Investment Securities
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Investment Securities Investment Securities
Adoption of Topic 326
Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective method. Therefore, prior period comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under GAAP in effect prior to the adoption of Topic 326. There was a de minimis allowance for credit loss ("ACL") on available-for-sale debt securities recognized upon adoption and as of March 31, 2020.
The following tables set forth investment securities available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and equity securities held-for-trading at the dates indicated:
 
At March 31, 2020
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(In Thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE debentures
$
231,779

 
$
6,176

 
$
138

 
$
237,817

GSE CMOs
62,391

 
1,151

 
15

 
63,527

GSE MBSs
319,088

 
9,551

 
141

 
328,498

SBA commercial loan asset-backed securities
1

 
—

 
—

 
1

Municipal obligations
44,976

 
645

 
3

 
45,618

Corporate debt obligations
25,389

 
570

 
—

 
25,959

U.S. Treasury bonds
55,776

 
3,858

 
—

 
59,634

Foreign government obligations
500

 
—

 
15

 
485

Total investment securities available-for-sale
$
739,900

 
$
21,951

 
$
312

 
$
761,539

Equity securities held-for-trading
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,558


 
December 31, 2019
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(In Thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE debentures
$
182,922

 
$
2,939

 
$
58

 
$
185,803

GSE CMOs
87,001

 
22

 
1,091

 
85,932

GSE MBSs
153,049

 
797

 
503

 
153,343

SBA commercial loan asset-backed securities
34

 
—

 
—

 
34

Corporate debt obligations
28,484

 
502

 
—

 
28,986

U.S. Treasury bonds
44,675

 
338

 
116

 
44,897

Total investment securities available-for-sale
$
496,165

 
$
4,598

 
$
1,768

 
$
498,995

Investment securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE debentures
$
31,228

 
$
113

 
$
51

 
$
31,290

GSEs MBSs
9,360

 
—

 
81

 
9,279

Municipal obligations
45,692

 
822

 
—

 
46,514

Foreign government obligations
500

 
—

 
22

 
478

Total investment securities held-to-maturity
$
86,780

 
$
935

 
$
154

 
$
87,561

Equity securities held-for-trading
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,581


As of March 31, 2020, the fair value of all investment securities available-for-sale was $761.5 million, with net unrealized gains of $21.6 million, compared to a fair value of $499.0 million and net unrealized gains of $2.8 million as of December 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2020, $58.8 million, or 7.7% of the portfolio, had gross unrealized losses of $0.3 million, compared to $205.6 million, or 41.2% of the portfolio, with gross unrealized losses of $1.8 million as of December 31, 2019.
As of March 31, 2020, all investment securities classified as held-to-maturity were reclassified as available for sale to prudently reflect the ability and intent to not hold these assets to maturity due to the economic uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of tainting of the held-to-maturity portfolio, the Company is precluded from classifying securities as held-to-maturity for a period of time. As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of investment securities held-to-maturity had a fair value of $87.6 million with net unrealized gains of $0.8 million. As of December 31, 2019, $22.3 million, or 25.5% of the portfolio had gross unrealized losses of $0.2 million.
As of March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a fair value of $2.6 million of equity securities held-for-trading. As of December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a fair value of $3.6 million of equity securities held-for-trading.
Investment Securities as Collateral
As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, $489.3 million and $433.6 million of investment securities were pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements; municipal deposits; treasury, tax and loan deposits; swap agreements; FRB borrowings; and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston ("FHLBB") borrowings. The Banks had no outstanding FRB borrowings as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
Allowance for Credit Losses-Available-for-Sale Securities
For available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, management first assesses whether (i) the Company intends to sell the security, or (ii) it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either criterion is met, any previously recognized allowances are charged-off and the security's amortized cost is written down to fair value through income. If neither criterion is met, the security is evaluated to determine whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and any adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors.
If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security is compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, an allowance for credit loss is recorded, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an ACL is recognized in other comprehensive income. Adjustments to the allowance are reported as a component of credit loss expense. Available-for-sale securities are charged-off against the allowance or, in the absence of any allowance, written down through income when deemed uncollectible or when either of the aforementioned criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. The Company has made the accounting policy election to exclude accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale securities from the estimate of credit losses. Accrued interest receivables associated with debt securities available-for-sale totaled $2.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become more than 90 days delinquent or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. Accrued interest for a debt security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. There were no debt securities on nonaccrual status and therefore there was no accrued interest related to debt securities reversed against interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Assessment for Available for Sale Securities for Impairment
Investment securities as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months or twelve months or longer are as follows:
 
At March 31, 2020
 
Less than
Twelve Months
 
Twelve Months
or Longer
 
Total
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
(In Thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE debentures
$
43,783

 
$
138

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
43,783

 
$
138

GSE CMOs
—

 
—

 
1,428

 
15

 
1,428

 
15

GSE MBSs
8,012

 
50

 
3,973

 
91

 
11,985

 
141

Municipal obligations
1,157

 
3

 
—

 
—

 
1,157

 
3

Foreign government obligations
485

 
15

 
—

 
—

 
485

 
15

Temporarily impaired investment securities available-for-sale
53,437

 
206

 
5,401

 
106

 
58,838

 
312

Total temporarily impaired investment securities
$
53,437


$
206


$
5,401


$
106


$
58,838


$
312

 
December 31, 2019
 
Less than
Twelve Months
 
Twelve Months
or Longer
 
Total
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
(In Thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE debentures
$
10,965

 
$
58

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
10,965

 
$
58

GSE CMOs
28,659

 
217

 
55,885

 
874

 
84,544

 
1,091

GSE MBSs
42,046

 
115

 
42,257

 
388

 
84,303

 
503

SBA commercial loan asset-backed securities
—

 
—

 
33

 
—

 
33

 
—

U.S. Treasury bonds
25,754

 
116

 
—

 
—

 
25,754

 
116

Temporarily impaired investment securities available-for-sale
107,424

 
506

 
98,175

 
1,262

 
205,599

 
1,768

Investment securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GSE debentures
8,714

 
30

 
2,977

 
21

 
11,691

 
51

GSEs MBSs
—

 
—

 
9,257

 
81

 
9,257

 
81

Municipal obligations
710

 
—

 
205

 
—

 
915

 
—

Foreign government obligations
478

 
22

 
—

 
—

 
478

 
22

Temporarily impaired investment securities held-to-maturity
9,902

 
52

 
12,439

 
102

 
22,341

 
154

Total temporarily impaired investment securities
$
117,326

 
$
558

 
$
110,614

 
$
1,364

 
$
227,940

 
$
1,922


The Company performs regular analyses of the investment securities available-for-sale portfolio to determine whether a decline in fair value indicates that an investment security is impaired. In making these impairment determinations, management considers, among other factors, projected future cash flows; credit subordination and the creditworthiness; capital adequacy and near-term prospects of the issuers.
Management also considers the Company's capital adequacy, interest-rate risk, liquidity and business plans in assessing whether it is more likely than not that the Company will sell or be required to sell the investment securities before recovery. If the Company determines that a decline in fair value is impairment and that it is more likely than not that the Company will not sell or be required to sell the investment security before recovery of its amortized cost, the credit portion of the impairment loss is recognized in the Company's unaudited consolidated statement of income and the noncredit portion is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. The credit portion of the impairment represents the difference between the amortized cost and the present value of the expected future cash flows of the investment security. If the Company determines that a decline in fair value is impairment and it is more likely than not that it will sell or be required to sell the investment security before recovery of its amortized cost, the entire difference between the amortized cost and the fair value of the security will be recognized in the Company's unaudited consolidated statement of income.
Investment Securities Available-For-Sale Impairment Analysis
The following discussion summarizes, by investment security type, the basis for evaluating if the applicable investment securities within the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio were impaired as of March 31, 2020. Based on the analysis below, it was determined that is it more likely than not that the Company will not sell or be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of its amortized cost. The Company's ability and intent to hold these investment securities until recovery is supported by the Company's strong capital and liquidity positions as well as its historically low portfolio turnover. As such, management has determined that the investment securities are not impaired as of March 31, 2020. If market conditions for investment securities worsen or the creditworthiness of the underlying issuers deteriorates, it is possible that the Company may recognize additional impairment in future periods.
U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises
The Company invests in securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises ("GSEs"), including GSE debentures, mortgage-backed securities ("MBSs"), and collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"). GSE securities include obligations issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), the FHLBB and the Federal Farm Credit Bank. As of March 31, 2020, only GNMA MBSs and CMOs, and Small Business Administration ("SBA") commercial loan asset-backed securities in our available-for-sale portfolio with an estimated fair value of $12.9 million were backed explicitly by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, compared to $17.4 million as of December 31, 2019.
As of March 31, 2020, the Company owned 73 GSE debentures with a total fair value of $237.8 million, and a net unrealized gain of $6.0 million. As of December 31, 2019, the Company held 60 GSE debentures with a total fair value of $185.8 million, with a net unrealized gain of $2.9 million. As of March 31, 2020, 4 of the 73 securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2019, 5 of the 60 securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. All securities are performing and backed by the implicit (FHLB/FNMA/FHLMC) or explicit (GNMA/SBA) guarantee of the U.S Government. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company purchased $75.2 million GSE debentures. This compares to the same period in 2019 when the Company did not purchase any GSE debentures. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company transferred 9 held-to-maturity GSE debentures with a total fair value of $25.5 million to the available-for-sale portfolio.
As of March 31, 2020, the Company owned 33 GSE CMOs with a total fair value of $63.5 million and a net unrealized gain of $1.1 million. As of December 31, 2019, the Company held 61 GSE CMOs with a total fair value of $85.9 million with a net unrealized loss of $1.1 million. As of March 31, 2020, 1 of the 33 securities in this portfolio was in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2019, 45 of the 61 securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. All securities are performing and backed by the implicit (FHLB/FNMA/FHLMC) or explicit (GNMA) guarantee of the U.S Government. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not purchase any GSE CMOs.
As of March 31, 2020, the Company owned 135 GSE MBSs with a total fair value of $328.5 million and a net unrealized gain of $9.4 million. As of December 31, 2019, the Company held 150 GSE MBSs with a total fair value of $153.3 million with a net unrealized gain of $0.3 million. As of March 31, 2020, 22 of the 135 securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2019, 48 of the 150 securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. All securities are performing and backed by the implicit (FHLB/FNMA/FHLMC) or explicit (GNMA) guarantee of the U.S Government. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company purchased $176.9 million GSE MBSs. This compares to the same period in 2019 when the Company did not purchase any GSE MBSs. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company transferred 8 held-to-maturity GSE MBSs with a total fair value of $9.0 million to the available-for-sale portfolio.
SBA Commercial Loan Asset-Backed
As of March 31, 2020, the Company owned 1 SBA security with a nominal fair value which approximated amortized cost. As of December 31, 2019, the Company owned 4 SBA securities with a total fair value of $34.0 thousand, which approximated amortized cost. As of March 31, 2020, none of the securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2019, 3 of the 4 securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. All securities are performing and backed by the explicit guarantee of the U.S Government. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not purchase any SBA securities.
Corporate Obligations
The Company may invest in high-quality corporate obligations to provide portfolio diversification and improve the overall yield on the portfolio. As of March 31, 2020, the Company held 7 corporate obligation securities with a total fair value of $26.0 million and a net unrealized gain of $0.6 million. As of December 31, 2019, the Company held 8 corporate obligation securities with a total fair value of $29.0 million and a net unrealized gain of $0.5 million. As of March 31, 2020, none of the securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2019, none of the securities in this portfolio were in an unrealized loss position. Full collection of the obligations is expected because the financial condition of the issuers is sound, they have not defaulted on scheduled payments, the obligations are rated investment grade, and the Company has the ability and intent to hold the obligations for a period of time to recover the amortized cost. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not purchase any corporate obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company transferred 1 held-to-maturity corporate obligation security with a total fair value of $0.5 million to the available-for-sale portfolio.
U.S. Treasury Bonds
The Company invests in securities issued by the U.S. government. As of March 31, 2020, the Company owned 12 U.S. Treasury bonds with a total fair value of $59.6 million and an unrealized gain of $3.9 million. This compares to 9 U.S. Treasury bonds with a total fair value of $44.9 million and an unrealized loss of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2020, none of the securities in this portfolio were in unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2019, 5 of the 9 securities in this portfolio were in unrealized loss position. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 the Company purchased $21.2 million U.S. Treasury bonds, compared to the same period in 2019 when the Company did not purchase any U.S. Treasury bonds.
Municipal Obligations
The Company invests in certain state and municipal securities with high credit ratings for portfolio diversification and tax planning purposes. As of March 31, 2020, the Company owned 93 municipal obligation securities with a total fair value of $45.6 million and a net unrealized gain of $0.6 million. As of March 31, 2020, 9 of the 93 securities in this portfolio were in unrealized loss position. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company did not purchase any municipal obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company transferred 93 held-to-maturity municipal obligations securities with a total fair value of $47.7 million to the available-for-sale portfolio.
Equity Securities Held-for-Trading
From time to time, the Company will invest in equity securities held-for-trading. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company owned equity securities held-for-trading with a fair value of $2.6 million and $3.6 million, respectively.
Portfolio Maturities
The final stated maturities of the debt securities are as follows for the periods indicated:
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At December 31, 2019
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Weighted
Average
Rate
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Within 1 year
$
19,148

 
$
19,198

 
1.62
%
 
$
12,797

 
$
12,804

 
1.76
%
After 1 year through 5 years
226,455

 
234,676

 
2.09
%
 
217,569

 
220,757

 
2.19
%
After 5 years through 10 years
140,491

 
144,703

 
1.85
%
 
93,805

 
94,212

 
2.04
%
Over 10 years
353,806

 
362,962

 
2.10
%
 
171,994

 
171,222

 
2.12
%
 
$
739,900

 
$
761,539

 
2.04
%
 
$
496,165

 
$
498,995

 
2.13
%
Investment securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Within 1 year
$
—

 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
6,366

 
$
6,381

 
1.33
%
After 1 year through 5 years
—

 
—

 
—
%
 
63,898

 
64,559

 
1.81
%
After 5 years through 10 years
—

 
—

 
—
%
 
7,177

 
7,364

 
1.79
%
Over 10 years
—

 
—

 
—
%
 
9,339

 
9,257

 
1.90
%
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
—
%
 
$
86,780

 
$
87,561

 
1.82
%

Actual maturities of debt securities will differ from those presented above since certain obligations amortize and may also provide the issuer the right to call or prepay the obligation prior to scheduled maturity without penalty. MBSs and CMOs are included above based on their final stated maturities; the actual maturities, however, may occur earlier due to anticipated prepayments and stated amortization of cash flows.
As of March 31, 2020, issuers of debt securities with an estimated fair value of $97.9 million had the right to call or prepay the obligations. Of the $97.9 million, approximately $3.0 million matures within 1 year, $19.8 million matures in 1 - 5 years, $46.4 million matures in 6 - 10 years, and $28.7 million matures after ten years. As of December 31, 2019, issuers of debt securities with an estimated fair value of approximately $37.6 million had the right to call or prepay the obligations. Of the $37.6 million, approximately $3.0 million matures within 1 year, $34.6 million matures in 1-5 years, and none mature after 5 years.
Security Sales
There were $86.4 million securities sold during the three months ended March 31, 2020. There were no securities sold during the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Sales of investment and restricted equity securities are summarized as follows:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
(In Thousands)
Sales of trading securities
$
86,435

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
Gross gains from securities sales
2,446

 
—

Gross losses from securities sales
(93
)
 
—

Gain on sales of securities, net
$
2,353

 
$
—