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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

	☑	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
		For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

 

☐

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number 001-31830

 

Cathay General Bancorp

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		95-4274680
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California (Address of principal executive offices)		90012 (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

 

(213) 625-4700

 

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

 

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (expiring December 5, 2018)	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 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 ☐

 

 

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).           Yes ☑          No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ☑	Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐	Smaller reporting company☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2015) was $2,403,753,285. This value is estimated solely for the purposes of this cover page. The market value of shares held by registrant’s directors, executive officers, and Employee Stock Ownership Plan have been excluded because they may be considered to be affiliates of the registrant.

 

As of February 16, 2016, there were 79,595,563 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

•

Portions of Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to Registrant’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which will be filed within 120 days of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 

 CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP

 

2015 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I		3
Item 1.	Business.	3
Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	21
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments.	33
Item 2.	Properties.	33
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings.	34
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	34
Executive Officers of the Registrant.		35
PART II		35
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.	35
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data.	38
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	40
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.	73
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.	77
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.	77
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures.	77
Item 9B.	Other Information.	80
PART III		80
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.	80
Item 11.	Executive Compensation.	80
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.	80
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.	81
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services.	81
PART IV		81
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.	81
SIGNATURES		85

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the term “Bancorp” refers to Cathay General Bancorp and the term “Bank” refers to Cathay Bank. The terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Bancorp and the Bank collectively. The statements in this report include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding management’s beliefs, projections, and assumptions concerning future results and events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provision for forward-looking statements in these provisions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including statements about anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, growth opportunities and growth rates, growth plans, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, business prospects, strategic alternatives, business strategies, financial expectations, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, financing needs and availability, and other similar forecasts and statements of expectation and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “can,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “hopes,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “shall,” “should,” “will,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “possible,” “optimistic,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements by us are based on estimates, beliefs, projections, and assumptions of management and are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Such risks and uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, adverse developments or conditions related to or arising from:

 

●

U.S. and international business and economic conditions;

 

●

possible additional provisions for loan losses and charge-offs;

 

●

credit risks of lending activities and deterioration in asset or credit quality;

 

●

extensive laws and regulations and supervision that we are subject to, including potential supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities;

 

●

increased costs of compliance and other risks associated with changes in regulation, including the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”);

 

●

higher capital requirements from the implementation of the Basel III capital standards;

 

●

compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other money laundering statutes and regulations;

 

●

potential goodwill impairment;

 

●

liquidity risk;

 

●

fluctuations in interest rates;

 

●

risks associated with acquisitions and the expansion of our business into new markets;

 

●

inflation and deflation;

 

●

real estate market conditions and the value of real estate collateral;

 

●

environmental liabilities;

 

●

our ability to compete with larger competitors;

 

●

our ability to retain key personnel;

 

●

successful management of reputational risk;

 

●

natural disasters and geopolitical events;

 

●

general economic or business conditions in Asia, and other regions where the Bank has operations;

 

●

failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our information systems;

 

●

our ability to adapt our systems to technological changes;

 

●

risk management processes and strategies;

 

●

adverse results in legal proceedings;

 

●

certain provisions in our charter and bylaws that may affect acquisition of the Company;

 

●

changes in accounting standards or tax laws and regulations;

 

 

●

market disruption and volatility;

 

●

restrictions on dividends and other distributions by laws and regulations and by our regulators and our capital structure;

 

●

issuance of preferred stock;

 

●

successfully raising additional capital, if needed, and the resulting dilution of interests of holders of our common stock; and

 

●

the soundness of other financial institutions.

 

These and other factors are further described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (at Item 1A in particular), the Company’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other filings the Company makes with the SEC from time to time. Actual results in any future period may also vary from the past results discussed in this report. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak to the date of this report. We have no intention and undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or to publicly announce any revision of any forward-looking statement to reflect future developments or events, except as required by law.

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1.       Business.

 

Business of Bancorp

 

Overview

 

Cathay General Bancorp is a corporation that was organized in 1990 under the laws of the State of Delaware. We are the holding company of Cathay Bank, a California state-chartered commercial bank (“Cathay Bank” or the “Bank”), seven limited partnerships investing in affordable housing investments in which the Bank is the sole limited partner, GBC Venture Capital, Inc, and Asia Realty Corp. We also own 100% of the common stock of five statutory business trusts created for the purpose of issuing capital securities. In the future, we may become an operating company or acquire savings institutions, other banks, or companies engaged in bank-related activities and may engage in such other activities or acquire such other businesses as may be permitted by applicable law. Our principal place of business is currently located at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012, and our telephone number at that location is (213) 625-4700. In addition, certain of our administrative offices are located in El Monte, California, and our address there is 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731. Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and our trading symbol is “CATY”.

 

We are regulated as a bank holding company by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”). Cathay Bank is regulated as a California commercial bank by the California Department of Business Oversight (“DBO”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).

 

Subsidiaries of Bancorp

 

In addition to its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, the Bancorp has the following subsidiaries:

 

Cathay Capital Trust I, Cathay Statutory Trust I, Cathay Capital Trust II, Cathay Capital Trust III and Cathay Capital Trust IV. The Bancorp established Cathay Capital Trust I in June 2003, Cathay Statutory Trust I in September 2003, Cathay Capital Trust II in December 2003, Cathay Capital Trust III in March 2007, and Cathay Capital Trust IV in May 2007 (collectively, the “Trusts”) as wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Trusts are statutory business trusts. The Trusts issued capital securities representing undivided preferred beneficial interests in the assets of the Trusts. The Trusts exist for the purpose of issuing the capital securities and investing the proceeds thereof, together with proceeds from the purchase of the common securities of the Trusts by the Bancorp, in a certain series of securities issued by us, with similar terms to the relevant series of securities issued by each of the Trusts, which we refer to as “Junior Subordinated Notes.” The Bancorp guarantees, on a limited basis, payments of distributions on the capital securities of the Trusts and payments on redemption of the capital securities of the Trusts. The Bancorp is the owner of all the beneficial interests represented by the common securities of the Trusts. The purpose of issuing the capital securities was to provide the Company with a cost-effective means of obtaining Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes. Because the Bancorp is not the primary beneficiary of the Trusts, the financial statements of the Trusts are not included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

GBC Venture Capital, Inc. The business purpose of GBC Venture Capital, Inc. is to hold equity interests (such as options or warrants) received as part of business relationships and to make equity investments in companies and limited partnerships subject to applicable regulatory restrictions.

 

Asia Realty Corp. Asia Realty Corp. was incorporated in January 2013 for the purpose of holding other real estate owned and became a subsidiary of the Bancorp as a result of the acquisition of Asia Bancshares. Asia Realty Corp. owned one foreclosed property with a carrying value of $3.0 million at December 31, 2015

 

 

Competition

 

Our primary business is to act as the holding company for the Bank. Accordingly, we face the same competitive pressures as those expected by the Bank. For a discussion of those risks, see “Business of the Bank — Competition” below under this Item 1.

 

Employees

 

Due to the limited nature of the Bancorp’s activities as a bank holding company, the Bancorp currently does not employ any persons other than the Bancorp’s management, which includes the Chief Executive Officer and President, the Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice Presidents, the Secretary and General Counsel, and the Assistant Secretary. See also “Business of the Bank — Employees” below under this Item 1.

 

 

Business of the Bank

 

General

 

Cathay Bank was incorporated under the laws of the State of California on August 22, 1961, is licensed by the California Department of Business Oversight (“DBO”) (previously known as the California Department of Financial Institutions or California State Banking Department), and commenced operations as a California state-chartered bank on April 19, 1962. Cathay Bank is an insured bank under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act by the FDIC, but it is not a member of the Federal Reserve.

 

The Bank’s head office is located in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles, at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012. In addition, as of December 31, 2015, the Bank had branch offices in Southern California (21 branches), Northern California (12 branches), New York (12 branches), Illinois (three branches), Washington (three branches), Texas (two branches), Maryland (one branch), Massachusetts (one branch), Nevada (one branch), New Jersey (one branch), and Hong Kong (one branch) and a representative office in Shanghai and in Taipei. Deposit accounts at the Hong Kong branch are not insured by the FDIC. Each branch has loan approval rights subject to the branch manager’s authorized lending limits. Current activities of the Shanghai and Taipei representative offices are limited to coordinating the transportation of documents to the Bank’s head office and performing liaison services.

 

Our primary market area is defined by the Community Reinvestment Act (the “CRA”) delineation, which includes the contiguous areas surrounding each of the Bank’s branch offices. It is the Bank’s policy to reach out and actively offer services to low and moderate income groups in the delineated branch service areas. Many of the Bank’s employees speak both English and one or more Chinese dialects or Vietnamese, and are thus able to serve the Bank’s Chinese, Vietnamese, and English speaking customers.

 

As a commercial bank, the Bank accepts checking, savings, and time deposits, and makes commercial, real estate, personal, home improvement, automobile, and other installment and term loans. From time to time, the Bank invests available funds in other interest-earning assets, such as U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, and other security investments. The Bank also provides letters of credit, wire transfers, forward currency spot and forward contracts, traveler’s checks, safe deposit, night deposit, Social Security payment deposit, collection, bank-by-mail, drive-up and walk-up windows, automatic teller machines (“ATM”), Internet banking services, and other customary bank services.

 

The Bank primarily services individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located and provides commercial mortgage loans, commercial loans, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans, residential mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, home equity lines of credit, and installment loans to individuals for automobile, household, and other consumer expenditures.

 

 

Through Cathay Wealth Management business unit, the Bank provides its customers the ability to trade securities online and to purchase mutual funds, annuities, equities, bonds, and short-term money market instruments. All securities and insurance products provided by Cathay Wealth Management are offered by, and all Financial Consultants are registered with, Cetera Financial Services, a registered securities broker/dealer and licensed insurance agency and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and Security Investor Protection Corporation. Cetera Financial Services and Cathay Bank are independent entities. These products are not insured by the FDIC.

 

Securities

 

The Bank’s securities portfolio is managed in accordance with a written Investment Policy which addresses strategies, types, and levels of allowable investments, and which is reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors on an annual basis.

 

Our investment portfolio is managed to meet our liquidity needs through proceeds from scheduled maturities and is also utilized for pledging requirements for deposits of state and local subdivisions, securities sold under repurchase agreements, and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances. The portfolio is comprised of U.S. government securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate debt instruments, and mutual funds.

 

Information concerning the carrying value, maturity distribution, and yield analysis of the Company’s securities portfolio as well as a summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the Bank’s securities by contractual maturity is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Loans

 

The Bank’s Board of Directors and senior management establish, review, and modify the Bank’s lending policies. These policies include (as applicable) an evaluation of a potential borrower’s financial condition, ability to repay the loan, character, secondary repayment sources (such as guaranties), quality and availability of collateral, capital, leverage capacity and regulatory guidelines, market conditions for the borrower’s business or project, and prevailing economic trends and conditions. Loan originations are obtained through a variety of sources, including existing customers, walk-in customers, referrals from brokers or existing customers, and advertising. While loan applications are accepted at all branches, the Bank’s centralized document department supervises the application process including documentation of loans, review of appraisals, and credit reports.

 

Commercial Mortgage Loans. Commercial mortgage loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust on commercial properties. Our commercial mortgage portfolio includes primarily commercial retail properties, shopping centers, and owner-occupied industrial facilities, and, secondarily, office buildings, multiple-unit apartments, hotels, and multi-tenanted industrial properties.

 

The Bank also makes medium-term commercial mortgage loans which are generally secured by commercial or industrial buildings where the borrower uses the property for business purposes or derives income from tenants.

 

Commercial Loans. The Bank provides financial services to diverse commercial and professional businesses in its market areas. Commercial loans consist primarily of short-term loans (normally with a maturity of up to one year) to support general business purposes, or to provide working capital to businesses in the form of lines of credit to finance trade. The Bank continues to focus primarily on commercial lending to small-to-medium size businesses within the Bank’s geographic market areas. The Bank participates or syndicates loans, typically more than $25 million in principal amount, with other financial institutions to limit its credit exposure. Commercial loan pricing is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal, or the Bank’s reference rate.

 

 

SBA Loans. The Bank originates U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans under the national “preferred lender” status. Preferred lender status is granted to a lender that has made a certain number of SBA loans and which, in the opinion of the SBA, has staff qualified and experienced in small business loans. As a preferred lender, the Bank’s SBA Lending Group has the authority to issue, on behalf of the SBA, the SBA guaranty on loans under the 7(a) program which may result in shortening the time it takes to process a loan. In addition, under this program, the SBA delegates loan underwriting, closing, and most servicing and liquidation authority and responsibility to selected lenders.

 

The Bank utilizes both the 504 program, which is focused on long-term financing of buildings and other long-term fixed assets, and the 7(a) program, which is the SBA’s primary loan program and which can be used for financing of a variety of general business purposes such as acquisition of land, buildings, equipment and inventory and working capital needs of eligible businesses generally over a 5- to 25-year term. The collateral position in the SBA loans is enhanced by the SBA guaranty in the case of 7(a) loans, and by lower loan-to-value ratios under the 504 program. The Bank has sold, and may in the future sell, the guaranteed portion of certain of its SBA 7(a) loans in the secondary market. SBA loan pricing is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal.

 

Residential Mortgage Loans. The Bank originates single-family-residential mortgage loans. The single-family-residential mortgage loans are comprised of conforming, nonconforming, and jumbo residential mortgage loans, and are secured by first or subordinate liens on single (one-to-four) family residential properties. The Bank’s products include a fixed-rate residential mortgage loan and an adjustable-rate residential mortgage loan. Mortgage loans are underwritten in accordance with the Bank’s and regulatory guidelines, on the basis of the borrower’s financial capabilities, an independent appraisal of the value of the property, historical loan quality, and other factors deemed relevant by the Bank’s underwriting personnel. It is the current practice of the Bank to sell all conforming fixed rate residential first mortgages that meet Government Sponsored Agency guidelines to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation on a cash basis as they are originated. The Bank retains all other mortgage loans it originates in its portfolio. As such, the Bank was not impacted by the rule pertaining to risk retention implementing the risk retention requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), since the Bank does not securitize any of the loans it sells or retains.

 

Real Estate Construction Loans. The Bank’s real estate construction loan activity focuses on providing short-term loans to individuals and developers, primarily for the construction of multi-unit projects. Residential real estate construction loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust and guarantees of the borrower. The economic viability of the projects, borrower’s credit worthiness, and borrower’s and contractor’s experience are primary considerations in the loan underwriting decision. The Bank utilizes approved independent licensed appraisers and monitors projects during the construction phase through construction inspections and a disbursement program tied to the percentage of completion of each project. The Bank also occasionally makes unimproved property loans to borrowers who intend to construct a single-family residence on their lots generally within twelve months. In addition, the Bank makes commercial real estate construction loans to high net worth clients with adequate liquidity for construction of office and warehouse properties. Such loans are typically secured by first deeds of trust and are guaranteed by the borrower.

 

Home Equity Lines of Credit. The Bank offers variable-rate home equity lines of credit that are secured by the borrower’s home. The pricing on the variable-rate home equity line of credit is generally at a rate tied to the prime rate, as quoted in The Wall Street Journal, or the Bank’s reference rate. Borrowers may use this line of credit for home improvement financing, debt consolidation and other personal uses.

 

Installment Loans. Installment loans tend to be fixed rate and longer-term (one-to-six year maturities). These loans are funded primarily for the purpose of financing the purchase of automobiles and other personal uses of the borrower.

 

Distribution and Maturity of Loans. Information concerning types, distribution, and maturity of loans is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Asset Quality

 

The Bank’s lending and credit policies require management to regularly review the Bank’s loan portfolio so that the Bank can monitor the quality of its assets. If during the ordinary course of business, management becomes aware that a borrower may not be able to meet the contractual payment obligations under a loan, then that loan is supervised more closely with consideration given to placing the loan on non-accrual status, the need for an additional allowance for loan losses, and (if appropriate) partial or full charge-off.

 

Under the Bank’s current policy, a loan will generally be placed on a non-accrual status if interest or principal is past due 90 days or more, or in cases where management deems the full collection of principal and interest unlikely. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income, and subsequent payments received are generally first applied towards the outstanding principal balance of the loan. Depending on the circumstances, management may elect to continue the accrual of interest on certain past due loans if partial payment is received or the loan is well-collateralized, and in the process of collection. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. A non-accrual loan may also be returned to accrual status if all principal and interest contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period and there has been a sustained period of payment performance, generally six months.

 

Information concerning non-performing loans, restructured loans, allowance for credit losses, loans charged-off, loan recoveries, and other real estate owned is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 5 and Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Deposits

 

The Bank offers a variety of deposit products in order to meet its customers’ needs. As of December 31, 2015, the Bank offered passbook accounts, checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, college certificates of deposit, and public funds deposits. These products are priced in order to promote growth of deposits.

 

The Bank’s deposits are generally obtained from residents within its geographic market area. The Bank utilizes traditional marketing methods to attract new customers and deposits, by offering a wide variety of products and services and utilizing various forms of advertising media. From time to time, the Bank may offer special deposit promotions. Information concerning types of deposit accounts, average deposits and rates, and maturity of time deposits is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Borrowings

 

Borrowings from time to time include securities sold under agreements to repurchase, the purchase of federal funds, funds obtained as advances from the FHLB, borrowing from other financial institutions, and the issuance of Junior Subordinated Notes. Information concerning the types, amounts, and maturity of borrowings is included in in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Note 10 and Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Return on Equity and Assets

 

Information concerning the return on average assets, return on average stockholders’ equity, the average equity to assets ratio and the dividend payout ratio is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

Interest Rates and Differentials

 

Information concerning the interest-earning asset mix, average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, and the yields on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

 

An analysis of changes in net interest income due to changes in rate and volume is included in Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

Commitments and Letters of Credit

 

Information concerning the Bank’s outstanding loan commitments and letters of credit is included in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Expansion

 

We have engaged in expansion through acquisitions and may consider acquisitions in the future in order to compete for new deposits and loans, and to be able to serve our customers more effectively.

 

On July 31, 2015 the Company completed the acquisition of New York-based Asia Bancshares, Inc., parent of Asia Bank. Asia Bank operated three branch locations in New York City and one branch location in the state of Maryland. The acquisition allowed the Company to expand its number of branches in New York City and to enter the state of Maryland. The purchase consideration consisted of fifty-five percent in Bancorp stock and forty-five percent in cash. The fair value of the consideration was $139.9 million, which consisted of 2,580,359 shares of Bancorp common stock valued at $82.9 million at the date of acquisition and $57.0 million in cash.

 

Subsidiaries of Cathay Bank

 

Cathay Community Development Corporation (“CCDC”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank and was incorporated in September 2006. The primary mission of CCDC is to help in the development of low-income neighborhoods in the Bank’s California and New York service areas by providing or facilitating the availability of capital to businesses and real estate developers working to renovate these neighborhoods. In October 2006, CCDC formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Cathay New Asia Community Development Corporation (“CNACDC”), for the purpose of assuming New Asia Bank’s pre-existing New Markets Tax Credit activities in the greater Chicago area by providing or facilitating the availability of capital to businesses and real estate developers working to renovate these neighborhoods.

 

Cathay Holdings LLC (“CHLLC”) was incorporated in December 2007, Cathay Holdings 2 LLC (“CHLLC2”) was incorporated in January 2008, and Cathay Holdings 3 LLC (“CHLLC3”) was incorporated in December 2008. They are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Bank. The purpose of these subsidiaries is to hold other real estate owned in the state of Texas that was transferred from the Bank. As of December 31, 2015, CHLLC owned a property with a carrying value of $526,000. CHLLC2 and CHLLC3 did not own property at December 31, 2015.

 

Competition

 

We face substantial competition for deposits, loans and other banking services, as well as acquisitions, throughout our market area from the major banks and financial institutions that dominate the commercial banking industry. We also compete for loans and deposits, as well as other banking services, such as payment services, with savings and loan associations, savings banks, brokerage houses, insurance companies, mortgage companies, credit unions, credit card companies and other financial and non-financial institutions and entities.

 

 

In California, one larger Chinese-American bank competes for loans and deposits with the Bank and at least two super-regional banks compete with the Bank for deposits. In addition, there are many other Chinese-American banks in both Southern and Northern California. Banks from the Pacific Rim countries, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China also continue to open branches in the Los Angeles area, thus increasing competition in the Bank’s primary markets. See discussion below in Part I — Item 1A — “Risk Factors.”

 

To compete with other financial institutions in its primary service areas, the Bank relies principally upon local promotional activities, personal contacts by its officers, directors, employees, and stockholders, extended hours on weekdays, Saturday banking in certain locations, Internet banking, an Internet website (www.cathaybank.com), and certain other specialized services. The content of our website is not incorporated into and is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

If a proposed loan exceeds the Bank’s internal lending limits, the Bank has, in the past, and may in the future, arrange the loan on a participation or syndication basis with correspondent banks. The Bank also assists customers requiring other services not offered by the Bank to obtain these services from its correspondent banks.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Bank and its subsidiaries employed approximately 1,122 persons, including 533 banking officers. None of the employees are represented by a union. We believe that our employer-employee relations are good.

 

 

Available Information

 

We invite you to visit our website at www.cathaygeneralbancorp.com, to access free of charge the Bancorp's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, all of which are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with or furnish it to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The content of our website is not incorporated into and is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, you can write to us to obtain a free copy of any of those reports at Cathay General Bancorp, 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731, Attn: Investor Relations. These reports are also available through the SEC’s Public Reference Room, located at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549 and online at the SEC’s website, located at www.sec.gov. Investors can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling 800-SEC-0330.

 

 

Regulation and Supervision

 

General

 

The Bancorp and the Bank are subject to significant regulation and restrictions by federal and state laws and regulatory agencies. This regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the deposit insurance fund, secondarily for the stability of the U.S. banking system, and not for the protection of stockholders. The following discussion of statutes and regulations is a summary and does not purport to be complete nor does it address all applicable statutes and regulations. This discussion is also qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text and to the implementation and enforcement of the statutes and regulations referred to in this discussion.

 

Additional initiatives may be proposed or introduced before Congress, the California Legislature, and other governmental bodies in the future. Such proposals, if enacted, may further alter the structure, regulation, and competitive relationship among financial institutions and may subject us to increased supervision and disclosure and reporting requirements. In addition, the various bank regulatory agencies often adopt new rules and regulations and policies to implement and enforce existing legislation. It cannot be predicted whether, or in what form, any such legislation or regulatory changes in policy may be enacted or the extent to which the business of the Bank would be affected thereby. In addition, the outcome of examinations, any litigation, or any investigations initiated by state or federal authorities may result in necessary changes in our operations and increased compliance costs.

 

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

 

The Dodd-Frank Act financial reform legislation significantly revised and expanded the rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority of the federal bank regulatory agencies. The numerous rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act have significantly impacted our operations and compliance costs. Various provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are now effective and have been fully implemented, including the revisions in the deposit insurance assessment base for FDIC insurance and the permanent increase in coverage to $250,000; the permissibility of paying interest on business checking accounts; the removal of barriers to interstate branching; and required disclosure and shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation. Implementation in 2015 of additional Dodd-Frank Act regulatory provisions included aspects of (i) the final new capital rules, and (ii) the so called “Volcker Rule” restrictions on certain proprietary trading and investment activities.

 

Capital Adequacy Requirements

 

Bank holding companies and banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations (See “Prompt Corrective Action Provisions” below), involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weighting, and other factors. The risk-based capital guidelines for bank holding companies and banks require capital ratios that vary based on the perceived degree of risk associated with a banking organization’s operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets, such as loans, and those recorded as off-balance sheet items, such as commitments, letters of credit and recourse arrangements. The risk-based capital ratio is determined by classifying assets and certain off-balance sheet financial instruments into weighted categories, with higher levels of capital being required for those categories perceived as representing greater risks and dividing its qualifying capital by its total risk-adjusted assets and off-balance sheet items. Bank holding companies and banks engaged in significant trading activity may also be subject to the market risk capital guidelines and be required to incorporate additional market and interest rate risk components into their risk-based capital standards. Under Basel III rules that became effective January 1, 2015 discussed under “New Capital Rules” below, there are four fundamental capital ratios: (i) a common equity Tier 1capital ratio, (ii) a total risk-based capital ratio, (iii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio. To be deemed “well capitalized” a bank holding company or bank must have (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio equal to or greater than 6.5%, (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 8.0%, (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 10.0%, and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio equal to or greater than 5.0%. At December 31, 2015, (i) the Bancorp’s and the Bank’s common equity Tier 1 capital ratios were 12.95% and 13.54%, respectively; (ii) their total risk-based capital ratios were, respectively, 15.30% and 14.79%; (iii) their Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios were, respectively, 14.03% and 13.54%; and (iv) their leverage capital ratios were, respectively, 11.95% and 11.53%, all of which ratios exceeded the minimum percentage requirements to be deemed “well-capitalized” for regulatory purposes. The federal banking agencies may require banks and bank holding companies subject to enforcement actions to maintain capital ratios in excess of the minimum ratios otherwise required to be deemed “well-capitalized.”

 

Failure to meet statutorily mandated capital guidelines or more restrictive ratios separately established for a financial institution could subject a bank or bank holding company to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting or renewing brokered deposits, limitations on the rates of interest that the institution may pay on its deposits and other restrictions on its business. Significant additional restrictions can be imposed on FDIC-insured depository institutions that fail to meet applicable capital requirements under the regulatory agencies’ prompt corrective action authority.

 

 

New Capital Rules

 

The federal bank regulatory agencies adopted final regulations in July 2013, which revised their risk-based and leverage capital requirements for banking organizations to meet requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act and to implement Basel III international agreements reached by the Basel Committee. Although many of the rules contained in these final regulations are applicable only to large, internationally active banks, most will apply on a phased in basis to all banking organizations, including the Bancorp and the Bank. The new capital rules took effect on January 1, 2015, but many elements are being phased-in. To the extent that the new capital rules are not fully phased-in, the prior capital rules continue to apply.

 

The following are among the new requirements that are effective or being phased-in beginning January 1, 2015:

 

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An increase in the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio from 4.00% to 6.00% of risk-weighted assets.

 

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A new category and a required 4.50% of risk-weighted assets ratio is established for “common equity Tier 1” as a subset of Tier 1 capital limited to common equity.

 

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A minimum non-risk-based leverage ratio is set at 4.00% eliminating a 3.00% exception for higher rated banks.

 

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Changes in the permitted composition of Tier 1 capital to exclude trust preferred securities (other than certain grandfathered trust preferred securities), mortgage servicing rights and certain deferred tax assets and include unrealized gains and losses on available for sale debt and equity securities.

 

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A new additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk weighted assets over each of the required capital ratios will be phased in from 2016 to 2019 and must be met to avoid limitations in the ability of the Bank to pay dividends, repurchase shares or pay discretionary bonuses.

 

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The risk-weights of certain assets for purposes of calculating the risk-based capital ratios are changed for high volatility commercial real estate acquisition, development and construction loans, certain past due non-residential mortgage loans and certain mortgage-backed and other securities exposures.

 

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An additional “countercyclical capital buffer” is required for larger and more complex institutions.

 

Without taking into account the capital conservation buffer, the new capital rules require the following minimum ratios: (i) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%; (ii) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%, (iii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%, and (iv) a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%. To be considered “well capitalized,” a bank holding company or bank would be required to have the following minimum ratios: (i) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5.0%; (ii) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.5%, (iii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%, and (iv) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0%. The new capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning in January 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, increasing each year until fully implemented in January 2019 at 2.50% of risk-weighted assets.

 

While the new capital rules set higher regulatory capital standards for the Bancorp and the Bank, bank regulators may also continue their past policies of expecting banks to maintain additional capital beyond the new minimum requirements. The implementation of the new capital rules or more stringent requirements to maintain higher levels of capital or to maintain higher levels of liquid assets could adversely impact the Bancorp’s net income and return on equity, restrict the ability of the Bank and/or the Bancorp to pay dividends or executive bonuses and require the raising of additional capital.

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Bancorp and the Bank met all applicable capital requirements under the new capital rules on a fully phased-in basis if such requirements were currently in effect.

 

Liquidity Requirements

 

In response to the endemic liquidity problems that accompanied the 2008 financial crisis and as part of the Basel III initiative, the federal regulatory agencies promulgated regulations in 2014 requiring the largest financial institutions to maintain an amount of high-quality liquid assets at least equal to those institutions’ estimated net cash outflows over a 30-day stressed liquidity period. This ratio is referred to as the “liquidity coverage ratio” or “LCR.” The LCR requirement generally applies only to banking organizations with $250 billion or more in assets (or total consolidated on-balance sheet foreign exposure of $10 billion or more), and any subsidiary depository institution of such an organization with $10 billion or more in consolidated assets. In addition, pursuant to the authority granted to federal regulators under the Dodd- Frank Act to require enhanced prudential standards from banking organizations, bank holding companies with $50 billion or more in consolidated assets are subject to specific liquidity risk management requirements and liquidity stress testing and buffer requirements. Although smaller banking organizations, such as the Bancorp, are not subject to such specific liquidity requirements, appropriate liquidity management (including liquidity stress testing) has become an increasingly important focus of prudential regulation of smaller institutions by federal and state bank regulators. This emphasis had led many financial institutions to hold a higher percentage of lower-yielding, short term assets than they may have held in past years.

 

 

Final Volcker Rule

 

In December 2013, the federal bank regulatory agencies adopted final rules that implement a part of the Dodd-Frank Act commonly referred to as the “Volcker Rule.” Under these rules and subject to certain exceptions, banking entities, including the Company and the Bank and its subsidiaries, will be restricted from engaging in activities that are considered proprietary trading and from sponsoring or investing in certain entities, including hedge or private equity funds that are considered “covered funds.” Bank holding companies and banks were generally required to conform their activities to the Volcker rule on or before July 21, 2015 although certain provisions are subject to delayed effectiveness under rules promulgated by the Federal Reserve.

 

Except for divesting some investments aggregating less than $5 million as of December 31, 2015, we believe that the new rules will not require any material changes in our operations or business or security holdings.

 

CFPB Actions

 

The Dodd-Frank Act provided for the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) as an independent entity within the Federal Reserve with broad rulemaking, supervisory, and enforcement authority over consumer financial products and services, including deposit products, residential mortgages, home-equity loans and credit cards. The CFPB’s functions include investigating consumer complaints, conducting market research, rulemaking, supervising and examining bank consumer transactions, and enforcing rules related to consumer financial products and services. CFPB regulations and guidance apply to all financial institutions and banks with $10 billion or more in assets, which are also subject to examination by the CFPB. As the Bank has more than $10 billion in assets, it is now examined for compliance with CFPB regulation by the CFPB in addition to examinations of the Bank by the FDIC and the DBO.

 

The CFPB has enforcement authority over unfair, deceptive or abusive act and practices (“UDAAP”). UDAAP is considered one of the most far reaching new enforcement tools at the disposal of the CFPB and covers all consumer and small business financial products or services such as deposit and lending products or services such as overdraft programs and third-party payroll card vendors. It is a wide-ranging regulatory net that potentially picks up the gaps not included in other consumer laws, rules and regulations. Violations of UDAAP can be found in many areas and can include advertising and marketing materials, the order of processing and paying items in a checking account or the design of client overdraft programs. The scope of coverage includes not only direct interactions with clients and prospects but also actions by third-party service providers. The Dodd-Frank Act does not prevent states from adopting stricter consumer protection standards. State regulation of financial products and potential enforcement actions could also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Additionally, in 2014, the CFPB adopted revisions to Regulation Z, which implement the Truth in Lending Act, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, and apply to all consumer mortgages (except home equity lines of credit, timeshare plans, reverse mortgages, or temporary loans). The revisions mandate specific underwriting criteria for home loans in order for creditors to make a reasonable, good faith determination of a consumer's ability to repay and establish certain protections from liability under this requirement for “qualified mortgages” meeting certain standards. In particular, it will prevent banks from making “no doc” and “low doc” home loans, as the rules require that banks determine a consumer’s ability to pay based in part on verified and documented information. We do originate certain “low doc” loans that meet specific underwriting criteria.  Given the small volume of such loans, we do not believe that this regulation will have a significant impact on our operations.

 

 

Enhanced Prudential Standards

 

Pursuant to Federal Reserve Board regulations promulgated under authority of the Dodd-Frank Act, as a publicly traded bank holding company with $10 billion or more (but less than $50 billion) in assets, we are required and have established and maintained a risk committee responsible for enterprise-wide risk management practices, comprised of an independent chairman and at least one risk management expert. Additional stress testing is required for banking organizations having $50 billion or more of assets. The risk committee approves and periodically reviews the risk-management policies of the bank holding company’s global operations and oversees the operations of its risk-management framework. The bank holding company’s risk-management framework must be commensurate with its structure, risk profile, complexity, activities and size. At a minimum, the framework must include policies and procedures establishing risk-management governance and providing for adequate risk-control infrastructure for the bank holding company’s operations. In addition, the framework must include processes and systems to monitor compliance with the foregoing policies and procedures, including processes and systems designed to identify and report risk-management risks and deficiencies; ensure effective implementation of actions to address emerging risks and risk-management deficiencies; designate managerial and staff responsibility for risk management; ensure the independence of the risk-management function; and integrate risk-management and associated controls with management goals and the management compensation structure.

 

As a bank holding company with more than $10 billion in assets, we are also required under the Dodd-Frank Act to conduct annual stress tests using various scenarios established by the Federal Reserve, including a baseline, adverse and severely adverse economic conditions (known as “Dodd Frank Act Stress Tests” or “DFAST”). The stress tests are designed to determine whether our capital planning, assessment of capital adequacy and risk management practices adequately protect the Bancorp and its affiliates in the event of an economic downturn. The Bancorp must establish adequate internal controls, documentation, policies and procedures to ensure the annual stress adequately meets these objectives. The Board of Directors must review our policies and procedures at least annually. We are required to report the results of our annual stress tests to the Federal Reserve, and we are required to consider the results of our stress tests as part of our capital planning and risk management practices.

 

Interchange Fees

 

Under the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve adopted rules establishing standards for assessing whether the interchange fees that may be charged with respect to certain electronic debit transactions are “reasonable and proportional” to the costs incurred by issuers for processing such transactions.

 

Interchange fees, or “swipe” fees, are charges that merchants pay to us and other card-issuing banks for processing electronic payment transactions. Under the final rules, the maximum permissible interchange fee is equal to no more than 21 cents plus 5 basis points of the transaction value for many types of debit interchange transactions. The Federal Reserve also adopted a rule to allow a debit card issuer to recover 1 cent per transaction for fraud prevention purposes if the issuer complies with certain fraud-related requirements required by the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve also has rules governing routing and exclusivity that require issuers to offer two unaffiliated networks for routing transactions on each debit or prepaid product.

 

On July 31, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia found the interchange fee cap and the exclusivity provision adopted by the Federal Reserve to be invalid. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, or D.C. Circuit, reversed this decision on March 21, 2014, generally upholding the Federal Reserve’s interpretation of the Durbin Amendment and the Federal Reserve’s rules implementing it. On August 18, 2014, the plaintiffs in this litigation filed a petition for a writ of certiorari asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the D.C. Circuit’s decision with respect to the interchange fee cap. The petition was denied on January 23, 2015. With the U.S. Supreme Court's denial of certiorari, the U.S. Court of Appeals decision will stand. We continue to monitor developments in the litigation surrounding these rules.

 

Bank Holding Company and Bank Regulation

 

The Bancorp is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act and is registered as such with the Federal Reserve. The Bancorp is also a bank holding company within the meaning of Section 1280 of the California Financial Code. Therefore, the Bancorp and any of its subsidiaries are subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with, the DBO. As a California commercial bank the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC, the Bank is subject to regulation, supervision, and regular examination by the DBO and by the FDIC, as the Bank’s primary federal regulator, and must additionally comply with certain applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve.

 

 

Bank holding companies and their bank and non-bank subsidiaries are subject to significant regulation and restrictions by federal and state laws and regulatory agencies. These laws, regulations and restrictions, which may affect the cost of doing business, limit permissible activities and expansion or impact the competitive balance between banks and other financial services providers, are intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund, and secondarily for the stability of the U.S. banking system. They are not intended for the benefit of stockholders of financial institutions. The following discussion of key statutes and regulations to which the Bancorp and the Bank are subject is a summary and does not purport to be complete nor does it address all applicable statutes and regulations. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full statutes and regulations.

 

The wide range of requirements and restrictions contained in both federal and state banking laws include:

 

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Requirements that bank holding companies and banks file periodic reports.

 

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Requirements that bank holding companies and banks meet or exceed minimum capital requirements (see “Capital Adequacy Requirements” above).

 

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Requirements that bank holding companies serve as a source of financial and managerial strength for their banking subsidiaries. In addition, the regulatory agencies have “prompt corrective action” authority to limit activities and require a limited guaranty of a required bank capital restoration plan by a bank holding company if the capital of a bank subsidiary falls below capital levels required by the regulators.

 

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Limitations on dividends payable to stockholders. The Bancorp’s ability to pay dividends is subject to legal and regulatory restrictions. A substantial portion of the Bancorp’s funds to pay dividends or to pay principal and interest on our debt obligations is derived from dividends paid by the Bank.

 

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Limitations on dividends payable by bank subsidiaries. These dividends are subject to various legal and regulatory restrictions. The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depositary institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. Moreover, the federal agencies have issued policy statements that provide that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings.

 

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Safety and soundness requirements. Banks must be operated in a safe and sound manner and meet standards applicable to internal controls, information systems, internal audit, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, and compensation, as well as other operational and management standards. These safety and soundness requirements give bank regulatory agencies significant latitude in exercising their supervisory authority and the authority to initiate informal or formal enforcement actions.

 

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Requirements for notice, application and approval, or non-objection of acquisitions and certain other activities conducted directly or in subsidiaries of the Bancorp or the Bank.

 

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Compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The CRA requires that banks help meet the credit needs in their communities, including the availability of credit to low and moderate income individuals. If the Bank fails to adequately serve its communities, restrictions may be imposed, including denials of applications for branches, for adding subsidiaries or affiliate companies, for engaging in new activities or for the merger with or purchase of other financial institutions. In its last reported examination by the FDIC in July 2013, the Bank received a CRA rating of “Satisfactory.”

 

 

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Compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA Patriot Act, and other anti-money laundering laws. These laws and regulations require financial institutions to assist U.S. government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering and other illegal acts by maintaining policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report money laundering, terrorist financing, and other suspicious activity. Regulatory authorities routinely examine financial institutions for compliance with these obligations, and failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval is not required. Regulatory authorities have imposed cease and desist orders and civil money penalties against institutions found to be violating these obligations.

 

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Compliance with the regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). OFAC administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, under authority of various laws, including designated foreign countries, nationals and others. OFAC publishes lists of specially designated targets and countries. We and our bank are responsible for, among other things, blocking accounts of, and transactions with, such targets and countries, prohibiting unlicensed trade and financial transactions with them and reporting blocked transactions after their occurrence. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval is not required.

 

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Limitations on the amount of loans to one borrower and its affiliates and to executive officers and directors.

 

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Limitations on transactions with affiliates.

 

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Restrictions on the nature and amount of any investments in, and the ability to underwrite, certain securities.

 

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Requirements for opening of intra- and interstate branches.

 

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Compliance with truth in lending and other consumer protection and disclosure laws to ensure equal access to credit and to protect consumers in credit transactions.

 

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Compliance with provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (“GLB Act”) and other federal and state laws dealing with privacy for nonpublic personal information of customers. The federal bank regulators have adopted rules limiting the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to unaffiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to an unaffiliated third party. These regulations affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors.

 

Under Section 1280 et seq. of the California Financial Code, California-based bank holding companies and their subsidiaries are subject to examination and supervision by, and may be required to file reports with, the DBO. DBO approvals are also required for bank holding companies to acquire control of banks.

 

Additional Restrictions on Bancorp and Bank Activities

 

Subject to prior notice or Federal Reserve approval, bank holding companies may generally engage in, or acquire shares of companies engaged in, activities determined by the Federal Reserve to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Bank holding companies which elect and retain “financial holding company” status pursuant to the GLB Act may engage in these nonbanking activities and broader securities, insurance, merchant banking and other activities that are determined to be “financial in nature” or are incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature without prior Federal Reserve approval. Pursuant to the GLB Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, in order to elect and retain financial holding company status, a bank holding company and all depository institution subsidiaries of a bank holding company must be well capitalized and well managed, and, except in limited circumstances, depository subsidiaries must be in satisfactory compliance with the CRA. Failure to sustain compliance with these requirements or correct any non-compliance within a fixed time period could lead to divestiture of subsidiary banks or require all activities to conform to those permissible for a bank holding company. The Bancorp has not elected financial holding company status and does not believe it has engaged in any activities determined by the Federal Reserve to be financial in nature or incidental or complementary to activities that are financial in nature, which would, in the absence of financial holding company status, require notice or Federal Reserve approval.

 

 

Pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDI Act”) and the California Financial Code, California state chartered commercial banks may generally engage in any activity permissible for national banks. Therefore, the Bank may form subsidiaries to engage in the many so-called “closely related to banking” or “nonbanking” activities commonly conducted by national banks in operating subsidiaries or subsidiaries of bank holding companies. Further, pursuant to the GLB Act, California banks may conduct certain “financial” activities in a subsidiary to the same extent as a national bank, provided the bank is and remains “well-capitalized,” “well-managed” and in satisfactory compliance with the CRA. The Bank currently has no financial subsidiaries.

 

Regulation of the Bank

 

As a California commercial bank whose deposits are insured by the FDIC, the Bank is subject to regulation, supervision, and regular examination by the DBO and the FDIC, as the Bank’s primary Federal regulator, and must also comply with certain applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve. Specific federal and state laws and regulations which are applicable to banks regulate, among other things, the scope of their business, their investments, their reserves against deposits, the timing of the availability of deposited funds, their activities relating to dividends, the nature and amount of and collateral for certain loans, servicing and foreclosing on loans, borrowings, capital requirements, certain check-clearing activities, branching, and mergers and acquisitions. California banks are also subject to statutes and regulations including Federal Reserve Regulation O and Federal Reserve Act Sections 23A and 23B and Regulation W, which restrict or limit loans or extensions of credit to “insiders,” including officers, directors, and principal shareholders, and affiliates, and purchases of assets from affiliates, including parent bank holding companies, except pursuant to certain exceptions and only on terms and conditions at least as favorable to those prevailing for comparable transactions with unaffiliated parties. The Dodd-Frank Act expanded definitions and restrictions on transactions with affiliates and insiders under Sections 23A and 23B, and also lending limits for derivative transactions, repurchase agreements and securities lending, and borrowing transactions.

 

The Bank operates branches and/or loan production offices in California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington, Nevada, Maryland, and New Jersey. While the DBO remains the Bank’s primary state regulator, the Bank’s operations in these jurisdictions are subject to examination and supervision by local bank regulators, and transactions with customers in those jurisdictions are subject to local laws, including consumer protection laws. The Bank also operates a branch in Hong Kong and a representative office in Taipei and in Shanghai. The operations of these foreign offices and branches (and limits on the scope of their activities) are subject to local law and regulatory authorities in addition to regulation and supervision by the DBO and the Federal Reserve.

 

Enforcement Authority

 

The federal and California regulatory structure gives the bank regulatory agencies extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. The regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines to assist in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before an institution’s capital becomes impaired. The guidelines establish operational and managerial standards generally relating to: (i) internal controls, information systems, and internal audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) interest-rate exposure; (v) asset growth and asset quality; (vi) loan concentration; and (vii) compensation, fees, and benefits. Further, the regulatory agencies have adopted safety and soundness guidelines for asset quality and for evaluating and monitoring earnings to ensure that earnings are sufficient for the maintenance of adequate capital and reserves. If, as a result of an examination, the DBO or the FDIC should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects of the Bank’s operations are unsatisfactory or that the Bank or its management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, the DBO and the FDIC have residual authority to:

 

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Require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice;

 

 

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Direct an increase in capital and the maintenance of higher specific minimum capital ratios, which may preclude the Bank from being deemed “well-capitalized” and restrict its ability to accept certain brokered deposits, among other things;

 

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Restrict the Bank’s growth geographically, by products and services, or by mergers and acquisitions;

 

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Issue, or require the Bank to enter into, informal or formal enforcement actions, including required Board resolutions, memoranda of understanding, written agreements and consent or cease and desist orders or prompt corrective action orders to take corrective action and cease unsafe and unsound practices;

 

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Require prior approval of senior executive officer or director changes, remove officers and directors, and assess civil monetary penalties; and

 

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Terminate FDIC insurance, revoke the Bank’s charter, take possession of, close and liquidate the Bank, or appoint the FDIC as receiver.

 

The Federal Reserve has similar enforcement authority over bank holding companies and commonly takes parallel action in conjunction with actions taken by a subsidiary bank’s regulators.

 

In the exercise of their supervisory and examination authority, the regulatory agencies have recently emphasized corporate governance, stress testing, enterprise risk management and other board responsibilities; anti-money laundering compliance and enhanced high risk customer due diligence; vendor management; cyber security and fair lending and other consumer compliance obligations.

 

Deposit Insurance

 

The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries. The FDIC insures our customer deposits through the Deposit Insurance Fund (the “DIF”) up to prescribed limits of $250,000 for each depositor pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act. The amount of FDIC assessments paid by each DIF member institution is based on its relative risk of default as measured by regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. As an institution with $10 billion or more in assets, the FDIC uses a performance score and a loss-severity score to calculate an initial assessment rate for the Bank. In calculating these scores, the FDIC uses the Bank’s capital level and regulatory supervisory ratings and certain financial measures to assess the Bank’s ability to withstand asset-related stress and funding-related stress. The FDIC also has the ability to make discretionary adjustments to the total score based upon significant risk factors that are not adequately captured in the calculations. In addition to ordinary assessments described above, the FDIC has the ability to impose special assessments in certain instances.

 

All FDIC-insured institutions are also required to pay assessments to the FDIC to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (“FICO"), an agency of the federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the DIF. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017 through 2019.

 

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has established 2.0% as the designated reserve ratio (DRR), that is, the ratio of the DIF to insured deposits. The FDIC has adopted a plan under which it will meet the statutory minimum DRR of 1.35% (formerly 1.15%) by September 30, 2020, the deadline imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank requires the FDIC to offset the effect of the increase in the statutory minimum DRR to 1.35% on institutions with assets less than $10 billion. The FDIC has not yet announced how it will implement this offset or how larger institutions will be affected by it.

 

 

We are generally unable to control the amount of assessments that we are required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures or if the FDIC otherwise determines, we may be required to pay even higher FDIC assessments than the recently increased levels. These increases in FDIC insurance assessments may have a material and adverse effect on our earnings and could have a material adverse effect on the value of, or market for, our common stock.

 

Under the FDI Act, 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.

 

Prompt Corrective Action Provisions

 

The FDI Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to a depository institution if that institution does not meet certain capital adequacy standards, including requiring the prompt submission of an acceptable capital restoration plan. Depending on the bank’s capital ratios, the agencies’ regulations define five categories in which an insured depository institution will be placed: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. At each successive lower capital category, an insured bank is subject to more restrictions, including restrictions on the bank's activities, operational practices or the ability to pay dividends. 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.

 

The prompt corrective action standards were changed when the new capital rule ratios became effective on January 1, 2015. Under the new standards, in order to be considered well-capitalized, the Bank is required to have met the new common equity Tier 1 ratio of 6.5%, an increased Tier 1 ratio of 8% (increased from 6%), a total capital ratio of 10% (unchanged) and a leverage ratio of 5% (unchanged).

 

Dividends

 

Holders of the Bancorp’s common stock are entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefore under the laws of the State of Delaware. Delaware corporations such as the Bancorp may make distributions to their stockholders out of their surplus, or in case there is no surplus, out of their net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. However, dividends may not be paid out of a corporation’s net profits if, after the payment of the dividend, the corporation’s capital would be less than the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets.

 

It is the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. It is also the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to be a source of strength to their banking subsidiaries. The Federal Reserve also discourages dividend policy payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

 

The terms of our Junior Subordinated Notes also limit our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. If we are not current on our payment of interest on our Junior Subordinated Notes, we may not pay dividends on our common stock. The amount of future dividends by the Bancorp will depend on our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors, and will be determined by our board of directors in accordance with the capital management and dividend policy.

 

The Bank is a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its holding company. The Bancorp is dependent on the performance of the Bank for funds which may be received as dividends from the Bank for use in the operation of the Bancorp and the ability of the Bancorp to pay dividends to stockholders. Future cash dividends by the Bank will also depend upon management’s assessment of future capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and other factors. When phased in, the new capital rules will restrict dividends by the Bank if the capital conservation buffer is not achieved.

 

 

The power of the board of directors of the Bank to declare cash dividends to the Bancorp is subject to California law, which restricts the amount available for cash dividends to the lesser of a bank’s retained earnings or net income for its last three fiscal years (less any distributions to stockholders made during such period). Where the above test is not met, cash dividends may still be paid, with the prior approval of the DBO, in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (i) retained earnings of the Bank; (ii) the net income of the Bank for its last fiscal year; or (iii) the net income of the Bank for its current fiscal year. Future cash dividends by the Bank will also depend upon management’s assessment of future capital requirements, contractual restrictions, and other factors.

 

Operations and Consumer Compliance Laws

 

The Bank must comply with numerous federal and state anti-money laundering and consumer protection statutes and implementing regulations, including the USA Patriot Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, the CRA, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the National Flood Insurance Act, the California Homeowner Bill of Rights and various federal and state privacy protection laws. The Bank and the Company are also subject to federal and state laws prohibiting unfair or fraudulent business practices, untrue or misleading advertising, and unfair competition.

 

These laws and regulations also mandate certain disclosure and reporting requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting loans, and providing other services. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations can subject the Bank to lawsuits and penalties, including enforcement actions, injunctions, fines or criminal penalties, punitive damages to consumers, and the loss of certain contractual rights.

 

Federal Home Loan Bank System

 

The Bank is a member of the FHLB of San Francisco. Among other benefits, each FHLB serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. Each FHLB is financed primarily from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. Each FHLB makes available loans or advances to its members in compliance with the policies and procedures established by the board of directors of the individual FHLB. Each member of the FHLB of San Francisco is required to own stock in an amount equal to the greater of (i) a membership stock requirement with an initial cap of $15 million (100% of “membership asset value” as defined), or (ii) an activity based stock requirement (based on a percentage of outstanding advances). There can be no assurance that the FHLB will pay dividends at the same rate it has paid in the past, or that it will pay any dividends in the future.

 

Impact of Monetary Policies

 

The earnings and growth of the Bank are largely dependent on its ability to maintain a favorable differential or spread between the yield on its interest-earning assets and the rates paid on its deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. As a result, the Bank’s performance is influenced by general economic conditions, both domestic and foreign, the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, and the policies of the regulatory agencies. The Federal Reserve implements national monetary policies (such as seeking to curb inflation and combat recession) by its open-market operations in U.S. government securities, by adjusting the required level of reserves for financial institutions subject to its reserve requirements, and by varying the discount rate applicable to borrowings by banks from the Federal Reserve Banks. The actions of the Federal Reserve in these areas influence the growth of bank loans, investments, and deposits, and also affect interest rates charged on loans and deposits. The nature and impact of any future changes in monetary policies cannot be predicted.

 

Securities and Corporate Governance

 

The Bancorp is subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, both as administered by the SEC. As a company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the Company is subject to NASDAQ listing standards for listed companies. The Bancorp is also subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, and other federal and state laws and regulations which address, among other issues, required executive certification of financial presentations, corporate governance requirements for board audit and compensation committees and their members, and disclosure of controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. NASDAQ has also adopted corporate governance rules, which are intended to allow stockholders and investors to more easily and efficiently monitor the performance of companies and their directors. Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, management and the Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm are required to assess the effectiveness of the Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. These assessments are included in Part II — Item 9A — “Controls and Procedures.”

 

 

Federal Banking Agency Compensation Guidelines

 

Guidelines adopted by the federal banking agencies pursuant to the FDI Act prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director or principal stockholder. In June 2010, the federal banking agencies issued comprehensive guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking.

 

In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal bank regulatory agencies and the SEC to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting certain incentive-based payment arrangements. These regulators must establish regulations or guidelines requiring enhanced disclosure to regulators of incentive-based compensation arrangements. The agencies proposed such regulations in April 2011, but the regulations have not been finalized.

 

The scope, content and application of the U.S. banking regulators’ policies on incentive compensation continue to evolve. It cannot be determined at this time whether compliance with such policies will adversely affect the ability of the Bancorp and the Bank to hire, retain and motivate key employees.

 

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of banking organizations, such as us, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each organization based on the scope and complexity of the organization’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the organization’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the organization’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a banking organization if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the organization’s safety and soundness and the organization is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

 

Audit Requirements

 

The Bank is required to have an annual independent audit, alone or as a part of its bank holding company’s audit, and to prepare all financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Bank and the Bancorp are also each required to have an audit committee comprised entirely of independent directors. As required by NASDAQ, the Bancorp has certified that its audit committee has adopted formal written charters and meets the requisite number of directors, independence, and other qualification standards. As such, among other requirements, the Bancorp must maintain an audit committee that includes members with banking or related financial management expertise, has access to its own outside counsel, and does not include members who are large customers of the Bank. In addition, because the Bank has more than $3 billion in total assets, it is subject to the FDIC requirements for audit committees of large institutions.

 

Regulation of Non-Bank Subsidiaries

 

Non-bank subsidiaries are subject to additional or separate regulation and supervision by other state, federal and self-regulatory bodies. Additionally, any foreign-based subsidiaries would also be subject to foreign laws and regulations.

 

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

 

Difficult business and economic conditions can adversely affect our industry and business.

 

Our financial performance generally, and the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay the principal of outstanding loans and the value of the collateral securing those loans, as well as demand for loans and other products and services we offer, is highly dependent upon the business and economic conditions in the markets in which we operate and in the United States as a whole. Although the U.S. economy has recently showed signs of improvement following a prolonged economic recession, consumer spending and gross domestic product growth have been less robust than expected. Since the recession, economic growth has been slow and uneven, business growth across a wide range of industries and regions in the United States remains reduced, local governments and many businesses continue to experience financial difficulty and there are continuing concerns related to the level of U.S. government debt and fiscal actions that may be taken to address that debt. Recovery by many businesses has been impaired by lower consumer spending. More recently, the volatility in the stock exchanges and real estate markets in the U.S. and abroad may negatively impact asset values and the profitability and liquidity of our customers, potentially increasing the risk of borrower defaults. Oil prices also have declined significantly, with the price of oil decreasing to below $30 per barrel, from a high of $110 per barrel in 2011. In addition, concerns about the performance of international economies, especially in Europe and emerging markets, and economic conditions in Asia, particularly the economies of China and Taiwan, can impact the economy and financial markets here in the United States. Concerns about the economy have also resulted in decreased lending by financial institutions to their customers and to each other. These economic pressures on consumers and businesses may continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:

 

●

Unfavorable market conditions can result in a deterioration in the credit quality of our borrowers and the demand for our products and services, an increase in the number of loan delinquencies, defaults and charge-offs, additional provisions for loan losses, adverse asset values and an overall material adverse effect on the quality of our loan portfolio.

 

●

Economic pressure on consumers and uncertainty regarding continuing economic improvement may result in changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and saving habits. Such conditions could have a material adverse effect on the credit quality of our loans or our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

●

We face increased regulation of our industry, including changes by Congress or federal regulatory agencies to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regime and heightened legal standards and regulatory requirements that may be adopted in the future. Compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.

 

●

The process we use to estimate losses inherent in our credit exposure requires difficult, subjective, and complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions and how these economic conditions might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans. The level of uncertainty concerning economic conditions may adversely affect the accuracy of our estimates which may, in turn, impact the reliability of the process.

 

●

The value of the portfolio of investment securities that we hold may be adversely affected by increasing interest rates and defaults by debtors.

 

Our banking operations are concentrated primarily in California, and secondarily in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, Nevada, and Hong Kong. The economic conditions in these local markets may be different from, and in some instances worse than, the economic conditions in the United States as a whole. Adverse economic conditions in these regions in particular could impair borrowers’ ability to service their loans, decrease the level and duration of deposits by customers, decrease demand for our loans and other services and erode the value of loan collateral. These conditions include the effects of the general decline in real estate sales and prices in many markets across the United States; 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; high unemployment; natural disasters; state or local government insolvency; or a combination of these or other factors. These conditions could increase the amount of our non-performing assets and have an adverse effect on our efforts to collect our non-performing loans or otherwise liquidate our non-performing assets (including other real estate owned) on terms favorable to us, if at all, and could also cause a decline in demand for our products and services, or a lack of growth or a decrease in deposits, any of which may cause us to incur losses, adversely affect our capital, and hurt our business. 

 

 

We may be required to make additional provisions for loan losses and charge off additional loans in the future, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

At December 31, 2015, our allowance for loan losses totaled $139.0 million and we had net charge-offs of $11.1 million for 2015. Although economic conditions in the real estate market in portions of Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties and the Central Valley of California where many of our commercial real estate and construction loan customers are based, have improved, the economic recovery in these areas of California is uneven and in some areas rather slow, with relatively high and persistent unemployment. Moreover, rising interest rates may adversely affect real estate sales. As of December 31, 2015, we had approximately $5.7 billion in commercial real estate and construction loans. Any deterioration in the real estate market generally and in the commercial real estate and residential building segments in particular could result in additional loan charge-offs and provisions for loan losses in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, net income, and capital. 

 

The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of probable credit losses. Actual credit losses in excess of the estimate could adversely affect our results of operations and capital. 

 

A significant source of risk arises from the possibility that we could sustain losses because borrowers, guarantors, and related parties may fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their loans and leases. The underwriting and credit monitoring policies and procedures that we have adopted to address this risk may not prevent unexpected losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. The allowance for credit losses is based on management’s estimate of the probable losses from our credit portfolio. If actual losses exceed the estimate, the excess losses could adversely affect our results of operations and capital. Such excess losses could also lead to larger allowances for credit losses in future periods, which could in turn adversely affect results of operations and capital in those periods. If economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in the estimate or adverse developments arise with respect to our credits, future losses may occur, and increases in the allowance may be necessary. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the adequacy of our allowance. These agencies may require us to establish additional allowances based on their judgment of the information available at the time of their examinations. No assurance can be given that we will not sustain credit losses in excess of present or future levels of the allowance for credit losses.

 

We are subject to extensive laws, regulations and supervision, and may become subject to additional laws, regulations and supervision that may be enacted and that could limit or restrict our activities, hamper our ability to increase our assets and earnings, and materially and adversely affect our profitability.

 

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are or may become subject to regulation by federal, state, and local governmental authorities and various laws, regulations, regulatory guidelines, and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements or restrictions on part or all of our operations, capitalization, payment of dividends, mergers and acquisitions, investments, loans and interest rates charged, interest rates paid on deposits, and locations of offices. We also must comply with numerous federal anti-money laundering, tax withholding and reporting, and consumer protection statutes and regulations. A considerable amount of management time and resources have been devoted to the oversight of, and the development and implementation of controls and procedures relating to, compliance with these laws and regulations, and we expect that significant time and resources will be devoted to compliance in the future. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure and reporting requirements and regulate the manner in which we must deal with our customers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting loans, and providing other services. We also are, or may become subject to, examination, supervision, and additional comprehensive regulation by various federal, state, and local authorities with regard to compliance with these laws and regulations.

 

 

Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules, regulations, and supervisory guidance and policies applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change. Perennially, various laws, rules and regulations are proposed, which, if adopted, could impact our operations, increase our capital requirements or substantially restrict our growth and adversely affect our ability to operate profitably by making compliance much more difficult or expensive, restricting our ability to originate or sell loans, or further restricting the amount of interest or other charges or fees earned on loans or other products. In addition, further regulation could increase the assessment rate we are required to pay to the FDIC, adversely affecting our earnings. Furthermore, recent changes to Regulation Z promulgated by the CFPB may make it more difficult for us to underwrite consumer mortgages and to compete with large national mortgage service providers. It is very difficult to predict the competitive impact that any such changes would have on the banking and financial services industry in general or on our business in particular. Such changes may, among other things, increase the cost of doing business, limit permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance between banks and other financial institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regimes in light of the recent performance of and government intervention in the financial services sector. Other changes to statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations, or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could, among other things, subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer, and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products. 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 and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock. See Part I — Item 1 — “Business — Regulation and Supervision.”

 

Additional requirements imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act could adversely affect us.

 

Recent government efforts to strengthen the U.S. financial system have resulted in the imposition of additional regulatory requirements, including expansive financial services regulatory reform legislation. The Dodd-Frank Act provided for sweeping regulatory changes and the establishment of strengthened capital and liquidity requirements for banks and bank holding companies, including minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements no less than the strictest requirements in effect for depository institutions as of the date of enactment; the requirement that bank holding companies serve as a source of financial strength for their depository institution subsidiaries; enhanced regulation of financial markets, including the derivative and securitization markets, and the elimination of certain proprietary trading activities by banks; additional corporate governance and executive compensation requirements; enhanced financial institution safety and soundness regulations; revisions in FDIC insurance assessment fees; the implementation of the qualified mortgage and ability-to-repay rules for mortgage loans; and the establishment of new regulatory bodies, such as the CFPB and the Financial Services Oversight Counsel, to identify emerging systemic risks and improve interagency cooperation. In addition, we are required to conduct stress testing based on certain macroeconomic scenarios to reflect the impact on our income, revenues, balance sheets, and capital levels, the results of which could require us to take certain actions, including being required to raise additional capital. Current and future legal and regulatory requirements, restrictions, and regulations, including those imposed under the Dodd-Frank Act, may adversely impact our profitability, make it more difficult to attract and retain key executives and other personnel, may have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock, and may require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes required by the legislation and related regulations.

 

We are subject to stringent capital requirements, including those required by Basel III.  

 

        The U.S. federal bank regulators have jointly adopted new capital requirements on banks and bank holding companies as required by the Dodd-Frank Act, which became effective on January 1, 2015, incorporate the elements of Basel Committee’s Basel III accords and have the effect of raising our capital requirements and imposing new capital requirements beyond those previously required.  Increased regulatory capital requirements (and the associated compliance costs) whether due to the adoption of new laws and regulations, changes in existing laws and regulations, or more expansive or aggressive interpretations of existing laws and regulations, may require us to raise additional capital, or impact our ability to pay dividends or pay compensation to our executives, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock.  If we do not meet minimum capital requirements, we will be subject to prompt corrective action by federal bank regulatory agencies. Prompt corrective action can include progressively more restrictive constraints on operations, management and capital distributions. For additional discussion regarding our capital requirements, please see “Item 1. Business – Regulation and Supervision – Capital Adequacy Requirements” above.

 

 

We may become subject to supervisory action by bank supervisory authorities that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and the value of our common stock.

 

Under federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the safety and soundness of financial institutions, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the “FRB SF”) has authority over the Bancorp and separately the DBO and FDIC have authority over the Bank to compel or restrict certain actions if the Bancorp or the Bank should violate any laws or regulations, if its capital should fall below adequate capital standards as a result of operating losses, or if these regulators otherwise determine that the Bancorp or the Bank have engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, including failure to exercise proper risk oversight over the many areas of Bancorp’s and the Bank’s operations. These regulators, as well as the CFPB, also have authority over the Bancorp’s and the Bank’s compliance with various statutes and consumer protection and other regulations. Among other matters, the corrective actions that may be required of the Bancorp or the Bank following the occurrence of any of the foregoing may include, but are not limited to, requiring the Bancorp and/or the Bank to enter into informal or formal enforcement orders, including board resolutions, memoranda of understanding, written agreements, supervisory letters, commitment letters, and consent or cease and desist orders to take corrective action and refrain from unsafe and unsound practices; removing officers and directors; assessing civil monetary penalties; and taking possession of, closing and liquidating the Bank. If we are unable to meet the requirements of any corrective actions, we could become subject to supervisory action. The terms of any such supervisory action could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock.

 

We face a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations.

 

        The Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and other laws and regulations require financial institutions, among other duties, to institute and maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and file suspicious activity and currency transaction reports as appropriate. The federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of those requirements and has recently engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts with federal banking regulators, as well as with the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Internal Revenue Service. We are also subject to increased scrutiny of compliance with the rules enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. In addition, our Hong Kong Branch is subject to the anti-money laundering laws and regulations of Hong Kong. If our policies, procedures and systems are deemed deficient, we would be subject to liability, including fines and regulatory actions, which may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan, including our acquisition plans. Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have serious reputational consequences for us. Any of these results could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock.

 

We may experience goodwill impairment. 

 

Goodwill is initially recorded at fair value and is not amortized, but is reviewed at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be fully recoverable. If our estimates of goodwill fair value change, we may determine that impairment charges are necessary. Estimates of fair value are determined based on a complex model using cash flows and company comparisons. If management’s estimates of future cash flows are inaccurate, the fair value determined could be inaccurate and impairment may not be recognized in a timely manner. 

 

 

Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition. 

 

Liquidity is essential to our business. An inability to raise funds through deposits, FHLB advances and other borrowings, the sale of loans, and other sources could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact our access to liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn or adverse regulatory action against us. Deposit balances can decrease when customers perceive alternative investments as providing a better risk/return tradeoff. If customers move money out of bank deposits and into other investments, we would lose a relatively low-cost source of funds, increasing our funding costs and reducing our net interest income and net income. Our ability to acquire deposits or borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a severe disruption of the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole.  

 

Based on past experience, we believe that our deposit accounts are relatively stable sources of funds. If we increase interest rates paid to retain deposits, our earnings may be adversely affected, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any decline in available funding could adversely impact our ability to originate loans, invest in securities, meet our expenses, pay dividends to our stockholders or to fulfill obligations such as repaying our borrowings or meeting deposit withdrawal demands, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business is subject to interest rate risk, and fluctuations in interest rates could reduce our net interest income and adversely affect our business. 

 

A substantial portion of our income is derived from the differential, or “spread,” between the interest earned on loans, investment securities, and other interest-earning assets, and the interest paid on deposits, borrowings, and other interest-bearing liabilities. The interest rate risk inherent in our lending, investing, and deposit taking activities is a significant market risk to us and our business. Income associated with interest earning assets and costs associated with interest-bearing liabilities may not be affected uniformly by fluctuations in interest rates. The magnitude and duration of changes in interest rates, events over which we have no control, may have an adverse effect on net interest income. Prepayment and early withdrawal levels, which are also impacted by changes in interest rates, can significantly affect our assets and liabilities. Increases in interest rates may adversely affect the ability of our floating rate borrowers to meet their higher payment obligations, which could in turn lead to an increase in non-performing assets and net charge-offs. 

 

Generally, the interest rates on our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities do not change at the same rate, to the same extent, or on the same basis. Even assets and liabilities with similar maturities or periods of re-pricing may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in general market interest rates, while interest rates on other types of assets and liabilities may lag behind changes in general market rates. Certain assets, such as fixed and adjustable rate mortgage loans, have features that limit changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. Therefore, as interest rates begin to increase, if our floating rate interest-earning assets do not reprice faster than our interest-bearing liabilities in a rising rate environment, our net interest income and, in turn, our profitability, could be adversely affected.

 

We seek to minimize the adverse effects of changes in interest rates by structuring our asset-liability composition to obtain the maximum spread. We use interest rate sensitivity analysis and a simulation model to assist us in estimating the optimal asset-liability composition. However, such management tools have inherent limitations that impair their effectiveness. Moreover, the long-term effects of the Federal Reserve’s unprecedented quantitative easing and tapering of it is unknown and, while interest rates have begun to increase, they remain at historically low levels and are not expected to increase significantly in the near future. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in minimizing the adverse effects of changes in interest rates. 

 

 

We have engaged in expansion through acquisitions and may consider additional acquisitions in the future, which could negatively affect our business and earnings. 

 

We have engaged in expansion through acquisitions and may consider other acquisitions in the future. There are risks associated with any such expansion. These risks include, among others, incorrectly assessing the asset quality of a bank acquired in a particular transaction, encountering greater than anticipated costs in integrating acquired businesses, facing resistance from customers or employees, and being unable to profitably deploy assets acquired in the transaction. Additional country- and region-specific risks are associated with transactions outside the United States, including in China. To the extent we issue capital stock in connection with additional transactions, if any, these transactions and related stock issuances may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and share ownership. 

 

Our earnings, financial condition, and prospects after a merger or acquisition depend in part on our ability to successfully integrate the operations of the acquired company. We may be unable to integrate operations successfully or to achieve expected cost savings. Any cost savings which are realized may be offset by losses in revenues or other charges to earnings. 

 

In addition, our ability to grow may be limited if we cannot make acquisitions. We compete with other financial institutions with respect to proposed acquisitions. We cannot predict if or when we will be able to identify and attract acquisition candidates or make acquisitions on favorable terms. 

 

Inflation and deflation may adversely affect our financial performance. 

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements and related financial data presented in this report have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These principles require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation or deflation. The primary impact of inflation on our operations is reflected in increased operating costs. Conversely, deflation will tend to erode collateral values and diminish loan quality. Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on our performance than the general levels of inflation or deflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the price of goods and services. 

 

As we expand our business outside of California markets, we will encounter risks that could adversely affect us. 

 

We primarily operate in California markets with a concentration of Chinese-American individuals and businesses; however, one of our strategies is to expand beyond California into other domestic markets that have concentrations of Chinese-American individuals and businesses. We currently have operations in eight other states (New York, Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, and Nevada) and in Hong Kong. In the course of this expansion, we will encounter significant risks and uncertainties that could have a material adverse effect on our operations. These risks and uncertainties include increased expenses and operational difficulties arising from, among other things, our ability to attract sufficient business in new markets, to manage operations in noncontiguous market areas, to comply with all of the various local laws and regulations, and to anticipate events or differences in markets in which we have no current experience. 

 

To the extent that we expand through acquisitions, such acquisitions may also adversely harm our business if we fail to adequately address the financial and operational risks associated with such acquisitions. For example, risks can include difficulties in assimilating the operations, technology, and personnel of the acquired company; diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures, and policies; potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities; the incurring of additional debt and contingent liabilities; use of cash resources; large write-offs; and amortization expenses related to other intangible assets with finite lives. 

 

 

Our loan portfolio is largely secured by real estate, which has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect our results of operations. 

 

The downturn in the real estate markets in recent years hurt our business because many of our loans are secured by real estate. The real estate collateral securing our borrowers’ obligations is principally located in California, and to a lesser extent, in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Illinois, New Jersey, Maryland, and Nevada. The value of such collateral depends upon conditions in the relevant real estate markets. These include general or local economic conditions and neighborhood characteristics, unemployment rates, real estate tax rates, the cost of operating the properties, governmental regulations and fiscal policies, acts of nature including earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes (which may result in uninsured losses), and other factors beyond our control. The direction of real estate sales and prices in many markets across the United States is not currently predictable and reductions in the value of our real estate collateral could cause us to have to foreclose on the real estate. If we are not able to realize a satisfactory amount upon foreclosure sales, we may have to own the properties, subjecting us to exposure to the risks and expenses associated with ownership. Continued declines in real estate sales and prices coupled with any weakness in the economy and continued high unemployment will result in higher than expected loan delinquencies or problem assets, a decline in demand for our products and services, or a lack of growth or a decrease in deposits, which may cause us to incur losses, adversely affect our capital, and hurt our business. 

 

The risks inherent in construction lending may continue to affect adversely our results of operations. Such risks include, among other things, the possibility that contractors may fail to complete, or complete on a timely basis, construction of the relevant properties; substantial cost overruns in excess of original estimates and financing; market deterioration during construction; and lack of permanent take-out financing. Loans secured by such properties also involve additional risk because they have no operating history. In these loans, loan funds are advanced upon the security of the project under construction (which is of uncertain value prior to completion of construction) and the estimated operating cash flow to be generated by the completed project. There is no assurance that such properties will be sold or leased so as to generate the cash flow anticipated by the borrower. A general decline in real estate sales and prices across the United States or locally in the relevant real estate market, a decline in demand for residential real estate, economic weakness, high rates of unemployment, and reduced availability of mortgage credit, are some of the factors that can adversely affect the borrowers’ ability to repay their obligations to us and the value of our security interest in collateral, and thereby adversely affect our results of operations and financial results. 

 

Our use of appraisals in deciding whether to make a loan on or secured by real property does not ensure the value of the real property collateral. 

 

In considering whether to make a loan secured by real property, we require an appraisal of the property. However, an appraisal is only an estimate of the value of the property at the time the appraisal is made. If the appraisal does not reflect the amount that may be obtained upon any sale or foreclosure of the property, we may not realize an amount equal to the indebtedness secured by the property.

 

Liabilities from environmental regulations could materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

In the course of the Bank’s business, the Bank may foreclose and take title to real estate, and could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. The Bank may be held liable to a governmental 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 investigate or clear up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, as the owner or former owner of any contaminated site, the Bank may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages, and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If the Bank ever becomes subject to significant environmental liabilities, its business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock could be materially and adversely affected.  

 

 

We face substantial competition from our competitors. 

 

We face substantial competition for deposits, loans, and for other banking services, as well as acquisitions, throughout our market area from the major banks and financial institutions that dominate the commercial banking industry. This may cause our cost of funds to exceed that of our competitors. These banks and financial institutions, including those with foreign ownership, have greater resources than we do, including the ability to finance advertising campaigns and allocate their investment assets to regions of higher yield and demand and make acquisitions. By virtue of their larger capital bases, they have substantially greater lending limits than we do and perform certain functions, including trust services, which are not presently offered by us. We also compete for loans and deposits, as well as other banking services, such as payment services, with savings and loan associations, savings banks, brokerage houses, insurance companies, mortgage companies, credit unions, credit card companies and other financial and non-financial institutions and entities. These factors and ongoing consolidation among insured institutions in the financial services industry may materially and adversely affect our ability to market our products and services. Significant increases in the costs of monitoring and ensuring compliance with new banking regulations and the necessary costs of upgrading information technology and data processing capabilities can have a disproportionate impact on our ability to compete with larger institutions.

 

We are dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect our prospects. 

 

Competition for qualified employees and personnel in the banking industry is intense and there are a limited number of qualified persons with knowledge of, and experience in, the communities that we serve. The process of recruiting personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required to carry out our strategies is often lengthy. Our success depends to a significant degree upon our ability to attract and retain qualified management, loan origination, finance, administrative, marketing, and technical personnel and upon the continued contributions of our management and personnel. In particular, our success has been and continues to be highly dependent upon the abilities of key executives and certain other employees, including, but not limited to, our Chief Executive Officer, Dunson K. Cheng, and our Chief Financial Officer, Heng W. Chen.

 

Our compensation practices are subject to review and oversight by the FDIC, the DBO, the Federal Reserve and other regulators. We may be subject to limitations on compensation practices, which may or may not affect our competitors, by the FDIC, the DBO, the Federal Reserve or other regulators. These limitations could further affect our ability to attract and retain our executive officers and other key personnel. In April 2011, the Federal Reserve, other federal banking agencies and the SEC jointly published proposed rules designed to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act prohibiting incentive compensation arrangements that would encourage inappropriate risk taking at covered financial institutions, which includes a bank or bank holding company with $1 billion or more of assets, such as the Bancorp and the Bank. It cannot be determined at this time whether or when a final rule will be adopted and whether compliance with such a final rule will substantially affect the manner in which we structure compensation for our executives and other employees. Depending on the nature and application of the final rules, we may not be able to successfully compete with certain financial institutions and other companies that are not subject to some or all of the rules to retain and attract executives and other high performing employees. If this were to occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected, perhaps materially.

 

 Managing reputational risk is important to attracting and maintaining customers, investors, and employees. 

 

Threats to our reputation can come from many sources, including adverse sentiment about financial institutions generally, unethical practices, employee misconduct, failure to deliver minimum standards of service or quality, compliance deficiencies, failure to protect confidential client information and questionable, illegal, or fraudulent activities of our customers. We have policies and procedures in place that seek to protect our reputation and promote ethical conduct, but these policies and procedures may not be fully effective. Negative publicity regarding our business, employees, or customers, with or without merit, may result in the loss of customers, investors, and employees, costly litigation, a decline in revenues, and increased governmental regulation. 

 

 

Natural disasters and geopolitical events beyond our control could adversely affect us. 

 

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, wildfires, extreme weather conditions, hurricanes, floods, and other acts of nature and geopolitical events involving civil unrest, changes in government regimes, terrorism, or military conflict could adversely affect our business operations and those of our customers and cause substantial damage and loss to real and personal property. These natural disasters and geopolitical events could impair our borrowers’ ability to service their loans, decrease the level and duration of deposits by customers, erode the value of loan collateral, and result in an increase in the amount of our non-performing loans and a higher level of non-performing assets (including real estate owned), net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock. 

 

Adverse conditions in Asia and elsewhere could adversely affect our business. 

 

A substantial number of our customers have economic and cultural ties to Asia and, as a result, we are likely to feel the effects of adverse economic and political conditions in Asia, including the effects of rising inflation or slowing growth and volatility in the real estate and stock markets in China and other regions. Additionally, we maintain a branch in Hong Kong. U.S. and global economic policies, military tensions, and unfavorable global economic conditions may adversely impact the Asian economies. In addition, pandemics and other public health crises or concerns over the possibility of such crises could create economic and financial disruptions in the region. A significant deterioration of economic conditions in Asia could expose us to, among other things, economic and transfer risk, and we could experience an outflow of deposits by those of our customers with connections to Asia. Transfer risk may result when an entity is unable to obtain the foreign exchange needed to meet its obligations or to provide liquidity. This may adversely impact the recoverability of investments with or loans made to such entities. Adverse economic conditions in Asia, and in China or Taiwan in particular, may also negatively impact asset values and the profitability and liquidity of our customers who operate in this region. 

 

Our information systems may experience failures, interruptions, or breaches in security, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock. 

 

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure, interruption, or breach or threatened breach of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. In the course of providing financial services, we store personally identifiable data concerning customers and employees of customers. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption, or breaches of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions, or breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. Privacy laws and regulations are matters of growing public concern and are continually changing in the states in which we operate.

 

In recent periods, there has been a rise in electronic fraudulent activity, security breaches, and cyber-attacks within the financial services industry, especially in the banking sector. Some financial institutions have reported breaches of their websites and systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and targeted attacks intended to misappropriate sensitive or confidential information, destroy or corrupt data, disable or degrade service, disrupt operations or sabotage systems. These breaches can remain undetected for an extended period of time. The secure maintenance and transmission of confidential information, as well as the secure execution of transactions over our systems, are essential to protect us and our customers against fraud and security breaches and to maintain our customers’ confidence. Increases in criminal activity levels and sophistication, advances in computer capabilities, and other developments could result in a compromise or breach of the technology, processes, and controls that we use to prevent fraudulent transactions or to protect data about us, our customers, and underlying transactions, as well as the technology used by our customers to access our systems. Cyber security risks may also occur with our third-party service providers, and may interfere with their ability to fulfill their contractual obligations to us, with attendant potential for financial loss or liability that could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. These risks will likely continue to increase in the future as we continue to increase our offerings of mobile services and other Internet or web-based products.

 

 

The occurrence of any failures, interruptions, or breaches could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customers, cause us to incur additional costs (including remediation and cyber security protection costs), disrupt our operations, affect our ability to grow our online and mobile banking services, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock. 

 

Our need to continue to adapt our information technology systems to allow us to provide new and expanded service could present operational issues, require significant capital spending, and disrupt our business. 

 

The financial services market, including banking services, is undergoing rapid changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and may enable us to reduce costs. Our future success may depend, in part, on our ability to use technology to provide products and services that provide convenience to customers and to create additional efficiencies in our operations. As we continue to offer Internet banking and other online and mobile services to our customers, and continue to expand our existing conventional banking services, we will need to adapt our information technology systems to handle these changes in a way that meets constantly changing industry and regulatory standards. This can be very expensive and may require significant capital expenditures. In addition, our success will depend on, among other things, our ability to provide secure and reliable services, anticipate changes in technology, and efficiently develop and introduce services that are accepted by our customers and cost effective for us to provide. Some of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements than we currently have. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. As a result, our ability to effectively compete to retain or acquire new business may be impaired, and our business, financial condition or results of operations, may be adversely affected.

 

We may incur significant losses as a result of ineffective risk management processes and strategies.

 

       We are exposed to many types of operational risks, including liquidity risk, credit risk, market risk, interest rate risk, legal and compliance risk, strategic risk, information security risk, and reputational risk. We are also reliant upon our employees, and our operations are subject to the risk of fraud, theft or malfeasance by our employees. We seek to monitor and control our risk exposure through a risk and control framework encompassing a variety of separate but complementary financial, credit, operational and compliance systems, and internal control and management review processes. However, these systems and review processes and the judgments that accompany their application may not be effective and, as a result, we may not anticipate every economic and financial outcome in all market environments or the specifics and timing of such outcomes, particularly in the event of the kinds of dislocations in market conditions experienced during the recession, which highlight the limitations inherent in using historical data to manage risk. If those systems and review processes prove to be ineffective in identifying and managing risks, our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock could be materially and adversely affected. We may also suffer severe reputational damage.

 

Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings.

 

Various aspects of our operations involve the risk of legal liability. We have been, and expect to continue to be, named or threatened to be named as defendants in legal proceedings arising from our business activities. We establish accruals for legal proceedings when information related to the loss contingencies represented by those proceedings indicates both that a loss is probable and that the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, but we do not have accruals for all legal proceedings where we face a risk of loss. In addition, amounts accrued may not represent the ultimate loss to us from those legal proceedings. Thus, our ultimate losses may be higher or lower, and possibly significantly so, than the amounts accrued for loss contingencies arising from legal proceedings, and these losses could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the value of our common stock. 

 

 

Certain provisions of our charter and bylaws could make the acquisition of our company more difficult. 

 

Certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our restated bylaws, as amended, could make the acquisition of our company more difficult. These provisions include authorized but unissued shares of preferred and common stock that may be issued without stockholder approval; three classes of directors serving staggered terms; special requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations for director; and super-majority voting requirements in certain situations including certain types of business combinations. 

 

Our financial results could be adversely affected by changes in accounting standards or tax laws and regulations.

 

From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC will change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. In addition, from time to time, federal and state taxing authorities will change the tax laws and regulations, and their interpretations. These changes and their effects can be difficult to predict and can materially and adversely impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations.  

 

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to sell shares of common stock owned by you at times or at prices you find attractive. 

 

The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate widely as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. In addition, the stock market is subject to fluctuations in the share prices and trading volumes that affect the market prices of the shares of many companies. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are: 

 

●

actual or anticipated quarterly fluctuations in our operating results and financial condition and prospects;

 

●

changes in revenue or earnings estimates or publication of research reports and recommendations by financial analysts;

 

●

failure to meet analysts’ revenue or earnings estimates;

 

●

speculation in the press or investment community;

 

●

strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;

 

●

acquisitions of other banks or financial institutions;

 

●

actions by institutional stockholders;

 

●

fluctuations in the stock price and operating results of our competitors;

 

●

general market conditions and, in particular, developments related to market conditions for the financial services industry;

 

●

proposed or adopted regulatory changes or developments;

 

●

anticipated or pending investigations, proceedings, or litigation that involve or affect us;

 

●

successful management of reputational risk; and

 

●

domestic and international economic factors, such as interest or foreign exchange rates, stock, commodity, credit, or asset valuations or volatility, unrelated to our performance.

 

 

The stock market and, in particular, the market for financial institution stocks, has experienced significant volatility. As a result, the market price of our common stock may be volatile. In addition, the trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate more than usual and cause significant price variations to occur. The trading price of the shares of our common stock and the value of our other securities will depend on many factors, which may change from time to time, including, without limitation, our financial condition, performance, creditworthiness and prospects, future sales of our equity or equity related securities, and other factors identified above in “Forward-Looking Statements,” and in this Item 1A — “Risk Factors.” The capital and credit markets can experience volatility and disruption. Such volatility and disruption can reach unprecedented levels, resulting in downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to their underlying financial strength. A significant decline in our stock price could result in substantial losses for individual stockholders and could lead to costly and disruptive securities litigation.

 

Statutory restrictions and restrictions by our regulators on dividends and other distributions from the Bank may adversely impact us by limiting the amount of distributions the Bancorp may receive. Statutory and contractual restrictions and our regulators may also restrict the Bancorp’s ability to pay dividends. 

 

The ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us is limited by various regulations and statutes, including California law, and our ability to pay dividends on our outstanding stock is limited by various regulations and statutes, including Delaware law.

 

A substantial portion of the Bancorp’s cash flow comes from dividends that the Bank pays to us. Various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends that the Bank can pay to us without regulatory approval.

 

The Federal Reserve Board has previously issued Federal Reserve Supervision and Regulation Letter SR-09-4 that states that bank holding companies are expected to inform and consult with the Federal Reserve supervisory staff prior to taking any actions that could result in a diminished capital base, including any payment or increase in the rate of dividends. In addition, if we are not current in our payment of dividends on our Junior Subordinated Notes, we may not pay dividends on our common stock. Further, new capital conservation buffer requirements will limit the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Bancorp if we are not compliant with those capital cushions.

 

If the Bank were to liquidate, the Bank’s creditors would be entitled to receive distributions from the assets of the Bank to satisfy their claims against the Bank before the Bancorp, as a holder of the equity interest in the Bank, would be entitled to receive any of the assets of the Bank as a distribution or dividend.

 

The restrictions described above, together with the potentially dilutive impact of the warrant initially issued to the U.S. Treasury in connection with our participation in the TARP Capital Purchase Program and subsequently sold by the U.S. Treasury in a secondary public offering, could have a negative effect on the value of our common stock. Moreover, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors. Although we have historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so and our Board of Directors could reduce or eliminate our common stock dividend in the future, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.  

 

The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect holders of common stock, which may negatively impact their investment. 

 

Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue preferred stock without any action on the part of the stockholders. The board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such classes or series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights and preferences over the common stock with respect to dividends or upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of our business and other terms. If we issue preferred stock in the future that has a preference over the common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of the common stock, the rights of holders of the common stock or the market price of the common stock could be adversely affected.  

 

 

Our outstanding debt securities restrict our ability to pay dividends on our capital stock. 

 

We have issued an aggregate of $119.1 million in trust preferred securities (collectively, the “Trust Preferred Securities”). Payments to investors in respect of the Trust Preferred Securities are funded by distributions on certain series of securities issued by us, with similar terms to the relevant series of Trust Preferred Securities, which we refer to as the “Junior Subordinated Notes.” If we are unable to pay interest in respect of the Junior Subordinated Notes (which will be used to make distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities), or if any other event of default occurs, then we will generally be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends or other distributions, or redeeming, purchasing or acquiring, any of our capital securities, including the common stock, during the next succeeding interest payment period applicable to any of the Junior Subordinated Notes. 

 

Moreover, any other financing agreements that we enter into in the future may limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock, including the common stock. In the event that any other financing agreements in the future restrict our ability to pay such dividends, we may be unable to pay dividends in cash on the common stock unless we can refinance amounts outstanding under those agreements. 

 

We may need to raise additional capital which may dilute the interests of holders of our common stock or otherwise have an adverse effect on their investment. 

 

Should economic conditions deteriorate, particularly in the California commercial real estate and residential real estate markets where our business is concentrated, we may need to raise more capital to support any additional provisions for loan losses and loan charge-offs. In addition, we may need to raise more capital to meet other regulatory requirements, including new required capital standards, if our losses are higher than expected, if we are unable to meet our capital requirements, or if additional capital is required for our growth. There can be no assurance that we would succeed in raising any such additional capital, and any capital we obtain may dilute the interests of holders of our common stock, or otherwise have an adverse effect on their investment.

 

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us. 

 

Financial institutions 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 industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, and other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due us. The failure of financial institutions can also result in increased FDIC assessments for the Deposit Insurance Fund. Any such losses or increased assessments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

The Company has not received written comments regarding its periodic or current reports from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that were issued not less than 180 days before the end of its 2015 fiscal year and that remain unresolved.

 

Item 2.    Properties.

 

Cathay General Bancorp

 

The Bancorp currently neither owns nor leases any real or personal property. The Bancorp uses the premises, equipment, and furniture of the Bank at 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012 and at 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731, in exchange for payment of a management fee to the Bank.

 

 

Cathay Bank

 

The Bank’s head office is located in a 36,727 square foot building in the Chinatown area of Los Angeles. The Bank owns both the building and the land upon which the building is situated. The Bank maintains certain of its administrative offices at a seven-story 102,548 square foot office building located at 9650 Flair Drive, El Monte, California 91731. The Bank also owns this building and land in El Monte.

 

The Bank owns its branch offices in Monterey Park, Alhambra, Westminster, San Gabriel, City of Industry, Cupertino, Artesia, New York City (2 locations), Flushing (3 locations), Chicago, and Rockville in the state of Maryland. In addition, the Bank has certain operating and administrative departments located at 4128 Temple City Boulevard, Rosemead, California, where it owns the building and land with approximately 27,600 square feet of space.

 

The other branch and representative offices and other properties are leased by the Bank under leases with expiration dates ranging from April 2016 to December 2024, exclusive of renewal options. As of December 31, 2015, the Bank’s investment in premises and equipment totaled $108.9 million, net of accumulated depreciation. See Note 8 and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries and their property are not currently a party or subject to any material pending legal proceeding.

 

Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant.

 

The table below sets forth the names, ages, and positions at the Bancorp and the Bank of all executive officers of the Company as of February 16, 2016.

 

Name	Age		Present Position and Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years
Dunson K. Cheng	71		Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bancorp and the Bank since 1994; Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Bancorp since 1990; Director of the Bank since 1982; President of the Bank from 1985 to March 2015.
Pin Tai	62		Director and President of the Bank since April 2015; Chief Lending Officer of the Bank from 2013 to March 2015; Executive Vice President of the Bank from 2006 to 2015; Deputy Chief Lending Officer and General Manager of Eastern Regions of the Bank from 2010 to 2013; General Manager of Eastern Regions of the Bank from 2006 to 2009.
Irwin Wong	67		Chief Operating Officer of the Bank since April 2015; Senior Executive Vice President since 2014, Chief Retail Administration and Regulatory Affairs Officer of the Bank from January 2014 to March 2015; Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer of the Bank from 2011 to 2013; Executive Vice President-Branch Administration of the Bank from 1999 to 2011.

 

Heng W. Chen	63		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Bancorp since 2003; Executive Vice President of the Bank since 2003; Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since 2004.
Donald S. Chow	65		Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank since 2014; Consultant of the Office of the President from August to December 2013; Executive Vice President and Senior Credit Supervisor of East West Bank from 2009 to 2013; and President of Desert Community Bank, a division of East West Bank, from 2007 to 2009.
Kim R. Bingham	59		Chief Risk Officer of the Bank since 2014; Executive Vice President of the Bank since 2004; Chief Credit Officer of the Bank from 2004 to 2013.

 

 

 

 

PART II 

 

Item 5.     Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CATY.” The closing price of our common stock on February 16, 2016, was $27.51 per share, as reported by the NASDAQ Global elect Market.

 

The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the periods presented:

 

		2015								2014
		High				Low				High				Low
First quarter		$	28.45			$	23.07			$	26.37			$	22.76
Second quarter			33.37				28.32				26.47				23.10
Third quarter			34.14				27.73				26.81				24.81
Fourth quarter			34.52				29.36				27.02				24.04

 

 

Holders

 

As of February 16, 2016, there were approximately 1,534 holders of record of our common stock.

 

 

Dividends

 

The cash dividends per share declared by quarter were as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014
First quarter		$	0.10			$	0.05
Second quarter			0.14				0.07
Third quarter			0.14				0.07
Fourth quarter			0.18				0.10
Total		$	0.56			$	0.29

 

For information concerning restrictions on the payment of dividends, see Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Capital Resources — Dividend Policy,” and Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Performance Graph

 

The graph and accompanying information furnished below shows the cumulative total stockholder return over the past five years assuming the investment of $100 on December 31, 2010 (and the reinvestment of dividends thereafter) in each of our common stock, the SNL Western Bank Index and the S&P 500 Index. The SNL Western Bank Index is a market-weighted index comprised of publicly traded banks and bank holding companies (including the Company) most of which are based in California and the remainder of which are based in eight other western states, including Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. We will furnish, without charge, on the written request of any person who is a stockholder of record as of the record date for the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, a list of the companies included in the SNL Western Bank Index. Requests for this information should be addressed to Lisa L. Kim, Secretary, Cathay General Bancorp, 777 North Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012.

 

 

NOTE: The comparisons in the graph below are based upon historical data and are not indicative of, or intended to forecast, the future performance of, or returns on, our common stock. Such information furnished herewith shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission except to the extent that the Company specifically requests that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.

 

 

 

		Period Ending
Index		12/31/10				12/31/11				12/31/12				12/31/13				12/31/14				12/31/15
Cathay General Bancorp			100.00				89.64				117.54				161.40				156.31				194.93
SNL Western Bank			100.00				90.34				114.01				160.41				192.51				199.46
S&P 500			100.00				102.11				118.45				156.82				178.28				180.75

 

 

Source: SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA © 2015

 

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

There were no sales of any equity securities by the Company during the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that were not registered under the Securities Act.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

In November 2007, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for the Company to buy back up to one million shares of our common stock, and 377,500 shares were repurchased during 2007. Repurchases of shares were suspended under this program between 2008 and July 2015. In August 2015, the Company resumed stock repurchases under the November 2007 repurchase program and repurchased the remaining 622,500 shares under the November 2007 repurchase program for $18.1 million, or an average price of $29.08 per share.

 

 

On August 31, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program to buy back up to two million shares of our common stock. In 2015, the Company repurchased 1,366,750 shares for $41.3 million, or $30.22 per share under the August 2015 repurchase program.

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company could repurchase up to 633,250 shares of common stock under the August 2015 stock repurchase program, subject to regulatory limitations. The August 2015 stock repurchase program were completed on February 1, 2016 by repurchasing the remaining shares of 633,250 for $17.0 million, or $26.82 per share, in January and February of 2016.

 

On February 1, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program to buy back up to $45.0 million of the Company’s common stock. As of February 16, 2016, the Company repurchased 579,543 shares for $15.8 million, or $27.22 per share, under the February 2016 repurchase program. As of February 16, 2016, the Company may repurchase up to $29.2 million of its common stock under the February 2016 repurchase program.

 

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period		(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased				(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)				(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs				(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
(October 1, 2015 - October 31, 2015)			-				-				-				915,250
(November 1, 2015 - November 30, 2015)			-				-				-				915,250
(December 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015)			282,000			$	30.89				282,000				633,250
Total			282,000			$	30.89				282,000				633,250

 

 

Item 6.     Selected Financial Data.

 

The following table presents our selected historical consolidated financial data, and is derived in part from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements. The selected historical consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with Part II — Item 7 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
Income Statement
Interest income		$	453,706			$	418,647			$	406,996			$	429,744			$	453,571
Interest expense			73,964				75,866				82,300				108,491				139,881
Net interest income before provision for credit losses			379,742				342,781				324,696				321,253				313,690
(Reversal)/Provision for credit losses			(11,400	)			(10,800	)			(3,000	)			(9,000	)			27,000
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			391,142				353,581				327,696				330,253				286,690
Securities (losses)/gains			(3,349	)			6,748				27,362				18,026				21,131
Other non-interest income			36,023				33,779				32,945				28,481				29,761
Non-interest expense			202,720				174,313				193,833				192,589				185,566
Income before income tax expense			221,096				219,795				194,170				184,171				152,016
Income tax expense			59,987				81,965				70,435				66,128				51,261
Net income			161,109				137,830				123,735				118,043				100,755
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			-				-				592				605				605
Net income attributable to Cathay General Bancorp			161,109				137,830				123,143				117,438				100,150
Dividends on preferred stock			-				-				(9,685	)			(16,488	)			(16,437	)
Net income attributable to common stockholders		$	161,109			$	137,830			$	113,458			$	100,950			$	83,713
Net income attributable to common stockholders per common share
Basic		$	2.00			$	1.73			$	1.44			$	1.28			$	1.06
Diluted		$	1.98			$	1.72			$	1.43			$	1.28			$	1.06
Cash dividends paid per common share		$	0.56			$	0.29			$	0.08			$	0.04			$	0.04
Weighted-average common shares
Basic			80,563,577				79,661,571				78,954,898				78,719,133				78,633,317
Diluted			81,294,796				80,106,895				79,137,983				78,723,297				78,640,652
Statement of Condition
Investment securities		$	1,586,352			$	1,318,935			$	1,586,668			$	2,065,248			$	2,447,982
Net loans (1)			10,016,227				8,740,268				7,897,187				7,235,587				6,844,483
Loans held for sale			6,676				973				-				-				760
Total assets			13,254,126				11,516,846				10,989,286				10,694,089				10,644,864
Deposits			10,509,087				8,783,460				7,981,305				7,383,225				7,229,131
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase			400,000				450,000				800,000				1,250,000				1,400,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank			275,000				425,000				521,200				146,200				225,000
Long-term debt			119,136				119,136				121,136				171,136				171,136
Total equity			1,747,778				1,602,888				1,458,971				1,629,504				1,515,633
Common Stock Data
Shares of common stock outstanding			80,806,116				79,814,553				79,589,869				78,778,288				78,652,557
Book value per common share		$	21.46			$	20.00			$	18.24			$	17.12			$	15.75
Profitability Ratios
Return on average assets			1.34	%			1.26	%			1.17	%			1.11	%			0.94	%
Return on average stockholders' equity			9.52				8.95				8.00				7.48				6.78
Dividend payout ratio			28.11				16.76				5.15				2.68				3.14
Average equity to average assets ratio			14.04				14.04				14.73				14.87				13.98
Efficiency ratio			49.15				45.48				50.35				52.37				50.90

 

 

(1)	Net loans represent gross loans net of loan participations sold, allowance for loan losses, and unamortized deferred loan fees.

 

 

Item 7.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

General

 

The following discussion is intended to provide information to facilitate the understanding and assessment of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Bancorp and its subsidiaries. It should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The Bank offers a wide range of financial services. It currently operates 21 branches in Southern California, 12 branches in Northern California, 12 branches in New York State, one branch in Massachusetts, two branches in Texas, three branches in Washington State, three branches in Illinois, one branch in New Jersey, one branch in Maryland, one branch in Nevada, one branch in Hong Kong and two representative offices (one in Shanghai, China, and one in Taipei, Taiwan). The Bank is a commercial bank, servicing primarily individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located.

 

The financial information presented herein includes the accounts of the Bancorp, its subsidiaries, including the Bank, and the Bank’s consolidated subsidiaries. All material transactions between these entities are eliminated.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management which have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers such accounting policies to be critical accounting policies. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

 

Management believes the following are critical accounting policies that require the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

The determination of the amount of the provision for credit losses charged to operations reflects management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in economic and business conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans, changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management, changes in the volume and severity of past due, non-accrual, and adversely classified or graded loans, changes in the quality of the loan review system, changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and the effect of competition, legal and regulatory requirements, and other external factors. The nature of the process by which we determine the appropriate allowance for loan losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. The allowance is increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality could result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, or defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses in future periods.

 

 

The total allowance for credit losses consists of two components: specific allowances and general allowances. To determine the adequacy of the allowance in each of these two components, we employ two primary methodologies, the individual loan review analysis methodology and the classification migration methodology. These methodologies support the basis for determining allocations between the various loan categories and the overall adequacy of our allowance to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. These methodologies are further supported by additional analysis of relevant factors such as the historical losses in the portfolio, and environmental factors which include trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, the volume and composition of the portfolio, the strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and the concentration of credit.

 

The Bank’s management allocates a specific allowance for “Impaired Credits,” in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Section 310-10-35. For non-Impaired Credits, a general allowance is established for those loans internally classified and risk graded Pass, Minimally Acceptable, Special Mention, or Substandard based on historical losses in the specific loan portfolio and a reserve based on environmental factors determined for that loan group. The level of the general allowance is established to provide coverage for management’s estimate of the credit risk in the loan portfolio by various loan segments not covered by the specific allowance. The allowance for credit losses is discussed in more detail in “Risk Elements of the Loan Portfolio — Allowance for Credit Losses” below.

 

Investment Securities

 

The classification and accounting for investment securities are discussed in detail in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Under ASC Topic 320, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” investment securities must be classified as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The appropriate classification is based partially on our ability to hold the securities to maturity and largely on management's intentions with respect to either holding or selling the securities. The classification of investment securities is significant since it directly impacts the accounting for unrealized gains and losses on securities. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities flow directly through earnings during the periods in which they arise, whereas available-for-sale securities are recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity (accumulated other comprehensive income or loss) and do not affect earnings until realized. The fair values of our investment securities are generally determined by reference to quoted market prices and reliable independent sources. We are obligated to assess, at each reporting date, whether there is an "other-than-temporary" impairment to our investment securities. ASC Topic 320 requires us to assess whether we have the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. Other-than-temporary impairment related to credit losses will be recognized in earnings. Other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors will be recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes is based on income reported for financial statement purposes, and differs from the amount of taxes currently payable, since certain income and expense items are reported for financial statement purposes in different periods than those for tax reporting purposes. Taxes are discussed in more detail in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due or to be received from taxing authorities. In estimating accrued taxes, we assess the relative merits and risks of the appropriate tax treatment of transactions taking into account statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance in the context of our tax position.  

 

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, the objective of which is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

 

Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment

 

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations (Revised 2007),” requires an entity to recognize the assets, liabilities, and any non-controlling interest at fair value as of the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized and measured at fair value on the date of acquisition rather than at a later date when the amount of that consideration may be determinable beyond a reasonable doubt. ASC Topic 805 also requires an entity to expense acquisition-related costs as incurred rather than allocating such costs to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Contingent considerations are to be recognized at fair value on the acquisition date in a business combination and would be subject to the probable and estimable recognition criteria of ASC Topic 450, “Accounting for Contingencies.” Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350. ASC Topic 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

 

Our policy is to assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or between annual assessments if a triggering event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.  Accounting standards require management to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit in making the assessment of impairment at least annually.  

 

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process conducted by us, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to our reporting units.  We then complete “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment.  Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill.  The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill.  This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two.  An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

 

Valuation of Other Real Estate Owned (OREO)

 

Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Specific valuation allowances on other real estate owned are recorded through charges to operations to recognize declines in fair value subsequent to foreclosure. Gains on sales are recognized when certain criteria relating to the buyer’s initial and continuing investment in the property are met.

 

Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015, we reported net income attributable to common stockholders of $161.1 million, or $1.98 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to common stockholders of $137.8 million, or $1.72 per share, in 2014, and net income attributable to common stockholders of $113.5 million, or $1.43 per share, in 2013. The $23.3 million increase in net income from 2014 to 2015 was primarily the result of increases in net interest income, and decreases in costs associated with debt redemption, partially offset by decreases in securities gains, increases in operation expenses from amortization of investments in affordable housing and alternative energy partnerships and in occupancy expenses and professional expenses. The return on average assets in 2015 was 1.34%, compared to 1.26% in 2014, and to 1.17% in 2013. The return on average stockholders’ equity was 9.52% in 2015, compared to 8.95% in 2014, and to 8.00% in 2013.

 

 

Highlights

 

●

Diluted earnings per share increased 15.1% to $1.98 per share for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to $1.72 per share for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

●

Total loans increased $1.2 billion, or 14.0%, excluding loans held for sale, during 2015, to $10.2 billion at December 31, 2015, compared to $8.9 billion at December 31, 2014.

 

Net income available to common stockholders and key financial performance ratios are presented below for the three years indicated:

 

		2015				2014				2013
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income		$	161,109			$	137,830			$	123,143
Dividends on preferred stock			-				-				(9,685	)
Net income available to common stockholders		$	161,109			$	137,830			$	113,458
Basic earnings per common share		$	2.00			$	1.73			$	1.44
Diluted earnings per common share		$	1.98			$	1.72			$	1.43
Return on average assets			1.34	%			1.26	%			1.17	%
Return on average stockholders' equity			9.52	%			8.95	%			8.00	%
Total average assets		$	12,056,531			$	10,974,890			$	10,506,842
Total average equity		$	1,692,826			$	1,540,564			$	1,548,179
Efficiency ratio			49.15	%			45.48	%			50.35	%
Effective income tax rate			27.13	%			37.29	%			36.39	%

 

 

Net Interest Income

 

Net interest income increased $36.9 million, or 10.8%, from $342.8 million in 2014 to $379.7 million in 2015. The increase in net interest income was due primarily to the increase in loan interest income and the decrease in interest expense from securities sold under agreements to repurchase, offset by the decrease in interest income from available-for-sale securities and increases in interest expense from time deposits.

 

Average loans for 2015 were $9.59 billion, a $1.06 billion, or a 12.4%, increase from $8.53 billion in 2014. Compared with 2014, average commercial mortgage loans increased $658.1 million, or 15.4%, average residential mortgage loans increased $247.3 million, or 15.1%, average real estate construction loans increased $97.4 million, or 35.8% and average commercial loans increased $67.2 million, or 2.9%. Average investment securities were $1.38 billion in 2015, a decrease of $38.4 million, or 2.7%, from 2014, due primarily to decreases in U.S. Treasury securities of $153.4 million and in corporate debt securities of $42.6 million, offset by increases in agency mortgage-backed securities of $125.1 million and increases in U.S. government sponsored agency securities of $31.3 million.

 

Average interest bearing deposits were $7.80 billion in 2015, an increase of $884.0 million, or 12.8%, from $6.92 billion in 2014, primarily due to increases of $416.1 million, or 9.8%, in time deposits, $270.0 million, or 19.2%, in money market deposits, $139.1 million, or 19.3%, in interest bearing demand deposits, and $58.8 million, or 11.1%, in saving deposits. Average securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $228.5 million, or 36.3%, to $400.8 million in 2015 from $629.3 million in 2014, primarily due to maturities and prepayments of securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Average other borrowings decreased $40.8 million, or 27.9%, to $105.4 million in 2015 from $146.1 million in 2014, primarily due to decreases in FHLB advances.

 

 

Interest income increased $35.1 million, or 8.4%, from $418.6 million in 2014 to $453.7 million in 2015 primarily due to increases in the volume of loans offset by a decline in rate of loans and investment securities and by a change in the mix of interest-earning assets as discussed below:

 

●

Changes in volume: Average interest-earning assets increased $965.6 million, or 9.4%, to $11.19 billion in 2015, compared with the average interest-earning assets of $10.22 billion in 2014. The increase in average loans of $1.06 billion in 2015 offset by a decrease in average investment securities of $38.4 million and in average interest bearing cash on deposits with financial institutions of $49.3 million contributed to the increase in interest income. The increase of $45.8 million in interest income due to volume were resulted primarily from a $47.5 million increase in interest income from the loan volume increase offset by a $1.7 million decrease in interest income caused by the decrease in the volume of investment securities, FHLB stock, and deposits with other banks.

 

●

Decrease in rate: The average yield of interest bearing assets decreased to 4.06% in 2015 from 4.10% in 2014. The rate on taxable investment securities decreased 15 basis points to 1.56% in 2015 from 1.71% in 2014. The decrease in taxable investment securities yields caused a $2.1 million decline in interest income. The rate on loans decreased 12 basis points to 4.46% in 2015 from 4.58% in 2014. The decrease in loan yield caused a $10.3 million decline in interest income.

 

●

Change in the mix of interest-earning assets: Average gross loans, which generally have a higher yield than other types of investments, comprised 85.8% of total average interest-earning assets in 2015, an increase from 83.5% in 2014. Average investment securities comprised 12.3% of total average interest-bearing assets in 2015, a decrease from 13.9% in 2014.

 

Interest expense decreased by $1.9 million, or 2.5%, to $74.0 million in 2015, compared with $75.9 million in 2014, primarily due to decreased cost from securities sold under agreements to repurchase offset by increased cost from time deposits, long-term debt and money market deposits. The overall decrease in interest expense was primarily due to decreases in volume on securities sold under agreements to repurchase offset by increases in volume on interest bearing deposits and by increases in rate on long-term debt and time deposits as discussed below:

 

●

Changes in volume: Average securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $228.5 million, or 36.3%, in 2015 and contributed to a $9.0 million decrease in interest expense. Average time deposits increased $416.1 million, or 9.8%, and average money market deposits increased $270.0 million, or 19.2%, causing interest expense to increase by $5.1 million. The changes in volume contributed to a decrease in interest expense of $3.8 million

 

●

Increase in rate: The average cost of interest bearing deposits increased to 0.67% in 2015 from 0.66% in 2014. The average cost of securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased to 3.95% in 2015 from 3.92% in 2014. The average cost of long-term debt increased to 4.85% in 2015 from 3.73% in 2014 primarily due to the full year impact of cash flow interest rate swaps entered into during June 2014. The increases in rate caused interest expense to increase by $1.9 million.

 

●

Change in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities: Average interest bearing deposits of $7.80 billion increased to 92.6% of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2015 compared to 88.5% in 2014. Offsetting the increase, average securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased to 4.8% of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2015 compared to 8.1% in 2014.

 

Net interest margin, defined as net interest income to average interest-earning assets, increased to 3.39% in 2015 from 3.35% in 2014. The increase in the net interest margin was primarily due to the impact from the increase in loans and the decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase offset by the increase in time deposits and money market deposits.

 

 

Net interest income increased $18.1 million, or 5.6%, from $324.7 million in 2013 to $342.8 million in 2014. Interest income on tax-exempt securities was zero in 2014 compared to $1.0 million, or $1.5 million on a tax-equivalent basis, in 2013. The increase in net interest income was due primarily to the increase in loan interest income and the decrease in interest expense from securities sold under agreements to repurchase, offset by the decrease in interest income from available-for-sale securities.

 

Average loans for 2014 were $8.53 billion, a $901.7 million, or 11.8%, increase from $7.63 billion in 2013. Compared with 2013, average commercial mortgage loans increased $411.4 million, or 10.6%, average residential mortgage loans increased $222.8 million, or 15.7%, average commercial loans increased $173.8 million, or 8.1%, and average real estate construction loans increased $95.4 million, or 53.9%. Average investment securities were $1.42 billion in 2014, a decrease of $515.6 million, or 26.7%, from 2013, due primarily to decreases in agency mortgage-backed securities of $483.4 million, or 38.6%.

 

Average interest bearing deposits were $6.92 billion in 2014, an increase of $586.1 million, or 9.3%, from $6.33 billion in 2013, primarily due to increases of $264.2 million, or 6.6%, in time deposits, $191.7 million, or 15.8%, in money market deposits, $86.9 million, or 13.7%, in interest bearing demand deposits, and $43.3 million, or 8.9%, in savings deposits. Average securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $343.0 million, or 35.3%, to $629.3 million in 2014 from $972.3 million in 2013, primarily due to maturities and prepayments of securities sold under agreements to repurchase in 2014. Average other borrowings increased $73.4 million, or 101%, to $146.1 million in 2014 from $72.7 million in 2013, primarily due to increases in FHLB advances. Average long term debt decreased $49.7 million, or 29.3%, to $119.8 million in 2014 from $169.5 million in 2013.

 

Taxable-equivalent interest income increased $11.1 million, or 2.7%, to $418.6 million in 2014 from $407.5 million in 2013, primarily due to increases in volume of loans offset by a decline in volume of investment securities and by a change in the mix of interest-earning assets as discussed below:

 

	●	Changes in volume: Average interest-earning assets increased $439.5 million, or 4.5%, to $10.22 billion in 2014, compared with average interest-earning assets of $9.78 billion in 2013. The increase in average loans of $901.7 million in 2014 offset by a decrease in average investment securities of $515.6 million primarily contributed to the increase in interest income. The increase of $30.5 million in interest income due to volume primarily resulted from a $41.5 million increase in interest income from the loan volume increase offset by a $9.7 million decrease in interest income caused by the decrease in investment securities volume.

●

Decrease in rate: The average yield of interest bearing assets decreased 7 basis points to 4.10% in 2014 from 4.17% in 2013. The rate on taxable investment securities decreased 57 basis points to 1.71% in 2014 from 2.28% in 2013. The decrease in taxable investment securities yields caused a $9.5 million decline in interest income. The rate on loans decreased 14 basis points to 4.58% in 2014 from 4.72% in 2013. The decrease in loan yield caused a $11.0 million decline in interest income.

 

●

Change in the mix of interest-earning assets: Average gross loans, which generally have a higher yield than other types of investments, comprised 83.5% of total average interest-earning assets in 2014, an increase from 78.1% in 2013. Average investment securities comprised 13.9% of total average interest-bearing assets in 2014, a decrease from 19.8% in 2013.

 

Interest expense decreased by $6.4 million, or 7.8%, to $75.9 million in 2014, compared with $82.3 million in 2013, primarily due to decreased cost from securities sold under agreements to repurchase offset by increased cost from time deposits and money market deposits. The overall decrease in interest expense was primarily due to decreases in volume on securities sold under agreements to repurchase offset by increases on rate and volume on interest bearing deposits as discussed below:

 

●

Changes in volume: Average securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased $343.0 million, or 35.3%, in 2014 and contributed to a $13.5 million decrease in interest expense. Average time deposits increased $264.2 million, or 6.6%, and average money market deposits increased $191.7 million, or 15.8%, causing interest expense to increase by $3.3 million. The changes in volume contributed to decreases in interest expense of $10.8 million.

 

 

●

Increase in rate: The average cost of interest bearing deposits increased to 0.66% in 2014 from 0.64% in 2013. The average cost of securities sold under agreements to repurchase increased to 3.92% in 2014 from 3.88% in 2013. The average cost of long-term debt increased to 3.73% in 2014 from 2.18% in 2013. The increase in rate caused interest expense to increase by $4.3 million.

 

●

Change in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities: Average interest bearing deposits of $6.92 billion increased to 88.5% of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2014 compared to 83.9% in 2013. Offsetting the increase, average securities sold under agreements to repurchase decreased to 8.1% of total interest-bearing liabilities in 2014 compared to 12.9% in 2013.

 

Our taxable-equivalent net interest margin, defined as taxable-equivalent net interest income to average interest-earning assets, increased to 3.35% in 2014 from 3.33% in 2013. The increase in the net interest margin was due to the impact from increases in loans and decreases in securities sold under agreements to repurchase offset by decreases in investment securities.

 

 

The following table sets forth information concerning average interest-earning assets, average interest-bearing liabilities, and the yields and rates paid on those assets and liabilities. Average outstanding amounts included in the table are daily averages.

 

Interest-Earning Assets and Interest-Bearing Liabilities

 

		2015 Average Balance				Interest Income/ Expense (4)				Average Yield/ Rate (1)(2)				2014 Average Balance				Interest Income/ Expense (4)				Average Yield/ Rate (1)(2)				2013 Average Balance				Interest Income/ Expense (4)				Average Yield/ Rate (1)(2)
		(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-Earning Assets:
Commercial loans		$	2,389,776			$	90,980				3.81	%		$	2,322,563			$	89,994				3.87	%		$	2,148,763			$	84,680				3.94	%
Residential mortgages			1,890,558				85,537				4.52				1,643,239				77,231				4.70				1,420,434				66,229				4.66
Commercial mortgages			4,938,397				229,292				4.64				4,280,255				207,235				4.84				3,868,837				198,904				5.14
Real estate construction loans			369,928				21,717				5.87				272,479				15,889				5.83				177,093				10,010				5.65
Other loans			4,789				95				1.98				13,712				91				0.66				15,403				136				0.88
Loans (1)			9,593,448				427,621				4.46				8,532,248				390,440				4.58				7,630,530				359,959				4.72
Taxable securities			1,378,641				21,523				1.56				1,417,007				24,237				1.71				1,903,541				43,412				2.28
Tax-exempt securities (3)			-				-				-				-				-				-				29,076				1,531				5.27
FHLB stock			21,480				3,164				14.73				29,487				1,974				6.69				33,446				1,480				4.43
Interest-bearing deposits			192,763				1,398				0.73				242,037				1,996				0.82				184,654				1,150				0.62
Total interest-earning assets		$	11,186,332			$	453,706				4.06			$	10,220,779			$	418,647				4.10			$	9,781,247			$	407,532				4.17
Non-interest Earning Assets:
Cash and due from banks			213,882												177,129												149,196
Other non-earning assets			822,326												762,535												769,388
Total non-interest earning assets			1,036,208												939,664												918,584
Less: Allowance for loan losses			(155,683	)											(172,377	)											(181,272	)
Deferred loan fees			(10,326	)											(13,176	)											(11,717	)
Total Assets		$	12,056,531											$	10,974,890											$	10,506,842
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits		$	860,513			$	1,406				0.16			$	721,435			$	1,229				0.17			$	634,506			$	1,017				0.16
Money market deposits			1,677,065				10,138				0.60				1,407,053				8,627				0.61				1,215,347				7,034				0.58
Savings deposits			590,987				901				0.15				532,184				802				0.15				488,932				374				0.08
Time deposits			4,673,862				39,443				0.84				4,257,736				35,111				0.82				3,993,508				31,964				0.80
Total interest-bearing deposits			7,802,427				51,888				0.67				6,918,408				45,769				0.66				6,332,293				40,389				0.64
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase			400,822				15,813				3.95				629,315				24,685				3.92				972,329				37,692				3.88
FHLB advances and other borrowings			105,367				487				0.46				146,120				945				0.65				72,687				528				0.73
Long-term debt			119,136				5,776				4.85				119,785				4,467				3.73				169,492				3,691				2.18
Total interest-bearing liabilities			8,427,752				73,964				0.88				7,813,628				75,866				0.97				7,546,801				82,300				1.09
Non-interest Bearing Liabilities:
Demand deposits			1,781,981												1,535,461												1,325,781
Other liabilities			153,972												85,237												86,081
Stockholders' equity			1,692,826												1,540,564												1,548,179
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	12,056,531											$	10,974,890											$	10,506,842
Net interest spread (4)											3.18	%											3.13	%											3.08	%
Net interest income (4)						$	379,742											$	342,781											$	325,232
Net interest margin (4)											3.39	%											3.35	%											3.33	%

____________

(1)	Yields and amounts of interest earned include loan fees. Non-accrual loans are included in the average balance.

(2)	Calculated by dividing net interest income by average outstanding interest-earning assets.

(3)	The average yield has been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis for certain securities of states and political subdivisions and other securities held using a statutory federal income tax rate of 35%.

(4)	Net interest income, net interest spread, and net interest margin on interest-earning assets have been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis using a statutory federal income tax rate of 35%.

 

 

Taxable-Equivalent Net Interest Income — Changes Due to Rate and Volume(1)

 

		2015 - 2014												2014 - 2013
		Increase/(Decrease) in												Increase/(Decrease) in
		Net Interest Income Due to:												Net Interest Income Due to:
		Change in				Change in				Total				Change in				Change in				Total
		Volume				Rate				Change				Volume				Rate				Change
		(In thousands)
Interest-Earning Assets
Deposits with other banks		$	(376	)		$	(222	)		$	(598	)		$	414			$	432			$	846
Taxable securities			(643	)			(2,071	)			(2,714	)			(9,694	)			(9,481	)			(19,175	)
Tax-exempt securities (2)			-				-				-				(1,531	)			-				(1,531	)
FHLB stock			(655	)			1,845				1,190				(192	)			686				494
Loans			47,519				(10,338	)			37,181				41,521				(11,040	)			30,481
Total increase/(decrease) in interest income			45,845				(10,786	)			35,059				30,518				(19,403	)			11,115
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
Interest-bearing demand deposits			229				(52	)			177				145				67				212
Money market deposits			1,634				(123	)			1,511				1,157				436				1,593
Savings deposits			90				9				99				36				392				428
Time deposits			3,496				836				4,332				2,159				988				3,147
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase			(9,014	)			142				(8,872	)			(13,450	)			443				(13,007	)
FHLB advances and other borrowings			(226	)			(232	)			(458	)			481				(64	)			417
Long-term debt			(24	)			1,333				1,309				(1,307	)			2,083				776
Total decrease/(increase) in interest expense			(3,815	)			1,913				(1,902	)			(10,779	)			4,345				(6,434	)
Change in net interest income		$	49,660			$	(12,699	)		$	36,961			$	41,297			$	(23,748	)		$	17,549

_________

(1)	Changes in interest income and interest expense attributable to changes in both volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to changes due to volume and changes due to rate.

(2)	The amount of interest earned has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis for certain securities of states and political subdivisions and other securities held using a statutory federal income tax rate of 35%.

 

Provision for Credit Losses

 

The provision for credit losses represents the charge against current earnings that is determined by management, through a credit review process, as the amount needed to maintain an allowance for loan losses and an allowance for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments that management believes to be sufficient to absorb credit losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio and credit commitments. The Bank recorded a negative $11.4 million provision for credit losses in 2015 compared with a negative $10.8 million in 2014, and a negative $3.0 million in 2013. Net charge-offs for 2015 were $11.1 million, or 0.12% of average loans, compared to net charge-offs for 2014 of $1.3 million, or 0.02% of average loans, and net charge-offs for 2013 of $6.4 million, or 0.08% of average loans.

 

Non-interest Income

 

Non-interest income decreased $7.8 million, or 19.4%, to $32.7 million for 2015, from $40.5 million for 2014, compared to $60.3 million for 2013.  Non-interest income includes depository service fees, letters of credit commissions, securities gains (losses), gains (losses) from loan sales, gains from sale of premises and equipment, and other sources of fee income. These other fee-based services include wire transfer fees, safe deposit fees, fees on loan-related activities, fee income from our Wealth Management division, and foreign exchange fees.

 

 

The decrease in non-interest income from 2014 to 2015 was primarily due to a $10.1 million decrease in securities gains and a $1.1 million decrease in wealth management commissions offset by increases in venture capital gains of $1.9 million and in other fees and commissions of $1.6 million. We sold securities of $1.03 billion in 2015 compared to $859.0 million in 2014. In 2015, gains of $2.4 million and losses of $1.9 million were realized on sales of investment securities compared with gains of $18.0 million and losses of $10.5 million realized in 2014. Other-than-temporary write-downs on agency preferred stock were $3.9 million in 2015 compared to $0.8 million in 2014.

 

The decrease in non-interest income from 2013 to 2014 was primarily due to a $20.6 million decrease in securities gains offset by a $1.4 million increase in wealth management commissions. We sold securities of $859.0 million in 2014 compared to $1.0 billion in 2013. In 2014, gains of $18.0 million and losses of $10.5 million were realized on sales of investment securities compared with gains of $29.0 million and losses of $1.6 million realized in 2013.

 

Non-interest Expense

 

Non-interest expense includes expenses related to salaries and benefits of employees, occupancy expenses, marketing expenses, computer and equipment expenses, amortization of core deposit intangibles, and other operating expenses. Non-interest expense totaled $202.7 million in 2015 compared to $174.3 million in 2014. The increase of $28.4 million, or 16.3%, in non-interest expense in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily due to a combination of the following:

 

●

Amortization of investments in affordable housing and alternative energy partnerships increased $26.3 million to $33.3 million in 2015 from $7.0 million in 2014 primarily due to the investment in an alternative energy partnership in 2015.

 

●

Occupancy expenses increased $1.3 million, or 8.2%, due primarily to increases in higher rental expenses resulting from the acquisition of Asia Bank and from new branches.

 

●

Professional service expenses increased $2.4 million primarily due to increases in data processing expenses and expenses related to the conversion of Asia Bank customers to our data processing systems.

 

●

Marketing expenses increased $0.8 million primarily due to increases in media and promotion expenses.

 

●

OREO expenses increased $0.5 million primarily due to decreases in gains on sale and transfer of OREO offset by decreases in the provision for OREO losses and expenses.

 

●

Offsetting the above increases were a decrease of $3.3 million in costs associated with debt redemptions during 2014 for prepayment penalties on securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

 

The efficiency ratio, defined as non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income before provision for loan losses plus non-interest income, increased to 49.15% in 2015 compared to 45.48% in 2014 due primarily to higher non-interest expense as explained above.

 

Non-interest expense totaled $174.3 million in 2014 compared to $193.8 million in 2013. The decrease of $19.5 million, or 10.1%, in non-interest expense in 2014 compared to 2013 was primarily due to a combination of the following:

 

●

Costs associated with debt redemptions due to prepayment penalties on securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Federal Home Loan Bank advances decreased $19.2 million, or 85%, to $3.3 million in 2014 from $22.6 million in 2013.

 

 

●

Amortization of core deposit intangibles decreased $3.8 million, or 84%, to $719,000 in 2014 from $4.5 million in 2013 as a result of the full amortization of the core deposit premium from the General Bank acquisition.

 

●

Professional service expense decreased $1.9 million, or 7.9%, due primarily to the decreases in legal collection expense and consulting expense.

 

●

OREO expense decreased $1.1 million primarily due to gains on sale of OREO in 2014.

 

●

Offsetting the above decreases were a $1.6 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, a $1.5 million increase in litigation expense, and a $1.4 million increase in FDIC and state assessments.

 

The efficiency ratio, defined as non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income before provision for loan losses plus non-interest income, decreased to 45.48% in 2014 compared to 50.35% in 2013 due primarily to lower non-interest expense as explained above.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

Income tax expense was $60.0 million in 2015, compared to $82.0 million in 2014, and $70.4 million in 2013. The effective tax rate was 27.1% for 2015, 37.3% for 2014, and 36.4% for 2013. The effective tax rate differed from the composite statutory composite rate of 42% primarily as a result of alternative energy tax credits, low income housing and other tax credits totaling $31.0 million recognized in 2015, $10.2 million recognized in 2014, and $10.1 million recognized in 2013.

 

Our tax returns are open for audits by the Internal Revenue Service back to 2012 and by the California Franchise Tax Board back to 2008. The Company is under audit by the California Franchise Tax Board for the years 2008 to 2011. From time to time, there may be differences of opinion with respect to the tax treatment accorded transactions. When, and if, such differences occur and the related tax effects become probable and estimable, such amounts will be recognized.

 

Financial Condition     

 

Total assets were $13.3 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $1.8 billion, or 15.1%, from $11.5 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to an increase of $1.2 billion in gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, and an increase of $267.4 million in investment securities.

 

 

Investment Securities

 

Investment securities were $1.6 billion and represented 12.0% of total assets at December 31, 2015, compared with $1.3 billion and 11.5% of total assets at December 31, 2014. The following table summarizes the carrying value of our portfolio of securities for each of the past two years:

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. treasury securities		$	284,288			$	664,004
U.S. government sponsored entities			148,160				-
Mortgage-backed securities			1,062,269				544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations			36				45
Corporate debt securities			73,855				94,472
Mutual funds			5,833				5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			3,216				3,224
Other equity securities			8,695				7,021
Total securities available-for-sale		$	1,586,352			$	1,318,935

 

 

ASC Topic 320 requires an entity to assess whether it has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an entity must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) to its investment securities. If an entity does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the entity must consider whether it will recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI shall be considered to have occurred. OTTI is then separated into the amount of the total impairment related to credit losses and the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. An entity determines the impairment related to credit losses by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. OTTI related to the credit loss is thereafter recognized in earnings. OTTI related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. OTTI not related to the credit loss for a held-to-maturity security should be recognized separately in a new category of other comprehensive income and amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security only when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis. The Company has both the ability and the intent to hold and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell those securities with unrealized losses before recovery of their amortized cost basis.

 

The temporarily impaired securities represent 92.0% of the fair value of investment securities as of December 31, 2015. Unrealized losses for securities with unrealized losses for less than twelve months represent 1.0%, and securities with unrealized losses for twelve months or more represent 3.3%, of the historical cost of these securities. Unrealized losses on these securities generally resulted from increases in interest rates or spreads subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased. At December 31, 2015, seven issues of securities had unrealized losses for 12 months or longer and 47 issues of securities had unrealized losses of less than 12 months.

 

Total unrealized losses of $15.9 million at December 31, 2015, were primarily caused by increases in interest rates subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased or caused by the widening of credit and liquidity spreads since the dates of acquisition. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuers to settle the security at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment.

 

At December 31, 2015, management believed the impairment was temporary and, accordingly, no impairment loss on debt securities has been recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company expects to recover the amortized cost basis of its debt securities, and has no intent to sell and believes it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell available-for-sale debt securities that have declined below their cost before their anticipated recovery.

 

 

The tables below show the fair value and unrealized losses of the temporarily impaired securities in our investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

 

 

		As of December 31, 2015
		Temporarily Impaired Securities
		Less than 12 months												12 months or longer												Total
		Fair				Unrealized				No. of				Fair				Unrealized				No. of				Fair				Unrealized				No. of
		Value				Losses				Issuances				Value				Losses				Issuances				Value				Losses				Issuances
		(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities		$	224,289			$	395				5			$	-			$	-				-			$	224,289			$	395				5
U.S. government sponsored entities			148,160				1,840				3				-				-				-			$	148,160			$	1,840				3
Mortgage-backed securities			1,025,342				11,398				35				6				1				2				1,025,348				11,399				37
Collateralized mortgage obligations			-				-				-				36				27				1				36				27				1
Corporate debt securities			9,950				50				1				43,525				1,475				3				53,475				1,525				4
Mutual funds			-				-				-				5,833				167				1				5,833				167				1
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			2,488				228				2				-				-				-				2,488				228				2
Other equity securities			158				342				1				-				-				-				158				342				1
Total securities available-for-sale		$	1,410,387			$	14,253				47			$	49,400			$	1,670				7			$	1,459,787			$	15,923				54

 

		As of December 31, 2014
		Temporarily Impaired Securities
		Less than 12 months												12 months or longer												Total
		Fair				Unrealized				No. of				Fair				Unrealized				No. of				Fair				Unrealized				No. of
		Value				Losses				Issuances				Value				Losses				Issuances				Value				Losses				Issuances
		(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities		$	374,153			$	265				6			$	-			$	-				-			$	374,153			$	265				6
Mortgage-backed securities			-				-				-				425,090				6,386				16				425,090				6,386				16
Collateralized mortgage obligations			-				-				-				45				34				1				45				34				1
Corporate debt securities			-				-				-				63,753				1,247				4				63,753				1,247				4
Mutual funds			-				-				-				5,866				134				1				5,866				134				1
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			2,448				3,733				2				-				-				-				2,448				3,733				2
Total securities available-for-sale		$	376,601			$	3,998				8			$	494,754			$	7,801				22			$	871,355			$	11,799				30

 

 

The scheduled maturities and taxable-equivalent yields by security type are presented in the following table:

 

Securites Portfolio Maturity Distribution and Yield Analysis:

 

		As of December 31, 2015
						After One				After Five
		One Year				Year to				Years to				Over Ten
		or Less				Five Years				Ten Years				Years				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Maturity Distribution:
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. treasury securities		$	184,956			$	99,332			$	-			$	-			$	284,288
U.S. government sponsored entities			-				-				148,160				-				148,160
Mortgage-backed securities (1)			-				6,262				606				1,055,401				1,062,269
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)			-				-				-				36				36
Corporate debt securities			-				30,330				43,525				-				73,855
Mutual funds (2)			-				-				-				5,833				5,833
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities (2)			-				-				-				3,216				3,216
Other equity securities (2)			-				-				-				8,695				8,695
Total securities available-for-sale		$	184,956			$	135,924			$	192,291			$	1,073,181			$	1,586,352
Weighted-Average Yield:
Securities Available-for-Sale:
U.S. treasury securities			0.39	%			0.69	%			-				-				0.49	%
U.S. government sponsored entities			-				-				1.98				-				1.98
Mortgage-backed securities (1)			-				4.70				5.96				2.04				2.06
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)			-				-				-				3.50				3.50
Corporate debt securities			-				1.38				1.47				-				1.43
Mutual funds (2)			-				-				-				2.12				2.12
Total securities available-for-sale			0.39	%			1.03	%			1.88	%			2.02	%			1.74	%

 

---

(1)	Securities reflect stated maturities and do not reflect the impact of anticipated prepayments.

(2)	There is no stated maturity for mutual funds and equity securities.

 

Loans

 

Loans represented 85.8% of average interest-earning assets during 2015, compared with 83.5% during 2014. Gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased by $1.2 billion, or 14.0%, to $10.16 billion at December 31, 2015, compared with $8.91 billion at December 31, 2014. These figures include total gross loans of $419.7 million from the acquisition of Asia Bank on July 31, 2015. The increase in gross loans was primarily attributable to the following:

 

•

Commercial mortgage loans increased $814.8 million, or 18.2%, to $5.30 billion at December 31, 2015, compared to $4.49 billion at December 31, 2014. The acquisition of Asia Bank added $402.0 million in commercial mortgage loans. Total commercial mortgage loans accounted for 52.2% of gross loans at December 31, 2015, compared to 50.3% at December 31, 2014. Commercial mortgage loans consist primarily of commercial retail properties, shopping centers, and owner-occupied industrial facilities, and, secondarily, of office buildings, multiple-unit apartments, hotels, and multi-tenanted industrial properties, and are typically secured by first deeds of trust on such commercial properties. In addition, the Bank provides medium-term commercial real estate loans secured by commercial or industrial buildings where the borrower either uses the property for business purposes or derives income from tenants.

 

 

•

Total residential mortgage loans increased by $362.3 million, or 23.1%, to $1.93 billion at December 31, 2015, compared to $1.57 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to the low level of interest rates and the originations of mortgages to non-US residents secured by residential real estate in the United States.

 

•

Real estate construction loans increased $142.9 million, or 47.8%, to $441.5 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $298.7 million at December 31, 2014.

 

•

Commercial loans decreased $65.6 million, or 2.8%, to $2.32 billion at December 31, 2015, compared to $2.38 billion at December 31, 2014. Commercial loans consist primarily of short-term loans (typically with a maturity of one year or less) to support general business purposes, or to provide working capital to businesses in the form of lines of credit, trade-finance loans, loans for commercial purposes secured by cash, and SBA loans.

 

Our lending relates predominantly to activities in the states of California, Nevada, New York, Texas, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, and Maryland, although we have some loans to domestic clients who are engaged in international trade. Loans outstanding in our branch in Hong Kong were $216.2 million as of December 31, 2015, compared to $227.6 million as of December 31, 2014.

 

The classification of loans by type and amount outstanding as of December 31 for each of the past five years is presented below:

 

 

		Loan Type and Mix
		As of December 31,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
Commercial loans		$	2,316,863			$	2,382,493			$	2,298,724			$	2,127,107			$	1,868,275
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines			2,101,335				1,742,938				1,526,532				1,340,082				1,186,969
Commercial mortgage loans			5,301,218				4,486,443				4,023,051				3,768,452				3,748,897
Real estate construction loans			441,543				298,654				221,701				180,950				237,372
Installment and other loans			2,493				3,552				14,555				12,556				17,699
Gross loans			10,163,452				8,914,080				8,084,563				7,429,147				7,059,212
Less:
Allowance for loan losses			(138,963	)			(161,420	)			(173,889	)			(183,322	)			(206,280	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees			(8,262	)			(12,392	)			(13,487	)			(10,238	)			(8,449	)
Total loans and leases, net		$	10,016,227			$	8,740,268			$	7,897,187			$	7,235,587			$	6,844,483
Loans held for sale		$	6,676			$	973			$	-			$	-			$	760

 

 

 

The loan maturities in the table below are based on contractual maturities. As is customary in the banking industry, loans that meet underwriting criteria can be renewed by mutual agreement between us and the borrower. Because we are unable to estimate the extent to which our borrowers will renew their loans, the table is based on contractual maturities. As a result, the data shown below should not be viewed as an indication of future cash flows.

 

 

Contractual Maturity of Loan Portfolio

 

		Within One Year				One to Five Years				Over Five Years				Total
		(In thousands)
Commercial loans
Floating rate		$	1,701,172			$	409,420			$	65,392			$	2,175,984
Fixed rate			96,345				32,735				11,799				140,879
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines
Floating rate			13				822				578,984				579,819
Fixed rate			2,044				14,140				1,505,332				1,521,516
Commercial mortgage loans
Floating rate			431,684				1,199,250				2,314,833				3,945,767
Fixed rate			127,258				955,344				272,849				1,355,451
Real estate construction loans
Floating rate			253,442				153,391				5,776				412,609
Fixed rate			28,934				-				-				28,934
Installment and other loans
Floating rate			93				-				-				93
Fixed rate			2,141				259				-				2,400
Total Loans		$	2,643,126			$	2,765,361			$	4,754,965			$	10,163,452
Floating rate		$	2,386,404			$	1,762,883			$	2,964,985			$	7,114,272
Fixed rate			256,722				1,002,478				1,789,980				3,049,180
Total Loans			2,643,126				2,765,361				4,754,965				10,163,452
Allowance for loan losses															(138,963	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees															(8,262	)
Net loans														$	10,016,227
Loans held for sale														$	6,676

 

 

Deposits

 

The Bank primarily uses customer deposits to fund its operations, and to a lesser extent borrowings in the form of securities sold under agreements to repurchase, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank, and other borrowings. The Bank’s deposits are generally obtained from the Bank’s geographic market area. The Bank utilizes traditional marketing methods to attract new customers and deposits, by offering a wide variety of products and services and utilizing various forms of advertising media. Although the vast majority of the Bank’s deposits are retail in nature, the Bank does engage in certain wholesale activities, primarily accepting deposits generated by brokers or Internet listing services. The Bank considers wholesale deposits to be an alternative borrowing source rather than a customer relationship and, as such, their levels are determined by management’s decisions as to the most economic funding sources. Brokered-deposits totaled $684.2 million, or 6.5%, of total deposits, at December 31, 2015, compared to $497.4 million, or 5.7%, at December 31, 2014.

 

 

The Company’s total deposits increased $1.73 billion, or 19.7%, to $10.51 billion at December 31, 2015, from $8.78 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to a $718.0 million, or 16.8%, increase in time deposits, a $368.1 million, or 22.1%, increase in non-interest bearing demand deposits, a $367.5 million, or 23.9%, increase in money market deposits, a $187.7 million, or 24.1%, increase in NOW deposits, and a $84.2 million, or 15.8% increase in savings deposits. These figures include total deposits of $420.6 million from the acquisition of Asia Bank on July 31, 2015. The following table displays the deposit mix for the past three years:

 

Deposit Mix

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015								2014								2013
		Amount				Percentage				Amount				Percentage				Amount				Percentage
		(Dollars in thousands)
Demand deposits		$	2,033,048				19.4	%		$	1,664,914				19.0	%		$	1,441,858				18.1	%
NOW deposits			966,404				9.2				778,691				8.9				683,873				8.6
Money market deposits			1,905,719				18.1				1,538,187				17.5				1,286,338				16.1
Savings deposits			618,164				5.9				533,940				6.1				499,520				6.2
Time deposits			4,985,752				47.4				4,267,728				48.5				4,069,716				51.0
Total		$	10,509,087				100	%		$	8,783,460				100	%		$	7,981,305				100.0	%

 

Average total deposits increased $1.13 billion, or 13.4%, to $9.58 billion in 2015, compared with average total deposits of $8.45 billion in 2014.

 

The following table displays average deposits and rates for the past five years:

 

Average Deposits and Average Rates

 

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015								2014								2013								2012								2011
		Amount				%				Amount				%				Amount				%				Amount				%				Amount				%
		(Dollars in thousands)
Demand deposits		$	1,781,981				-	%		$	1,535,461				-	%		$	1,325,781				-	%		$	1,157,343				-	%		$	996,215				-	%
NOW deposits			860,513				0.16				721,435				0.17				634,506				0.16				516,246				0.15				426,252				0.18
Money market deposits			1,677,065				0.60				1,407,053				0.61				1,215,347				0.58				1,059,841				0.56				979,253				0.75
Savings deposits			590,987				0.15				532,184				0.15				488,932				0.08				451,022				0.08				411,953				0.12
Time deposits			4,673,862				0.84				4,257,736				0.82				3,993,508				0.80				4,197,906				0.96				4,323,833				1.24
Total		$	9,584,408				0.54	%		$	8,453,869				0.54	%		$	7,658,074				0.53	%		$	7,382,358				0.64	%		$	7,137,506				0.87	%

 

 

Management considers the Bank’s time deposits of $250,000 or more, which totaled $1.79 billion at December 31, 2015, to be generally less volatile than other wholesale funding sources primarily because approximately 71% of the Bank’s CDs of $250,000 or more have been on deposit with the Bank for two years or more.  Management monitors the CDs of $250,000 or more portfolio to identify any changes in the deposit behavior in the market and of the customers the Bank is serving.

 

 

Of our CDs, approximately 74.1% mature within one year as of December 31, 2015. The following tables display time deposits by maturity:

  

Time Deposits by Maturity

 

		At December 31, 2015
		(In thousands)
Less than three months		$	1,478,505
Three to six months			816,977
Six to twelve months			1,399,682
Over one year			1,290,588
Total		$	4,985,752

 

 

The following table displays time deposits with a remaining term of more than one year at December 31, 2015:

 

Maturities of Time Deposits with a Remaining Term

of More Than One Year for Each

of the Five Years Following December 31, 2015

 

2017		$	997,735
2018			249,147
2019			42,788
2020			907
2021			11

 

 

Borrowings

 

Borrowings include securities sold under agreements to repurchase, Federal funds purchased, funds obtained as advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco, and borrowings from other financial institutions.

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $400.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.89% at December 31, 2015, compared to $450.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.85% at December 31, 2014. In 2014, the Company prepaid securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $100 million with a weighted average rate of 3.5% and incurred prepayment penalties of $3.4 million compared to no repayments in 2015. As of December 31, 2015, four floating-to-fixed rate agreements totaling $200.0 million with weighted average rate of 5.0% and final maturity in January 2017 have initial floating rates for one year, with floating rates of the three-month LIBOR rate minus 340 basis points. Thereafter, the rates are fixed for the remainder of the term, with interest rates ranging from 4.89% to 5.07%. As of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $200.0 million with a weighted average rate of 2.78%. Final maturity for the four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase is $50.0 million in August 2016, $50.0 million in July 2017, $50.0 million in June 2018, and $50.0 million in July 2018.

 

These transactions are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold. The Company may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. The underlying collateral pledged for the repurchase agreements consists of U.S. Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $430.2 million as of December 31, 2015, and $516.3 million as of December 31, 2014.

 

 

The table below provides comparative data for securities sold under agreements to repurchase for the years indicated:

 

		2015				2014				2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)		$	400,822			$	629,315			$	972,329
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)			400,000				700,000				1,200,000
Balance, December 31			400,000				450,000				800,000
Rate, December 31			3.89	%			3.85	%			3.87	%
Weighted average interest rate for the year			3.95	%			3.92	%			3.88	%

 

---

(1)	Average balances were computed using daily averages.

(2)	Highest month-end balances were January 2015, January 2014, and January 2013.

 

As of December 31, 2015, over-night borrowings from the FHLB were $250.0 million at a rate of 0.27% compared to $400.0 million at a rate of 0.27% at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, a $25 million advance from the FHLB at a rate of 1.13% was outstanding and will mature in March 2018.

 

Long-term Debt

 

We established three special purpose trusts in 2003 and two in 2007 for the purpose of issuing Guaranteed Preferred Beneficial Interests in their Subordinated Debentures to outside investors (“Capital Securities”). The proceeds from the issuance of the Capital Securities as well as our purchase of the common stock of the special purpose trusts were invested in Junior Subordinated Notes of the Company (“Junior Subordinated Notes”). The trusts exist for the purpose of issuing the Capital Securities and investing in Junior Subordinated Notes. Subject to some limitations, payment of distributions out of the monies held by the trusts and payments on liquidation of the trusts, or the redemption of the Capital Securities, are guaranteed by the Company to the extent the trusts have funds on hand at such time. The obligations of the Company under the guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all indebtedness of the Company and will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities and obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company has the right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes at any time or from time to time for a period of up to twenty consecutive quarterly periods with respect to each deferral period. Under the terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes, 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 if it has deferred payment of interest on any Junior Subordinated Notes.

 

At December 31, 2015, Junior Subordinated Notes totaled $119.1 million with a weighted average interest rate of 2.70%, compared to $119.1 million with a weighted average rate of 2.42% at December 31, 2014. The Company prepaid Junior Subordinated Notes of $2 million and incurred income of $555,000 in April 2014. The Junior Subordinated Notes have a stated maturity term of 30 years. The Junior Subordinated Notes qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory reporting purposes at both December 31, 2015 and 2014. The trusts are not consolidated with the Company in accordance with an accounting pronouncement that took effect in December 2003.

 

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements, Commitments, Guarantees, and Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments to make future payments as of December 31, 2015. Payments for deposits and borrowings do not include interest. Payments related to leases are based on actual payments specified in the underlying contracts. Loan commitments and standby letters of credit are presented at contractual amounts; however, since many of these commitments are expected to expire unused or only partially used, the total amounts of these commitments do not necessarily reflect future cash requirements.

 

		Payment Due by Period
						More than				3 years or
						1 year but				more but
		1 year				less than				less than				5 years
		or less				3 years				5 years				or more				Total
		(In thousands)
Contractual obligations:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (1)		$	-			$	200,000			$	-			$	-			$	200,000
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (2)			50,000				150,000				-				-				200,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank			250,000				25,000				-				-				275,000
Other borrowings			-				-				-				18,593				18,593
Long-term debt			-				-				-				119,136				119,136
Operating leases			7,887				11,383				4,795				4,869				28,934
Deposits with stated maturity dates			3,695,164				1,246,882				43,695				11				4,985,752
Total contractual obligations and other commitments		$	4,003,051			$	1,633,265			$	48,490			$	142,609			$	5,827,415
Other commitments:
Commitments to extend credit			1,041,386				708,917				96,173				125,372				1,971,848
Standby letters of credit			47,851				596				176				458				49,081
Commercial letters of credit			38,039				-				92				-				38,131
Bill of lading guarantees			454				-				-				-				454
Total contractual obligations and other commitments		$	1,127,730			$	709,513			$	96,441			$	125,830			$	2,059,514

 

(1)

These repurchase agreements have a final maturity of 10-years from origination date but are callable on a quarterly basis.

(2)

These repurchase agreements are non-callable.

 

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are not included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Loan Commitments. We enter into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes. Substantially all of our commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining specific credit standards at the time of loan funding. We minimize our exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. Management assesses the credit risk associated with certain commitments to extend credit in determining the level of the allowance for credit losses.

 

Standby Letters of Credit. Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by us to secure the obligations of a customer to a third party. In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of an agreement with the third party, we would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, we would be entitled to seek reimbursement from the customer. Our policies generally require that standby letter of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements.

 

 

Capital Resources

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

Total equity was $1.75 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $144.9 million, or 9.0%, from $1.60 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases in net income of $161.1 million and equity consideration for the acquisition of Asia Bancshares, Inc. of $82.8 million offset by purchases of treasury stock of $59.4 million and common stock cash dividends of $45.3 million. Under the terms of the acquisition of Asia Bancshares, Inc. which was completed on July 31, 2015, we issued 2.58 million shares of our common stock and paid $57.0 million in cash for all of the issued and outstanding stock of Asia Bancshares. The Company paid cash dividends of $0.56 per common share in 2015 and $0.29 per common share in 2014.

 

In November 2007, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for the Company to buy back up to one million shares of our common stock, and 377,500 shares were repurchased during 2007. Repurchases of shares were suspended under this program between 2008 and July 2015. In August 2015, the Company resumed stock repurchases under the November 2007 repurchase program and repurchased the remaining 622,500 shares under the November 2007 repurchase program for $18.1 million, or an average price of $29.08 per share.

 

On August 31, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program to buy back up to two million shares of our common stock. In 2015, the Company repurchased 1,366,750 shares for $41.3 million, or $30.22 per share under the August 2015 repurchase program.

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company could repurchase up to 633,250 shares of common stock under the August 2015 stock repurchase program, subject to regulatory limitations. The August 2015 stock repurchase program were completed on February 1, 2016, by repurchasing the remaining shares of 633,250 for $17.0 million, or $26.82 per share, in January and February of 2016.

 

On February 1, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program to buy back up to $45.0 million of the Company’s common stock. As of February 16, 2016, the Company repurchased 579,543 shares for $15.8 million, or $27.22 per share, under the February 2016 repurchase program. As of February 16, 2016, the Company may repurchase up to $29.2 million of its common stock under the February 2016 repurchase program.

 

Capital Adequacy

 

Management seeks to retain our capital at a level sufficient to support future growth, protect depositors and stockholders, and comply with various regulatory requirements. The primary measure of capital adequacy is based on the ratio of risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets. At December 31, 2015, the Company’s common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 12.95%, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 14.03%, total risk-based capital ratio of 15.30%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio of 11.95%, calculated under the new Basel III capital rules that became effective January 1, 2015, continue to place the Company in the “well capitalized” category for regulatory purposes, which is defined as institutions with a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio equal to or greater than 6.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 8%, a total risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 10%, and a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio equal to or greater than 5%. At December 31, 2014, the Company’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 14.96%, total risk-based capital ratio was 16.22%, and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 12.99%, calculated based on the prior Basel I capital rules.

 

A table displaying the Bancorp’s and the Bank’s capital and leverage ratios at December 31, 2015, and 2014, is included in Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 Dividend Policy

 

Holders of common stock are entitled to dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Although we have historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, we are not required to do so. We increased the common stock dividend from $.01 per share to $.05 per share in the fourth quarter of 2013, to $.07 per share in the second quarter of 2014, to $.10 per share in the fourth quarter of 2014, to $.14 per share in the second quarter of 2015, and to $.18 per share in the fourth quarter of 2015. The amount of future dividends will depend on our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors, and will be determined by our Board of Directors. The terms of our Junior Subordinated Notes also limit our ability to pay dividends. If we are not current in our payment of dividends on our Junior Subordinated Notes, we may not pay dividends on our common stock.

 

Substantially all of the revenues of the Company available for payment of dividends derive from amounts paid to it by the Bank. The Bank paid dividends to Bancorp totaling $163.3 million during 2015, $30.0 million during 2014, and $138.0 million during 2013.

 

The Federal Reserve Board issued Federal Reserve Supervision and Regulation Letter SR-09-4 that states that bank holding companies are expected to inform and consult with the Federal Reserve supervisory staff prior to declaring and paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period for which the dividend is being paid.

 

Under California State banking law, the Bank may not without regulatory approval pay a cash dividend which exceeds the lesser of the Bank’s retained earnings or its net income for the last three fiscal years, less any cash distributions made during that period. Under this regulation, the amount of retained earnings available for cash dividends to the Company immediately after December 31, 2015, was restricted to approximately $98.4 million.

 

Risk Elements of the Loan Portfolio

 

Non-performing Assets 

 

Non-performing assets include loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, non-accrual loans, and OREO. Our policy is to place loans on non-accrual status if interest and principal or either interest or principal is past due 90 days or more, or in cases where management deems the full collection of principal and interest unlikely. After a loan is placed on non-accrual status, any previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income and subsequent payments received are generally first applied towards the outstanding principal balance of the loan. Depending on the circumstances, management may elect to continue the accrual of interest on certain past due loans if partial payment is received and/or the loan is well collateralized and in the process of collection. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled.

 

Management reviews the loan portfolio regularly for problem loans. During the ordinary course of business, management becomes aware of borrowers that may not be able to meet the contractual requirements of the loan agreements. Such loans are placed under closer supervision with consideration given to placing the loan on non-accrual status, the need for an additional allowance for loan losses, and (if appropriate) partial or full charge-off.

 

Total non-performing portfolio assets decreased $24.8 million, or 24.4%, to $76.8 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $101.6 million at December 31, 2014, primarily due to an $18.1 million decrease in non-accrual loans and a $6.8 million decrease in OREO.   

 

As a percentage of gross loans, excluding loans held for sale, plus OREO, our non-performing assets decreased to 0.75% at December 31, 2015, from 1.14% at December 31, 2014. The non-performing portfolio loan, excluding loans held for sale, coverage ratio, defined as the allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased to 269.4% at December 31, 2015, from 232.8% at December 31, 2014.

 

 

The following table presents the breakdown of total non-accrual, past due, and restructured loans for the past five years:

 

Non-accrual, Past Due and Restructured Loans

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more		$	-			$	-			$	982			$	630			$	6,726
Non-accrual loans			52,130				70,163				83,183				103,902				201,197
Total non-performing loans			52,130				70,163				84,165				104,532				207,923
Real estate acquired in foreclosure and other assets			24,701				31,477				52,985				46,384				92,713
Total non-performing assets		$	76,831			$	101,640			$	137,150			$	150,916			$	300,636
Accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs)		$	81,680			$	104,356			$	117,597			$	144,695			$	120,016
Non-accrual TDRs (included in non-accrual loans)		$	39,923			$	41,618			$	38,769			$	47,731			$	50,870
Non-accrual loans held for sale		$	5,944			$	973			$	-			$	-			$	760
Non-performing assets as a percentage of gross loans and OREO at year-end			0.75	%			1.14	%			1.69	%			2.02	%			4.20	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross loans			1.38	%			1.83	%			2.17	%			2.49	%			2.95	%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of non-performing loans			269.44	%			232.84	%			208.22	%			176.68	%			100.20	%

 

 

The effect of non-accrual loans on interest income for the past five years is presented below:  

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
		(In thousands)
Non-accrual Loans
Contractual interest due		$	5,732			$	6,663			$	5,851			$	6,621			$	13,049
Interest recognized			119				217				22				1,006				71
Net interest foregone		$	5,613			$	6,446			$	5,829			$	5,615			$	12,978

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to those borrowers whose loans had been restructured, were considered impaired, or were on non-accrual status.

 

Non-accrual Loans

 

Total non-accrual portfolio loans, excluding loans held for sale, of $52.1 million at December 31, 2015, decreased $18.1 million, or 25.7%, from $70.2 million at December 31, 2014. The allowance for the collateral-dependent impaired loans is calculated by the difference between the outstanding loan balance and the value of the collateral as determined by recent appraisals, sales contracts, or other available market price information. The allowance for collateral-dependent impaired loans varies from loan to loan based on the collateral coverage of the loan at the time of designation as non-performing. We continue to monitor the collateral coverage, based on recent appraisals, on these loans on a quarterly basis and adjust the allowance accordingly.

 

Non-accrual portfolio loans, excluding loans held for sale, at December 31, 2015, consisted of 29 commercial real estate loans totaling $16.0 million, two residential construction loans of $15.8 million, 33 residential mortgage loans totaling $7.0 million, 12 commercial loans totaling $3.5 million, two land loans totaling $9.3 million, and one non-farm non-residential construction loan of $500,000. Non-accrual loans also include those troubled debt restructurings that do not qualify for accrual status. The comparable numbers for 2014 were 32 commercial real estate loans totaling $29.8 million, two non-farm non-residential construction loans totaling $19.5 million, 39 residential mortgage loans totaling $7.6 million, 18 commercial loans totaling $7.0 million, two land loans totaling $5.9 million, and one mixed use construction loan of $500,000.

 

 

The following tables present the type of properties securing the non-accrual portfolio loans and the type of businesses the borrowers engaged in as of the dates indicated:

 

 

		December 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Real								Real
		Estate (1)				Commercial				Estate (1)				Commercial
		(In thousands)
Type of Collateral
Single/Multi-family residence		$	8,727			$	-			$	9,068			$	1,184
Commercial real estate			30,588				834				48,256				903
Land			9,270				-				5,856				-
Personal property (UCC)			-				2,711				-				4,896
Total		$	48,585			$	3,545			$	63,180			$	6,983

 

---

(1)

Real estate includes commercial mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, and residential mortgage loans and equity lines.

 

 

		December 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Real								Real
		Estate (1)				Commercial				Estate (1)				Commercial
		(In thousands)
Type of Business
Real estate development		$	29,174			$	834			$	35,299			$	860
Wholesale/Retail			13,414				780				20,658				4,078
Food/Restaurant			293				-				650				144
Import/Export			-				1,931				-				1,901
Other			5,704				-				6,573				-
Total		$	48,585			$	3,545			$	63,180			$	6,983

 

---

(1)

Real estate includes commercial mortgage loans, real estate construction loans, and residential mortgage loans and equity lines.

 

Other Real Estate Owned

 

At December 31, 2015, the net carrying value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) decreased $6.8 million, or 21.5%, to $24.7 million from $31.5 million at December 31, 2014. OREO located in Texas was $14.6 million and was comprised of three parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose of $12.3 million, one medical office building of $1.6 million, and a retail store of $761,000. OREO located in the state of New York was comprised of two residential properties of $5.7 million. OREO located in Illinois was $2.9 million and was comprised of two multi-family residential properties of $2.4 million, two office and commercial buildings of $320,000, and a residential property of $153,000. OREO located in California was $891,000 and was comprised primarily of one residential construction project of $414,000 and two parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose of $478,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was an office and commercial use building of $635,000.

 

 

At December 31, 2014, OREO located in California was $4.1 million and was comprised primarily of one residential property of $2.0 million, four commercial use buildings of $1.2 million, one residential construction project of $526,000, one parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $243,000, and one parcel of land zoned for commercial purpose of $235,000. OREO located in Texas was $15.7 million and was comprised of three parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose of $12.3 million, one medical office building of $1.6 million, a retail store of $761,000, a commercial building construction project of $752,000, and a shopping center of $304,000. OREO located in Illinois was $4.0 million and was comprised of two multi-family residential properties of $3.1 million and an office building of $921,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was an office and commercial use building of $3.8 million. OREO located in the state of New York was $3.8 million and was comprised of one residential property of $2.7 million and a retail store of $1.1 million.

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

 

A troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the Bank, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including reduction of the stated interest rate, reduction of the amount of principal amortization, forgiveness of a portion of a loan balance or accrued interest, or an extension of the maturity date. Although these loan modifications are considered under ASC Subtopic 310-40 to be TDRs, the loans must have, pursuant to the Bank’s policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves.

 

TDRs on accrual status totaled $81.7 million at December 31, 2015, and were comprised of 59 loans, a decrease of $22.7 million, compared to 60 loans totaling $104.4 million at December 31, 2014. TDRs at December 31, 2015, were comprised of 15 non-farm non-residential commercial mortgage loans of $44.9 million, six commercial loans of $10.0 million, 32 single family residential mortgage loans of $9.4 million, one multi-family residential commercial mortgage loan of $6.0 million, four single family residential commercial mortgage loans of $5.7 million, and one construction loan of $5.7 million. We expect that the troubled debt restructuring loans on accruing status as of December 31, 2015, which are all performing in accordance with their restructured terms, will continue to comply with the restructured terms because of the reduced principal or interest payments on these loans. The comparable TDRs at December 31, 2014, were comprised of nine commercial loans of $16.5 million, three hotel loans of $15.7 million, 31 single family residential loans of $13.6 million, two industrial and manufactural use building loans of $12.2 million, two land loans for residential purpose of $10.2 million, four commercial condo loans of $10.1 million, three retail shopping and commercial use building loans of $9.0 million, one multi-family residential loan of $6.1 million, one shopping center construction loan of $5.8 million, three office building loans of $3.5 million, and one warehouse loan of $1.6 million. A summary of TDRs by type of loan and by accrual/non-accrual status is shown below:

 

		December 31, 2015
Accruing TDRs		Payment Deferral				Rate Reduction				Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral				Total
		(In thousands)
Commercial loans		$	8,298			$	-			$	1,726			$	10,024
Real estate construction loans			-				-				5,696				5,696
Commercial mortgage loans			16,701				6,045				33,800				56,546
Residential mortgage loans			5,201				999				3,214				9,414
Total accruing TDRs		$	30,200			$	7,044			$	44,436			$	81,680

 

 

 

		December 31, 2015
Non-accrual TDRs		Payment Deferral				Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral				Total
		(In thousands)
Commercial loans		$	1,033			$	90			$	1,123
Real estate construction loans			9,981				5,825				15,806
Commercial mortgage loans			1,544				20,362				21,906
Residential mortgage loans			388				700				1,088
Total non-accrual TDRs		$	12,946			$	26,977			$	39,923

 

 

		December 31, 2014
Accruing TDRs		Payment Deferral				Rate Reduction				Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal				Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral				Total
Commercial loans		$	11,572			$	-			$	-			$	4,934			$	16,506
Real estate construction loans			5,765				-				-				-				5,765
Commercial mortgage loans			20,543				26,694				-				26,351				73,588
Residential mortgage loans			3,316				-				410				4,771				8,497
Total accruing TDRs		$	41,196			$	26,694			$	410			$	36,056			$	104,356

 

 

		December 31, 2014
Non-accrual TDRs		Payment Deferral				Rate Reduction				Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral				Total
Commercial loans		$	1,423			$	860			$	1,269			$	3,552
Real estate construction loans			-				-				19,462				19,462
Commercial mortgage loans			15,917				-				973				16,890
Residential mortgage loans			1,026				-				688				1,714
Total non-accrual TDRs		$	18,366			$	860			$	22,392			$	41,618

 

 

The activity within our TDR loans for 2015, 2014, and 2013 is shown below:

 

 

Accruing TDRs		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Beginning balance		$	104,356			$	117,597			$	144,695
New restructurings			17,752				23,740				21,382
Restructured loans restored to accrual status			723				962				6,851
Charge-offs			(104	)			-				(78	)
Payments			(30,858	)			(13,256	)			(52,362	)
Restructured loans placed on non-accrual			(10,189	)			(24,687	)			(2,891	)
Ending balance		$	81,680			$	104,356			$	117,597

 

 

Non-accrual TDRs		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Beginning balance		$	41,618			$	38,769			$	47,731
New restructurings			2,006				1,331				6,226
Restructured loans placed on non-accrual			10,189				24,688				2,891
Charge-offs			(3,246	)			(8,938	)			(2,124	)
Payments			(9,921	)			(11,710	)			(4,295	)
Foreclosures			-				(1,560	)			(4,809	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status			(723	)			(962	)			(6,851	)
Ending balance		$	39,923			$	41,618			$	38,769

 

 

Impaired Loans

 

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement based on current circumstances and events. The assessment for impairment occurs when and while such loans are on non-accrual as a result of delinquency of over 90 days or receipt of information indicating that full collection of principal is doubtful, or when the loan has been restructured in a troubled debt restructuring. Those loans with a balance less than our defined selection criteria, generally when a loan amount is $500,000 or less, are treated as a homogeneous portfolio. If loans meeting the defined criteria are not collateral dependent, we measure the impairment based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. If loans meeting the defined criteria are collateral dependent, we measure the impairment by using the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral. We obtain an appraisal to determine the amount of impairment at the date that the loan becomes impaired. The appraisals are based on “as is” or bulk sale valuations. To ensure that appraised values remain current, we generally obtain an updated appraisal every twelve months from qualified independent appraisers. If the fair value of the collateral is less than the recorded amount of the loan, we then recognize impairment by creating or adjusting an existing valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. If an impaired loan is expected to be collected through liquidation of the collateral, the amount of impairment, excluding disposal costs, which range between 3% to 6% of the fair value, depending on the size of impaired loan, is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Non-accrual impaired loans are not returned to accruing status unless the unpaid interest has been brought current and full repayment of the recorded balance is expected or if the borrower has made six consecutive monthly payments of the scheduled amounts due, and are continued to be reviewed for impairment until they are no longer reported as TDRs.

 

We identified impaired loans with a recorded investment of $133.8 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $174.5 million at December 31, 2014. The average balance of impaired loans was $162.9 million in 2015 and $190.2 million in 2014. We considered all non-accrual loans to be impaired. Interest recognized on impaired loans totaled $4.0 million in 2015 and $5.3 million in 2014. As of December 31, 2015, $48.6 million, or 93.2%, of the $52.1 million of non-accrual portfolio loans, excluding loans held for sale, was secured by real estate. As of December 31, 2014, $63.2 million, or 90.1%, of the $70.2 million of non-accrual loans was secured by real estate. The Bank obtains current appraisals or other available market price information which provides updated factors in evaluating potential loss.

 

At December 31, 2015, $7.8 million of the $139.0 million allowance for loan losses was allocated for impaired loans and $131.2 million was allocated to the general allowance. At December 31, 2014, $11.8 million of the $161.4 million allowance for loan losses was allocated for impaired loans and $149.6 million was allocated to the general allowance. In 2015, net loan charge-offs were $11.1 million, or 0.12%, of average loans, compared to $1.3 million, or 0.02%, of average loans in 2014.

 

The allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans, excluding loans held for sale, was 266.6% at December 31, 2015, compared to 230.1% at December 31, 2014. Non-accrual loans also include those TDRs that do not qualify for accrual status.    

 

 

      The following table presents impaired loans and the related allowance as of the dates indicated:

 

		Impaired Loans
		As of December 31, 2015												As of December 31, 2014
		Unpaid Principal Balance				Recorded Investment				Allowance				Unpaid Principal Balance				Recorded Investment				Allowance
		(Dollars in thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans		$	15,493			$	6,721			$	-			$	19,479			$	18,452			$	-
Real estate construction loans			51,290				22,002				-				32,924				17,025				-
Commercial mortgage loans			59,954				54,625				-				77,474				75,172				-
Residential mortgage and equity lines			3,233				3,026				-				2,518				2,518				-
Subtotal		$	129,970			$	86,374			$	-			$	132,395			$	113,167			$	-
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans		$	7,757			$	6,847			$	530			$	7,003			$	5,037			$	1,263
Real estate construction loans			-				-				-				19,006				8,703				1,077
Commercial mortgage loans			28,258				27,152				6,792				38,197				34,022				8,993
Residential mortgage and equity lines			14,383				13,437				427				14,019				13,590				465
Subtotal		$	50,398			$	47,436			$	7,749			$	78,225			$	61,352			$	11,798
Total impaired loans		$	180,368			$	133,810			$	7,749			$	210,620			$	174,519			$	11,798

 

 

Loan Interest Reserves

 

In accordance with customary banking practice, construction loans and land development loans are originated where interest on the loan is disbursed from pre-established interest reserves included in the total original loan commitment. Our construction and land development loans generally include optional renewal terms after the maturity of the initial loan term. New appraisals are obtained prior to extension or renewal of these loans in part to determine the appropriate interest reserve to be established for the new loan term. Loans with interest reserves are underwritten to the same criteria, including loan to value and, if applicable, pro forma debt service coverage ratios, as loans without interest reserves. Construction loans with interest reserves are monitored on a periodic basis to gauge progress towards completion. Interest reserves are frozen if it is determined that additional draws would result in a loan to value ratio that exceeds policy maximums based on collateral type. Our policy limits in this regard are consistent with supervisory limits and range from 65% in the case of land to 85% in the case of 1- to 4-family residential construction projects.

 

As of December 31, 2015, construction loans of $371.4 million were disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $49.5 million compared to $211.5 million of such loans disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $35.6 million at December 31, 2014.  The balance for construction loans with interest reserves which have been renewed was $67.8 million with pre-established interest reserves of $2.6 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $55.2 million with pre-established interest reserves of $3.1 million at December 31, 2014.  Land loans of $87.3 million were disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $1.8 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $76.4 million land loans disbursed with pre-established interest reserves of $3.8 at December 31, 2014.  The balance for land loans with interest reserves which have been renewed was $73.2 million at December 31, 2015 with pre-established interest reserves of $1.3 million, compared to $4.0 million land loans with pre-established interest reserves of $56,000 at December 31, 2014. 

 

At December 31, 2015, the Bank had no loans on non-accrual status with available interest reserves.  At December 31, 2015, $15.8 million of non-accrual non-residential construction loans, $0.5 million of non-accrual residential construction loans, and $13.9 million of non-accrual land loans had been originated with pre-established interest reserves.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank had no loans on non-accrual status with available interest reserves.  At December 31, 2014, $0.5 million of non-accrual residential construction loans, $19.5 million of non-accrual non-residential construction loans, and no non-accrual land loans had been originated with pre-established interest reserves.   While loans with interest reserves are typically expected to be repaid in full according to the original contractual terms, some loans require one or more extensions beyond the original maturity.  Typically, these extensions are required due to construction delays, delays in the sale or lease of property, or some combination of these two factors.

 

 

Loan Concentration 

 

Most of our business activity is with customers located in the predominantly Asian areas of California; New York City; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Nevada; New Jersey; and Maryland. We have no specific industry concentration, and generally our loans are collateralized with real property or other pledged collateral. Loans are generally expected to be paid off from the operating profits of the borrowers, refinancing by another lender, or through sale by the borrowers of the secured collateral. We experienced no loan concentrations to multiple borrowers in similar activities that exceeded 10% of total loans as of December 31, 2015.

 

The Federal banking regulatory agencies issued final guidance on December 6, 2006, regarding risk management practices for financial institutions with high or increasing concentrations of commercial real estate ("CRE") loans on their balance sheets. The regulatory guidance reiterates the need for sound internal risk management practices for those institutions that have experienced rapid growth in CRE lending, have notable exposure to specific types of CRE, or are approaching or exceeding the supervisory criteria used to evaluate the CRE concentration risk, but the guidance is not to be construed as a limit for CRE exposure. The supervisory criteria are: (1) total reported loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% of the institution's total risk-based capital, and (2) both total CRE loans represent 300% or more of the institution's total risk-based capital and the institution's CRE loan portfolio has increased 50% or more within the last thirty-six months. The Bank’s loans for construction, land development, and other land represented 36% of total risk-based capital as of December 31, 2015, and 30% as of December 31, 2014. Total CRE loans represented 286% of total risk-based capital as of December 31, 2015, and 256% as of December 31, 2014, both of which were within the Bank’s internal limit of 400% and 300%, respectively, of total capital. See Part I — Item 1A — “Risk Factors” for a discussion of some of the factors that may affect us.

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

The Bank maintains the allowance for credit losses at a level that is considered appropriate to cover the estimated and known inherent risks in the loan portfolio and off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments. Allowance for credit losses is comprised of allowances for loan losses and for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments. With this risk management objective, the Bank’s management has an established monitoring system that is designed to identify impaired and potential problem loans, and to permit periodic evaluation of impairment and the adequacy level of the allowance for credit losses in a timely manner.  

 

In addition, the Board of Directors of the Bank has established a written credit policy that includes a credit review and control system that it believes should be effective in ensuring that the Bank maintains an appropriate allowance for credit losses. The Board of Directors provides oversight for the allowance evaluation process, including quarterly evaluations, and determines whether the allowance is appropriate to absorb losses in the credit portfolio. The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses and the provision for credit losses is based on management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration known relevant internal and external factors that affect collectability when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for credit losses. The nature of the process by which the Bank determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. Additions or reductions to the allowance for credit losses are made by charges or credits to the provision for credit losses. Identified credit exposures that are determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for credit losses. Recoveries of previously charged off amounts, if any, are credited to the allowance for credit losses. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality can result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, and defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses. See Part I — Item 1A — “Risk Factors” for additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance.  

 

 

The allowance for loan losses was $139.0 million and the allowance for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments was $1.5 million at December 31, 2015, which represented the amount believed by management to be appropriate to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio, including unfunded commitments. The allowance for credit losses, which is the sum of the allowances for loan losses and for off-balance sheet unfunded credit commitments, was $140.5 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $163.4 million at December 31, 2014, a decrease of $22.9 million, or 14.0%. The allowance for credit losses represented 1.38% of period-end gross loans and 269.4% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2015. The comparable ratios were 1.83% of period-end gross loans and 232.8% of non-performing loans at December 31, 2014.

 

 

The following table sets forth the information relating to the allowance for loan losses, charge-offs, recoveries, and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments for the past five years:

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

 

		Amount Outstanding as of December 31,
		2015				2014				2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Balance at beginning of year		$	161,420			$	173,889			$	183,322			$	206,280			$	245,231
(Reversal)/provision for credit losses			(11,400	)			(10,800	)			(3,000	)			(9,000	)			27,000
(Provision)/reversal of reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments			-				(372	)			-				706				268
Charge-offs :
Commercial loans			(16,426	)			(7,875	)			(15,625	)			(17,707	)			(11,745	)
Construction loans-residential			-				(2,382	)			-				(391	)			(20,801	)
Construction loans-other			-				(4,365	)			-				(774	)			(16,699	)
Real estate loans			(3,355	)			(7,613	)			(3,499	)			(13,616	)			(27,327	)
Real estate land loans			(646	)			-				(1,318	)			(278	)			(1,054	)
Installment loans and other loans			-				-				-				(25	)			-
Total charge-offs			(20,427	)			(22,235	)			(20,442	)			(32,791	)			(77,626	)
Recoveries:
Commercial loans			4,619				12,517				2,739				1,949				1,774
Construction loans-residential			-				48				1,201				3,788				3,808
Construction loans-other			202				2,499				1,083				2,365				665
Real estate loans			4,283				5,752				5,978				8,820				4,539
Real estate land loans			266				109				2,997				1,202				621
Installment loans and other loans			-				13				11				3				-
Total recoveries			9,370				20,938				14,009				18,127				11,407
Balance at end of year		$	138,963			$	161,420			$	173,889			$	183,322			$	206,280
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments
Balance at beginning of year		$	1,949			$	1,363			$	1,363			$	2,069			$	2,337
(Reversal)/provision for credit losses			(455	)			586				-				(706	)			(268	)
Balance at end of year		$	1,494			$	1,949			$	1,363			$	1,363			$	2,069
Average loans outstanding during the year (1)		$	9,593,448			$	8,532,245			$	7,630,530			$	7,094,197			$	6,959,331
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding during the year (1)			0.12	%			0.02	%			0.08	%			0.21	%			0.95	%
(Reversal)/provision for credit losses to average loans outstanding during the year (1)			-0.12	%			-0.13	%			-0.04	%			-0.13	%			0.39	%
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing portfolio loans at year-end (2)			269.44	%			232.84	%			208.22	%			176.68	%			100.20	%
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans at year-end (1)			1.38	%			1.83	%			2.17	%			2.49	%			2.95	%

 

(1) Excluding loans held for sale

(2) Excluding non-accrual loans held for sale

 

Our allowance for loan losses consists of the following:

 

•

Specific allowance: For impaired loans, we provide specific allowances for loans that are not collateral dependent based on an evaluation of the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate and for loans that are collateral dependent based on the fair value of the underlying collateral determined by the most recent valuation information received, which may be adjusted based on factors such as changes in market conditions from the time of valuation. If the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the deficiency will be charged off against the allowance for loan losses or, alternatively, a specific allocation will be established.

 

 

•

General allowance: The unclassified portfolio is segmented on a group basis. Segmentation is determined by loan type and common risk characteristics. The non-impaired loans are grouped into 19 segments: two commercial segments, 10 commercial real estate segments, one residential construction segment, one non-residential construction segment, one SBA segment, one installment loans segment, one residential mortgage segment, one equity lines of credit segment, and one overdrafts segment. The allowance is provided for each segmented group based on the group’s historical loan loss experience aggregated based on loan risk classifications which take into account the current financial condition of the borrowers and guarantors, the prevailing value of the underlying collateral if collateral dependent, charge-off history, management’s knowledge of the portfolio, general economic conditions, environmental factors including the trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and concentration of credit. In addition, management reviews reports on past-due loans to ensure appropriate classification. In the third quarter of 2014, management reevaluated the look-back period and restored the five year look-back period in order to capture a sufficient history of loss data. Additionally, risk factor calculations for pass rated loans included a specified loss emergence period and were determined based on five year average of observed net losses, unless trends would indicated that a different weighting would be appropriate. In light of the changes above, the relevant environmental factors were reduced. These refinements maintained the Bank’s allowance at a level consistent with the prior quarter.

 

The table set forth below reflects management’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category and the ratio of each loan category to the total loans as of the dates indicated:

 

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

 

		As of December 31,
		2015								2014								2013								2012								2011
		Amount				Percentage of Loans in Each Category to Average Gross Loans				Amount				Percentage of Loans in Each Category to Average Gross Loans				Amount				Percentage of Loans in Each Category to Average Gross Loans				Amount				Percentage of Loans in Each Category to Average Gross Loans				Amount				Percentage of Loans in Each Category to Average Gross Loans
		(Dollars in thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans		$	56,199				24.9	%		$	47,501				27.2	%		$	65,103				28.2	%		$	66,101				27.4	%		$	65,658				23.9	%
Residential mortgage loans and equity lines			11,145				19.7				11,578				19.2				12,005				18.6				11,703				17.4				10,795				16.4
Commercial mortgage loans			49,440				51.5				74,673				50.2				84,753				50.7				82,473				52.2				108,021				54.9
Real estate construction loans			22,170				3.9				27,652				3.2				11,999				2.3				23,017				2.8				21,749				4.5
Installment and other loans			9				0.0				16				0.2				29				0.2				28				0.2				57				0.3
Total		$	138,963				100.0	%		$	161,420				100.0	%		$	173,889				100.0	%		$	183,322				100.0	%		$	206,280				100.0	%

 

 

The allowance allocated to commercial loans was $56.2 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $47.5 million at December 31, 2014. The increase is due primarily to higher migration loss factors resulting from the increase in chargeoffs during 2015.

 

The allowance allocated to residential mortgage loans and equity lines was $11.1 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $11.6 million at December 31, 2014. The decrease was primarily due to the continued low levels of losses for residential mortgages.

 

The allowance allocated to commercial mortgage loans decreased from $74.7 million at December 31, 2014, to $49.4 million at December 31, 2015, which was due primarily to partial charge-offs on two impaired loans against reserves established prior to 2015, a decrease in the amount of loans classified as substandard and the net recoveries for commercial real estate loans for 2015.

 

The allowance allocated for construction loans decreased to $22.2 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $27.7 million at December 31, 2014, primarily due to the decrease in substandard construction loans and the net recoveries during 2015.

 

Also, see Part I — Item 1A — “Risk Factors” for additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance.

 

Liquidity

 

      Liquidity is our ability to maintain sufficient cash flow to meet maturing financial obligations and customer credit needs, and to take advantage of investment opportunities as they are presented in the marketplace. Our principal sources of liquidity are growth in deposits, proceeds from the maturity or sale of securities and other financial instruments, repayments from securities and loans, Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and advances from the FHLB. For December 2015, our average monthly liquidity ratio (defined as net cash plus short-term and marketable securities to net deposits and short-term liabilities) was 15.8% compared to a daily liquidity ratio of 14.9% as of December 31, 2014.

 

      The Bank is a shareholder of the FHLB, which enables the Bank to have access to lower-cost FHLB financing when necessary. At December 31, 2015, the Bank had an approved credit line with the FHLB of San Francisco totaling $4.7 billion. Total advances from the FHLB of San Francisco were $275.0 million at December 31, 2015. These borrowings bear fixed rates and are secured by loans. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. At December 31, 2015, the Bank pledged $71.3 million of its commercial loans to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Discount Window under the Borrower-in-Custody program. The Bank had borrowing capacity of $64.4 million from the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window at December 31, 2015.

 

      Liquidity can also be provided through the sale of liquid assets, which consist of federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell, and securities available-for-sale. At December 31, 2015, investment securities totaled $1.59 billion, with $449.6 million pledged as collateral for borrowings and other commitments. The remaining $1.14 billion was available as additional liquidity or to be pledged as collateral for additional borrowings.

 

Approximately 74.1% of our time deposits mature within one year or less as of December 31, 2015. Management anticipates that there may be some outflow of these deposits upon maturity due to the keen competition in the Bank’s marketplace. However, based on our historical runoff experience, we expect the outflow will not be significant and can be replenished through our normal growth in deposits. Management believes all the above-mentioned sources will provide adequate liquidity during the next twelve months for the Bank to meet its operating needs.

 

The business activities of the Bancorp consist primarily of the operation of the Bank and limited activities in other investments. The Bancorp obtains funding for its activities primarily through dividend income contributed by the Bank, proceeds from the issuance of the Bancorp common stock through our Dividend Reinvestment Plan and the exercise of stock options. Dividends paid to the Bancorp by the Bank are subject to regulatory limitations. Management believes the Bancorp’s liquidity generated from its prevailing sources is sufficient to meet its operational needs.

 

 

Also, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements regarding commitments and contingencies.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

    See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details of recent accounting pronouncements and their expected impact, if any, on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Item 7A.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

Market Risk

 

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The principal market risk to the Company is the interest rate risk inherent in our lending, investing, deposit taking and borrowing activities, due to the fact that interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities do not re-price at the same rate, to the same extent, or on the same basis.

 

We monitor and manage our interest rate risk through analyzing the re-pricing characteristics of our loans, securities, deposits, and borrowings on an on-going basis. The primary objective is to minimize the adverse effects of changes in interest rates on our earnings, and ultimately the underlying market value of equity, while structuring our asset-liability composition to obtain the maximum spread. Management uses certain basic measurement tools in conjunction with established risk limits to regulate its interest rate exposure. Due to the limitations inherent in any individual risk management tool, we use a simulation model to measure and quantify the impact to our profitability as well as to estimate changes to the market value of our assets and liabilities.

 

We use a net interest income simulation model to measure the extent of the differences in the behavior of the lending, investing, and funding rates to changing interest rates, so as to project future earnings or market values under alternative interest rate scenarios. Interest rate risk arises primarily through the traditional business activities of extending loans, investing securities, accepting deposits, and borrowings. Many factors, including economic and financial conditions, movements in interest rates, and consumer preferences affect the spread between interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities. The net interest income simulation model is designed to measure the volatility of net interest income and net portfolio value, defined as net present value of assets and liabilities, under immediate rising or falling interest rate scenarios in 25 basis points increments.

 

      Although the modeling is helpful in managing interest rate risk, it does require significant assumptions for the projection of loan prepayment rates on mortgage related assets, loan volumes and pricing, and deposit and borrowing volume and pricing, that might prove inaccurate. Because these assumptions are inherently uncertain, the model cannot precisely estimate net interest income, or precisely predict the effect of higher or lower interest rates on net interest income. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes, the differences between actual experience and the assumed volume, changes in market conditions, and management strategies, among other factors. The Company monitors its interest rate sensitivity and attempts to reduce the risk of a significant decrease in net interest income caused by a change in interest rates.

 

 

      We establish a tolerance level in our policy for net interest income volatility of plus or minus 5% when the hypothetical rate change is plus or minus 200 basis points. When the net interest rate simulation projects that our tolerance level will be met or exceeded, we seek corrective action after considering, among other things, market conditions, customer reaction, and the estimated impact on profitability. At December 31, 2015, if interest rates were to increase instantaneously by 100 basis points, the simulation indicated that our net interest income over the next twelve months would increase by 5.1%, and if interest rates were to increase instantaneously by 200 basis points, the simulation indicated that our net interest income over the next twelve months would increase by 11.2%. Conversely, if interest rates were to decrease instantaneously by 100 basis points, the simulation indicated that our net interest income over the next twelve months would decrease by 3.3%, and if interest rates were to decrease instantaneously by 200 basis points, the simulation indicated that our net interest income over the next twelve months would decrease by 4.0%.

 

      Our simulation model also projects the net market value of our portfolio of assets and liabilities. We have established a tolerance level to value the net market value of our portfolio of assets and liabilities in our policy to a change of not less than 0% when the hypothetical rate change is plus or minus 200 basis points. At December 31, 2015, if interest rates were to increase instantaneously by 200 basis points, the simulation indicated that the net market value of our portfolio of assets and liabilities would increase by 1.4%, and conversely, if interest rates were to decrease instantaneously by 200 basis points, the simulation indicated that the net market value of our assets and liabilities would increase by 1.1%.

 

 

Quantitative Information about Interest Rate Risk

 

The following table shows the carrying value of our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, categorized by expected maturity, as well as the instruments’ total fair values at December 31, 2015, and 2014. For assets, expected maturities are based on contractual maturity. For liabilities, we use our historical experience and decay factors to estimate the deposit runoffs of interest-bearing transactional deposits. We use certain assumptions to estimate fair values and expected maturities which are described in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Off-balance sheet commitments to extend credit, letters of credit, and bill of lading guarantees represent the contractual unfunded amounts. Off-balance sheet financial instruments represent fair values. The results presented may vary if different assumptions are used or if actual experience differs from the assumptions used.

 

																														December 31,
		Average																												2015								2014
		Interest				Expected Maturity Date at December 31,																												Fair								Fair
		Rate				2016				2017				2018				2019				2020				Thereafter				Total				Value				Total				Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-Sensitive Assets:
Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations			2.06	%		$	140,861			$	134,807			$	120,466			$	107,293			$	94,969			$	463,909			$	1,062,305			$	1,062,305			$	544,348			$	544,348
Other investment securities			1.08				184,956				99,332				9,950				-				20,380				209,429				524,047				524,047				774,587				774,587
Loans held for sale			5.96				6,676				-				-				-				-				-				6,676				6,676				973				1,225
Gross loans receivable:
Commercial			3.83				1,797,517				301,245				77,439				36,536				26,935				77,191				2,316,863				2,315,572				2,382,493				2,379,790
Residential mortgage			4.45				2,057				2,358				2,943				4,969				4,692				2,084,316				2,101,335				2,112,481				1,742,938				1,765,472
Commercial mortgage			4.56				558,942				506,452				591,602				484,716				571,824				2,587,682				5,301,218				5,220,251				4,486,443				4,400,716
Real estate construction			4.59				282,376				139,011				14,380				-				-				5,776				441,543				441,453				298,654				298,511
Installment & other			2.50				2,234				259				-				-				-				-				2,493				2,490				3,552				3,534
Interest Sensitive Liabilities:
Other interest-bearing deposits			0.41				511,643				274,427				145,894				77,932				32,558				2,447,831				3,490,285				3,490,285				2,850,818				2,850,818
Time deposits			0.86				3,695,164				997,735				249,147				42,788				907				11				4,985,752				4,987,294				4,267,728				4,269,610
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase			3.89				50,000				250,000				100,000				-				-				-				400,000				413,417				450,000				473,816
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank			0.35				250,000				-				25,000				-				-				-				275,000				274,488				425,000				424,974
Other borrowings			-				-				-				-				-				-				18,593				18,593				16,684				19,934				17,978
Long-term debt			2.70				-				-				-				-				-				119,136				119,136				58,420				119,136				59,425
Off-Balance Sheet
Financial Instruments:
Commitments to extend credit							1,041,386				581,484				127,433				48,351				47,822				125,372				1,971,848				(5,570	)			2,071,766				(3,442	)
Standby letters of credit							47,851				590				6				1				175				458				49,081				(194	)			53,910				(243	)
Other letters of credit							38,039				-				-				92				-				-				38,131				(22	)			48,142				(29	)
Bill of lading guarantees							454				-				-				-				-				-				454				(1	)			108				-

 

 

Country Risk Exposures

 

The Company’s total assets were $13.3 billion and total foreign country risk net exposures were $651.9 million at December 31, 2015, compared to total assets of $11.5 billion and total foreign country risk net exposures of $787.7 million at December 31, 2014. Total foreign country risk net exposures at December 31, 2015, were comprised primarily of $296.9 million from Hong Kong, $107.0 million from China, $76.7 million from England, $37.0 million from Germany, $30.1 million from Australia, $25.8 million from Switzerland, $23.7 million from France, $21.1 million from Canada, $20.0 million from the Philippines, $5.9 million from Singapore, $3.4 million from Macau, $2.0 million from Taiwan, and $1.3 million from Indonesia. Total foreign country risk net exposures at December 31, 2014, were comprised primarily of $329.4 million from Hong Kong, $139.4 million from China, $111.9 million from England, $48.2 million from Switzerland, $44.1 million from France, $30.4 million from Australia, $23.9 million from Taiwan, $17.1 million from the Philippines, $16.5 million from Japan, $15.6 million from Canada, $8.4 million from Singapore, and $1.8 million from Macau.

 

All foreign country risk net exposures were to non-sovereign counterparties except $19.8 million due from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority at December 31, 2015 and $20.8 million at December 31, 2014.

 

Unfunded exposures were $40.7 million at December 31, 2015, and were comprised of $40.0 million of unfunded loans to three financial institutions in China and a $720,000 of unfunded loan to a borrower in Taiwan. Unfunded exposures were $68.9 million at December 31, 2014, and were comprised of $68.2 million of unfunded loans to four financial institutions in China and $720,000 of unfunded loans to a borrower in Taiwan.

 

Financial Derivatives

 

It is our policy not to speculate on the future direction of interest rates. However, we enter into financial derivatives in order to seek mitigation of exposure to interest rate risks related to our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. We believe that these transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent interest rate risk in our assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions. In such instances, we may protect our position through the purchase or sale of interest rate futures contracts for a specific cash or interest rate risk position. Other hedging transactions may be implemented using interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, floors, financial futures, forward rate agreements, and options on futures or bonds. Prior to considering any hedging activities, we seek to analyze the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to other viable alternative strategies. All hedges will require an assessment of basis risk and must be approved by the Bancorp or the Bank’s Investment Committee.

 

The Company follows ASC Topic 815 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge. Fair value is determined using third-party models with observable market data. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and are reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is reflected in earnings. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reflected in current earnings, together with changes in the fair value of the related hedged item if there is a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged. If there is not a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged, then only the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, Bancorp entered into five interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $119.1 million for a period of ten years. The objective of these interest rate swap contracts, which were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, was to hedge the quarterly interest payments on the Bancorp’s $119.1 million of Junior Subordinated Debentures that had been issued to five trusts, throughout the ten-year period beginning in June 2014 and ending in June 2024, from the risk of variability of these payments resulting from changes in the three-month LIBOR interest rate. The Bancorp pays a weighted average fixed interest rate of 2.61% and receives a variable interest rate of the three-month LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 0.53%. As of December 31, 2015, the notional amount of cash flow interest rate swaps was $119.1 million and their unrealized loss of $3.0 million, net of taxes, was included in other comprehensive income. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps included in interest expense was $2.8 million compared to $1.5 million in 2014. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the ineffective portion of these interest rates swaps was not significant.

 

In 2014 and 2015, the Bank entered into interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $347.2 million for various terms from two to eight years. The Bank entered into these interest rate swap contracts that are matched to individual fixed-rate commercial real estate loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio. These contracts have been designated as hedging instruments to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of the underlying commercial real estate loans due to changes in interest rates. The swap contracts are structured so that the notional amounts reduce over time to match the contractual amortization of the underlying loan and allow prepayments with the same pre-payment penalty amounts as the related loan. The Bank pays a weighted average fixed rate of 4.69% and receives a variable rate at the one month LIBOR rate plus a weighted average spread of 321 basis points, or at a weighted average rate of 3.51%. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the notional amount of fair value interest rate swaps was $340.3 million and $181.3 million, respectively, and their unrealized loss of $1.3 million and $489,000, respectively, were included in other non-interest income. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps reducing interest income was $3.3 million in 2015 compared to $1.3 million in 2014. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant.

 

 

Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Institutional counterparties must have a strong credit profile and be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s credit exposure on interest rate swaps is limited to the net favorable value and interest payments of all swaps by each counterparty. Credit exposure may be reduced by the amount of collateral pledged by the counterparty. Bancorp’s interest rate swaps have been assigned by the counterparties to a derivatives clearing organization and daily margin is indirectly maintained with the derivatives clearing organization. Cash posted as collateral by Bancorp related to derivative contracts totaled $7.9 million as of December 31, 2015 and $7.5 million as of December 31, 2014.

 

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with various counterparties to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign exchange certificates of deposit or foreign exchange contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign exchange certificates of deposit and foreign exchange contracts are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities. At December 31, 2015, the notional amount of option contracts totaled $9.4 million with a net negative fair value of $28,000. At December 31, 2015, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $100.6 million had a positive fair value of $3.3 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $115.4 million had a negative fair value of $4.1 million at December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2014, no option contracts were outstanding. At December 31, 2014, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $167.0 million had a positive fair value of $1.9 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $178.9 million had a negative fair value of $5.0 million at December 31, 2014.

 

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

      For financial statements, see “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1.

 

Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

      Not Applicable.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There have not been any changes in the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures that occurred during its fourth fiscal quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these controls and procedures.

 

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. 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 financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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.

 

As of December 31, 2015, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company assessed the effectiveness of its 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 of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the assessment, management determined that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on those criteria.

 

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has also issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, is included in this Item under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” below.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, that occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially effect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Cathay General Bancorp:

 

We have audited Cathay General Bancorp’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Cathay General Bancorp's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 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.

 

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.

 

In our opinion, Cathay General Bancorp maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, 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), the consolidated balance sheets of Cathay General Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated February 29, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

/s/     KPMG LLP

 

Los Angeles, California

February 29, 2016

 

 

Item 9B.     Other Information.

 

None.

 

PART III

 

Item 10.     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

The information required by this item concerning our executive officers, directors, compliance with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and matters relating to corporate governance is incorporated herein by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Proposal One—Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance” and “Code of Ethics” in our Definitive Proxy Statement relating to our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (our “Proxy Statement”).

 

Item 11.     Executive Compensation.

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance—Compensation of Directors,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” in our Proxy Statement.

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2015, with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company were authorized for issuance.

 

Plan Category		Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights				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)]
		(a)				(b)				(c)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders			1,031,170			$	31.27				3,181,112
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders			-				-				-
Total			1,031,170			$	31.27				3,181,112

 

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the information set forth under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Proposal One—Election of Directors— Security Ownership of Nominees, Continuing Directors, and Named Executive Officers” in our Proxy Statement.

 

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters and Certain Control Persons” and “Board of Directors and Corporate Governance— Director Independence” in our Proxy Statement.

 

Item 14.     Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the information set forth under the caption “Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in our Proxy Statement.

 

 

 

 PART IV 

 

Item 15.     Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

 

Documents Filed as Part of this Report

 

(a)(1) Financial Statements

 

See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1.

 

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules

 

Schedules have been omitted since they are not applicable, they are not required, or the information required to be set forth in the schedules is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

 

(b) Exhibits

 

 

3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation.+
3.1.1		Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation.+
3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws, effective February 20, 2014. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
3.3		Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2012, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
3.4		Certificate of Designation of Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1		Indenture, dated as of March 30, 2007, between Cathay General Bancorp and LaSalle Bank National Association (including form of debenture). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1.1		Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Cathay Capital Trust III, dated as of March 30, 2007. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

4.1.2		Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2007, between Cathay General Bancorp and LaSalle Bank National Association. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.1.3		Form of Capital Securities of Cathay Capital Trust III (included within Exhibit 4.1.1).
4.2		Warrant to purchase up to 1,846,374 shares of Common Stock, issued on December 5, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2.1		Warrant Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2013. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2.2		Form of Warrant (included within Exhibit 4.2.1).
10.1		Form of Indemnity Agreements between Bancorp and its directors and certain officers. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2012, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.2		Cathay Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2010. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2011, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.3		Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Stock Purchase Plan (Amended and Restated) of Bancorp. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2015, as an exhibit to Registration Statement No. 333-205888, and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4		Cathay Bank Bonus Deferral Agreement (Amended and Restated). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5		Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.1		Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.2		Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (Nonstatutory). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.**

 

 

10.5.3		Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (Nonstatutory) (Nonemployee Director). Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.4		Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.5		Form of Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan Stock Award Agreement to be used for the purposes of granting certain salary awards. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 2012, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.6		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Performance Shares – EPS), used to award performance-based restricted stock units under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 24, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.7		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Performance Shares – TSR), used to award performance-based restricted stock units under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 24, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.8		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Clawback Rider), used in connection with award of performance-based restricted stock units under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 24, 2013, as an exhibit to Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.9		Executive Officer Annual Cash Bonus Program under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.5.10		Cathay General Bancorp 2005 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated).**+
10.5.11		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Performance Shares – EPS), used to award performance-based restricted stock units under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated).**+

 

10.5.12	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Performance Shares – TSR), used to award performance-based restricted stock units under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated).**+
10.5.13	Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Clawback Rider), used in connection with award of performance-based restricted stock units under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated).**+
10.6.1	Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Peter Wu dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.**

 

 

10.6.2		Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Anthony M. Tang dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.6.3		Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Heng W. Chen dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.6.4		Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Irwin Wong dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.6.5		Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Kim Bingham dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.**
10.6.6		Amended and Restated Change of Control Employment Agreement for Pin Tai dated as of December 18, 2008. Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference**
10.6.7		Change of Control Employment Agreement for Donald S. Chow dated as of August 14, 2014.  Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2014 as an exhibit to the Bancorp’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference. **
21.1		Subsidiaries of Bancorp.+
23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.+
24.1		Power of Attorney.+
31.1		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.+
31.2		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.+
32.1		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.++
32.2		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.++
101.INS		XBRL Instance Document ***
101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document ***
101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document***
101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document***
101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document***
101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document***

 

---

**	Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

***

XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information shall not be deemed to be filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, shall not be deemed to be filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise shall not be subject to liability under these sections, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

+	Filed herewith.

 

++	Furnished herewith.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

	Cathay General Bancorp
By:	/s/ Dunson K. Cheng
	Dunson K. Cheng Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: February 29, 2016

 

 

 

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.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Dunson K. Cheng		President, Chairman of		February 29, 2016
Dunson K. Cheng		the Board, Director, and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
/s/ Heng W. Chen		Executive Vice President,		February 29, 2016
Heng W. Chen		Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer (principal financial officer) (principal accounting officer)
/s/ Peter Wu		Director		February 29, 2016
Peter Wu
/s/ Anthony M. Tang		Director		February 29, 2016
Anthony M. Tang
/s/ Kelly L. Chan		Director		February 29, 2016
Kelly L. Chan
/s/ Michael M.Y. Chang		Director		February 29, 2016
Michael M.Y. Chang
/s/ Thomas C.T. Chiu		Director		February 29, 2016
Thomas C.T. Chiu
/s/ Nelson Chung		Director		February 29, 2016
Nelson Chung
/s/ Felix S. Fernandez		Director		February 29, 2016
Felix S. Fernandez
/s/ Jane Jelenko		Director		February 29, 2016
Jane Jelenko
/s/ Patrick S.D. Lee		Director		February 29, 2016
Patrick S.D. Lee
/s/ Ting Y. Liu		Director		February 29, 2016
Ting Y. Liu
/s/ Joseph C.H. Poon		Director		February 29, 2016
Joseph C.H. Poon

 

 

  INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Page

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014	F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013	F-6

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-8
Parent-only condensed financial information of Cathay General Bancorp is included in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K	F-52

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Cathay General Bancorp:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cathay General Bancorp and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015. 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 conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cathay General Bancorp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015 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), Cathay General Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 29, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

/s/             KPMG LLP

 

Los Angeles, California

February 29, 2016

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Assets
Cash and due from banks		$	180,130			$	176,830
Short-term investments and interest bearing deposits			536,880				489,614
Securities available-for-sale (amortized cost of $1,595,723 in 2015 and $1,324,408 in 2014			1,586,352				1,318,935
Loans held for sale			6,676				973
Loans			10,163,452				8,914,080
Less: Allowance for loan losses			(138,963	)			(161,420	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees, net			(8,262	)			(12,392	)
Loans, net			10,016,227				8,740,268
Federal Home Loan Bank stock			17,250				30,785
Other real estate owned, net			24,701				31,477
Affordable housing investments and alternative energy partnerships, net			182,943				104,579
Premises and equipment, net			108,924				99,682
Customers’ liability on acceptances			40,335				35,656
Accrued interest receivable			30,558				25,364
Goodwill			372,189				316,340
Other intangible assets, net			3,677				3,237
Other assets			147,284				143,106
Total assets		$	13,254,126			$	11,516,846
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits		$	2,033,048			$	1,664,914
Interest-bearing deposits:
NOW deposits			966,404				778,691
Money market deposits			1,905,719				1,538,187
Savings deposits			618,164				533,940
Time deposits			4,985,752				4,267,728
Total deposits			10,509,087				8,783,460
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase			400,000				450,000
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank			275,000				425,000
Other borrowings for affordable housing investments			18,593				19,934
Long-term debt			119,136				119,136
Acceptances outstanding			40,335				35,656
Other liabilities			144,197				80,772
Total liabilities			11,506,348				9,913,958
Commitments and contingencies			-				-
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 87,002,931 issued and 80,806,116 outstanding at December 31, 2015, and 84,022,118 issued and 79,814,553 outstanding at December 31, 2014			870				840
Additional paid-in-capital			880,822				789,519
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net			(8,426	)			(5,569	)
Retained earnings			1,059,660				943,834
Treasury stock, at cost (6,196,815 shares at December 31, 2015, and 4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2014			(185,148	)			(125,736	)
Total equity			1,747,778				1,602,888
Total liabilities and equity		$	13,254,126			$	11,516,846

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands, except share and per share data)
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
Loan receivable		$	427,621			$	390,440			$	359,959
Investment securities- taxable			21,523				24,237				43,412
Investment securities- nontaxable			-				-				995
Federal Home Loan Bank stock			3,164				1,974				1,480
Deposits with banks			1,398				1,996				1,150
Total interest and dividend income			453,706				418,647				406,996
INTEREST EXPENSE
Time deposits			39,443				35,111				31,964
Other deposits			12,445				10,658				8,425
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase			15,813				24,685				37,692
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank			487				945				528
Long-term debt			5,776				4,467				3,691
Total interest expense			73,964				75,866				82,300
Net interest income before provision for credit losses			379,742				342,781				324,696
Reversal for credit losses			(11,400	)			(10,800	)			(3,000	)
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			391,142				353,581				327,696
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Securities (losses)/gains, net			(3,349	)			6,748				27,362
Letters of credit commissions			5,545				6,043				6,281
Depository service fees			5,348				5,288				5,701
Other operating income			25,130				22,448				20,963
Total non-interest income			32,674				40,527				60,307
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits			89,960				89,893				88,276
Occupancy expense			17,018				15,735				14,846
Computer and equipment expense			9,828				9,793				9,768
Professional services expense			25,014				22,634				24,574
FDIC and State assessments			9,087				8,796				7,351
Marketing expense			4,926				4,126				3,403
Other real estate owned income			(800	)			(1,304	)			(235	)
Operations of investments in affordable housing and alternative energy partnerships, net			33,335				6,990				7,253
Amortization of core deposit premium			667				719				4,533
Cost associated with debt redemption			-				3,348				22,557
Other operating expense			13,685				13,583				11,507
Total non-interest expense			202,720				174,313				193,833
Income before income tax expense			221,096				219,795				194,170
Income tax expense			59,987				81,965				70,435
Net income			161,109				137,830				123,735
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			-				-				592
Net income attributable to Cathay General Bancorp			161,109				137,830				123,143
Dividends on preferred stock			-				-				(9,685	)
Net income attributable to common stockholders		$	161,109			$	137,830			$	113,458
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding (losses)/gains on securities available for sale			(4,200	)			30,468				(14,335	)
Unrealized holding losses on cash flow hedge derivatives			(598	)			(2,397	)			-
Less: reclassification adjustment for (losses)/gains included in net income			(1,941	)			3,911				15,859
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax			(2,857	)			24,160				(30,194	)
Total comprehensive income		$	158,252			$	161,990			$	92,949
Net income attributable to common stockholders per common share
Basic		$	2.00			$	1.73			$	1.44
Diluted		$	1.98			$	1.72			$	1.43
Basic average common shares outstanding			80,563,577				79,661,571				78,954,898
Diluted average common shares outstanding			81,294,796				80,106,895				79,137,983

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013

(In thousands, except number of shares)        

 

																						Accumulated
		Preferred Stock								Common Stock								Additional				Other																Total
		Number of								Number of								Paid-in				Comprehensive				Retained				Treasury				Noncontrolling				Stockholders'
		Shares				Amount				Shares				Amount				Capital				Income/(Loss)				Earnings				Stock				Interest				Equity
Balance at December 31, 2012			258,000			$	254,580				78,778,288			$	830			$	768,925			$	465			$	721,993			$	(125,736	)		$	8,447			$	1,629,504
Dividend Reinvestment Plan			-				-				25,984				-				605				-				-				-				-				605
Redemption of Series B Preferred Stock			(258,000	)			(258,000	)			-				-				(302	)			-				-				-				-				(258,302	)
Redemption of noncontrolling interest			-				-				-				-				(191	)			-				-				-				(8,447	)			(8,638	)
Restricted stock units vested			-				-				138,220				1				-				-				-				-				-				1
Stock salary			-				-				52,431				1				1,106				-				-				-				-				1,107
Stock options exercised			-				-				594,946				6				14,749				-				-				-				-				14,755
Tax short-fall from stock options			-				-				-				-				(2,509	)			-				-				-				-				(2,509	)
Stock -based compensation			-				-				-				-				2,106				-				-				-				-				2,106
Cash dividends of $0.08 per share			-				-				-				-				-				-				(6,342	)			-				-				(6,342	)
Discount accretion and other adjustment on preferred stock			-				3,420				-				-				-				-				(3,420	)			-				-				-
Dividends on preferred stock			-				-				-				-				-				-				(6,265	)			-				(592	)			(6,857	)
Change in other comprehensive loss			-				-				-				-				-				(30,194	)			-				-				-				(30,194	)
Net income			-				-				-				-				-				-				123,143				-				592				123,735
Balance at December 31, 2013			-				-				79,589,869				838				784,489				(29,729	)			829,109				(125,736	)			-				1,458,971
Dividend Reinvestment Plan			-				-				116,957				1				2,847				-				-				-				-				2,848
Restricted stock units vested			-				-				88,537				1				-				-				-				-				-				1
Shares withheld related to net share settlement of RSUs			-				-				-				-				(850	)			-				-				-				-				(850	)
Stock issued to directors			-				-				13,690				-				350				-				-				-				-				350
Stock options exercised			-				-				5,500				-				128				-				-				-				-				128
Tax short-fall from stock options			-				-				-				-				(1,285	)			-				-				-				-				(1,285	)
Stock -based compensation			-				-				-				-				3,840				-				-				-				-				3,840
Cash dividends of $0.29 per share			-				-				-				-				-				-				(23,105	)			-				-				(23,105	)
Change in other comprehensive loss			-				-				-				-				-				24,160				-				-				-				24,160
Net income			-				-				-				-				-				-				137,830				-								137,830
Balance at December 31, 2014			-			$	-				79,814,553			$	840			$	789,519			$	(5,569	)		$	943,834			$	(125,736	)		$	-			$	1,602,888
Dividend Reinvestment Plan			-				-				148,582				2				4,173				-				-				-				-				4,175
Restricted stock units vested			-				-				18,955				-				-				-				-				-				-				-
Warrant exercised			-				-				369				-				-				-				-				-				-				-
Shares withheld related to net share settlement of RSUs			-				-				-				-				(227	)			-				-				-				-				(227	)
Stock issued to directors			-				-				17,974				-				495				-				-				-				-				495
Stock options exercised			-				-				214,580				2				5,012				-				-				-				-				5,014
Equity consideration for acquisition			-				-				2,580,353				26				82,743				-				-				-				-				82,769
Purchases of treasury stock			-				-				(1,989,250	)			-				-				-				-				(59,412	)			-				(59,412	)
Tax short-fall from stock options			-				-				-				-				(5,348	)			-				-				-				-				(5,348	)
Stock -based compensation			-				-				-				-				4,455				-				-				-				-				4,455
Cash dividends of $0.56 per share			-				-				-				-				-				-				(45,283	)			-				-				(45,283	)
Change in other comprehensive loss			-				-				-				-				-				(2,857	)			-				-				-				(2,857	)
Net income			-				-				-				-				-				-				161,109				-				-				161,109
Balance at December 31, 2015			-			$	-				80,806,116			$	870			$	880,822			$	(8,426	)		$	1,059,660			$	(185,148	)		$	-			$	1,747,778

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income		$	161,109			$	137,830			$	123,735
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Credit for loan losses			(11,400	)			(10,800	)			(3,000	)
Provision/(Reversal) for losses on other real estate owned			547				1,619				(2,122	)
Deferred tax liability/(benefit)			2,004				31,304				(15,114	)
Depreciation and amortization			7,574				7,868				11,347
Net gains on sale and transfers of other real estate owned			(2,012	)			(4,065	)			(1,793	)
Net gains on sale of loans			(786	)			(395	)			(879	)
Proceeds from sale of loans			32,530				19,287				42,573
Originations of loans held for sale			(37,447	)			(19,865	)			(41,694	)
Income associated with debt redemption			-				(555	)			-
Amortization on alternative energy partnerships, venture capital and other investments			25,058				436				409
Write-down on impaired securities			3,875				820				-
Gain on sales and calls of securities			(526	)			(7,568	)			(27,362	)
Other non-cash interest (income)/expense			(332	)			(137	)			1,100
Amortization of security premiums, net			5,140				2,849				4,425
Excess tax short-fall from stock options			5,348				1,285				2,509
Stock based and stock issued to officers and directors compensation expense			4,950				4,190				3,213
Noncontrolling interest			-				-				(592	)
Net change in accrued interest receivable and other assets			(3,429	)			(2,776	)			23,291
Net change in other liabilities			(15,506	)			(11,256	)			(4,973	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			176,697				150,071				115,073
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
(Increase)/decrease in short-term investments			(47,266	)			32,260				(104,955	)
Purchase of investment securities available-for-sale			(295,497	)			(885,782	)			(350,130	)
Proceeds from maturity and call of investment securities available-for-sale			165,000				585,776				180,088
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available-for-sale			385,234				160,451				575,358
Purchase of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale			(1,280,870	)			(307,617	)			(676,529	)
Proceeds from repayment and sale of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale			749,219				768,236				669,658
Proceeds from maturity and call of investment securities held-to-maturity			-				-				50,973
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock			-				(18,164	)			-
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock			13,535				12,379				16,272
Net increase in loans			(829,501	)			(824,558	)			(676,245	)
Purchase of premises and equipment			(3,518	)			(4,777	)			(6,182	)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment			602				-				-
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned			12,154				29,880				19,411
Increase in investment in affordable housing and alternative energy partnerships			(53,235	)			(7,445	)			(9,525	)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired			6,572				-				-
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,177,571	)			(459,361	)			(311,806	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net increase in deposits			1,305,255				802,281				596,964
Net decrease in federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase			(50,000	)			(350,000	)			(450,000	)
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank			5,092,000				9,822,400				2,402,000
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings			(5,242,000	)			(9,918,600	)			(2,027,000	)
Cash dividends			(45,283	)			(23,104	)			(12,606	)
Purchase of treasury stock			(59,412	)			-				-
Redemption of Series B preferred stock			-				-				(258,000	)
Redemption of noncontrolling interest			-				-				(8,638	)
Repayment of subordinated debt			-				-				(50,000	)
Repayment of long-term debt and other borrowings			-				(1,445	)			-
Proceeds from shares issued to Dividend Reinvestment Plan			4,175				2,848				605
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			5,014				128				14,755
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of RSUs			(227	)			(850	)			-
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements			(5,348	)			(1,285	)			(2,509	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			1,004,174				332,373				205,571
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			3,300				23,083				8,838
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year			176,830				153,747				144,909
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year		$	180,130			$	176,830			$	153,747

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS-(Continued)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest		$	72,870			$	78,366			$	84,848
Income taxes		$	69,074			$	60,225			$	55,521
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Net change in unrealized holding (loss)/gain on securities available-for-sale, net of tax		$	(2,259	)		$	26,557			$	(30,194	)
Net change in unrealized losses on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges		$	(598	)		$	(2,397	)		$	-
Transfers to short-term investments from trading securities		$	-			$	4,936			$	-
Transfers to investment securities available-for-sale at fair value from held-to-maturity		$	-			$	-			$	722,466
Transfers to other real estate owned from loans held for investment		$	866			$	4,970			$	22,171
Loans transferred to loans held for sale		$	6,684			$	973			$	-
Loans to facilitate the sale of other real estate owned		$	-			$	413			$	75
Issuance of stock related to acquisition		$	82,857			$	-			$	-
Supplemental disclosure for acquisitions
Cash and cash equivalents		$	63,579			$	-			$	-
Securities available-for-sale			2,370				-				-
Loans			419,219				-				-
Premises and equipment			13,291				-				-
Other real estate owned			3,048				-				-
Goodwill			55,849				-				-
Core deposit intangible			1,302				-				-
Accrued interest receivable and other assets			2,884				-				-
Total assets acquired			561,542				-				-
Deposits			420,623				-				-
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities			1,056				-				-
Total liabilities assumed			421,679				-				-
Net assets acquired		$	139,863			$	-			$	-
Cash paid		$	57,006			$	-			$	-
Fair value of common stock issued			82,857				-				-
Total consideration paid		$	139,863			$	-			$	-

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

1.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

      The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Cathay General Bancorp (the “Bancorp”), a Delaware corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cathay Bank (the “Bank”), a California state-chartered bank, seven limited partnerships investing in affordable housing projects, Asia Realty Corp., and GBC Venture Capital, Inc. (together, the “Company”). All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and general practices within the banking industry.

 

      Organization and Background. The business activities of the Bancorp consist primarily of the operations of the Bank, which owns 100% of the common securities of the following subsidiaries: GBC Real Estate Investments, Inc., Cathay Holdings LLC, Cathay Holdings 2, LLC, Cathay Holdings 3, LLC, Cathay Community Development Corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cathay New Asia Community Development Corporation.

 

      There are limited operating business activities currently at the Bancorp. The Bank is a commercial bank, servicing primarily the individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the local markets in which its branches are located. Its operations include the acceptance of checking, savings, and time deposits, and the making of commercial, real estate, and consumer loans. The Bank also offers trade financing, letters of credit, wire transfer, foreign currency spot and forward contracts, Internet banking, investment services, and other customary banking services to its customers.

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant estimates subject to change relate to the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment assessment, other-than-temporary impairment analysis on investments, and fair value disclosures. The more significant of these policies are described below.

 

Concentrations. The Bank was incorporated in California and started its business from California. Therefore, loans originated and deposits solicited were mainly from California. As of December 31, 2015, gross loans were primarily comprised of 52.2% of commercial mortgage loans and 22.8% of commercial loans. As of December 31, 2015, approximately 61% of the Bank’s residential mortgages were for properties located in California. Approximately 71% of the Company’s CDs of $250,000 or more have been on deposit with the Company for two years or more.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses. The determination of the amount of the provision for loan losses charged to operations reflects management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in economic and business conditions, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans, changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management, changes in the volume and severity of past due, non-accrual and adversely classified or graded loans, changes in the quality of the loan review system, changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and the effect of competition, legal and regulatory requirements, and other external factors. The nature of the process by which loan losses is determined and the appropriate allowance for loan losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. The allowance is increased or decreased by the provision or credit to the allowance for loan lossesand decreased by charge-offs when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. A weakening of the economy or other factors that adversely affect asset quality could result in an increase in the number of delinquencies, bankruptcies, or defaults, and a higher level of non-performing assets, net charge-offs, and provision for loan losses in future periods.

 

The total allowance for loan losses consists of two components: specific allowances and general allowances. To determine the appropriateness of the allowance in each of these two components, two primary methodologies are employed, the individual loan review analysis methodology and the classification migration methodology. These methodologies support the basis for determining allocations between the various loan categories and the overall appropriateness of our allowance to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. These methodologies are further supported by additional analysis of relevant factors such as the historical losses in the portfolio, and environmental factors which include trends in delinquency and non-accrual, and other significant factors, such as the national and local economy, the volume and composition of the portfolio, strength of management and loan staff, underwriting standards, and the concentration of credit.  

 

The Bank’s management allocates a specific allowance for “Impaired Credits,” in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Section 310-10-35. For non-Impaired Credits, a general allowance is established for those loans internally classified and risk graded Pass, Minimally Acceptable, Special Mention, or Substandard based on historical losses in the specific loan portfolio and a reserve based on environmental factors determined for that loan group. The level of the general allowance is established to provide coverage for management’s estimate of the credit risk in the loan portfolio by various loan segments not covered by the specific allowance.

 

      Securities. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity when management has the ability and intent to hold these securities until maturity. Securities are classified as available-for-sale when management intends to hold the securities for an indefinite period of time, or when the securities may be utilized for tactical asset/liability purposes, and may be sold from time to time to manage interest rate exposure and resultant prepayment risk and liquidity needs. Securities are classified as trading securities when management intends to sell the securities in the near term. Securities purchased are designated as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading securities at the time of acquisition.

 

      Securities held-to-maturity are stated at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts on a level-yield basis. The carrying value of these assets is not adjusted for temporary declines in fair value since the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value, and any unrealized holding gains or losses are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted as adjustment of yield on a level-yield basis.

 

ASC Topic 320 requires an entity to assess whether the entity has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, an entity must recognize an other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). If an entity does not intend to sell the debt security and will not be required to sell the debt security, the entity must consider whether it will recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI shall be considered to have occurred. OTTI is then separated into the amount of the total impairment related to credit losses and the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. An entity determines the impairment related to credit losses by comparing the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security with the amortized cost basis of the security. OTTI related to the credit loss is then recognized in earnings. OTTI related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. OTTI not related to the credit loss for a held-to-maturity security should be recognized separately in a new category of other comprehensive income and amortized over the remaining life of the debt security as an increase in the carrying value of the security only when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its remaining amortized cost basis. The Company has both the ability and the intent to hold and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell those securities with unrealized losses before recovery of their amortized cost basis.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses included in income.

 

Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Stock. As a member of the FHLB system the Bank is required to maintain an investment in the capital stock of the FHLB. The amount of investment is also affected by the outstanding advances under the line of credit the Bank maintains with the FHLB. FHLB stock is carried at cost and is pledged as collateral to the FHLB. FHLB stock is periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. The carrying amount of the FHLB stock was $17.3 million at December 31, 2015, and $30.8 million at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2015, the Company owned 172,500 shares of FHLB stock, which exceeded the minimum stock requirement of 150,000 shares.

 

      Loans. Loans are carried at amounts advanced, less principal payments collected and net deferred loan fees. Interest is accrued and earned daily on an actual or 360-day basis. Interest accruals on business loans and non-residential real estate loans are generally discontinued whenever the payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due, based on contractual terms. Such loans are placed on non-accrual status, unless the loan is well secured, and there is a high probability of recovery in full, as determined by management. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against current income, and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan. The loan is generally returned to accrual status when the borrower has brought the past due principal and interest payments current and, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated the ability to make future payments of principal and interest as scheduled. A non-accrual loan may also be returned to accrual status if all principal and interest contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period and there has been a sustained period of payment performance, generally six months. Loan origination fees and commitment fees, offset by certain direct loan origination costs, are deferred and recognized over the contractual life of the loan as a yield adjustment. The amortization utilizes the interest method. If a loan is placed on non-accrual status, the amortization of the loan fees and the accretion of discounts are discontinued until the loan is returned to accruing status.

 

     Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Gains and losses are recorded in non-interest income based on the difference between sales proceeds, net of sales commissions, and carrying value.

 

      Loans Acquired Through Transfer. Loans acquired through the completion of a transfer, including loans acquired in a business combination, that have evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all contractually required payment, receivables are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loan, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “nonaccretable difference,” are not recognized as a yield adjustment or as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment. Valuation allowance on these impaired loans reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Impaired Loans. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due (i.e. both principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impairment may be based on (1) the present value of the expected future cash flows of the impaired loan discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, (2) the observable market price of the impaired loan or (3) the fair value of the collateral of a collateral-dependent loan. The amount by which the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the measure of the impaired loan is recognized by recording a valuation allowance with a corresponding charge to the provision for loan losses. The Company stratifies its loan portfolio by size and treats smaller non-performing loans with an outstanding balance based on the Company’s defined criteria, generally where the loan amount is $500,000 or less, as a homogenous portfolio. Once a loan has been identified as a possible problem loan, the Company conducts a periodic review of such loan in order to test for impairment. When loans are placed on an impaired status, previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed against current income and subsequent payments received are generally first applied toward the outstanding principal balance of the loan.

 

Troubled Debt Restructured Loan (“TDR”). A TDR is a formal modification of the terms of a loan when the lender, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower. The concessions may be granted in various forms, including reduction in the stated interest rate, reduction in the loan balance or accrued interest, or extension of the maturity date. Although these loan modifications are considered TDRs, accruing TDR loans have, pursuant to the Bank’s policy, performed under the restructured terms and have demonstrated sustained performance under the modified terms for six months before being returned to accrual status. The sustained performance considered by management pursuant to its policy includes the periods prior to the modification if the prior performance met or exceeded the modified terms. This would include cash paid by the borrower prior to the restructure to set up interest reserves. Loans classified as TDRs are reported as impaired loans.

 

Unfunded Loan Commitments. Unfunded loan commitments are generally related to providing credit facilities to clients of the Bank, and are not actively traded financial instruments. These unfunded commitments are disclosed as off-balance sheet financial instruments in Note 15 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

      Letter of Credit Fees. Issuance and commitment fees received for the issuance of commercial or standby letters of credit are recognized over the term of the instruments.

 

      Premises and Equipment. Premises and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

 

Type		Estimated Useful Life (in years)
Buildings		15	to	45
Building improvements		5	to	20
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment		3	to	25
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of useful lives or the terms of the leases

 

 

      Improvements are capitalized and amortized to occupancy expense based on the above table. Construction in process is carried at cost and includes land acquisition cost, architectural fees, general contractor fees, capitalized interest and other costs related directly to the construction of a property.

 

      Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Specific valuation allowances on other real estate owned are recorded through charges to operations to recognize declines in fair value subsequent to foreclosure. Gains on sales are recognized when certain criteria relating to the buyer’s initial and continuing investment in the property are met.

 

      Investments in Affordable Housing Partnerships and Other Tax Credit Investments. The Company is a limited partner in limited partnerships that invest in low-income housing projects that qualify for Federal and/or State income tax credits and a limited partnership that invests in alternative energy systems. As further discussed in Note 7, the partnership interests are accounted for utilizing the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2015, seven of the limited partnerships in which the Company has an equity interest were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company therefore consolidated the financial statements of these seven limited partnerships into its Consolidated Financial Statements. The tax credits from these partnerships are recognized in the consolidated financial statements to the extent they are utilized on the Company’s income tax returns. The investments are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis if an event occurs that would trigger potential impairment.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company invests in limited partnerships that invest in nonpublic companies. These are commonly referred to as venture capital investments. These limited partnership interests are carried under the cost method with other-than-temporary impairment charged against net income.

 

      Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment. Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350. ASC Topic 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360.

 

The Company’s policy is to assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or between annual assessments if a triggering event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  Impairment is the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.  Accounting standards require management to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit in making the assessment of impairment at least annually.  

 

The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in ASC Topic 350. The two-step impairment testing process conducted by us, if needed, begins by assigning net assets and goodwill to our reporting units.  The Company then completes “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment.  Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill.  The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming that all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill.  This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two.  An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

 

The Company has identified two reporting units for its business: the Commercial Lending unit and the Retail Banking unit. The reporting unit fair values were determined based on an equal weighting of (1) a market approach using a combination of price to earnings multiples determined based on a representative peer group applied to 2015 and forecasted 2016 and 2017 earnings, and a price to book multiple and (2) a dividend discount model with the discount rate determined using the same representative peer group. A control premium was then applied to the unit fair values so determined as of December 31, 2015. As a result of this analysis, the Company determined that there was no goodwill impairment at December 31, 2015 as the fair value of all reporting units exceeded the current carrying amount of the units. No assurance can be given that goodwill will not be written down in future periods.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

      Core Deposit Premium. Core deposit premium, which represents the purchase price over the fair value of the deposits acquired from other financial institutions, is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. If a pattern of consumption cannot be reliably determined, straight-line amortization is used. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization of the premium balance over its remaining life can be recovered through the remaining deposit portfolio and amortizes core deposit premium over its estimated useful life.

 

      Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase. The agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The securities underlying the agreements remain in the applicable asset accounts.

 

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock option compensation expense is calculated based on the fair value of the award at the grant date for those options expected to vest, and is recognized as an expense over the vesting period of the grant using the straight-line method. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the value of granted options. This model takes into account the option exercise price, the expected life, the current price of the underlying stock, the expected volatility of the Company’s stock, expected dividends on the stock and a risk-free interest rate. The Company estimates the expected volatility based on the Company’s historical stock prices for the period corresponding to the expected life of the stock options. Restricted stock units are valued at the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. Stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards.

 

Derivatives. The Company follows ASC Topic 815 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge. Fair value is determined using third-party models with observable market data. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and are reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is reflected in earnings. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reflected in current earnings, together with changes in the fair value of the related hedged item if there is a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged. If there is not a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged, then only the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Foreign Exchange Forwards and Foreign Currency Option Contracts. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts with correspondent banks to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign currency certificates of deposit, foreign exchange contracts or foreign currency option contracts, are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities.

 

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes is based on income reported for financial statement purposes, and differs from the amount of taxes currently payable, since certain income and expense items are reported for financial statement purposes in different periods than those for tax reporting purposes. The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, the objective of which is to establish deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Comprehensive Income/(loss). Comprehensive income/(loss) is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income/(loss) generally includes net income/(loss), unrealized gains and losses on investments in securities available-for-sale, and cash flow hedges. Comprehensive income/(loss) and its components are reported and displayed in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss).

 

      Net Income per Common Share. Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed on a basic and diluted basis. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net 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 shares in the earnings of the Company. Potential dilution is excluded from computation of diluted per-share amounts when a net loss from operations exists.

 

Foreign Currency Translation. The Company considers the functional currency of its foreign operations to be the United States dollar. Accordingly, the Company remeasures monetary assets and liabilities at year-end exchange rates, while nonmonetary items are remeasured at historical rates. Income and expense accounts are remeasured at the average rates in effect during the year, except for depreciation, which is remeasured at historical rates. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in income in the period of occurrence.

 

      Statement of Cash Flows. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term highly-liquid investments that generally have an original maturity of three months or less.

 

      Segment Information and Disclosures. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America establish standards to report information about operating segments in annual financial statements and require reporting of selected information about operating segments in interim reports to stockholders. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The Company has concluded it has one operating segment.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

 

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.” ASU No. 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. An entity should recognize compensation cost in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. ASU 2014-12 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Adoption of ASU 2014-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” issued by the FASB in August 2014, requires an entity’s management to evaluate and disclose conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.  In addition, an entity’s management is to disclose management’s plans that alleviated or that are intended to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.  ASU 2014-15 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016.  Adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” to improve targeted areas of the consolidation guidance and reduce the number of consolidation models. The Company may either apply the amendments retrospectively or use a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2015-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30).” This update simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs and requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. ASU 2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, which would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratable over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. ASU 2015-03 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015.  Adoption of ASU 2015-03 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments.” This update simplifies the accounting for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination by eliminating the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. Those adjustments will be recognized to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. An entity is required to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015.  Adoption of ASU 2015-16 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”. This update simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by classifying deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016.  Adoption of ASU 2015-17 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This update requires an entity to measure equity investments with readily determinable fair values at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Equity investment without readily determinable fair values will be measured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment and any amount by which the carrying value exceeding the fair value will be recognized as an impairment in net income. This updates requires also an entity to disclose fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet to measure that fair value using the exit price option. In addition, this updates requires separate presentation in comprehensive income for changes in the fair value of a liability and in balance sheet by measurement category and form of financial asset. ASU 2016-01 becomes effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017.  Adoption of ASU 2016-01 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

2.    Acquisition

 

On July 31, 2015 the Company completed the acquisition of New York-based Asia Bancshares, Inc., parent of Asia Bank. Asia Bank operated three branch locations in New York City and one branch location in the state of Maryland. The acquisition allowed the Company to expand its number of branches in New York City and to enter the state of Maryland. The purchase consideration consisted of fifty-five percent in Bancorp stock and forty-five percent in cash. The fair value of the consideration was $139.9 million, which consisted of 2,580,359 shares of Bancorp common stock valued at $82.9 million at the date of acquisition and $57.0 million in cash.

 

Goodwill from the acquisition represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and is not deductible for tax purposes. As a result of the business combination, the Company recorded goodwill of $55.8 million.

 

The assets and liabilities, both tangible and intangible, were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the July 31, 2015 acquisition date. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. We have included the financial results of the business combinations in the condensed consolidated statement of income beginning on the acquisition date.

 

The fair value of the assets and the liabilities acquired as of July 31, 2015 are shown below:

 

		Asia Bancshares, Inc
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	63,579
Securities available-for-sale			2,370
Loans			419,219
Premises and equipment			13,291
Other real estate owned			3,048
Goodwill			55,849
Core deposit intangible			1,302
Accrued interest receivable and other assets			2,884
Total assets acquired			561,542
Liabilities assumed:
Deposits			420,623
Accrued interest payable and other liabilities			1,056
Total liabilities assumed			421,679
Net assets acquired		$	139,863
Cash paid		$	57,006
Fair value of common stock issued			82,857
Total consideration paid		$	139,863

 

 

 

 

3.    Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

      The Company manages its cash and cash equivalents, which consist of cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold, and short-term investments with original maturity of three months or less, based upon the Company’s operating, investment, and financing activities. For the purpose of reporting cash flows, these same accounts are included in cash and cash equivalents.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

      The Company is required to maintain reserves with the Federal Reserve Bank. Reserve requirements are based on a percentage of deposit liabilities. The average reserve balances required were $138,000 for 2015 and zero for 2014. The average excess balance with Federal Reserve Bank was $163.3 million in 2015 and $170.1 million in 2014.   At December 31, 2015, the Bancorp had $7.9 million on deposit in a cash margin account that serves as collateral for the Bancorp’s interest rate swaps.

 

4.

Investment Securities

 

Investment Securities. The following tables reflect the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and fair values of investment securities as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

 

		As of December 31, 2015
		Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities		$	284,678			$	5			$	395				284,288
U.S. government sponsored entities			150,000				-				1,840				148,160
Mortgage-backed securities			1,073,108				560				11,399				1,062,269
Collateralized mortgage obligations			63				-				27				36
Corporate debt securities			74,955				425				1,525				73,855
Mutual funds			6,000				-				167				5,833
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			2,811				633				228				3,216
Other equity securities			4,108				4,929				342				8,695
Total securities available-for-sale		$	1,595,723			$	6,552			$	15,923			$	1,586,352

 

 

		As of December 31, 2014
		Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities		$	664,206			$	63			$	265				664,004
Mortgage-backed securities			549,296				1,393				6,386				544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations			79				-				34				45
Corporate debt securities			94,943				776				1,247				94,472
Mutual funds			6,000								134				5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			6,276				681				3,733				3,224
Other equity securities			3,608				3,413								7,021
Total securities available-for-sale		$	1,324,408			$	6,326			$	11,799			$	1,318,935

 

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2015, by contractual maturities are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or repayment penalties.  

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

		Securities Available-for-Sale
		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Due in one year or less		$	184,963			$	184,956
Due after one year through five years			135,698				135,924
Due after five years through ten years			195,539				192,291
Due after ten years (1)			1,079,523				1,073,181
Total		$	1,595,723			$	1,586,352

 

(1) Equity securities are reported in this category

 

Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities were $648.0 million and from repayments, maturities and calls of mortgage-backed securities were $101.2 million during 2015 compared to proceeds from sales of $698.5 million and proceeds of $69.7 million from repayments, maturities, and calls during 2014. Proceeds from sales of other investment securities were $385.2 million during 2015 compared to $160.5 million during 2014. Proceeds from maturities and calls of other investment securities were $165.0 during 2015 compared to $585.8 million during 2014. In 2015, gains of $2.4 million and losses of $1.9 million were realized on sales and calls of investment securities compared with gains of $18.0 million and losses of $10.5 million realized in 2014. In 2015, the Company recorded investment securities write-downs of $3.9 million compared to $0.8 million in 2014.

 

The temporarily impaired securities represent 92.0% of the fair value of investment securities as of December 31, 2015. Unrealized losses for securities with unrealized losses for less than twelve months represent 1.0%, and securities with unrealized losses for twelve months or more represent 3.3%, of the historical cost of these securities. Unrealized losses on these securities generally resulted from increases in interest rates or spreads subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased. At December 31, 2015, 7 issues of securities had unrealized losses for 12 months or longer and 47 issues of securities had unrealized losses of less than 12 months.

 

Total unrealized losses of $15.9 million at December 31, 2015, were primarily caused by increases in interest rates subsequent to the date that these securities were purchased or caused by the widening of credit and liquidity spreads since the dates of acquisition. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuers to settle the security at a price less than the amortized cost of the investment.

 

At December 31, 2015, management believed the impairment was temporary and, accordingly, no impairment loss on debt securities has been recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company expects to recover the amortized cost basis of its debt securities, and has no intent to sell and believes it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell available-for-sale debt securities that have declined below their cost before their anticipated recovery.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The tables below show the fair value and unrealized losses of the temporarily impaired securities in our investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

 

 

		As of December 15, 2015
		Temporarily Impaired Securities
		Less than 12 months												12 months or longer												Total
		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				No. of Issuances				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				No. of Issuances				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				No. of Issuances
		(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities		$	224,289			$	395				5			$	-			$	-				-			$	224,289			$	395				5
U.S. government sponsored entities			148,160				1,840				3				-				-				-				148,160				1,840				3
Mortgage-backed securities			1,025,342				11,398				35				6				1				2				1,025,348				11,399				37
Collateralized mortgage obligations			-				-				-				36				27				1				36				27				1
Corporate debt securities			9,950				50				1				43,525				1,475				3				53,475				1,525				4
Mutual funds			-				-				-				5,833				167				1				5,833				167				1
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			2,488				228				2				-				-				-				2,488				228				2
Other equity securities			158				342				1				-				-				-				158				342				1
Total securities available-for-sale		$	1,410,387			$	14,253				47			$	49,400			$	1,670				7			$	1,459,787			$	15,923				54

 

 

		As of December 31, 2014
		Temporarily Impaired Securities
		Less than 12 months												12 months or longer												Total
		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				No. of Issuances				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				No. of Issuances				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				No. of Issuances
		(Dollars in thousands)
Securities Available-for-Sale
U.S. treasury securities		$	374,153			$	265				6			$	-			$	-				-			$	374,153			$	265				6
Mortgage-backed securities			-				-				-				425,090				6,386				16				425,090				6,386				16
Collateralized mortgage obligations			-				-				-				45				34				1				45				34				1
Corporate debt securities			-				-				-				63,753				1,247				4				63,753				1,247				4
Mutual funds			-				-				-				5,866				134				1				5,866				134				1
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			2,448				3,733				2				-				-				-				2,448				3,733				2
Total securities available-for-sale		$	376,601			$	3,998				8			$	494,754			$	7,801				22			$	871,355			$	11,799				30

 

 

     Investment securities having a carrying value of $449.6 million at December 31, 2015, and $591.3 million at December 31, 2014, were pledged to secure public deposits, other borrowings, treasury tax and loan, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, and foreign exchange transactions.

 

5.     Loans

 

      Most of the Company’s business activity is predominately with Asian customers located in Southern and Northern California; New York City; Houston and Dallas, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Edison, New Jersey; Rockville, Maryland; Nevada; and Hong Kong. The Company has no specific industry concentration, and generally its loans are collateralized with real property or other pledged collateral of the borrowers. Loans are generally expected to be paid off from the operating profits of the borrowers, refinancing by another lender, or through sale by the borrowers of the secured collateral.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The components of loans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, were as follows:

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans		$	2,316,863			$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans			441,543				298,654
Commercial mortgage loans			5,301,218				4,486,443
Residential mortgage loans			1,932,355				1,570,059
Equity lines			168,980				172,879
Installment and other loans			2,493				3,552
Gross loans			10,163,452				8,914,080
Less:
Allowance for loan losses			(138,963	)			(161,420	)
Unamortized deferred loan fees			(8,262	)			(12,392	)
Total loans and leases, net		$	10,016,227			$	8,740,268
Loans held for sale		$	6,676			$	973

 

The Company pledged real estate loans of $6.8 billion at December 31, 2015, and $3.8 billion at December 31, 2014, to the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco under its blanket lien pledging program. In addition, the Bank pledged $71.3 million at December 31, 2015, and $127.2 million at December 31, 2014, of its commercial loans to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Discount Window under the Borrower-in-Custody program.

 

Loans serviced for others as of December 31, 2015, totaled $356.7 million and were comprised of $138.0 million of residential mortgages, $90.9 million of commercial real estate loans, $77.3 million of construction loans, and $50.5 million of commercial loans.

 

      The Company has entered into transactions with its directors, executive officers, or principal holders of its equity securities, or the associates of such persons (“Related Parties”). Such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms and conditions, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with customers who are not related parties. In management’s opinion, these transactions did not involve more than normal credit risk or present other unfavorable features. All loans to Related Parties were current as of December 31, 2015. An analysis of the activity with respect to loans to Related Parties for the years indicated is as follows:

 

		December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year		$	83,812			$	126,985
Additional loans made			54,975				76,610
Payment received			(47,167	)			(119,783	)
Balance at end of year		$	91,620			$	83,812

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

At December 31, 2015, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $133.8 million and was comprised of nonaccrual loans, excluding loans held for sale, of $52.1 million and accruing TDR’s of $81.7 million. At December 31, 2014, recorded investment in impaired loans totaled $174.5 million and was comprised of nonaccrual loans, excluding loans held for sale, of $70.2 million and accruing TDR’s of $104.3 million. The average balance of impaired loans was $162.9 million in 2015 and $190.2 million in 2014. We considered all non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructurings ("TDR") to be impaired. Interest recognized on impaired loans totaled $4.0 million in 2015 and $5.3 million in 2014. The Bank recognizes interest income on impaired loans based on its existing method of recognizing interest income on non-accrual loans except accruing TDRs. For impaired loans, the amounts previously charged off represent 22.4% at December 31, 2015, and 17.1% at December 31, 2014, of the contractual balances for impaired loans. The following table presents impaired loans and the related allowance as of the dates indicated:

 

		Impaired Loans
		As of December 31, 2015												As of December 31, 2014
		Unpaid Principal Balance				Recorded Investment				Allowance				Unpaid Principal Balance				Recorded Investment				Allowance
		(In thousands)
With no allocated allowance
Commercial loans		$	15,493			$	6,721			$	-			$	19,479			$	18,452			$	-
Real estate construction loans			51,290				22,002				-				32,924				17,025				-
Commercial mortgage loans			59,954				54,625				-				77,474				75,172				-
Residential mortgage and equity lines			3,233				3,026				-				2,518				2,518				-
Subtotal		$	129,970			$	86,374			$	-			$	132,395			$	113,167			$	-
With allocated allowance
Commercial loans		$	7,757			$	6,847			$	530			$	7,003			$	5,037			$	1,263
Real estate construction loans			-				-				-				19,006				8,703				1,077
Commercial mortgage loans			28,258				27,152				6,792				38,197				34,022				8,993
Residential mortgage and equity lines			14,383				13,437				427				14,019				13,590				465
Subtotal		$	50,398			$	47,436			$	7,749			$	78,225			$	61,352			$	11,798
Total impaired loans		$	180,368			$	133,810			$	7,749			$	210,620			$	174,519			$	11,798

 

 

The following table presents the average balance and interest income recognized related to impaired loans for the periods indicated:

 

		For the year ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013				2015				2014				2013
		Average Recorded Investment												Interest Income Recognized
		(In thousands)
Commercial loans		$	23,960			$	26,128			$	27,123			$	546			$	878			$	770
Real estate construction loans			22,066				32,439				37,875				261				264				284
Commercial mortgage loans			100,118				114,248				138,121				2,708				3,735				4,256
Residential mortgage and equity lines			16,801				17,411				18,033				482				462				289
Subtotal		$	162,945			$	190,226			$	221,152			$	3,997			$	5,339			$	5,599

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The following is a summary of non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 and the related net interest foregone for the years then ended:

 

		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Non-accrual portfolio loans		$	52,130			$	70,163			$	83,183
Non-accrual loans held-for-sale			5,944				973				-
Total non-accrual loans		$	58,074			$	71,136			$	83,183
Contractual interest due		$	5,732			$	6,663			$	5,851
Interest recognized			119				217				22
Net interest foregone		$	5,613			$	6,446			$	5,829

 

The following tables present the aging of the loan portfolio by type as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

 

 

		As of December 31, 2015
		30-59 Days Past Due				60-89 Days Past Due				Greater than 90 Days Past Due				Non-accrual Loans				Total Past Due				Loans Not Past Due				Total
		(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans		$	8,367			$	221			$	-			$	3,545			$	12,133			$	2,304,730			$	2,316,863
Real estate construction loans			7,285				-				-				16,306				23,591				417,952				441,543
Commercial mortgage loans			2,243				2,223				-				25,231				29,697				5,271,521				5,301,218
Residential mortgage loans			4,959				1,038				-				7,048				13,045				2,088,290				2,101,335
Installment and other loans			-				-				-				-								2,493				2,493
Total loans		$	22,854			$	3,482			$	-			$	52,130			$	78,466			$	10,084,986			$	10,163,452

 

		As of December 31, 2014
		30-59 Days Past Due				60-89 Days Past Due				Greater than 90 Days Past Due				Non-accrual Loans				Total Past Due				Loans Not Past Due				Total
		(In thousands)
Type of Loans:
Commercial loans		$	11,595			$	1,238			$	-			$	6,983			$	19,816			$	2,362,677			$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans			1,416				-				-				19,963				21,379				277,275				298,654
Commercial mortgage loans			17,654				3,909				-				35,606				57,169				4,429,274				4,486,443
Residential mortgage loans			5,634				732				-				7,611				13,977				1,728,961				1,742,938
Installment and other loans			60				-				-				-				60				3,492				3,552
Total loans		$	36,359			$	5,879			$	-			$	70,163			$	112,401			$	8,801,679			$	8,914,080

The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses for problem loans is based on management’s current judgment about the credit quality of the loan portfolio and takes into consideration known relevant internal and external factors that affect collectability when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for credit losses. The nature of the process by which the Bank determines the appropriate allowance for credit losses requires the exercise of considerable judgment. This allowance evaluation process is also applied to TDRs since TDRs are considered to be impaired loans.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

At December 31, 2015, accruing TDRs were $81.7 million and non-accrual TDRs were $39.9 million compared to accruing TDRs of $104.3 million and non-accrual TDRs of $41.6 million at December 31, 2014. The Company has allocated specific reserves of $5.4 million to non-accrual TDRs and $2.0 million to accruing TDRs at December 31, 2015, and $6.5 million to accruing TDRs and $4.9 million to non-accrual TDRs at December 31, 2014. The following table presents TDRs that were modified during 2015, their specific reserve at December 31, 2015, and charge-offs during 2015:

 

		No. of Contracts				Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Specific Reserve				Charge-offs
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans			3			$	1,181			$	1,181			$	2			$	-
Commercial mortgage loans			20				17,204				17,204				708				-
Residential mortgage and equity lines			5				1,521				1,374				42				148
Total			28			$	19,906			$	19,759			$	752			$	148

 

The following table presents TDRs that were modified during 2014, their specific reserve at December 31, 2014, and charge-offs during 2014:

 

		No. of Contracts				Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Specific Reserve				Charge-offs
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans			4			$	10,539			$	10,539			$	21			$	-
Commercial mortgage loans			3				11,817				11,817				5,550				-
Residential mortgage and equity lines			7				2,715				2,715				29				-
Total			14			$	25,071			$	25,071			$	5,600			$	-

 

 

The following table presents TDRs that were modified during 2013, their specific reserve at December 31, 2013, and charge-offs during 2013:

 

		No. of Contracts				Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment				Specific Reserve				Charge-off
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial loans			9			$	12,026			$	10,860			$	550			$	1,166
Commercial mortgage loans			5				13,090				13,090				329				-
Residential mortgage and equity lines			11				3,736				3,658				103				78
Total			25			$	28,852			$	27,608			$	982			$	1,244

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

A summary of TDRs by type of concession and by type of loans as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, are shown below:

 

		December 31, 2015
Accruing TDRs		Payment Deferral				Rate Reduction				Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral				Total
Commercial loans		$	8,298			$	-			$	1,726			$	10,024
Real estate construction loans			-				-				5,696				5,696
Commercial mortgage loans			16,701				6,045				33,800				56,546
Residential mortgage loans			5,201				999				3,214				9,414
Total accruing TDRs		$	30,200			$	7,044			$	44,436			$	81,680

 

 

 

		December 31, 2015
Non-accrual TDRs		Payment Deferral				Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral				Total
Commercial loans		$	1,033			$	90			$	1,123
Real estate construction loans			9,981				5,825				15,806
Commercial mortgage loans			1,544				20,362				21,906
Residential mortgage loans			388				700				1,088
Total non-accrual TDRs		$	12,946			$	26,977			$	39,923

 

 

 

		December 31, 2014
Accruing TDRs		Payment Deferral				Rate Reduction				Rate Reduction and Forgiveness of Principal				Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral				Total
Commercial loans		$	11,572			$	-			$	-			$	4,934			$	16,506
Real estate construction loans			5,765				-				-				-				5,765
Commercial mortgage loans			20,543				26,694				-				26,351				73,588
Residential mortgage loans			3,316				-				410				4,771				8,497
Total accruing TDRs		$	41,196			$	26,694			$	410			$	36,056			$	104,356

 

 

		December 31, 2014
Non-accrual TDRs		Payment Deferral				Rate Reduction				Rate Reduction and Payment Deferral				Total
Commercial loans		$	1,423			$	860			$	1,269			$	3,552
Real estate construction loans			-				-				19,462				19,462
Commercial mortgage loans			15,917				-				973				16,890
Residential mortgage loans			1,026				-				688				1,714
Total non-accrual TDRs		$	18,366			$	860			$	22,392			$	41,618

 

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Troubled debt restructurings on accrual status totaled $81.7 million at December 31, 2015, and were comprised of 59 loans, a decrease of $22.7 million, compared to 60 loans totaling $104.4 million at December 31, 2014. TDRs at December 31, 2015, were comprised of 15 non-farm non-residential commercial mortgage loans of $44.9 million, six commercial loans of $10.0 million, 32 single family residential mortgage loans of $9.4 million, one multi-family residential commercial mortgage loan of $6.0 million, four single family residential commercial mortgage loans of $5.7 million, and one construction loan of $5.7 million. We expect that the troubled debt restructuring loans on accruing status as of December 31, 2015, which are all performing in accordance with their restructured terms, will continue to comply with the restructured terms because of the reduced principal or interest payments on these loans. The comparable TDRs at December 31, 2014, were comprised of nine commercial loans of $16.5 million, three hotel loans of $15.7 million, 31 single family residential loans of $13.6 million, two industrial and manufactural use building loans of $12.2 million, two land loans for residential purpose of $10.2 million, four commercial condos loans of $10.1 million, three retail shopping and commercial use building loans of $9.0 million, one multi-family residential loan of $6.1 million, one shopping center construction loan of $5.8 million, three office buildings loans of $3.5 million, and one warehouse loan of $1.6 million. The activity within our TDR loans for 2015, 2014, and 2013 are shown below:

 

Accruing TDRs		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Beginning balance		$	104,356			$	117,597			$	144,695
New restructurings			17,752				23,740				21,382
Restructured loans restored to accrual status			723				962				6,851
Charge-offs			(104	)			-				(78	)
Payments			(30,858	)			(13,256	)			(52,362	)
Restructured loans placed on non-accrual			(10,189	)			(24,687	)			(2,891	)
Ending balance		$	81,680			$	104,356			$	117,597

 

 

 

Non-accrual TDRs		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Beginning balance		$	41,618			$	38,769			$	47,731
New restructurings			2,006				1,331				6,226
Restructured loans placed on non-accrual			10,189				24,687				2,891
Charge-offs			(3,246	)			(8,937	)			(2,124	)
Payments			(9,921	)			(11,710	)			(4,295	)
Foreclosures			-				(1,560	)			(4,809	)
Restructured loans restored to accrual status			(723	)			(962	)			(6,851	)
Ending balance		$	39,923			$	41,618			$	38,769

 

 

A loan is considered to be in payment default once it is 60 to 90 days contractually past due under the modified terms.  There were no loans modified as TDRs during the previous twelve months that subsequently defaulted as of December 31, 2015. 

 

Under the Company’s internal underwriting policy, an evaluation is performed of the probability that the borrower will be in payment default on any of its debt in the foreseeable future without the modification in order to determine whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. As of December 31, 2015, there were no commitments to lend additional funds to those borrowers whose loans have been restructured, were considered impaired, or were on non-accrual status.

 

As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of our loan portfolio, the Company utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each loan. Loans are risk rated based on analysis of the current state of the borrower’s credit quality. The analysis of credit quality includes a review of all sources of repayment, the borrower’s current financial and liquidity status and all other relevant information. The risk rating categories can be generally described by the following grouping for non-homogeneous loans:

 

 

	●	Pass/Watch – These loans range from minimal credit risk to lower than average, but still acceptable, credit risk.
	●	Special Mention – Borrower is fundamentally sound and the loan is currently protected but adverse trends are apparent that, if not corrected, may affect ability to repay. Primary source of loan repayment remains viable but there is increasing reliance on collateral or guarantor support.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

●

Substandard – These loans are inadequately protected by current sound worth, paying capacity or pledged collateral. Well-defined weaknesses exist that could jeopardize repayment of debt. Loss may not be imminent, but if weaknesses are not corrected, there is a good possibility of some loss.

 

●

Doubtful – The possibility of loss is extremely high, but due to identifiable and important pending events (which may strengthen the loan) a loss classification is deferred until the situation is better defined.

 

●

Loss – These loans are considered uncollectible and of such little value that to continue to carry the loans as an active asset is no longer warranted.

 

The following tables present loan portfolio by risk rating as of December 31, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014:

 

		As of December 31, 2015
		Pass/Watch				Special Mention				Substandard				Doubtful				Total
		(In Thousands)
Commercial loans		$	2,143,270			$	110,338			$	61,297			$	1,958			$	2,316,863
Real estate construction loans			413,765				5,776				21,502				500				441,543
Commercial mortgage loans			5,018,199				155,553				118,196				9,270				5,301,218
Residential mortgage and equity lines			2,091,434				399				9,502				-				2,101,335
Installment and other loans			2,493				-				-				-				2,493
Total gross loans		$	9,669,161			$	272,066			$	210,497			$	11,728			$	10,163,452
Loans held for sale		$	732			$	-			$	5,944			$	-			$	6,676

 

 

		As of December 31, 2014
		Pass/Watch				Special Mention				Substandard				Doubtful				Total
		(In Thousands)
Commercial loans		$	2,260,474			$	47,619			$	72,561			$	1,839			$	2,382,493
Real estate construction loans			272,927				-				25,227				500				298,654
Commercial mortgage loans			4,213,453				105,970				167,020				-				4,486,443
Residential mortgage and equity lines			1,733,248				-				9,690				-				1,742,938
Installment and other loans			3,552				-				-				-				3,552
Total gross loans		$	8,483,654			$	153,589			$	274,498			$	2,339			$	8,914,080
Loans held for sale		$	-			$	-			$	973			$	-			$	973

 

 

 

The allowance for loan losses and the reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments are significant estimates that can and do change based on management’s process in analyzing the loan portfolio and on management’s assumptions about specific borrowers, underlying collateral, and applicable economic and environmental conditions, among other factors.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment and based on impairment method as of December 31, 2015, and as of December 31, 2014.

 

		Commercial Loans				Real Estate Construction Loans				Commercial Mortgage Loans				Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines				Consumer and Other				Total
		(In thousands)
December 31, 2015
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance		$	530			$	-			$	6,792			$	427			$	-			$	7,749
Balance		$	13,568			$	22,002			$	81,776			$	16,464			$	-			$	133,810
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance		$	55,669			$	22,170			$	42,648			$	10,718			$	9			$	131,214
Balance		$	2,303,295			$	419,541			$	5,219,442			$	2,084,871			$	2,493			$	10,029,642
Total allowance		$	56,199			$	22,170			$	49,440			$	11,145			$	9			$	138,963
Total balance		$	2,316,863			$	441,543			$	5,301,218			$	2,101,335			$	2,493			$	10,163,452
December 31, 2014
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
Allowance		$	1,263			$	1,077			$	8,993			$	465			$	-			$	11,798
Balance		$	23,489			$	25,728			$	109,194			$	16,108			$	-			$	174,519
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
Allowance		$	46,238			$	26,575			$	65,680			$	11,113			$	16			$	149,622
Balance		$	2,359,004			$	272,926			$	4,377,249			$	1,726,830			$	3,552			$	8,739,561
Total allowance		$	47,501			$	27,652			$	74,673			$	11,578			$	16			$	161,420
Total balance		$	2,382,493			$	298,654			$	4,486,443			$	1,742,938			$	3,552			$	8,914,080

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

 

		Commercial Loans				Real Estate Construction Loans				Commercial Mortgage Loans				Residential Mortgage and Equity Lines				Installment and Other Loans				Total
		(In thousands)
2014 Beginning Balance		$	65,103			$	11,999			$	84,753			$	12,005			$	29			$	173,889
Provision/(reversal) for possible loan losses			(22,244	)			19,853				(8,197	)			(558	)			(26	)			(11,172	)
Charge-offs			(7,875	)			(6,747	)			(7,458	)			(155	)			-				(22,235	)
Recoveries			12,517				2,547				5,575				286				13				20,938
Net Recoveries/(Charge-offs			4,642				(4,200	)			(1,883	)			131				13				(1,297	)
2014 Ending Balance		$	47,501			$	27,652			$	74,673			$	11,578			$	16			$	161,420
Reserve to impaired loans		$	1,263			$	1,077			$	8,993			$	465			$	-			$	11,798
Reserve to non-impaired loans		$	46,238			$	26,575			$	65,680			$	11,113			$	16			$	149,622
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments		$	923			$	728			$	259			$	39			$	-			$	1,949
2015 Beginning Balance		$	47,501			$	27,652			$	74,673			$	11,578			$	16			$	161,420
Provision/(reversal) for possible loan losses			20,505				(5,684	)			(26,035	)			(179	)			(7	)			(11,400	)
Charge-offs			(16,426	)			-				(3,716	)			(285	)			-				(20,427	)
Recoveries			4,619				202				4,518				31				-				9,370
Net (Charge-offs)/Recoveries			(11,807	)			202				802				(254	)			-				(11,057	)
2015 Ending Balance		$	56,199			$	22,170			$	49,440			$	11,145			$	9			$	138,963
Reserve to impaired loans		$	530			$	-			$	6,792			$	427			$	-			$	7,749
Reserve to non-impaired loans		$	55,669			$	22,170			$	42,648			$	10,718			$	9			$	131,214
Reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments		$	810			$	526			$	158			$	-			$	-			$	1,494

 

An analysis of the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 is as follows:

 

		December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of year		$	161,420			$	173,889			$	183,322
Reversal for credit losses			(11,400	)			(10,800	)			(3,000	)
Transfers to reserve for off-balance sheet credit commitments			-				(372	)			-
Loans charged off			(20,427	)			(22,235	)			(20,442	)
Recoveries of charged off loans			9,370				20,938				14,009
Balance at end of year		$	138,963			$	161,420			$	173,889
Reserve for Off-balance Sheet Credit Commitments
Balance at beginning of year		$	1,949			$	1,363			$	1,363
(Reversal)/provision for credit losses and transfers			(455	)			586				-
Balance at end of year		$	1,494			$	1,949			$	1,363

 

 

Residential mortgage loans in process of formal foreclosure proceedings were $2.0 million at December 31, 2015, compared to $2.3 million at December 31, 2014.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

6.     Other Real Estate Owned

 

At December 31, 2015, the net carrying value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) decreased $6.8 million, or 21.5%, to $24.7 million from $31.5 million at December 31, 2014. OREO located in Texas was $14.6 million and was comprised of three parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose of $12.3 million, one medical office building of $1.6 million, and a retail store of $761,000. OREO located in the state of New York were comprised of two residential properties of $5.7 million. OREO located in Illinois was $2.9 million and was comprised of two multi-family residential properties of $2.4 million, two office and commercial buildings of $320,000, and a residential property of $153,000. OREO located in California was $891,000 and was comprised primarily of one residential construction project of $414,000 and two parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose of $478,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was an office and commercial use building of $635,000.

 

For 2014, OREO located in California was $4.1 million and was comprised primarily of one residential property of $2.0 million, four commercial use buildings of $1.2 million, one residential construction project of $526,000, one parcel of land zoned for residential purpose of $243,000, and one parcel of land zoned for commercial purpose of $235,000. OREO located in Texas was $15.7 million and was comprised of three parcels of land zoned for commercial purpose of $12.3 million, one medical office building of $1.6 million, a retail store of $761,000, a commercial building construction project of $752,000, and a shopping center of $304,000. OREO located in Illinois was $4.0 million and was comprised of two multi-family residential properties of $3.1 million and an office of $921,000. OREO located in the state of Washington was an office and commercial use building of $3.8 million. OREO located in the state of New York was $3.8 million and was comprised of one residential property of $2.7 million and a retail store of $1.1 million.

 

An analysis of the activity in the valuation allowance for other real estate losses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 is as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year		$	2,110			$	13,384			$	19,556
Provision/(Reversal) for losses			547				1,619				(2,122	)
OREO disposal			(350	)			(12,893	)			(4,050	)
Balance, end of year		$	2,307			$	2,110			$	13,384

 

 

 

The following table presents the components of other real estate owned expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013:

  

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Operating expense		$	665			$	1,142			$	3,680
Provision/(reversal) for losses			547				1,619				(2,122	)
Net gain on transfers and disposals			(2,012	)			(4,065	)			(1,793	)
Total other real estate owned expense		$	(800	)		$	(1,304	)		$	(235	)

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

7.     Investments in Affordable Housing and Alternative Energy Partnerships

 

      The Company has invested in certain limited partnerships that were formed to develop and operate housing for lower-income tenants throughout the United States. The Company’s investments in these partnerships were $172.7 million at December 31, 2015, and $104.6 million at December 31, 2014. In addition, in April 2015, the Company invested in an alternative energy partnership that qualify for energy tax credits.

 

     Investments in affordable housing partnerships, net, were $172.4 million and $104.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, seven of the limited partnerships in which the Company has an equity interest were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The consolidation of these limited partnerships in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements increased total assets and liabilities by $24.3 million at December 31, 2015, and by $24.8 million at December 31, 2014. Other borrowings for affordable housing limited partnerships were $18.6 million at December 31, 2015, and $19.9 million at December 31, 2014; recourse is limited to the assets of the limited partnerships. Unfunded commitments for affordable housing limited partnerships of $85.8 million as of December 31, 2015, and $22.0 million as of December 31, 2014, were recorded under other liabilities.

 

     Each of the partnerships must meet regulatory requirements for affordable housing for a minimum 15-year compliance period to fully utilize the tax credits. If the partnerships cease to qualify during the compliance period, the credits may be denied for any period in which the projects are not in compliance and a portion of the credits previously taken is subject to recapture with interest. The remaining tax credits to be utilized over a multiple-year period are $112.1 million for Federal and $3.3 million for state at December 31, 2015. The Company’s usage of affordable housing and other tax credits approximated $10.1 million in 2015, $10.2 million in 2014, and $9.8 million in 2013. Losses in excess of the Bank’s investment in three limited partnerships have not been recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements because the Company had fully satisfied all capital commitments required under the respective limited partnership agreements.

 

     Investment in the alternative energy tax credit partnership, net, was $10.5 million at December 31, 2015. The Company’s usage of energy tax credits approximated $20.9 million in 2015.

 

8.     Premises and Equipment

 

      Premises and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
Land and land improvements		$	42,407			$	33,543
Building and building improvements			78,299				74,550
Furniture, fixtures and equipment			50,378				47,936
Leasehold improvement			14,546				14,006
Construction in process			538				54
			186,168				170,089
Less: Accumulated depreciation/amortization			77,244				70,407
Premises and equipment, net		$	108,924			$	99,682

  

 

The amount of depreciation/amortization included in operating expense was $7.0 million in 2015, $7.1 million in 2014, and $6.7 million in 2013.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

9.

Deposits

 

The following table displays deposit balances as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
Demand		$	2,033,048			$	1,664,914
NOW accounts			966,404				778,691
Money market accounts			1,905,719				1,538,187
Saving accounts			618,164				533,940
Time deposits			4,985,752				4,267,728
Total		$	10,509,087			$	8,783,460

 

 

 

Time deposits outstanding as of December 31, 2015, mature as follows.

 

		Expected Maturity Date at December 31,
		2016				2017				2018				2019				2020				Thereafter				Total
		(In thousands)
Time deposits		$	3,695,164			$	997,735			$	249,147			$	42,788			$	907			$	11			$	4,985,752

 

 

 

Accrued interest payable on customer deposits was $3.4 million at December 31, 2015, $2.3 million at December 31, 2014, and $2.0 million at December 31, 2013. The following table summarizes the interest expense on deposits by account type for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Interest bearing demand		$	1,406			$	1,229			$	1,017
Money market accounts			10,138				8,627				7,034
Saving accounts			901				802				374
Time deposits			39,443				35,111				31,964
Total		$	51,888			$	45,769			$	40,389

 

 

10.	Borrowed Funds

 

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $400.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.89% at December 31, 2015, compared to $450.0 million with a weighted average rate of 3.85% at December 31, 2014. In 2014, the Company prepaid securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaling $100 million with a weighted average rate of 3.5% and incurred prepayment penalties of $3.4 million compared to no repayments in 2015. As of December 31, 2015, four floating-to-fixed rate agreements totaling $200.0 million with weighted average rate of 5.0% and final maturity in January 2017 have initial floating rates for one year, with floating rates of the three-month LIBOR rate minus 340 basis points. Thereafter, the rates are fixed for the remainder of the term, with interest rates ranging from 4.89% to 5.07%. As of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $200.0 million with a weighted average rate of 2.78%. Final maturity for the four fixed rate non-callable securities sold under agreements to repurchase is $50.0 million in August 2016, $50.0 million in July 2017, $50.0 million in June 2018, and $50.0 million in July 2018.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

These transactions are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold. The Company may have to provide additional collateral for the repurchase agreements, as necessary. The underlying collateral pledged for the repurchase agreements consists of U.S. Treasury securities and mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $430.2 million as of December 31, 2015, and $516.3 million as of December 31, 2014.

 

The table below provides comparative data for securities sold under agreements to repurchase for the years indicated:

 

 

		2015				2014				2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Average amount outstanding during the year (1)		$	400,822			$	629,315			$	972,329
Maximum amount outstanding at month-end (2)			400,000				700,000				1,200,000
Balance, December 31			400,000				450,000				800,000
Rate, December 31			3.89	%			3.85	%			3.87	%
Weighted average interest rate for the year			3.95	%			3.92	%			3.88	%

 

---

	(1)	Average balances were computed using daily averages.
	(2)	Highest month-end balances were January 2015, January 2014, and January 2013.

 

As of December 31, 2015, over-night borrowings from the FHLB were $250.0 million at a rate of 0.27% compared to $400.0 million at a rate of 0.27% at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, a $25.0 million advance from the FHLB at a rate of 1.13% was outstanding and will mature in March 2018.

 

Other Liabilities. On November 23, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement with its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) pursuant to which the CEO agreed to defer any bonus amounts in excess of $225,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005, until the later of January 1 of the first year following the CEO’s separation from service or the first day of the seventh month following the CEO’s separation from service. Accordingly, an amount equal to $610,000 was deferred in 2004 and was accrued in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company agreed to accrue interest on the deferred portion of the bonus at 7.0% per annum compounded quarterly. The deferred amount will be increased each quarter by the amount of interest computed for that quarter. On November 23, 2014, the interest rate was reset to 5.06% based on 275 basis points above the interest rate on the ten-year Treasury Note on that date. On March 13, 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Company awarded the Company’s CEO a cash bonus in the amount of $300,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, and provided as part of the award that payment of the bonus would be deferred until the later of January 1 of the first year following the CEO’s separation from service or the first day of the seventh month following the CEO’s separation from service. The Company accrues interest on the deferred bonus at 5.02% per annum compounded quarterly. Beginning on the fifth anniversary of the agreement, the interest rate will be reset at 350 basis points above the then prevailing interest rate on the five-year Treasury Note.

 

Interest of $79,000 during 2015, $93,000 during 2014, and $77,000 during 2013 was accrued on the deferred bonuses. The balance was $1.6 million at December 31, 2015, and $1.5 million at December 31, 2014.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

11.	Capital Resources

 

Total equity was $1.75 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $144.9 million, or 9.0%, from $1.60 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases in net income of $161.1 million and equity consideration for the acquisition of Asia Bancshares, Inc. of $82.8 million offset by purchases of treasury stock of $59.4 million and common stock cash dividends of $45.3 million. Under the terms of the acquisition of Asia Bancshares, Inc. which was completed on July 31, 2015, we issued 2.58 million shares of our common stock and paid $57.0 million in cash for all of the issued and outstanding stock of Asia Bancshares. The Company paid cash dividends of $0.56 per common share in 2015 and $0.29 per common share in 2014.

 

In November 2007, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for the Company to buy back up to one million shares of our common stock, and 377,500 shares were repurchased during 2007. Repurchases of shares were suspended under this program between 2008 and July 2015. In August 2015, the Company resumed stock repurchases under the November 2007 repurchase program and repurchased the remaining 622,500 shares under the November 2007 repurchase program for $18.1 million, or an average price of $29.08 per share.

 

On August 31, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program to buy back up to two million shares of our common stock. In 2015, the Company repurchased 1,366,750 shares for $41.3 million, or $30.22 per share under the August 2015 repurchase program.

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company could repurchase up to 633,250 shares of common stock under the August 2015 stock repurchase program, subject to regulatory limitations. The August 2015 stock repurchase program were completed on February 1, 2016 by repurchasing the remaining shares of 633,250 for $17.0 million, or $26.82 per share, in January and February of 2016.

 

On February 1, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program to buy back up to $45.0 million of the Company’s common stock. As of February 16, 2016, the Company repurchased 579,543 shares for $15.8 million, or $27.22 per share, under the February 2016 repurchase program. As of February 16, 2016, the Company may repurchase up to $29.2 million of its common stock under the February 2016 repurchase program.

 

The Bancorp established three special purpose trusts in 2003 and two in 2007 for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities to outside investors (“Capital Securities”). The trusts exist for the purpose of issuing the Capital Securities and investing the proceeds thereof, together with proceeds from the purchase of the common securities of the trusts by the Bancorp, in Junior Subordinated Notes issued by the Bancorp. Subject to some limitations, payment of distributions out of the monies held by the trusts and payments on liquidation of the trusts or the redemption of the Capital Securities are guaranteed by the Bancorp to the extent the trusts have funds on hand at such time. The obligations of the Bancorp under the guarantees and the Junior Subordinated Notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all indebtedness of the Bancorp and will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities and obligations of the Bancorp’s subsidiaries. The Bancorp has the right to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes at any time or from time to time for a period of up to twenty consecutive quarterly periods with respect to each deferral period. Under the terms of the Junior Subordinated Notes, the Bancorp 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 if the Bancorp has deferred payment of interest on the Junior Subordinated Notes.

 

The five special purpose trusts are considered variable interest entities. Because the Bancorp is not the primary beneficiary of the trusts, the financial statements of the trusts are not included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The Junior Subordinated Notes are currently included in the Tier 1 capital of the Bancorp for regulatory capital purposes. Interest expense, excluding impact of cash flow interest rate swaps entered into during June 2014, on the Junior Subordinated Notes was $3.0 million for 2015, $2.9 million for 2014, and $3.0 million for 2013.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

      The table below summarizes the outstanding Junior Subordinated Notes issued by the Company to each trust as of December 31, 2015:

 

Principal

Not

Current

Date of

Payable/

Issuance

Balance of

Redeemable

Stated

Annualized

Interest

Rate

Distribution

Trust Name

Date

Notes

Until

Maturity

Coupon Rate

Rate

Change

Date

(Dollars in thousands)

Cathay Capital Trust I

June 26,

$

20,619

June 30,

June 30,

3-month

3.75

%

December 30,

March 30

2003

2008

2033

LIBOR

2015

June 30

+ 3.15%

September 30

December 30

Cathay StatutoryTrust I

September 17,

20,619

September 17,

September 17,

3-month

3.53

%

December 17,

March 17

2003

2008

2033

LIBOR

2015

June 17

+ 3.00%

September 17

December 17

Cathay Capital Trust II

December 30,

12,887

March 30,

March 30,

3-month

3.50

%

December 30,

March 30

2003

2009

2034

LIBOR

2015

June 30

+ 2.90%

September 30

December 30

Cathay Capital Trust III

March 28,

46,392

June 15,

June 15,

3-month

1.99

%

December 15,

March 15

2007

2012

2037

LIBOR

2015

June 15

+ 1.48%

September 15

December 15

Cathay Capital Trust IV

May 31,

18,619

September 6,

September 6,

3-month

1.85

%

December 7,

March 6

2007

2012

2037

LIBOR

2015

June 6

+ 1.4%

September 6

December 6

Total Junior Subordinated Notes

$

119,136

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

12.     Income Taxes

 

     For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the current and deferred amounts of the income tax expense are summarized as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Current:
Federal		$	31,587			$	36,180			$	62,254
State			26,396				14,481				23,295
Total Current		$	57,983			$	50,661			$	85,549
Deferred:
Federal			3,738				23,783				(11,162	)
State			(1,734	)			7,521				(3,952	)
Total Deferred		$	2,004			$	31,304			$	(15,114	)
Total income tax expense		$	59,987			$	81,965			$	70,435

 

Temporary differences between the amounts reported in the financial statements and the tax basis of assets and liabilities give rise to deferred taxes. Net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2015, and at December 31, 2014, are included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and are as follows:

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets
Loan loss allowance, due to differences in computation of bad debts		$	59,639			$	66,999
Share-based compensation			7,513				12,808
Accrual for bonuses			4,984				4,585
Non-accrual interest			4,929				3,735
Accrual for litigation			3,209				2,918
Write-down on equity securities and venture capital investments			3,981				2,697
Write-down on other real estate owned			384				1,357
Depreciation and amortization			2,917				-
State tax			4,802				3,253
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps			2,173				1,739
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net			3,940				2,301
Other, net			1,743				2,179
Gross deferred tax assets			100,214				104,571
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Investment in affordable housing partnerships			(1,444	)			(703	)
Basis difference in acquired assets			(4,947	)			(3,321	)
Dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank common stock			(1,322	)			(1,927	)
Other, net			(1,937	)			(2,372	)
Gross deferred tax liabilities			(9,650	)			(8,323	)
Net deferred tax assets		$	90,564			$	96,248

 

 

Amounts for the current year are based upon estimates and assumptions and could vary from amounts shown on the tax returns as filed.

 

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize all benefits related to these deductible temporary differences.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The Company had income tax refunds receivables of $28.9 million at December 31, 2015, and $18.1 million at December 31, 2014. These income tax receivables are included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2015, the Company had Federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $0.3 million which expire through 2022. The Federal net operating loss carry-forwards were acquired in connection with the Company’s acquisition of United Heritage Bank.

 

At both December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s tax returns are open for audits by the Internal Revenue Service back to 2012 and by the California Franchise Tax Board back to 2008. The Company is under audit by the California Franchise Tax Board for the years 2008 to 2011. As the Company is presently under audit by a number of tax authorities, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits could change significantly over the next twelve months. The Company does not expect that any such changes would have a material impact on its annual effective tax rate.

 

      Income tax expense results in effective tax rates that differ from the statutory Federal income tax rate for the years indicated as follows:

 

		2015								2014								2013
		(In thousands)
Tax provision at Federal statutory rate		$	77,384				35.0	%		$	76,928				35.0	%		$	67,752				35.0	%
State income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit			14,656				6.6				14,324				6.6				12,573				6.5
Interest on obligations of state and political subdivisions, which are exempt from Federal taxation			-				-				-				-				(348	)			(0.2	)
Low income housing and other tax credits			(30,986	)			(14.0	)			(10,014	)			(4.6	)			(10,056	)			(5.2	)
Other, net			(1,067	)			(0.5	)			727				0.3				514				0.3
Total income tax expense		$	59,987				27.1	%		$	81,965				37.3	%		$	70,435				36.4	%

 

 

 

13.     Stockholders’ Equity and Earnings per Share

 

       As a bank holding company, the Bancorp’s ability to pay dividends will depend upon the dividends it receives from the Bank and on the income it may generate from any other activities in which it may engage, either directly or through other subsidiaries.

 

Under California banking law, the Bank may not, without regulatory approval, pay a cash dividend that exceeds the lesser of the Bank’s retained earnings or its net income for the last three fiscal years, less any cash distributions made during that period. Under this regulation, the amount of retained earnings available for cash dividends to the Company immediately after December 31, 2015, is restricted to approximately $98.4 million.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Activity in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, and reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2015, and 2014 was as follows:

 

 

		2015												2014
		Pre-tax				Tax expense/ (Benefit)				Net-of-tax				Pre-tax				Tax expense/ (Benefit)				Net-of-tax
		(In thousands)
Beginning balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for-sale										$	(3,172	)										$	(29,729	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives											(2,397	)											-
Total										$	(5,569	)										$	(29,729	)
Net unrealized (losses)/gains arising during the period
Securities available-for-sale		$	(7,247	)		$	(3,047	)		$	(4,200	)		$	52,573			$	22,105			$	30,468
Cash flow hedge derivatives			(1,032	)			(434	)			(598	)			(4,136	)			(1,739	)			(2,397	)
Total			(8,279	)			(3,481	)			(4,798	)			48,437				20,366				28,071
Reclassification adjustment for net losses/(gains) included in net income
Securities available-for-sale			3,349				1,408				1,941				(6,748	)			(2,837	)			(3,911	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives			-				-				-				-				-				-
Total			3,349				1,408				1,941				(6,748	)			(2,837	)			(3,911	)
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income
Securities available-for-sale			(3,898	)			(1,639	)			(2,259	)			45,825				19,268				26,557
Cash flow hedge derivatives			(1,032	)			(434	)			(598	)			(4,136	)			(1,739	)			(2,397	)
Total		$	(4,930	)		$	(2,073	)		$	(2,857	)		$	41,689			$	17,529			$	24,160
Ending balance, loss, net of tax
Securities available-for sale										$	(5,431	)										$	(3,172	)
Cash flow hedge derivatives											(2,995	)											(2,397	)
Total										$	(8,426	)										$	(5,569	)

 

 

 

The Board of Directors of the Bancorp is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences or other rights of the shares of each such class or series and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereon. Any preferred stock issued by the Bancorp may rank prior to the Bancorp common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preferences, or both, may have full or limited voting rights, and may be convertible into shares of the Bancorp common stock.

 

      The following is the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the years as indicated:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015												2014												2013
										Per												Per												Per
		Income				Shares				Share				Income				Shares				Share				Income				Shares				Share
		(Numerator)				(Denominator)				Amount				(Numerator)				(Denominator)				Amount				(Numerator)				(Denominator)				Amount
		(In thousands, except shares and per share data)
Net income		$	161,109											$	137,830											$	123,143
Dividends on preferred stock			-												-												(9,685	)
Basic EPS, income		$	161,109				80,563,577			$	2.00			$	137,830				79,661,571			$	1.73			$	113,458				78,954,898			$	1.44
Effect of dilutive stock options							731,219												445,324												183,085
Diluted EPS, income		$	161,109				81,294,796			$	1.98			$	137,830				80,106,895			$	1.72			$	113,458				79,137,983			$	1.43

 

 

Options to purchase an additional 988,569 shares at December 31, 2015, and 2.0 million shares at December 31, 2014, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

14.     Commitments and Contingencies

 

      Litigation. The Company is involved in various litigation concerning transactions entered into during the normal course of business. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not believe that the resolution of such litigation will have a material effect upon its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity taken as a whole.

 

      Lending. In the normal course of business, the Company becomes a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans or through commercial or standby letters of credit and financial guarantees. Those instruments represent varying degrees of exposure to risk in excess of the amounts included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contractual or notional amount of these instruments indicates a level of activity associated with a particular class of financial instrument and is not a reflection of the level of expected losses, if any.

 

      The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Unless noted otherwise, the Company does not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.

 

      Financial instruments for which contract amounts represent the amount of credit risk include the following:

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
Commitments to extend credit		$	1,971,848			$	2,071,766
Standby letters of credit			49,081				53,910
Commercial letters of credit			38,131				48,143
Bill of lading guarantees			454				108
Total		$	2,059,514			$	2,173,927

 

 

      Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment agreement. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates and are expected to expire without being drawn upon. The total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrowers.

 

      As of December 31, 2015, the Company does not have fixed-rate or variable-rate commitments with characteristics similar to options, which provide the holder, for a premium paid at inception to the Company, the benefits of favorable movements in the price of an underlying asset or index with limited or no exposure to losses from unfavorable price movements.

 

As of December 31, 2015, commitments to extend credit of $2.0 billion include commitments to fund fixed rate loans of $87.3 million and adjustable rate loans of $1.9 billion.

 

Commercial letters of credit and bill of lading guarantees are issued to facilitate domestic and foreign trade transactions while standby letters of credit are issued to make payments on behalf of customers if certain specified future events occur. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit and bill of lading guarantees is essentially the same as that involved in making loans to customers.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

      Leases. The Company is obligated under a number of operating leases for premises and equipment with terms ranging from one to 25 years, many of which provide for periodic adjustment of rentals based on changes in various economic indicators. Rental expense was $9.3 million for 2015, $8.2 million for 2014, and $7.7 million for 2013. The following table shows future minimum payments under operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2015.

 

Year Ending December 31,		Commitments
		(In thousands)
2016		$	7,887
2017			6,444
2018			4,939
2019			3,209
2020			1,586
Thereafter			4,869
Total minimum lease payments		$	28,934

 

      Rental income was $0.3 million for 2015, $0.2 million for 2014, and $0.3 million for 2013. The following table shows future rental payments to be received under operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2015:

 

		(In thousands)
2016		$	294
2017			171
2018			73
2019			58
2020			15
Thereafter			-
Total minimum lease payments to be received		$	611

 

 

15.           Financial Derivatives

 

The Company does not speculate on the future direction of interest rates. However, the Company enters into financial derivatives in order to seek mitigation of exposure to interest rate risks related to its interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. These transactions, when properly structured and managed, may provide a hedge against inherent interest rate risk in assets or liabilities and against risk in specific transactions of the Company. In such instances, The Company may protect its position through the purchase or sale of interest rate futures contracts for a specific cash or interest rate risk position. Other hedging transactions may be implemented using interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, floors, financial futures, forward rate agreements, and options on futures or bonds. Prior to considering any hedging activities, the Company seeks to analyze the costs and benefits of the hedge in comparison to other viable alternative strategies. All hedges will require an assessment of basis risk and must be approved by the Bancorp or the Bank’s Investment Committee.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The Company follows ASC Topic 815 that establishes accounting and reporting standards for financial derivatives, including certain financial derivatives embedded in other contracts, and hedging activities. It requires the recognition of all financial derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and measurement of those financial derivatives at fair value. The accounting treatment of changes in fair value is dependent upon whether or not a financial derivative is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge. Fair value is determined using third-party models with observable market data. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and are reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is reflected in earnings. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are reflected in current earnings, together with changes in the fair value of the related hedged item if there is a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged. If there is not a highly effective correlation between changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap and changes in the fair value of the underlying asset or liability that is intended to be hedged, then only the changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, Bancorp entered into five interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $119.1 million for a period of ten years. The objective of these interest rate swap contracts, which were designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, was to hedge the quarterly interest payments on the Bancorp’s $119.1 million of Junior Subordinated Debentures that had been issued to five trusts, throughout the ten-year period beginning in June 2014 and ending in June 2024, from the risk of variability of these payments resulting from changes in the three-month LIBOR interest rate. The Bancorp pays a weighted average fixed interest rate of 2.61% and receives a variable interest rate of the three-month LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 0.53%. As of December 31, 2015, the notional amount of cash flow interest rate swaps was $119.1 million and their unrealized loss of $3.0 million, net of taxes, was included in other comprehensive income. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps included in interest expense was $2.8 million compared to $1.5 million in 2014. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the ineffective portion of these interest rates swaps was not significant.

 

In 2014 and 2015, the Bank entered into interest rate swap contracts in the notional amount of $347.2 million for various terms from two to eight years. The Bank entered into these interest rate swap contracts that are matched to individual fixed-rate commercial real estate loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio. These contracts have been designated as hedging instruments to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of the underlying commercial real estate loan due to changes in interest rates. The swap contracts are structured so that the notional amounts reduce over time to match the contractual amortization of the underlying loan and allow prepayments with the same pre-payment penalty amounts as the related loan. The Bank pays a weighted average fixed rate of 4.69% and receives a variable rate at the one month LIBOR rate plus a weighted average spread of 321 basis points, or at a weighted average rate of 3.51%. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the notional amount of fair value interest rate swaps was $340.3 million and $181.3 million, respectively, and their unrealized loss of $1.3 million and $489,000, respectively, were included in other non-interest income. The amount of periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps reducing interest income was $3.3 million in 2015 compared to $1.3 million in 2014. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the ineffective portion of these interest rate swaps was not significant.

 

Interest rate swap contracts involve the risk of dealing with institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. Institutional counterparties must have a strong credit profile and be approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company’s credit exposure on interest rate swaps is limited to the net favorable value and interest payments of all swaps by each counterparty. Credit exposure may be reduced by the amount of collateral pledged by the counterparty. Bancorp’s interest rate swaps have been assigned by the counterparties to a derivatives clearing organization and daily margin is indirectly maintained with the derivatives clearing organization. Cash posted as collateral by Bancorp related to derivative contracts totaled $7.9 million as of December 31, 2015.

 

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts with various counterparties to mitigate the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for foreign exchange certificates of deposit or foreign exchange contracts entered into with our clients. These contracts are not designated as hedging instruments and are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the fair value of these contracts as well as the related foreign exchange certificates of deposit and foreign exchange contracts are recognized immediately in net income as a component of non-interest income. Period end gross positive fair values are recorded in other assets and gross negative fair values are recorded in other liabilities. At December 31, 2015, the notional amount of option contracts totaled $9.4 million with a net negative fair value of $28,000. At December 31, 2015, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $100.6 million had a positive fair value of $3.3 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $115.4 million had a negative fair value of $4.1 million at December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2014, no option contracts were outstanding. At December 31, 2014, spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $167.0 million had a positive fair value of $1.9 million. Spot, forward, and swap contracts in the total notional amount of $178.9 million had a negative fair value of $5.0 million at December 31, 2014.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

16.      Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company adopted ASC Topic 820 on January 1, 2008, and determined the fair values of our financial instruments based on the following:

 

 

●

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

●

Level 2 – Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset and liability; market inputs that are not directly observable but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

●

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own judgments about the assumptions that a market participant would use.

 

 

The Company uses the following methodologies to measure the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities on a recurring basis:

 

Securities Available for Sale. For certain actively traded agency preferred stocks, mutual funds, and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company measures the fair value based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement. The Company also measures securities by using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement. This category generally includes U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and trust preferred securities.

 

Warrants. The Company measures the fair value of warrants based on unobservable inputs based on assumption and management judgment, a Level 3 measurement.

 

Currency Option Contracts and Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of currency option and foreign exchange contracts based on observable market rates on a recurring basis, a Level 2 measurement.

 

The valuation techniques for the assets and liabilities valued on a nonrecurring basis are as follows:

 

Impaired Loans. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded based on either the current appraised value of the collateral, a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on old appraisals which are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

 

Loans Held for Sale. The Company records loans held for sale at fair value based on quoted prices from third party sale analysis, existing sale agreements, or appraisal reports adjusted by sales commission assumption, a Level 3 measurement.

 

Goodwill. The Company completes “step one” of the impairment test by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit (as determined based on the discussion below) with the recorded book value (or “carrying amount”) of its net assets, with goodwill included in the computation of the carrying amount.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of that reporting unit is not considered impaired, and “step two” of the impairment test is not necessary.  If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, step two of the impairment test is performed to determine the amount of impairment.  Step two of the impairment test compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the “implied fair value” of that goodwill.  The implied fair value of goodwill is computed by assuming all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit would be adjusted to the current fair value, with the offset as an adjustment to goodwill.  This adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value used in step two.  An impairment charge is then recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. In connection with the determination of fair value, certain data and information was utilized, including earnings forecasts at the reporting unit level for the next four years.  Other key assumptions include terminal values based on future growth rates and discount rates for valuing the cash flows, which have inputs for the risk-free rate, market risk premium and adjustments to reflect inherent risk and required market returns. Because of the significance of unobservable inputs in the valuation of goodwill impairment, goodwill subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments is classified as Level 3 measurement.

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Core Deposit Intangibles. Core deposit intangibles is initially recorded at fair value based on a valuation of the core deposits acquired and is amortized over its estimated useful life to its residual value in proportion to the economic benefits consumed. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset on a nonrecurring basis using the core deposits remaining at the assessment date and the fair value of cash flows expected to be generated from the core deposits, a Level 3 measurement.

 

Other Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired in the settlement of loans is initially recorded at fair value based on the appraised value of the property on the date of transfer, less estimated costs to sell, a Level 2 measurement. From time to time, nonrecurring fair value adjustments are made to other real estate owned based on the current updated appraised value of the property, also a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on old appraisals which are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

 

Investments in Venture Capital. The Company periodically reviews for OTTI on a nonrecurring basis. Investments in venture capital were written down to their fair value based on available financial reports from venture capital partnerships and management’s judgment and estimation, a Level 3 measurement.

 

The following tables present the Company’s hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2015, and at December 31, 2014:

 

 

As of December 31, 2015		Fair Value Measurements Using												Total at
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities		$	284,288			$	-			$	-			$	284,288
U.S. government sponsored entities			-				148,160				-				148,160
Mortgage-backed securities			-				1,062,269				-				1,062,269
Collateralized mortgage obligations			-				36				-				36
Corporate debt securities			-				73,855				-				73,855
Mutual funds			5,833				-				-				5,833
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			-				3,216				-				3,216
Other equity securities			-				8,695				-				8,695
Total securities available-for-sale			290,121				1,296,231				-				1,586,352
Warrants			-				-				62				62
Foreign exchange contracts			-				3,339				-				3,339
Total assets		$	290,121			$	1,299,570			$	62			$	1,589,753
Liabilities
Option contracts		$	-			$	28			$	-			$	28
Interest rate swaps			-				6,496				-				6,496
Foreign exchange contracts			-				4,124				-				4,124
Total liabilities		$	-			$	10,648			$	-			$	10,648

 

As of December 31, 2014		Fair Value Measurements Using												Total at
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Assets
Securities available-for-sale
U.S. Treasury securities		$	664,004			$	-			$	-			$	664,004
Mortgage-backed securities			-				544,303				-				544,303
Collateralized mortgage obligations			-				45				-				45
Corporate debt securities			-				94,472				-				94,472
Mutual funds			5,866				-				-				5,866
Preferred stock of government sponsored entities			-				3,224				-				3,224
Other equity securities			-				7,021				-				7,021
Total securities available-for-sale			669,870				649,065				-				1,318,935
Warrants			-				-				27				27
Foreign exchange contracts			-				1,876				-				1,876
Total assets		$	669,870			$	650,941			$	27			$	1,320,838
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps		$	-			$	4,626			$	-			$	4,626
Foreign exchange contracts			-				5,007				-				5,007
Total liabilities		$	-			$	9,633			$	-			$	9,633

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis that were still reflected in the balance sheet at December 31, 2015 and 2014, the following tables provide the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment and the carrying value of the related individual assets at December 31, 2015, and at December 31, 2014, and the total losses for the periods indicated:

 

		As of December 31, 2015																Total Losses/(Gains)
		Fair Value Measurements Using												Total at				For the Twelve Months Ended
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Fair Value				December 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans		$	-			$	-			$	6,317			$	6,317			$	806			$	17
Commercial mortgage loans			-				-				20,359				20,359				598				3,914
Residential mortgage and equity lines			-				-				13,009				13,009				146				27
Total impaired loans			-				-				39,685				39,685				1,550				3,958
Other real estate owned (1			-				10,047				4,235				14,282				404				202
Investments in venture capital and private company stock			-				-				4,922				4,922				553				436
Total assets		$	-			$	10,047			$	48,842			$	58,889			$	2,507			$	4,596

 

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $24.7. million in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is net of estimated disposal costs.

 

 

 

		As of December 31, 2014																Total Losses/(Gains)
		Fair Value Measurements Using												Total at				For the Twelve Months Ended
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Fair Value				December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
Assets
Impaired loans by type:
Commercial loans		$	-			$	-			$	3,774			$	3,774			$	17			$	5,731
Commercial mortgage loans			-				-				25,029				25,029				3,914				125
Construction- other			-				-				7,625				7,625				-				-
Residential mortgage and equity lines			-				-				13,126				13,126				27				213
Total impaired loans			-				-				49,554				49,554				3,958				6,069
Other real estate owned (1)			-				16,458				4,110				20,568				202				(3,134	)
Investments in venture capital and private company stock			-				-				5,495				5,495				436				409
Equity investments			-				-				617				617				-				-
Total assets		$	-			$	16,458			$	59,776			$	76,234			$	4,596			$	3,344

 

(1) Other real estate owned balance of $31.5 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is net of estimated disposal costs.

 

 

The significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs used in the fair value measurement of collateral for collateral-dependent impaired loans was primarily based on the appraised value of collateral adjusted by estimated sales cost and commissions. The Company generally obtains new appraisal reports every six months. As the Company’s primary objective in the event of default would be to monetize the collateral to settle the outstanding balance of the loan, less marketable collateral would receive a larger discount. During the reported periods, collateral discounts ranged from 45% in the case of accounts receivable collateral to 65% in the case of inventory collateral.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of other real estate owned (“OREO”) was primarily based on the appraised value of OREO adjusted by estimated sales cost and commissions.

 

The Company applies estimated sales cost and commission ranging from 3% to 6% of collateral value of impaired loans, quoted price or loan sale price of loans held for sale, and appraised value of OREOs.

 

The significant unobservable inputs in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the fair value of warrants are the expected life of warrant ranging from 1 to 8 years, risk-free interest rate from 1.06% to 2.11%, and stock volatility of the Company from 11.9% to 18.7%.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

17.     Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

      The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

 

     Cash and Cash Equivalents. For cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value, a Level 1 measurement.

 

      Short-term Investments. For short-term investments, the carrying amount was assumed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value, a Level 1 measurement.

 

Securities. For securities, including securities held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and for trading, fair values were based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. If a quoted market price was not available, fair value was estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes. For certain actively traded agency preferred stocks and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company measures the fair value based on quoted market prices in active exchange markets at the reporting date, a Level 1 measurement. The Company also measures securities by using quoted market prices for similar securities or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement. This category generally includes U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), commercial MBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, asset-backed securities, and corporate bonds.

 

Loans held for sale. The Company records loans held for sale at fair value based on quoted price from third party sources, or appraisal reports adjusted by sales commission assumption, a Level 3 measurement.

 

Loans. Fair values were estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Each loan category was further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and non-performing categories.

 

      The fair value of performing loans was calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan, a Level 3 measurement.

 

The fair value of impaired loans was calculated based on the net realizable fair value of the collateral or the observable market price of the most recent sale or quoted price from loans held for sale. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments to collateral dependent impaired loans are recorded based on the current appraised value of the collateral, a Level 2 measurement, or management’s judgment and estimation of value reported on old appraisals which are then adjusted based on recent market trends, a Level 3 measurement.

 

Deposit Liabilities. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits was assumed to be the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit was estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities, a Level 3 measurement.

 

      Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase. The fair value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase is based on dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

 

      Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank. The fair value of the advances is based on quotes from the FHLB to settle the advances, a Level 2 measurement.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Other Borrowings. This category includes borrowings from other financial institutions.  The fair value of other borrowings is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk, a Level 3 measurement. 

 

Long-term Debt. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices or dealer quotes, a Level 2 measurement.

 

Currency Option and Foreign Exchange Contracts. The Company measures the fair value of currency option and foreign exchange contracts based on observable market rates, a Level 2 measurement.

 

Interest Rate Swaps. Fair value of interest rate swaps is derived from third party models with observable market data, a Level 2 measurement.

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments. The fair value of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees written were estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counter parties. The fair value of guarantees and letters of credit was based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counter parties at the reporting date. Off-balance-sheet financial instruments were valued based on the assumptions that a market participant would use, a Level 3 measurement.

 

      Fair value was estimated in accordance with ASC Topic 825. Fair value estimates were made at specific points 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 Bank’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Bank’s financial instruments, fair value estimates were based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates were subjective in nature and involved uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

		December 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Carrying								Carrying
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks		$	180,130			$	180,130			$	176,830			$	176,830
Short-term investments			536,880				536,880				489,614				489,614
Securities available-for-sale			1,586,352				1,586,352				1,318,935				1,318,935
Loans held for sale			6,676				6,676				973				1,225
Loans, net			10,016,227				9,938,810				8,740,268				8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock			17,250				17,250				30,785				30,785
Warrants			62				62				27				27

 

Notional

Notional

Amount

Fair Value

Amount

Fair Value

Foreign exchange contracts

100,602

3,339

167,005

1,876

 

		Carrying								Carrying
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
Financial Liabilities
Deposits		$	10,509,087				10,509,879			$	8,783,460			$	8,785,342
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase			400,000				413,417				450,000				473,816
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank			275,000				274,488				425,000				424,974
Other borrowings			18,593				16,684				19,934				17,978
Long-term debt			119,136				58,420				119,136				59,425

 

		Notional								Notional
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
Option contracts		$	9,396			$	28			$	-			$	-
Foreign exchange contracts		$	115,418			$	4,124			$	178,868			$	5,007
Interest rate swaps			459,416				6,496				300,480				4,626

 

		Notional								Notional
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit		$	1,971,848			$	(5,570	)		$	2,071,766			$	(3,442	)
Standby letters of credit			49,081				(194	)			53,910				(243	)
Other letters of credit			38,131				(22	)			48,142				(29	)
Bill of lading guarantees			454				(1	)			108				-

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The following tables present the level in the fair value hierarchy for the estimated fair values of only financial instruments that are not already on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value at December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014.

 

		As of December 31, 2015
		Estimated
		Fair Value
		Measurements				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
		(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks		$	180,130			$	180,130			$	-			$	-
Short-term investments			536,880				536,880				-				-
Securities available-for-sale			1,586,352				290,121				1,296,231				-
Loans held-for-sale			6,676				-				-				6,676
Loans, net			9,938,810				-				-				9,938,810
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock			17,250				-				17,250				-
Warrants			62				-				-				62
Financial Liabilities
Deposits			10,509,879				-				-				10,509,879
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase			413,417				-				413,417				-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank			274,488				-				-				274,488
Other borrowings			16,684				-				-				16,684
Long-term debt			58,420				-				58,420				-

 

 

		As of December 31, 2014
		Estimated
		Fair Value
		Measurements				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
		(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Cash and due from banks		$	176,830			$	176,830			$	-			$	-
Short-term investments			489,614				489,614				-				-
Securities available-for-sale			1,318,935				669,870				649,065				-
Loans held-for-sale			1,225				-				-				1,225
Loans, net			8,688,072				-				-				8,688,072
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock			30,785				-				30,785				-
Warrants			27				-				-				27
Financial Liabilities
Deposits			8,785,342				-				-				8,785,342
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase			473,816				-				473,816				-
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank			424,974				-				424,974				-
Other borrowings			17,978				-				-				17,978
Long-term debt			59,425				-				59,425				-

 

 

18.      Employee Benefit Plans

 

     Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Under the Company’s Amended and Restated Cathay Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), the Company can make annual contributions to a trust in the form of either cash or common stock of the Bancorp for the benefit of eligible employees. Employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP after completing two years of service for salaried full-time employees or 1,000 hours for each of two consecutive years for salaried part-time employees. The amount of the annual contribution is discretionary except that it must be sufficient to enable the trust to meet its current obligations. The Company also pays for the administration of this plan and of the trust. The Company has not made contributions to the trust since 2004 and does not expect to make any contributions in the future. Effective June 17, 2004, the ESOP was amended to provide the participants the election either to reinvest the dividends on the Company stock allocated to their accounts or to have these dividends distributed to the participant. The ESOP trust purchased 18,012 shares in 2015, 11,887 shares in 2014, and 3,825 shares in 2013, of the Bancorp’s common stock at an aggregate cost of $541,000 in 2015, $301,902 in 2014, and $92,000 in 2013. The distribution of benefits to participants totaled 107,202 shares in 2015, 73,439 shares in 2014, and 51,779 shares in 2013. As of December 31, 2015, the ESOP owned 990,047 shares, or 1.2%, of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

401(k) Plan. In 1997, the Board approved the Company’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan, which began on March 1, 1997. Salaried employees who have completed three months of service and have attained the age of 21 are eligible to participate. Enrollment dates are on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st of each year. Participants may contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation for the year but not to exceed the dollar limit set by the Internal Revenue Code. Participants may change their contribution election on the enrollment dates. The vesting schedule for the matching contribution is 0% for less than two years of service, 25% after two years of service and from then on, at an increment of 25% each year until 100% is vested after five years of service. Effective on October 1, 2014, the Company matches 100% on the first 4.0% of eligible compensation contributed per pay period by the participant, after one year of service. The Company’s contribution amounted to $2.0 million in 2015, $1.4 million in 2014, and $1.0 million in 2013. The Plan allows participants to withdraw all or part of their vested amount in the Plan due to certain financial hardship as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulations. Participants may also borrow up to 50% of the vested amount, with a maximum of $50,000. The minimum loan amount is $1,000.

 

19.      Equity Incentive Plans

 

In 1998, the Board adopted the Cathay Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan. Under the Equity Incentive Plan, as amended in September, 2003, directors and eligible employees may be granted incentive or non-statutory stock options and/or restricted stock units, or awarded non-vested stock, for up to 7,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on a split adjusted basis. In May 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2005 Incentive Plan. In May 2015, the stockholders of the Company approved, amendment, and restatement of the 2005 Incentive Plan which provides that 3,562,168 shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted as incentive or non-statutory stock options, or as restricted stock, or as restricted stock units. As of December 31, 2015, the only options granted by the Company under the 2005 Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, were non-statutory stock options to selected bank officers and non-employee directors at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Such options have a maximum ten-year term and vest in 20% annual increments (subject to early termination in certain events) except certain options granted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in 2005 and 2008. If such options expire or terminate without having been exercised, any shares not purchased will again be available for future grants or awards. There were no options granted during the three years ended 2015. The Company expects to issue new shares to satisfy stock option exercises and the vesting of restricted stock units.

 

Cash received from exercises of stock options totaled $5.0 million for 214,580 shares in 2015, $128,000 for 5,500 shares in 2014, and $14.8 million for 594,946 shares in 2013. Aggregate intrinsic value for options exercised was $2.0 million in 2015 compared to $16,000 in 2014.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

 

A summary of stock option activity for 2015, 2014, and 2013 follows:

 

		Shares				Weighted-Average Exercise Price				Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)				Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2012			3,996,630				29.45				2.2			$	-
Exercised			(594,946	)		$	24.80
Forfeited			(588,810	)			22.86
Balance, December 31, 2013			2,812,874				31.81				1.9			$	2,119
Exercised			(5,500	)		$	23.37
Forfeited			(474,470	)			29.28
Balance, December 31, 2014			2,332,904				32.34				1.2			$	1,388
Exercised			(214,580	)		$	23.37
Forfeited			(1,087,154	)			35.13
Balance, December 31, 2015			1,031,170				31.27				0.9			$	3,268
Exercisable, December 31, 2015			1,031,170			$	31.27

 

 

 

At December 31, 2015, 3,181,112 shares were available under the 2005 Incentive Plan for future grants. The following table shows stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2015, the corresponding exercise prices, and the weighted-average contractual life remaining:

 

				Outstanding
								Weighted-Average
								Remaining Contractual				Exercisable
Exercise Price				Shares				Life (in Years)				Shares
$	36.90				203,440				0.1				203,440
	38.26				12,000				0.3				12,000
	36.24				405,230				0.1				405,230
	23.37				410,500				2.1				410,500
					1,031,170				0.9				1,031,170

 

 

 

In addition to stock options, the Company also grants restricted stock units to eligible employees which vest subject to continued employment at the vesting dates.

 

The Company granted restricted stock units for 72,900 shares at an average closing price of $28.11 per share in 2015, 17,601 shares at an average closing price of $24.66 per share in 2014, and for 25,037 shares at an average closing price of $20.68 per share in 2013. The restricted stock units granted in 2014, 2013, and 2012 are scheduled to vest two years from grant date. The restricted stock units granted in 2015 are scheduled to vest three years from grant date.

 

In December 2013, the Company granted performance share unit awards in which the number of units earned is calculated based on the relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Company’s common stock as compared to the TSR of the KBW Regional Banking Index. In addition, the Company granted performance share unit awards in which the number of units earned is determined by comparison to the targeted EPS as defined in the award for the 2014 to 2016 period. Performance TSR restricted stock units for 119,840 shares and performance EPS restricted stock units for 116,186 shares were granted to eight executive officers in 2013. In December 2014, the Company granted additional performance TSR restricted stock units for 60,456 shares and performance EPS restricted stock units for 57,642 shares were granted to six executive officers. In December 2015, the Company granted additional performance TSR restricted stock units for 61,209 shares and performance EPS restricted stock units for 57,409 shares were granted to seven executive officers. Both the performance TSR and performance EPS share awarded are scheduled to vest three years from grant date.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

The following table presents restricted stock unit activity for 2015, 2014, and 2013:

 

		Units
Balance at December 31, 2012			256,616
Granted			261,062
Vested			(138,220	)
Balance at December 31, 2013			379,458
Granted			135,699
Vested			(122,832	)
Cancelled or forfeited			(5,860	)
Balance at December 31, 2014			386,465
Granted			191,518
Vested			(26,924	)
Cancelled or forfeited			(8,684	)
Balance at December 31, 2015			542,375

 

 

All awards are deemed probable of issuance and the compensation expense recorded for restricted stock units was $4.5 million in 2015, $3.8 million in 2014, and $2.0 million in 2013. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock units was $7.5 million at December 31, 2015, and is expected to be recognized over the next 2.4 years.

 

The following table summarizes the tax benefit from options exercised:

 

		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Short-fall of tax deductions in excess of grant-date fair value		$	(5,348	)		$	(1,285	)		$	(2,509	)
Benefit of tax deductions on grant-date fair value			6,485				1,292				4,172
Total benefit of tax deductions		$	1,137			$	7			$	1,663

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

20.     Condensed Financial Information of Cathay General Bancorp

 

The condensed financial information of the Bancorp as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 is as follows:

 

Balance Sheets

 

		As of December 31,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands, except
		share and per share data)
Assets
Cash		$	5,048			$	7,420
Cash pledged as margin for interest rate swaps			7,936				7,465
Short-term certificates of deposit			24,324				23,203
Securities available for sale			11,911				10,244
Investment in bank subsidiaries			1,807,825				1,666,238
Investment in non-bank subsidiaries			5,979				2,631
Other assets			9,551				9,541
Total assets		$	1,872,574			$	1,726,742
Liabilities
Junior subordinated debt		$	119,136			$	119,136
Other liabilities			5,660				4,718
Total liabilities			124,796				123,854
Commitments and contingencies			-				-
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 87,002,931 issued and 80,806,116 outstanding at December 31, 2015, and 84,022,118 issued and 79,814,553 outstanding at December 31, 2014			870				840
Additional paid-in-capital			880,822				789,519
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net			(8,426	)			(5,569	)
Retained earnings			1,059,660				943,834
Treasury stock, at cost (6,196,815 shares at December 31, 2015, and 4,207,565 shares at December 31, 2014)			(185,148	)			(125,736	)
Total stockholders' equity			1,747,778				1,602,888
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	1,872,574			$	1,726,742

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Statements of Operations

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Cash dividends from Cathay Bank		$	163,301			$	30,000			$	138,030
Interest income			68				88				157
Interest expense			5,776				4,469				2,994
Non-interest (loss)/income			(1,858	)			10,144				434
Non-interest expense			4,644				2,248				2,443
Income before income tax benefit			151,091				33,515				133,184
Income tax (benefit)/expense			(5,134	)			1,478				(2,037	)
Income before undistributed earnings of subsidiaries			156,225				32,037				135,221
Distributions more than earnings of subsidiaries			-				-				(12,078	)
Undistributed earnings of subsidiary			4,884				105,793				-
Net income		$	161,109			$	137,830			$	123,143

 

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

Statements of Cash Flows

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2015				2014				2013
		(In thousands)
Cash flows from Operating Activities
Net income		$	161,109			$	137,830			$	123,143
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Dividends in excess of earnings of subsidiaries			-				-				12,078
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries			(4,884	)			(105,793	)			-
Gains on sale of securities			-				(10,689	)			-
Income associated with debt redemption			-				(555	)			-
Write-downs on venture capital and other investments			468				432				357
Write-downs on impaired securities			-				264				-
Loss in fair value of warrants			-				3				56
Stock issued to directors as compensation			495				350				-
Excess tax short-fall from stock options			5,348				1,285				2,509
Net change in other assets			619				(3,445	)			(1,684	)
Net change in other liabilities			(5,438	)			(1,294	)			27
Net cash provided by operating activities			157,717				18,388				136,486
Cash flows from Investment Activities
(Increase)/decrease in short-term investment			(1,121	)			14,797				123,300
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities			-				12,083				-
Purchase of available-for-sale securities			(410	)			(7,920	)			-
Venture capital and other investments			-				(590	)			(835	)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired			(57,006	)			-				-
Net cash (used in)/provided by investment activities			(58,537	)			18,370				122,465
Cash flows from Financing Activities
Redemption of Series B preferred stock			-				-				(258,000	)
Repayment of long-term debt			-				(1,445	)			-
Cash dividends			(45,283	)			(23,104	)			(12,606	)
Proceeds from shares issued under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan			4,175				2,848				605
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			5,014				128				14,755
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of RSUs			(227	)			(850	)			-
Excess tax short-fall from share-based payment arrangements			(5,348	)			(1,285	)			(2,509	)
Purchase of treasury stock			(59,412	)			-				-
Net cash used in financing activities			(101,081	)			(23,708	)			(257,755	)
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents			(1,901	)			13,050				1,196
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year			14,885				1,835				639
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year		$	12,984			$	14,885			$	1,835

 

 

21.     Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

      The Company has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan which allows for participants’ reinvestment of cash dividends and certain optional additional investments in the Bancorp’s common stock. Shares issued under the plan and the consideration received were 148,582 shares for $4.2 million in 2015, 116,957 shares for $2.8 million in 2014, and 25,984 shares for $605,000 in 2013.

 

22.     Regulatory Matters

 

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank’s 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 the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

      The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has established five capital ratio categories: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically undercapitalized.” A well capitalized institution must have a common equity tier 1 capital ratio equal to or greater than 6.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 8%, a total risk-based capital ratio equal to or greater than 10%, and a Tier 1 leverage capital ratio equal to or greater than 5%. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Bank qualified as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

 

The Bancorp’s and the Bank’s capital and leverage ratios as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, are presented in the tables below:

 

		Cathay General Bancorp																Cathay Bank
		December 31, 2015								December 31, 2014								December 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance				%				Balance				%				Balance				%				Balance				%
Common equtiy Tier 1 capital ( to risk-weighted assets)		$	1,383,377				12.95				n/a				n/a			$	1,443,159				13.54				n/a				n/a
Common equtiy Tier 1 capital minimum requirement			480,830				4.50				n/a				n/a				479,801				4.50				n/a				n/a
Excess		$	902,547				8.45				n/a				n/a			$	963,358				9.04				n/a				n/a
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)		$	1,498,810				14.03			$	1,406,511				14.96			$	1,443,159				13.54			$	1,353,481				14.42
Tier 1 capital minimum requirement			641,107				6.00				376,072				4.00				639,735				6.00				375,318				4.00
Excess		$	857,703				8.03			$	1,030,439				10.96			$	803,424				7.54			$	978,163				10.42
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)		$	1,634,631				15.30			$	1,524,702				16.22			$	1,576,525				14.79			$	1,471,337				15.68
Total capital minimum requirement			854,809				8.00				752,144				8.00				852,980				8.00				750,637				8.00
Excess		$	779,822				7.30			$	772,558				8.22			$	723,545				6.79			$	720,700				7.68
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
– Leverage ratio		$	1,498,810				11.95			$	1,406,511				12.99			$	1,443,159				11.53			$	1,353,481				12.52
Minimum leverage requirement			501,875				4.00				433,121				4.00				500,455				4.00				432,350				4.00
Excess		$	996,935				7.95			$	973,390				8.99			$	942,704				7.53			$	921,131				8.52
Risk-weighted assets		$	10,685,115							$	9,401,803							$	10,662,248							$	9,382,961
Total average assets (1)		$	12,546,879							$	10,828,015							$	12,511,382							$	10,808,747

 

(1) The quarterly total average assets reflect all debt securities at amortized cost, equity security with readily determinable fair values at the lower of cost or fair value, and equity securities without readily determinable fair values at historical cost.

* Basel III rules became effective January 1, 2015, with transitional provisions. All prior period data is based on Basel I rules.

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

23.	Balance Sheet Offsetting

 

Certain financial instruments, including resell and repurchase agreements, securities lending arrangements and derivatives, may be eligible for offset in the consolidated balance sheet and/or subject to master netting arrangements or similar agreements. The Company’s securities sold with agreements to repurchase and derivative transactions with upstream financial institution counter parties are generally executed under International Swaps and Derivative Association master agreements which include “right of set-off” provisions. In such cases there is generally a legally enforceable right to offset recognized amounts and there may be an intention to settle such amounts on a net basis. Nonetheless, the Company does not generally offset such financial instruments for financial reporting purposes.

 

Financial instruments that are eligible for offset in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as of December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014, are presented in the following tables:

 

														Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet
		Gross Amounts Recognized				Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet				Net Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet				Financial Instruments				Collateral Posted				Net Amount
December 31, 2015		(In thousands)
Liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		$	400,000			$	-			$	400,000			$	-			$	(400,000	)		$	-
Derivatives		$	6,496			$	-			$	6,496			$	-			$	(6,496	)		$	-
December 31, 2014
Liabilities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		$	450,000			$	-			$	450,000			$	-			$	(450,000	)		$	-
Derivatives		$	4,626			$	-			$	4,626			$	-			$	(4,626	)		$	-

 

 

CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS–(Continued)

 

24.	Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

      The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly financial data:

 

 

		Summary of Operations
		2015																2014
		Fourth				Third				Second				First				Fourth				Third				Second				First
		Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter				Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share data)
Interest income		$	119,519			$	116,867			$	112,386			$	104,934			$	106,043			$	106,335			$	105,062			$	101,207
Interest expense			20,103				19,221				17,632				17,008				18,292				19,580				19,445				18,549
Net interest income			99,416				97,646				94,754				87,926				87,751				86,755				85,617				82,658
Reversal for credit losses			(3,000	)			(1,250	)			(2,150	)			(5,000	)			(2,000	)			(5,100	)			(3,700	)			-
Net-interest income after provision for loan losses			102,416				98,896				96,904				92,926				89,751				91,855				89,317				82,658
Non-interest income			9,350				9,156				5,619				8,549				7,973				8,974				9,021				14,559
Non-interest expense			53,533				57,471				47,585				44,131				41,125				42,607				42,513				48,068
Income before income tax expense			58,233				50,581				54,938				57,344				56,599				58,222				55,825				49,149
Income tax expense			16,787				12,098				9,738				21,364				21,021				22,313				20,741				17,890
Net income		$	41,446			$	38,483			$	45,200			$	35,980			$	35,578			$	35,909			$	35,084			$	31,259
Net income per common share
Basic		$	0.51			$	0.47			$	0.57			$	0.45			$	0.45			$	0.45			$	0.44			$	0.39
Diluted		$	0.51			$	0.47			$	0.56			$	0.45			$	0.44			$	0.45			$	0.44			$	0.39

 

 

F-57