ASB 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2015 | Alphaminr

ASB 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2015

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10-Q 1 asb-201593010q.htm FORM 10-Q 10-Q


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-31343
Associated Banc-Corp
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin
39-1098068
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
433 Main Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin
54301
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(920) 491-7500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes ý No ¨
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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
ý
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ¨ No ý
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
The number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at October 29, 2015 , was 150,327,891 .

1



ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
TABLE OF CONTENTS


2


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements:
ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2015
(Unaudited)
December 31, 2014
(Audited)
(In Thousands, except share and per share data)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks
$
303,701

$
444,113

Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
70,023

571,924

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
36,490

16,030

Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
604,799

404,455

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
5,403,656

5,396,812

Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") and Federal Reserve Bank stocks, at cost
160,871

189,107

Loans held for sale
105,144

154,935

Loans
18,524,773

17,593,846

Allowance for loan losses
(262,536
)
(266,302
)
Loans, net
18,262,237

17,327,544

Premises and equipment, net
271,119

274,688

Goodwill
968,844

929,168

Other intangible assets, net
78,380

67,582

Trading assets
43,752

35,163

Other assets
1,158,227

1,010,253

Total assets
$
27,467,243

$
26,821,774

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
$
4,657,261

$
4,505,272

Interest-bearing deposits
15,901,134

14,258,232

Total deposits
20,558,395

18,763,504

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
702,569

493,991

Other short-term funding
319,766

574,297

Long-term funding
2,679,542

3,930,117

Trading liabilities
45,817

37,329

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
207,357

222,285

Total liabilities
24,513,446

24,021,523

Stockholders’ equity
Preferred equity
121,379

59,727

Common stock
1,642

1,665

Surplus
1,455,034

1,484,933

Retained earnings
1,570,199

1,497,818

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
15,376

(4,850
)
Treasury stock, at cost
(209,833
)
(239,042
)
Total stockholders’ equity
2,953,797

2,800,251

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
27,467,243

$
26,821,774

Preferred shares issued
125,114

61,356

Preferred shares authorized (par value $1.00 per share)
750,000

750,000

Common shares issued
164,200,068

166,544,252

Common shares authorized (par value $0.01 per share)
250,000,000

250,000,000

Treasury shares of common stock
13,272,472

15,002,318

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


3


Item 1: Financial Statements Continued:

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2015
2014
2015
2014
(In Thousands, except per share data)
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans
$
155,663

$
152,030

$
460,025

$
442,046

Interest and dividends on investment securities:
Taxable
24,937

25,037

73,897

77,403

Tax exempt
7,917

7,483

23,369

21,484

Other interest
1,489

1,503

4,952

4,814

Total interest income
190,006

186,053

562,243

545,747

INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits
8,521

6,621

24,281

18,975

Interest on Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
248

390

714

1,001

Interest on other short-term funding
83

233

279

629

Interest on long-term funding
10,645

6,179

32,159

18,836

Total interest expense
19,497

13,423

57,433

39,441

NET INTEREST INCOME
170,509

172,630

504,810

506,306

Provision for credit losses
8,000

1,000

17,500

11,000

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
162,509

171,630

487,310

495,306

NONINTEREST INCOME
Trust service fees
12,273

12,218

36,875

35,946

Service charges on deposit accounts
17,385

17,961

48,894

51,773

Card-based and other nondeposit fees
12,618

12,407

38,631

37,493

Insurance commissions
17,561

7,860

57,366

33,828

Brokerage and annuity commissions
3,809

4,040

11,684

12,593

Mortgage banking, net
6,643

6,669

23,992

18,392

Capital market fees, net
2,170

2,939

7,329

7,360

Bank owned life insurance income
2,448

3,506

7,704

10,837

Asset gains, net
95

4,934

3,084

6,561

Investment securities gains, net
2,796

57

4,038

469

Other
2,118

2,317

6,916

5,424

Total noninterest income
79,916

74,908

246,513

220,676

NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Personnel expense
101,134

97,650

304,272

293,141

Occupancy
14,187

13,743

46,178

43,088

Equipment
6,003

6,133

17,514

18,636

Technology
14,748

13,573

46,660

40,891

Business development and advertising
5,964

7,467

18,120

17,606

Other intangible amortization
885

990

2,574

2,972

Loan expense
3,305

3,813

9,982

10,220

Legal and professional fees
4,207

4,604

13,089

13,228

Foreclosure / OREO expense
496

2,083

3,224

5,554

FDIC expense
6,000

6,859

18,500

16,805

Other
14,507

14,938

42,394

45,295

Total noninterest expense
171,436

171,853

522,507

507,436

Income before income taxes
70,989

74,685

211,316

208,546

Income tax expense
21,551

24,478

65,806

66,775

Net income
49,438

50,207

145,510

141,771

Preferred stock dividends
2,184

1,255

4,957

3,777

Net income available to common equity
$
47,254

$
48,952

$
140,553

$
137,994

Earnings per common share:
Basic
$
0.31

$
0.31

$
0.93

$
0.86

Diluted
$
0.31

$
0.31

$
0.92

$
0.85

Average common shares outstanding:
Basic
148,614

155,925

149,524

159,090

Diluted
149,799

156,991

150,704

159,993

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4


Item 1: Financial Statements Continued:

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2015
2014
2015
2014
($ in Thousands)
Net income
$
49,438

$
50,207

$
145,510

$
141,771

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Investment securities available for sale:
Net unrealized gains (losses)
22,907

(20,123
)
35,101

36,061

Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income
(2,796
)
(57
)
(4,038
)
(469
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
(7,725
)
7,757

(11,907
)
(13,684
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) on investment securities available for sale
12,386

(12,423
)
19,156

21,908

Defined benefit pension and postretirement obligations:
Amortization of prior service cost
12

15

37

45

Amortization of actuarial losses
627

317

1,692

949

Income tax expense
(243
)
(128
)
(659
)
(383
)
Other comprehensive income on pension and postretirement obligations
396

204

1,070

611

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
12,782

(12,219
)
20,226

22,519

Comprehensive income
$
62,220

$
37,988

$
165,736

$
164,290

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


5


Item 1: Financial Statements Continued:


ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
Preferred
Equity
Common
Stock
Surplus
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Treasury
Stock
Total
($ in Thousands, except per share data)
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
61,862

$
1,750

$
1,617,990

$
1,392,508

$
(24,244
)
$
(158,576
)
$
2,891,290

Comprehensive income:
Net income



141,771



141,771

Other comprehensive income




22,519


22,519

Comprehensive income
164,290

Common stock issued:
Stock-based compensation plans, net


1,863

(20,556
)

29,824

11,131

Purchase of common stock returned to authorized but unissued

(31
)
(50,467
)



(50,498
)
Purchase of treasury stock





(112,245
)
(112,245
)
Cash dividends:
Common stock, $0.27 per share



(43,299
)


(43,299
)
Preferred stock



(3,777
)


(3,777
)
Purchase of preferred stock
(838
)


(122
)


(960
)
Stock-based compensation expense, net


12,462




12,462

Tax benefit of stock-based compensation


1,184




1,184

Balance, September 30, 2014
$
61,024

$
1,719

$
1,583,032

$
1,466,525

$
(1,725
)
$
(240,997
)
$
2,869,578

Balance, December 31, 2014
$
59,727

$
1,665

$
1,484,933

$
1,497,818

$
(4,850
)
$
(239,042
)
$
2,800,251

Comprehensive income:
Net income



145,510



145,510

Other comprehensive income




20,226


20,226

Comprehensive income
165,736

Common stock issued:
Stock-based compensation plans, net


2,880

(21,786
)

34,279

15,373

Acquisition of Ahmann & Martin Co.

26

43,504




43,530

Purchase of common stock returned to authorized but unissued

(49
)
(92,951
)



(93,000
)
Purchase of treasury stock





(5,070
)
(5,070
)
Cash dividends:
Common stock, $0.30 per share



(45,599
)


(45,599
)
Preferred stock



(4,957
)


(4,957
)
Issuance of preferred stock
62,966






62,966

Purchase of preferred stock
(1,209
)


(126
)


(1,335
)
Other
(105
)


(661
)


(766
)
Stock-based compensation expense, net


14,575




14,575

Tax benefit of stock-based compensation


2,093




2,093

Balance, September 30, 2015
$
121,379

$
1,642

$
1,455,034

$
1,570,199

$
15,376

$
(209,833
)
$
2,953,797

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6


Item 1: Financial Statements Continued:

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2015
2014
($ in Thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income
$
145,510

$
141,771

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for credit losses
17,500

11,000

Depreciation and amortization
35,788

38,023

Recovery of valuation allowance on mortgage servicing rights, net
(306
)
(89
)
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights
8,902

8,224

Amortization of other intangible assets
2,574

2,972

Amortization and accretion on earning assets, funding, and other, net
29,039

21,647

Tax impact of stock based compensation
2,093

1,184

Gain on sales of investment securities, net
(4,038
)
(469
)
Gain on sales of assets and impairment write-downs, net
(3,084
)
(6,561
)
Gain on mortgage banking activities, net
(15,504
)
(11,668
)
Mortgage loans originated and acquired for sale
(911,133
)
(777,532
)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale
941,575

735,565

Pension contributions

(21,000
)
Increase in interest receivable
(3,404
)
(3,301
)
Decrease in interest payable
(2,642
)
(6,451
)
Other, net
(3,492
)
(2,603
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
239,378

130,712

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in loans
(935,208
)
(1,292,718
)
Purchases of:
Available for sale securities
(2,075,062
)
(808,899
)
Held to maturity securities
(207,139
)
(126,602
)
FHLB stock
(14,279
)
(7,626
)
Premises, equipment, and software, net of disposals
(36,778
)
(35,507
)
Other assets
(9,903
)
(2,460
)
Proceeds from:
Sales of available for sale securities
1,066,957

101,987

Sale of FHLB stock
42,514


Prepayments, calls, and maturities of available for sale securities
869,635

620,606

Prepayments, calls, and maturities of held to maturity securities
7,190

6,170

Prepayments, calls, and maturities of other assets
17,793

29,136

Net cash received in acquisition
1,132


Net cash used in investing activities
(1,273,148
)
(1,515,913
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in deposits
1,794,891

934,091

Net increase (decrease) in short-term funding
(45,953
)
689,254

Repayment of long-term funding
(1,500,026
)
(155,058
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term funding
250,000


Purchase of common stock returned to authorized but unissued
(93,000
)
(50,498
)
Purchase of treasury stock
(5,070
)
(112,245
)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
62,966


Purchase of preferred stock
(1,335
)
(960
)
Cash dividends on common stock
(45,599
)
(43,299
)
Cash dividends on preferred stock
(4,957
)
(3,777
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
411,917

1,257,508

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(621,853
)
(127,693
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,032,067

602,245

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
410,214

$
474,552

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest
59,751

46,026

Cash paid for income taxes
58,975

57,167

Loans and bank premises transferred to other real estate owned
5,782

17,125

Capitalized mortgage servicing rights
9,853

5,844

Unsettled trades to sell securities
139,286


Acquisition:
Fair value of assets acquired, including cash and cash equivalents
4,590


Fair value ascribed to goodwill and intangible assets
51,791


Fair value of liabilities assumed
12,851


Common stock issued in acquisition
43,530


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

7


Item 1: Financial Statements Continued:

ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted or abbreviated. The information contained in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes in Associated Banc-Corp’s 2014 annual report on Form 10-K, should be referred to in connection with the reading of these unaudited interim financial statements.
NOTE 1: Basis of Presentation
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of Associated Banc-Corp (individually referred to herein as the “Parent Company,” and together with all of its subsidiaries and affiliates, collectively referred to herein as the “Corporation”) for the periods presented, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change include the determination of the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment assessment, mortgage servicing rights valuation, and income taxes. Management has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition or disclosure.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Corporation reclassified approximately $500 million of closed end first lien home equity loans to residential mortgage loans in order to better align with the Corporation's regulatory reporting of residential mortgage loan products. All prior periods have been restated to reflect this change. As a result, the restated home equity loan portfolio is $1.1 billion for December 31, 2014 , compared to the originally reported amount of $1.6 billion . Similarly, the restated residential mortgage loan portfolio is $5.1 billion for December 31, 2014 , compared to the originally reported amount of $4.5 billion .

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Corporation changed the presentation of certain common stock repurchases included in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result, the common stock repurchases during the first nine months of 2014 have been reclassified to conform with this change in presentation.
NOTE 2: Acquisition
On February 17, 2015, the Corporation acquired Ahmann & Martin Co., a risk and employee benefits consulting firm based in Minnesota. The firm merged into Associated Financial Group, LLC the Corporation's insurance brokerage subsidiary. The Corporation's acquisition of Ahmann & Martin Co. enhances the Corporation's ability to offer clients unique, comprehensive solutions to meet their insurance and financial risk management needs. The transaction was valued at approximately $48 million with the opportunity to increase the consideration by $8 million should certain contingencies be met over a defined period.
The transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and as such, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at their estimated fair value on the acquisition date. 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 acquisition, the Corporation recorded goodwill of approximately $40 million and other intangible assets of approximately $12 million . Goodwill was assigned to the Corporation's Community, Consumer, and Business segment. See Note 8 for additional information on goodwill and other intangible assets.
NOTE 3 : New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In June 2015, the FASB issued a technical corrections and improvements accounting standards update which makes minor amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The four general topics covered in the guidance include: (1) amendments related to differences between original guidance and the codification, (2) guidance clarification and reference corrections, (3) simplification, and (4) minor improvements. The amendments that require transition guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments that require transition guidance are not applicable to the Corporation. All other amendments were effective upon the issuance of this update in June 2015. The Corporation adopted the accounting standard during the second quarter of 2015, as required, with no material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

8


In May 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to its current guidance regarding pushdown accounting for newly acquired businesses. The amendment eliminates the SEC guidance on pushdown accounting from the Accounting Standard Codification. The amendments align the FASB’s codification with the related material in the SEC's staff accounting bulletin (SAB) No. 115. SAB 115 rescinds portions of the interpretive guidance included in the SEC's Staff Accounting Bulletins series and brings existing guidance into conformity with ASU 2014-17, Pushdown Accounting, which provides an acquired entity with an option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements upon occurrence of an event in which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. The Corporation adopted the accounting standard during the second quarter of 2015, as required, with no material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
In August 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to clarify how creditors are to classify certain government-guaranteed mortgage loans upon foreclosure. This amendment requires that a mortgage loan be derecognized and a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separate from the loan before foreclosure and (2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under the claim and (3) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. This amendment was effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Corporation adopted the accounting standard on a prospective basis during the first quarter of 2015, as required, with no material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to clarify the current accounting and disclosures for certain repurchase agreements. The amendments in this update require two accounting changes: (1) change the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions to secured borrowing accounting and (2) require separate accounting for a transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty, which will result in secured borrowing accounting for the repurchase agreement. The amendments in this update also require additional disclosures for certain transactions on the transfer of financial assets, as well as new disclosures for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowings. This amendment was effective for public business entities for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. The Corporation adopted the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2015, as required, with no material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or liquidity. See Note 9 for the new repurchase agreement disclosures.
In January 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to clarify that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar agreement. In addition, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure in accordance with local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. This amendment was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Corporation adopted the accounting standard using the prospective transition method during the first quarter of 2015, as required, with no material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.
In January 2014, the FASB issued an amendment which permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). For those investments in qualified affordable housing projects not accounted for using the proportional method, the investment should be accounted for as an equity method investment or a cost method investment. The decision to apply the proportional amortization method of accounting is an accounting policy decision that should be applied consistently to all qualifying affordable housing project investments rather than a decision to be applied to individual investments. This amendment should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. A reporting entity that uses the effective yield method to account for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects before the date of adoption may continue to apply the effective yield method for those preexisting investments. This amendment was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Corporation made an accounting policy election to use the proportional amortization method for investments in qualified affordable housing projects during the first quarter of 2015, which had no material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or liquidity.

9


NOTE 4: Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings per share are calculated utilizing the two-class method. Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share are calculated by dividing the sum of distributed earnings to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock instruments (outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock, and outstanding stock warrants). Presented below are the calculations for basic and diluted earnings per common share.
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2015
2014
2015
2014
(In Thousands, except per share data)
Net income
$
49,438

$
50,207

$
145,510

$
141,771

Preferred stock dividends
(2,184
)
(1,255
)
(4,957
)
(3,777
)
Net income available to common equity
$
47,254

$
48,952

$
140,553

$
137,994

Common shareholder dividends
(14,927
)
(13,983
)
(45,149
)
(42,864
)
Dividends on unvested share-based payment awards
(164
)
(140
)
(450
)
(435
)
Undistributed earnings
$
32,163

$
34,829

$
94,954

$
94,695

Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders
$
31,813

$
34,481

$
93,961

$
93,862

Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards
350

348

993

833

Undistributed earnings
$
32,163

$
34,829

$
94,954

$
94,695

Basic
Distributed earnings to common shareholders
$
14,927

$
13,983

$
45,149

$
42,864

Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders
31,813

34,481

93,961

93,862

Total common shareholders earnings, basic
$
46,740

$
48,464

$
139,110

$
136,726

Diluted
Distributed earnings to common shareholders
$
14,927

$
13,983

$
45,149

$
42,864

Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders
31,813

34,481

93,961

93,862

Total common shareholders earnings, diluted
$
46,740

$
48,464

$
139,110

$
136,726

Weighted average common shares outstanding
148,614

155,925

149,524

159,090

Effect of dilutive common stock instruments
1,185

1,066

1,180

903

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
149,799

156,991

150,704

159,993

Basic earnings per common share
$
0.31

$
0.31

$
0.93

$
0.86

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.31

$
0.31

$
0.92

$
0.85

Options to purchase approximately 1 million common shares were outstanding for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, but excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. Options to purchase approximately 2 million and 3 million common shares were outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, but excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
NOTE 5: Stock-Based Compensation
At September 30, 2015 , the Corporation had one active stock-based compensation plan, the 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan. All stock options granted under this plan have an exercise price that is equal to the closing price of the Corporation’s stock on the grant date.
The Corporation also issues restricted common stock and restricted common stock units to certain key employees (collectively referred to as “restricted stock awards”) under this plan. The shares of restricted stock are restricted as to transfer, but are not restricted as to dividend payment or voting rights. Restricted stock units receive dividend equivalents but do not have voting rights. The transfer restrictions lapse over three or four years, depending upon whether the awards are service-based or performance-based. Service-based awards are contingent upon continued employment or meeting the requirements for retirement, and performance-based awards are based on earnings per share performance goals, relative total shareholder return, and continued employment or meeting the requirements for retirement. The plan provides that restricted stock awards and stock options will immediately become fully vested upon retirement from the Corporation of those colleagues whose retirement meets the early retirement or normal retirement definitions under the plan (“retirement eligible colleagues”).

10


The fair value of stock options granted is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, while the fair value of restricted stock awards is their fair market value on the date of grant. The fair values of stock options and restricted stock awards are amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Beginning with the 2014 grants, expenses related to stock options and restricted stock awards are fully recognized on the date the colleague meets the definition of normal or early retirement. Compensation expense recognized is included in personnel expense in the consolidated statements of income.
Assumptions are used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted. The weighted average expected life of the stock option represents the period of time that stock options are expected to be outstanding and is estimated using historical data of stock option exercises and forfeitures. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected volatility is based on the implied volatility of the Corporation’s stock. The following assumptions were used in estimating the fair value for options granted in the first nine months of 2015 and full year 2014 .
2015
2014
Dividend yield
2.00
%
2.00
%
Risk-free interest rate
2.00
%
2.00
%
Weighted average expected volatility
20.00
%
20.00
%
Weighted average expected life
6 years

6 years

Weighted average per share fair value of options
$3.08
$3.00
The Corporation is required to estimate potential forfeitures of stock grants and adjust compensation expense recorded accordingly. The estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures will be recognized in the period of change and will also impact the amount of stock compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.
A summary of the Corporation’s stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , is presented below.
Stock Options
Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
(000s)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
8,034,243

$18.37
Granted
1,389,452

$17.45
Exercised
(933,143
)
$13.77
Forfeited or expired
(643,214
)
$23.50
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
7,847,338

$18.34
5.79
$
23,986

Options exercisable at December 31, 2014
5,076,676

$19.96
4.41
$
14,953

Granted
1,348,504

$17.95
Exercised
(1,019,935
)
$13.85
Forfeited or expired
(771,382
)
$27.19
Outstanding at September 30, 2015
7,404,525

$17.97
6.05
$
15,962

Options exercisable at September 30, 2015
4,957,789

$18.38
4.73
$
13,589


11


The following table summarizes information about the Corporation’s nonvested stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 , and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
Nonvested Stock Options
Shares
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2013
3,110,523

$4.69
Granted
1,389,452

$3.00
Vested
(1,522,152
)
$4.92
Forfeited
(207,161
)
$4.38
Nonvested at December 31, 2014
2,770,662

$3.74
Granted
1,348,504

$3.08
Vested
(1,451,871
)
$4.20
Forfeited
(220,559
)
$3.28
Nonvested at September 30, 2015
2,446,736

$3.15
Intrinsic value represents the amount by which the fair market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $5 million . For the year ended December 31, 2014 , the intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $4 million . The total fair value of stock options that vested was $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 . The Corporation recognized compensation expense for the vesting of stock options of $3 million and $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. For the full year 2014 , the Corporation recognized compensation expense of $6 million for the vesting of stock options. Included in compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was approximately $690,000 of expense for the accelerated vesting of stock options granted to retirement eligible colleagues. At September 30, 2015 , the Corporation had $5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options that is expected to be recognized over the remaining requisite service periods that extend predominantly through fourth quarter 2018.
The following table summarizes information about the Corporation’s restricted stock awards activity for the year ended December 31, 2014 , and for nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
Restricted Stock
Shares
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
1,511,765

$13.92
Granted
1,177,168

$17.35
Vested
(538,877
)
$14.12
Forfeited
(167,930
)
$15.26
Outstanding at December 31, 2014
1,982,126

$15.79
Granted
1,165,087

$18.05
Vested
(694,711
)
$15.59
Forfeited
(171,293
)
$16.80
Outstanding at September 30, 2015
2,281,209

$17.01
Restricted stock awards granted during 2014 and 2015 will vest ratably over a four year period. Expense for restricted stock awards of approximately $12 million and $8 million was recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Corporation recognized approximately $10 million of expense for restricted stock awards for the full year 2014 . Included in compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was approximately $2 million of expense for the accelerated vesting of restricted stock awards granted to retirement eligible colleagues. The Corporation had $26 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards at September 30, 2015 that is expected to be recognized over the remaining requisite service periods that extend predominantly through fourth quarter 2018.
The Corporation has the ability to issue shares from treasury or new shares upon the exercise of stock options or the granting of restricted stock awards. The Board of Directors has authorized management to repurchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock each quarter in the market, to be made available for issuance in connection with the Corporation’s employee incentive plans and for other corporate purposes. The repurchase of shares will be based on market and investment opportunities, capital levels, growth prospects, and regulatory constraints. Such repurchases may occur from time to time in open market purchases, block transactions, private transactions, accelerated share repurchase programs, or similar facilities.

12


NOTE 6: Investment Securities
Investment securities are classified as held to maturity or available for sale at the time of purchase. The majority of the Corporation's investment securities are mortgage-related securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises ("GSE") such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). The amortized cost and fair values of investment securities available for sale and held to maturity were as follows.
September 30, 2015:
Amortized
cost
Gross
unrealized
gains
Gross
unrealized
losses
Fair value
($ in Thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
$
999

$
3

$

$
1,002

Obligations of state and political subdivisions ("municipal securities")
409,529

18,176

(4
)
427,701

Residential mortgage-related securities:
FNMA / FHLMC
1,932,740

52,232

(4,182
)
1,980,790

GNMA
1,106,601

4,106

(2,574
)
1,108,133

Private-label
1,755

1

(10
)
1,746

GNMA commercial mortgage-related securities
1,885,776

6,461

(14,656
)
1,877,581

Other securities (debt and equity)
6,640

63


6,703

Total investment securities available for sale
$
5,344,040

$
81,042

$
(21,426
)
$
5,403,656

Investment securities held to maturity:
Municipal securities
$
604,799

$
10,023

$
(1,450
)
$
613,372

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
604,799

$
10,023

$
(1,450
)
$
613,372

December 31, 2014:
Amortized
cost
Gross
unrealized
gains
Gross
unrealized
losses
Fair value
($ in Thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
$
999

$

$
(1
)
$
998

Municipal securities
560,839

21,869

(29
)
582,679

Residential mortgage-related securities:
FNMA / FHLMC
3,534,240

59,640

(30,423
)
3,563,457

GNMA
165,863

1,596

(127
)
167,332

Private-label
2,297

7

(10
)
2,294

GNMA commercial mortgage-related securities
1,097,913

1,922

(25,942
)
1,073,893

Other securities (debt and equity)
6,108

51


6,159

Total investment securities available for sale
$
5,368,259

$
85,085

$
(56,532
)
$
5,396,812

Investment securities held to maturity:
Municipal securities
$
404,455

$
9,444

$
(832
)
$
413,067

Total investment securities held to maturity
$
404,455

$
9,444

$
(832
)
$
413,067



13


The amortized cost and fair values of investment securities available for sale and held to maturity at September 30, 2015 , are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Available for Sale
Held to Maturity
($ in Thousands)
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
39,763

$
40,025

$

$

Due after one year through five years
236,730

248,772

3,980

4,042

Due after five years through ten years
140,072

145,956

133,801

136,164

Due after ten years
585

599

467,018

473,166

Total debt securities
417,150

435,352

604,799

613,372

Residential mortgage-related securities:
FNMA / FHLMC
1,932,740

1,980,790



GNMA
1,106,601

1,108,133



Private-label
1,755

1,746



GSE commercial mortgage-related securities
1,885,776

1,877,581



Equity securities
18

54



Total investment securities
$
5,344,040

$
5,403,656

$
604,799

$
613,372

Ratio of Fair Value to Amortized Cost
101.1
%
101.4
%

During the second and third quarters of 2015, the Corporation restructured its investment portfolio and sold over $1 billion of FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-related securities and reinvested into GNMA mortgage-related securities, generating a $4 million net gain on sale. This restructuring lowered risk weighted assets and related capital requirements, while improving the liquidity of the investment portfolio. The $1.2 billion of proceeds from the sales of investment securities includes a $139 million receivable due to an unsettled trade from the sale of investment securities that occurred at the end of September.
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2014
($ in Thousands)
Gross gains
$
8,047

$
1,159

$
1,184

Gross losses
(4,009
)
(690
)
(690
)
Investment securities gains, net
$
4,038

$
469

$
494

Proceeds from sales of investment securities
$
1,206,242

$
101,987

$
102,011


14


The following represents gross unrealized losses and the related fair value of investment securities available for sale and held to maturity, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at September 30, 2015 .
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Total
September 30, 2015
Number of
Securities
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Number of
Securities
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
($ in Thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:
Municipal securities
2

$
(2
)
$
628

1

$
(2
)
$
186

$
(4
)
$
814

Residential mortgage-related securities:
GSE
51

(2,894
)
854,924

20

(3,862
)
374,787

(6,756
)
1,229,711

Private-label
1


90

3

(10
)
1,591

(10
)
1,681

GSE commercial mortgage-related securities
15

(1,411
)
526,820

20

(13,245
)
445,030

(14,656
)
971,850

Total
$
(4,307
)
$
1,382,462

$
(17,119
)
$
821,594

$
(21,426
)
$
2,204,056

Investment securities held to maturity:
Municipal securities
244

$
(1,180
)
$
112,223

20

$
(270
)
$
9,405

$
(1,450
)
$
121,628

Total
$
(1,180
)
$
112,223

$
(270
)
$
9,405

$
(1,450
)
$
121,628

For comparative purposes, the following represents gross unrealized losses and the related fair value of investment securities available for sale and held to maturity, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2014 .
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Total
December 31, 2014
Number of
Securities
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Number of
Securities
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
($ in Thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
1

$
(1
)
$
998


$

$

$
(1
)
$
998

Municipal securities
6

(9
)
3,374

6

(20
)
2,133

(29
)
5,507

Residential mortgage-related securities:
GSE
16

(1,404
)
333,713

56

(29,146
)
1,256,533

(30,550
)
1,590,246

Private-label
1

(9
)
1,772

2

(1
)
27

(10
)
1,799

GSE commercial mortgage-related securities
9

(1,766
)
329,982

20

(24,176
)
460,425

(25,942
)
790,407

Total
$
(3,189
)
$
669,839

$
(53,343
)
$
1,719,118

$
(56,532
)
$
2,388,957

Investment securities held to maturity:
Municipal securities
74

$
(216
)
$
31,924

85

$
(616
)
$
38,915

$
(832
)
$
70,839

Total
$
(216
)
$
31,924

$
(616
)
$
38,915

$
(832
)
$
70,839

The Corporation reviews the investment securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to monitor its exposure to other-than-temporary impairment. A determination as to whether a security’s decline in fair value is other-than-temporary takes into consideration numerous factors and the relative significance of any single factor can vary by security. Some factors the Corporation may consider in the other-than-temporary impairment analysis include, the length of time and extent to which the security has been in an unrealized loss position, changes in security ratings, financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, as well as security and industry specific economic conditions. The Corporation may also evaluate payment structure, whether there are defaulted payments or expected defaults, prepayment speeds, and the value of any underlying collateral for certain securities.
Based on the Corporation’s evaluation, management does not believe any unrealized loss at September 30, 2015 represents an other-than-temporary impairment as these unrealized losses are primarily attributable to changes in interest rates and the current market conditions, and not credit deterioration. The unrealized losses reported for municipal securities relate to various state and local political subdivisions and school districts. The Corporation currently does not intend to sell nor does it believe that it will

15


be required to sell the securities contained in the above unrealized losses table before recovery of their amortized cost basis. The improvement in the unrealized loss position of the investment securities portfolio was due to a reduction in the level of intermediate term interest rates from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015 . Since December 31, 2014 , the three-year and five-year U.S. Treasury note rates declined 18 basis points ("bp") and 28 bp, respectively.
Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank Stocks : The Corporation is required to maintain Federal Reserve stock and FHLB stock as a member of both the Federal Reserve System and the FHLB, and in amounts as required by these institutions. These equity securities are “restricted” in that they can only be sold back to the respective institutions or another member institution at par. Therefore, they are less liquid than other marketable equity securities and their fair value is equal to amortized cost. The Corporation had FHLB stock of $88 million and $118 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, and Federal Reserve Bank stock of $73 million and $71 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. During second quarter of 2015 , the Corporation purchased $14 million of additional FHLB stock to support the overall increase in FHLB advances and subsequently sold $43 million of excess FHLB stock.
NOTE 7: Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses, and Credit Quality
During the third quarter of 2015, the Corporation reclassified approximately $500 million of closed end first lien home equity loans to residential mortgage loans in order to better align with the Corporation's regulatory reporting of residential mortgage loan products. All prior periods have been restated to reflect this change. As a result, the restated home equity loan portfolio is $1.1 billion for December 31, 2014 , compared to the originally reported amount of $1.6 billion . Similarly, the restated residential mortgage loan portfolio is $5.1 billion for December 31, 2014 , compared to the originally reported amount of $4.5 billion .

The period end loan composition was as follows.
September 30,
2015
December 31,
2014
($ in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial
$
6,085,473

$
5,905,902

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
966,689

1,007,937

Lease financing
42,607

51,529

Commercial and business lending
7,094,769

6,965,368

Commercial real estate - investor
3,183,352

3,056,485

Real estate construction
1,124,280

1,008,956

Commercial real estate lending
4,307,632

4,065,441

Total commercial
11,402,401

11,030,809

Home equity
1,014,465

1,051,927

Installment and credit cards
425,729

454,219

Residential mortgage
5,682,178

5,056,891

Total consumer
7,122,372

6,563,037

Total loans
$
18,524,773

$
17,593,846


16


A summary of the changes in the allowance for credit losses was as follows.
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
Year Ended
December 31, 2014
($ in Thousands)
Allowance for Loan Losses:
Balance at beginning of period
$
266,302

$
268,315

Provision for loan losses
18,500

13,000

Charge offs
(39,539
)
(44,096
)
Recoveries
17,273

29,083

Net charge offs
(22,266
)
(15,013
)
Balance at end of period
$
262,536

$
266,302

Allowance for Unfunded Commitments:
Balance at beginning of period
$
24,900

$
21,900

Provision for unfunded commitments
(1,000
)
3,000

Balance at end of period
$
23,900

$
24,900

Allowance for Credit Losses
$
286,436

$
291,202

The level of the allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of an amount appropriate to provide for probable credit losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. In general, the change in the allowance for loan losses is a function of a number of factors, including but not limited to changes in the loan portfolio, net charge offs, trends in past due and impaired loans, and the level of potential problem loans. Management considers the allowance for loan losses a critical accounting policy, as assessing these numerous factors involves significant judgment.
The allowance for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities (including unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit) and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for unfunded commitments is based upon an evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment of historical commitment utilization experience and credit risk grading of the loan. Net adjustments to the allowance for unfunded commitments are included in provision for credit losses in the consolidated statements of income. See Note 13 for additional information on the allowance for unfunded commitments.

17


A summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , was as follows.
$ in Thousands
Commercial
and
industrial
Commercial
real estate -
owner
occupied
Lease
financing
Commercial
real estate -
investor
Real estate
construction
Home
equity
Installment
and credit
cards
Residential
mortgage
Total
Balance at Dec 31, 2014
$
116,025

$
16,510

$
1,610

$
46,333

$
20,999

$
26,464

$
6,435

$
31,926

$
266,302

Provision for loan losses
15,749

7,245

(835
)
(2,703
)
(1,314
)
(987
)
1,284

61

18,500

Charge offs
(19,672
)
(2,325
)

(3,947
)
(546
)
(5,466
)
(2,934
)
(4,649
)
(39,539
)
Recoveries
6,392

892


4,124

1,924

2,568

569

804

17,273

Balance at Sep 30, 2015
$
118,494

$
22,322

$
775

$
43,807

$
21,063

$
22,579

$
5,354

$
28,142

$
262,536

Allowance for loan losses:
Ending balance impaired loans individually evaluated for impairment
$
5,922

$

$

$
197

$

$
3

$

$
171

$
6,293

Ending balance impaired loans collectively evaluated for impairment
977

571


1,152

474

9,652

210

12,384

25,420

Total impaired loans
$
6,899

$
571

$

$
1,349

$
474

$
9,655

$
210

$
12,555

$
31,713

Ending balance all other loans collectively evaluated for impairment
111,595

21,751

775

42,458

20,589

12,924

5,144

15,587

230,823

Total
$
118,494

$
22,322

$
775

$
43,807

$
21,063

$
22,579

$
5,354

$
28,142

$
262,536

Loans:
Ending balance impaired loans individually evaluated for impairment
$
55,148

$
11,174

$
1,763

$
3,822

$

$
170

$

$
6,877

$
78,954

Ending balance impaired loans collectively evaluated for impairment
31,871

9,537


21,679

1,482

20,416

1,190

65,134

151,309

Total impaired loans
$
87,019

$
20,711

$
1,763

$
25,501

$
1,482

$
20,586

$
1,190

$
72,011

$
230,263

Ending balance all other loans collectively evaluated for impairment
5,998,454

945,978

40,844

3,157,851

1,122,798

993,879

424,539

5,610,167

18,294,510

Total
$
6,085,473

$
966,689

$
42,607

$
3,183,352

$
1,124,280

$
1,014,465

$
425,729

$
5,682,178

$
18,524,773

The allocation methodology used by the Corporation includes allocations for specifically identified impaired loans and loss factor allocations (used for both criticized and non-criticized loan categories), with a component primarily based on historical loss rates and a component primarily based on other qualitative factors. Management allocates the allowance for loan losses by pools of risk within each loan portfolio. The allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan portfolio is made for analytical purposes and is not necessarily indicative of the trend of future loan losses in any particular category. At September 30, 2015 , $29 million of the commercial and industrial allowance for loan losses was attributable to Oil and Gas related credits, compared to $17 million at December 31, 2014 . This allocated allowance for loan losses represented 3.83% and 2.26% of period end Oil and Gas related loans at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The total allowance for loan losses is available to absorb losses from any segment of the loan portfolio.

18


For comparison purposes, a summary of the changes in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 , was as follows.
$ in Thousands
Commercial
and
industrial
Commercial
real estate -
owner
occupied
Lease
financing
Commercial
real estate -
investor
Real estate
construction
Home
equity
Installment
and credit
cards
Residential
mortgage
Total
Balance at Dec 31, 2013
$
104,501

$
19,476

$
1,607

$
58,156

$
23,418

$
27,932

$
2,416

$
30,809

$
268,315

Provision for loan losses
14,767

(1,296
)
35

(17,290
)
(1,277
)
6,278

6,279

5,504

13,000

Charge offs
(14,633
)
(3,476
)
(39
)
(4,529
)
(1,958
)
(10,946
)
(2,876
)
(5,639
)
(44,096
)
Recoveries
11,390

1,806

7

9,996

816

3,200

616

1,252

29,083

Balance at Dec 31, 2014
$
116,025

$
16,510

$
1,610

$
46,333

$
20,999

$
26,464

$
6,435

$
31,926

$
266,302

Allowance for loan losses:
Ending balance impaired loans individually evaluated for impairment
$
13,615

$
1,490

$
574

$
1,649

$
328

$
11

$

$
199

$
17,866

Ending balance impaired loans collectively evaluated for impairment
2,852

1,731


1,938

767

11,371

308

13,598

32,565

Total impaired loans
$
16,467

$
3,221

$
574

$
3,587

$
1,095

$
11,382

$
308

$
13,797

$
50,431

Ending balance all other loans collectively evaluated for impairment
99,558

13,289

1,036

42,746

19,904

15,082

6,127

18,129

215,871

Total
$
116,025

$
16,510

$
1,610

$
46,333

$
20,999

$
26,464

$
6,435

$
31,926

$
266,302

Loans:
Ending balance impaired loans individually evaluated for impairment
$
45,118

$
20,731

$
1,801

$
19,683

$
3,776

$
962

$

$
9,751

$
101,822

Ending balance impaired loans collectively evaluated for impairment
38,437

15,548


26,129

2,350

23,698

1,587

66,058

173,807

Total impaired loans
$
83,555

$
36,279

$
1,801

$
45,812

$
6,126

$
24,660

$
1,587

$
75,809

$
275,629

Ending balance all other loans collectively evaluated for impairment
5,822,347

971,658

49,728

3,010,673

1,002,830

1,027,267

452,632

4,981,082

17,318,217

Total
$
5,905,902

$
1,007,937

$
51,529

$
3,056,485

$
1,008,956

$
1,051,927

$
454,219

$
5,056,891

$
17,593,846

The following table presents commercial loans by credit quality indicator at September 30, 2015 .
Pass
Special
Mention
Potential
Problem
Impaired
Total
($ in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial
$
5,487,926

$
318,587

$
191,941

$
87,019

$
6,085,473

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
874,566

29,946

41,466

20,711

966,689

Lease financing
39,987

624

233

1,763

42,607

Commercial and business lending
6,402,479

349,157

233,640

109,493

7,094,769

Commercial real estate - investor
3,089,760

44,458

23,633

25,501

3,183,352

Real estate construction
1,120,173

271

2,354

1,482

1,124,280

Commercial real estate lending
4,209,933

44,729

25,987

26,983

4,307,632

Total commercial
$
10,612,412

$
393,886

$
259,627

$
136,476

$
11,402,401


19


The following table presents commercial loans by credit quality indicator at December 31, 2014 .
Pass
Special
Mention
Potential
Problem
Impaired
Total
($ in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial
$
5,594,497

$
119,328

$
108,522

$
83,555

$
5,905,902

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
904,526

18,437

48,695

36,279

1,007,937

Lease financing
46,931

88

2,709

1,801

51,529

Commercial and business lending
6,545,954

137,853

159,926

121,635

6,965,368

Commercial real estate - investor
2,974,493

12,137

24,043

45,812

3,056,485

Real estate construction
998,972

2,082

1,776

6,126

1,008,956

Commercial real estate lending
3,973,465

14,219

25,819

51,938

4,065,441

Total commercial
$
10,519,419

$
152,072

$
185,745

$
173,573

$
11,030,809

The following table presents consumer loans by credit quality indicator at September 30, 2015 .
Performing
30-89 Days
Past Due
Potential
Problem
Impaired
Total
($ in Thousands)
Home equity
$
985,087

$
8,565

$
227

$
20,586

$
1,014,465

Installment and credit cards
422,816

1,723


1,190

425,729

Residential mortgage
5,601,390

4,811

3,966

72,011

5,682,178

Total consumer
$
7,009,293

$
15,099

$
4,193

$
93,787

$
7,122,372

The following table presents consumer loans by credit quality indicator at December 31, 2014 .
Performing
30-89 Days
Past Due
Potential
Problem
Impaired
Total
($ in Thousands)
Home equity
$
1,017,604

$
8,783

$
880

$
24,660

$
1,051,927

Installment and credit cards
450,698

1,932

2

1,587

454,219

Residential mortgage
4,972,455

4,846

3,781

75,809

5,056,891

Total consumer
$
6,440,757

$
15,561

$
4,663

$
102,056

$
6,563,037

Factors that are important to managing overall credit quality are sound loan underwriting and administration, systematic monitoring of existing loans and commitments, effective loan review on an ongoing basis, early identification of potential problems, and appropriate allowance for loan losses, allowance for unfunded commitments, nonaccrual and charge off policies.
For commercial loans, management has determined the pass credit quality indicator to include credits that exhibit acceptable financial statements, cash flow, and leverage. If any risk exists, it is mitigated by the loan structure, collateral, monitoring, or control. For consumer loans, performing loans include credits that are performing in accordance with the original contractual terms. Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Special mention credits have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the credit. Potential problem loans are considered inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or the collateral pledged. These loans generally have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses that may jeopardize liquidation of the debt and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Lastly, management considers a loan to be impaired when it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the note agreement, including both principal and interest. Management has determined that commercial and consumer loan relationships that have nonaccrual status or have had their terms restructured in a troubled debt restructuring meet this impaired loan definition. Commercial loans classified as special mention, potential problem, and impaired are reviewed at a minimum on a quarterly basis, while pass rated credits are reviewed on an annual basis or more frequently if the loan renewal is less than one year or if otherwise warranted.

20


The following table presents loans by past due status at September 30, 2015 .
30-59 Days
Past Due
60-89 Days
Past Due
90 Days or More
Past Due (a)
Total Past Due
Current
Total
($ in Thousands)
Accruing loans
Commercial and industrial
$
1,133

$
1,788

$
178

$
3,099

$
6,023,953

$
6,027,052

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
1,173

845


2,018

951,303

953,321

Lease financing
375



375

40,469

40,844

Commercial and business lending
2,681

2,633

178

5,492

7,015,725

7,021,217

Commercial real estate - investor
1,104

114


1,218

3,175,213

3,176,431

Real estate construction
312

61


373

1,122,910

1,123,283

Commercial real estate lending
1,416

175


1,591

4,298,123

4,299,714

Total commercial
4,097

2,808

178

7,083

11,313,848

11,320,931

Home equity
7,413

1,152


8,565

992,259

1,000,824

Installment and credit cards
1,162

561

1,306

3,029

422,314

425,343

Residential mortgage
4,345

466


4,811

5,625,410

5,630,221

Total consumer
12,920

2,179

1,306

16,405

7,039,983

7,056,388

Total accruing loans
$
17,017

$
4,987

$
1,484

$
23,488

$
18,353,831

$
18,377,319

Nonaccrual loans
Commercial and industrial
$
27

$
1,379

$
9,711

$
11,117

$
47,304

$
58,421

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
195


3,641

3,836

9,532

13,368

Lease financing




1,763

1,763

Commercial and business lending
222

1,379

13,352

14,953

58,599

73,552

Commercial real estate - investor


3,565

3,565

3,356

6,921

Real estate construction
61

108

445

614

383

997

Commercial real estate lending
61

108

4,010

4,179

3,739

7,918

Total commercial
283

1,487

17,362

19,132

62,338

81,470

Home equity
1,899

1,228

4,744

7,871

5,770

13,641

Installment and credit cards
47

23

164

234

152

386

Residential mortgage
4,675

4,215

19,946

28,836

23,121

51,957

Total consumer
6,621

5,466

24,854

36,941

29,043

65,984

Total nonaccrual loans (b)
$
6,904

$
6,953

$
42,216

$
56,073

$
91,381

$
147,454

Total loans
Commercial and industrial
$
1,160

$
3,167

$
9,889

$
14,216

$
6,071,257

$
6,085,473

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
1,368

845

3,641

5,854

960,835

966,689

Lease financing
375



375

42,232

42,607

Commercial and business lending
2,903

4,012

13,530

20,445

7,074,324

7,094,769

Commercial real estate - investor
1,104

114

3,565

4,783

3,178,569

3,183,352

Real estate construction
373

169

445

987

1,123,293

1,124,280

Commercial real estate lending
1,477

283

4,010

5,770

4,301,862

4,307,632

Total commercial
4,380

4,295

17,540

26,215

11,376,186

11,402,401

Home equity
9,312

2,380

4,744

16,436

998,029

1,014,465

Installment and credit cards
1,209

584

1,470

3,263

422,466

425,729

Residential mortgage
9,020

4,681

19,946

33,647

5,648,531

5,682,178

Total consumer
19,541

7,645

26,160

53,346

7,069,026

7,122,372

Total loans
$
23,921

$
11,940

$
43,700

$
79,561

$
18,445,212

$
18,524,773

(a)
The recorded investment in loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing totaled $1 million at September 30, 2015 (the same as the reported balances for the accruing loans noted above).
(b)
The percent of nonaccrual loans which are current was 62% at September 30, 2015 .


21


The following table presents loans by past due status at December 31, 2014 .
30-59 Days
Past Due
60-89 Days
Past Due
90 Days or More
Past Due (a)
Total Past Due
Current
Total
($ in Thousands)
Accruing loans
Commercial and industrial
$
4,466

$
10,281

$
254

$
15,001

$
5,841,238

$
5,856,239

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
8,429

2,199


10,628

971,484

982,112

Lease financing




49,728

49,728

Commercial and business lending
12,895

12,480

254

25,629

6,862,450

6,888,079

Commercial real estate - investor
712

496


1,208

3,032,592

3,033,800

Real estate construction
951

33


984

1,002,573

1,003,557

Commercial real estate lending
1,663

529


2,192

4,035,165

4,037,357

Total commercial
14,558

13,009

254

27,821

10,897,615

10,925,436

Home equity
6,988

1,795

52

8,835

1,026,641

1,035,476

Installment and credit cards
1,186

746

1,317

3,249

450,357

453,606

Residential mortgage
3,889

957


4,846

4,997,069

5,001,915

Total consumer
12,063

3,498

1,369

16,930

6,474,067

6,490,997

Total accruing loans
$
26,621

$
16,507

$
1,623

$
44,751

$
17,371,682

$
17,416,433

Nonaccrual loans
Commercial and industrial
$
872

$
627

$
10,154

$
11,653

$
38,010

$
49,663

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
3,197

41

8,596

11,834

13,991

25,825

Lease financing


513

513

1,288

1,801

Commercial and business lending
4,069

668

19,263

24,000

53,289

77,289

Commercial real estate - investor
1,857

459

12,765

15,081

7,604

22,685

Real estate construction
87

73

798

958

4,441

5,399

Commercial real estate lending
1,944

532

13,563

16,039

12,045

28,084

Total commercial
6,013

1,200

32,826

40,039

65,334

105,373

Home equity
1,471

1,766

6,840

10,077

6,374

16,451

Installment and credit cards
96

39

141

276

337

613

Residential mortgage
5,172

3,193

23,492

31,857

23,119

54,976

Total consumer
6,739

4,998

30,473

42,210

29,830

72,040

Total nonaccrual loans (b)
$
12,752

$
6,198

$
63,299

$
82,249

$
95,164

$
177,413

Total loans
Commercial and industrial
$
5,338

$
10,908

$
10,408

$
26,654

$
5,879,248

$
5,905,902

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
11,626

2,240

8,596

22,462

985,475

1,007,937

Lease financing


513

513

51,016

51,529

Commercial and business lending
16,964

13,148

19,517

49,629

6,915,739

6,965,368

Commercial real estate - investor
2,569

955

12,765

16,289

3,040,196

3,056,485

Real estate construction
1,038

106

798

1,942

1,007,014

1,008,956

Commercial real estate lending
3,607

1,061

13,563

18,231

4,047,210

4,065,441

Total commercial
20,571

14,209

33,080

67,860

10,962,949

11,030,809

Home equity
8,459

3,561

6,892

18,912

1,033,015

1,051,927

Installment and credit cards
1,282

785

1,458

3,525

450,694

454,219

Residential mortgage
9,061

4,150

23,492

36,703

5,020,188

5,056,891

Total consumer
18,802

8,496

31,842

59,140

6,503,897

6,563,037

Total loans
$
39,373

$
22,705

$
64,922

$
127,000

$
17,466,846

$
17,593,846

(a)
The recorded investment in loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing totaled $2 million at December 31, 2014 (the same as the reported balances for the accruing loans noted above).
(b)
The percent of nonaccrual loans which are current was 54% at December 31, 2014 .


22


The following table presents impaired loans at September 30, 2015 .
Recorded
Investment
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Related
Allowance
YTD
Average
Recorded
Investment
YTD Interest
Income
Recognized (a)
($ in Thousands)
Loans with a related allowance
Commercial and industrial
$
58,855

$
60,303

$
6,899

$
59,502

$
970

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
9,537

9,660

571

9,784

274

Lease financing





Commercial and business lending
68,392

69,963

7,470

69,286

1,244

Commercial real estate - investor
23,916

25,594

1,349

24,119

834

Real estate construction
1,482

2,112

474

1,643

42

Commercial real estate lending
25,398

27,706

1,823

25,762

876

Total commercial
93,790

97,669

9,293

95,048

2,120

Home equity
20,526

22,682

9,655

21,207

816

Installment and credit cards
1,190

1,292

210

1,252

25

Residential mortgage
67,333

72,537

12,555

68,551

1,731

Total consumer
89,049

96,511

22,420

91,010

2,572

Total loans
$
182,839

$
194,180

$
31,713

$
186,058

$
4,692

Loans with no related allowance
Commercial and industrial
$
28,164

$
29,187

$

$
32,848

$
548

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
11,174

11,571


11,594

89

Lease financing
1,763

1,763


1,980


Commercial and business lending
41,101

42,521


46,422

637

Commercial real estate - investor
1,585

1,675


1,596

34

Real estate construction





Commercial real estate lending
1,585

1,675


1,596

34

Total commercial
42,686

44,196


48,018

671

Home equity
60

60


60

1

Installment and credit cards





Residential mortgage
4,678

4,932


4,700

57

Total consumer
4,738

4,992


4,760

58

Total loans
$
47,424

$
49,188

$

$
52,778

$
729

Total impaired loans
Commercial and industrial
$
87,019

$
89,490

$
6,899

$
92,350

$
1,518

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
20,711

21,231

571

21,378

363

Lease financing
1,763

1,763


1,980


Commercial and business lending
109,493

112,484

7,470

115,708

1,881

Commercial real estate - investor
25,501

27,269

1,349

25,715

868

Real estate construction
1,482

2,112

474

1,643

42

Commercial real estate lending
26,983

29,381

1,823

27,358

910

Total commercial
136,476

141,865

9,293

143,066

2,791

Home equity
20,586

22,742

9,655

21,267

817

Installment and credit cards
1,190

1,292

210

1,252

25

Residential mortgage
72,011

77,469

12,555

73,251

1,788

Total consumer
93,787

101,503

22,420

95,770

2,630

Total impaired loans (b)
$
230,263

$
243,368

$
31,713

$
238,836

$
5,421

(a)
Interest income recognized included $3 million of interest income recognized on accruing restructured loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 .
(b)
The implied fair value mark on all impaired loans at September 30, 2015 was 82% of their unpaid principal balance. The fair value mark is calculated as the recorded investment, net of the related allowance, divided by the unpaid principal balance.



23


The following table presents impaired loans at December 31, 2014 .
Recorded
Investment
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Related
Allowance
YTD
Average
Recorded
Investment
YTD Interest
Income
Recognized (a)
($ in Thousands)
Loans with a related allowance
Commercial and industrial
$
76,433

$
80,414

$
16,467

$
80,004

$
3,139

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
19,839

21,807

3,221

20,878

681

Lease financing
1,801

1,801

574

2,009


Commercial and business lending
98,073

104,022

20,262

102,891

3,820

Commercial real estate - investor
36,841

40,869

3,587

38,657

1,250

Real estate construction
3,043

5,910

1,095

3,818

105

Commercial real estate lending
39,884

46,779

4,682

42,475

1,355

Total commercial
137,957

150,801

24,944

145,366

5,175

Home equity
23,874

26,585

11,382

25,087

1,257

Installment and credit cards
1,587

1,795

308

1,736

58

Residential mortgage
68,748

74,005

13,797

70,030

2,307

Total consumer
94,209

102,385

25,487

96,853

3,622

Total loans
$
232,166

$
253,186

$
50,431

$
242,219

$
8,797

Loans with no related allowance
Commercial and industrial
$
7,122

$
12,634

$

$
8,851

$
82

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
16,440

19,019


17,970

219

Lease financing





Commercial and business lending
23,562

31,653


26,821

301

Commercial real estate - investor
8,971

14,036


10,014

133

Real estate construction
3,083

3,815


3,241


Commercial real estate lending
12,054

17,851


13,255

133

Total commercial
35,616

49,504


40,076

434

Home equity
786

806


851

18

Installment and credit cards





Residential mortgage
7,061

7,315


7,224

135

Total consumer
7,847

8,121


8,075

153

Total loans
$
43,463

$
57,625

$

$
48,151

$
587

Total impaired loans
Commercial and industrial
$
83,555

$
93,048

$
16,467

$
88,855

$
3,221

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
36,279

40,826

3,221

38,848

900

Lease financing
1,801

1,801

574

2,009


Commercial and business lending
121,635

135,675

20,262

129,712

4,121

Commercial real estate - investor
45,812

54,905

3,587

48,671

1,383

Real estate construction
6,126

9,725

1,095

7,059

105

Commercial real estate lending
51,938

64,630

4,682

55,730

1,488

Total commercial
173,573

200,305

24,944

185,442

5,609

Home equity
24,660

27,391

11,382

25,938

1,275

Installment and credit cards
1,587

1,795

308

1,736

58

Residential mortgage
75,809

81,320

13,797

77,254

2,442

Total consumer
102,056

110,506

25,487

104,928

3,775

Total impaired loans (b)
$
275,629

$
310,811

$
50,431

$
290,370

$
9,384

(a)
Interest income recognized included $5 million of interest income recognized on accruing restructured loans for the year ended December 31, 2014 .
(b)
The implied fair value mark on all impaired loans at December 31, 2014 was 72% of their unpaid principal balance. The fair value mark is calculated as the recorded investment, net of the related allowance, divided by the unpaid principal balance.


24


Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when contractually past due 90 days or more as to interest or principal payments, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Additionally, whenever management becomes aware of facts or circumstances that may adversely impact the collectability of principal or interest on loans, it is management’s practice to place such loans on nonaccrual status immediately, rather than delaying such action until the loans become 90 days past due. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed, amortization of related deferred loan fees or costs is suspended, and income is recorded only to the extent that interest payments are subsequently received in cash and a determination has been made that the principal and interest of the loan is collectible. If collectability of the principal and interest is in doubt, payments received are applied to loan principal.
While a loan is in nonaccrual status, some or all of the cash interest payments received may be treated as interest income on a cash basis as long as the remaining recorded investment in the asset (i.e., after charge off of identified losses, if any) is deemed to be fully collectible. The determination as to the ultimate collectability of the asset’s remaining recorded investment must be supported by a current, well documented, credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and prospects for repayment, including consideration of the borrower’s sustained historical repayment performance and other relevant factors. A nonaccrual loan is returned to accrual status when all delinquent principal and interest payments become current in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement, the borrower has demonstrated a period of sustained repayment performance, and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. A sustained period of repayment performance generally would be a minimum of six months.
Troubled Debt Restructurings (“Restructured Loans”)
Loans are considered restructured loans if concessions have been granted to borrowers that are experiencing financial difficulty. The concessions granted generally involve the modification of terms of the loan, such as changes in payment schedule or interest rate, which generally would not otherwise be considered. Restructured loans can involve loans remaining on nonaccrual, moving to nonaccrual, or continuing on accrual status, depending on the individual facts and circumstances of the borrower. Nonaccrual restructured loans are included and treated with all other nonaccrual loans. In addition, all accruing restructured loans are reported as troubled debt restructurings, which are considered and accounted for as impaired loans. Generally, restructured loans remain on nonaccrual until the customer has attained a sustained period of repayment performance under the modified loan terms (generally a minimum of six months). However, performance prior to the restructuring, or significant events that coincide with the restructuring, are considered in assessing whether the borrower can meet the new terms and whether the loan should be returned to or maintained on accrual status. If the borrower’s ability to meet the revised payment schedule is not reasonably assured, the loan remains on nonaccrual status. The Corporation had an $18 million recorded investment in loans modified in troubled debt restructurings for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , of which $2 million was in accrual status and $16 million was in nonaccrual pending a sustained period of repayment.
All restructured loans are disclosed as restructured loans in the calendar year of restructuring. In subsequent years, a restructured loan modified at a market rate that has performed according to the modified terms for at least six months will cease being disclosed as a restructured loan. A loan that has been modified at a below market rate will return to performing status if it satisfies the six month performance requirement; however, it will remain classified as a restructured loan. The following table presents nonaccrual and performing restructured loans by loan portfolio.
September 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
Performing
Restructured
Loans
Nonaccrual
Restructured
Loans *
Performing
Restructured
Loans
Nonaccrual
Restructured
Loans *
($ in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial
$
28,598

$
1,946

$
33,892

$
3,260

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
7,343

2,796

10,454

5,656

Commercial real estate - investor
18,580

4,268

23,127

15,216

Real estate construction
485

173

727

2,438

Home equity
6,945

4,137

8,209

4,838

Installment and credit cards
804

65

974

199

Residential mortgage
20,054

23,198

20,833

26,049

Total
$
82,809

$
36,583

$
98,216

$
57,656

*
Nonaccrual restructured loans have been included with nonaccrual loans.

25


The following table provides the number of loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring by loan portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , and the recorded investment and unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2015 .
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Number of
Loans
Recorded
Investment (1)
Unpaid
Principal
Balance (2)
Number of
Loans
Recorded
Investment (1)
Unpaid
Principal
Balance (2)
($ in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial
5

$
893

$
896

10

$
2,410

$
3,033

Commercial real estate - owner occupied



4

2,847

3,007

Commercial real estate - investor
2

711

761

3

2,949

2,998

Real estate construction



1

5

5

Home equity
27

840

940

61

2,109

2,220

Residential mortgage
33

2,612

2,721

77

7,393

7,586

Total
67

$
5,056

$
5,318

156

$
17,713

$
18,849

(1)
Represents post-modification outstanding recorded investment.
(2)
Represents pre-modification outstanding recorded investment.
The following table provides the number of loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring by loan portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , and the recorded investment and unpaid principal balance as of September 30, 2014 .
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Number of
Loans
Recorded
Investment (1)
Unpaid
Principal
Balance (2)
Number of
Loans
Recorded
Investment (1)
Unpaid
Principal
Balance (2)
($ in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial
10

$
7,383

$
7,384

13

$
7,695

$
7,707

Commercial real estate - owner occupied



2

1,123

1,260

Commercial real estate - investor
3

5,603

5,918

4

6,096

6,425

Real estate construction
1

8

8

2

14

14

Home equity
38

1,121

1,179

85

2,784

2,970

Installment and credit cards
2

25

25

3

34

45

Residential mortgage
49

4,364

4,654

94

8,627

9,178

Total
103

$
18,504

$
19,168

203

$
26,373

$
27,599

(1)
Represents post-modification outstanding recorded investment.
(2)
Represents pre-modification outstanding recorded investment.
Restructured loan modifications may include payment schedule modifications, interest rate concessions, maturity date extensions, modification of note structure (A/B Note), non-reaffirmed Chapter 7 bankruptcies, principal reduction, or some combination of these concessions. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , restructured loan modifications of commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and real estate construction loans primarily included maturity date extensions and payment schedule modifications. Restructured loan modifications of home equity and residential mortgage loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 primarily included maturity date extensions, interest rate concessions, payment schedule modifications, non-reaffirmed Chapter 7 bankruptcies, or a combination of these concessions.

26


The following table provides the number of loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring during the previous 12 months which subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as well as the recorded investment in these restructured loans as of September 30, 2015 .
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Number of
Loans
Recorded
Investment
Number of
Loans
Recorded
Investment
($ in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial
1

$
153

1

$
153

Commercial real estate - owner occupied


1

297

Home equity
14

421

21

627

Residential mortgage
18

1,858

45

4,176

Total
33

$
2,432

68

$
5,253

The following table provides the number of loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring during the previous 12 months which subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , as well as the recorded investment in these restructured loans as of September 30, 2014 .
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Number of
Loans
Recorded
Investment
Number of
Loans
Recorded
Investment
($ in Thousands)
Commercial and industrial

$

1

$
52

Commercial real estate - owner occupied


2

203

Commercial real estate - investor
1

493

2

1,613

Real estate construction


1

160

Home equity
11

312

20

598

Installment and credit cards
1

10

3

34

Residential mortgage
19

1,557

55

5,084

Total
32

$
2,372

84

$
7,744

All loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring are evaluated for impairment. The nature and extent of the impairment of restructured loans, including those which have experienced a subsequent payment default, is considered in the determination of an appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses.
NOTE 8: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill is not amortized but, instead, is subject to impairment tests on at least an annual basis, and more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The impairment testing process is conducted by assigning net assets and goodwill to each reporting unit. An initial qualitative evaluation is made to assess the likelihood of impairment and determine whether further quantitative testing to calculate the fair value is necessary. When the qualitative evaluation indicates that impairment is more likely than not, quantitative testing is required whereby the fair value of each reporting unit is calculated and compared to the recorded book value, “step one.” If the calculated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired and “step two” is not considered necessary. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its calculated fair value, the impairment test continues (“step two”) by comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value is computed by adjusting all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to current fair value with the offset adjustment to goodwill. The adjusted goodwill balance is the implied fair value of the goodwill. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill.
The Corporation conducted its most recent annual impairment test in May 2015, utilizing a qualitative assessment. Factors that management considered in this assessment included macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance of the Corporation and each reporting unit (both current and projected), changes in management strategy, and changes in the composition or carrying amount of net assets. In addition, management considered the increases in both the Corporation’s common stock price and in the overall bank common stock index (based on the NASDAQ Bank Index and the S&P 400 Regional Bank Sub-Industry Index), as well as the Corporation’s earnings per common share trend over the past year. Based

27


on these assessments, management concluded that the 2015 annual qualitative impairment assessment indicated that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value (including goodwill) for each reporting unit. Therefore, a step one quantitative analysis was not required. There were no events since the date of the last impairment testing that have changed the Corporation's impairment assessment conclusion.
At September 30, 2015 , the Corporation had goodwill of $969 million , compared to $929 million at December 31, 2014. There was an addition to the carrying amount of goodwill of approximately $40 million for the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. See Note 2 for additional information on the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition.
Other Intangible Assets
The Corporation has other intangible assets that are amortized, consisting of core deposit intangibles, other intangibles (primarily related to customer relationships acquired in connection with the Corporation’s insurance agency acquisitions), and mortgage servicing rights. There was an addition to the gross carrying amount of other intangibles of approximately $12 million for the customer relationships acquired with the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. See Note 2 for additional information on the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition. For core deposit intangibles and other intangibles, changes in the gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization, and net book value were as follows.
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
Year Ended December 31, 2014
($ in Thousands)
Core deposit intangibles:
Gross carrying amount
$
36,230

$
36,230

Accumulated amortization
(35,759
)
(34,433
)
Net book value
$
471

$
1,797

Amortization during the period
$
1,326

$
2,868

Other intangibles:
Gross carrying amount
$
31,398

$
19,283

Accumulated amortization
(14,891
)
(13,643
)
Net book value
$
16,507

$
5,640

Additions during the period
$
12,115

$

Amortization during the period
$
1,248

$
879

The Corporation sells residential mortgage loans in the secondary market and typically retains the right to service the loans sold. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income, and assessed for impairment at each reporting date.
The Corporation periodically evaluates its mortgage servicing rights asset for impairment. Impairment is assessed based on fair value at each reporting date using estimated prepayment speeds of the underlying mortgage loans serviced and stratifications based on the risk characteristics of the underlying loans (predominantly loan type and note interest rate). As mortgage interest rates fall, prepayment speeds are usually faster and the value of the mortgage servicing rights asset generally decreases, requiring additional valuation reserve. Conversely, as mortgage interest rates rise, prepayment speeds are usually slower and the value of the mortgage servicing rights asset generally increases, requiring less valuation reserve. A valuation allowance is established, through a charge to earnings, to the extent the amortized cost of the mortgage servicing rights exceeds the estimated fair value by stratification. If it is later determined that all or a portion of the temporary impairment no longer exists for a stratification, the valuation is reduced through a recovery to earnings. An other-than-temporary impairment (i.e., recoverability is considered remote when considering interest rates and loan pay off activity) is recognized as a write-down of the mortgage servicing rights asset and the related valuation allowance (to the extent a valuation allowance is available) and then against earnings. A direct write-down permanently reduces the carrying value of the mortgage servicing rights asset and valuation allowance, precluding subsequent recoveries. See Note 13 for a discussion of the recourse provisions on sold residential mortgage loans. See Note 14 which further discusses fair value measurement relative to the mortgage servicing rights asset.

28


A summary of changes in the balance of the mortgage servicing rights asset and the mortgage servicing rights valuation allowance was as follows.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Year Ended December 31, 2014
($ in Thousands)
Mortgage servicing rights:
Mortgage servicing rights at beginning of period
$
61,379

$
64,193

Additions
9,853

8,253

Amortization
(8,902
)
(11,067
)
Mortgage servicing rights at end of period
$
62,330

$
61,379

Valuation allowance at beginning of period
(1,234
)
(913
)
(Additions) recoveries, net
306

(321
)
Valuation allowance at end of period
(928
)
(1,234
)
Mortgage servicing rights, net
$
61,402

$
60,145

Fair value of mortgage servicing rights
$
67,794

$
66,342

Portfolio of residential mortgage loans serviced for others (“servicing portfolio”)
$
7,906,960

$
7,999,294

Mortgage servicing rights, net to servicing portfolio
0.78
%
0.75
%
Mortgage servicing rights expense (1)
$
8,596

$
11,388

(1)
Includes the amortization of mortgage servicing rights and additions/recoveries to the valuation allowance of mortgage servicing rights, and is a component of mortgage banking, net, in the consolidated statements of income.
The following table shows the estimated future amortization expense for amortizing intangible assets. The projections of amortization expense are based on existing asset balances, the current interest rate environment, and prepayment speeds as of September 30, 2015 . The actual amortization expense the Corporation recognizes in any given period may be significantly different depending upon acquisition or sale activities, changes in interest rates, prepayment speeds, market conditions, regulatory requirements, and events or circumstances that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Estimated amortization expense:
Core Deposit
Intangibles
Other
Intangibles
Mortgage Servicing
Rights
($ in Thousands)
Three months ending December 31, 2015
$
78

$
442

$
2,869

Year ending December 31, 2016
281

1,735

10,147

Year ending December 31, 2017
112

1,702

8,341

Year ending December 31, 2018

1,672

6,919

Year ending December 31, 2019

1,373

5,781

Year ending December 31, 2020

1,256

4,842

Beyond 2020

8,327

23,431

Total Estimated Amortization Expense
$
471

$
16,507

$
62,330


29


NOTE 9: Short and Long-Term Funding
The components of short-term funding (funding with original contractual maturities of one year or less) and long-term funding (funding with original contractual maturities greater than one year) were as follows.
September 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
($ in Thousands)
Short-Term Funding
Federal funds purchased
$
177,940

$
109,770

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
524,629

384,221

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
$
702,569

$
493,991

FHLB advances
260,000

500,000

Commercial paper
59,766

74,297

Other short-term funding
319,766

574,297

Total short-term funding
$
1,022,335

$
1,068,288

Long-Term Funding
FHLB advances
$
1,750,234

$
3,000,260

Senior notes, at par
680,000

680,000

Subordinated notes, at par
250,000

250,000

Other long-term funding and capitalized costs
(692
)
(143
)
Total long-term funding
2,679,542

3,930,117

Total short and long-term funding
$
3,701,877

$
4,998,405


Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements")
The Corporation enters into agreements under which it sells securities subject to an obligation to repurchase the same or similar securities. Under these arrangements, the Corporation may transfer legal control over the assets but still retain effective control through an agreement that both entitles and obligates the Corporation to repurchase the assets. The obligation to repurchase the securities is reflected as a liability on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets, while the securities underlying the repurchase agreements remain in the respective investment securities asset accounts (i.e., there is no offsetting or netting of the investment securities assets with the repurchase agreement liabilities). See Note 12 for additional disclosures on balance sheet offsetting.
The Corporation utilizes securities sold under agreements to repurchase to facilitate the needs of its customers. As of September 30, 2015, the Corporation pledged GSE mortgage-related securities with a fair value of $648 million as collateral for the repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements are maintained with the Corporation's safekeeping agents and are monitored on a daily basis due to the market risk of fair value changes in the underlying securities. The Corporation generally pledges excess securities to ensure there is sufficient collateral to satisfy short-term fluctuations in both the repurchase agreement balances and the fair value of the underlying securities.
The remaining contractual maturity of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 is presented in the following table.
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
September 30, 2015
Overnight and Continuous
Up to 30 days
30-90 days
Greater than 90 days
Total
($ in Thousands)
Repurchase agreements
GSE securities
$
524,629

$

$

$

$
524,629

Total
$
524,629

$

$

$

$
524,629

Gross amounts of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements
$
524,629



30


Long-term funding:

FHLB Advances: Long-term FHLB advances had a weighted-average interest rate of 0.13% at September 30, 2015 and 0.11% at December 31, 2014 . The FHLB advances are indexed to the FHLB discount note and reprice at varying intervals. The advances offer flexible, low cost, long-term funding that improves the Corporation’s liquidity profile.
2011 Senior Notes: In March 2011, the Corporation issued $300 million of senior notes due March 2016, and callable February 2016, with a 5.125% fixed coupon at a discount. In September 2011, the Corporation “re-opened” the offering and issued an additional $130 million of the same notes at a premium.
2014 Senior Notes: In November 2014, the Corporation issued $ 250 million of senior notes, due November 2019, and callable October 2019. The senior notes have a fixed coupon interest rate of 2.75% and were issued at a discount.
2014 Subordinated Notes: In November 2014, the Corporation issued $250 million of 10 -year subordinated notes, due January 2025, and callable October 2024. The subordinated notes have a fixed coupon interest rate of 4.25% and were issued at a discount.
NOTE 10: Income Taxes
The Corporation recognized income tax expense of $66 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , compared to income tax expense of $67 million for the comparable period in 2014 . The effective tax rate was 31.14% for the first nine months of 2015 , compared to an effective tax rate of 32.02% for the first nine months of 2014 .
NOTE 11: Derivative and Hedging Activities
The Corporation facilitates customer borrowing activity by providing various interest rate risk management solutions through its capital markets area. To date, all of the notional amounts of customer transactions have been matched with a mirror swap with another counterparty. The Corporation has used, and may again use in the future, derivative instruments to hedge the variability in interest payments or protect the value of certain assets and liabilities recorded on its consolidated balance sheets from changes in interest rates. The predominant derivative and hedging activities include interest rate-related instruments (swaps and caps), foreign currency exchange forwards, written options, purchased options, and certain mortgage banking activities. The contract or notional amount of a derivative is used to determine, along with the other terms of the derivative, the amounts to be exchanged between the counterparties. The Corporation is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instruments. To mitigate the counterparty risk, interest rate-related instruments generally contain language outlining collateral pledging requirements for each counterparty. Collateral must be posted when the market value exceeds certain mutually agreed upon threshold limits. The Corporation was required to pledge $10 million of investment securities as collateral at September 30, 2015 , and pledged $11 million of investment securities as collateral at December 31, 2014 . Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as of June 10, 2013, the Corporation must clear all LIBOR interest rate swaps through a clearing house if it can be cleared. As such, the Corporation is required to pledge cash collateral for the margin. At September 30, 2015 , the Corporation posted cash collateral for the margin of $33 million , compared to $15 million at December 31, 2014 .
The Corporation’s derivative and hedging instruments are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the Corporation’s interest rate-related instruments is determined using discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative and also includes a nonperformance / credit risk component (credit valuation adjustment). See Note 14 for additional fair value information and disclosures.

31


The table below identifies the balance sheet category and fair values of the Corporation’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments.
Weighted Average
($ in Thousands)
Notional
Amount
Fair
Value
Balance Sheet
Category
Receive
Rate (1)
Pay
Rate (1)
Maturity
September 30, 2015
Interest rate-related instruments — customer and mirror
$
1,706,721

$
42,593

Trading assets
1.42%
1.42%
41 months
Interest rate-related instruments — customer and mirror
1,706,721

(44,857
)
Trading liabilities
1.42%
1.42%
41 months
Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
173,622

2,584

Other assets
--
--
---
Forward commitments (mortgage)
245,138

(1,982
)
Other liabilities
--
--
---
Foreign currency exchange forwards
54,421

1,159

Trading assets
--
--
---
Foreign currency exchange forwards
46,201

(960
)
Trading liabilities
--
--
---
Purchased options (time deposit)
105,345

2,915

Other assets
--
--
---
Written options (time deposit)
105,345

(2,915
)
Other liabilities
--
--
---
December 31, 2014
Interest rate-related instruments — customer and mirror
$
1,636,480

$
33,023

Trading assets
1.60%
1.60%
42 months
Interest rate-related instruments — customer and mirror
1,636,480

(35,372
)
Trading liabilities
1.60%
1.60%
42 months
Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
126,379

1,947

Other assets
--
--
---
Forward commitments (mortgage)
234,500

(2,435
)
Other liabilities
--
--
---
Foreign currency exchange forwards
60,742

2,140

Trading assets
--
--
---
Foreign currency exchange forwards
56,573

(1,957
)
Trading liabilities
--
--
---
Purchased options (time deposit)
110,347

6,054

Other assets
--
--
---
Written options (time deposit)
110,347

(6,054
)
Other liabilities
--
--
---
(1)
Reflects the weighted average receive rate and pay rate for the interest rate swap derivative financial instruments only.
The table below identifies the income statement category of the gains and losses recognized in income on the Corporation’s derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments.
Income Statement Category of
Gain /(Loss) Recognized in Income
Gain /(Loss)
Recognized in Income
($ in Thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Interest rate-related instruments — customer and mirror, net
Capital market fees, net
$
85

Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
Mortgage banking, net
637

Forward commitments (mortgage)
Mortgage banking, net
453

Foreign currency exchange forwards
Capital market fees, net
16

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Interest rate-related instruments — customer and mirror, net
Capital market fees, net
$
626

Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
Mortgage banking, net
1,024

Forward commitments (mortgage)
Mortgage banking, net
(1,924
)
Foreign currency exchange forwards
Capital market fees, net
118

Free standing derivatives

The Corporation enters into various derivative contracts which are designated as free standing derivative contracts. These derivative contracts are not designated against specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or forecasted transactions and, therefore, do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Such derivative contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in the fair value recorded as a component of Capital market fees, net, and typically include interest rate-related instruments (swaps and caps).


32


Free standing derivative products are entered into primarily for the benefit of commercial customers seeking to manage their exposures to interest rate risk. The Corporation’s market risk from unfavorable movements in interest rates related to these derivative contracts is generally economically hedged by concurrently entering into offsetting derivative contracts. The offsetting derivative contracts have identical notional values, terms and indices. See Note 12 for additional information and disclosures on balance sheet offsetting.

Mortgage derivatives

Interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale and forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans are considered derivative instruments, and the fair value of these commitments is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets with the changes in fair value recorded as a component of mortgage banking, net.

Foreign currency exchange derivatives

The Corporation provides foreign currency exchange services to customers, primarily forward contracts. Our customers enter into a foreign currency exchange forward with the Corporation as a means for them to mitigate exchange rate risk. The Corporation mitigates its risk by then entering into an offsetting foreign currency exchange derivative contract. Such foreign currency exchange contracts are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded as a component of Capital market fees, net.

Written and purchased option derivatives (time deposit)

Historically, the Corporation had entered into written and purchased option derivative instruments to facilitate an equity linked time deposit product (the “Power CD”), which the Corporation ceased offering in September 2013. The Power CD was a time deposit that provided the purchaser a guaranteed return of principal at maturity plus a potential equity return (a written option), while the Corporation received a known stream of funds based on the equity return (a purchased option). The written and purchased options are mirror derivative instruments which are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.
NOTE 12: Balance Sheet Offsetting
Interest Rate-Related Instruments (“Interest Agreements”)
The Corporation enters into interest rate-related instruments to facilitate the interest rate risk management strategies of commercial customers. The Corporation mitigates this risk by entering into equal and offsetting interest rate-related instruments with highly rated third party financial institutions. The interest agreements are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value in the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets. The Corporation is party to master netting arrangements with its financial institution counterparties; however, the Corporation does not offset assets and liabilities under these arrangements for financial statement presentation purposes. The master netting arrangements provide for a single net settlement of all interest agreements, as well as collateral, in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract. Collateral, usually in the form of investment securities and cash, is posted by the counterparty with net liability positions in accordance with contract thresholds. See Note 11 for additional information on the Corporation’s derivative and hedging activities.
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase (“Repurchase Agreements”)
The Corporation enters into agreements under which it sells securities subject to an obligation to repurchase the same or similar securities. These repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing arrangements (i.e., secured borrowings) and not as a sale and subsequent repurchase of securities (i.e., there is no offsetting or netting of the investment securities assets with the repurchase agreement liabilities). The right of set-off for a repurchase agreement resembles a secured borrowing, whereby the collateral would be used to settle the fair value of the repurchase agreement should the Corporation be in default (e.g., fails to make an interest payment to the counterparty). In addition, the Corporation does not enter into reverse repurchase agreements; therefore, there is no such offsetting to be done with the repurchase agreements. See Note 9 for additional disclosures on repurchase agreements.

33


The following table presents the assets and liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . The interest agreements we have with our commercial customers are not subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement, and therefore, are excluded from this table.
Gross
amounts
recognized
Gross amounts
offset in the
balance sheet
Net amounts
presented in
the balance sheet
Gross amounts not offset
in the balance sheet
Financial
instruments
Collateral
Net amount
September 30, 2015
($ in Thousands)
Derivative assets:
Interest rate-related instruments
$
48

$

$
48

$
(48
)
$

$

Derivative liabilities:
Interest rate-related instruments
$
44,210

$

$
44,210

$
(48
)
$
(42,658
)
$
1,504

December 31, 2014
Derivative assets:
Interest rate-related instruments
$
558

$

$
558

$
(558
)
$

$

Derivative liabilities:
Interest rate-related instruments
$
34,087

$

$
34,087

$
(558
)
$
(26,105
)
$
7,424

NOTE 13: Commitments, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, and Contingent Liabilities
The Corporation utilizes a variety of financial instruments in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of its customers and to manage its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include lending-related and other commitments (see below) and derivative instruments (see Note 11). The following is a summary of lending-related commitments.
September 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
($ in Thousands)
Commitments to extend credit, excluding commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale(1)(2)
$
6,935,786

$
6,884,411

Commercial letters of credit (1)
11,484

9,179

Standby letters of credit (3)
317,079

353,292

(1)
These off-balance sheet financial instruments are exercisable at the market rate prevailing at the date the underlying transaction will be completed and, thus, are deemed to have no current fair value, or the fair value is based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements and is not material at September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014 .
(2)
Interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale are considered derivative instruments and are disclosed in Note 11.
(3)
The Corporation has established a liability of $3 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $4 million at December 31, 2014 , as an estimate of the fair value of these financial instruments.
Lending-related Commitments
As a financial services provider, the Corporation routinely enters into commitments to extend credit. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval process accorded to loans made by the Corporation, with each customer’s creditworthiness evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee. The Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to these financial instruments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Corporation upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. Since a significant portion of commitments to extend credit are subject to specific restrictive loan covenants or may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash flow requirements. An allowance for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to unfunded commitments (including unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit). The allowance for unfunded commitments totaled $24 million at September 30, 2015 down from $25 million at December 31, 2014 , and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 7 for additional information on the allowance for unfunded commitments.
Lending-related commitments include commitments to extend credit, commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements

34


to lend to customers at predetermined interest rates, as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contracts. Interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale and forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans are considered derivative instruments, and the fair value of these commitments is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. The Corporation’s derivative and hedging activity is further described in Note 11. Commercial and standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Commercial letters of credit are issued specifically to facilitate commerce and typically result in the commitment being drawn on when the underlying transaction is consummated between the customer and the third party, while standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of the underlying contract with the third party.
Other Commitments
The Corporation has principal investment commitments to provide capital-based financing to private and public companies through either direct investments in specific companies or through investment funds and partnerships. The timing of future cash requirements to fund such commitments is generally dependent on the investment cycle, whereby privately held companies are funded by private equity investors and ultimately sold, merged, or taken public through an initial offering, which can vary based on overall market conditions, as well as the nature and type of industry in which the companies operate. The Corporation also invests in low-income housing, small-business commercial real estate, new market tax credit projects, and historic tax credit projects to promote the revitalization of low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods throughout the local communities of its bank subsidiary. As a limited partner in these unconsolidated projects, the Corporation is allocated tax credits and deductions associated with the underlying projects. The aggregate carrying value of these investments at September 30, 2015 was $41 million , compared to $27 million at December 31, 2014 , included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Related to these investments, the Corporation had remaining commitments to fund of $33 million at September 30, 2015 and $28 million at December 31, 2014 .
Contingent Liabilities
The Corporation is party to various pending and threatened claims and legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business activities, some of which involve claims for substantial amounts. Although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcomes, the Corporation believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims asserted against it in its current outstanding matters, including the matters described below, and with respect to such legal proceedings, intends to continue to defend itself vigorously. The Corporation will consider settlement of cases when, in management’s judgment, it is in the best interests of both the Corporation and its shareholders.
On at least a quarterly basis, the Corporation assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with all pending or threatened claims and litigation, utilizing the most recent information available. On a matter by matter basis, an accrual for loss is established for those matters which the Corporation believes it is probable that a loss may be incurred and that the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. Once established, each accrual is adjusted as appropriate to reflect any subsequent developments. Accordingly, management’s estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses may be more or less than the current estimate. For matters where a loss is not probable, or the amount of the loss cannot be estimated, no accrual is established.
Resolution of legal claims is inherently unpredictable, and in many legal proceedings various factors exacerbate this inherent unpredictability, including where the damages sought are unsubstantiated or indeterminate, it is unclear whether a case brought as a class action will be allowed to proceed on that basis, discovery is not complete, the proceeding is not yet in its final stages, the matters present legal uncertainties, there are significant facts in dispute, there are a large number of parties (including where it is uncertain how liability, if any, will be shared among multiple defendants), or there is a wide range of potential results.
A lawsuit, R.J. ZAYED v. Associated Bank, N.A. , was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota on January 29, 2013. The lawsuit relates to a Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Oxford Global Partners and related entities (“Oxford”) and individuals and was brought by the receiver for Oxford. Oxford was a depository customer of Associated Bank, N.A. (the "Bank"). The lawsuit claims that the Bank is liable for failing to uncover the Oxford Ponzi scheme, and specifically alleges the Bank aided and abetted (1) the fraudulent scheme; (2) a breach of fiduciary duty; (3) conversion; and (4) false representations and omissions. The lawsuit seeks unspecified consequential and punitive damages. The District Court granted the Bank’s motion to dismiss the complaint on September 30, 2013. On March 2, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed the District Court and remanded the case back to the District Court for further proceedings. It is not possible for management to assess the probability of a material adverse outcome or reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss at this time. A lawsuit by investors in the same Ponzi scheme, Herman Grad, et al v. Associated Bank, N.A. , brought in Brown County, Wisconsin in October 2009 was dismissed by the circuit court, and the dismissal was affirmed by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in June 2011 in an unpublished opinion.
On May 22, 2015, the Bank entered into a Conciliation Agreement ("Conciliation Agreement") with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") which resolved the previously disclosed HUD investigation into the Bank's lending practices during the years 2008-2010. The Bank's commitments under the Conciliation Agreement are spread over a three -year

35


period and include commitments to do the following in minority communities: make mortgage loans of approximately $196 million ; open one branch and four loan production offices; establish special financing programs; make affordable home repair grants; engage in affirmative marketing outreach; provide financial education programs; and make grants to support community reinvestment training and education. The cost of these commitments will be spread over four calendar years and is not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation's financial condition or results of operation.
Beginning in late 2013, the Corporation began reviewing a variety of legacy products provided by third parties, including debt protection and identity protection products. In connection with this review, the Corporation has made, and plans to make, remediation payments to affected customers and former customers, and has reserved accordingly.
A variety of consumer products, including the legacy debt protection and identity protection products referred to above, and mortgage and deposit products, and certain fees and charges related to such products, have come under increased regulatory scrutiny. It is possible that regulatory authorities could bring enforcement actions, including civil money penalties, or take other actions against the Corporation and the Bank in regard to these consumer products. The Bank could also determine of its own accord, or be required by regulators, to refund or otherwise make remediation payments to customers in connection with these products. It is not possible at this time for management to assess the probability of a material adverse outcome or reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss related to such matters.

Mortgage Repurchase Reserve
The Corporation sells residential mortgage loans to investors in the normal course of business. Residential mortgage loans sold to others are predominantly conventional residential first lien mortgages originated under our usual underwriting procedures, and are most often sold on a nonrecourse basis, primarily to the GSEs. The Corporation’s agreements to sell residential mortgage loans in the normal course of business usually require certain representations and warranties on the underlying loans sold, related to credit information, loan documentation, collateral, and insurability. Subsequent to being sold, if a material underwriting deficiency or documentation defect is discovered, the Corporation may be obligated to repurchase the loan or reimburse the GSEs for losses incurred (collectively, “make whole requests”). The make whole requests and any related risk of loss under the representations and warranties are largely driven by borrower performance.

As a result of make whole requests, the Corporation has repurchased loans with principal balances of approximately $3 million and $5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 , respectively, and paid loss reimbursement or settlement claims of approximately $117,000 and $734,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 , respectively. Make whole requests during 2014 and the first nine months of 2015 generally arose from loans sold during the period January 1, 2006 to September 30, 2015 , which totaled $19.6 billion at the time of sale, and consisted primarily of loans sold to GSEs. As of September 30, 2015 , approximately $7.5 billion of these sold loans remain outstanding.
The balance in the mortgage repurchase reserve at the balance sheet date reflects the estimated amount of potential loss the Corporation could incur from repurchasing a loan, as well as loss reimbursements, indemnifications, and other settlement resolutions. The following summarizes the changes in the mortgage repurchase reserve.
For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
For The Year Ended December 31, 2014
($ in Thousands)
Balance at beginning of period
$
3,258

$
5,737

Repurchase provision expense
340

505

Adjustments to provision expense
(2,450
)
(2,250
)
Charge offs
(23
)
(734
)
Balance at end of period
$
1,125

$
3,258

The Corporation may also sell residential mortgage loans with limited recourse (limited in that the recourse period ends prior to the loan’s maturity, usually after certain time and / or loan paydown criteria have been met), whereby repurchase could be required if the loan had defined delinquency issues during the limited recourse periods. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , there were approximately $69 million and $46 million , respectively, of residential mortgage loans sold with such recourse risk. There have been limited instances and immaterial historical losses on repurchases for recourse under the limited recourse criteria.
The Corporation has a subordinate position to the FHLB in the credit risk on residential mortgage loans it sold to the FHLB in exchange for a monthly credit enhancement fee. The Corporation has not sold loans to the FHLB with such credit risk retention

36


since February 2005. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , there were $142 million and $178 million , respectively, of such residential mortgage loans with credit risk recourse, upon which there have been negligible historical losses to the Corporation.
NOTE 14: Fair Value Measurements
Fair value represents the estimated price at which an orderly transaction to sell an asset or to transfer a liability would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions (i.e., an exit price concept). Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Corporation’s more significant instruments measured on a recurring basis at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
Investment securities available for sale
Where quoted prices are available in an active market, investment securities are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 investment securities primarily include U.S. Treasury and exchange-traded debt and equity securities. If quoted market prices are not available for the specific security, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows, with consideration given to the nature of the quote and the relationship of recently evidenced market activity to the fair value estimate, and are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Examples of these investment securities include obligations of state and political subdivisions ("municipal securities"), mortgage-related securities and other debt securities. Lastly, in certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the estimated fair value, securities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. To validate the fair value estimates, assumptions, and controls, the Corporation looks to transactions for similar instruments and utilizes independent pricing provided by third party vendors or brokers and relevant market indices. While none of these sources are solely indicative of fair value, they serve as directional indicators for the appropriateness of the Corporation’s fair value estimates. The Corporation has determined that the fair value measures of its investment securities are classified predominantly within Level 1 or 2 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 6 for additional disclosure regarding the Corporation’s investment securities.
Derivative financial instruments (interest rate-related instruments )
The Corporation has used, and may again use in the future, interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk. In addition, the Corporation offers customer interest rate-related instruments (swaps and caps) to service our customers’ needs, for which the Corporation simultaneously enters into offsetting derivative financial instruments (i.e., mirror interest rate-related instruments) with third parties to manage its interest rate risk associated with these financial instruments. The valuation of the Corporation’s derivative financial instruments is determined using discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative and, also includes a nonperformance / credit risk component (credit valuation adjustment). See Note 11 for additional disclosure regarding the Corporation’s derivative financial instruments.
The discounted cash flow analysis component in the fair value measurement reflects the contractual terms of the derivative financial instruments, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. More specifically, the fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments), with the variable cash payments (or receipts) based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. Likewise, the fair values of interest rate options (i.e., interest rate caps) are determined using the market standard methodology of discounting the future expected cash receipts that would occur if variable interest rates fall below (or rise above) the strike rate of the floors (or caps), with the variable interest rates used in the calculation of projected receipts on the floor (or cap) based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves and volatilities.
The Corporation also incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative financial instruments for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Corporation has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees. In conjunction with the FASB’s fair value measurement guidance, the Corporation made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.
While the Corporation has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative financial instruments fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. The Corporation has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions as of September 30, 2015 , and December 31, 2014 , and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivative financial instruments. Therefore, the Corporation has determined that the fair value measures of its derivative financial instruments in their entirety are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

37


Derivative financial instruments (foreign currency exchange forwards )
The Corporation provides foreign currency exchange services to customers. In addition, the Corporation may enter into a foreign currency exchange forward to mitigate the exchange rate risk attached to the cash flows of a loan or as an offsetting contract to a forward entered into as a service to our customer. The valuation of the Corporation’s foreign currency exchange forwards is determined using quoted prices of foreign currency exchange forwards with similar characteristics, with consideration given to the nature of the quote and the relationship of recently evidenced market activity to the fair value estimate, and are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 11 for additional disclosures regarding the Corporation’s foreign currency exchange forwards.
Derivative financial instruments (mortgage derivatives)
Mortgage derivatives include interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale to individual customers and forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans to various investors. The Corporation relies on an internal valuation model to estimate the fair value of its interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale, which includes grouping the interest rate lock commitments by interest rate and terms, applying an estimated pull-through rate based on historical experience, and then multiplying by quoted investor prices determined to be reasonably applicable to the loan commitment groups based on interest rate, terms, and rate lock expiration dates of the loan commitment groups.
The Corporation also relies on an internal valuation model to estimate the fair value of its forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans (i.e., an estimate of what the Corporation would receive or pay to terminate the forward delivery contract based on market prices for similar financial instruments), which includes matching specific terms and maturities of the forward commitments against applicable investor pricing available. While there are Level 2 and 3 inputs used in the valuation models, the Corporation has determined that the majority of the inputs significant in the valuation of both of the mortgage derivatives fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 11 for additional disclosure regarding the Corporation’s mortgage derivatives.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Corporation’s more significant instruments measured on a nonrecurring basis at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
Loans Held for Sale
Loans held for sale, which consist generally of current production of certain fixed-rate, first-lien residential mortgage loans, are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. The estimated fair value was based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics, which the Corporation classifies as a Level 2 nonrecurring fair value measurement.
Impaired Loans
The Corporation considers a loan impaired when it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the note agreement, including both principal and interest. Management has determined that commercial and consumer loan relationships that have nonaccrual status or have had their terms restructured in a troubled debt restructuring meet this impaired loan definition. For individually evaluated impaired loans, the amount of impairment is based upon the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, or the estimated liquidity of the note. See Note 7 for additional information regarding the Corporation’s impaired loans.
Mortgage servicing rights
Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. While sales of mortgage servicing rights do occur, the precise terms and conditions typically are not readily available to allow for a “quoted price for similar assets” comparison. Accordingly, the Corporation utilizes an independent valuation from a third party which uses a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of its mortgage servicing rights. The valuation model incorporates prepayment assumptions to project mortgage servicing rights cash flows based on the current interest rate scenario, which is then discounted to estimate an expected fair value of the mortgage servicing rights. The valuation model considers portfolio characteristics of the underlying mortgages, contractually specified servicing fees, prepayment assumptions, discount rate assumptions, delinquency rates, late charges, other ancillary revenue, costs to service, and other economic factors. The Corporation periodically reviews and assesses the underlying inputs and assumptions used in the model. In addition, the Corporation compares its fair value estimates and assumptions to observable market data for mortgage servicing rights, where available, and to recent market activity and actual portfolio experience. Due to the nature of the valuation inputs, mortgage servicing rights are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Corporation uses the amortization method (i.e., lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value measured on

38


a nonrecurring basis), not fair value measurement accounting, for its mortgage servicing rights assets. See Note 8 for additional disclosure regarding the Corporation’s mortgage servicing rights.

The table below presents the Corporation’s investment securities available for sale and derivative financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements Using
September 30, 2015
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
($ in Thousands)
Assets:
Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
$
1,002

$
1,002

$

$

Municipal securities
427,701


427,701


Residential mortgage-related securities:
Government-sponsored enterprise (GSE)
3,088,923


3,088,923


Private-label
1,746


1,746


GSE commercial mortgage-related securities
1,877,581


1,877,581


Other securities (debt and equity)
6,703

3,503

3,000

200

Total investment securities available for sale
$
5,403,656

$
4,505

$
5,398,951

$
200

Derivatives (trading and other assets)
$
49,251

$

$
46,667

$
2,584

Liabilities:
Derivatives (trading and other liabilities)
$
50,714

$

$
48,732

$
1,982

Fair Value Measurements Using
December 31, 2014
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
($ in Thousands)
Assets:
Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities
$
998

$
998

$

$

Municipal securities
582,679


582,679


Residential mortgage-related securities:
GSE
3,730,789


3,730,789


Private-label
2,294


2,294


GSE commercial mortgage-related securities
1,073,893


1,073,893


Other securities (debt and equity)
6,159

2,959

3,000

200

Total investment securities available for sale
$
5,396,812

$
3,957

$
5,392,655

$
200

Derivatives (trading and other assets)
$
43,164

$

$
41,217

$
1,947

Liabilities:
Derivatives (trading and other liabilities)
$
45,818

$

$
43,383

$
2,435


39


The table below presents a rollforward of the balance sheet amounts for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , for financial instruments measured on a recurring basis and classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investment Securities
Available for Sale
Derivative Financial
Instruments
($ in Thousands)
Balance December 31, 2013
$
299

$
1,717

Total net losses included in income:
Mortgage derivative loss

(2,205
)
Sales of investment securities
(99
)

Balance December 31, 2014
$
200

$
(488
)
Total net gains included in income:
Mortgage derivative gain

1,090

Balance September 30, 2015
$
200

$
602

For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2015 , the Corporation utilized the following valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs.
Derivative financial instruments (mortgage derivative – interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale)
The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s mortgage derivative interest rate lock commitments (“IRLC”) is the closing ratio, which represents the percentage of loans currently in a lock position which management estimates will ultimately close. The closing ratio calculation takes into consideration historical data and loan-level data, particularly the change in the current interest rates from the time of initial rate lock. The closing ratio is periodically reviewed for reasonableness and reported to the Mortgage Risk Management Committee. At September 30, 2015 , the closing ratio was 87% .
Impaired loans
For individually evaluated impaired loans, the amount of impairment is based upon the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, or the estimated liquidity of the note, resulting in average discounts of 10% to 20% .
Mortgage servicing rights
The discounted cash flow analyses that generate expected market prices utilize the observable characteristics of the mortgage servicing rights portfolio, as well as certain unobservable valuation parameters. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s mortgage servicing rights are the weighted average constant prepayment rate and weighted average discount rate, which were 13.4% and 9.6% at September 30, 2015 , respectively. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
These parameter assumptions fall within a range that the Corporation, in consultation with an independent third party, believes purchasers of servicing would apply to such portfolios sold into the current secondary servicing market. Discussions are held with members from management to reconcile the fair value estimates and the key assumptions used by the respective parties in arriving at those estimates. The Mortgage Risk Management Committee is responsible for providing control over the valuation methodology and key assumptions. To assess the reasonableness of the fair value measurement, the Corporation also compares the fair value and constant prepayment rate to a value calculated by an independent third party on an annual basis.

40


The table below presents the balances of the Corporation’s loans held for sale, impaired loans, and mortgage servicing rights measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements Using
September 30, 2015
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
($ in Thousands)
Assets:
Loans held for sale
$
106,276

$

$
106,276

$

Impaired loans (1)
72,661



72,661

Mortgage servicing rights
67,794



67,794

Fair Value Measurements Using
December 31, 2014
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
($ in Thousands)
Assets:
Loans held for sale
$
156,423

$

$
156,423

$

Impaired loans (1)
83,956



83,956

Mortgage servicing rights
66,342



66,342

(1)
Represents individually evaluated impaired loans, net of the related allowance for loan losses.
Certain nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include other real estate owned (upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment), nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities measured at fair value in the second step of a goodwill impairment test, and intangible assets and other nonfinancial long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment.
During the first nine months of 2015 and the full year 2014 , certain other real estate owned, upon initial recognition, was re-measured and reported at fair value through a charge off to the allowance for loan losses based upon the estimated fair value of the other real estate owned, less estimated selling costs. The fair value of other real estate owned, upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment, was estimated using appraised values, which the Corporation classifies as a Level 2 nonrecurring fair value measurement. Other real estate owned measured at fair value upon initial recognition totaled approximately $6 million for the first nine months of 2015 and $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 . In addition to other real estate owned measured at fair value upon initial recognition, the Corporation also recorded write-downs to the balance of other real estate owned for subsequent impairment of less than $1 million and $2 million to asset losses, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 , respectively.

41


Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
Fair value estimates, methods, and assumptions are set forth below for the Corporation’s financial instruments.
September 30, 2015
Carrying Amount
Fair Value
Fair Value Measurements Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
($ in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks
$
303,701

$
303,701

$
303,701

$

$

Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
70,023

70,023

70,023



Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
36,490

36,490

36,490



Investment securities held to maturity
604,799

613,372


613,372


Investment securities available for sale
5,403,656

5,403,656

4,505

5,398,951

200

FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stocks
160,871

160,871


160,871


Loans held for sale
105,144

106,276


106,276


Loans, net
18,262,237

18,435,809



18,435,809

Bank owned life insurance
580,289

580,289


580,289


Accrued interest receivable
70,977

70,977

70,977



Interest rate-related instruments
42,593

42,593


42,593


Foreign currency exchange forwards
1,159

1,159


1,159


Interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale
2,584

2,584



2,584

Purchased options (time deposit)
2,915

2,915


2,915


Financial liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand, savings, interest-bearing demand, and money market deposits
$
18,936,600

$
18,936,600

$

$

$
18,936,600

Brokered CDs and other time deposits
1,621,795

1,632,811


1,632,811


Short-term funding
1,022,335

1,022,335


1,022,335


Long-term funding
2,679,542

2,740,335


2,740,335


Accrued interest payable
6,888

6,888

6,888



Interest rate-related instruments
44,857

44,857


44,857


Foreign currency exchange forwards
960

960


960


Forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans
1,982

1,982



1,982

Standby letters of credit (1)
3,164

3,164


3,164


Written options (time deposit)
2,915

2,915


2,915



42


December 31, 2014
Carrying Amount
Fair Value
Fair Value Measurements Using
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
($ in Thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks
$
444,113

$
444,113

$
444,113

$

$

Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
571,924

571,924

571,924



Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
16,030

16,030

16,030



Investment securities held to maturity
404,455

413,067


413,067


Investment securities available for sale
5,396,812

5,396,812

3,957

5,392,655

200

FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stocks
189,107

189,107


189,107


Loans held for sale
154,935

156,423


156,423


Loans, net
17,327,544

17,427,647



17,427,647

Bank owned life insurance
574,154

574,154


574,154


Accrued interest receivable
67,573

67,573

67,573



Interest rate-related instruments
33,023

33,023


33,023


Foreign currency exchange forwards
2,140

2,140


2,140


Interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale
1,947

1,947



1,947

Purchased options (time deposit)
6,054

6,054


6,054


Financial liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing demand, savings, interest-bearing demand, and money market deposits
$
17,192,049

$
17,192,049

$

$

$
17,192,049

Brokered CDs and other time deposits
1,571,455

1,571,455


1,571,455


Short-term funding
1,068,288

1,068,288


1,068,288


Long-term funding
3,930,117

3,975,605


3,975,605


Accrued interest payable
9,530

9,530

9,530



Interest rate-related instruments
35,372

35,372


35,372


Foreign currency exchange forwards
1,957

1,957


1,957


Standby letters of credit (1)
3,542

3,542


3,542


Forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans
2,435

2,435



2,435

Written options (time deposit)
6,054

6,054


6,054


(1)
The commitment on standby letters of credit was $317 million and $353 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. See Note 13 for additional information on the standby letters of credit and for information on the fair value of lending-related commitments.
Cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions, federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell, and accrued interest receivable – For these short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Investment securities (held to maturity and available for sale) – The fair value of investment securities is based on quoted prices in active markets, or if quoted prices are not available for a specific security, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows.
FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stocks – The carrying amount is a reasonable fair value estimate for the Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stocks given their “restricted” nature (i.e., the stock can only be sold back to the respective institutions (Federal Home Loan Bank or Federal Reserve Bank) or another member institution at par).
Loans held for sale – The fair value estimation process for the loans held for sale portfolio is segregated by loan type and is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics.
Loans, net – The fair value estimation process for the loan portfolio uses an exit price concept and reflects discounts the Corporation believes are consistent with liquidity discounts in the market place. Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as commercial and industrial, real estate construction, commercial real estate (owner occupied and investor), lease financing, residential mortgage, home equity, other installment, and credit cards. The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be

43


made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for similar maturities. The fair value analysis also included other assumptions to estimate fair value, intended to approximate those a market participant would use in an orderly transaction, with adjustments for discount rates, interest rates, liquidity, and credit spreads, as appropriate.
Bank owned life insurance – The fair value of bank owned life insurance approximates the carrying amount, because upon liquidation of these investments, the Corporation would receive the cash surrender value which equals the carrying amount.
Deposits – The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings, interest-bearing demand deposits, and money market deposits, is equal to the amount payable on demand as of the balance sheet date. The fair value of Brokered CDs and other time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. However, if the estimated fair value of Brokered CDs and other time deposits is less than the carrying value, the carrying value is reported as the fair value.
Accrued interest payable and short-term funding – For these short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Long-term funding – Rates currently available to the Corporation for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of existing long-term funding.
Interest rate-related instruments – The fair value of interest rate-related instruments is determined using discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The Corporation also incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.
Foreign currency exchange forwards – The fair value of the Corporation’s foreign currency exchange forwards is determined using quoted prices of foreign currency exchange forwards with similar characteristics, with consideration given to the nature of the quote and the relationship of recently evidenced market activity to the fair value estimate.
Standby letters of credit – The fair value of standby letters of credit represent deferred fees arising from the related off-balance sheet financial instruments. These deferred fees approximate the fair value of these instruments and are based on several factors, including the remaining terms of the agreement and the credit standing of the customer.
Interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale – The Corporation relies on an internal valuation model to estimate the fair value of its interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale, which includes grouping the interest rate lock commitments by interest rate and terms, applying an estimated pull-through rate based on historical experience, and then multiplying by quoted investor prices determined to be reasonably applicable to the loan commitment groups based on interest rate, terms, and rate lock expiration dates of the loan commitment groups.
Forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans – The Corporation relies on an internal valuation model to estimate the fair value of its forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans (i.e., an estimate of what the Corporation would receive or pay to terminate the forward delivery contract based on market prices for similar financial instruments), which includes matching specific terms and maturities of the forward commitments against applicable investor pricing available.
Purchased and written options – The fair value of the Corporation’s purchased and written options is determined using quoted prices of the underlying stocks.
Limitations – Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and other 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 Corporation’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Corporation’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
NOTE 15: Retirement Plans
The Corporation has a noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan (the Retirement Account Plan (“RAP”)) covering substantially all full-time employees. The benefits are based primarily on years of service and the employee’s compensation paid. Employees of acquired entities generally participate in the RAP after consummation of the business combinations. Any retirement plans of acquired entities are typically merged into the RAP after completion of the mergers, and credit is usually given to employees for years of service at the acquired institution for vesting and eligibility purposes. In connection with the First Federal acquisition in October 2004, the Corporation assumed the First Federal pension plan (the “First Federal Plan”). The First Federal Plan was

44


frozen on December 31, 2004 and qualified participants in the First Federal Plan became eligible to participate in the RAP as of January 1, 2005. Additional discussion and information on the RAP and the First Federal Plan are collectively referred to below as the “Pension Plan”.
The Corporation also provides healthcare access for eligible retired employees in its Postretirement Plan (the “Postretirement Plan”). Retirees who are at least 55 years of age with 5 years of service are eligible to participate in the Postretirement Plan. The Corporation has no plan assets attributable to the Postretirement Plan. The Corporation reserves the right to terminate or make changes to the Postretirement Plan at any time.
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Pension and Postretirement Plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and for the full year 2014 were as follows.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2015
2014
2014
($ in Thousands)
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Pension Plan:
Service cost
$
2,318

$
2,975

$
8,443

8,925

$
11,058

Interest cost
1,678

1,790

4,963

5,370

7,132

Expected return on plan assets
(5,379
)
(4,855
)
(16,079
)
(14,565
)
(19,922
)
Amortization of prior service cost
12

15

37

45

58

Amortization of actuarial loss
627

326

1,692

975

1,384

Total net periodic benefit cost
$
(744
)
$
251

$
(944
)
$
750

$
(290
)
Postretirement Plan:
Interest cost
$
35

$
39

$
105

116

$
150

Amortization of actuarial gain

(9
)

(26
)
(35
)
Total net periodic benefit cost
$
35

$
30

$
105

$
90

$
115

The Corporation’s funding policy is to pay at least the minimum amount required by the funding requirements of federal law and regulations, with consideration given to the maximum funding amounts allowed. The Corporation regularly reviews the funding of its Pension Plan.
NOTE 16: Segment Reporting
The Corporation utilizes a risk-based internal profitability measurement system to provide strategic business unit reporting. The profitability measurement system is based on internal management methodologies designed to produce consistent results and reflect the underlying economics of the units. Certain strategic business units have been combined for segment information reporting purposes where the nature of the products and services, the type of customer and the distribution of those products and services are similar. The three reportable segments are Corporate and Commercial Specialty; Community, Consumer, and Business; and Risk Management and Shared Services, with no segment representing more than half of the assets of the Corporation as a whole.
The financial information of the Corporation’s segments has been compiled utilizing the accounting policies described in the Corporation's 2014 annual report on Form 10-K with certain exceptions, as noted below. The Corporation allocates interest income or interest expense using a funds transfer pricing methodology that charges users of funds (assets) interest expense and credits providers of funds (liabilities, primarily deposits) with income based on the maturity, prepayment and / or repricing characteristics of the assets and liabilities. The net effect of this allocation is recorded in the Risk Management and Shared Services segment. A credit provision is allocated to segments based on the expected long-term annual net charge off rates attributable to the credit risk of loans managed by the segment during the period. In contrast, the level of the consolidated provision for credit losses is determined using the methodologies described in the Corporation's 2014 annual report on Form 10-K to assess the overall appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses. The net effect of the credit provision is recorded in Risk Management and Shared Services. Indirect expenses incurred by certain centralized support areas are allocated to segments based on actual usage (for example, volume measurements) and other criteria. Certain types of administrative expense and bank-wide expense accruals (including amortization of core deposit and other intangible assets associated with acquisitions) are generally not allocated to segments. Income taxes are allocated to segments based on the Corporation’s estimated effective tax rate, with certain segments adjusted for any tax-exempt income or non-deductible expenses. Equity is allocated to the segments based on regulatory capital requirements and in proportion to an assessment of the inherent risks associated with the business of the segment (including interest, credit and operating risk).

45


The management accounting policies and processes utilized in compiling segment financial information are highly subjective and, unlike financial accounting, are not based on authoritative guidance similar to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. As a result, reported segments and the financial information of the reported segments are not necessarily comparable with similar information reported by other financial institutions. Furthermore, changes in management structure or allocation methodologies and procedures may result in changes in previously reported segment financial data. During 2015, certain organizational and methodology changes were made and, accordingly, 2014 results have been restated and presented on a comparable basis.
A description of each business segment is presented below.
Corporate and Commercial Specialty — The Corporate and Commercial Specialty segment serves a wide range of customers including larger businesses, developers, non-profits, municipalities, and financial institutions. In serving this segment we compete based on an in-depth understanding of our customers’ financial needs, the ability to match market competitive solutions to those needs, and the highest standards of relationship and service excellence in the delivery of these services. Delivery of services is provided through our corporate and commercial units, our commercial real estate unit, as well as our specialized industries and commercial financial services units. Within this segment we provide the following products and services: (1) lending solutions, such as commercial loans and lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction loans, letters of credit, leasing, and asset based lending; for our larger clients we also provide loan syndications; (2) deposit and cash management solutions such as commercial checking and interest-bearing deposit products, cash vault and night depository services, liquidity solutions, payables and receivables solutions; and information services; and (3) specialized financial services such as swaps, capital markets, foreign exchange, and international banking solutions.
Community, Consumer, and Business — The Community, Consumer, and Business segment serves individuals, as well as small and mid-size businesses. In serving this segment we compete based on providing a broad range of solutions to meet the needs of our customers in their entire financial lifecycle, convenient access to our services through multiple channels such as branches, phone based services, online and mobile banking, and a relationship based business model which assists our customers in navigating any changes and challenges in their financial circumstances. Delivery of services is provided through our various Consumer Banking, Community Banking, and Private Client units. Within this segment we provide the following products and services: (1) lending solutions such as residential mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, personal and installment loans, real estate financing, business loans, and business lines of credit; (2) deposit and transactional solutions such as checking, credit, debit and pre-paid cards, online banking and bill pay, and money transfer services; (3) investable funds solutions such as savings, money market deposit accounts, IRA accounts, certificates of deposit, fixed and variable annuities, full-service, discount and on-line investment brokerage; investment advisory services; trust and investment management accounts; (4) insurance, benefits related products and services; and (5) fiduciary services such as administration of pension, profit-sharing and other employee benefit plans, fiduciary and corporate agency services, and institutional asset management.
Risk Management and Shared Services — The Risk Management and Shared Services segment includes Corporate Risk Management, Credit Administration, Finance, Treasury, Operations and Technology, which are key shared functions. The segment also includes Parent Company activity, intersegment eliminations and residual revenue and expenses, representing the difference between actual amounts incurred and the amounts allocated to operating segments, including interest rate risk residuals (funds transfer pricing mismatches) and credit risk and provision residuals (long term credit charge mismatches). The earning assets within this segment include the Corporation’s investment portfolio and capital includes both allocated as well as any remaining unallocated capital.

46


Information about the Corporation’s segments is presented below.
Segment Income Statement Data

($ in Thousands)
Corporate and
Commercial
Specialty
Community,
Consumer, and
Business
Risk Management
and Shared Services
Consolidated
Total
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income
$
230,130

$
261,951

$
12,729

$
504,810

Noninterest income
36,222

200,042

10,249

246,513

Total revenue
266,352

461,993

22,978

751,323

Credit provision *
30,312

19,625

(32,437
)
17,500

Noninterest expense
106,643

366,410

49,454

522,507

Income before income taxes
129,397

75,958

5,961

211,316

Income tax expense (benefit)
44,384

26,585

(5,163
)
65,806

Net income
$
85,013

$
49,373

$
11,124

$
145,510

Return on average allocated capital (ROCET1) **
11.8
%
10.3
%
3.9
%
10.3
%
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income
$
220,973

$
227,409

$
57,924

$
506,306

Noninterest income
35,971

168,287

16,418

220,676

Total revenue
256,944

395,696

74,342

726,982

Credit provision *
37,021

16,534

(42,555
)
11,000

Noninterest expense
110,558

346,084

50,794

507,436

Income before income taxes
109,365

33,078

66,103

208,546

Income tax expense
35,767

11,388

19,620

66,775

Net income
$
73,598

$
21,690

$
46,483

$
141,771

Return on average allocated capital (ROCET1) **
12.8
%
5.4
%
9.8
%
9.8
%
Segment Balance Sheet Data

($ in Thousands)
Corporate and
Commercial
Specialty
Community,
Consumer, and
Business
Risk Management
and Shared Services
Consolidated
Total
Average Balances for YTD 3Q 2015
Average earning assets
$
9,373,312

$
8,719,078

$
6,326,258

$
24,418,648

Average loans
9,363,936

8,719,078

71,378

18,154,392

Average deposits
5,730,918

10,786,342

3,145,612

19,662,872

Average allocated capital (CET1) **
$
966,746

$
640,116

$
213,750

$
1,820,612

Average Balances for YTD 3Q 2014
Average earning assets
$
8,933,616

$
7,646,487

$
5,933,220

$
22,513,323

Average loans
8,922,631

7,646,487

85,115

16,654,233

Average deposits
5,129,046

9,872,624

2,347,059

17,348,729

Average allocated capital (CET1) **
$
766,391

$
535,528

$
585,493

$
1,887,412



47


Segment Income Statement Data

($ in Thousands)
Corporate and
Commercial
Specialty
Community,
Consumer, and
Business
Risk Management
and Shared Services
Consolidated
Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net interest income
$
78,283

$
88,209

$
4,017

$
170,509

Noninterest income
11,305

64,911

3,700

79,916

Total revenue
89,588

153,120

7,717

250,425

Credit provision *
10,851

5,963

(8,814
)
8,000

Noninterest expense
37,293

122,393

11,750

171,436

Income before income taxes
41,444

24,764

4,781

70,989

Income tax expense (benefit)
13,955

8,667

(1,071
)
21,551

Net income
$
27,489

$
16,097

$
5,852

$
49,438

Return on average allocated capital (ROCET1) **
11.0
%
10.1
%
6.7
%
10.2
%
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Net interest income
$
72,474

$
82,067

$
18,089

$
172,630

Noninterest income
11,888

54,601

8,419

74,908

Total revenue
84,362

136,668

26,508

247,538

Credit provision *
11,074

6,773

(16,847
)
1,000

Noninterest expense
35,044

122,722

14,087

171,853

Income before income taxes
38,244

7,173

29,268

74,685

Income tax expense
12,343

2,467

9,668

24,478

Net income
$
25,901

$
4,706

$
19,600

$
50,207

Return on average allocated capital (ROCET1) **
13.8
%
3.2
%
13.4
%
10.4
%
Segment Balance Sheet Data

($ in Thousands)
Corporate and
Commercial
Specialty
Community,
Consumer, and
Business
Risk Management
and Shared Services
Consolidated
Total
Average Balances for 3Q15
Average earning assets
$
9,475,469

$
8,917,831

$
6,440,714

$
24,834,014

Average loans
9,466,761

8,917,831

68,157

18,452,749

Average deposits
6,044,306

10,969,172

3,280,121

20,293,599

Average allocated capital (CET1) **
$
988,283

$
632,878

$
216,275

$
1,837,436

Average Balances for 3Q14
Average earning assets
$
8,761,870

$
8,310,839

$
6,024,008

$
23,096,717

Average loans
8,750,207

8,310,839

79,915

17,140,961

Average deposits
5,092,314

10,337,637

2,443,427

17,873,378

Average allocated capital (CET1) **
$
744,792

$
583,096

$
543,358

$
1,871,246

* The consolidated credit provision is equal to the actual reported provision for credit losses.
** The Federal Reserve establishes capital adequacy requirements for the Corporation, including Tier 1 capital. Tier 1 capital is comprised of common capital and certain redeemable, non-cumulative preferred stock. Average allocated capital represents average common equity Tier 1 which is defined as average Tier 1 capital excluding qualifying perpetual preferred stock and qualifying trust preferred securities. This is a non-GAAP financial measure. For segment reporting purposes, the ROCET1 reflects return on average allocated common equity Tier 1 ("CET1"). The ROCET1 for the Risk Management and Shared Services segment and the Consolidated Total is inclusive of the annualized effect of the preferred stock dividends.

48


Note 17: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2015 and 2014 , changes during the three and nine month periods then ended, and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income for the investment securities available for sale are included in investment securities gains, net on the consolidated statements of income, while the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income for the defined benefit pension and postretirement obligations are a component of personnel expense on the consolidated statements of income.
($ in Thousands)
Investments
Securities
Available
For Sale
Defined Benefit
Pension and
Postretirement
Obligations
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance January 1, 2015
$
18,512

$
(23,362
)
$
(4,850
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
35,101


35,101

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(4,038
)
1,729

(2,309
)
Income tax expense
(11,907
)
(659
)
(12,566
)
Net other comprehensive income during period
19,156

1,070

20,226

Balance September 30, 2015
$
37,668

$
(22,292
)
$
15,376

Balance January 1, 2014
$
(11,396
)
$
(12,848
)
$
(24,244
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
36,061


36,061

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(469
)
994

525

Income tax expense
(13,684
)
(383
)
(14,067
)
Net other comprehensive income during period
21,908

611

22,519

Balance September 30, 2014
$
10,512

$
(12,237
)
$
(1,725
)
($ in Thousands)
Investments
Securities
Available
For Sale
Defined Benefit
Pension and
Postretirement
Obligations
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance July 1, 2015
$
25,282

$
(22,688
)
$
2,594

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
22,907


22,907

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(2,796
)
639

(2,157
)
Income tax expense
(7,725
)
(243
)
(7,968
)
Net other comprehensive income during period
12,386

396

12,782

Balance September 30, 2015
$
37,668

$
(22,292
)
$
15,376

Balance July 1, 2014
$
22,935

$
(12,441
)
$
10,494

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
(20,123
)

(20,123
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(57
)
332

275

Income tax (expense) benefit
7,757

(128
)
7,629

Net other comprehensive income (loss) during period
(12,423
)
204

(12,219
)
Balance September 30, 2014
$
10,512

$
(12,237
)
$
(1,725
)


49



ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements other than historical facts contained or incorporated by reference into this report. These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “believes,” “expects,” or “anticipates,” references to estimates or similar expressions. Future filings by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and future statements other than historical facts contained in written material, press releases and oral statements issued by, or on behalf of the Corporation may also constitute forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements contained in this report or which may be contained in future statements made for or on behalf of the Corporation are based upon information available at the time the statement is made and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by federal securities law. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and the Corporation’s actual results may differ materially from the expected results discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause actual results to differ from the results discussed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors in Item 1A, Risk Factors, in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 , and as may be described from time to time in the Corporation’s subsequent SEC filings.
Overview
The following discussion and analysis is presented to assist in the understanding and evaluation of the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations. It is intended to complement the unaudited consolidated financial statements, footnotes, and supplemental financial data appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction therewith. Management continually evaluates strategic acquisition opportunities and other various strategic alternatives that could involve the sale or acquisition of branches or other assets, or the consolidation or creation of subsidiaries.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Corporation reclassified approximately $500 million of closed end first lien home equity loans to residential mortgage loans in order to better align with the Corporation's regulatory reporting of residential mortgage loan products. All prior periods have been restated to reflect this change. All prior periods have been restated to reflect this change. As a result, the restated home equity loan portfolio is $1.1 billion for December 31, 2014 , compared to the originally reported amount of $1.6 billion . Similarly, the restated residential mortgage loan portfolio is $5.1 billion for December 31, 2014 , compared to the originally reported amount of $4.5 billion .
Performance Summary
Average loans of $18.5 billion for the third quarter of 2015 grew $264 million, or 1% from the second quarter of 2015, primarily driven by a $247 million increase in the residential mortgage loan portfolio. Average deposits grew to a record $20.3 billion, up $667 million, or 3% from the second quarter of 2015, primarily driven by strong growth in demand deposits and money market accounts.
Credit quality continued to improve with decreases in nonaccrual loans (down 8%) and net charge offs (down 8%) compared to the second quarter of 2015, while potential problem loans increased $64 million driven by the migration of a small number of commercial credits.
Net interest income of $171 million for the third quarter of 2015 increased $4 million, or 2% from the second quarter of 2015, while the net interest margin declined 1 basis point to 2.82%.
Noninterest income of $80 million for the third quarter of 2015 decreased $7 million, or 8% from the second quarter of 2015, primarily driven by reduced mortgage banking income and seasonally lower insurance activity.
Noninterest expense of $171 million for the third quarter of 2015 decreased $5 million, or 3% from the second quarter of 2015, primarily due to lower personnel and technology costs.

50



TABLE 1
Summary Results of Operations: Trends
($ in Thousands, except per share data)
3rd Qtr
2015
2nd Qtr
2015
1st Qtr
2015
4th Qtr
2014
3rd Qtr
2014
Net income (Quarter)
$
49,438

$
49,400

$
46,672

$
48,738

$
50,207

Net income (Year-to-date)
$
145,510

$
96,072

$
46,672

$
190,509

$
141,771

Net income available to common equity (Quarter)
$
47,254

$
47,855

$
45,444

$
47,513

$
48,952

Net income available to common equity (Year-to-date)
$
140,553

$
93,299

$
45,444

$
185,507

$
137,994

Earnings per common share – basic (Quarter)
$
0.31

$
0.32

$
0.30

$
0.31

$
0.31

Earnings per common share – basic (Year-to-date)
$
0.93

$
0.62

$
0.30

$
1.17

$
0.86

Earnings per common share – diluted (Quarter)
$
0.31

$
0.31

$
0.30

$
0.31

$
0.31

Earnings per common share – diluted (Year-to-date)
$
0.92

$
0.61

$
0.30

$
1.16

$
0.85

Return on average assets (Quarter)
0.72
%
0.74
%
0.71
%
0.75
%
0.78
%
Return on average assets (Year-to-date)
0.72
%
0.73
%
0.71
%
0.76
%
0.76
%
Return on average equity (Quarter)
6.72
%
6.89
%
6.65
%
6.83
%
6.93
%
Return on average equity (Year-to-date)
6.76
%
6.77
%
6.65
%
6.63
%
6.57
%
Return on average tangible common equity (Quarter)
10.35
%
10.62
%
10.16
%
10.27
%
10.35
%
Return on average tangible common equity (Year-to-date)
10.38
%
10.39
%
10.16
%
9.91
%
9.79
%
Return on average common equity Tier 1 (Quarter) (1)
10.20
%
10.55
%
10.22
%
10.35
%
10.38
%
Return on average common equity Tier 1 (Year-to-date) (1)
10.32
%
10.38
%
10.22
%
9.92
%
9.78
%
Federal Reserve efficiency ratio (Quarter) (2)
68.83
%
70.23
%
70.30
%
70.54
%
71.06
%
Federal Reserve efficiency ratio (Year-to-date) (2)
69.79
%
70.26
%
70.30
%
70.28
%
70.19
%
Fully tax-equivalent efficiency ratio (Quarter) (2)
67.09
%
68.54
%
68.56
%
68.82
%
69.27
%
Fully tax-equivalent efficiency ratio (Year-to-date) (2)
68.07
%
68.55
%
68.56
%
68.53
%
68.44
%
Net interest margin (Quarter)
2.82
%
2.83
%
2.89
%
3.04
%
3.06
%
Net interest margin (Year-to-date)
2.84
%
2.86
%
2.89
%
3.08
%
3.09
%
(1)
Return on average common equity Tier 1 = Net income available to common equity divided by average Tier 1 capital excluding qualifying perpetual preferred stock and qualifying trust preferred securities. This is a non-GAAP financial measure.
(2)
See Table 1A for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure.

TABLE 1A
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure
3rd Qtr
2015
2nd Qtr
2015
1st Qtr
2015
4th Qtr
2014
3rd Qtr
2014
Federal Reserve efficiency ratio (Quarter) (a)
68.83
%
70.23
%
70.30
%
70.54
%
71.06
%
Taxable equivalent adjustment (Quarter)
(1.39
)%
(1.34
)%
(1.42
)%
(1.41
)%
(1.39
)%
Other intangible amortization (Quarter)
(0.35
)%
(0.35
)%
(0.32
)%
(0.31
)%
(0.40
)%
Fully tax-equivalent efficiency ratio (Quarter) (b)
67.09
%
68.54
%
68.56
%
68.82
%
69.27
%
Federal Reserve Efficiency ratio (Year-to-date) (a)
69.79
%
70.26
%
70.30
%
70.28
%
70.19
%
Taxable equivalent adjustment (Year-to-date)
(1.38
)%
(1.38
)%
(1.42
)%
(1.36
)%
(1.35
)%
Other intangible amortization (Year-to-date)
(0.34
)%
(0.33
)%
(0.32
)%
(0.39
)%
(0.40
)%
Fully tax-equivalent efficiency ratio (Year-to-date) (b)
68.07
%
68.55
%
68.56
%
68.53
%
68.44
%
(a)
The efficiency ratio as defined by the Federal Reserve guidance is noninterest expense (which includes the provision for unfunded commitments) divided by the sum of net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding investment securities gains / losses, net.
(b)
The fully tax-equivalent efficiency ratio is noninterest expense (which includes the provision for unfunded commitments), excluding other intangible amortization, divided by the sum of taxable equivalent net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding investment securities gains / losses. Management believes the fully tax-equivalent efficiency ratio, which adjusts net interest income for the tax-favored status of certain loans and investment securities, to be the preferred industry measurement as it enhances the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources. This presentation differs from our prior reporting. All periods have been adjusted to conform.

51


Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin
TABLE 2
Net Interest Income Analysis
($ in Thousands)
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate
Earning assets:
Loans: (1)(2)(3)
Commercial and business lending
$
7,083,736

$
168,188

3.17
%
$
6,419,328

$
160,189

3.34
%
Commercial real estate lending
4,171,250

108,785

3.49
%
3,965,242

109,681

3.70
%
Total commercial
11,254,986

276,973

3.29
%
10,384,570

269,870

3.47
%
Residential mortgage
5,435,277

134,923

3.31
%
4,787,306

125,460

3.50
%
Retail
1,464,129

50,851

4.64
%
1,482,357

49,581

4.46
%
Total loans
18,154,392

462,747

3.40
%
16,654,233

444,911

3.57
%
Investment securities (1)
5,808,771

109,651

2.52
%
5,559,398

110,273

2.64
%
Other short-term investments
455,485

4,952

1.45
%
299,692

4,814

2.14
%
Investments and other
6,264,256

114,603

2.44
%
5,859,090

115,087

2.62
%
Total earning assets
24,418,648

$
577,350

3.16
%
22,513,323

$
559,998

3.32
%
Other assets, net
2,456,843

2,339,067

Total assets
$
26,875,491

$
24,852,390

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
Savings deposits
$
1,329,548

$
751

0.08
%
$
1,244,483

$
715

0.08
%
Interest-bearing demand deposits
3,218,089

3,049

0.13
%
2,930,236

2,903

0.13
%
Money market deposits
9,100,867

12,223

0.18
%
7,413,513

8,906

0.16
%
Time deposits
1,616,474

8,258

0.68
%
1,600,472

6,451

0.54
%
Total interest-bearing deposits
15,264,978

24,281

0.21
%
13,188,704

18,975

0.19
%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
632,714

714

0.15
%
860,732

1,001

0.16
%
Other short-term funding
170,300

279

0.22
%
610,055

629

0.14
%
Long-term funding
3,277,840

32,159

1.31
%
2,955,797

18,836

0.85
%
Total short and long-term funding
4,080,854

33,152

1.08
%
4,426,584

20,466

0.62
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
19,345,832

$
57,433

0.40
%
17,615,288

$
39,441

0.30
%
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
4,397,894

4,160,025

Other liabilities
251,937

191,802

Stockholders’ equity
2,879,828

2,885,275

Total liabilities and equity
$
26,875,491

$
24,852,390

Interest rate spread
2.76
%
3.02
%
Net free funds
0.08
%
0.07
%
Net interest income, tax-equivalent, and net interest margin
$
519,917

2.84
%
$
520,557

3.09
%
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment
15,107

14,251

Net interest income
$
504,810

$
506,306


52


TABLE 2 (continued)
Net Interest Income Analysis
($ in Thousands)
Three months ended September 30, 2015
Three months ended September 30, 2014
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate
Earning assets:
Loans: (1)(2)(3)
Commercial and business lending
$
7,089,664

$
55,944

3.13
%
$
6,652,227

$
54,990

3.28
%
Commercial real estate lending
4,260,329

36,694

3.42
%
4,019,286

37,780

3.73
%
Total commercial
11,349,993

92,638

3.24
%
10,671,513

92,770

3.45
%
Residential mortgage
5,658,253

47,004

3.32
%
4,947,713

42,840

3.46
%
Retail
1,444,503

16,913

4.67
%
1,521,735

17,392

4.56
%
Total loans
18,452,749

156,555

3.38
%
17,140,961

153,002

3.55
%
Investment securities (1)
5,965,769

37,049

2.48
%
5,619,982

36,486

2.60
%
Other short-term investments
415,496

1,489

1.43
%
335,774

1,503

1.79
%
Investments and other
6,381,265

38,538

2.42
%
5,955,756

37,989

2.55
%
Total earning assets
24,834,014

$
195,093

3.13
%
23,096,717

$
190,991

3.29
%
Other assets, net
2,446,062

2,375,335

Total assets
$
27,280,076

$
25,472,052

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits:
Savings deposits
$
1,357,677

$
254

0.07
%
$
1,269,994

$
254

0.08
%
Interest-bearing demand deposits
3,199,391

962

0.12
%
3,096,712

1,111

0.14
%
Money market deposits
9,538,030

4,350

0.18
%
7,721,167

3,153

0.16
%
Time deposits
1,624,661

2,955

0.72
%
1,545,851

2,103

0.54
%
Total interest-bearing deposits
15,719,759

8,521

0.22
%
13,633,724

6,621

0.19
%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
649,891

248

0.15
%
927,904

390

0.17
%
Other short-term funding
154,811

83

0.21
%
665,647

233

0.14
%
Long-term funding
3,024,774

10,645

1.41
%
2,931,714

6,179

0.84
%
Total short and long-term funding
3,829,476

10,976

1.15
%
4,525,265

6,802

0.60
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
19,549,235

$
19,497

0.40
%
18,158,989

$
13,423

0.29
%
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits
4,573,840

4,239,654

Other liabilities
237,725

197,330

Stockholders’ equity
2,919,276

2,876,079

Total liabilities and equity
$
27,280,076

$
25,472,052

Interest rate spread
2.73
%
3.00
%
Net free funds
0.09
%
0.06
%
Net interest income, tax-equivalent, and net interest margin
$
175,596

2.82
%
$
177,568

3.06
%
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment
5,087

4,938

Net interest income
$
170,509

$
172,630

(1)
The yield on tax exempt loans and securities is computed on a taxable equivalent basis using a tax rate of 35% for all periods presented and is net of the effects of certain disallowed interest deductions.
(2)
Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale have been included in the average balances.
(3)
Interest income includes net loan fees.







53


Notable contributions to the change in net interest income were:

Net interest income on a taxable equivalent basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , was $520 million , a decrease of $1 million versus the first nine months of 2014. The decrease in taxable equivalent net interest income was attributable to an unfavorable rate variance (as the impact of changes in the interest rate environment and product pricing decreased taxable equivalent net interest income by $44 million), partially offset by a favorable volume variance (as balance sheet changes in both volume and mix increased taxable equivalent net interest income by $43 million).
The net interest margin for the first nine months of 2015 was 2.84% , 25 bp lower than 3.09% for the same period in 2014. This comparable period decrease was comprised of a 26 bp decrease in interest rate spread (the net of a 16 bp decrease in yield on earning assets and a 10 bp increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities) and a 1 bp higher contribution from net free funds.
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged through the first nine months of 2015. There remains uncertainty as to the timing of a potential interest rate change. As of September 30, 2015, the market was pricing less than a 50% probability of an increase by year end 2015.
The yield on earning assets was 3.16% for the first nine months of 2015, 16 bp lower than the comparable period last year. Loan yields were down 17 bp, (to 3.40% ), and are related to competitive pricing pressures in a low interest rate environment. The yield on investment securities and other short-term investments decreased 18 bp (to 2.44% ), and was also impacted by the low interest rate environment and higher prepayment speeds of mortgage-related securities purchased at a premium.
The rate on interest-bearing liabilities of 0.40% for the first nine months of 2015 was 10 bp higher than the same period in 2014. The cost of short-term funding was relatively flat, while the cost of long-term funding increased 46 bp (to 1.31% ), mainly due to the issuance of long-term senior and subordinated notes in late 2014.
Average earning assets were $24.4 billion for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $1.9 billion (8%) from the comparable period last year. Average loans increased $1.5 billion, including increases in commercial loans (up $870 million) and residential mortgage loans (up $648 million), while retail loans decreased (down $18 million). Average investment securities and other short-term investments increased $405 million, primarily in municipal securities, mortgage related securities and interest-bearing deposits in other banks.
Average interest-bearing liabilities of $19.3 billion for the first nine months of 2015 increased $1.7 billion (10%) from the comparable period last year. Average interest-bearing deposits increased $2.1 billion (primarily in money market deposits), while noninterest bearing deposits increased $238 million. On average, short and long-term funding decreased $346 million between the comparable nine month periods, including a $668 million decrease in short-term funding, partially offset by a $322 million increase in long-term funding (also mainly due to the issuance of long-term senior and subordinated notes in late 2014).
Provision for Credit Losses
The provision for credit losses (which includes the provision for loan losses and the provision for unfunded commitments) was $18 million and $11 million for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The provision for credit losses was $16 million for the full year 2014 . Net charge offs were $22 million for the first nine months of 2015 , compared to $11 million for the first nine months of 2014 and $15 million for the full year of 2014 . Annualized net charge offs as a percent of average loans for the first nine months of 2015 were 0.16% , compared to 0.08% for the first nine months of 2014 and 0.09% for the full year 2014 . See Tables 9 and 10.
The provision for credit losses is predominantly a function of the Corporation’s reserving methodology and judgments as to other qualitative and quantitative factors used to determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses and allowance for unfunded commitments, which focuses on changes in the size and character of the loan portfolio, changes in levels of impaired and other nonaccrual loans, historical losses and delinquencies in each portfolio category, the level of loans sold or transferred to held for sale, the risk inherent in specific loans, concentrations of loans to specific borrowers or industries, existing economic conditions, the fair value of underlying collateral, and other factors which could affect potential credit losses. See additional discussion under sections “Credit Risk,” “Allowance for Credit Losses,” and “Nonaccrual Loans, Potential Problem Loans, and Other Real Estate Owned.”

54


Noninterest Income
TABLE 3
Noninterest Income
($ in Thousands)
Three months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended,
September 30
2015
2014
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
2015
2014
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
Trust service fees
$
12,273

$
12,218

$
55

0.5
%
$
36,875

$
35,946

$
929

2.6
%
Service charges on deposit accounts
17,385

17,961

(576
)
(3.2
)%
48,894

51,773

(2,879
)
(5.6
)%
Card-based and other nondeposit fees
12,618

12,407

211

1.7
%
38,631

37,493

1,138

3.0
%
Insurance commissions
17,561

7,860

9,701

123.4
%
57,366

33,828

23,538

69.6
%
Brokerage and annuity commissions
3,809

4,040

(231
)
(5.7
)%
11,684

12,593

(909
)
(7.2
)%
Core fee-based revenue
63,646

54,486

9,160

16.8
%
193,450

171,633

21,817

12.7
%
Mortgage banking income
9,557

9,140

417

4.6
%
32,588

26,527

6,061

22.8
%
Mortgage servicing rights expense
2,914

2,471

443

17.9
%
8,596

8,135

461

5.7
%
Mortgage banking, net
6,643

6,669

(26
)
(0.4
)%
23,992

18,392

5,600

30.4
%
Capital market fees, net
2,170

2,939

(769
)
(26.2
)%
7,329

7,360

(31
)
(0.4
)%
Bank owned life insurance income
2,448

3,506

(1,058
)
(30.2
)%
7,704

10,837

(3,133
)
(28.9
)%
Other
2,118

2,317

(199
)
(8.6
)%
6,916

5,424

1,492

27.5
%
Subtotal ("fee income")
77,025

69,917

7,108

10.2
%
239,391

213,646

25,745

12.1
%
Asset gains, net
95

4,934

(4,839
)
(98.1
)%
3,084

6,561

(3,477
)
(53.0
)%
Investment securities gains, net
2,796

57

2,739

N/M

4,038

469

3,569

N/M

Total noninterest income
$
79,916

$
74,908

$
5,008

6.7
%
$
246,513

$
220,676

$
25,837

11.7
%
Fee Income Ratio *
30
%
28
%
32
%
29
%
Mortgage loans originated for sale during period
$
291,931

$
298,083

$
911,133

$
777,532

Trust assets under management, at market value
$
7,625,613

$
7,700,305

$
7,625,613

$
7,700,305

N/M = Not Meaningful
* Fee income ratio is fee income, per the above table, divided by total revenue (defined as taxable equivalent net interest income plus fee income).
Notable contributions to the change in noninterest income were:
Core fee-based revenue was $193 million , an increase of $22 million ( 13% ) versus the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Insurance commissions were $57 million , up $24 million ( 70% ) from the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The increase in insurance commissions was primarily due to the acquisition of Ahmann & Martin Co. See Note 2, "Acquisition," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information on the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition.
Net mortgage banking income was $24 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $18 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Net mortgage banking consists of gross mortgage banking income less mortgage servicing rights expense. Gross mortgage banking income includes servicing fees, the gain or loss on sales of mortgage loans to the secondary market, changes to the mortgage loan repurchase reserve, and the fair value adjustments on the mortgage derivatives. Gross mortgage banking income increased $6 million ( 23% ) compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , primarily due to a $4 million increase in gain on sale and a $2 million favorable change in the fair value of the mortgage derivatives.
Bank owned life insurance income was $8 million , down $3 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily due to death benefits received during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . All remaining noninterest income categories on a combined basis increased $2 million from the first nine months of 2014.

55


Noninterest Expense
TABLE 4
Noninterest Expense
($ in Thousands)
Three months ended
September 30,
Nine months ended
September 30,
2015
2014
Dollar
Change
Percent
Change
2015
2014
Dollar Change
Percent Change
Personnel expense
$
101,134

$
97,650

$
3,484

3.6
%
$
304,272

$
293,141

$
11,131

3.8
%
Occupancy
14,187

13,743

444

3.2
%
46,178

43,088

3,090

7.2
%
Equipment
6,003

6,133

(130
)
(2.1
)%
17,514

18,636

(1,122
)
(6.0
)%
Technology
14,748

13,573

1,175

8.7
%
46,660

40,891

5,769

14.1
%
Business development and advertising
5,964

7,467

(1,503
)
(20.1
)%
18,120

17,606

514

2.9
%
Other intangible amortization
885

990

(105
)
(10.6
)%
2,574

2,972

(398
)
(13.4
)%
Loan expense
3,305

3,813

(508
)
(13.3
)%
9,982

10,220

(238
)
(2.3
)%
Legal and professional fees
4,207

4,604

(397
)
(8.6
)%
13,089

13,228

(139
)
(1.1
)%
Foreclosure / OREO expense
496

2,083

(1,587
)
(76.2
)%
3,224

5,554

(2,330
)
(42.0
)%
FDIC expense
6,000

6,859

(859
)
(12.5
)%
18,500

16,805

1,695

10.1
%
Other
14,507

14,938

(431
)
(2.9
)%
42,394

45,295

(2,901
)
(6.4
)%
Total noninterest expense
$
171,436

$
171,853

$
(417
)
(0.2
)%
$
522,507

$
507,436

$
15,071

3.0
%
Average full-time equivalent employees
4,421

4,359

4,436

4,435

Notable contributions to the change in noninterest expense were:
Personnel expense (which includes salary-related expenses and fringe benefit expenses) was $304 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , up $11 million ( 4% ) from the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Salary-related expenses increased $10 million (4%). This increase was primarily attributable to the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition which added approximately 110 colleagues during the first nine months of 2015. Fringe benefit expenses were relatively flat from the comparable period in 2014.
Nonpersonnel noninterest expenses on a combined basis were $218 million , up $4 million ( 2% ) from the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Occupancy was up $3 million ( 7% ), related to a lease termination charge in the first quarter of 2015, as the Corporation further consolidated office space in Chicago. Technology was up $6 million ( 14% ), as the Corporation continues to invest in solutions that will drive operational efficiency. Foreclosure/OREO expense decreased $2 million ( 42% ) compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , as credit quality continues to improve and foreclosures trend down. All remaining noninterest expense categories on a combined basis were down $3 million (2%) compared to the first nine months of 2014.
Income Taxes
The Corporation recognized income tax expense of $66 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , compared to income tax expense of $67 million for the comparable period in 2014 . The effective tax rate was 31.14% for the first nine months of 2015 , compared to an effective tax rate of 32.02% for the first nine months of 2014 .

Income tax expense recorded in the consolidated statements of income involves the interpretation and application of certain accounting pronouncements and federal and state tax laws and regulations, and is, therefore, considered a critical accounting policy. The Corporation is subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Examination by taxing authorities may impact the amount of tax expense and / or reserve for uncertain tax positions if their interpretations differ from those of management, based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examinations. See Note 10, “Income Taxes,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements and section “Critical Accounting Policies," for additional information on income taxes.
Balance Sheet
At September 30, 2015 , total assets were $27.5 billion , up $645 million ( 2% ) from December 31, 2014 . Loans of $18.5 billion at September 30, 2015 were up $931 million ( 5% ) from December 31, 2014 . See section "Credit Risk" for additional information on loans. Investment securities were $6.0 billion at September 30, 2015 , up slightly ( 4% ) from year-end 2014 .

56


At September 30, 2015 , total deposits of $20.6 billion were up $1.8 billion ( 10% ) from December 31, 2014 . See section "Deposits" for additional information on deposits. Given the increase in deposits, short and long-term funding decreased $1.3 billion ( 26% ) since year-end 2014, primarily in long-term FHLB advances.
TABLE 5
Period End Loan Composition
($ in Thousands)
September 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
September 30, 2014
Amount
% of Total
Amount
% of Total
Amount
% of Total
Amount
% of Total
Amount
% of Total
Commercial and industrial
$
6,085,473

33
%
$
6,208,192

34
%
$
6,140,420

34
%
$
5,905,902

34
%
$
5,603,899

33
%
Commercial real estate - owner occupied
966,689

5

978,183

5

1,003,885

6

1,007,937

6

1,014,335

6

Lease financing
42,607


46,900


49,496


51,529


52,600


Commercial and business lending
7,094,769

38

7,233,275

39

7,193,801

40

6,965,368

40

6,670,834

39

Commercial real estate - investor
3,183,352

17

3,126,440

17

3,086,980

17

3,056,485

17

3,043,361

17

Real estate construction
1,124,280

6

1,092,308

6

1,019,571

6

1,008,956

6

982,426

6

Commercial real estate lending
4,307,632

23

4,218,748

23

4,106,551

23

4,065,441

23

4,025,787

23

Total commercial
11,402,401

61

11,452,023

62

11,300,352

63

11,030,809

63

10,696,621

62

Home equity revolving lines of credit
883,573

5

880,628

5

879,827

5

887,779

5

880,435

5

Home equity loans junior liens
130,892

1

141,344

1

154,120

1

164,148

1

176,316

1

Home equity
1,014,465

6

1,021,972

6

1,033,947

6

1,051,927

6

1,056,751

6

Installment and credit cards
425,729

2

430,823

2

436,492

2

454,219

3

459,682

3

Residential mortgage
5,682,178

31

5,398,434

30

5,208,241

29

5,056,891

28

4,946,036

29

Total consumer
7,122,372

39

6,851,229

38

6,678,680

37

6,563,037

37

6,462,469

38

Total loans
$
18,524,773

100
%
$
18,303,252

100
%
$
17,979,032

100
%
$
17,593,846

100
%
$
17,159,090

100
%
Commercial real estate - investor and Real estate construction loan detail:
Farmland
$
9,645

%
$
9,590

%
$
8,987

%
$
9,249

%
$
8,428

%
Multi-family
921,456

29

902,680

29

926,640

30

976,956

32

1,030,131

34

Non-owner occupied
2,252,251

71

2,214,170

71

2,151,353

70

2,070,280

68

2,004,802

66

Commercial real estate - investor
$
3,183,352

100
%
$
3,126,440

100
%
$
3,086,980

100
%
$
3,056,485

100
%
$
3,043,361

100
%
1-4 family construction
$
315,538

28
%
$
318,222

29
%
$
300,210

29
%
$
304,992

30
%
$
305,719

31
%
All other construction
808,742

72

774,086

71

719,361

71

703,964

70

676,707

69

Real estate construction
$
1,124,280

100
%
$
1,092,308

100
%
$
1,019,571

100
%
$
1,008,956

100
%
$
982,426

100
%
Credit Risk
Total loans were $18.5 billion at September 30, 2015 , an increase of $931 million or 5% from December 31, 2014 . Commercial and business loans were $7.1 billion , up $130 million ( 2% ) from December 31, 2014 , to represent 38% of total loans at September 30, 2015 . Commercial real estate lending totaled $4.3 billion at September 30, 2015 and represented 23% of total loans, an increase of $242 million ( 6% ) from December 31, 2014 . Consumer loans were $7.1 billion , up $559 million ( 9% ) from December 31, 2014 , and represented 39% of total loans at September 30, 2015 .
An active credit risk management process is used for commercial loans to ensure that sound and consistent credit decisions are made. Credit risk is controlled by detailed underwriting procedures, comprehensive loan administration, and periodic review of borrowers’ outstanding loans and commitments. Borrower relationships are formally reviewed and graded on an ongoing basis for early identification of potential problems. Further analyses by customer, industry, and geographic location are performed to monitor trends, financial performance, and concentrations.
Factors that are important to managing overall credit quality are sound loan underwriting and administration, systematic monitoring of existing loans and commitments, effective loan review on an ongoing basis, early identification of potential problems, and appropriate allowance for loan losses, allowance for unfunded commitments, nonaccrual and charge off policies.

57


The Corporation has long-term guidelines relative to the proportion of Commercial and Business, Commercial Real Estate, and Consumer loans within the overall loan portfolio, with each targeted to represent 30-40% of the overall loan portfolio. The targeted long-term guidelines were unchanged during 2014 and the first nine months of 2015 . Furthermore, certain sub-asset classes within the respective portfolios were further defined and dollar limitations were placed on these sub-portfolios. These guidelines and limits are reviewed quarterly and approved annually by the Enterprise Risk Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors. These guidelines and limits are designed to create balance and diversification within the loan portfolios.
Commercial and business lending
The commercial and business lending classification primarily includes commercial loans to large corporations, middle market companies and small businesses. At September 30, 2015 , the largest industry groups within the commercial and business lending category included the manufacturing sector which represented 8% of total loans and 21% of the total commercial and business lending portfolio. The next largest industry groups within the commercial and business lending category were the Finance and Insurance sector and Mining, which each represented 4% of total loans and 11% of the total commercial and business lending portfolio at September 30, 2015 . The remaining portfolio is spread over a diverse range of industries, none of which exceeds 4% of total loans. The credit risk related to commercial loans is largely influenced by general economic conditions and the resulting impact on a borrower’s operations or on the value of underlying collateral, if any.
Commercial real estate lending
Commercial real estate lending primarily includes commercial-based loans to investors that are secured by commercial income properties or multi-family projects. Commercial real estate loans are typically intermediate to long-term financings. Loans of this type are mainly secured by commercial income properties or multi-family projects. Credit risk is managed in a similar manner to commercial and business lending by employing sound underwriting guidelines, lending primarily to borrowers in local markets and businesses, periodically evaluating the underlying collateral, and formally reviewing the borrower’s financial soundness and relationship on an ongoing basis.
Real estate construction
Real estate construction loans are primarily short-term or interim loans that provide financing for the acquisition or development of commercial income properties, multi-family projects or residential development, both single family and condominium. Real estate construction loans are made to developers and project managers who are generally well known to the Corporation, and have prior successful project experience. The credit risk associated with real estate construction loans is generally confined to specific geographic areas but is also influenced by general economic conditions. The Corporation controls the credit risk on these types of loans by making loans in familiar markets to developers, reviewing the merits of individual projects, controlling loan structure, and monitoring project progress and construction advances.
The Corporation’s current lending standards for commercial real estate and real estate construction lending are determined by property type and specifically address many criteria, including: maximum loan amounts, maximum loan-to-value (“LTV”), requirements for pre-leasing and / or presales, minimum borrower equity, and maximum loan to cost. Currently, the maximum standard for LTV is 80%, with lower limits established for certain higher risk types, such as raw land which has a 50% LTV maximum. The Corporation’s LTV guidelines are in compliance with regulatory supervisory limits. In most cases, for real estate construction loans, the loan amounts include interest reserves, which are built into the loans and sized to fund loan payments through construction and lease up and / or sell out.
Residential mortgage
Residential mortgage loans are primarily first lien home mortgages with a maximum loan to collateral value without credit enhancement (e.g. private mortgage insurance) of 80%. As part of management’s historical practice of originating and servicing residential mortgage loans, generally the Corporation’s 30-year, fixed-rate, conforming residential real estate mortgage loans are sold in the secondary market with servicing rights retained. The majority of the on balance sheet residential mortgage portfolio consists of hybrid, adjustable rate mortgage loans with initial fixed rate terms of 3, 5, 7, or 10 years. The Corporation occasionally retains a portion of its originated 15-year and under, fixed-rate residential real estate mortgages in its loan portfolio. At September 30, 2015 , the residential mortgage portfolio was comprised of $1.8 billion of fixed-rate residential real estate mortgages and $3.9 billion of adjustable-rate residential real estate mortgages.
The Corporation’s underwriting and risk-based pricing guidelines for residential mortgage loans include minimum borrower FICO and maximum LTV of the property securing the loan. Residential mortgage products generally are underwritten using FHLMC and FNMA secondary marketing guidelines.

58


Home equity
Our home equity lending portfolio consists of both home equity lines of credit and closed-end home equity loans. The Corporation’s credit risk monitoring guidelines for home equity lending is based on an ongoing review of loan delinquency status, as well as a quarterly review of FICO score deterioration and property devaluation. The Corporation does not routinely obtain appraisals on performing loans to update LTV ratios after origination; however, the Corporation monitors the local housing markets by reviewing the various home price indices and incorporates the impact of the changing market conditions in its ongoing credit monitoring process. For junior lien home equity loans, the Corporation is unable to track the performance of the first lien loan if it does not own or service the first lien loan. However, the Corporation obtains a refreshed FICO score on a quarterly basis and monitors this as part of its assessment of the home equity portfolio. Loans and lines in a junior position at September 30, 2015 included approximately 43% for which the Corporation also owned or serviced the related first lien loan and approximately 57% where the Corporation did not service the related first lien loan.
The Corporation’s underwriting and risk-based pricing guidelines for home equity lines and loans consist of a combination of both borrower FICO and the original LTV of the property securing the loan. Currently, for home equity products, the maximum acceptable LTV is 90% for customers with FICO scores exceeding 700. Home equity loans generally have a 20 year term and are fixed rate with principal and interest payments required, while home equity lines are generally variable rate, interest only lines of credit which do not require the payment of principal during the initial revolving period, after which principal payments are required. Based upon outstanding balances at September 30, 2015 , the following table presents the periods when home equity lines of credit revolving periods are scheduled to end.
TABLE 6
Home Equity Lines of Credit - Revolving Period End Dates
($ in Thousands)
Home Equity Lines of Credit - Revolving Period End Dates
% of Total
Less than 1 year
$
4,488

<1%

1 — 3 years
4,218

<1%

3 — 5 years
27,413

3
%
5 — 10 years
181,622

21
%
Over 10 years
665,832

75
%
Total home equity revolving lines of credit
$
883,573

100
%
Installment and credit cards
Installment and credit cards consist of student loans, short-term and other personal installment loans and credit cards. Credit risk for non-government guaranteed student, short-term and personal installment loans and credit cards is generally influenced by general economic conditions, the characteristics of individual borrowers, and the nature of the loan collateral. Risks of loss are generally on smaller average balances per loan spread over many borrowers. Once charged off, there is usually less opportunity for recovery on these smaller retail loans. Credit risk is primarily controlled by reviewing the creditworthiness of the borrowers, monitoring payment histories, and taking appropriate collateral and guarantee positions. The student loan portfolio is in run-off and no new student loans are being originated.
The loan portfolio is widely diversified by types of borrowers, industry groups, and market areas within our core footprint. Significant loan concentrations are considered to exist when there are amounts loaned to numerous borrowers engaged in similar activities that would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At September 30, 2015 , no significant concentrations existed in the Corporation’s portfolio in excess of 10% of total loans.

59


TABLE 7
Commercial Loan Maturity Distribution and Interest Rate Sensitivity
($ in Thousands)
Maturity(1)
September 30, 2015
Within 1 Year(2)
1-5 Years
After 5 Years
Total
% of Total
Commercial and industrial
$
4,952,971

$
847,987

$
284,515

$
6,085,473

54
%
Commercial real estate - investor
1,211,992

1,831,930

139,430

3,183,352

28
%
Commercial real estate - owner occupied
280,683

561,789

124,217

966,689

8
%
Real estate construction
783,056

305,801

35,423

1,124,280

10
%
Total
$
7,228,702

$
3,547,507

$
583,585

$
11,359,794

100
%
Fixed rate
$
3,276,968

$
1,027,564

$
271,344

$
4,575,876

40
%
Floating or adjustable rate
3,951,734

2,519,943

312,241

6,783,918

60
%
Total
$
7,228,702

$
3,547,507

$
583,585

$
11,359,794

100
%
Percent by maturity distribution
64
%
31
%
5
%
100
%
(1)
Based upon scheduled principal repayments.
(2)
Demand loans, past due loans, and overdrafts are reported in the "Within 1 Year" category.

The total commercial loans that were floating or adjustable rate was $6.8 billion ( 60% ) at September 30, 2015 . Including the $3.3 billion of fixed rate loans due within one year, 89% of the commercial loan portfolio noted above matures, re-prices, or resets within one year. Of the fixed rate loans due within one year, 93% have an original maturity within one year.
Deposits
TABLE 8
Period End Deposit and Customer Funding Composition
($ in Thousands)
September 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
September 30, 2014
Amount
% of
Total
Amount
% of
Total
Amount
% of
Total
Amount
% of
Total
Amount
% of
Total
Noninterest-bearing demand
$
4,657,261

23
%
$
4,332,171

23
%
$
4,570,872

23
%
$
4,505,272

24
%
$
4,302,454

24
%
Savings
1,346,407

6

1,359,478

7

1,337,643

7

1,235,277

7

1,256,567

7

Interest-bearing demand
3,416,429

17

3,576,311

19

3,525,870

18

3,126,854

17

3,637,411

20

Money market
9,516,503

46

8,374,186

43

8,781,206

44

8,324,646

44

7,491,460

41

Brokered CDs
42,689


39,760


40,699


42,556


9,242


Other time
1,579,106

8

1,587,657

8

1,595,302

8

1,528,899

8

1,504,124

8

Total deposits
$
20,558,395

100
%
$
19,269,563

100
%
$
19,851,592

100
%
$
18,763,504

100
%
$
18,201,258

100
%
Customer funding
524,630

433,044

528,572

384,221

493,451

Total deposits and customer funding
$
21,083,025

$
19,702,607

$
20,380,164

$
19,147,725

$
18,694,709

Network transaction deposits included above in interest-bearing demand and money market
$
3,207,867

$
2,920,939

$
2,900,325

$
2,852,943

$
2,207,055

Total network transaction deposits and Brokered CDs
3,250,556

2,960,699

2,941,024

2,895,499

2,216,297

Total deposits and customer funding, excluding Brokered CDs and network transaction deposits
$
17,832,469

$
16,741,908

$
17,439,140

$
16,252,226

$
16,478,412

Time deposits of $100,000 or more
$
511,070

$
470,092

$
510,977

$
457,254

$
394,438

Time deposits of more than $250,000
$
169,146

$
185,273

$
188,328

$
152,059

$
135,101

Deposits are the Corporation’s largest source of funds. Selected period-end deposit information is detailed in Table 8. Total deposits increased $2.4 billion ( 13% ) from September 30, 2014 , and increased $ 1.8 billion ( 10% ) from December 31, 2014 , primarily in money market accounts.

60


Allowance for Credit Losses
TABLE 9
Allowance for Credit Losses
($ in Thousands)
At and For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
At and For the Year
Ended December 31,

2015

2014

2014

Allowance for Loan Losses:
Balance at beginning of period
$
266,302


$
268,315


$
268,315


Provision for loan losses
18,500


8,500


13,000


Charge offs
(39,539
)

(35,318
)

(44,096
)

Recoveries
17,273


24,765


29,083


Net charge offs
(22,266
)

(10,553
)

(15,013
)

Balance at end of period
$
262,536


$
266,262


$
266,302


Allowance for Unfunded Commitments:
Balance at beginning of period
$
24,900


$
21,900


$
21,900


Provision for unfunded commitments
(1,000
)

2,500


3,000


Balance at end of period
$
23,900


$
24,400


$
24,900


Allowance for credit losses (A)
$
286,436


$
290,662


$
291,202


Provision for credit losses (B)
$
17,500


$
11,000


$
16,000


Net Loan Charge Offs (Recoveries):
(C)

(C)

(C)

Commercial and industrial
$
13,280

29

$
1,920

5

$
3,243

6

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
1,433

19

1,536

19

1,670

16

Lease financing


23

6

32

6

Commercial and business lending
14,713

28

3,479

7

4,945

8

Commercial real estate - investor
(177
)
(1
)
(5,335
)
(24
)
(5,467
)
(18
)
Real estate construction
(1,378
)
(17
)
1,258

18

1,142

12

Commercial real estate lending
(1,555
)
(5
)
(4,077
)
(14
)
(4,325
)
(11
)
Total commercial
13,158

16

(598
)
(1
)
620

1

Home equity revolving lines of credit
1,999

30

3,660

56

4,754

54

Home equity loans junior liens
899

81

2,535

176

2,992

160

Home equity
2,898

38

6,195

78

7,746

73

Installment and credit cards
2,365

73

1,270

41

2,260

53

Residential mortgage
3,845

9

3,686

10

4,387

9

Total consumer
9,108

18

11,151

24

14,393

23

Total net charge offs
$
22,266

16

$
10,553

8

$
15,013

9

Commercial real estate & Real estate construction Net Charge Off Detail:
(C)

(C)

(C)

Multi-family
$
39

1

$
(6,089
)
(83
)
$
(6,170
)
(62
)
Non-owner occupied
(216
)
(1
)
754

5

703

3

Commercial real estate - investor
$
(177
)
(1
)
$
(5,335
)
(24
)
$
(5,467
)
(18
)
1-4 family construction
$
(515
)
(22
)
$
(170
)
(8
)
$
(369
)
(12
)
All other construction
(863
)
(16
)
1,428

29

1,511

22

Real estate construction
$
(1,378
)
(17
)
$
1,258

18

$
1,142

12

(A) – Includes the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for unfunded commitments.

(B) – Includes the provision for loan losses and the provision for unfunded commitments.

(C) – Annualized ratio of net charge offs to average loans by loan type in basis points.

Ratios:
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
1.42
%
1.55
%
1.51
%

Allowance for loan losses to net charge offs (annualized)
8.8x

18.9x

17.7x





61


TABLE 9 (continued)
Allowance for Credit Losses
($ in Thousands)
Quarterly Trends:
September 30,
2015
June 30,
2015
March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
September 30,
2014

Allowance for Loan Losses:
Balance at beginning of period
$
261,538

$
265,268

$
266,302

$
266,262

$
271,851


Provision for loan losses
9,000

5,000

4,500

4,500

(3,000
)

Charge offs
(11,732
)
(14,537
)
(13,270
)
(8,778
)
(14,850
)

Recoveries
3,730

5,807

7,736

4,318

12,261


Net charge offs
(8,002
)
(8,730
)
(5,534
)
(4,460
)
(2,589
)

Balance at end of period
$
262,536

$
261,538

$
265,268

$
266,302

$
266,262


Allowance for Unfunded Commitments:
Balance at beginning of period
$
24,900

$
24,900

$
24,900

$
24,400

$
20,400


Provision for unfunded commitments
(1,000
)


500

4,000


Balance at end of period
$
23,900

$
24,900

$
24,900

$
24,900

$
24,400


Allowance for credit losses (A)
$
286,436

$
286,438

$
290,168

$
291,202

$
290,662


Provision for credit losses (B)
$
8,000

$
5,000

$
4,500

$
5,000

$
1,000


Net Loan Charge Offs (Recoveries):
(C)


(C)


(C)


(C)


(C)

Commercial and industrial
$
4,709

31

$
3,921

26

$
4,650

32

$
1,323

9

$
572

4

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
(504
)
(21
)
1,198

48

739

30

134

5

2,210

84

Lease financing






9

7

(6
)
(5
)
Commercial and business lending
4,205

24

5,119

29

5,389

31

1,466

9

2,776

17

Commercial real estate - investor
496

6

1,856

24

(2,529
)
(33
)
(132
)
(2
)
(4,065
)
(54
)
Real estate construction
38

1

(673
)
(26
)
(743
)
(30
)
(116
)
(5
)
350

14

Commercial real estate lending
534

5

1,183

11

(3,272
)
(32
)
(248
)
(2
)
(3,715
)
(37
)
Total commercial
4,739

17

6,302

22

2,117

8

1,218

4

(939
)
(3
)
Home equity revolving lines of credit
533

24

246

11

1,220

56

1,094

49

1,098

50

Home equity loans junior liens
358

104

118

32

423

108

457

107

728

159

Home equity
891

35

364

14

1,643

64

1,551

58

1,826

69

Installment and credit cards
810

75

786

73

769

70

990

86

910

78

Residential mortgage
1,562

11

1,278

9

1,005

8

701

5

792

6

Total consumer
3,263

18

2,428

14

3,417

21

3,242

19

3,528

22

Total net charge offs
$
8,002

17

$
8,730

19

$
5,534

13

$
4,460

10

$
2,589

6

Commercial real estate & Real estate construction Net Charge Off Detail:
(C)


(C)


(C)


(C)


(C)

Multi-family
$
35

2

$


$
4


$
(81
)
(3
)
$
(6,022
)
(243
)
Non-owner occupied
461

8

1,856

34

(2,533
)
(48
)
(51
)
(1
)
1,957

38

Commercial real estate - investor
$
496

6

$
1,856

24

$
(2,529
)
(33
)
$
(132
)
(2
)
$
(4,065
)
(54
)
1-4 family construction
$
(31
)
(4
)
$
(280
)
(35
)
$
(204
)
(27
)
$
(199
)
(25
)
$
(53
)
(7
)
All other construction
69

3

(393
)
(22
)
(539
)
(32
)
83

5

403

23

Real estate construction
$
38

1

$
(673
)
(26
)
$
(743
)
(30
)
$
(116
)
(5
)
$
350

14

(A) – Includes the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for unfunded commitments.

(B) – Includes the provision for loan losses and the provision for unfunded commitments.

(C) – Annualized ratio of net charge offs to average loans by loan type in basis points.

Credit risks within the loan portfolio are inherently different for each loan type. Credit risk is controlled and monitored through the use of lending standards, a thorough review of potential borrowers, and ongoing review of loan payment performance. Active asset quality administration, including early problem loan identification and timely resolution of problems, aids in the management of credit risk and minimization of loan losses. Credit risk management for each loan type is discussed briefly in the section entitled “Credit Risk.”

62


The allowance for credit losses is comprised of the allowance for loan losses and the allowance for unfunded commitments. The level of the allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of an amount appropriate to provide for probable credit losses in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated probable losses related to unfunded credit facilities (including unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit) and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
In general, the change in the allowance for credit losses is a function of a number of factors, including but not limited to changes in the loan portfolio (see Table 5), net charge offs (see Table 9) and nonperforming assets (see Table 10). To assess the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses, an allocation methodology is applied by the Corporation which focuses on an evaluation of facts and issues related to specific loans, management’s ongoing review and grading of the loan portfolio, consideration of historical loan loss and delinquency experience on each portfolio category, trends in past due and nonaccrual loans, the level of potential problem loans, the risk characteristics of the various classifications of loans, changes in the size and character of the loan portfolio, concentrations of loans to specific borrowers or industries, existing economic conditions, the fair value of underlying collateral, and other qualitative and quantitative factors which could affect potential credit losses. Assessing these factors involves significant judgment. While management uses currently available information to recognize losses on loans, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on newly received appraisals, updated commercial customer financial statements, rapidly deteriorating customer cash flow, and changes in economic conditions that affect our customers. Management considers the allowance for loan losses a critical accounting policy (see section “Critical Accounting Policies”), as assessing these numerous factors involves significant judgment.
The methodology used for the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was generally comparable, whereby the Corporation segregated its loss factors (used for both criticized and non-criticized loan categories) into a component primarily based on historical loss rates and a component primarily based on other qualitative factors that are probable to affect loan collectability. The Corporation's allowance for loan losses methodology considers an estimate of the historical loss emergence period (which is the period of time between the event that triggers a loss and the confirmation and / or charge off of that loss). Management allocates the allowance for loan losses by pools of risk within each loan portfolio. The allocation methodology consists of the following components: First, a valuation allowance estimate is established for specifically identified commercial and consumer loans determined by the Corporation to be impaired, using discounted cash flows, estimated fair value of underlying collateral, and / or other data available. Second, management allocates the allowance for loan losses with loss factors, for criticized loan pools by loan type as well as for non-criticized loan pools by loan type, primarily based on historical loss rates after considering loan type, historical loss and delinquency experience, and industry statistics. Loans that have been criticized are considered to have a higher risk of default than non-criticized loans, as circumstances were present to support the lower loan grade, warranting higher loss factors. The loss factors applied in the methodology are periodically re-evaluated and adjusted to reflect changes in historical loss levels or other risks. Lastly, management allocates the allowance for loan losses to absorb unrecognized losses that may not be provided for by the other components due to other factors evaluated by management, such as limitations within the credit risk grading process, known current economic or business conditions that may not yet show in trends, industry or other concentrations with current issues that impose higher inherent risks than are reflected in the loss factors, and other relevant considerations. Because each of the criteria used is subject to change, the allocation of the allowance for loan losses is made for analytical purposes and is not necessarily indicative of the trend of future loan losses in any particular category. The total allowance for loan losses is available to absorb losses from any segment of the loan portfolio.
The methodology used for the allowance for unfunded commitments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was also generally comparable. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for unfunded commitments is based on management's evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, including an assessment of historical commitment utilization experience and credit risk grading of the loan.
At September 30, 2015 , the allowance for credit losses was $286 million compared to $291 million at both September 30, 2014 , and December 31, 2014 . At September 30, 2015 , the allowance for loan losses to total loans was 1.42% and covered 178% of nonaccrual loans, compared to 1.55% and 145% , respectively, at September 30, 2014 , and 1.51% and 150% , respectively, at December 31, 2014 . Tables 9 and 10 provide additional information regarding activity in the allowance for credit losses, impaired loans, and nonperforming assets. See Note 7, “Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses, and Credit Quality,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional allowance for credit losses disclosures.
Management believes the level of allowance for loan losses and allowance for unfunded commitments to be appropriate at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 .

63


Nonaccrual Loans, Potential Problem Loans, and Other Real Estate Owned

TABLE 10
Nonperforming Assets
($ in Thousands)
September 30, 2015
June 30,
2015
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
September 30, 2014
Nonperforming assets by type:
Commercial and industrial
$
58,421

$
64,738

$
61,620

$
49,663

$
51,143

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
13,368

18,821

21,861

25,825

24,340

Lease financing
1,763

1,656

1,720

1,801

1,947

Commercial and business lending
73,552

85,215

85,201

77,289

77,430

Commercial real estate - investor
6,921

6,090

13,742

22,685

25,106

Real estate construction
997

2,906

5,423

5,399

8,187

Commercial real estate lending
7,918

8,996

19,165

28,084

33,293

Total commercial
81,470

94,211

104,366

105,373

110,723

Home equity revolving lines of credit
8,060

8,420

9,171

9,853

10,154

Home equity loans junior liens
5,581

5,356

6,145

6,598

6,443

Home equity
13,641

13,776

15,316

16,451

16,597

Installment and credit cards
386

454

515

613

653

Residential mortgage
51,957

51,920

54,149

54,976

56,165

Total consumer
65,984

66,150

69,980

72,040

73,415

Total nonaccrual loans (“NALs”)
$
147,454

$
160,361

$
174,346

$
177,413

$
184,138

Commercial real estate owned
$
9,242

$
9,906

$
10,620

$
11,699

$
10,733

Residential real estate owned
3,788

2,996

3,474

4,111

4,676

Bank properties real estate owned
710

655

832

922

1,431

Other real estate owned (“OREO”)
13,740

13,557

14,926

16,732

16,840

Total nonperforming assets (“NPAs”)
$
161,194

$
173,918

$
189,272

$
194,145

$
200,978

Commercial real estate & Real estate construction NALs detail:
Multi-family
$
2

$
40

$
423

$
2,478

$
2,518

Non-owner occupied
6,919

6,050

13,319

20,207

22,588

Commercial real estate - investor
$
6,921

$
6,090

$
13,742

$
22,685

$
25,106

1-4 family construction
$
337

$
682

$
1,304

$
1,262

$
1,350

All other construction
660

2,224

4,119

4,137

6,837

Real estate construction
$
997

$
2,906

$
5,423

$
5,399

$
8,187

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more:
Commercial
$
178

$
262

$
197

$
254

$
269

Consumer
1,306

1,400

1,518

1,369

1,421

Total accruing loans past due 90 days or more
$
1,484

$
1,662

$
1,715

$
1,623

$
1,690

Restructured loans (accruing):
Commercial
$
55,006

$
60,219

$
59,738

$
68,200

$
73,774

Consumer
27,803

30,001

29,079

30,016

30,829

Total restructured loans (accruing)
$
82,809

$
90,220

$
88,817

$
98,216

$
104,603

Nonaccrual restructured loans (included in nonaccrual loans)
$
36,583

$
43,699

$
53,553

$
57,656

$
63,314

Ratios:
Nonaccrual loans to total loans
0.80
%
0.88
%
0.97
%
1.01
%
1.07
%
NPAs to total loans plus OREO
0.87
%
0.95
%
1.05
%
1.10
%
1.17
%
NPAs to total assets
0.59
%
0.64
%
0.70
%
0.72
%
0.78
%
Allowance for loan losses to NALs
178.05
%
163.09
%
152.15
%
150.10
%
144.60
%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans
1.42
%
1.43
%
1.48
%
1.51
%
1.55
%





64


Table 10 (continued)
Nonperforming Assets
($ in Thousands)
September 30, 2015
June 30,
2015
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
September 30, 2014
Loans 30-89 days past due by type:
Commercial and industrial
$
2,921

$
6,357

$
1,717

$
14,747

$
3,947

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
2,018

1,090

1,849

10,628

2,675

Lease financing
375





Commercial and business lending
5,314

7,447

3,566

25,375

6,622

Commercial real estate - investor
1,218

19,843

2,215

1,208

15,869

Real estate construction
373

312

317

984

399

Commercial real estate lending
1,591

20,155

2,532

2,192

16,268

Total commercial
6,905

27,602

6,098

27,567

22,890

Home equity revolving lines of credit
6,142

5,157

7,150

6,725

6,739

Home equity loans junior liens
2,423

1,894

1,905

2,058

2,496

Home equity
8,565

7,051

9,055

8,783

9,235

Installment and credit cards
1,723

1,655

1,818

1,932

1,818

Residential mortgage
4,811

6,602

4,356

4,846

4,734

Total consumer
15,099

15,308

15,229

15,561

15,787

Total loans 30-89 days past due
$
22,004

$
42,910

$
21,327

$
43,128

$
38,677

Commercial real estate & Real estate construction loans 30-89 days past due detail:
Farmland
$
66

$

$

$

$

Multi-family
114

541

849

687


Non-owner occupied
1,038

19,302

1,366

521

15,869

Commercial real estate - investor
$
1,218

$
19,843

$
2,215

$
1,208

$
15,869

1-4 family construction
$
28

$
213

$
317

$
527

$
345

All other construction
345

99


457

54

Real estate construction
$
373

$
312

$
317

$
984

$
399

Potential problem loans by type:
Commercial and industrial
$
191,941

$
125,643

$
138,403

$
108,522

$
133,416

Commercial real estate - owner occupied
41,466

41,997

43,114

48,695

49,008

Lease financing
233

1,385

2,009

2,709

3,787

Commercial and business lending
233,640

169,025

183,526

159,926

186,211

Commercial real estate - investor
23,633

23,543

26,026

24,043

28,474

Real estate construction
2,354

1,327

1,487

1,776

2,227

Commercial real estate lending
25,987

24,870

27,513

25,819

30,701

Total commercial
259,627

193,895

211,039

185,745

216,912

Home equity revolving lines of credit
141

202

247

204

224

Home equity loans junior liens
86

230

711

676

687

Home equity
227

432

958

880

911

Installment and credit cards



2

4

Residential mortgage
3,966

5,341

6,621

3,781

2,166

Total consumer
4,193

5,773

7,579

4,663

3,081

Total potential problem loans
$
263,820

$
199,668

$
218,618

$
190,408

$
219,993





65


Management is committed to a proactive nonaccrual and problem loan identification philosophy. This philosophy is implemented through the ongoing monitoring and review of all pools of risk in the loan portfolio to ensure that problem loans are identified quickly and the risk of loss is minimized. Table 10 provides detailed information regarding nonperforming assets, which include nonaccrual loans and other real estate owned.
Nonaccrual Loans
Nonaccrual loans are considered one indicator of potential future loan losses. See also Note 7, "Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses, and Credit Quality," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional nonaccrual loan disclosures. The ratio of nonaccrual loans to total loans was 0.80% at September 30, 2015 , compared to 1.07% at September 30, 2014 and 1.01% at December 31, 2014 .
Accruing Loans Past Due 90 Days or More
Loans past due 90 days or more but still accruing interest are classified as such where the underlying loans are both well secured (the collateral value is sufficient to cover principal and accrued interest) and are in the process of collection. Accruing loans 90 days or more past due at September 30, 2015 , were relatively unchanged from both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014 .
Troubled Debt Restructurings (“Restructured Loans”)
Loans are considered restructured loans if concessions have been granted to borrowers that are experiencing financial difficulty. See also Note 7, "Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses, and Credit Quality," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for management's accounting policy for restructured loans and for additional disclosures on restructured loans.
Potential Problem Loans
The level of potential problem loans is another predominant factor in determining the relative level of risk in the loan portfolio and in determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses. Potential problem loans are generally defined by management to include loans rated as substandard by management but that are not considered impaired (i.e., nonaccrual loans and accruing troubled debt restructurings); however, there are circumstances present to create doubt as to the ability of the borrower to comply with present repayment terms. The decision of management to include performing loans in potential problem loans does not necessarily mean that the Corporation expects losses to occur, but that management recognizes a higher degree of risk associated with these loans. The loans that have been reported as potential problem loans are predominantly commercial loans covering a diverse range of businesses and real estate property types.
Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned was $14 million at September 30, 2015 , compared to $17 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Management actively seeks to ensure properties held are monitored to minimize the Corporation’s risk of loss.
Liquidity
The objective of liquidity management is to ensure that the Corporation has the ability to generate sufficient cash or cash equivalents in a timely and cost-effective manner to satisfy the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers and to meet its other commitments as they fall due, including the ability to pay dividends to shareholders, service debt, invest in subsidiaries or acquisitions, and satisfy other operating requirements. In addition to satisfying cash flow requirements in the ordinary course of business, the Corporation actively monitors and manages its liquidity position to ensure sufficient resources are available to meet cash flow requirements in adverse situations.
The Corporation’s internal liquidity management framework includes measurement of several key elements, such as deposit funding as a percent of total assets and liquid asset levels. Strong capital ratios, credit quality, and core earnings are essential to maintaining cost-effective access to wholesale funding markets. A downgrade or loss in credit ratings could have an impact on the Corporation’s ability to access wholesale funding at favorable interest rates. In addition to static liquidity measures, the Corporation performs dynamic scenario analysis in accordance with industry best practices. Measures have been established to ensure the Corporation has sufficient high quality short-term liquidity to meet cash flow requirements under stressed scenarios. At September 30, 2015 , the Corporation was in compliance with its internal liquidity objectives.

Credit ratings relate to the Corporation’s ability to issue debt securities and the cost to borrow money, and should not be viewed as an indication of future stock performance or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. Among other factors, the credit ratings are based on financial strength, credit quality and concentrations in the loan portfolio, the level and volatility of earnings, capital adequacy, the quality of management, the liquidity of the balance sheet, the availability of a significant base of core deposits,

66


and the Corporation’s ability to access a broad array of wholesale funding sources. Adverse changes in these factors could result in a negative change in credit ratings and impact not only the ability to raise funds in the capital markets but also the cost of these funds. Ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time and each rating should be evaluated independently. During May 2015, Moody's upgraded the credit ratings of the Parent Company and its subsidiary bank. These upgraded credit ratings are reflected below.
September 30, 2015
Moody’s
S&P
Bank short-term
P1
Bank long-term
A1
BBB+
Parent Company short-term
P2
Parent Company long-term
Baa1
BBB
Outlook
Stable
Stable
The Corporation also has multiple funding sources that could be used to increase liquidity and provide additional financial flexibility. The Parent Company has filed a shelf registration with the SEC under which the Parent Company may, from time to time, offer shares of the Corporation’s common stock in connection with acquisitions of businesses, assets or securities of other companies. The Parent Company has also filed a universal shelf registration statement, under which the Parent Company may offer securities, either separately or in units: debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock, and warrants. The Parent Company also has a $200 million commercial paper program, of which, $60 million was outstanding at September 30, 2015 . Dividends and service fees from subsidiaries and proceeds from issuance of capital are also funding sources for the Parent Company.

The Bank has established federal funds lines with counterparty banks and has the ability to borrow from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago ( $2.0 billion of Federal Home Loan Bank advances were outstanding at September 30, 2015 ). The Bank also has significant excess investment securities collateral and pledged loan capacity which could be utilized to secure additional deposits, repurchase agreements, or Federal Home Loan Bank advances as necessary. The Bank may also issue institutional certificates of deposit, network transaction deposits, and brokered certificates of deposit.
Investment securities are an important tool to the Corporation’s liquidity objective. As of September 30, 2015 , the majority of investment securities were classified as available for sale, with only a portion of municipal securities classified as held to maturity. Of the $6.0 billion investment securities portfolio at September 30, 2015 , a portion of these securities were pledged to secure collateralized deposits and repurchase agreements and for other purposes as required or permitted by law. The majority of the remaining investment securities of $2.2 billion could be pledged or sold to enhance liquidity, if necessary.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , net cash provided by operating activities and financing activities was $239 million and $412 million , respectively, while net cash used in investing activities was $1.3 billion , for a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $622 million since year-end 2014 . During the first nine months of 2015, loans and investment securities increased $931 million and $207 million, respectively. On the funding side, deposits increased $1.8 billion, while long-term funding decreased $1.3 billion. The Corporation also repurchased $93 million of common stock and paid cash dividends to stockholders of $51 million during the first nine months of 2015.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , net cash provided by operating activities and financing activities was $131 million and $1.3 billion, respectively, while net cash used in investing activities was $1.5 billion, for a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $128 million since year-end 2013 . During the first nine months of 2014 , loans increased $1.3 billion and investment securities increased $222 million. On the funding side, deposits increased $934 million and short-term funding increased $689 million, while long-term funding decreased $156 million. The Corporation also repurchased $163 million of common stock and paid cash dividends to stockholders of $47 million during the first nine months of 2014.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk and interest rate risk are managed centrally. Market risk is the potential for loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of fixed income securities, equity securities, other earning assets and derivative financial instruments as a result of changes in interest rates or other factors. Interest rate risk is the potential for reduced net interest income resulting from adverse changes in the level of interest rates. As a financial institution that engages in transactions involving an array of financial products, the Corporation is exposed to both market risk and interest rate risk. In addition to market risk, interest rate risk is measured and managed through a number of methods. The Corporation uses financial modeling simulation techniques that measure the sensitivity of future earnings due to changing rate environments to measure interest rate risk.
Policies established by the Corporation’s Asset / Liability Committee (“ALCO”) and approved by the Board of Directors are intended to manage these risks. The Board has delegated day-to-day responsibility for managing market and interest rate risk to

67



ALCO. The primary objectives of market risk management is to minimize any adverse effect that changes in market risk factors may have on net interest income and to offset the risk of price changes for certain assets recorded at fair value.
Interest Rate Risk
The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to control exposure to interest rate risk, within policy limits approved by the Board of Directors. These limits and guidelines reflect our tolerance for interest rate risk over both short-term and long-term horizons. No limit breaches occurred during the first nine months of 2015.

The major sources of our non-trading interest rate risk are timing differences in the maturity and re-pricing characteristics of assets and liabilities, changes in the shape of the yield curve, and the potential exercise of explicit or embedded options. We measure these risks and their impact by identifying and quantifying exposures through the use of sophisticated simulation and valuation models, which, as described in additional detail below, are employed by management to understand net interest income (NII) at risk, interest rate sensitive earnings at risk (EAR), and market value of equity (MVE) at risk. These measures show that our interest rate risk profile was slightly asset sensitive at September 30, 2015 .

MVE and EAR are complementary interest rate risk metrics and should be viewed together. Net interest income and EAR sensitivity capture asset and liability re-pricing mismatches for the first year inclusive of forecast balance sheet changes and are considered shorter term measures, while MVE sensitivity captures mismatches within the period end balance sheets through the financial instruments’ respective maturities and is considered a longer term measure.

A positive NII and EAR sensitivity in a rising rate environment indicates that over the forecast horizon of one year, asset based income will increase more quickly than liability based expense due to the balance sheet composition. A negative MVE sensitivity in a rising rate environment indicates that the value of financial assets will decrease more than the value of financial liabilities.

One of the primary methods that we use to quantify and manage interest rate risk is simulation analysis, which we use to model net interest income from assets, liabilities, and derivative positions under various interest rate scenarios and balance sheet structures. As the future path of interest rates cannot be known, we use simulation analysis to project rate sensitive income under various scenarios including implied forward and deliberately extreme and perhaps unlikely scenarios. The analyses may include rapid and gradual ramping of interest rates, rate shocks, basis risk analysis, and yield curve twists. Specific strategies are also analyzed to determine their impact on net interest income levels and sensitivities.

Key assumptions in the simulation analysis (and in the valuation analysis discussed below) relate to the behavior of interest rates and spreads, the changes in product balances, and the behavior of loan and deposit clients in different rate environments. This analysis incorporates several assumptions, the most material of which relate to the re-pricing characteristics and balance fluctuations of deposits with indeterminate or non-contractual maturities.

The sensitivity analysis included below is measured as a percentage change in net interest income and EAR due to instantaneous moves in benchmark interest rates. Estimated changes set forth below are dependent upon material assumptions such as those previously discussed. We evaluate the sensitivity using: 1) a dynamic forecast incorporating expected growth in the balance sheet, and 2) a static forecast where the current balance sheet is held constant.

TABLE 11
Estimated % Change in Rate Sensitive Earnings at Risk (EAR) Over 12 Months
Dynamic Forecast

Static Forecast

Dynamic Forecast

Static Forecast

Instantaneous Rate Change
September 30, 2015

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2014

100 bp increase in interest rates
1.2
%
1.2
%
1.6
%
2.8
%
200 bp increase in interest rates
2.6
%
3.0
%
3.4
%
5.3
%
We also perform valuation analysis, which we use for discerning levels of risk present in the balance sheet and derivative positions that might not be taken into account in the net interest income simulation analysis. Whereas NII and EAR simulation highlights exposures over a relatively short time horizon, valuation analysis incorporates all cash flows over the estimated remaining life of all balance sheet and derivative positions. The valuation of the balance sheet, at a point in time, is defined as the discounted present value of asset cash flows and derivative cash flows minus the discounted present value of liability cash flows, the net of which is referred to as MVE. The sensitivity of MVE to changes in the level of interest rates is a measure of the longer-term re-pricing risk and options risk embedded in the balance sheet. Similar to the net interest income simulation, MVE uses instantaneous changes in rates. However, MVE values only the current balance sheet and does not incorporate the growth assumptions that are used in the NII and EAR simulations. As with NII and EAR simulations, assumptions about the timing and variability of balance sheet

68


cash flows are critical in the MVE analysis. Particularly important are the assumptions driving prepayments and the expected changes in balances and pricing of the indeterminate deposit portfolios. At September 30, 2015 , the MVE profile indicates a decline in net balance sheet value due to instantaneous upward changes in rates. MVE sensitivity is reported in both upward and downward rate shocks.

TABLE 12
Market Value of Equity Sensitivity
Instantaneous Rate Change
September 30, 2015

December 31, 2014

100 bp increase in interest rates
(2.0
)%
(1.0
)%
200 bp increase in interest rates
(4.4
)%
(2.5
)%
The increased MVE sensitivity from December 31, 2014 is primarily attributable to being closer to the redemption date of $430 million of senior notes. While an instantaneous and severe shift in interest rates was used in this analysis to provide an estimate of exposure under an extremely adverse scenario, we believe that a gradual shift in interest rates would have a much more modest impact. Since MVE measures the discounted present value of cash flows over the estimated lives of instruments, the change in MVE does not directly correlate to the degree that earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon (i.e., the current year). Further, MVE does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, changes in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could mitigate the adverse impact of changes in interest rates. The net interest income simulation and valuation analyses do not include actions that management may undertake to manage this risk in response to anticipated changes in interest rates.
Contractual Obligations, Commitments, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, and Contingent Liabilities

TABLE 13
Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
($ in Thousands)
One Year
or Less
One to
Three Years
Three to
Five Years
Over
Five Years
Total
Time deposits
$
934,250

$
388,966

$
291,567

$
7,012

$
1,621,795

Short-term funding
1,022,335




1,022,335

Long-term funding
430,539

32

1,999,776

249,195

2,679,542

Operating leases
10,477

21,061

17,139

25,668

74,345

Commitments to extend credit
3,448,282

2,142,712

1,449,531

68,883

7,109,408

Total
$
5,845,883

$
2,552,771

$
3,758,013

$
350,758

$
12,507,425


The Corporation utilizes a variety of financial instruments in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of its customers and to manage its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include lending-related commitments and derivative instruments. A discussion of the Corporation’s derivative instruments at September 30, 2015 , is included in Note 11, “Derivative and Hedging Activities,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements. A discussion of the Corporation’s lending-related commitments is included in Note 13, “Commitments, Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, and Contingent Liabilities,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements. See also Note 9, “Short and Long-Term Funding,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information on the Corporation’s short-term and long-term funding.
Table 13 summarizes significant contractual obligations and other commitments at September 30, 2015 , at those amounts contractually due to the recipient, including any premiums or discounts, hedge basis adjustments, or other similar carrying value adjustments.
Capital
Stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2015 was $3.0 billion , up $154 million from December 31, 2014 . In June 2015, the Corporation received net proceeds of $63 million from the issuance of 2.6 million depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 6.125% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C. Cash dividends of $0.30 per share were paid in the first nine months of 2015 and cash dividends of $0.27 per share were paid in the first nine months of 2014.


69


Management actively reviews capital strategies for the Corporation and each of its subsidiaries in light of perceived business risks, future growth opportunities, industry standards, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The assessment of overall capital adequacy depends on a variety of factors, including asset quality, liquidity, stability of earnings, changing competitive forces, economic condition in markets served, and strength of management. The capital ratios of the Corporation and its bank subsidiary were in excess of regulatory minimum requirements. The Corporation’s capital ratios are summarized in Table 14.
During the first nine months of 2015 , the Corporation repurchased $93 million , or approximately 5.0 million shares of common stock, at an average cost of $18.73 per share. The Corporation also repurchased $1.3 million , or approximately 50,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of 8.00% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, during the first nine months of 2015 . See Part II, Item 2, "Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds," for additional information on the shares repurchased during the third quarter of 2015 . The repurchase of shares will be based on market and investment opportunities, capital levels, growth prospects, and regulatory constraints. Such repurchases may occur from time to time in open market purchases, block transactions, private transactions, accelerated share repurchase programs, or similar facilities.
In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board ("FRB") and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") issued final rules establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations that would implement the Basel III capital framework. Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Corporation. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A new capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, was also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016. The final rules also revise the definition and calculation of Tier 1 capital, Total Capital, and risk-weighted assets.
The phase-in period for the final rules became effect for the Corporation on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rules' requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule, to be fully phased-in by January 1, 2019. As of September 30, 2015 , the Corporation's capital levels remained characterized as "well-capitalized" under the new rules.

70


TABLE 14
Capital Ratios
(In Thousands, except per share data)
Quarter Ended
September 30,
2015
June 30,
2015
March 31,
2015
December 31, 2014
September 30, 2014
Total stockholders’ equity
$
2,953,797

$
2,904,391

$
2,882,138

$
2,800,251

$
2,869,578

Tangible stockholders’ equity (1)
1,967,975

1,917,683

1,895,112

1,863,646

1,932,198

Tier 1 capital (2)
1,983,612

1,941,694

1,897,390

1,868,059

1,933,923

Common equity Tier 1 (3)
1,865,289

1,825,478

1,837,663

1,808,332

1,872,899

Tangible common equity (1)
1,846,596

1,795,668

1,835,385

1,803,919

1,871,174

Total risk-based capital (2)
2,481,661

2,436,594

2,391,797

2,350,898

2,160,143

Tangible assets (1)
26,481,421

26,198,438

26,081,714

25,885,169

24,716,442

Risk-weighted assets (2)
19,866,379

19,610,281

19,574,457

18,567,647

18,031,157

Market capitalization
2,712,176

3,057,973

2,856,346

2,823,227

2,730,811

Book value per common share
$
18.77

$
18.44

$
18.38

$
18.08

$
17.92

Tangible book value per common share
12.23

11.90

11.95

11.90

11.94

Cash dividend per common share
0.10

0.10

0.10

0.10

0.09

Stock price at end of period
17.97

20.27

18.60

18.63

17.42

Low closing price for the period
17.17

18.50

16.62

16.75

17.42

High closing price for the period
20.55

20.84

19.07

19.37

18.90

Total stockholders’ equity / assets
10.75
%
10.68
%
10.65
%
10.44
%
11.19
%
Tangible common equity / tangible assets (1)
6.97
%
6.85
%
7.04
%
6.97
%
7.57
%
Tangible stockholders’ equity / tangible assets (1)
7.43
%
7.32
%
7.27
%
7.20
%
7.82
%
Common equity Tier 1 / risk-weighted assets (2,3)
9.39
%
9.31
%
9.39
%
9.74
%
10.39
%
Tier 1 leverage ratio (2)
7.53
%
7.53
%
7.39
%
7.48
%
7.87
%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (2)
9.98
%
9.90
%
9.69
%
10.06
%
10.73
%
Total risk-based capital ratio (2)
12.49
%
12.43
%
12.22
%
12.66
%
11.98
%
Common shares outstanding (period end)
150,928

150,862

153,567

151,542

156,763

Basic common shares outstanding (average)
148,614

149,903

150,070

151,931

155,925

Diluted common shares outstanding (average)
149,799

151,108

151,164

153,083

156,991

Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation
Common Equity Tier 1 Reconciliation (3):
Common equity
$
2,832,418

$
2,782,376

$
2,822,411

$
2,740,524

$
2,808,554

Goodwill & Intangibles, net of deferred tax liabilities (DTLs)
(949,716
)
(950,438
)
(950,892
)
(936,605
)
(937,380
)
Tangible common equity
1,882,702

1,831,938

1,871,519

1,803,919

1,871,174

Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI)
(15,376
)
(2,594
)
(24,800
)
4,850

1,725

Deferred tax assets (DTAs) / Disallowed servicing assets
(2,037
)
(3,866
)
(9,056
)
(437
)

Common equity Tier 1
$
1,865,289

$
1,825,478

$
1,837,663

$
1,808,332

$
1,872,899

(1)
The ratios tangible common equity to tangible assets and tangible equity to tangible assets exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. These financial measures have been included as they are considered to be critical metrics with which to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength. See Note 8 for additional information on goodwill, core deposit intangibles, and other intangibles.
(2)
Tangible common equity is defined as common stockholders’ equity excluding goodwill, core deposit intangibles, and other intangible assets. Tangible assets is defined as total assets excluding goodwill, core deposit intangibles, and other intangibles.
(3)
The FRB establishes capital adequacy requirements, including well-capitalized standards for the Corporation. The OCC establishes similar capital adequacy requirements and standards for the Bank. Regulatory capital primarily consists of Tier 1 risk-based capital and Tier 2 risk-based capital. The sum of Tier 1 risk-based capital and Tier 2 risk-based capital equals our total risk-based capital. Risk-based capital guidelines require a minimum level of capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets. Risk-weighted assets consist of total assets plus certain off-balance sheet and market items, subject to adjustment for predefined credit risk factors. Prior to 2015, the regulatory capital requirements effective for the Corporation followed the Capital Accord of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision ("Basel I"). Beginning January 1, 2015, the regulatory capital requirements effective for the Corporation follow Basel III, subject to certain transition provisions from Basel I over the next three years to full implementation by January 1, 2018.
(4)
Common equity Tier 1, a non-GAAP financial measure, is used by banking regulators, investors and analysts to assess and compare the quality and composition of our capital with the capital of other financial services companies. Management uses Common equity Tier 1, along with other capital measures, to assess and monitor our capital position. Common equity Tier 1 for 2015 follows Basel III and is defined as common stock and related surplus, net of treasury stock, plus retained earnings. Common equity Tier 1 for 2014 follows Basel I and is defined as Tier 1 capital excluding qualifying perpetual preferred stock and qualifying trust preferred securities.

71


TABLE 15
Selected Quarterly Information
($ in Thousands)
Quarter Ended
September 30,
2015
June 30, 2015
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
September 30, 2014
Summary of Operations:
Net interest income
$
170,509

$
166,488

$
167,813

$
174,661

$
172,630

Provision for credit losses
8,000

5,000

4,500

5,000

1,000

Noninterest income
Trust service fees
12,273

12,515

12,087

12,457

12,218

Service charges on deposit accounts
17,385

15,703

15,806

17,006

17,961

Card-based and other nondeposit fees
12,618

13,597

12,416

12,019

12,407

Insurance commissions
17,561

20,077

19,728

10,593

7,860

Brokerage and annuity commissions
3,809

4,192

3,683

3,496

4,040

Total core fee-based revenue
63,646

66,084

63,720

55,571

54,486

Mortgage banking, net
6,643

9,941

7,408

2,928

6,669

Capital market fees, net
2,170

2,692

2,467

2,613

2,939

Bank owned life insurance income
2,448

2,381

2,875

2,739

3,506

Asset gains, net
95

1,893

1,096

3,727

4,934

Investment securities gains, net
2,796

1,242


25

57

Other
2,118

2,288

2,510

2,040

2,317

Total noninterest income
79,916

86,521

80,076

69,643

74,908

Noninterest expense
Personnel expense
101,134

102,986

100,152

97,258

97,650

Occupancy
14,187

14,308

17,683

14,589

13,743

Equipment
6,003

5,739

5,772

6,148

6,133

Technology
14,748

16,354

15,558

14,581

13,573

Business development and advertising
5,964

6,829

5,327

8,538

7,467

Other intangible amortization
885

888

801

775

990

Loan expense
3,305

3,681

2,996

3,646

3,813

Legal and professional fees
4,207

4,344

4,538

4,257

4,604

Foreclosure / OREO expense
496

1,303

1,425

1,168

2,083

FDIC expense
6,000

6,000

6,500

6,956

6,859

Other
14,507

14,384

13,503

13,889

14,938

Total noninterest expense
171,436

176,816

174,255

171,805

171,853

Income tax expense
21,551

21,793

22,462

18,761

24,478

Net income
49,438

49,400

46,672

48,738

50,207

Preferred stock dividends
2,184

1,545

1,228

1,225

1,255

Net income available to common equity
$
47,254

$
47,855

$
45,444

$
47,513

$
48,952

Taxable equivalent net interest income
$
175,596

$
171,402

$
172,919

$
179,631

$
177,568

Net interest margin
2.82
%
2.83
%
2.89
%
3.04
%
3.06
%
Effective tax rate
30.36
%
30.61
%
32.49
%
27.79
%
32.77
%
Average Balances:
Assets
$
27,280,076

$
26,732,074

$
26,606,925

$
25,880,765

$
25,472,052

Earning assets
24,834,014

24,266,367

24,148,026

23,492,497

23,096,717

Interest-bearing liabilities
19,549,235

19,315,103

19,168,979

18,452,797

18,158,989

Loans
18,452,749

18,188,305

17,815,115

17,387,255

17,140,961

Deposits
20,293,599

19,626,210

19,055,196

18,532,419

17,873,378

Short and long-term funding
3,829,476

3,979,460

4,440,340

4,287,409

4,525,265

Stockholders’ equity
$
2,919,276

$
2,874,661

$
2,844,729

$
2,832,337

$
2,876,079


72


Comparable Third Quarter Results
The Corporation recorded net income of $49 million for the third quarter of 2015 , compared to net income of $50 million for the third quarter of 2014 . Net income available to common equity was $47 million for the third quarter of 2015 , or net income of $0.31 for both basic and diluted earnings per common share. Comparatively, net income available to common equity for the third quarter of 2014 , was $49 million , or net income of $0.31 for both basic and diluted earnings per common share (see Table 1).
Taxable equivalent net interest income for the third quarter of 2015 was $176 million , $2 million lower than the third quarter of 2014 (see Table 2). Changes in the rate environment decreased net interest income by $15 million while changes in the balance sheet volume and mix increased taxable equivalent net interest income by $13 million. The Federal funds target rate was unchanged for both quarters. The net interest margin between the comparable quarters was down 24 bp, to 2.82% in the third quarter of 2015 . Average earning assets increased $1.7 billion to $24.8 billion in the third quarter of 2015 , with average loans up $1.3 billion (predominantly in commercial loans and residential mortgages). On the funding side, average interest-bearing deposits were up $2.1 billion (primarily money market deposits), while average short and long-term funding was down $696 million primarily due to decreases in short and long-term FHLB advances partially offset by increases due to the issuance of long-term senior and subordinated notes in late 2014.
Nonaccrual loans declined to $147 million ( 0.80% of total loans) at September 30, 2015 , compared to $184 million ( 1.07% of total loans) at September 30, 2014 (see Table 10). Compared to the third quarter of 2014 , potential problem loans were up 20% to $264 million . The provision for credit losses was $8 million for the third quarter of 2015 , up $7 million compared to the third quarter of 2014 (see Table 9). Annualized net charge offs represented 0.17% of average loans for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 0.06% for the third quarter of 2014 . The allowance for loan losses to loans at September 30, 2015 was 1.42% , compared to 1.55% at September 30, 2014 . See discussion under sections, “Provision for Credit Losses,” “Allowance for Credit Losses,” and “Nonaccrual Loans, Potential Problem Loans, and Other Real Estate Owned.”
Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2015 increased $5 million ( 7% ) to $80 million versus the third quarter of 2014 . Core fee-based revenue increased $9 million primarily in insurance commissions attributable to the acquisition of Ahmann & Martin Co. (See Note 2, "Acquisition" of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information on the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition.) Net investment securities gains increased $3 million , primarily due to the continued restructuring of the investment portfolio. (See Note 6, "Investment Securities" of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information on the investment securities portfolio restructuring.) Partially offsetting these favorable variances were decreases of $5 million in net asset gains due to two corporate real estate gains during the third quarter of 2014 , and a $1 million decrease in BOLI income due to death benefits received in the third quarter of 2014 .
On a comparable quarter basis, noninterest expense was relatively unchanged at $171 million . Personnel expense increased $3 million compared to the third quarter of 2014, primarily attributable to the acquisition of Ahmann & Martin Co. Technology increased $1 million as we continue to invest in solutions that will drive operational efficiency. Business development and advertising decreased $2 million due to the timing of brand advertising campaigns, while foreclosure / OREO expense was down $2 million versus the comparable quarter in 2014 as credit quality continues to improve and foreclosures trend down.
The Corporation recognized income tax expense of $22 million for the third quarter of 2015 , compared to income tax expense of $24 million for third quarter of 2014 . The effective tax rate was 30.36% and 32.77% for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Sequential Quarter Results
The Corporation recorded net income of $49 million for both the third quarter of 2015 and the second quarter of 2015 . Net income available to common equity was $47 million for the third quarter of 2015 or net income of $0.31 for both basic and diluted earnings per common share. Comparatively, net income available to common equity for the second quarter of 2015 , was $48 million, or net income of $0.32 for basic earnings per common share and $0.31 for diluted earnings per common share (see Table 1).
Taxable equivalent net interest income for third quarter of 2015 was $176 million, $4 million higher than the second quarter of 2015 due to a $4 million increase in net interest income from changes in the balance sheet volume and mix, a $1 million increase in net interest income related to the day count difference between the quarters, and a $1 million decrease in net interest income from changes in the rate environment and product pricing. The Federal funds target rate was unchanged for both quarters. The net interest margin in the third quarter of 2015 was down 1 bp, to 2.82% . Average earning assets increased $568 million to $24.8 billion in the third quarter of 2015 , with average loans up $264 million and average investments and other short-term investments up $304 million (primarily in mortgage related and municipal securities). On the funding side, average interest-bearing deposits were up $384 million (primarily money market deposits) and noninterest bearing demand deposits were up $283 million, while average short and long-term funding was down $150 million (primarily FHLB advances).

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Nonaccrual loans were $147 million ( 0.80% of total loans) at September 30, 2015 , compared to $160 million ( 0.88% of total loans) at June 30, 2015 (see Table 10). Potential problem loans increased to $264 million , up $64 million from the second quarter of 2015 . The provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2015 was $8 million , up $3 million from second quarter of 2015 (see Table 9). Annualized net charge offs represented 0.17% of average loans for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 0.19% for the of 2015. The allowance for loan losses to loans at September 30, 2015 was 1.42% , compared to 1.43% at June 30, 2015 (see Table 10). See discussion under sections, “Provision for Credit Losses,” “Allowance for Credit Losses,” and “Nonaccrual Loans, Potential Problem Loans, and Other Real Estate Owned.”
Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2015 decreased $7 million (8%) to $80 million versus the second quarter of 2015 . Core fee-based revenue decreased $2 million (4%) from the second quarter of 2015, primarily due to seasonally lower insurance commissions. Net mortgage banking income was $7 million, down $3 million from the second quarter of 2015 , primarily driven by a $5 million net change in the quarter end mark-to-market of the residential mortgage pipeline due to interest rate movements.
On a sequential quarter basis, noninterest expense decreased $5 million (3%) to $171 million. Personnel expense was $101 million for the third quarter of 2015 , down $2 million (2%) from the second quarter of 2015 primarily due to lower severance expense. Technology decreased $2 million from the second quarter related to the completion of several projects. All remaining noninterest expense categories on a combined basis were down $2 million (3%) compared to second quarter of 2015 .
For both the third and second quarter of 2015 , the Corporation recognized income tax expense of $22 million. The effective tax rate was 30.36% and 30.61% for the third quarter of 2015 and the second quarter of 2015 , respectively.
Segment Review
As discussed in Note 16, “Segment Reporting,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements, the Corporation’s reportable segments have been determined based upon its internal profitability measurement system, which is organized by strategic business unit. Certain strategic business units have been combined for segment information reporting purposes where the nature of the products and services, the type of customer, and the distribution of those products and services are similar. The reportable segments are Corporate and Commercial Specialty; Community, Consumer and Business; and Risk Management and Shared Services.
Year to Date Segment Review
The Corporate and Commercial Specialty segment consists of lending and deposit solutions to larger businesses, developers, non-profits, municipalities, and financial institutions, and the support to deliver, fund, and manage such banking solutions. The Corporate and Commercial Specialty segment had net income of $85 million for the first nine months of 2015 , up $11 million compared to $74 million for the first nine months of 2014 . Segment revenue increased $9 million to $266 million for the first nine months of 2015 compared to $257 million for the first nine months of 2014 primarily due to growth in average loan balances, partially offset by lower spreads on loan products. The credit provision decreased $7 million to $30 million during the first nine months of 2015 due to improvement in the loan credit quality. Average loan balances were $9.4 billion for the first nine months of 2015 , up $441 million from the first nine months of 2014 . Average deposit balances were $5.7 billion for the first nine months of 2015 , up $602 million from the first nine months of 2014 . Average allocated capital increased $200 million to $967 million for the first nine months of 2015 reflecting the increase in the segment’s loan balances.
The Community, Consumer, and Business segment consists of lending and deposit solutions to individuals and small to mid-sized businesses and also provides a variety of investment and fiduciary products and services. The Community, Consumer, and Business segment had net income of $49 million for the first nine months of 2015 , up $27 million compared to $22 million in the first nine months of 2014 . Segment revenue increased $66 million to $462 million for the first nine months of 2015, primarily due to higher insurance commissions from the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition, higher mortgage banking income as well as changes in the long-term funding rates utilized in the funds transfer pricing methodology for allocating interest credits. The credit provision for loans increased to $20 million for the first nine months of 2015 due to loan growth, partially offset by improving credit quality. Total noninterest expense increased $20 million to $366 million for the first nine months of 2015 , primarily due to the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition. Average loan balances were $8.7 billion for the first nine months of 2015, up $1.1 billion from the first nine months of 2014 . Average deposits were $10.8 billion for the first nine months of 2015 , up $914 million from the first nine months of 2014 . Average allocated capital increased to $640 million for the first nine months of 2015 reflecting the increase in the segment's loan balances.
The Risk Management and Shared Services segment had net income of $11 million in the first nine months of 2015 , down $35 million compared to $46 million for the first nine months of 2014. The decrease was due to a $45 million decrease in net interest income related to changes in the long-term funding rates utilized in the funds transfer pricing methodology for allocating interest credits to the Corporate and Commercial Specialty and Community, Consumer, and Business segments. Average earning asset balances were $6.3 billion for the first nine months of 2015 , up $393 million from an average balance of $5.9 billion for the first

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nine months of 2014 , primarily in investment securities. Average deposits were $3.1 billion for the first nine months of 2015 , up $799 million from the first nine months of 2014 . Average allocated capital decreased to $214 million for the first nine months of 2015 .
Comparable Quarter Segment Review
The Corporate and Commercial Specialty segment had net income of $27 million for the third quarter of 2015 , up $1 million compared to $26 million for the comparable quarter in 2014. Segment revenue increased $5 million compared to the third quarter of 2014 primarily due to growth in average loan balances, partially offset by lower spreads on loan products. Total noninterest expense increased $2 million to $37 million for the third quarter of 2015 , primarily due to an increase in personnel expense. Average loan balances were $9.5 billion for the third quarter of 2015 , up $717 million from an average balance of $8.8 billion for the third quarter of 2014 . Average deposit balances were $6.0 billion for the third quarter of 2015 , up $952 million from the comparable quarter of 2014. Average allocated capital increased to $988 million for the third quarter of 2015 reflecting the increase in the segment’s loan balances.
The Community, Consumer, and Business Banking segment had net income of $16 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $5 million in the comparable quarter of 2014. Segment revenue increased $16 million to $153 million for the third quarter of 2015 primarily due to higher insurance commissions from the Ahmann & Martin Co. acquisition as well as changes in the long-term funding rates utilized in the funds transfer pricing methodology for allocating interest credits. The credit provision for loans decreased to $6 million for the third quarter of 2015 , due to improvement in the loan credit quality. Average loan balances were $8.9 billion for the third quarter of 2015 , up $607 million from the comparable quarter of 2014. Average deposits were $11.0 billion for the third quarter of 2015 , up $632 million from average deposits of $10.3 billion for the comparable quarter of 2014. Average allocated capital increased to $633 million for the third quarter of 2015 reflecting the increase in the segment's loan balances.
The Risk Management and Shared Services segment had net income of $6 million for the third quarter of 2015 , down $14 million compared to $20 million for the comparable quarter in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a $14 million decrease in net interest income related to changes in the long-term funding rates utilized in the funds transfer pricing methodology for allocating interest credits to the Corporate and Commercial Specialty and Community, Consumer and Business segments. Average earning asset balances were $6.4 billion for the third quarter of 2015, up $417 million compared to the third quarter of 2014 , primarily in investment securities. Average deposits were $3.3 billion for the third quarter of 2015 , up $837 million versus the comparable quarter of 2014. Average allocated capital decreased to $216 million in the third quarter of 2015 .
Critical Accounting Policies
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change include the determination of the allowance for loan losses, goodwill impairment assessment, mortgage servicing rights valuation, and income taxes.
The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and follow general practices within the industries in which it operates. This preparation requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates, assumptions, and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, actual results could differ from the estimates, assumptions, and judgments reflected in the financial statements. Certain policies inherently have a greater reliance on the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments and, as such, have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Management believes the following policies are both important to the portrayal of the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations and require subjective or complex judgments and, therefore, management considers the following to be critical accounting policies. The critical accounting policies are discussed directly with the Audit Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Management’s evaluation process used to determine the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses is subject to the use of estimates, assumptions, and judgments. The evaluation process combines many factors: management’s ongoing review and grading of the loan portfolio, consideration of historical loan loss and delinquency experience, trends in past due and nonaccrual loans, risk characteristics of the various classifications of loans, concentrations of loans to specific borrowers or industries, existing economic conditions, the fair value of underlying collateral, and other qualitative and quantitative factors which could affect probable credit losses. Because current economic conditions can change and future events are inherently difficult to predict, the anticipated amount of estimated loan losses, and therefore the appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses, could change significantly. As an integral part of their examination process, various regulatory agencies also review the allowance for loan

75


losses. Such agencies may require additions to the allowance for loan losses or may require that certain loan balances be charged off or downgraded into criticized loan categories when their credit evaluations differ from those of management, based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. The Corporation believes the level of the allowance for loan losses is appropriate as recorded in the consolidated financial statements. See also Note 7, “Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses, and Credit Quality,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements and section “Allowance for Credit Losses.”
Goodwill Impairment Assessment
Goodwill is not amortized but, instead, is subject to impairment tests on at least an annual basis, and more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Corporation conducted its most recent annual impairment test in May 2015, utilizing a qualitative assessment. See Note 8, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements for a detailed discussion of the factors considered by management in the qualitative assessment. Based on this assessment, management concluded that the 2015 annual qualitative impairment assessment indicated that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value (including goodwill) for each reporting unit. Therefore, a step one quantitative analysis was not required. There were no events since the date of the last impairment testing that have changed the Corporation's impairment assessment conclusion.
Mortgage Servicing Rights Valuation
The fair value of the Corporation’s mortgage servicing rights asset is important to the presentation of the consolidated financial statements since the mortgage servicing rights are carried on the consolidated balance sheet at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value. Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active open market with readily observable prices. As such, similar to other participants in the mortgage banking business, the Corporation relies on an independent valuation from a third party which uses a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of its mortgage servicing rights. The use of a discounted cash flow model involves judgment, particularly of estimated prepayment speeds of underlying mortgages serviced and the overall level of interest rates. Loan type and note interest rate are the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans used to stratify capitalized mortgage servicing rights for purposes of measuring impairment. The Corporation periodically reviews the assumptions underlying the valuation of mortgage servicing rights. While the Corporation believes that the values produced by the discounted cash flow model are indicative of the fair value of its mortgage servicing rights portfolio, these values can change significantly depending upon key factors, such as the then current interest rate environment, estimated prepayment speeds of the underlying mortgages serviced, and other economic conditions. The proceeds that might be received should the Corporation actually consider a sale of some or all of the mortgage servicing rights portfolio could differ from the amounts reported at any point in time.
To better understand the sensitivity of the impact of prepayment speeds and refinance rates on the value of the mortgage servicing rights asset at September 30, 2015 (holding all other factors unchanged), if refinance interest rates were to decrease 50 basis points (bp), the estimated value of the mortgage servicing rights asset would have been approximately $10 million (or 15% ) lower. Conversely, if refinance interest rates were to increase 50 bp, the estimated fair value of the mortgage servicing rights asset would have been approximately $8 million (or 12% ) higher. However, the Corporation’s potential recovery recognition due to valuation improvement is limited to the balance of the mortgage servicing rights valuation reserve, which was approximately $1 million at September 30, 2015 . The potential recovery recognition is constrained as the Corporation has elected to use the amortization method of accounting (rather than fair value measurement accounting). Under the amortization method, mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of the initial capitalized amount, net of accumulated amortization, or estimated fair value. Therefore, the mortgage servicing rights asset may only be marked up to the extent of the previously recognized valuation reserve. The Corporation believes the mortgage servicing rights asset is properly recorded in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 8, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements and section “Noninterest Income.”
Income Taxes

The assessment of tax assets and liabilities involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretations, and judgment concerning certain accounting pronouncements and federal and state tax codes and regulations. There can be no assurance that future events, such as court decisions or positions of federal and state taxing authorities, will not differ from management’s current assessment, the impact of which could be significant to the consolidated results of operations and reported earnings. Quarterly assessments are performed to determine if valuation allowances are necessary against any portion of the Corporation’s deferred tax assets. Assessing the need for, or sufficiency of, a valuation allowance requires management to evaluate all available evidence, both positive and negative, including the recent trend of quarterly earnings. Positive evidence necessary to overcome the negative evidence includes whether future taxable income in sufficient amounts and character within the carryback and carryforward periods is available under the tax law, including the use of tax planning strategies. When negative evidence (e.g., cumulative losses in recent years, history of operating loss or tax credit carryforwards expiring unused) exists, more positive evidence than negative evidence will be necessary. The Corporation has concluded that based on the level of positive evidence, it is more likely than not

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that the deferred tax asset will be realized. However, there is no guarantee that the tax benefits associated with the deferred tax assets will be fully realized. The Corporation believes the tax assets and liabilities are properly recorded in the consolidated financial statements. See also Note 10, “Income Taxes,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements and section “Income Taxes.”
Future Accounting Pronouncements
New accounting policies adopted by the Corporation are discussed in Note 3, “New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted,” of the notes to consolidated financial statements. The expected impact of accounting pronouncements recently issued or proposed but not yet required to be adopted are discussed below. To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects the Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable sections of this financial review and the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
In September 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to simplify the accounting for measurement adjustments to prior business combinations. The amendment requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The aquirer must record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendment also requires an entity 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. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this Update with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Corporation intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2016, as required, and is currently evaluating the impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.
In April 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement included a software license. If the cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. This amendment is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities may apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Corporation intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2016, as required, and is currently evaluating the impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.
In April 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this update require 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, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB expanded this amendment to include SEC staff views related to debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements.The SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. This amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities should apply the amendment retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Corporation intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2016, as required, and is currently evaluating the impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.
In February 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to modify existing consolidation guidance for reporting companies that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate legal entities. The new standard will place more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. Frequency in the application of related-party guidance for determining a controlling financial interest will be reduced. Also, consolidation conclusions for public and private companies among several industries that make use of limited partnerships or VIEs will be changed. This amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities may apply the amendment using a modified retrospective approach or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Corporation intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2016, as required, and is currently evaluating the impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.
In January 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to eliminate from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Presently, an event or transaction is presumed to be an ordinary and usual activity of the reporting entity unless evidence clearly supports its classification as an extraordinary item. If an event or transaction meets the criteria for extraordinary classification, an entity is required to segregate the extraordinary item from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income

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statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. This amended guidance will prohibit separate disclosure of extraordinary items in the income statement. This amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Entities may apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Corporation intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2016, as required, with no material impact as no retrospective adjustments are anticipated.
In June 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the stock compensation accounting guidance to clarify that a performance target that affects vesting of a share-based payment and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. This amendment is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the amendments in this update either (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The Corporation intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2016, as required, with no material impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.
In May 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard. The standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” In applying the revenue model to contracts within its scope, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) Identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) Identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) Determine the transaction price, (4) Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The standard applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Codification. The standard also requires significantly expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The amendment was originally effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods); however, in July 2015, the FASB approved a one year deferral of the effective date to December 15, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The Corporation intends to adopt the accounting standard during the first quarter of 2018, as required, and is currently evaluating the impact on its results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.
Recent Developments
On October 20, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per common share, payable on December 15, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2015. The Board of Directors also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per depositary share on Associated Banc-Corp’s 8.00% Series B Perpetual Preferred Stock and a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.3828125 per depositary share on Associated Banc-Corp’s 6.125% Series C Perpetual Preferred Stock payable on December 15, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 1, 2015. These cash dividends have not been reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Information required by this item is set forth in Item 2 under the captions “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and “Interest Rate Risk.”
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
The Corporation maintains disclosure controls and procedures as required under Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Corporation’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of September 30, 2015 , the Corporation’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015 . No changes were made to the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act of 1934) during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
A lawsuit, R.J. ZAYED v. Associated Bank, N.A., was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota on January 29, 2013. The lawsuit relates to a Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Oxford Global Partners and related entities (“Oxford”) and individuals and was brought by the receiver for Oxford. Oxford was a depository customer of the Bank. The lawsuit claims that the Bank is liable for failing to uncover the Oxford Ponzi scheme, and specifically alleges the Bank aided and abetted (1) the fraudulent scheme; (2) a breach of fiduciary duty; (3) conversion; and (4) false representations and omissions. The lawsuit seeks unspecified consequential and punitive damages. The District Court granted the Bank’s motion to dismiss the complaint on September 30, 2013. On March 2, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed the District Court and remanded the case back to the District Court for further proceedings. It is not possible for management to assess the probability of a material adverse outcome or reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss at this time. A lawsuit by investors in the same Ponzi scheme, Herman Grad, et al v. Associated Bank, N.A., brought in Brown County, Wisconsin in October 2009 was dismissed by the circuit court, and the dismissal was affirmed by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in June 2011 in an unpublished opinion.
Beginning in late 2013, the Corporation began reviewing a variety of legacy products provided by third parties, including debt protection and identity protection products. In connection with this review, the Corporation has made, and plans to make, remediation payments to affected customers and former customers, and has reserved accordingly.
A variety of consumer products, including the legacy debt protection and identity protection products referred to above, and mortgage and deposit products, and certain fees and charges related to such products, have come under increased regulatory scrutiny. It is possible that regulatory authorities could bring enforcement actions, including civil money penalties, or take other actions against the Corporation and the Bank in regard to these consumer products. The Bank could also determine of its own accord, or be required by regulators, to refund or otherwise make remediation payments to customers in connection with these products. It is not possible at this time for management to assess the probability of a material adverse outcome or reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss related to such matters.


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ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Following are the Corporation’s monthly common stock and depositary share purchases during the third quarter of 2015 . For a discussion of the Corporation's common stock and depositary share purchases, see section “Capital” included under Part I Item 2 of this document.
Common Stock Purchases:
Period
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (a)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan (b)
July 1, 2015 - July 31, 2015

$



August 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015




September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015




Total

$



(a)
During the third quarter of 2015, the Corporation repurchased approximately 28,000 common shares for minimum tax withholding settlements on equity compensation. These purchases do not count against the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the Board of Directors’ authorization.
(b)
On April 21, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $125 million of the Corporation's common stock, of which approximately $108 million remained available to repurchase as of September 30, 2015 . Using the closing stock price on September 30, 2015 of $17.97, a total of approximately 6.0 million shares of common stock remained available to be repurchased under the previously approved Board authorizations as of September 30, 2015 .

Series B Preferred Stock Depositary Share Purchases:
Period
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (a)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan (a)
July 1, 2015 - July 31, 2015
14,615

$
26.71

14,615


August 1, 2015 - August 31, 2015
7,236

26.85

7,236


September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015




Total
21,851

$
26.75

21,851

171,403


(a)
In 2011, the Corporation issued 2,600,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of the Corporation’s 8.00% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). During 2013, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the Series B Preferred Stock. As of September 30, 2015 , approximately $5 million remained available under this repurchase authorization. Using the average price paid per depositary share in the third quarter of 2015, approximately 171,000 shares remained available to be repurchased under the previously approved Board authorization as of September 30, 2015 .

Series C Preferred Stock Depositary Share Purchases:

In June 2015, the Corporation issued 2,600,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of the Corporation’s 6.125% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C (the “Series C Preferred Stock”). On August 28, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the Series C Preferred Stock. As of September 30, 2015 , $10 million remained available under this repurchase authorization as the Corporation has not repurchased any of the Series C Preferred Stock under this authorization.



80


ITEM 6.
Exhibits
(a)
Exhibits:
Exhibit (11), Statement regarding computation of per share earnings. See Note 4 of the notes to consolidated financial statements in Part I Item 1.
Exhibit (31.1), Certification Under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley by Philip B. Flynn, Chief Executive Officer.
Exhibit (31.2), Certification Under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley by Christopher J. Del Moral-Niles, Chief Financial Officer.
Exhibit (32), Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley.
Exhibit (101), Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
(Registrant)
Date: October 30, 2015
/s/ Philip B. Flynn
Philip B. Flynn
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: October 30, 2015
/s/ Christopher J. Del Moral-Niles
Christopher J. Del Moral-Niles
Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer


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