v3.19.3.a.u2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
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12 Months Ended |
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
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| Repurchase Agreements, Collateral, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Customer repurchase agreements The Company enters into repurchase agreements with customers, whereby it pledges securities against overnight investments made from the customer’s excess collected funds. The Company records these at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction.
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| Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block] |
Stock compensation plans The Company has the Incentive Plan, as amended, which is described more fully in "Note 10. Stockholders' Equity" of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Compensation expense for stock options and non-vested restricted stock awards is based on the fair value of the award on the measurement date which, for the Company, is the date of the grant and is recognized ratably over the service period of the award. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of the award grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of stock options. The fair value of non-vested restricted stock awards is the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.
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| Dividends |
Dividends WAL is a legal entity separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. As a holding company with limited significant assets other than the capital stock of its subsidiaries, WAL's ability to pay dividends depends primarily upon the receipt of dividends or other capital distributions from its subsidiaries. The Company's subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to WAL is subject to, among other things, their individual earnings, financial condition, and need for funds, as well as federal and state governmental policies and regulations applicable to WAL and each of those subsidiaries, which limit the amount that may be paid as dividends without prior approval. In addition, the terms and conditions of other securities the Company issues may restrict its ability to pay dividends to holders of the Company's common stock. For example, if any required payments on outstanding trust preferred securities are not made, WAL would be prohibited from paying cash dividends on its common stock. Treasury shares The Company separately presents treasury shares, which represent shares surrendered to the Company equal in value to the statutory payroll tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of employee restricted stock awards. Treasury shares are carried at cost. Common stock repurchases On December 11, 2018, the Company adopted its common stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $250.0 million of its shares of common stock through December 31, 2019. All shares repurchased under the plan are retired upon settlement. The Company has elected the method to allocate the excess of the repurchase price over the par value of its common stock between APIC and retained earnings, with the portion allocated to APIC limited to the amount of APIC that was recorded at the time that the shares were initially issued, which is calculated on a last-in, first-out basis. The Company's common stock repurchase program was renewed through December 2020, authorizing the Company to repurchase up to an additional $250.0 million of its outstanding common stock.
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| Nature of Operation |
Nature of operation WAL is a bank holding company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware. WAL provides a full spectrum of deposit, lending, treasury management, international banking, and online banking products and services through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, WAB. WAB operates the following full-service banking divisions: ABA, BON, FIB, Bridge, and TPB. The Company also serves business customers through a national platform of specialized financial services. In addition, the Company has two non-bank subsidiaries, LVSP, which held and managed certain OREO properties, and CSI, a captive insurance company formed and licensed under the laws of the State of Arizona and established as part of the Company's overall enterprise risk management strategy.
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| Basis of Presentation |
Basis of presentation The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with GAAP and conform to practices within the financial services industry. The accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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| Use of Estimates |
Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management's estimates and judgments are ongoing and are based on experience, current and expected future conditions, third-party evaluations and various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities, as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions used in the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near term relate to: the determination of the allowance for credit losses; certain assets and liabilities carried at fair value; and accounting for income taxes.
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| Principles of Consolidation |
Principles of consolidation As of December 31, 2019, WAL has the following significant wholly-owned subsidiaries: WAB and eight unconsolidated subsidiaries used as business trusts in connection with the issuance of trust-preferred securities. The Bank has the following significant wholly-owned subsidiaries: WABT, which holds certain investment securities, municipal and nonprofit loans, and leases; WA PWI, which holds certain limited partnerships invested primarily in low income housing tax credits and small business investment corporations; and BW Real Estate, Inc., which operates as a real estate investment trust and holds certain of WAB's real estate loans and related securities. The Company does not have any other significant entities that should be consolidated. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
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| Reclassifications |
Reclassifications Certain amounts reported in prior periods may have been reclassified in the Consolidated Financial Statements to conform to the current presentation. The reclassifications have no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.
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| Business Combinations |
Business combinations Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method, the acquiring entity in a business combination recognizes all of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. To the extent the fair value of net assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, exceeds the purchase price, a bargain purchase gain is recognized. Changes to estimated fair values from a business combination are recognized as an adjustment to goodwill during the measurement period and are recognized in the proper reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Results of operations of an acquired business are included in the Consolidated Income Statement from the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs, including conversion and restructuring charges, are expensed as incurred.
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| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Cash and cash equivalents For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks (including cash items in process of clearing), and federal funds sold. Cash flows from loans originated by the Company and customer deposit accounts are reported net. The Company maintains deposit accounts with other banks, which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
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| Investment Securities |
Investment securities Investment securities include debt securities and equity securities. Debt securities may be classified as HTM, AFS, or trading. The appropriate classification is initially decided at the time of purchase. Securities classified as HTM are those debt securities that the Company has both the intent and ability to hold to maturity regardless of changes in market conditions, liquidity needs, or general economic conditions. These securities are carried at amortized cost. The sale of an HTM security within three months of its maturity date or after the majority of the principal outstanding has been collected is considered a maturity for purposes of classification and disclosure. Securities classified as AFS or trading securities are reported as an asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their estimated fair value. As the fair values of AFS debt securities change, the changes are reported net of income tax as an element of OCI, except for other-than-temporarily-impaired securities. When AFS debt securities are sold, the unrealized gains or losses are reclassified from OCI to non-interest income. The changes in the fair values of trading securities are reported in non-interest income. Securities classified as AFS are securities that the Company does not have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. Any decision to sell a security classified as AFS would be based on various factors, including significant movements in interest rates, changes in the maturity mix of the Company’s assets and liabilities, liquidity needs, decline in credit quality, and regulatory capital considerations. Equity securities are reported as an asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their estimated fair value, with fair value changes recognized as part of non-interest income in the Consolidated Income Statement. Interest income is recognized based on the coupon rate and increased by accretion of discounts earned or decreased by the amortization of premiums paid over the contractual life of the security, adjusted for prepayments estimates, using the interest method. In estimating whether there are any OTTI losses on AFS securities, management considers the: 1) length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost; 2) financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer; 3) impact of changes in market interest rates; and 4) intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value and whether it is not more-likely-than-not the Company would be required to sell the security. Declines in the fair value of individual AFS securities that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings when identified. The fair value of the debt security then becomes the new cost basis. For individual debt securities where the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary decline in fair value of the debt security related to: 1) credit loss is recognized in earnings; and 2) interest rate, market, or other factors is recognized in OCI. For individual debt securities where the Company either intends to sell the security or when it is more-likely-than-not the Company will not recover all of its amortized cost, the OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security's cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For individual debt securities for which a credit loss has been recognized in earnings, interest accruals and amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts are suspended when the credit loss is recognized. Interest received after accruals have been suspended is recognized in income on a cash basis.
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| Restricted Stock |
Restricted stock WAB is a member of the Federal Reserve System and, as part of its membership, is required to maintain stock in the FRB in a specified ratio to its capital. In addition, WAB is a member of the FHLB system and, accordingly, maintains an investment in capital stock of the FHLB based on the borrowing capacity used. The Bank also maintains an investment in its primary correspondent bank. These investments are considered equity securities with no actively traded market. Therefore, the shares are considered restricted investment securities. These investments are carried at cost, which is equal to the value at which they may be redeemed. The dividend income received from the stock is reported in interest income. The Company conducts a periodic review and evaluation of its restricted stock to determine if any impairment exists.
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| Loans, Interest and Fees from Loans |
Loans, held for investment The Company generally holds loans for investment and has the intent and ability to hold loans until their maturity. Therefore, they are reported at book value. Net loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, adjusted for net deferred fees and costs, premiums and discounts, purchase accounting fair value adjustments, and an allowance for credit losses. In addition, the book values of loans subject to a fair value hedge are adjusted for changes in value attributable to the effective portion of the hedged benchmark interest rate risk. The Company may also acquire loans through a business combination. These acquired loans are recorded at their estimated fair value on the date of purchase, which is comprised of unpaid principal adjusted for estimated credit losses and interest rate fair value adjustments. Loans are evaluated individually at the acquisition date to determine if there has been credit deterioration since origination. Such loans may then be aggregated and accounted for as a pool of loans based on common characteristics. When the Company acquires such loans, the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) is limited to the excess of the Company’s estimate of undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected over the Company’s initial investment in the loan. The excess of contractual cash flows over the cash flows expected to be collected may not be recognized as an adjustment to yield, loss, or a valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected generally are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the loan’s yield over the remaining life. Subsequent decreases to cash flows expected to be collected are recognized as impairment losses. The Company may not carry over or create a valuation allowance in the initial accounting for loans acquired under these circumstances. For purchased loans that are not deemed impaired at the acquisition date, fair value adjustments attributable to both credit and interest rates are accreted (or amortized) over the contractual life of the individual loan. For additional information, see "Note 3. Loans, Leases and Allowance for Credit Losses" of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred loan fees and costs, premiums and discounts, and certain purchase accounting fair value adjustments, are amortized over the contractual life of the loan through interest income. If a loan has scheduled payments, the amortization of the net deferred loan fee is calculated using the interest method over the contractual life of the loan. If a loan does not have scheduled payments, such as a line of credit, the net deferred loan fee is recognized as interest income on a straight-line basis over the contractual life of the loan commitment. Commitment fees based on a percentage of a customer’s unused line of credit and fees related to standby letters of credit are recognized over the commitment period. When loans are repaid, any remaining unamortized balances of premiums, discounts, or net deferred fees are recognized as interest income. Non-accrual loans: When a borrower discontinues making payments as contractually required by the note, the Company must determine whether it is appropriate to continue to accrue interest. The Company ceases accruing interest income when the loan has become delinquent by more than 90 days or when management determines that the full repayment of principal and collection of interest according to contractual terms is no longer likely. The Company may decide to continue to accrue interest on certain loans more than 90 days delinquent if the loans are well secured by collateral and in the process of collection. For all loan types, when a loan is placed on non-accrual status, all interest accrued but uncollected is reversed against interest income in the period in which the status is changed, and the Company makes a loan-level decision to apply either the cash basis or cost recovery method. The Company recognizes income on a cash basis only for those non-accrual loans for which the collection of the remaining principal balance is not in doubt. Under the cost recovery method, subsequent payments received from the customer are applied to principal and generally no further interest income is recognized until the principal has been paid in full or until circumstances have changed such that payments are again consistently received as contractually required. Impaired loans: A loan is identified as impaired when it is no longer probable that interest and principal will be collected according to the contractual terms of the original loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured for reserve requirements in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables, based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral less applicable disposition costs if the loan is collateral dependent. The amount of an impairment reserve, if any, and any subsequent changes are recorded as a provision for credit losses. Losses are recorded as a charge-off when losses are confirmed. In addition to management's internal loan review process, regulators may from time to time direct the Company to modify loan grades, loan impairment calculations, or loan impairment methodology. Troubled Debt Restructured Loans: A TDR loan is a loan in which the Company, for reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider. The loan terms that have been modified or restructured due to a borrower’s financial situation include, but are not limited to, a reduction in the stated interest rate, an extension of the maturity or renewal of the loan at an interest rate below current market, a reduction in the face amount of the debt, a reduction in the accrued interest, or deferral of interest payments. A TDR loan is also considered impaired. A TDR loan may be returned to accrual status when the loan is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual restructured terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual restructured principal and interest is no longer in doubt. However, such loans continue to be considered impaired. Consistent with regulatory guidance, a TDR loan that is subsequently modified in another restructuring agreement but has shown sustained performance and classification as a TDR, will be removed from TDR status provided that the modified terms were market-based at the time of modification.
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| Allowance for Credit Losses |
Allowance for credit losses Credit risk is inherent in the business of extending loans and leases to borrowers, for which the Company must maintain an adequate allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for credit losses recorded to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for credit losses when management believes that the contractual principal or interest will not be collected. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance is an amount believed adequate to absorb estimated probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectable, based on evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior credit loss experience, together with other factors. The Company formally re-evaluates and establishes the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific allowance applies to impaired loans. For impaired collateral dependent loans, the reserve is calculated based on the collateral value, net of estimated disposition costs. Generally, the Company obtains an independent collateral valuation analysis for each loan over a specified dollar threshold every 12 months. Loans not collateral dependent are evaluated based on the expected future cash flows discounted at the original contractual interest rate. The general allowance covers all non-impaired loans and incorporates several quantitative and qualitative factors, which are used for all of the Company's portfolio segments. Quantitative factors include company-specific, 10-year historical net charge-offs stratified by loans with similar characteristics. Qualitative factors include: 1) levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; 2) levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; 3) trends in volume and terms of loans; 4) changes in underwriting standards or lending policies; 5) experience, ability, depth of lending staff; 6) national and local economic trends and conditions; 7) changes in credit concentrations; 8) out-of-market exposures; 9) changes in quality of loan review system; and 10) changes in the value of underlying collateral. Due to the credit concentration of the Company's loan portfolio in real estate secured loans, the value of collateral is heavily dependent on real estate values in Arizona, Nevada, and California. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, regulators, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Bank's allowance for credit losses, and may require the Bank to make adjustments to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination. Management regularly reviews the assumptions and formulae used in determining the allowance and makes adjustments if required to reflect the current risk profile of the portfolio.
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| Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets, Transfers of Financial Assets, Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Transfers of financial assets Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed surrendered when the: 1) assets have been isolated from the Company; 2) transferee obtains the right to pledge or exchange the transferred assets; and 3) Company no longer maintains effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase the transferred assets before maturity.
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| Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Premises and equipment Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the lease or the estimated life of the improvement, whichever is shorter. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the following estimated lives: | | | | | | Years | Bank premises | | 31 | Furniture, fixtures, and equipment | | 3 - 10 | Leasehold improvements (1) | | 3 - 10 |
| | (1) | Depreciation is recorded over the lesser of the relevant 3 to 10 year term or the remaining life of the lease. |
Management periodically reviews premises and equipment in order to determine if facts and circumstances suggest that the value of an asset is not recoverable.
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| Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block] |
Leases (lessee) At inception, contracts are evaluated to determine whether the contract constitutes a lease agreement. For contracts that are determined to be an operating lease, a corresponding ROU asset and operating lease liability are recorded in separate line items on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A ROU asset represents the Company’s right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and a lease liability represents the Company’s commitment to make contractually obligated lease payments. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease and are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The measurement of the operating lease ROU asset includes any lease payments made and is reduced by lease incentives that are paid or are payable to the Company. Variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate such as the Consumer Price Index are included in lease payments based on the rate in effect at the commencement date of the lease. Lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis as part of occupancy expense over the lease term. As the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the Company's incremental collateralized borrowing rate is used to determine the present value of lease payments. This rate gives consideration to the applicable FHLB collateralized borrowing rates and is based on the information available at the commencement date. The Company has elected to apply the short-term lease measurement and recognition exemption to leases with an initial term of 12 months or less; therefore, these leases are not recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet, but rather, lease expense is recognized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. The Company’s lease agreements may include options to extend or terminate the lease. These options are included in the lease term when it is reasonably certain that the options will be exercised. In addition to the package of practical expedients, the Company also elected the practical expedient that allows lessees to make an accounting policy election to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component, and instead account for them all together as part of the applicable lease component. This practical expedient can be elected separately for each underlying class of asset. The majority of the Company’s non-lease components such as common area maintenance, parking, and taxes are variable, and are expensed as incurred. Variable payment amounts are determined in arrears by the landlord depending on actual costs incurred.
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| Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Goodwill and other intangible assets The Company records as goodwill the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in accordance with applicable guidance. The Company performs its annual goodwill and intangibles impairment tests as of October 1 each year, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company can first elect to assess, through qualitative factors, whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. If the qualitative assessment indicates potential impairment, a quantitative impairment test is necessary. If, based on the quantitative test, a reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds its fair value, a goodwill impairment charge for this difference is recorded to current period earnings as non-interest expense. The Company’s intangible assets consist primarily of core deposit intangible assets that are amortized over periods ranging from five to 10 years. The Company considers the remaining useful lives of its core deposit intangible assets each reporting period, as required by ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life has changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over the revised remaining useful life.
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| Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block] |
Low income housing and renewable energy tax credits The Company holds ownership interests in limited partnerships and limited liability companies that invest in affordable housing and renewable energy projects. These investments are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal tax credits and deductions, which may be subject to recapture by taxing authorities if compliance requirements are not met. The Company accounts for its low income housing investments using the proportional amortization method. Renewable energy projects are accounted for under the deferral method, whereby the investment tax credits are reflected as an immediate reduction in income taxes payable and the carrying value of the asset in the period that the investment tax credits are claimed. See "Note 14. Income Taxes" of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. The Company evaluates its interests in these entities to determine if it has a variable interest and whether it is required to consolidate these entities. A variable interest is an investment or other interest that will absorb portions of an entity's expected losses or receive portions of the entity's expected residual returns. If the Company determines that it has a variable interest in an entity, it evaluates whether such interest is in a variable interest entity. A VIE is broadly defined as an entity where either: 1) the equity investors as a group, if any, lack the power through voting or similar rights to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance or 2) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity's activities without additional subordinated financial support. The Company is required to consolidate any VIE when it is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE's operations. A variable interest holder is considered to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company’s assessment of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE includes consideration of various factors such as: 1) the Company's ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance; 2) its form of ownership interest; 3) its representation on the entity's governing body; 4) the size and seniority of its investment; and 5) its ability and the rights of other investors to participate in policy making decisions and to replace the manager of and/or liquidate the entity. The Company is required to evaluate whether to consolidate a VIE both at inception and on an ongoing basis as changes in circumstances require reconsideration. The Company’s investments in qualified affordable housing and renewable energy projects meet the definition of a VIE as the entities are structured such that the limited partner investors lack substantive voting rights. The general partner or managing member has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entities and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entities. Accordingly, as a limited partner, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and is not required consolidate these entities.
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| Derivative Financial Instruments |
Derivative financial instruments The Company uses interest-rate swaps to mitigate interest-rate risk associated with changes to the fair value of certain fixed-rate financial instruments (fair value hedges). The Company recognizes derivatives as assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair value in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or liability attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current-period earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not considered to be highly effective in hedging the change in fair value of the hedged item are recognized in earnings as non-interest income during the period of the change. The Company documents its hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction after the derivative contract is executed. At inception, the Company performs a quantitative assessment to determine whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective (as defined in the guidance) in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item. Retroactive effectiveness is assessed, as well as the continued expectation that the hedge will remain effective prospectively. After the initial quantitative assessment is performed, on a quarterly basis, the Company performs a qualitative hedge effectiveness assessment. This assessment takes into consideration any adverse developments related to the counterparty's risk of default and any negative events or circumstances that affect the factors that originally enabled the Company to assess that it could reasonably support, qualitatively, an expectation that the hedging relationship was and will continue to be highly effective. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that a hedge is no longer highly effective. When hedge accounting is discontinued on a fair value hedge that no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative instrument continues to be reported at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, but the carrying amount of the hedged item is no longer adjusted for future changes in fair value. The adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item that existed at the date hedge accounting is discontinued is amortized over the remaining life of the hedged item into earnings. Derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges, so called free-standing derivatives, are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognized in earnings as non-interest income during the period of change. The Company may in the normal course of business purchase a financial instrument or originate a loan that contains an embedded derivative instrument. Upon purchasing the instrument or originating the loan, the Company assesses whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the financial instrument (i.e., the host contract) and whether a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. When it is determined that the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract and a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is separated from the host contract and carried at fair value. However, in cases where the host contract is measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in current earnings, or the Company is unable to reliably identify and measure an embedded derivative for separation from its host contract, the entire contract is carried on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value and is not designated as a hedging instrument.
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| Income Taxes |
Income taxes The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and files a consolidated federal income tax return with all of its subsidiaries, with the exception of BW Real Estate, Inc. Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their income tax bases using enacted tax rates that are expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. Net deferred tax assets are recorded to the extent that these assets will more-likely-than-not be realized. In making these determinations, all available positive and negative evidence is considered, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies, projected future taxable income, and recent operating results. If it is determined that deferred income tax assets to be realized in the future are in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance will be recorded, which will reduce the Company's provision for income taxes. A tax benefit from an unrecognized tax benefit may be recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including related appeals or litigation, based on technical merits. Income tax benefits must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as part of the provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Income Statement. Accrued interest and penalties are included in the related tax liability line with other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See "Note 14. Income Taxes" of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion on income taxes.
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| Revenue [Policy Text Block] |
Non-interest income Non-interest income includes service charges and fees, income from equity investments, card income, foreign currency income, income from bank owned life insurance, lending related income, net gain or loss on sales of investment securities, net unrealized gains or losses on assets measured at fair value, and other income. Service charges and fees consist of fees earned from performance of account analysis, general account services, and other deposit account services. These fees are recognized as the related services are provided in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Income from equity investments includes gains on equity warrant assets, SBIC equity income, and success fees. Card income includes fees earned from customer use of debit and credit cards, interchange income from merchants, and international charges. Card income is generally within the scope of ASC 310, Receivables; however, certain processing transactions for merchants, such as interchange fees, are within the scope of ASC 606. Foreign currency income represents fees earned on the differential between purchases and sales of foreign currency on behalf of the Company’s clients. Income from bank owned life insurance is accounted for in accordance with ASC 325, Investments - Other. Lending related income includes fees earned from gains or losses on the sale of loans, SBA income, and letter of credit fees. Gains and losses on the sale of loans and SBA income are recognized pursuant to ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing. Net unrealized gains or losses on assets measured at fair value represent fair value changes in equity securities and are accounted for in accordance with ASC 321, Investments - Equity Securities. Fees related to standby letters of credit are accounted for in accordance with ASC 440, Commitments. Other income includes operating lease income, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in accordance with ASC 840, Leases. Net gain or loss on sales / valuations of repossessed and other assets is presented as a component of non-interest expense, but may also be presented as a component of non-interest income in the event that a net gain is recognized. Net gain or loss on sales of repossessed and other assets are accounted for in accordance with ASC 610, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. See "Note 22. Revenue from Contracts with Customers" of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details related to the nature and timing of revenue recognition for non-interest income revenue streams within the scope of the new standard.
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| Off-Balance Sheet Instruments |
Off-balance sheet instruments In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance sheet financial instrument arrangements consisting of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements when they are funded. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Losses could be experienced when the Company is contractually obligated to make a payment under these instruments and must seek repayment from the borrower, which may not be as financially sound in the current period as they were when the commitment was originally made. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract and, in certain instances, may be unconditionally cancelable. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Company enters into credit arrangements that generally provide for the termination of advances in the event of a covenant violation or other event of default. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the party. The commitments are collateralized by the same types of assets used as loan collateral. As with outstanding loans, the Company applies qualitative factors and utilization rates to its off-balance sheet obligations in determining an estimate of losses inherent in these contractual obligations. The estimate for credit losses on off-balance sheet instruments is included in other liabilities and the charge to income that establishes this liability is included in non-interest expense. The Company also has off-balance sheet arrangements related to its derivative instruments. Derivative instruments are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements at fair value and their notional values are carried off-balance sheet. See "Note 12. Derivatives and Hedging Activities" of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
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| Fair Values of Financial Instruments |
Fair values of financial instruments The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurement, as well as enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The Company uses various valuation approaches, including market, income, and/or cost approaches. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors market participants would consider in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs, as follows: | | • | Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. |
| | • | Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, volatilities, etc.) or model-based valuation techniques where all significant assumptions are observable, either directly or indirectly, in the market. |
| | • | Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques where one or more significant inputs are not observable, either directly or indirectly, in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques may include use of matrix pricing, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques. |
The availability of observable inputs varies based on the nature of the specific financial instrument. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who may purchase the asset or assume the liability, rather than an entity-specific measure. When market assumptions are available, ASC 820 requires the Company to make assumptions regarding the assumptions that market participants would use to estimate the fair value of the financial instrument at the measurement date. ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent limitations in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sales transaction at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The estimated fair value amounts for December 31, 2019 and 2018 have been measured as of period-end, and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these Consolidated Financial Statements subsequent to those dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the reporting date may be different than the amounts reported at period-end. The information in "Note 16. Fair Value Accounting" of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only required for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Due to the wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimate, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies or banks may not be meaningful. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments: Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for cash and due from banks approximate their fair value. Money market investments The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for money market investments approximate their fair value. Investment securities The fair values of CRA investments, exchange-listed preferred stock, trust preferred securities, and certain corporate debt securities are based on quoted market prices and are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of debt securities are primarily determined based on matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique that utilizes observable market inputs including, for example, yield curves, credit ratings, and prepayment speeds. Fair values determined using matrix pricing are generally categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. For a small subset of securities, other pricing sources are used, including observed prices on publicly-traded securities and dealer quotes. Restricted stock WAB is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the FHLB and, accordingly, maintains investments in the capital stock of the FRB and the FHLB. WAB also maintains an investment in its primary correspondent bank. These investments are carried at cost since no ready market exists for them, and they have no quoted market value. The Company conducts a periodic review and evaluation of its restricted stock to determine if any impairment exists. The fair values of these investments have been categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Loans The fair value of loans is estimated based on discounted cash flows using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality and adjustments that the Company believes a market participant would consider in determining fair value based on a third party independent valuation. As a result, the fair value for loans is categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, excluding impaired loans, which are categorized as Level 3. Accrued interest receivable and payable The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for accrued interest receivable and payable approximate their fair value. Derivative financial instruments All derivatives are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. The fair value for derivatives is determined based on market prices, broker-dealer quotations on similar products, or other related input parameters. As a result, the fair values have been categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Deposits The fair value disclosed for demand and savings deposits is by definition equal to the amount payable on demand at their reporting date (that is, their carrying amount), which the Company believes a market participant would consider in determining fair value. The carrying amount for variable-rate deposit accounts approximates their fair value. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on these deposits. The fair value measurement of the deposit liabilities is categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. FHLB advances and customer repurchase agreements The fair values of the Company’s borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The FHLB advances and customer repurchase agreements have been categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy due to their short durations. Subordinated debt The fair value of subordinated debt is based on the market rate for the respective subordinated debt security. Subordinated debt has been categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Junior subordinated debt Junior subordinated debt is valued based on a discounted cash flow model which uses as inputs Treasury Bond rates and the 'BB' rated financial index. Junior subordinated debt has been categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Off-balance sheet instruments The fair value of the Company’s off-balance sheet instruments (lending commitments and letters of credit) is based on quoted fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements, and the counterparties’ credit standing.
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| Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
Recent accounting pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The new standard significantly changes the impairment model for most financial assets that are measured at amortized cost, including off-balance sheet credit exposures, from an incurred loss model to an expected loss model. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, require that an organization measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ASU also requires enhanced disclosures, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on AFS debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has completed its implementation of the new CECL standard, in all material respects, as model findings have been addressed, the Company's internal control CECL framework has been implemented, and accounting policies and governance processes have been finalized. The following table summarizes the estimated allowance for credit losses related to financial assets and off-balance sheet credit exposures upon adoption of ASC 326: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Pre-ASC 326 Adoption | | Post-ASC 326 Adoption | | Impact of ASC 326 Adoption | | (in millions) | Assets: | | | | | | Allowance for credit losses on HTM securities | | | | | | Tax-exempt | $ | — |
| | $ | 3 |
| | $ | 3 |
| | | | | | | Allowance for credit losses on loans | $ | 168 |
| | $ | 187 |
| | $ | 19 |
| | | | | | | Liabilities: | | | | | | Off-balance sheet credit exposures | $ | 9 |
| | $ | 24 |
| | $ | 15 |
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As the impact to the Company was not significant, management elected to take the full charge to regulatory capital at the adoption date. In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments within ASU 2018-13 remove, modify, and supplement the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Disclosure requirements that were removed include: the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments clarify that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. Additional disclosure requirements include: the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period, and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. With the exception of the above additional disclosure requirements, which will be applied prospectively, all other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). The amendments in this ASU align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). Accordingly, the amendments in this Update require an entity (customer) in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the service contract and which costs to expense. The amendments in this Update also require that the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. Presentation requirements include: expense related to the capitalized implementation costs should be presented in the same line item in the statement of income as the fees associated with the hosting element (service) of the arrangement, payments for capitalized implementation costs in the statement of cash flows should be classified in the same manner as payments made for fees associated with the hosting element, and capitalized implementation costs in the statement of financial position should be presented in the same line item that a prepayment for the fees of the associated hosting arrangement would be presented. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. In April 2019, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. The amendments in ASU 2019-04 clarify or correct the guidance in these Topics. With respect to Topic 326, ASU 2019-04 addresses a number of issues as it relates to the CECL standard including consideration of accrued interest, recoveries, variable-rate financial instruments, prepayments, and extension and renewal options, among other things, in the measurement of expected credit losses. The amendments to Topic 326 have the same effective dates as ASU 2016-13 and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. With respect to Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, ASU 2019-04 clarifies issues related to partial-term hedges, hedged debt securities, and transitioning from a quantitative method of assessing hedge effectiveness to a more simplified method. The Company does not have partial-term hedges or any hedged debt securities and the transition issues discussed in the ASU 2019-04 are not applicable to the Company. Accordingly, the amendments to Topic 815 will not have an impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. With respect to Topic 825, Financial Instruments, on recognizing and measuring financial instruments, ASU 2019-04 addresses: 1) the scope of the guidance; 2) the requirement for remeasurement under ASC 820 when using the measurement alternative; 3) certain disclosure requirements; and 4) which equity securities have to be remeasured at historical exchange rates. The amendments to Topic 825 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In May 2019, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, to provide entities with an option to irrevocably elect the fair value option for eligible financial assets measured at amortized cost. The election is to be applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis upon adoption of Topic 326 and is not available for either AFS or HTM debt securities. The amendments in ASU 2019-05 should be applied on a modified-retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the date that an entity adopts the amendments in ASU 2016-13. The Company did not elect this fair value option as part of its adoption of ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020. In November 2019, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses. The amendments in ASU 2019-11 clarify or address specific issues about certain aspects of the amendments in ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. These issues include measurement and reporting requirements related to: 1) the allowance for credit losses for purchased assets with credit deterioration; 2) prepayment assumptions on existing troubled debt restructurings; 3) extension of disclosure relief for accrued interest receivable balances; and 4) expected credit losses on collateralized financial assets. The adoption of ASU 2019-11 is concurrent with ASU 2016-13 and, adoption of these amendments on January 1, 2020, did not have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in ASU 2019-12 are intended to reduce the cost and complexity of applying ASC 740. The amendments that are applicable to the Company address: 1) franchise and other taxes partially based on income; 2) step-up in basis of goodwill in a business combination; 3) allocation of tax expense in separate entity financial statements; and 4) interim recognition of enactment of tax laws or rate changes. The amendments to Topic 740 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Recently adopted accounting guidance In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2016-02, Leases. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 to Topic 842, Leases, require lessees to recognize the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. The Company adopted the amendments to Topic 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company elected the transition option issued under ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, which allows entities to continue to apply the legacy guidance in ASC 840, Leases, to prior periods, including disclosure requirements. Accordingly, prior period financial results and disclosures have not been adjusted. The Company also elected to apply the package of practical expedients permitting entities to forgo reassessment of: 1) expired or existing contracts that may contain leases; 2) lease classification of expired or existing leases; and 3) initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company established internal controls and implemented lease accounting software to facilitate the preparation of financial information and disclosures related to leases. The most significant impact of the new standard on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements was the recognition of a ROU asset and lease liability for operating leases for which the Company is the lessee. The accounting for finance and operating leases for which the Company is the lessor remains substantially unchanged. Upon adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2019, the Company recorded a ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $42.5 million and $46.1 million, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. No cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings resulted from adoption of this guidance. The new standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in ASU 2017-08 to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, shorten the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date, which more closely align the amortization period of premiums and discounts to expectations incorporated in market pricing on the underlying securities. Under current GAAP, entities generally amortize the premium as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The amendments in this ASU should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. As of December 31, 2019, the Company does not hold these types of securities; therefore, adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2018, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in ASU 2018-07 to Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, are intended to align the accounting for share-based payment awards issued to employees and nonemployees. Changes to the accounting for nonemployee awards include: 1) equity classified share-based payment awards issued to nonemployees will now be measured on the grant date, instead of the previous requirement to remeasure the awards through the performance completion date; 2) for performance conditions, compensation cost associated with the award will be recognized when achievement of the performance condition is probable, rather than upon achievement of the performance condition; and 3) the current requirement to reassess the classification (equity or liability) for nonemployee awards upon vesting will be eliminated, except for awards in the form of convertible instruments. The new guidance also clarifies that any share-based payment awards issued to customers should be evaluated under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company's share-based payment awards to nonemployees consist only of grants made to the Company's BOD as compensation solely related to the individual's role as a Director. As such, in accordance with ASC 718, the Company accounts for these share-based payment awards to its Directors in the same manner as share-based payment awards for its employees. Accordingly, the adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the accounting for the Company's share-based payment awards to its Directors. In July 2018, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements. The amendments in ASU 2018-09 are intended to clarify or correct unintended guidance in the FASB Codification and affect a wide variety of Topics in the Codification. The topics that are applicable to the Company include: 1) debt modifications and extinguishments; 2) stock compensation; and 3) derivatives and hedging. For debt modifications and extinguishments, the amendment clarifies that, in an early extinguishment of debt for which the fair value option has been elected, the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt is equal to its fair value at the reacquisition date, and upon extinguishment, the cumulative amount of the gain or loss on the extinguished debt that resulted from changes in instrument-specific credit risk should be presented in net income. The Company has junior subordinated debt that is recorded at fair value at each reporting period due to election of the FVO. Accordingly, if, in the future, the Company chooses to repay this debt prior to its contractual maturity, this amendment would be applicable. For stock compensation, the amendment clarifies that excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies should be recognized in the period in which the amount of the tax deduction is determined, which is typically when an award is exercised (in the case of share options) or vests (in the case of non-vested stock awards). The Company already records excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies in the periods in which the tax deduction is determined. Therefore, adoption of this amendment did not have an effect on the Company's accounting for excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies. For derivatives and hedging, previous guidance permits derivatives to be offset only when all four conditions (including the intent to set off) are met. This amendment clarifies that the intent to set off is not required to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that are executed with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement. This amendment did not have an effect on the offsetting of the Company's derivative assets and liabilities.
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| Life Insurance, Corporate or Bank Owned [Text Block] |
Bank owned life insurance BOLI is carried at its cash surrender value with changes recorded in other non-interest income in the Consolidated Income Statements. The face amount of the underlying policies including death benefits was $359.0 million and $358.7 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There are no loans offset against cash surrender values, and there are no restrictions as to the use of proceeds.
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| X |
- DefinitionDescription of accounting policies and methodologies used to estimate the entity's liability for off-balance sheet credit exposures and related charges for those credit exposures.
| Name: |
us-gaap_OffBalanceSheetCreditExposurePolicyPolicyTextBlock |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- DefinitionDisclosure of accounting policy for reclassifications that affects the comparability of the financial statements.
| Name: |
us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustmentDescription |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- DefinitionDisclosure of accounting policy for long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Includes, but is not limited to, basis of assets, depreciation and depletion methods used, including composite deprecation, estimated useful lives, capitalization policy, accounting treatment for costs incurred for repairs and maintenance, capitalized interest and the method it is calculated, disposals and impairments.
| Name: |
us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentPolicyTextBlock |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- DefinitionDisclosure of accounting policy with regard to collateral required and collateral rights on securities sold under agreements to repurchase.
| Name: |
us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementsCollateralPolicy |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- DefinitionDisclosure of accounting policy for revenue from contract with customer.
| Name: |
us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerPolicyTextBlock |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- DefinitionDisclosure of accounting policy for award under share-based payment arrangement. Includes, but is not limited to, methodology and assumption used in measuring cost.
| Name: |
us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationOptionAndIncentivePlansPolicy |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- DefinitionDisclosure of accounting policy for its capital stock transactions, including dividends and accumulated other comprehensive income.
| Name: |
us-gaap_StockholdersEquityPolicyTextBlock |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- DefinitionDisclosure of accounting policy for recognizing whether a transfer of a financial asset qualifies for sale treatment, and its initial and subsequent accounting for a sale transaction. If an entity has securitized financial assets during any period presented and accounts for that transfer as a sale, for each major asset type (for example, mortgage loans, credit card receivables, and automobile loans), the entity generally discloses its accounting policies for initially and subsequently measuring any interests that it obtains and sells, or those it continues to hold in the transaction, including the methodology (for example, quoted market prices) and significant assumptions used to value such interests, and the gains and losses resulting from the sale.
| Name: |
us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialAssetsTransfersOfFinancialAssetsSalesPolicy |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
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|
| X |
- DefinitionDisclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
| Name: |
us-gaap_UseOfEstimates |
| Namespace Prefix: |
us-gaap_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- Definition
+ References
+ Details
| Name: |
wal_NatureOfOperationPolicyTextBlock |
| Namespace Prefix: |
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| Data Type: |
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| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
| X |
- DefinitionRestricted Stock Policy [Text Block]
| Name: |
wal_RestrictedStockPolicyTextBlock |
| Namespace Prefix: |
wal_ |
| Data Type: |
nonnum:textBlockItemType |
| Balance Type: |
na |
| Period Type: |
duration |
|
|
