during 2019 and 2018 were both a reduction of the interest rate and change in terms.
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When the Company modifies a loan in a troubled debt restructuring, management measures for impairment, if any, based on the present value of the expected future cash flows, discounted at the contractual interest rate of the original loan agreement, except when the sole (remaining) source of repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of the collateral. In these cases, management uses the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs. If management determines that the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan an impairment charge would be recorded.

The following tables illustrate the recorded investment and number of modifications for modified loans, including the recorded investment in the loans prior to a modification and the recorded investment in the loans after restructuring:


 
Year ended December 31, 2019
  
(Dollars in thousands)
  
Number of
Contracts
    
Pre-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
    
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
  
Commercial Loans:
                  
C&I
    
1
    
$
65
    
$
65
  
CRE
    
1
      
402
      
402
  
Business Banking
    
3
      
425
      
431
  
Total Commercial Loans
    
5
    
$
892
    
$
898
  
Consumer Loans:
                        
Indirect Auto
    
9
    
$
134
    
$
134
  
Direct
    
11
      
450
      
480
  
Total Consumer Loans
    
20
    
$
584
    
$
614
  
Residential Real Estate
    
12
    
$
1,032
    
$
1,091
  
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
    
37
    
$
2,508
    
$
2,603
  


 
Year ended December 31, 2018
  
(Dollars In thousands)
  
Number of
Contracts
    
Pre-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
    
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
  
Commercial Loans:
                  
Business Banking
    
5
    
$
581
    
$
581
  
Total Commercial Loans
    
5
    
$
581
    
$
581
  
Consumer Loans:
                        
Indirect Auto
    
17
    
$
204
    
$
202
  
Direct
    
10
      
401
      
399
  
Total Consumer Loans
    
27
    
$
605
    
$
601
  
Residential Real Estate
    
14
    
$
1,099
    
$
1,098
  
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
    
46
    
$
2,285
    
$
2,280
  

The following table illustrates the recorded investment and number of modifications for TDRs where a concession has been made and subsequently defaulted during the period:


 
Year ended December 31, 2019
    
Year ended December 31, 2018
  
(Dollars in thousands)
  
Number of
Contracts
    
Recorded
Investment
    
Number of
Contracts
    
Recorded
Investment
  
Commercial Loans:
                        
Business Banking
    
-
    
$
-
      
3
    
$
338
  
Total Commercial Loans
    
-
    
$
-
      
3
    
$
338
  
Consumer Loans:
                                
Indirect Auto
    
3
    
$
18
      
-
    
$
-
  
Direct
    
29
      
1,385
      
37
      
1,931
  
Total Consumer Loans
    
32
    
$
1,403
      
37
    
$
1,931
  
Residential Real Estate
    
23
    
$
1,203
      
26
    
$
1,786
  
Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
    
55
    
$
2,606
      
66
    
$
4,055
  

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6.          Premises, Equipment and Leases

A summary of premises and equipment follows:


 
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Land, buildings and improvements
  
$
121,479
    
$
121,808
  
Equipment
    
58,431
      
55,577
  
Premises and equipment before accumulated depreciation
  
$
179,910
    
$
177,385
  
Accumulated depreciation
    
104,279
      
98,415
  
Total premises and equipment
  
$
75,631
    
$
78,970
  

Buildings and improvements are depreciated based on useful lives of five to twenty years. Equipment is depreciated based on useful lives of three to ten years.

Operating leases in which we are the lessee are recorded as operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities, included in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not have any significant finance leases in which we are the lessee as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Operating lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of the remaining lease payments using a discount rate that represents the Company's incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date. ROU assets are further adjusted for lease incentives. Operating lease expense, which is comprised of amortization of the ROU asset and the implicit interest accreted on the operating lease liability, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, and is recorded in occupancy expense in the consolidated statements of income.

We have made a policy election to exclude the recognition requirements to all classes of leases with original terms of 12 months or less. Instead, the short-term lease payments are recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. For real estate leases, non-lease components and other non-components, such as common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes and insurance are not included in the measurement of the lease liability since they are generally able to be segregated.

Our leases relate primarily to office space and bank branches, and some contain options to renew the lease. These options to renew are generally not considered reasonably certain to exercise, and are therefore not included in the lease term until such time that the option to renew is reasonably certain. As of December 31, 2019, operating lease ROU assets and liabilities were $34.8 million and $37.3 million, respectively.

The table below summarizes our net lease cost:

(In thousands)
  
Year Ended December 31, 2019
  
Operating lease cost
  
$
7,239
  
Variable lease cost
    
2,231
  
Short-term lease cost
    
356
  
Sublease income
    
(448
)
Total operating lease cost
  
$
9,378
  

The table below show future minimum rental commitments related to non-cancelable operating leases for the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2019.

(In thousands)
      
2020
  
$
7,435
  
2021
    
6,646
  
2022
    
5,870
  
2023
    
4,969
  
2024
    
4,365
  
Thereafter
    
12,876
  
Total lease payments
  
$
42,161
  
Less: interest
    
(4,838
)
Present value of lease liabilities
  
$
37,323
  

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The following table shows the weighted average remaining operating lease term, the weighted average discount rate and supplemental information on the consolidated statements of cash flows for operating leases:

(In thousands except for percent and period data)
  
December 31, 2019
  
Weighted average remaining lease term, in years
    
7.69
  
Weighted average discount rate
    
3.00
%
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
        
Operating cash flows from operating leases
  
$
6,211
  
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
    
41,008
  

As of December 31, 2019 there are no new significant leases that have not yet commenced.

Rental expense included in occupancy expense amounted to $8.0 million in 2019, $8.6 million in December 31, 2018 and $8.5 million in December 31, 2017.

7.          Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

A summary of goodwill is as follows:

(In thousands)
      
January 1, 2019
  
$
274,769
  
Goodwill acquired
    
-
  
December 31, 2019
  
$
274,769
  
         
January 1, 2018
  
$
268,043
  
Goodwill acquired
    
6,726
  
December 31, 2018
  
$
274,769
  

The Company has intangible assets with definite useful lives capitalized on its consolidated balance sheet in the form of core deposit and other identified intangible assets. These intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range primarily from one to twenty years.

There was no impairment of goodwill recorded during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
A summary of core deposit and other intangible assets follows:


 
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Core deposit intangibles:
            
Gross carrying amount
  
$
8,951
    
$
8,975
  
Less: accumulated amortization
    
7,988
      
7,377
  
Net carrying amount
  
$
963
    
$
1,598
  
                 
Identified intangible assets:
                
Gross carrying amount
  
$
34,623
    
$
34,623
  
Less: accumulated amortization
    
23,566
      
20,622
  
Net carrying amount
  
$
11,057
    
$
14,001
  
                 
Total intangibles:
                
Gross carrying amount
  
$
43,574
    
$
43,598
  
Less: accumulated amortization
    
31,554
      
27,999
  
Net carrying amount
  
$
12,020
    
$
15,599
  

Amortization expense on intangible assets with definite useful lives totaled $3.6 million for 2019, $4.0 million for 2018 and $4.0 million for 2017. Amortization expense on intangible assets with definite useful lives is expected to total $3.0 million for 2020, $2.3 million for 2021, $1.8 million for 2022, $1.4 million for 2023, $1.1 million for 2024 and $2.4 million thereafter. Other identified intangible assets include customer lists and non-compete agreements. 

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there was no impairment of intangible assets.
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8.          Deposits

The following table sets forth the maturity distribution of time deposits:

(In thousands)
  
December 31, 2019
  
Within one year
  
$
554,132
  
After one but within two years
    
220,769
  
After two but within three years
    
50,593
  
After three but within four years
    
15,064
  
After four but within five years
    
20,453
  
After five years
    
182
  
Total
  
$
861,193
  

Time deposits of $250,000 or more aggregated $140.4 million and $146.1 million December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

9.          Short-Term Borrowings

In addition to the liquidity provided by balance sheet cash flows, liquidity must also be supplemented with additional sources such as credit lines from correspondent banks as well as borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank. Other funding alternatives may also be appropriate from time to time, including wholesale and retail repurchase agreements and brokered certificate of deposit (“CD”) accounts.

Short-term borrowings totaled $655.3 million and $871.7 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and consist of Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements, which generally represent overnight borrowing transactions and other short-term borrowings, primarily FHLB advances, with original maturities of one year or less.

The Company has unused lines of credit with the FHLB and access to brokered deposits available for short-term financing. Those sources totaled approximately $2.4 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Borrowings on the FHLB lines are secured by FHLB stock, certain securities and one-to-four family first lien mortgage loans. Securities collateralizing repurchase agreements are held in safekeeping by nonaffiliated financial institutions and are under the Company’s control.

Information related to short-term borrowings is summarized as follows as of December 31:

(Dollars in thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Federal funds purchased:
                  
Balance at year-end
  
$
65,000
    
$
80,000
    
$
60,000
  
Average during the year
    
47,137
      
66,839
      
54,162
  
Maximum month end balance
    
80,000
      
80,000
      
80,000
  
Weighted average rate during the year
    
3.90
%
    
3.43
%
    
2.16
%
Weighted average rate at year-end
    
2.84
%
    
4.25
%
    
2.41
%
                         
Securities sold under repurchase agreements:
                        
Balance at year-end
  
$
143,775
    
$
160,696
    
$
182,123
  
Average during the year
    
123,337
      
146,135
      
175,539
  
Maximum month end balance
    
146,410
      
170,350
      
190,326
  
Weighted average rate during the year
    
0.33
%
    
0.16
%
    
0.07
%
Weighted average rate at year-end
    
0.40
%
    
0.38
%
    
0.07
%
                         
Other short-term borrowings:
                        
Balance at year-end
  
$
446,500
    
$
631,000
    
$
477,000
  
Average during the year
    
403,453
      
514,662
      
460,334
  
Maximum month end balance
    
576,000
      
653,000
      
591,000
  
Weighted average rate during the year
    
1.85
%
    
1.56
%
    
1.02
%
Weighted average rate at year-end
    
1.73
%
    
1.82
%
    
1.18
%

See Note 3 for additional information regarding securities pledged as collateral for securities sold under the repurchase agreements.
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10.          Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of obligations having an original maturity at issuance of more than one year. A majority of the Company’s long-term debt is comprised of FHLB advances collateralized by the FHLB stock owned by the Company, and a blanket lien on its residential real estate mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2019 the Company had no callable long-term debt. A summary is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2019
  
December 31, 2018
Maturity
Amount
Weighted
Average Rate
  
Amount
Weighted
Average Rate
2019
$
-
-
  
$
20,000
1.96%
2020
  
25,000
2.34%
    
25,000
2.34%
2021
  
25,021
2.56%
    
25,039
2.56%
2022
  
10,598
2.53%
    
-
-
2031
  
3,592
2.45%
    
3,685
2.45%
Total
$
64,211
    
$
73,724
  

11.          Junior Subordinated Debt

The Company sponsors five business trusts, CNBF Capital Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust I, NBT Statutory Trust II, Alliance Financial Capital Trust I and Alliance Financial Capital Trust II (collectively, the “Trusts”). The Company’s junior subordinated debentures include amounts related to the Company’s NBT Statutory Trust I and II as well as junior subordinated debentures associated with one statutory trust affiliate that was acquired from our merger with CNB Financial Corp. and two statutory trusts that were acquired from our acquisition of Alliance Financial Corporation (“Alliance”). The Trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing company-obligated mandatorily redeemable trust preferred securities to third-party investors and investing in the proceeds from the sale of such preferred securities solely in junior subordinated debt securities of the Company for general corporate purposes. The Company guarantees, on a limited basis, payments of distributions on the trust preferred securities and payments on redemption of the trust preferred securities. The Trusts are VIEs for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary, as defined by GAAP. In accordance with GAAP, the accounts of the Trusts are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Note 1 for additional information about the Company’s consolidation policy. 

The debentures held by each trust are the sole assets of that trust. The Trusts hold, as their sole assets, junior subordinated debentures of the Company with face amounts totaling $98.0 million at December 31, 2019. The Company owns all of the common securities of the Trusts and has accordingly recorded $3.2 million in equity method investments classified as other assets in our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2019. The Company owns all of the common stock of the Trusts, which have issued trust preferred securities in conjunction with the Company issuing trust preferred debentures to the Trusts. The terms of the trust preferred debentures are substantially the same as the terms of the trust preferred securities.

As of December 31, 2019, the Trusts had the following trust preferred securities outstanding and held the following junior subordinated debentures of the Company (dollars in thousands): 

Description
Issuance Date
  
Trust Preferred
Securities
Outstanding
  
Interest Rate
  
Trust
Preferred Debt
Owed To Trust
  
Final Maturity Date
CNBF Capital Trust I
August 1999
  
$
18,000
  
3-month LIBOR
plus 2.75%
  
$
18,720
  
August 2029
NBT Statutory Trust I
November 2005
    
5,000
  
3-month LIBOR
plus 1.40%
    
5,155
  
December 2035
NBT Statutory Trust II
February 2006
    
50,000
  
3-month LIBOR
plus 1.40%
    
51,547
  
March 2036
Alliance Financial Capital Trust I
December 2003
    
10,000
  
3-month LIBOR
plus 2.85%
    
10,310
  
January 2034
Alliance Financial Capital Trust II
September 2006
    
15,000
  
3-month LIBOR
plus 1.65%
    
15,464
  
September 2036

The Company’s junior subordinated debentures are redeemable prior to the maturity date at our option upon each trust’s stated option repurchase dates and from time to time thereafter. These debentures are also redeemable in whole at any time upon the occurrence of specific events defined within the trust indenture. Our obligations under the debentures and related documents, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company of the issuers’ obligations under the trust preferred securities. The Company owns all of the common stock of the Trusts, which have issued trust preferred securities in conjunction with the Company issuing trust preferred debentures to the Trusts. The terms of the trust preferred debentures are substantially the same as the terms of the trust preferred securities.
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With respect to the Trusts, the Company has the right to defer payments of interest on the debentures issued to the Trusts at any time or from time to time for a period of up to ten consecutive semi-annual periods with respect to each deferral period. Under the terms of the debentures, if in certain circumstances there is an event of default under the debentures or the Company elects to defer interest on the debentures, the Company may not, with certain exceptions, declare or pay any dividends or distributions on its capital stock or purchase or acquire any of its capital stock.

Despite the fact that the Trusts are not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, $97 million of the $101 million in trust preferred securities issued by these subsidiary trusts is included in the Tier 1 capital of the Company for regulatory capital purposes as allowed by the Federal Reserve Board (NBT Bank owns $1.0 million of CNBF Trust I securities). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 requires bank holding companies with assets greater than $500 million to be subject to the same capital requirements as insured depository institutions, meaning, for instance, that such bank holding companies will not be able to count trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010 as Tier 1 capital. The aforementioned Trusts are grandfathered with respect to this enactment based on their date of issuance.

12.          Income Taxes

The significant components of income tax expense attributable to operations are as follows:


 
Years ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Current
                  
Federal
  
$
28,475
    
$
15,762
    
$
35,839
  
State
    
7,653
      
5,977
      
6,599
  
Total Current
  
$
36,128
    
$
21,739
    
$
42,438
  
                         
Deferred
                        
Federal
  
$
(1,379
)
  
$
2,281
    
$
3,850
  
State
    
(338
)
    
416
      
(278
)
Total Deferred
  
$
(1,717
)
  
$
2,697
    
$
3,572
  
Total income tax expense
  
$
34,411
    
$
24,436
    
$
46,010
  

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act includes significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax system including: a federal corporate rate reduction from 35% to 21% and establishing other tax laws affecting years subsequent to 2017. ASC 740, Income Taxes, requires a company to record the effects of a tax law change in the period of enactment, however shortly after the enactment of the Tax Act, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 ("SAB 118"), which allows a company to record a provisional amount when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the change in the tax law. The one year remeasurement period allowed under SAB 118 ended December 31, 2018 and the Company did not make any significant changes to the provisional amounts recorded.

In connection with the analysis of the impact of the Tax Act, the Company recorded a $4.4 million non-cash adjustment in the year ended December 31, 2017 for remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the corporate rate reduction. During 2018, the Company recorded a $5.5 million benefit primarily related to changes in accounting methods approved by the Internal Revenue Services in the fourth quarter of 2018.
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The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:


 
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Deferred tax assets:
            
Allowance for loan losses
  
$
18,535
    
$
18,042
  
Lease liability
    
9,331
      
-
  
Deferred compensation
    
8,336
      
7,340
  
Postretirement benefit obligation
    
1,631
      
1,962
  
Fair value adjustments from acquisitions
    
422
      
663
  
Unrealized losses on securities
    
-
      
4,893
  
Accrued liabilities
    
1,176
      
913
  
Stock-based compensation expense
    
3,032
      
2,821
  
Other
    
1,498
      
1,008
  
Total deferred tax assets
  
$
43,961
    
$
37,642
  
Deferred tax liabilities:
                
Pension benefits
  
$
13,014
    
$
10,782
  
Lease right-of-use asset
    
9,259
      
-
  
Amortization of intangible assets
    
12,202
      
11,525
  
Premises and equipment, primarily due to accelerated depreciation
    
5,137
      
4,973
  
Unrealized gain on securities
    
1,770
      
-
  
Other
    
45
      
1,567
  
Total deferred tax liabilities
  
$
41,427
    
$
28,847
  
Net deferred tax asset at year-end
  
$
2,534
    
$
8,795
  
Net deferred tax asset at beginning of year
    
8,795
      
7,293
  
(Decrease) increase in net deferred tax asset
  
$
(6,261
)
  
$
1,502
  

Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Based on available evidence, gross deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized and a valuation allowance was not deemed necessary at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed by applying the applicable Federal statutory rate to income before taxes:


 
Years ended December 31
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Federal income tax at statutory rate
  
$
32,641
    
$
28,770
    
$
44,857
  
Tax exempt income
    
(1,233
)
    
(1,456
)
    
(2,303
)
Net increase in cash surrender value of life insurance
    
(927
)
    
(973
)
    
(1,780
)
Federal tax credit
    
(1,458
)
    
(1,499
)
    
(1,343
)
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    
5,773
      
5,051
      
4,107
  
Federal tax reform (Tax Act)
    
-
      
-
      
4,407
  
Accounting method changes - tax rate change impact
    
-
      
(5,326
)
    
-
  
Stock-based compensation, excess tax benefit
    
(342
)
    
(456
)
    
(1,619
)
Other, net
    
(43
)
    
325
      
(316
)
Income tax expense
  
$
34,411
    
$
24,436
    
$
46,010
  

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of Federal and State gross unrecognized tax benefits ("UTBs") is as follows:

(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Balance at January 1
  
$
641
    
$
665
  
Additions for tax positions of prior years
    
26
      
27
  
Reduction for tax positions of prior years
    
-
      
(159
)
Current period tax positions
    
112
      
108
  
Balance at December 31
  
$
779
    
$
641
  
Amount that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized, gross of tax
  
$
615
    
$
506
  

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company monitors changes in tax statutes and regulations to determine if significant changes will occur over the next 12 months. As of December 31, 2019, no significant changes to UTBs are projected; however, tax audit examinations are possible. The Company recognized an insignificant amount of interest expense related to UTBs in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2019.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized an insignificant benefit related to the resolution of state income tax positions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal tax examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2016 and New York State for years prior to 2014. The 2014, 2015 and 2016 tax years are currently being audited by New York State.
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13.          Employee Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Post-Retirement Plans

The Company has a qualified, noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan (“the Plan”) covering substantially all of its employees at December 31, 2019. Benefits paid from the plan are based on age, years of service, compensation, social security benefits and are determined in accordance with defined formulas. The Company’s policy is to fund the Plan in accordance with Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 standards. Assets of the Plan are invested in publicly traded stocks and mutual funds. Prior to January 1, 2000, the Plan was a traditional defined benefit plan based on final average compensation. On January 1, 2000, the Plan was converted to a cash balance plan with grandfathering provisions for existing participants. Effective March 1, 2013, the Plan was amended. Benefit accruals for participants who, as of January 1, 2000, elected to continue participating in the traditional defined benefit plan design were frozen as of March 1, 2013. In May 2013, the noncontributory, frozen, defined benefit pension plan assumed from Alliance in the acquisition was merged into the Plan.

In addition to the Plan, the Company provides supplemental employee retirement plans to certain current and former executives. The Company also assumed supplemental retirement plans for certain former executives in the Alliance acquisition.

These supplemental employee retirement plans and the Plan are collectively referred to herein as “Pension Benefits.”

In addition, the Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees. Benefits were accrued over the employees’ active service period. Only employees that were employed by the Company on or before January 1, 2000 are eligible to receive post-retirement health care benefits. The Plan is contributory for participating retirees, requiring participants to absorb certain deductibles and coinsurance amounts with contributions adjusted annually to reflect cost sharing provisions and benefit limitations called for in the Plan. Employees become eligible for these benefits if they reach normal retirement age while working for the Company. For eligible employees described above, the Company funds the cost of post-retirement health care as benefits are paid. The Company elected to recognize the transition obligation on a delayed basis over twenty years. In addition, the Company assumed post-retirement medical life insurance benefits for certain Alliance employees, retirees and their spouses, if applicable, in the Alliance acquisition. These post-retirement benefits are referred to herein as “Other Benefits.”

Accounting standards require an employer to: (1) recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of defined benefit post-retirement plans, which is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation, as an asset or liability in its balance sheet; (2) recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income; and (3) measure the defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of its year-end balance sheet.

The components of AOCI, which have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, related to pensions and other post-retirement benefits are summarized below:


 
Pension Benefits
    
Other Benefits
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2019
    
2018
  
Net actuarial loss
  
$
28,334
    
$
35,538
    
$
125
    
$
844
  
Prior service cost
    
491
      
570
      
94
      
145
  
Total amounts recognized in AOCI (pre-tax)
  
$
28,825
    
$
36,108
    
$
219
    
$
989
  

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A December 31 measurement date is used for the pension, supplemental pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The following table sets forth changes in benefit obligations, changes in plan assets and the funded status of the pension plans and other post-retirement benefits:


 
Pension Benefits
    
Other Benefits
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2019
    
2018
  
Change in benefit obligation:
                        
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  
$
85,134
    
$
90,950
    
$
7,034
    
$
8,050
  
Service cost
    
1,723
      
1,659
      
7
      
10
  
Interest cost
    
3,942
      
3,645
      
272
      
327
  
Plan participants' contributions
    
-
      
-
      
201
      
209
  
Actuarial loss (gain)
    
6,030
      
(3,977
)
    
(719
)
    
(762
)
Amendments
    
-
      
337
      
-
      
-
  
Benefits paid
    
(6,243
)
    
(7,480
)
    
(712
)
    
(800
)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
  
$
90,586
    
$
85,134
    
$
6,083
    
$
7,034
  
Change in plan assets:
                                
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
  
$
109,746
    
$
124,226
    
$
-
    
$
-
  
Gain (loss) on plan assets
    
18,120
      
(8,381
)
    
-
      
-
  
Employer contributions
    
1,372
      
1,381
      
511
      
591
  
Plan participants' contributions
    
-
      
-
      
201
      
209
  
Benefits paid
    
(6,243
)
    
(7,480
)
    
(712
)
    
(800
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  
$
122,995
    
$
109,746
    
$
-
    
$
-
  
                                 
Funded (unfunded) status at year end
  
$
32,409
    
$
24,612
    
$
(6,083
)
  
$
(7,034
)

An asset is recognized for an overfunded plan and a liability is recognized for an underfunded plan. The accumulated benefit obligation for pension benefits was $90.6 million and $85.1 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation for other post-retirement benefits was $6.1 million and $7.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The funded status of the pension and other post-retirement benefit plans has been recognized as follows in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018. 


 
Pension Benefits
    
Other Benefits
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2019
    
2018
  
Other assets
  
$
51,988
    
$
42,900
    
$
-
    
$
-
  
Other liabilities
    
(19,579
)
    
(18,288
)
    
(6,083
)
    
(7,034
)
Funded status
  
$
32,409
    
$
24,612
    
$
(6,083
)
  
$
(7,034
)

The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligation and the net periodic pension cost for the years indicated:


Years ended December 31,
 
2019
2018
2017
Weighted average assumptions:
      
The following assumptions were used to determine benefit obligations:
      
Discount rate
3.69% - 3.73%
4.79% - 4.80%
4.20% - 4.21%
Expected long-term return on plan assets
7.00%
7.00%
7.00%
Rate of compensation increase
3.00%
3.00%
3.00%
       
The following assumptions were used to determine net periodic pension cost:
      
Discount rate
4.79% - 4.80%
4.20% - 4.21%
4.76% - 4.84%
Expected long-term return on plan assets
7.00%
7.00%
7.00%
Rate of compensation increase
3.00%
3.00%
3.00%

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Net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in OCI for the years ended December 31 included the following components:


 
Pension Benefits
    
Other Benefits
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
    
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
                                    
Service cost
  
$
1,723
    
$
1,659
    
$
1,511
    
$
7
    
$
10
    
$
12
  
Interest cost
    
3,942
      
3,645
      
4,168
      
272
      
327
      
357
  
Expected return on plan assets
    
(7,480
)
    
(8,478
)
    
(7,929
)
    
-
      
-
      
-
  
Amortization of prior service cost
    
43
      
40
      
46
      
50
      
51
      
51
  
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
    
2,593
      
930
      
1,668
      
-
      
124
      
87
  
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)
  
$
821
    
$
(2,204
)
  
$
(536
)
  
$
329
    
$
512
    
$
507
  
                                                 
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI (pre-tax):
                                                
Net (gain) loss
  
$
(4,611
)
  
$
12,882
    
$
(3,075
)
  
$
(720
)
  
$
(762
)
  
$
388
  
Prior service cost
    
-
      
337
      
-
      
-
      
-
      
286
  
Amortization of prior service (cost)
    
(43
)
    
(40
)
    
(46
)
    
(50
)
    
(51
)
    
(51
)
Amortization of unrecognized net (loss)
    
(2,593
)
    
(930
)
    
(1,668
)
    
-
      
(124
)
    
(87
)
Total recognized in OCI
  
$
(7,247
)
  
$
12,249
    
$
(4,789
)
  
$
(770
)
  
$
(937
)
  
$
536
  
                                                 
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and OCI, pre-tax
  
$
(6,426
)
  
$
10,045
    
$
(5,325
)
  
$
(441
)
  
$
(425
)
  
$
1,043
  

The Company expects that $1.6 million in net actuarial loss and nominal prior service costs will be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2020.

The following table sets forth estimated future benefit payments for the pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans as of December 31, 2019:

(In thousands)
  
Pension
Benefits
    
Other
Benefits
  
2020
  
$
6,916
    
$
497
  
2021
    
6,722
      
464
  
2022
    
6,722
      
462
  
2023
    
6,582
      
457
  
2024
    
7,827
      
451
  
2025 - 2029
    
35,215
      
2,070
  

The Company made no voluntary contributions to the pension and other benefit plans during the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

For measurement purposes, the annual rates of increase in the per capita cost of covered medical and prescription drug benefits for fiscal year 2019 were assumed to be 4.5% to 7.0% percent. The rates were assumed to decrease gradually to 3.8% for fiscal year 2075 and remain at that level thereafter. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on amounts reported for health care plans. A one-percentage point change in the health care trend rates would have the following effects as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019: 

(In thousands)
  
One
Percentage
Point Increase
    
One
Percentage
Point Decrease
  
Increase (decrease) on total service and interest cost components
  
$
29
    
$
(25
)
Increase (decrease) on post-retirement accumulated benefit obligation
    
628
      
(543
)

Plan Investment Policy

The Company’s key investment objectives in managing its defined benefit plan assets are to ensure that present and future benefit obligations to all participants and beneficiaries are met as they become due; to provide a total return that, over the long-term, maximizes the ratio of the plan assets to liabilities, while minimizing the present value of required Company contributions, at the appropriate levels of risk; to meet statutory requirements and regulatory agencies’ requirements; and to satisfy applicable accounting standards. The Company periodically evaluates the asset allocations, funded status, rate of return assumption and contribution strategy for satisfaction of our investment objectives. 

The target and actual allocations expressed as a percentage of the defined benefit pension plan’s assets are as follows:


Target 2019
2019
2018
Cash and cash equivalents
0 - 15%
3%
4%
Fixed income securities
30 - 60%
40%
39%
Equities
40 - 70%
57%
57%
Total
  
100%
100%

Only high-quality bonds are to be included in the portfolio. All issues that are rated lower than A by Standard and Poor’s are to be excluded. Equity securities at December 31, 2019 and 2018 do not include any Company common stock. 
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The following table presents the financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis by the Plan:

(In thousands)
  
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
December 31, 2019
  
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
4,143
    
$
-
    
$
4,143
  
Foreign equity mutual funds
    
40,239
      
-
      
40,239
  
Equity mutual funds
    
29,886
      
-
      
29,886
  
U.S. government bonds
    
-
      
58
      
58
  
Corporate bonds
    
-
      
48,669
      
48,669
  
Total
  
$
74,268
    
$
48,727
    
$
122,995
  


 
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
December 31, 2018
  
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
4,095
    
$
-
    
$
4,095
  
Foreign equity mutual funds
    
38,861
      
-
      
38,861
  
Equity mutual funds
    
24,124
      
-
      
24,124
  
U.S. government bonds
    
-
      
76
      
76
  
Corporate bonds
    
-
      
42,590
      
42,590
  
Total
  
$
67,080
    
$
42,666
    
$
109,746
  

The plan had no financial instruments recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Determination of Assumed Rate of Return

The expected long-term rate-of-return on assets was 7.0% at December 31, 2019 and 2018. This assumption represents the rate of return on plan assets reflecting the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. The assumption has been determined by reflecting expectations regarding future rates of return for the portfolio considering the asset distribution and related historical rates of return. The appropriateness of the assumption is reviewed annually.

Employee 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plans

The Company maintains a 401(k) and employee stock ownership plan (the “401(k) Plan”). The Company contributes to the 401(k) Plan based on employees’ contributions out of their annual salaries. In addition, the Company may also make discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan based on profitability. Participation in the 401(k) Plan is contingent upon certain age and service requirements. The employer contributions associated with the 401(k) Plan were $3.6 million in 2019, $3.2 million in 2018 and $2.8 million in 2017.

Other Retirement Benefits

Included in other liabilities is $1.7 million and $2.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for supplemental retirement benefits for retired executives from legacy plans assumed in acquisitions. The Company recognized $0.1 million in expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 related to these plans.

14.          Stock-Based Compensation

In May 2018, the Company adopted the NBT Bancorp Inc. 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Stock Plan”) replacing the 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan which automatically expired in April 2018. Under the terms of the Stock Plan, equity-based awards are granted to directors and employees to increase their direct proprietary interest in the operations and success of the Company. The Stock Plan assumed all prior equity-based incentive plans and any new equity-based awards are granted under the terms of the Stock Plan. Restricted shares granted under the Plan typically vest after three or five years for employees and three years for non-employee directors. Restricted stock units granted under the Stock Plan may have different terms and conditions. Performance shares and units granted under the Stock Plan for executives may have different terms and conditions. Since 2011, the Company primarily grants restricted stock unit awards. Stock option grants since that time were reloads of existing grants which terminate ten years from the date of the grant. Under terms of the Stock Plan, stock options are granted to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted shares and stock unit awards are funded from the Company’s treasury stock. 
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The Company has outstanding restricted stock granted from various plans at December 31, 2019. The Company recognized $4.2 million, $3.9 million and $3.5 million in stock-based compensation expense related to these stock awards for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Tax benefits recognized with respect to restricted stock awards and stock units were $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock units totaled $5.5 million at December 31, 2019 and will be recognized over 1.8 years on a weighted average basis. Shares issued are funded from the Company’s treasury stock. The following table summarizes information for unvested restricted stock units outstanding as of December 31, 2019:


  
Number of
Shares
    
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
  
Unvested at January 1, 2019
    
546,054
    
$
28.39
  
Forfeited
    
(10,886
)
    
31.06
  
Vested
    
(121,774
)
    
25.66
  
Granted
    
142,046
      
33.04
  
Unvested at December 31, 2019
    
555,440
    
$
30.11
  

The following table summarizes information concerning stock options outstanding:

(In thousands, except share and per share data)
  
Number of
Shares
    
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
    
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in
Years)
    
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
  
Outstanding at January 1, 2019
    
66,900
    
$
23.07
              
Exercised
    
(32,505
)
    
22.31
              
Expired
    
(1,250
)
    
25.38
              
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
    
33,145
    
$
23.73
      
1.86
    
$
558,066
  
                                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2019
    
33,145
    
$
23.73
      
1.86
    
$
558,066
  

Total stock-based compensation expense for stock option awards totaled $1 thousand, $11 thousand and $18 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Cash proceeds, tax benefits and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised is as follows: 


 
Years ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Proceeds from stock options exercised
  
$
725
    
$
999
    
$
3,083
  
Tax benefits related to stock options exercised
    
123
      
173
      
650
  
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised
    
490
      
692
      
1,699
  
Fair value of shares vested during the year
    
13
      
16
      
329
  

The Company has 988,494 securities remaining available to be granted as part of the Plan at December 31, 2019.


15.          Stockholders’ Equity

In accordance with GAAP, unrecognized prior service costs and net actuarial gains or losses associated with the Company’s pension and postretirement benefit plans and unrealized gains on derivatives and on AFS securities are included in AOCI, net of tax. For the years ended December 31, components of AOCI are:

(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Unrecognized prior service cost and net actuarial (losses) on pension plans
  
$
(21,677
)
  
$
(27,689
)
  
$
(15,284
)
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivatives (cash flow hedges)
    
(32
)
    
1,821
      
2,144
  
Unrealized net holding gains (losses) on AFS securities
    
2,683
      
(17,306
)
    
(8,937
)
AOCI
  
$
(19,026
)
  
$
(43,174
)
  
$
(22,077
)

Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of the subsidiary bank to transfer funds to the Company in the form of cash dividends. The approval of the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC") is required to pay dividends when a bank fails to meet certain minimum regulatory capital standards or when such dividends are in excess of a subsidiary bank's earnings retained in the current year plus retained net profits for the preceding two years as specified in applicable OCC regulations. At December 31, 2019, approximately $175.0 million of the total stockholders’ equity of the Bank was available for payment of dividends to the Company without approval by the OCC. The Bank’s ability to pay dividends also is subject to the Bank being in compliance with regulatory capital requirements. The Bank is currently in compliance with these requirements. Under the State of Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company may declare and pay dividends either out of accumulated net retained earnings or capital surplus.

The Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2019. There are 1,000,000 shares available for repurchase under this plan, which expires on December 31, 2021.
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16.          Regulatory Capital Requirements

The Company and the Bank 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 consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of NBT Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications 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 Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 Capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject.

Under their prompt corrective action regulations, regulatory authorities are required to take certain supervisory actions (and may take additional discretionary actions) with respect to an undercapitalized institution. Such actions could have a direct material effect on an institution’s financial statements. The regulations establish a framework for the classification of banks into five categories: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the most recent notifications from the Bank’s regulators categorized the Bank as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well-capitalized the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 Capital to Average Asset ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

Beginning in 2016, in addition to maintaining minimum capital ratios, the Company began to be subject to a capital conservation buffer ("Buffer") above the minimum to avoid restriction on capital distributions and discretionary bonus paychecks to officers. At December 31, 2019 and 2018 the Buffer was 2.500% and 1.875%, respectively. The Buffer regulatory minimum ratio is in the process of being phased in over four years, which started in 2016 with the minimum requirement of 0.625%, and is fully phased in for fiscal year 2019 with a requirement of 2.500%.
The Company and NBT Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented as follows:


 
Actual
    
Regulatory Ratio Requirements
  
(Dollars in thousands)
  
Amount
    
Ratio
    
Minimum
Capital
Adequacy
    
Minimum
plus Buffer
    
For
Classification
as Well-
Capitalized
  
As of December 31, 2019
                              
Tier I Capital (to average assets)
                              
Company
  
$
963,147
      
10.33
%
    
4.00
%
          
5.00
%
NBT Bank
    
894,407
      
9.64
%
    
4.00
%
          
5.00
%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
                                      
Company
    
866,147
      
11.29
%
    
4.50
%
    
7.000
%
    
6.50
%
NBT Bank
    
894,407
      
11.76
%
    
4.50
%
    
7.000
%
    
6.50
%
Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                        
Company
    
963,147
      
12.56
%
    
6.00
%
    
8.500
%
    
8.00
%
NBT Bank
    
894,407
      
11.76
%
    
6.00
%
    
8.500
%
    
8.00
%
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                        
Company
    
1,037,041
      
13.52
%
    
8.00
%
    
10.500
%
    
10.00
%
NBT Bank
    
968,301
      
12.73
%
    
8.00
%
    
10.500
%
    
10.00
%
                                         
As of December 31, 2018
                                        
Tier I Capital (to average assets)
                                        
Company
  
$
880,448
      
9.52
%
    
4.00
%
            
5.00
%
NBT Bank
    
825,863
      
8.98
%
    
4.00
%
            
5.00
%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital
                                        
Company
    
783,448
      
10.49
%
    
4.50
%
    
6.375
%
    
6.50
%
NBT Bank
    
825,863
      
11.14
%
    
4.50
%
    
6.375
%
    
6.50
%
Tier I Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                        
Company
    
880,448
      
11.79
%
    
6.00
%
    
7.875
%
    
8.00
%
NBT Bank
    
825,863
      
11.14
%
    
6.00
%
    
7.875
%
    
8.00
%
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                        
Company
    
954,232
      
12.78
%
    
8.00
%
    
9.875
%
    
10.00
%
NBT Bank
    
899,647
      
12.14
%
    
8.00
%
    
9.875
%
    
10.00
%

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17.         Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the years presented in the consolidated statements of income:


 
Years ended December 31,
  
   
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
(In thousands except per share data)
  
Net
Income
    
Weighted
Average
Shares
    
Per Share
Amount
    
Net
Income
    
Weighted
Average
Shares
    
Per Share
Amount
    
Net
Income
    
Weighted
Average
Shares
    
Per Share
Amount
  
Basic EPS
  
$
121,021
      
43,815
    
$
2.76
    
$
112,566
      
43,701
    
$
2.58
    
$
82,151
      
43,575
    
$
1.89
  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                                                        
Stock-based compensation
            
309
                      
319
                      
330
          
Diluted EPS
  
$
121,021
      
44,124
    
$
2.74
    
$
112,566
      
44,020
    
$
2.56
    
$
82,151
      
43,905
    
$
1.87
  

There was a nominal number of weighted average stock options outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, that were not considered in the calculation of diluted EPS since the stock options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price during these periods.


18.          Reclassification Adjustments Out of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the reclassification adjustments out of AOCI:

Detail About AOCI Components
  
Amount Reclassified From AOCI
  
 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands)
  
Years ended December 31,
    
 
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
AFS securities:
                       
Losses (gains) on AFS securities
  
$
79
    
$
6,622
    
$
(1,869
)
Net securities (gains) losses
Amortization of unrealized gains related to securities transfer
    
737
      
688
      
875
  
Interest income
Impairment write-down of an equity security
    
-
      
-
      
1,312
  
Other noninterest income
Tax effect
  
$
(204
)
  
$
(1,827
)
  
$
(120
)
Income tax (benefit)
Net of tax
  
$
612
    
$
5,483
    
$
198
    
                               
Cash flow hedges:
                             
Net unrealized (gains) on cash flow hedges reclassified to interest expense
  
$
(2,012
)
  
$
(2,300
)
  
$
(292
)
Interest expense
Tax effect
  
$
503
    
$
575
    
$
113
  
Income tax expense
Net of tax
  
$
(1,509
)
  
$
(1,725
)
  
$
(179
)
  
                               
Pension and other benefits:
                             
Amortization of net losses
  
$
2,593
    
$
1,054
    
$
1,755
  
Other noninterest expense
Amortization of prior service costs
    
93
      
91
      
97
  
Other noninterest expense
Tax effect
  
$
(672
)
  
$
(286
)
  
$
(740
)
Income tax (benefit)
Net of tax
  
$
2,014
    
$
859
    
$
1,112
    
                               
Total reclassifications, net of tax
  
$
1,117
    
$
4,617
    
$
1,131
    


19.          Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

The Company’s concentrations of credit risk are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets. The concentrations of credit risk with standby letters of credit, unused lines of credit, commitments to originate new loans and loans sold with recourse generally follow the loan classifications.

At December 31, 2019, approximately 60% of the Company’s loans were secured by real estate located in central and upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Hampshire, western Massachusetts, Vermont and southern coastal Maine. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Company’s portfolio is susceptible to changes in market conditions of those areas. Management is not aware of any material concentrations of credit to any industry or individual borrowers.
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The Company is a party to certain financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, standby letters of credit and certain agricultural real estate loans sold to investors with recourse, with the sold portion having a government guarantee that is assignable back to the Company upon repurchase of the loan in the event of default. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, standby letters of credit and loans sold with recourse is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The credit risk associated with commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved with extending loans to customers and is subject to normal credit policies. Collateral may be obtained based on management’s assessment of the customer’s creditworthiness. 


 
At December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Unused lines of credit
  
$
340,703
    
$
313,987
  
Commitments to extend credits, primarily variable rate
    
1,579,414
      
1,420,795
  
Standby letters of credit
    
34,479
      
41,194
  
Loans sold with recourse
    
25,639
      
27,223
  

Since many loan commitments, standby letters of credit and guarantees and indemnification contracts expire without being funded in whole or in part, the contract amounts are not necessarily indicative of future cash flows. The Company does not issue any guarantees that would require liability-recognition or disclosure, other than its standby letters of credit.

The Company guarantees the obligations or performance of customers by issuing standby letters of credit to third parties. These standby letters of credit are frequently issued in support of third party debt, such as corporate debt issuances, industrial revenue bonds and municipal securities. The risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers and letters of credit are subject to the same credit origination, portfolio maintenance and management procedures in effect to monitor other credit and off-balance sheet products. Typically, these instruments have one year expirations with an option to renew upon annual review; therefore, the total amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The fair value of the Company’s standby letters of credit at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was not significant.

In the normal course of business there are various outstanding legal proceedings. If legal costs are deemed material by management, the Company accrues for the estimated loss from a loss contingency if the information available indicates that it is probable that a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

The Company is required to maintain reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank. The required average total reserve for NBT Bank for the 14-day maintenance period ending December 18, 2019 was $37.3 million.


20.          Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its assets and liabilities and through the use of derivative instruments. Specifically, the Company enters 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 certain fixed rate borrowings. The Company also has interest rate derivatives that result from a service provided to certain qualifying customers and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities. The Company manages a matched book with respect to its derivative instruments in order to minimize its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company enters into interest rate swaps to facilitate customer transactions and meet their financing needs. These swaps are considered derivatives, but are not designated in hedging relationships. These instruments have interest rate and credit risk associated with them. To mitigate the interest rate risk, the Company enters into offsetting interest rate swaps with counterparties. The counterparty swaps are also considered derivatives and are also not designated in hedging relationships. Interest rate swaps are recorded within other assets or other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at their estimated fair value. Changes to the fair value of assets and liabilities arising from these derivatives are included, net, in other operating income in the consolidated statement of income.
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As of December 31, 2019 the Company had fifteen risk participation agreements with financial institution counterparties for interest rate swaps related to participated loans. The fair values included in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet applicable to these agreements amount to $112 thousand and $82 thousand, respectively as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2018 the Company had nine risk participation agreements with financial institution counterparties for interest rate swaps related to participated loans. The fair values included in other assets and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet applicable to these agreements amount to $36 thousand and $17 thousand, respectively. Risk participation agreements provides credit protection to the financial institution that originated the swap transaction should the borrower fail to perform on its obligation. The Company enters into both risk participation agreements in which it purchases credit protection from other financial institutions and those in which it provides credit protection to other financial institutions.

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company has entered into interest rate swaps to modify the interest rate characteristics of certain short-term FHLB advances from variable rate to fixed rate in order to reduce the impact of changes in future cash flows due to market interest rate changes. These agreements are designated as cash flow hedges.

The following table depicts the fair value adjustment recorded related to the notional amount of derivatives outstanding as well as the notional amount of risk participation agreements:


 
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
            
Fair value adjustment included in other assets and other liabilities
            
Interest rate derivatives
  
$
41,650
    
$
17,572
  
Notional amount:
                
Interest rate derivatives
    
963,209
      
653,369
  
Risk participation agreements
    
97,614
      
70,785
  
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
                
Fair value adjustment included in other assets
                
Interest rate derivatives
    
4
      
2,428
  
Fair value adjustment included in other liabilities
                
Interest rate derivatives
    
45
      
-
  
Notional amount:
                
Interest rate derivatives
    
50,000
      
225,000
  

For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in AOCI and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period during which the hedge transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company's short-term rate borrowings. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $39 thousand will be reclassified from AOCI as a reduction to interest expense.

The following table indicates the effect of cash flow hedge accounting on AOCI and on the consolidated statement of income:


 
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
                  
Interest rate derivatives - included component
                  
Amount of (loss) or gain recognized in OCI
  
$
(459
)
  
$
1,218
    
$
901
  
Amount of gain reclassified from AOCI into interest expense
    
(2,012
)
    
(2,300
)
    
(292
)

The following table indicates the gain or loss recognized in income on derivatives not designating as a hedging relationship:


 
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
                  
Decrease (increase) in other income
  
$
295
    
$
(120
)
  
$
101
  

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21.          Fair Values of Financial Instruments

GAAP states that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. A fair value hierarchy exists within GAAP that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include most U.S. government and agency securities, many other sovereign government obligations, liquid mortgage products, active listed equities and most money market securities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company does not adjust the quoted prices for such instruments.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include most investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, less liquid mortgage products, less liquid agency securities, less liquid listed equities, state, municipal and provincial obligations and certain physical commodities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Certain common equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs (exchange quoted prices). Other investment securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. The prices for Level 2 instruments are obtained through an independent pricing service or dealer market participants with whom the Company has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities. Prices obtained from these sources include prices derived from market quotations and matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Management reviews the methodologies used in pricing the securities by its third party providers.

Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions. Valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate will be used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments. Subsequent to inception, management only changes Level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company made no transfers of assets between the levels of the fair value hierarchy. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company made no transfers of assets from Level 1 to Level 2 and made a $4.0 million transfer from Level 2 to Level 1.
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The following tables sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis that were accounted for at fair value. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement: 

(In thousands)
  
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
December 31,
2019
  
Assets:
                        
AFS securities:
                        
Federal agency
  
$
-
    
$
34,758
    
$
-
    
$
34,758
  
State & municipal
    
-
      
2,513
      
-
      
2,513
  
Mortgage-backed
    
-
      
503,626
      
-
      
503,626
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    
-
      
434,443
      
-
      
434,443
  
Total AFS securities
  
$
-
    
$
975,340
    
$
-
    
$
975,340
  
Equity securities
    
23,771
      
4,000
      
-
      
27,771
  
Derivatives
    
-
      
41,766
      
-
      
41,766
  
Total
  
$
23,771
    
$
1,021,106
    
$
-
    
$
1,044,877
  
                                 
Liabilities:
                                
Derivatives
  
$
-
    
$
41,777
    
$
-
    
$
41,777
  
Total
  
$
-
    
$
41,777
    
$
-
    
$
41,777
  

(In thousands)
  
Level 1
    
Level 2
    
Level 3
    
December 31,
2018
  
Assets:
                        
AFS securities:
                        
Federal agency
  
$
-
    
$
84,299
    
$
-
    
$
84,299
  
State & municipal
    
-
      
29,915
      
-
      
29,915
  
Mortgage-backed
    
-
      
512,295
      
-
      
512,295
  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    
-
      
371,987
      
-
      
371,987
  
Total AFS securities
  
$
-
    
$
998,496
    
$
-
    
$
998,496
  
Equity securities
    
19,053
      
4,000
      
-
      
23,053
  
Derivatives
    
-
      
20,000
      
-
      
20,000
  
Total
  
$
19,053
    
$
1,022,496
    
$
-
    
$
1,041,549
  
                                 
Liabilities:
                                
Derivatives
  
$
-
    
$
17,572
    
$
-
    
$
17,572
  
Total
  
$
-
    
$
17,572
    
$
-
    
$
17,572
  

GAAP requires disclosure of assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis such as goodwill, loans held for sale, OREO, collateral-dependent impaired loans, mortgage servicing rights and HTM securities. The only non-recurring fair value measurements recorded during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were related to impaired loans and  write-downs of OREO. The Company uses the fair value of underlying collateral, less costs to sell, to estimate the specific reserves for collateral dependent impaired loans. The appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses ranging from 10% to 35%. Based on the valuation techniques used, the fair value measurements for collateral dependent impaired loans are classified as Level 3.

As of December 31, 2019 the company had no collateral dependent impaired loans. As of December 31, 2018 the Company had collateral dependent impaired loans with a carrying value of $0.2 million, which had specific reserves included in the allowance for loan losses of $25 thousand.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a $1.0 million write-down of a branch location to fair value of $0.2 million due to a pending disposition of the location.
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The following table sets forth information with regard to estimated fair values of financial instruments. This table excludes financial instruments for which the carrying amount approximates fair value. Financial instruments for which the fair value approximates carrying value include cash and cash equivalents, AFS securities, equity securities, accrued interest receivable, non-maturity deposits, short-term borrowings, accrued interest payable and derivatives.


 
December 31, 2019
  
December 31, 2018
(In thousands)
Fair Value
Hierarchy
  
Carrying
Amount
  
Estimated Fair
Value
  
Carrying
Amount
  
Estimated Fair
Value
Financial assets:
                        
HTM securities
2
$
630,074
  
$
$641,262
  
$
783,599
  
$
778,675
Net loans
3
  
7,074,864
    
6,999,690
    
6,822,147
    
6,754,460
Financial liabilities:
                        
Time deposits
2
$
861,193
  
$
$858,085
  
$
930,678
  
$
920,534
Long-term debt
2
  
64,211
    
64,373
    
73,724
    
73,927
Junior subordinated debt
2
  
101,196
    
105,694
    
101,196
    
100,114

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 significant portion of the Company’s 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. For example, the Company has a substantial trust and investment management operation that contributes net fee income annually. The trust and investment management operation is not considered a financial instrument and its value has not been incorporated into the fair value estimates. Other significant assets and liabilities include the benefits resulting from the low-cost funding of deposit liabilities as compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market and premises and equipment. 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 estimate of fair value.

HTM Securities

The fair value of the Company’s HTM securities is primarily measured using information from a third party pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

Net Loans

The fair value of the Company’s loans was estimated in accordance with the exit price notion as defined by FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820"). Net loans include portfolio loans and loans held for sale. Loans were first segregated by type and then further segmented into fixed and variable rate and loan quality categories. Expected future cash flows were projected based on contractual cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments, which also includes credit risk, illiquidity risk and other market factors to calculate the exit price fair value in accordance with ASC 820.

Time Deposits

The fair value of time deposits was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments. The fair values of the Company’s time deposit liabilities do not take into consideration the value of the Company’s long-term relationships with depositors, which may have significant value.

Long-Term Debt

The fair value of long-term debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments.

Junior Subordinated Debt

The fair value of junior subordinated debt has been estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis.

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22.          Parent Company Financial Information

Condensed Balance Sheets


 
December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
  
Assets
            
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
9,387
    
$
5,876
  
Equity securities, at estimated fair value
    
22,441
      
18,221
  
Investment in subsidiaries, on equity basis
    
1,209,752
      
1,117,350
  
Other assets
    
30,855
      
34,237
  
Total assets
  
$
1,272,435
    
$
1,175,684
  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                
Total liabilities
  
$
152,038
    
$
157,775
  
Stockholders’ equity
    
1,120,397
      
1,017,909
  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  
$
1,272,435
    
$
1,175,684
  

Condensed Statements of Income


 
Years ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Dividends from subsidiaries
  
$
50,200
    
$
43,000
    
$
38,300
  
Management fee from subsidiaries
    
7,981
      
7,907
      
99,319
  
Net securities gains
    
165
      
399
      
2,237
  
Interest, dividends and other income
    
876
      
905
      
928
  
Total revenue
  
$
59,222
    
$
52,211
    
$
140,784
  
Operating expenses
    
14,262
      
14,226
      
100,667
  
Income before income tax benefit and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
  
$
44,960
    
$
37,985
    
$
40,117
  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    
(1,588
)
    
(1,608
)
    
2,233
  
Dividends in excess of income (equity in undistributed income) of subsidiaries
    
74,473
      
72,973
      
44,267
  
Net income
  
$
121,021
    
$
112,566
    
$
82,151
  

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Condensed Statements of Cash Flow
 

  
Years ended December 31,
  
(In thousands)
  
2019
    
2018
    
2017
  
Operating activities
                  
Net income
  
$
121,021
    
$
112,566
    
$
82,151
  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
                        
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment
    
2,298
      
2,814
      
2,974
  
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation
    
(409
)
    
(543
)
    
(1,769
)
Stock-based compensation expense
    
4,210
      
3,936
      
3,644
  
Net securities gains
    
(165
)
    
(399
)
    
(2,238
)
Re-evaluation of deferred tax amounts from Tax Act
    
-
      
-
      
3,339
  
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
    
(124,673
)
    
(115,972
)
    
(82,567
)
Cash dividend from subsidiaries
    
50,200
      
43,000
      
38,300
  
Bank owned life insurance income
    
(398
)
    
(424
)
    
(328
)
Net change in other assets and other liabilities
    
(1,573
)
    
(6,124
)
    
(2,454
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
  
$
50,511
    
$
38,854
    
$
41,052
  
Investing activities
                        
Proceeds on sales of equity securities
  
$
-
    
$
3,318
    
$
-
  
Purchases of equity securities
    
(93
)
    
(2
)
    
-
  
Proceeds on sales and maturities of AFS securities
    
-
      
-
      
4,710
  
Purchases of AFS securities
    
-
      
-
      
(9
)
Proceeds from settlement of bank owned life insurance
    
-
      
-
      
308
  
Net purchases of premises and equipment
    
-
      
-
      
(2,264
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
  
$
(93
)
  
$
3,316
    
$
2,745
  
Financing activities
                        
Proceeds from the issuance of shares to employee and other stock plans
  
$
725
    
$
1,296
    
$
3,309
  
Cash paid by employer for tax-withholding on stock issuance
    
(1,622
)
    
(1,893
)
    
(3,582
)
Cash dividends
    
(46,010
)
    
(43,269
)
    
(40,104
)
Net cash (used in) financing activities
  
$
(46,907
)
  
$
(43,866
)
  
$
(40,377
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  
$
3,511
    
$
(1,696
)
  
$
3,420
  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    
5,876
      
7,572
      
4,152
  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  
$
9,387
    
$
5,876
    
$
7,572
  

A statement of changes in stockholders’ equity has not been presented since it is the same as the consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity previously presented.

23.          Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability. Additionally, when measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, optional payments should be included only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease, exercise a purchase option or not exercise an option to terminate the lease. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842. ASU 2018-01 was issued to address concerns about the cost and complexity of complying with the transition provisions of ASU 2016-02. Both ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-01 are effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Lessees and lessors are required to apply the provisions of ASU 2016-02 at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. At its November 29, 2017 meeting, the FASB proposed allowing entities the option of applying the provisions of ASU 2016-02 at the effective date without adjusting the comparative periods presented. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases. ASU 2018-10 was issued to provide more detailed guidance and additional clarification for implementing ASU 2016-02. Also in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements, which allows for an optional transition method in which the provisions of ASC Topic 842 would be applied upon the adoption date and would not have to be retroactively applied to the earliest reporting period presented in the consolidated financial statements.
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The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 as of January 1, 2019 and elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allows the carryforward of the historical lease classification, the practical expedient related to land easements and the hindsight practical expedient to determine the reasonably certain lease term for existing leases. The Company made an accounting policy election to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off of the balance sheet and recognize those lease payments in the consolidated statements of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 and related transition guidance resulted in the recognition of additional net lease assets and liabilities of approximately $34 million and $37 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2019. The standard did not materially affect our 2019 consolidated net earnings or regulatory capital ratios. Refer to Note 6, Premises, Equipment and Leases for more information.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20). ASU 2017-08 requires amortization of premiums to the earliest call date on debt securities with call features that are explicit, on contingent and callable at fixed prices on present dates. The ASU does not impact securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to the contractual maturity. The guidance is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. ASU 2017-08 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The adoption did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and no cumulative effect adjustment was required upon adoption.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap (“OIS”) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. The ASU 2018-16 amends existing guidance and permits the use of the OIS rate based on SOFR as a United States benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815 in addition to other allowable rates stated in the guidance. ASU 2018-16 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and should be applied prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after the date of adoption. The adoption did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Issued Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU removes specific exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 in GAAP. It eliminates the need for an organization to analyze whether the following apply in a given period: (1) exception to the incremental approach for intraperiod tax allocation; (2) exceptions to accounting for basis differences when there are ownership changes in foreign investments; and (3) exception in interim period income tax accounting for year-to-date losses that exceed anticipated losses. The ASU also improves financial statement preparers’ application of income tax-related guidance and simplifies GAAP for: (1) franchise taxes that are partially based on income; (2) transactions with a government that result in a step up in the tax basis of goodwill; (3) separate financial statements of legal entities that are not subject to tax; and (4) enacted changes in tax laws in interim periods. The amendments in this update become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair value Measurement. The provisions of ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in ASC 820. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. ASU 2018-13 is effective January 1, 2020 but may be early adopted in any interim period. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“CECL”). ASU 2016-13 introduces new guidance that make substantive changes to the accounting for credit losses. ASU 2016-13 introduces the CECL model, which applies to financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost, as well as certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. This includes loans, loan commitments, standby letters of credit, net investments in leases recognized by a lessor and HTM debt securities. The CECL model requires an entity to estimate credit losses expected over the life of an exposure, considering information about historical events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts and is generally expected to result in earlier recognition of credit losses. ASU 2016-13 also modifies certain provisions of the current OTTI model for AFS debt securities. Credit losses on AFS debt securities will be limited to the difference between the security's amortized cost basis and its fair value and will be recognized through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct reduction in amortized cost basis. ASU 2016-13 also provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with more than insignificant credit deterioration since their origination. ASU 2016-13 requires expanded disclosures including, but not limited to, (i) information about the methods and assumptions used to estimate expected credit losses, including changes in the factors that influenced management's estimate and the reasons for those changes, (ii) for financing receivables and net investment in leases measured at amortized cost, further disaggregation of information about the credit quality of those assets and (iii) a rollforward of the allowance for credit losses for HTM and AFS securities. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2020.
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In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which, among other things, clarifies that recoveries should be incorporated within the estimation of the allowance for credit losses. Expected recoveries should not exceed the aggregate amount of prior write offs and expected future write offs. The inclusion of expected recoveries in the measurement of expected credit losses may result in a negative credit allowance in certain circumstances. The effective date and transition requirements for ASU 2019-04 are consistent with the requirements for ASU 2016-13 and the Company incorporated these changes and revisions within its implementation efforts.

In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief. The Company did not elect to apply the fair value option to any asset class that are in scope for CECL.

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses” which clarifies that expected recoveries should be included in the amortized cost basis previously written off or expected to be written off in the valuation allowance for PCD assets. ASU 2019-11 also clarifies that recoveries or expected recoveries of the unamortized noncredit discount or premium should not be included in the allowance for credit losses. ASU 2019-11 provides specific transition relief for existing troubled debt restructurings and extends the disclosure relief of ASU 2019-04 for accrued interest receivable balances to additional relevant disclosures involving amortized cost basis. Related to the assessment of credit risk for collateralized assets, ASU 2019-11 indicates that an entity should assess whether it reasonably expects the borrower will be able to continually replenish collateral securing the financial asset to apply the practical expedient of ASU 2016-13 while also requiring an estimation of expected credit losses for any differences between the amount of the amortized cost basis that is greater than the fair value of the collateral securing the financial asset. ASU 2019-11 provides specific transition relief for existing troubled debt restructurings and extends the disclosure relief of ASU 2019-04 for accrued interest receivable balances to additional relevant disclosures involving amortized cost basis. The effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2019-11 are consistent with the requirements of ASU 2016-13 and the Company incorporated these changes and revisions within its implementation efforts.

The Company has approved an accounting policy for credit losses in compliance with CECL and established a CECL governance and approval process. The Company has selected a life of loan discounted probability of default, loss given default econometric model, adjusted for prepayments, for the majority of its portfolio segments. The Company will utilize a multiple economic forecast over a six quarter reasonable and supportable forecast period followed by a four quarter straight line reversion to historical losses.

The Company expects to incur a $1.0 million to $8.0 million after-tax reduction to stockholders’ equity balance, upon the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020, inclusive of the estimate for off-balance sheet exposures. Longer lived loans such as Residential Real Estate loans experience increases in the allowance for credit losses compared to the incurred loss model while shorter lived loans such as Indirect Auto and C&I loans generally experience little change in the allowance for credit losses from the incurred loss model. The Company has established a control framework and is finalizing testing of controls related to the adoption of CECL. The Company is also completing its final review of the most recent model run including evaluation of model back-testing and sensitivity analysis results, and finalizing certain assumptions primarily related to qualitative adjustments and probable troubled debt restructurings. In addition, the Company is completing the analysis of the results from the third party model validation. The Company does not expect to incur a material adjustment to the stockholders’ equity balance as of January 1, 2020 for the adoption of CECL related to HTM securities. Additionally, the Company has also evaluated the composition of its AFS securities and determined that the changes in ASU 2016-13 will not have a significant effect on the current portfolio.

Management expects that the CECL model may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for loan losses from quarter to quarter as changes in the level of allowance for loan losses will be dependent upon, among other things, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, loan portfolio volumes and credit quality.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20), provides changes to the disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans. The amended guidance modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The amendments are a result of the disclosure framework project that focuses on improvements to the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements. The amendments remove and add certain disclosure requirements. The disclosure requirements being removed relating to public companies are (1) the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year, (2) the amount and timing of plan assets expected to be returned to the employer, (3) the 2001 disclosure requirement relating to Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law, (4) related party disclosures about the amount of future annual benefits covered by insurance, and (5) the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trends on the benefit cost and obligation. The disclosure requirements being added relating to public companies are (1) the weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans, and (2) an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. ASU 2018-14 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2021 and early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively and the Company does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on its disclosures to the consolidated financial statements.
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In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract. ASU 2018-15 amends existing guidance and requires a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize and which costs to expense. ASU 2018-15 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, and early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, an evaluation was carried out by the Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. No changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the last fiscal quarter that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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Management Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

The management of NBT Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

As of December 31, 2019, management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013),” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment, management determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 was effective at the reasonable assurance level based on those criteria.

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued a report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, is included in this Item under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” on the following page.
 
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
NBT Bancorp Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited NBT Bancorp Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, 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, 2019, 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, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated March 2, 2020 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 Report on Internal Controls 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

Albany, New York
March 2, 2020 

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of shareholders to be held on May 19, 2020 (the “Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the Company’s 2019 fiscal year end.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION   

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the Company’s 2019 fiscal year end.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table provides information with respect to shares of common stock that may be issued under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans:
 
Plan Category
A. Number of
securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
B. Weighted-
average exercise
price of
Outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
Number of securities
remaining available for
Future issuance under
Equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column A)
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
 
33,145
 
$
23.73
 
 
988,494
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
None
 
None
 
None

The other information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the Company’s 2019 fiscal year end.

ITEM  13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the Company’s 2019 fiscal year end.

ITEM  14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the Company’s 2019 fiscal year end.
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PART  IV
 
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1)  The following Consolidated Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8 hereof:
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(a)(2)  There are no financial statement schedules that are required to be filed as part of this form since they are not applicable or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements.
 
(a)(3)  See below for all exhibits filed herewith and the Exhibit Index.
 
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NBT Bancorp Inc. as amended through July 1, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Form 10-Q, filed on August 10, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference)
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of NBT Bancorp Inc. effective May 22, 2018 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on May 23, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3
Certificate of Designation of the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on November 18, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.1
Specimen common stock certificate for NBT’s Bancorp Inc. common stock (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed on December 27, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2
Description of Registrant's Securities
10.1
NBT Bancorp Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement, file number 333-71830, filed on October 18, 2001, and incorporated by reference herein).*
10.2
NBT Bancorp Inc. Non-employee Directors Restricted and Deferred Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed on March 2, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.3
Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Martin A. Dietrich as amended and restated January 20, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed on March 1, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.4
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2016, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Michael J. Chewens (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on December 20, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.5
Form of Amended and Restated NBT Bancorp Inc. Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2009, between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Mr. Chewens (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, filed on November 9, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).*

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10.6
Amendment to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement, dated March 10, 2015, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Michael J. Chewens (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on March 16, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.7
Split-Dollar Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank, National Association and Martin A. Dietrich made November 10, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008, filed on November 10, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.8
First Amendment dated November 5, 2009 to Split-Dollar Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank, National Association and Martin A. Dietrich made November 10, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, filed on November 9, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.9
Second Amendment dated July 28, 2014 to Split-Dollar Agreement between NBT Bancorp, Inc., NBT Bank, National Association, and Martin A. Dietrich made November 10, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on August 1, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.10
NBT Bancorp Inc. 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix A of Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A, filed on March 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.11
Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan for Named Executive Officers (filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed on February 29, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.12
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 19,  2016, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Timothy L. Brenner (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on December 20, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.13
Amended and Restated Supplemental Retirement Agreement and First Amendment to the Supplemental Retirement Agreement between Alliance Financial Corporation, Alliance Bank, N.A. and Jack H. Webb (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed on March 3, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.14
Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2016, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and John H. Watt, Jr. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on December 20, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.15
Split-Dollar Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc., NBT Bank, National Association and John H. Watt, Jr. dated May 9, 2017 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Form 10-Q, filed on May 10, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.16
Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement, dated December 19, 2016 by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and John H. Watt, Jr. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed on December 20, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.17
Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 2016, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Joseph R. Stagliano (Filed as Exhibit 10.19 to Registrant's Form 10-K, filed on March 1, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.18
Employment Agreement, dated December 19, 201”, by and between NBT Banc”rp Inc. and Catherine M. Scarlett*
10.19
Form of Amendment to Employment Agreements, dated September 27, 2017, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and John H. Watt, Jr., Timothy L. Brenner, Joseph R. Stagliano and Catherine M. Scarlett, respectively (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on September 29, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).*

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10.20
NBT Bancorp Inc. 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix A of Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A, filed on April 6, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.21
Transition and Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Michael J. Chewens dated May 2, 2019 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Form 10-Q, filed on August 8, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.22
First Amendment to Transition and Retirement Agreement between NBT Bancorp Inc. and Michael J. Chewens dated November 5, 2019*
10.23
Employment Agreement, dated December 16, 2019, by and between NBT Bancorp Inc. and John V. Moran (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Form 8-K, filed on December 20, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).*
21
A list of the subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23
Consent of KPMG LLP.
31.1
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial  Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of  2002.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

(b)
Exhibits to this Form 10-K are attached or incorporated herein by reference as noted above.

(c)
Not applicable.
 
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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, NBT Bancorp Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

NBT BANCORP INC. (Registrant)
March 2, 2020
 
/s/ John H. Watt, Jr.
John H. Watt, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 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.
 
/s/ Martin A. Dietrich
Martin A. Dietrich
Chairman and Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ John H. Watt, Jr.
John H. Watt, Jr.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ John V. Moran
John V. Moran
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ Annette L. Burns
Annette L. Burns
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: March 2, 2020

 /s/ Patricia T. Civil
Patricia T. Civil, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ Timothy E. Delaney
Timothy E. Delaney, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ James H. Douglas
James H. Douglas, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ Andrew S. Kowalczyk III
Andrew S. Kowalczyk III, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ John C. Mitchell
John C. Mitchell, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ V. Daniel Robinson II
V. Daniel Robinson II, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ Matthew J. Salanger
Matthew J. Salanger, Director
Date: March 2, 2020
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Table of Contents

/s/ Joseph A. Santangelo
Joseph A. Santangelo, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ Lowell A. Seifter
Lowell A. Seifter, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ Robert A. Wadsworth
Robert A. Wadsworth, Director
Date: March 2, 2020

/s/ Jack H. Webb
Jack H. Webb, Director
Date: March 2, 2020



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