Document
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file Number 001-11138
FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
PENNSYLVANIA
25-1428528
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
601 PHILADELPHIA STREET    INDIANA, PA
15701
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (724) 349-7220
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
COMMON STOCK, $1 PAR VALUE
 
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨    No x
Note—Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x    No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x    No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x     Accelerated filer ¨   Non-accelerated filer ¨    Smaller reporting company ¨ Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨    No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock, par value $1 per share, held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based upon the closing sale price on June 30, 2018) was approximately $1,535,578,640.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 Par Value as of February 28, 2019, was 98,641,110.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders to be held April 23, 2019 are incorporated by reference into Part III.


Table of Contents

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-K
INDEX
 
PART I
 
PAGE
 
 
 
ITEM 1.
 
 
 
ITEM 1A.
 
 
 
ITEM 1B.
 
 
 
ITEM 2.
 
 
 
ITEM 3.
 
 
 
ITEM 4.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 5.
 
 
 
ITEM 6.
 
 
 
ITEM 7.
 
 
 
ITEM 7A.
 
 
 
ITEM 8.
 
 
 
ITEM 9.
 
 
 
ITEM 9A.
 
 
 
ITEM 9B.
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 10.
 
 
 
ITEM 11.
 
 
 
ITEM 12.
 
 
 
ITEM 13.
 
 
 
ITEM 14.
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 15.
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified as such. In addition, certain statements may be contained in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with our approval that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of plans, objectives and expectations of First Commonwealth or its management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products, services or operations; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may,” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
Local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on us and our customers and our assessment of that impact.
Volatility and disruption in national and international financial and commodity markets.
Government intervention in the U.S. financial system.
Changes in the mix of loan geographies, sectors and types or the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs.
Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements.
The effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board.
Inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations.
The effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which we and our subsidiaries must comply.
The soundness of other financial institutions.
Political instability.
Impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets.
Acts of God or of war or terrorism.
The timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users.
Changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits.
Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers.
Technological changes.
The cost and effects of failure, interruption, or breach of security of our systems.
Acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses.
Our ability to attract and retain qualified employees.
Changes in the competitive environment in our markets and among banking organizations and other financial service providers.
The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters.
Changes in the reliability of our vendors, internal control systems or information systems.
Changes in our liquidity position.
Changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans.
The costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments, the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries, the results of regulatory examinations or reviews and the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals.
Greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of business.
Our success at managing the risks involved in the foregoing items.
The risk factors described in Item 1A of this Annual Report.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


3

Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1.    Business
Overview
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (“First Commonwealth,” the “Company” or “we”) is a financial holding company headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania. We provide a diversified array of consumer and commercial banking services through our bank subsidiary, First Commonwealth Bank (“FCB” or the “Bank”). We also provide trust and wealth management services and offer insurance products through FCB and our other operating subsidiaries. At December 31, 2018, we had total assets of $7.8 billion, total loans of $5.8 billion, total deposits of $5.9 billion and shareholders’ equity of $975.4 million. Our principal executive office is located at 601 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, Pennsylvania 15701, and our telephone number is (724) 349-7220.
FCB is a Pennsylvania bank and trust company. At December 31, 2018, the Bank operated 137 community banking offices throughout western and central Pennsylvania, and northeasern, central and southwestern Ohio, as well as corporate banking centers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio, and mortgage banking offices in Wexford, Pennsylvania, and Hudson and Dublin, Ohio. The Bank also operates a network of 150 automated teller machines, or ATMs, at various branch offices and offsite locations. All of our ATMs are part of the NYCE and MasterCard/Cirrus networks, both of which operate nationwide. The Bank is a member of the Allpoint ATM network, which allows surcharge-free access to over 55,000 ATMs. The Bank is also a member of the “Freedom ATM Alliance,” which affords cardholders surcharge-free access to a network of over 670 ATMs in over 50 counties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and Ohio.
Historical and Recent Developments
FCB began in 1934 as First National Bank of Indiana. First National Bank of Indiana changed its name to National Bank of the Commonwealth in 1971 and became a subsidiary of First Commonwealth in 1983.

Since the formation of the holding company in 1983, we have grown steadily through the acquisition of smaller banks and thrifts in our market area, including Deposit Bank in 1984, Dale National Bank and First National Bank of Leechburg in 1985, Citizens National Bank of Windber in 1986, Peoples Bank and Trust Company in 1990, Central Bank in 1992, Peoples Bank of Western Pennsylvania in 1993, and Unitas National Bank and Reliable Savings Bank in 1994. In 1995, we merged all of our banking subsidiaries (other than Reliable Savings Bank) into Deposit Bank and renamed the resulting institution “First Commonwealth Bank.” We then merged Reliable Savings Bank into FCB in 1997. We acquired Southwest Bank in 1998 and merged it into FCB in 2002.

We expanded our presence in the Pittsburgh market through the acquisitions of Pittsburgh Savings Bank (dba BankPittsburgh) in 2003, Great American Federal in 2004 and Laurel Savings Bank in 2006. These acquisitions added 27 branches in Allegheny and Butler Counties.
We have also focused on organic growth, improving the reach of our franchise and the breadth of our product offering. As part of this strategy, we have opened fourteen de novo branches since 2005, all of which are in the greater Pittsburgh area. As a result of our prior acquisitions and de novo strategy, FCB operates 59 branches and a corporate banking center in the Pittsburgh metropolitan statistical area and currently ranks tenth in deposit market share.
In 2015, we expanded into central Ohio through the acquisition of First Community Bank with four branches in the Columbus area. In 2016, we acquired 13 branches from FirstMerit Bank, National Association, in Canton-Massillon and Ashtabula, Ohio and in 2017, we acquired DCB Financial Corp ("DCB") and its banking subsidiary The Delaware County Bank and Trust Company with nine full-service banking offices in the Columbus, Ohio MSA. In 2018, we acquired Garfield Acquisition Corp., and its banking subsidiary Foundation Bank with five full-service banking offices in the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Additionally, since 2014, we have expanded our presence in this Ohio market by opening a corporate loan production office in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio, and three mortgage loan offices in Hudson, Dublin, and Columbus, Ohio.
Our operating objectives include expansion, diversification within our markets, growth of our fee-based income, and growth internally and through acquisitions of financial institutions, branches, and financial services businesses. We generally seek merger or acquisition partners that are culturally similar and have experienced management and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale and expanded services. We regularly evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and, from time to time, conduct due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial services companies. As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations, may take place and future merger acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur. Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of First Commonwealth’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in

4

Table of Contents

connection with any future transaction. Our ability to engage in certain merger or acquisition transactions, whether or not any regulatory approval is required, will be dependent upon our bank regulators’ views at the time as to the capital levels, quality of management and our overall condition and their assessment of a variety of other factors. Certain merger or acquisition transactions, including those involving the acquisition of a depository institution or the assumption of the deposits of any depository institution, require formal approval from various bank regulatory authorities, which will be subject to a variety of factors and considerations.
Loan Portfolio
The Company’s loan portfolio includes several categories of loans that are discussed in detail below.

Commercial, Financial, Agricultural and Other
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other loans represent term loans used to acquire business assets or revolving lines of credit used to finance working capital. These loans are generally secured by a first lien position on the borrower’s business assets as a secondary source of repayment. The type and amount of the collateral varies depending on the amount and terms of the loan, but generally may include accounts receivable, inventory, equipment or other assets. Loans also may be supported by personal guarantees from the principals of the commercial loan borrowers.

Commercial loans are underwritten for credit-worthiness based on the borrowers’ financial information, cash flow, net worth, prior loan performance, existing debt levels, type of business and the industry in which it operates. Advance rates on commercial loans are generally collateral-dependent and are determined based on the type of equipment, the mix of inventory and the quality of receivables.

Credit risk for commercial loans can arise from a borrower’s inability or unwillingness to repay the loan, and in the case of secured loans, from a shortfall in the collateral value in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default and subsequent liquidation of collateral. The Company’s Credit Policy establishes loan concentration limits by borrower, geography and industry.

Commercial Real Estate
Commercial real estate loans represent term loans secured by owner-occupied and non-owner occupied properties. Commercial real estate loans are underwritten based on an evaluation of each borrower’s cash flow as the principal source of loan repayment, and are generally secured by a first lien on the property as a secondary source of repayment. Our underwriting process for non-owner occupied properties evaluates the history of occupancy, quality of tenants, lease terms, operating expenses and cash flow. Commercial real estate loans are subject to the same credit evaluation as previously described for commercial loans. Approximately 18%, by principal amount, of our commercial real estate loans involve owner-occupied properties.

For loans secured by commercial real estate, at origination the Company obtains current and independent appraisals from licensed or certified appraisers to assess the value of the underlying collateral. The Company’s general policy for commercial real estate loans is to limit the terms of the loans to not more than 10 years with loan-to-value ratios not exceeding 80% on owner-occupied and income producing properties. For non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, the loan terms are generally aligned with the property’s lease terms and are generally underwritten with a loan-to-value ratio not exceeding 75%.

Credit risk for commercial real estate loans can arise from economic conditions that could impact market demand, rental rates and property vacancy rates and declines in the collateral value in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default and subsequent liquidation of collateral.
 
Real Estate Construction
Real estate construction represents financing for real estate development.  The underwriting process for these loans is designed to confirm that the project will be economically feasible and financially viable and is generally conducted as though the Company would be providing permanent financing for the project. Development and construction loans are secured by the properties under development or construction, and personal guarantees are typically obtained as a secondary repayment source. The Company considers the financial condition and reputation of the borrower and any guarantors and generally requires a global cash flow analysis in order to assess the overall financial position of the developer. 

Construction loans to residential builders are generally made for the construction of residential homes for which a binding sales contract exists and for which the prospective buyers have been pre-qualified for permanent mortgage financing by either third-party lenders or the Company.  These loans are generally for a period of time sufficient to complete construction.


5

Table of Contents

Residential construction loans to individuals generally provide for the payment of interest only during the construction phase. At the end of the construction phase, substantially all of our loans automatically convert to permanent mortgage loans and can either be retained in our loan portfolio or sold on the secondary market.

Credit risk for real estate construction loans can arise from construction delays, cost overruns, failure of the contractor to complete the project to specifications and economic conditions that could impact demand for or supply of the property being constructed.

Residential Real Estate Loans
Residential real estate loans include first lien mortgages used by the borrower to purchase or refinance a principal residence and home equity loans and lines of credit secured by residential real estate. The Company’s underwriting process for these loans determines credit-worthiness based upon debt-to-income ratios, collateral values and other relevant factors.

Credit risk for residential real estate loans can arise from a borrower’s inability or unwillingness to repay the loan or a shortfall in the value of the residential real estate in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default and subsequent liquidation of the real estate collateral. 

The residential real estate portfolio includes both conforming and non-conforming mortgage loans. Conforming mortgage loans represent loans originated in accordance with underwriting standards set forth by the government-sponsored entities, including the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Government National Mortgage Association, which serve as the primary purchasers of loans sold in the secondary mortgage market by mortgage lenders. These loans are generally collateralized by one-to-four-family residential real estate, have loan-to-collateral value ratios of 80% or less (or have mortgage insurance to insure down to 80%), and are made to borrowers in good credit standing.  Non-conforming mortgage loans represent loans that generally are not saleable in the secondary market to the government-sponsored entities due to factors such as the credit characteristics of the borrower, the underlying documentation, the loan-to-value ratio, or the size of the loan. The Company does not offer “subprime,” “interest-only” or “negative amortization” mortgages.

Home equity lines of credit and other home equity loans are originated by the Company for typically up to 90% of the appraised value, less the amount of any existing prior liens on the property. Additionally, the Company’s credit policy requires borrower FICO scores of not less than 661 and a debt-to-income ratio of not more than 43%.

Loans to Individuals
The Loans to Individuals category includes consumer installment loans, personal lines of credit, consumer credit cards and indirect automobile loans. Credit risk for consumer loans can arise from a borrower’s inability or unwillingness to repay the loan, and in the case of secured loans, by a shortfall in the value of the collateral in relation to the outstanding loan balance in the event of a default and subsequent liquidation of collateral. 
The underwriting criteria for automobile loans generally allows for such loans to be made for up to 100% of the purchase price or the retail value of the vehicle as listed by the National Automobile Dealers Association. The terms of the loan are determined by the age and condition of the collateral, and range from 36 to 84 months. Collision insurance policies are required on all automobile loans. The Company also makes other consumer loans, which may or may not be secured. The terms of secured consumer loans generally depend upon the nature of the underlying collateral. Unsecured consumer loans and consumer credit cards usually do not exceed $35 thousand. Unsecured consumer loans usually have a term of no longer than 36 months.
Deposits
Deposits are our primary source of funds to support our revenue-generating assets. We offer traditional deposit products to businesses and other customers with a variety of rates and terms. Deposits at our bank are insured by the FDIC up to statutory limits. We price our deposit products with a view to maximizing our share of each customer’s financial services business and prudently managing our cost of funds. At December 31, 2018, we held $5.9 billion of total deposits, which consisted of $1.5 billion, or 25%, in non-interest bearing checking accounts, $3.6 billion, or 61%, in interest bearing checking accounts, money market and savings accounts, and $0.9 billion, or 14%, in CDs and IRAs.
Competition
The banking and financial services industry is extremely competitive in our market area. We face vigorous competition for customers, loans and deposits from many companies, including commercial banks, savings and loan associations, finance companies, credit unions, trust companies, mortgage companies, money market mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment firms. Many of these competitors are significantly larger than us, have greater resources, higher

6

Table of Contents

lending limits and larger branch systems and offer a wider array of financial services than us. In addition, some of these competitors, such as credit unions, are subject to a lesser degree of regulation or taxation than that imposed on us.
Employees
At December 31, 2018, First Commonwealth and its subsidiaries employed 1,363 full-time employees and 149 part-time employees.
Supervision and Regulation
The following discussion sets forth the material elements of the regulatory framework applicable to financial holding companies, such as First Commonwealth, and their subsidiaries. The regulatory framework is intended primarily for the protection of depositors, other customers and the federal deposit insurance fund and not for the protection of security holders. The rules governing the regulation of financial institutions and their holding companies are very detailed and technical. Accordingly, the following discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be complete or to describe all the laws and regulations that apply to First Commonwealth and its subsidiaries. A change in applicable statutes, regulations or regulatory policy may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Bank Holding Company Regulation
First Commonwealth is registered as a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHC Act”), and is subject to supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”).
Acquisitions. Under the BHC Act, First Commonwealth is required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB before it can merge or consolidate with any other bank holding company or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank that is not already majority owned by it, or acquire direct or indirect ownership, or control of, any voting shares of any bank that is not already majority owned by it, if after such acquisition it would directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the voting shares of such bank. In reviewing applications seeking approval of merger and acquisition transactions, the bank regulatory authorities will consider, among other things, the competitive effect and public benefits of the transactions, the financial, including capital, position of the combined organization, the risks to the stability of the U.S. banking or financial system, the applicant's performance record under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") and its compliance with fair housing and other consumer protection laws and the effectiveness of the subject organizations in combating money laundering activities.
Non-Banking Activities. In general, the BHC Act limits the business of bank holding companies to banking, managing or controlling banks and other activities that the FRB has determined to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. In addition, bank holding companies that qualify and elect to be financial holding companies such as First Commonwealth may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (i) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity or (ii) complementary to a financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally, without in either case the prior approval of the FRB. Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance agency activities and making merchant banking investments.
To maintain financial holding company status, a financial holding company and all of its depository institution subsidiaries must be well capitalized and well managed. A depository institution subsidiary is considered to be well capitalized if it satisfies the requirements for this status discussed in the section below captioned "Prompt Corrective Action". A depository institution subsidiary is considered well managed if it received a composite rating and management rating of at least satisfactory in its most recent examination. A financial holding company’s status will also depend upon maintaining its status as well capitalized and well managed under applicable FRB regulations. If a financial holding company ceases to meet these capital and management requirements, the FRB’s regulations provide that the financial holding company must enter into an agreement with the FRB to comply with all applicable capital and management requirements. Until the financial holding company returns to compliance, the FRB may impose limitations or conditions on the conduct of its activities, and the company may not commence any of the broader financial activities permissible for financial holding companies or acquire a company engaged in such financial activities without prior approval of the FRB. If the company does not return to compliance within 180 days, the FRB may require divestiture of the holding company’s depository institutions.

In order for a financial holding company to commence any new activity permitted by the BHC Act or to acquire a company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHC Act, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least satisfactory in its most recent examination under the CRA.

The FRB has the power to order any bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or to terminate its ownership or control of any subsidiary when the FRB has reasonable grounds to believe that continuation of such activity or

7

Table of Contents

such ownership or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness, safety or stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.
Reporting. Under the BHC Act, First Commonwealth is subject to examination by the FRB and is required to file periodic reports and other information of its operations with the FRB. In addition, under the Pennsylvania Banking Code of 1965, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities has the authority to examine the books, records and affairs of any Pennsylvania bank holding company or to require any documentation deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the Pennsylvania Banking Code.
Source of Strength Doctrine. FRB policy has historically required bank holding companies to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) codifies this policy as a statutory requirement. Under this requirement, First Commonwealth is expected to commit resources to support FCB, including at times when First Commonwealth may not be in a financial position to provide such resources. Any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment.
Affiliate Transactions. Transactions between FCB, on the one hand, and First Commonwealth and its other subsidiaries, on the other hand, are regulated under federal banking laws. The Federal Reserve Act imposes quantitative and qualitative requirements and collateral requirements on covered transactions by FCB with, or for the benefit of, its affiliates, and generally requires those transactions to be on terms at least as favorable to FCB as if the transaction were conducted with an unaffiliated third party. Covered transactions are defined by statute to include a loan or extension of credit, as well as a purchase of securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets (unless otherwise exempted by the FRB) from the affiliate, certain derivative transactions that create a credit exposure to an affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by the affiliate as collateral for a loan, and the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate. In general, any such transaction by FCB (or its subsidiaries) must be limited to certain thresholds on an individual and aggregate basis and, for credit transactions with any affiliate, must be secured by designated amounts of specified collateral.
SEC Regulations. First Commonwealth is also under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and various state securities commissions for matters relating to the offer and sale of its securities and is subject to the SEC rules and regulations relating to periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and insider trading.
Bank Regulation
FCB is a state bank chartered under the Pennsylvania Banking Code and is not a member of the FRB. As such, FCB is subject to the supervision of, and is regularly examined by, both the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and is required to furnish quarterly reports to both agencies. The approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities and FDIC is also required for FCB to establish additional branch offices or merge with or acquire another banking institution.
Dividends. First Commonwealth is a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking and other subsidiaries. As a bank holding company, First Commonwealth is subject to certain restrictions on its ability to pay dividends under applicable banking laws and regulations. Federal bank regulators are authorized to determine under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank holding company or a bank that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. In particular, federal bank regulators have stated that paying dividends that deplete a banking organization’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice and that banking organizations should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings.
A significant portion of our income comes from dividends from our bank, which is also the primary source of our liquidity. In addition to the restrictions discussed above, our bank is subject to limitations under Pennsylvania law regarding the level of dividends that it may pay to us. In general, dividends may be declared and paid only out of accumulated net earnings and may not be declared or paid unless surplus is at least equal to capital. Dividends may not reduce surplus without the prior consent of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. FCB has not reduced its surplus through the payment of dividends. As of December 31, 2018, FCB could pay dividends to First Commonwealth of $259.1 million without reducing its capital levels below "well capitalized" levels and without the approval of the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities.
Community Reinvestment. Under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") a bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with its safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the applicable regulatory agency to assess an

8

Table of Contents

institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community. The CRA requires public disclosure of an institution’s CRA rating and requires that the applicable regulatory agency provide a written evaluation of an institution’s CRA performance utilizing a four-tiered descriptive rating system. An institution’s CRA rating is considered in determining whether to grant charters, branches and other deposit facilities, relocations, mergers, consolidations and acquisitions. Performance less than satisfactory may be the basis for denying an application. For its most recent examination, FCB received a “satisfactory” rating. In April 2018, the U.S. Department of Treasury issued a memorandum to the federal banking regulators with recommended changes to the CRA’s implementing regulations to reduce their complexity and associated burden on banks. We will continue to evaluate the impact of any changes to the regulations implementing the CRA.
Consumer Financial Protection. We are subject to a number of federal and state consumer protection laws that extensively govern our relationship with our customers. These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Service Members Civil Relief Act and these laws’ respective state-law counterparts, as well as state usury laws and laws regarding unfair and deceptive acts and practices. These and other federal laws, among other things, require disclosures of the cost of credit and terms of deposit accounts, provide substantive consumer rights, prohibit discrimination in credit transactions, regulate the use of credit report information, provide financial privacy protections, prohibit unfair, deceptive and abusive practices, restrict our ability to raise interest rates and subject us to substantial regulatory oversight. Violations of applicable consumer protection laws can result in significant potential liability from litigation brought by customers, including actual damages, restitution and attorneys’ fees. Federal bank regulators, state attorneys general and state and local consumer protection agencies may also seek to enforce consumer protection requirements and obtain these and other remedies, including regulatory sanctions, customer rescission rights, action by the state and local attorneys general in each jurisdiction in which we operate and civil money penalties. Failure to comply with consumer protection requirements may also result in our failure to obtain any required bank regulatory approval for merger or acquisition transactions we may wish to pursue or our prohibition from engaging in such transactions even if approval is not required.
The Dodd-Frank Act created a new, independent federal agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"), which was granted broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws. The CFPB is also authorized to engage in consumer financial education, track consumer complaints, request data and promote the availability of financial services to underserved consumers and communities. Although all institutions are subject to rules adopted by the CFPB and examination by the CFPB in conjunction with examinations by the institution’s primary federal regulator, the CFPB has primary examination and enforcement authority over institutions with assets of $10 billion or more. The FDIC has primary responsibility for examination of our bank and enforcement with respect to federal consumer protection laws so long as our bank has total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion, and state authorities are responsible for monitoring our compliance with all state consumer laws. The CFPB also has the authority to require reports from institutions with less than $10 billion in assets, such as our bank, to support the CFPB in implementing federal consumer protection laws, supporting examination activities, and assessing and detecting risks to consumers and financial markets.
The consumer protection provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and the examination, supervision and enforcement of those laws and implementing regulations by the CFPB have created a more intense and complex environment for consumer finance regulation. The CFPB has significant authority to implement and enforce federal consumer finance laws, including the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and new requirements for financial services products provided for in the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as the authority to identify and prohibit unfair, deceptive or abusive acts and practices. The review of products and practices to prevent such acts and practices is a continuing focus of the CFPB, and of banking regulators more broadly. The ultimate impact of this heightened scrutiny is uncertain but could result in changes to pricing, practices, products and procedures. It could also result in increased costs related to regulatory oversight, supervision and examination, additional remediation efforts and possible penalties. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act provides the CFPB with broad supervisory, examination and enforcement authority over various consumer financial products and services, including the ability to require reimbursements and other payments to customers for alleged legal violations and to impose significant penalties, as well as injunctive relief that prohibits lenders from engaging in allegedly unlawful practices. The CFPB also has the authority to obtain cease and desist orders providing for affirmative relief or monetary penalties. The Dodd-Frank Act does not prevent states from adopting stricter consumer protection standards. State regulation of financial products and potential enforcement actions could also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Deposit Insurance. Deposits of FCB are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”). Deposit insurance assessments are based upon average total assets minus average total equity. The insurance assessments are based upon a matrix that takes into account a bank’s capital level and supervisory rating. The FDIC may terminate deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. As an institution with less than $10 billion in assets, FCB’s assessment rates are based on its risk classification (i.e., the level of risk it poses to the FDIC’s deposit insurance fund). For institutions with $10

9

Table of Contents

billion or more in assets, assessment rates are calculated using a scorecard that combines the supervisory risk ratings of the institution with certain forward-looking financial measures. These assessment rates are subject to adjustments based upon the insured depository institution’s ratio of long-term unsecured debt to the assessment base, long-term unsecured debt issued by other insured depository institutions to the assessment base, and brokered deposits to the assessment base. However, the adjustments based on brokered deposits to the assessment base will not apply so long as the institution is well capitalized and has a composite CAMELS rating of 1 or 2. The CAMELS rating system is a bank rating system where bank supervisory authorities rate institutions according to six factors: capital adequacy, asset quality, management quality, earnings, liquidity, and sensitivity to market risk. The FDIC may make additional discretionary assessment rate adjustments.
In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a new DIF restoration plan to ensure that the fund reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. In August 2016, the FDIC announced that the DIF reserve ratio had surpassed 1.15% as of June 30, 2016. As a result, beginning in the third quarter of 2016, the range of initial assessment ranges for all institutions were adjusted downward such that the initial base deposit insurance assessment rate ranges from 3 to 30 basis points on an annualized basis. After the effect of potential base-rate adjustments, the total base assessment rate could range from 1.5 to 40 basis points on an annualized basis. In March 2016, the FDIC adopted a final rule increasing the reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund to 1.35% of total insured deposits. The rule imposes a surcharge on the assessments of depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets beginning the third quarter of 2016 and continuing through the earlier of the quarter that the reserve ratio first reaches or exceeds 1.35% and December 31, 2018. This surcharge does not currently impact FCB.
Repeal Of Federal Prohibitions On Payment Of Interest On Demand Deposits. The federal prohibition restricting depository institutions from paying interest on demand deposit accounts was repealed effective on July 21, 2011 as part of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Capital Requirements
First Commonwealth and FCB are each required to comply with applicable capital adequacy standards established by the FRB. The current risk-based capital standards applicable to First Commonwealth and FCB are based on the December 2010 final capital framework for strengthening international capital standards, known as Basel III, of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the “Basel Committee”).
Prior to January 1, 2015, the risk-based capital standards applicable to First Commonwealth and FCB were based on the 1988 Capital Accord, known as Basel I, of the Basel Committee. In July 2013, the federal bank regulators approved final rules (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) implementing the Basel III framework as well as certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Basel III Capital Rules substantially revised the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and their depository institution subsidiaries, including First Commonwealth and FCB, as compared to the Basel I risk-based capital rules. The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for First Commonwealth and FCB on January 1, 2015 (subject to a phase-in period for certain provisions).
The Basel III Capital Rules, among other things:
introduce a new capital measure called Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1”);
define CET1 narrowly by requiring that most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital;
specify that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements; and
expand the scope of the deductions/adjustments as compared to existing regulations.
Under the Basel III Capital Rules, the initial minimum capital ratios that became effective on January 1, 2015 are as follows:
4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets
6.0% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
8.0% Total capital to risk-weighted assets
4.0% Tier 1 capital to average quarterly assets
Since being fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, the Basel III Capital Rules require First Commonwealth and FCB to maintain a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” over the required ratios of CET1 to risk-weighted assets, Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Total capital to risk-weighted assets, effectively resulting in minimum ratios of 7.0%, 8.5% and 10.5%, respectively.
Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

10

Table of Contents

The Basel III Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1. During 2015, First Commonwealth and FCB made a one-time permanent election, as permitted under Basel III Capital Rules, to exclude the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income items for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios.
Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 began on January 1, 2015 and was phased-in over a four-year period (beginning at 40% on January 1, 2015 and an additional 20% per year thereafter). The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and was phased-in over a four-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1, until it reached 2.5% on January 1, 2019).
With respect to FCB, the Basel III Capital Rules also revise the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as discussed below under “Prompt Corrective Action.” The Basel III Capital Rules prescribe a standardized approach for risk weightings that expand the risk-weighting categories from the four Basel I-derived categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset categories.
Management believes that, as of December 31, 2018, First Commonwealth and FCB has met all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules on a fully phased-in basis as if such requirements had been in effect as of that date.
Liquidity Requirements
Historically, regulation and monitoring of bank and bank holding company liquidity has been addressed as a supervisory matter, without required formulaic measures. The Basel III final framework requires banks and bank holding companies to measure their liquidity against specific liquidity tests that, although similar in some respects to liquidity measures historically applied by banks and regulators for management and supervisory purposes, going forward will be required by regulation. One such test, referred to as the liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”), is designed to ensure that the banking entity maintains an adequate level of unencumbered high-quality liquid assets equal to the entity’s expected net cash outflow for a 30-day time horizon (or, if greater, 25% of its expected total cash outflow) under an acute liquidity stress scenario. The other, referred to as the net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”), is designed to promote more medium- and long-term funding of the assets and activities of banking entities over a one-year time horizon. These requirements will incent banking entities to increase their holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and other sovereign debt as a component of assets and increase the use of long-term debt as a funding source. In September 2014, the federal bank regulators approved final rules implementing the LCR for advanced approaches banking organizations (i.e., banking organizations with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets or $10 billion or more in total on-balance sheet foreign exposure) and a modified version of the LCR for bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in total consolidated assets that are not advanced approach banking organizations, neither of which would apply to First Commonwealth or FCB. While not required, FCB nevertheless utilizes a modified version of the LCR as a helpful tool for monitoring its liquidity position. In the second quarter of 2016, the federal banking regulators issued a proposed rule that would implement the NSFR for certain U.S. banking organizations. The proposed rule would require certain U.S. banking organizations to ensure they have access to stable funding over a one-year time horizon and has an effective date of January 1, 2018. The proposed rule would not apply to U.S. banking organizations with less than $50 billion in total consolidated assets such as First Commonwealth or FCB.
Following the enactment of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (“EGRRCPA”), the Federal Reserve Board stated in July 2018 that it would no longer require bank holding companies with less than $100 billion in total consolidated assets to comply with the modified version of the LCR. In addition, in October 2018, the federal bank regulators proposed to revise their liquidity requirements so that banking organizations that are not global systemically important banks and have less than $250 billion in total consolidated assets and less than $75 billion in each of off-balance-sheet exposure, nonbank assets, cross-jurisdictional activity and short-term wholesale funding would not be subject to any LCR or NSFR requirements.
Prompt Corrective Action
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (“FDIA”), requires, among other things, the federal banking agencies to take “prompt corrective action” in respect of depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIA includes the following five capital tiers: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare with various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. The relevant capital measures are the total capital ratio, the CET1 capital ratio (a new ratio requirement under the Basel III Capital Rules), the Tier 1 capital ratio and the leverage ratio.

11

Table of Contents

A bank will be (i) “well capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a CET1 capital ratio of 6.5% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater, and is not subject to any order or written directive by any such regulatory authority to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure; (ii) “adequately capitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a CET1 capital ratio of 4.5% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and is not “well capitalized”; (iii) “undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%, a CET1 capital ratio less than 4.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%; (iv) “significantly undercapitalized” if the institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a CET1 capital ratio less than 3%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%; and (v) “critically undercapitalized” if the institution’s tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets. An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters. A bank’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations, and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the bank’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.
The FDIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distributions (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its parent holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be “undercapitalized.” “Undercapitalized” institutions are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. The agencies may not accept such a plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. In addition, for a capital restoration plan to be acceptable, the depository institution’s parent holding company must guarantee that the institution will comply with such capital restoration plan and must also provide appropriate assurances of performance. The aggregate liability of the parent holding company is limited to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 5.0% of the depository institution’s total assets at the time it became undercapitalized and (ii) the amount which is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all capital standards applicable with respect to such institution as of the time it fails to comply with the plan. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is “significantly undercapitalized.”
In addition, the FDIA prohibits an insured depository institution from accepting brokered deposits or offering interest rates on any deposits significantly higher than the prevailing rate in the bank's normal market area or nationally (depending upon where the deposits are solicited), unless it is well capitalized or is adequately capitalized and receives a waiver from the FDIC. A depository institution that is adequately capitalized and accepts brokered deposits under a waiver from the FDIC may not pay an interest rate on any deposit in excess of 75 basis points over certain prevailing market rates.
“Significantly undercapitalized” depository institutions may be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell sufficient voting stock to become “adequately capitalized,” requirements to reduce total assets, and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks. “Critically undercapitalized” institutions are subject to the appointment of a receiver or conservator.
The appropriate federal banking agency may, under certain circumstances, reclassify a well-capitalized insured depository institution as adequately capitalized. The FDIA provides that an institution may be reclassified if the appropriate federal banking agency determines (after notice and opportunity for hearing) that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or deems the institution to be engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice.
The appropriate agency is also permitted to require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with the supervisory provisions as if the institution were in the next lower category (but not treat a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) based on supervisory information other than the capital levels of the institution.
First Commonwealth believes that, as of December 31, 2018, FCB was a “well-capitalized” bank as defined by the FDIA. See Note 26 “Regulatory Restrictions and Capital Adequacy” of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8, for a table that provides a comparison of First Commonwealth’s and FCB’s risk-based capital ratios and the leverage ratio to minimum regulatory requirements.
The Volcker Rule
The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits banks and their affiliates from engaging in proprietary trading and investing in and sponsoring hedge funds and private equity funds (so called "covered funds"). The statutory provision is commonly called the “Volcker Rule.” Banks with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets, such as FCB, that do not engage in any covered activities, other than trading in certain government, agency, state or municipal obligations, do not have any significant compliance obligations under the rules implementing the Volcker Rule.

12

Table of Contents

Depositor Preference
Under federal law, depositors (including the FDIC with respect to the subrogated claims of insured depositors) and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as receiver would be afforded a priority over other general unsecured claims against such an institution in the liquidation or other resolution of such an institution by any receiver.
Interchange Fees
Under the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act, the FRB adopted rules establishing standards for assessing whether the interchange fees that may be charged with respect to certain electronic debit transactions are “reasonable and proportional” to the costs incurred by issuers for processing such transactions. Interchange fees, or “swipe” fees, are charges that merchants pay to us and other card-issuing banks for processing electronic payment transactions. Under the final rules, the maximum permissible interchange fee is equal to no more than 21 cents plus 5 basis points of the transaction value for many types of debit interchange transactions. The FRB also adopted a rule to allow a debit card issuer to recover 1 cent per transaction for fraud prevention purposes if the issuer complies with certain fraud-related requirements required by the FRB. The FRB also has rules governing routing and exclusivity that require issuers to offer two unaffiliated networks for routing transactions on each debit or prepaid product.
The Dodd-Frank Act contained an exemption from the interchange fee cap for any debit card issuer that, together with its affiliates, has total assets of less than $10 billion as of the end of the previous calendar year. We currently qualify for this exemption. We earned approximately $20.2 million in card related interchange income during the 2018 fiscal year. If we did not qualify for this exemption, we estimate that our interchange income would have been approximately $11.7 million, representing a $8.4 million reduction due to the cap on interchange fees. We would become subject to the interchange fee cap beginning July 1 of the year following the time when our total assets reaches or exceeds $10 billion.

Enhanced Prudential Standards

The Dodd-Frank Act, as amended by EGRRCPA, which was signed into law on May 24, 2018, directs the Federal Reserve Board to monitor emerging risks to financial stability and enact enhanced supervision and prudential standards applicable to bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $250 billion or more and non-bank covered companies designated as systemically important by the Financial Stability Oversight Council (often referred to as systemically important financial institutions). The Dodd-Frank Act mandates that certain regulatory requirements applicable to systemically important financial institutions be more stringent than those applicable to other financial institutions. In general, EGRRCPA increased the statutory asset threshold above which the Federal Reserve is required to apply these enhanced prudential standards from $50 billion to $250 billion (subject to certain discretion by the Federal Reserve to apply any enhanced prudential standard requirement to any BHC with between $100 billion and $250 billion in total consolidated assets that would otherwise be exempt under EGRRCPA). BHCs with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets remain fully subject to the Dodd-Frank Act’s enhanced prudential standards requirements.

In February 2014, the Federal Reserve adopted rules to implement certain of these enhanced prudential standards. Beginning in 2015, the rules require publicly traded bank holding companies with $10 billion or more in total consolidated assets to establish risk committees and require bank holding companies with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets to comply with enhanced liquidity and overall risk management standards. In October 2018, the Federal Reserve and the other federal bank regulators proposed rules that would tailor the application of the enhanced prudential standards to BHCs and depository institutions pursuant to the EGRRCPA amendments, including by raising the asset threshold for application of many of these standards. For example, all publicly traded bank holding companies with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets would be required to maintain a risk committee.
Financial Privacy
The federal banking regulators adopted rules that limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose non-public information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. These limitations require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to a nonaffiliated third party. These regulations affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors.
Anti-Money Laundering and the USA Patriot Act
A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions in recent years has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Financial institutions are

13

Table of Contents

also prohibited from entering into specified financial transactions and account relationships and must use enhanced due diligence procedures in their dealings with certain types of high-risk customers and implement a written customer identification program. Financial institutions must take certain steps to assist government agencies in detecting and preventing money laundering and report certain types of suspicious transactions. Regulatory authorities routinely examine financial institutions for compliance with these obligations, and failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal and reputational consequences for the institution, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval is not required. Regulatory authorities have imposed cease and desist orders and civil money penalties against institutions found to be violating these obligations.
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation
The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and regimes, under authority of various laws, including designated foreign countries, nationals and others. OFAC publishes lists of specially designated targets and countries. First Commonwealth is responsible for, among other things, blocking accounts of, and transactions with, such targets and countries, prohibiting unlicensed trade and financial transactions with them and reporting blocked transactions after their occurrence. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences, including causing applicable bank regulatory authorities not to approve merger or acquisition transactions when regulatory approval is required or to prohibit such transactions even if approval is not required.
Cybersecurity
In March 2015, federal regulators issued two related statements regarding cybersecurity. One statement indicates that financial institutions should design multiple layers of security controls to establish lines of defense and to ensure that their risk management processes also address the risk posed by compromised customer credentials, including security measures to reliably authenticate customers accessing internet-based services of the financial institution. The other statement indicates that a financial institution’s management is expected to maintain sufficient business continuity planning processes to ensure the rapid recovery, resumption and maintenance of the institution’s operations after a cyber-attack involving destructive malware. A financial institution is also expected to develop appropriate processes to enable recovery of data and business operations and address rebuilding network capabilities and restoring data if the institution or its critical service providers fall victim to this type of cyber-attack. If we fail to observe the regulatory guidance, we could be subject to various regulatory sanctions, including financial penalties.
State regulators have also been increasingly active in implementing privacy and cybersecurity standards and regulations. Recently, several states have adopted regulations requiring certain financial institutions to implement cybersecurity programs and providing detailed requirements with respect to these programs, including data encryption requirements. Many states have also recently implemented or modified their data breach notification and data privacy requirements. We expect this trend of state-level activity in those areas to continue, and are continually monitoring developments in the states in which our customers are located.
In the ordinary course of business, we rely on electronic communications and information systems to conduct our operations and to store sensitive data. We employ an in-depth, layered, defensive approach that leverages people, processes and technology to manage and maintain cybersecurity controls. We employ a variety of preventative and detective tools to monitor, block, and provide alerts regarding suspicious activity, as well as to report on any suspected advanced persistent threats. Notwithstanding the strength of our defensive measures, the threat from cyber-attacks is severe, attacks are sophisticated and increasing in volume, and attackers respond rapidly to changes in defensive measures. While to date we have not experienced a significant compromise, significant data loss or any material financial losses related to cybersecurity attacks, our systems and those of our customers and third-party service providers are under constant threat and it is possible that we could experience a significant event in the future. Risks and exposures related to cybersecurity attacks are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future due to the rapidly evolving nature and sophistication of these threats, as well as due to the expanding use of internet banking, mobile banking and other technology-based products and services by us and our customers. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for a further discussion of risks related to cybersecurity.
Future Legislation and Regulation
Congress may enact legislation from time to time that affects the regulation of the financial services industry, and state legislatures may enact legislation from time to time affecting the regulation of financial institutions chartered by or operating in those states. Federal and state regulatory agencies also periodically propose and adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied. The substance or impact of pending or future legislation or regulation, or the application thereof, cannot be predicted, although enactment of the proposed legislation could impact the regulatory structure

14

Table of Contents

under which we operate and may significantly increase our costs, impede the efficiency of our internal business processes, require us to increase our regulatory capital and modify our business strategy, and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner. Our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects may be adversely affected, perhaps materially, as a result.
Availability of Financial Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC website at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.fcbanking.com.
We also make available on our website, www.fcbanking.com, and in print to any shareholder who requests them, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the charters for our Audit, Risk, Compensation and Human Resources, and Governance Committees, and the Code of Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees.
Our Chief Executive Officer has certified to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) that, as of the date of the certification, he was not aware of any violation by First Commonwealth of NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have made certain certifications concerning the information contained in this report pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Section 302 certifications appear as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this annual report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors
As a financial services company, we are subject to a number of risks, many of which are outside of our control. These risks include, but are not limited to:
Changes in interest rates could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
Our results of operations depend substantially on net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets (such as investments and loans) and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities (such as deposits and borrowings). Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies and domestic and international economic and political conditions. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, money supply, and other factors beyond our control may also affect interest rates. If our interest-earning assets mature or reprice more quickly than interest-bearing liabilities in a declining interest rate environment, net interest income could be adversely impacted. Likewise, if interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more quickly than interest-earnings assets in a rising interest rate environment, net interest income could be adversely impacted.
Changes in interest rates also can affect the value of loans and other assets. An increase in interest rates that adversely affects the ability of borrowers to pay the principal or interest on loans may lead to an increase in nonperforming assets and a reduction of income recognized, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows.
We are subject to extensive government regulation and supervision.
Banking regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors’ funds, federal deposit insurance funds and the banking system as a whole, not security holders. These regulations affect our lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy and growth, among other things. Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, policies or supervisory guidance could result in enforcement and other legal actions by Federal or state authorities, including criminal and civil penalties, the loss of FDIC insurance, the revocation of a banking charter, other sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputational damage. In this regard, government authorities, including the bank regulatory agencies, are pursuing aggressive enforcement actions with respect compliance and other legal matters involving financial activities, which heightens the risks associated with actual and perceived compliance failures. See “Supervision and Regulation” included in Item 1. Business for a more detailed description of the regulatory requirements applicable to First Commonwealth.
Declines in real estate values could adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.
As of December 31, 2018, approximately 70% of our loans were secured by real estate. These loans consist of residential real estate loans (approximately 27% of total loans), commercial real estate loans (approximately 37% of total loans) and real estate construction loans (approximately 6% of total loans). Declines in real estate values, both within and outside of Pennsylvania,

15

Table of Contents

could adversely affect the value of the collateral for these loans, the ability of borrowers to make timely repayment of these loans and our ability to recoup the value of the collateral upon foreclosure, negatively impacting our earnings and financial condition.
Our earnings are significantly affected by general business and economic conditions.
Our operations and profitability are impacted by general business and economic conditions in the United States and abroad. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, money supply, political issues, legislative and regulatory changes, fluctuations in both debt and equity capital markets, broad trends in industry and finance and the strength of the United States economy, all of which are beyond our control. A deterioration in economic conditions could result in an increase in loan delinquencies and nonperforming assets, decreases in loan collateral values and a decrease in demand for our products and services, among other things, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our allowance for credit losses may be insufficient.
All borrowers carry the potential to default and our remedies to recover may not fully satisfy money previously loaned. We maintain an allowance for credit losses, which is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable credit losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is adequate to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance for credit losses reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations, specific credit risks, loan loss experience, current loan portfolio quality, present economic conditions and unidentified losses in the current loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks using existing qualitative and quantitative information, all of which may undergo material changes. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in the allowance for credit losses. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for credit losses and may require an increase in the provision for credit losses or the recognition of additional loan charge-offs, based on judgments different than those of management. An increase in the allowance for credit losses results in a decrease in net income or losses, and possibly risk-based capital, and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may be adversely impacted by the transition from LIBOR as a reference rate.

In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021 it would no longer compel banks to submit the rates required to calculate the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. Consequently, at this time, it is not possible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide submissions for the calculation of LIBOR. Similarly, it is not possible to predict whether LIBOR will continue to be viewed as an acceptable market benchmark, what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, or what the effect of any such changes in views or alternatives may be on the markets for LIBOR-indexed financial instruments.

We have a significant number of loans, derivative contracts, borrowings and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly dependent on LIBOR. The transition from LIBOR could create considerable costs and additional risk. Since proposed alternative rates are calculated differently, payments under contracts referencing new rates will differ from those referencing LIBOR. The transition will change our market risk profiles, requiring changes to risk and pricing models, valuation tools, product design and hedging strategies. Furthermore, failure to adequately manage this transition process with our customers could adversely impact our reputation. Although we are currently unable to assess what the ultimate impact of the transition from LIBOR will be, failure to adequately manage the transition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Acts of cyber-crime may compromise client and company information, disrupt access to our systems or result in loss of client or company assets.
Our business is dependent upon the availability of technology, the Internet and telecommunication systems to enable financial transactions by clients, record and monitor transactions and transmit and receive data to and from clients and third parties. Information security risks have increased significantly due to the use of online, telephone and mobile banking channels by clients and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties. Our technologies, systems, networks and our clients’ devices have been subject to, and are likely to continue to be the target of, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, malicious code, phishing attacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of our or our clients’ confidential, proprietary and other

16

Table of Contents

information, the theft of client assets through fraudulent transactions or disruption of our or our clients’ or other third parties’ business operations. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth's business, financial condition and results of operations.
We must evaluate whether any portion of our recorded goodwill is impaired. Impairment testing may result in a material, non-cash write-down of our goodwill assets and could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
At December 31, 2018, goodwill represented approximately 4% of our total assets. We have recorded goodwill because we paid more for some of our businesses than the fair market value of the tangible and separately measurable intangible net assets of those businesses. We test our goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment at least annually (or whenever events occur which may indicate possible impairment). Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, goodwill is considered impaired. Determining the fair value of our company requires a high degree of subjective management assumptions. Any changes in key assumptions about our business and its prospects, changes in market conditions or other externalities, for impairment testing purposes could result in a non-cash impairment charge and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations. Changes in the economic environment may adversely affect our earnings, the fair value of our assets and liabilities and our stock price, all of which may increase the risk of goodwill impairment.
First Commonwealth relies on dividends from its subsidiaries for most of its revenues.
First Commonwealth is a separate and distinct legal entity from its subsidiaries. It receives substantially all of its revenues from dividends from its subsidiaries. These dividends are the principal source of funds to pay dividends on First Commonwealth’s common stock and interest and principal on First Commonwealth’s debt. Various federal and/or state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that FCB and certain non-bank subsidiaries may pay to First Commonwealth. In the event FCB is unable to pay dividends to First Commonwealth, First Commonwealth may not be able to service debt, pay obligations or pay dividends on its common stock. The inability to receive dividends from FCB could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Competition from other financial institutions in originating loans, attracting deposits and providing various financial services may adversely affect our profitability.
FCB faces substantial competition in originating loans and attracting deposits. This competition comes principally from other banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking companies and credit unions, as well as institutions offering uninsured investment alternatives, including money market funds. Many of our competitors enjoy advantages, including greater financial resources and higher lending limits, better brand recognition, a wider geographic presence, more accessible branch office locations, the ability to offer a wider array of services or more favorable pricing alternatives, as well as lower origination and operating costs. These competitors may offer more favorable pricing through lower interest rates on loans or higher interest rates on deposits, which could force us to match competitive rates and thereby reduce our net interest income.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation.
Reputation risk, or the risk to our earnings and capital from negative public opinion, is inherent in our business. Negative public opinion could adversely affect our ability to keep and attract customers and expose us to adverse legal and regulatory consequences. Negative public opinion could result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct. Because we conduct all of our business under the “First Commonwealth” brand, negative public opinion about one business could affect our other businesses.
An interruption to our information systems could adversely impact our operations.
We rely upon our information systems for operating and monitoring all major aspects of our business, including deposit and loan operations, as well as internal management functions. These systems and our operations could be damaged or interrupted by natural disasters, power loss, network failure, improper operation by our employees, security breaches, computer viruses, intentional attacks by third parties or other unexpected events. Any disruption in the operation of our information systems could adversely impact our operations, which may affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

17

Table of Contents

Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.
Our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures are based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
We continually encounter technological change.
The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to attract and retain skilled people.

Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to attract and retain key people. Competition for the best people can be intense and we may not be able to hire people or to retain them. The unexpected loss of services of key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations because of their customer relationships, skills, knowledge of our market, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.
Our operations rely on external vendors.
We rely on certain vendors to provide products and services necessary to maintain the day-to-day operations of First Commonwealth and FCB. In particular, we contracted with an external vendor for our core processing system used to maintain customer and account records, reflect account transactions and activity, and support our customer relationship management systems for substantially all of our deposit and loan customers. Accordingly, our operations are exposed to risk that these vendors will not perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements under service level agreements. The failure of an external vendor to perform in accordance with the contracted arrangements under service level agreements, because of changes in the vendor’s organizational structure, financial condition, support for existing products and services or strategic focus or for any other reason, could be disruptive to First Commonwealth’s operations and financial reporting, which could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business and, in turn, First Commonwealth’s financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with lending activities.
A significant portion of FCB's loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, FCB may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. Environmental reviews of real property before initiating foreclosure actions may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could significantly impact our business.
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events could have a significant impact on our ability to conduct business. In addition, such events could affect the stability of FCB’s deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of revenue and/or cause us to incur additional expenses. The occurrence of any such event in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on First Commonwealth’s financial condition and results of operations.

18

Table of Contents

Financial services companies depend on the accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties.
In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions, we may rely on information furnished by or on behalf of customers and counterparties, including financial statements, credit reports and other financial information. We may also rely on representations of those customers, counterparties or other third parties, such as independent auditors, as to the accuracy and completeness of that information. Reliance on inaccurate or misleading financial statements, credit reports or other financial information could have a material adverse impact on First Commonwealth’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be adversely affected by the soundness of other financial institutions.
Financial services institutions that deal with each other are interconnected as a result of trading, investment, liquidity management, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. Within the financial services industry, loss of public confidence, including through default by any one institution, could lead to liquidity challenges or to defaults by other institutions. Concerns about, or a default by, one institution could lead to significant liquidity problems and losses or defaults by other institutions, as the commercial and financial soundness of many financial institutions is closely related as a result of these credit, trading, clearing and other relationships. Even the perceived lack of creditworthiness of, or questions about, a counterparty may lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses or defaults by various institutions. This systemic risk may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, banks and exchanges with which we interact on a daily basis or key funding providers such as the Federal Home Loan Banks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our access to liquidity or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
First Commonwealth’s stock price can be volatile.
Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for you to resell your common stock when you want and at prices you find attractive. First Commonwealth’s stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:
Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations.
Recommendations by securities analysts.
Operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to First Commonwealth.
News reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry.
Perceptions in the marketplace regarding First Commonwealth and/or its competitors.
New technology used, or services offered, by competitors.
Significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving First Commonwealth or its competitors.
Failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions.
Changes in government regulations.
Geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.
General market fluctuations, including real or anticipated changes in the strength of the economy in Pennsylvania and Ohio; industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions; interest rate changes or credit loss trends could also cause First Commonwealth’s stock price to decrease regardless of operating results.
The trading volume in First Commonwealth’s common stock is less than that of other larger financial services companies.
Although First Commonwealth’s common stock is listed for trading on the NYSE, the trading volume in its common stock is less than that of other, larger financial services companies. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the marketplace of willing buyers and sellers of First Commonwealth’s common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which we have no control. Given the lower trading volume of First Commonwealth’s common stock, significant sales of First Commonwealth’s common stock, or the expectation of these sales, could cause First Commonwealth’s stock price to fall.
First Commonwealth may not continue to pay dividends on its common stock in the future.
Holders of First Commonwealth common stock are only entitled to receive such dividends as its board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Although First Commonwealth has historically declared cash dividends on its

19

Table of Contents

common stock, it is not required to do so and may reduce or eliminate its common stock dividend in the future. This could adversely affect the market price of First Commonwealth’s common stock. Also, First Commonwealth is a bank holding company, and its ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on certain federal regulatory considerations, including the guidelines of the FRB regarding capital adequacy and dividends.
As more fully discussed in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data-Note 26, Regulatory Restrictions and Capital Adequacy, which is located elsewhere in this report, the ability of First Commonwealth to declare or pay dividends on its common stock may also be subject to certain restrictions in the event that First Commonwealth elects to defer the payment of interest on its junior subordinated debt securities.
An investment in First Commonwealth’s common stock is not an insured deposit.
First Commonwealth’s common stock is not a bank deposit and, therefore, is not insured against loss by the FDIC, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. Investment in First Commonwealth’s common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this Risk Factors section and elsewhere in this report and is subject to the same market forces that affect the price of common stock in any company. As a result, if you acquire First Commonwealth’s common stock, you could lose some or all of your investment.
Provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and Pennsylvania law, as well as state and federal banking regulations, could delay or prevent a takeover of us by a third party.
Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, the corporate law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and state and federal regulations could delay, defer or prevent a third party from acquiring us, despite the possible benefit to our shareholders, or otherwise adversely affect the price of our common stock. These provisions include, among other things, advance notice requirements for proposing matters that shareholders may act on at shareholder meetings. In addition, under Pennsylvania law, we are prohibited from engaging in a business combination with any interested shareholder for a period of five years from the date the person became an interested shareholder unless certain conditions are met. These provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over market price or adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock.

ITEM 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
 
ITEM 2.    Properties
Our principal office is located in the old Indiana County courthouse complex, consisting of the former courthouse building and the former sheriff’s residence and jail building for Indiana County. This certified Pennsylvania and national historic landmark was built in 1870 and restored by us in the early 1970s. We lease the complex from Indiana County pursuant to a lease agreement that was originally signed in 1973 and has a current term that expires in 2048.
The majority of our administrative personnel are also located in two owned buildings in Indiana, Pennsylvania, each of which is in close proximity to our principal office.
First Commonwealth Bank has 137 community banking offices, of which 53 are leased and 84 are owned. We also lease three mortgage loan production offices and three corporate loan production offices. During 2018, we acquired 5 leased branches from Garfield Acquisition Corp. in Cincinnati, Ohio.
While these facilities are adequate to meet our current needs, available space is limited and additional facilities may be required to support future expansion. However, we have no significant plans to lease, purchase or construct additional administrative facilities.
 
ITEM 3.    Legal Proceedings
The information required by this Item is set forth in Part II, Item 8, Note 23, “Contingent Liabilities,” which is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.
 
ITEM 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

20

Table of Contents

Executive Officers of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
The name, age and principal occupation for each of the executive officers of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2018 is set forth below:
Jane Grebenc, age 60, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and President of First Commonwealth Bank since May 31, 2013. Ms. Grebenc's financial services career includes executive leadership roles at a variety of institutions, including Park View Federal Savings Bank, Key Bank, and National City Bank. She was formerly the Executive Vice President in charge of the retail, marketing, IT and operations and the mortgage segments at Park View Federal Savings Bank from 2009 until 2012, the Executive Vice President in charge of the Wealth Segment at Key Bank from 2007 until 2009 and the Executive Vice President / Branch Network at National City Bank prior to 2007.

Brian Karrip, age 58, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of First Commonwealth Bank since September 2016.  Prior to joining First Commonwealth, Mr. Karrip served as Executive Vice President, Specialized Lending for FirstMerit Bank.  Prior to joining FirstMerit Bank, Mr. Karrip served as Managing Director and Group Head of Loan Syndications and Sales at KeyBanc Capital Markets.  Mr. Karrip’s financial services career also includes 16 years with National City Bank where he held a variety of roles in the commercial lending division and served as Regional President of Michigan and Illinois.
Leonard V. Lombardi, age 59, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Audit Executive of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation since January 1, 2009. He was formerly Senior Vice President / Loan Review and Audit Manager.

Norman J. Montgomery, age 51, has served as the Executive Vice President of Business Integration of First Commonwealth Bank since May 2011. He oversees First Commonwealth’s product development and assumed oversight of First Commonwealth’s technology and operations functions in July 2012. He served as Senior Vice President/Business Integration of First Commonwealth Bank from September 2007 until May 2011 and previously held positions in the technology, operations, audit and marketing areas.
T. Michael Price, age 56, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and Chief Executive Officer of First Commonwealth Bank since March 2012. Mr. Price served as President of First Commonwealth Bank from November 2007 to May 2013. From January 1, 2012 to March 7, 2012, he served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation. He was formerly Chief Executive Officer of the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Region of National City Bank from July 2004 to November 2007 and Executive Vice President and Head of Small Business Banking of National City Bank prior to July 2004.
James R. Reske, age 55, joined First Commonwealth Financial Corporation as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer on April 28, 2014. Prior to joining First Commonwealth, Mr. Reske served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer at United Community Financial Corporation in Youngstown, Ohio from 2008 until April 2014. Mr. Reske's financial services career includes investment banking roles within the Financial Institutions Groups at Keybanc Capital Markets, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio and at Morgan Stanley & Company in New York. Mr. Reske also provided expertise and counsel to financial institutions and other organizations on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets activities as an attorney at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, as well as at Sullivan & Cromwell. Earlier in his career, Mr. Reske worked at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, DC and at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
Carrie L. Riggle, age 49, has served as Executive Vice President / Human Resources since March 1, 2013. Ms. Riggle has been with First Commonwealth for more than 20 years. Over the course of her tenure, Ms. Riggle has been responsible for the daily operations of the Human Resources function and was actively involved in the establishment and development of a centralized corporate human resources function within the Company.
Matthew C. Tomb, age 42, has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation since November 2010. He previously served as Senior Vice President / Legal and Compliance since September 2007. Before joining First Commonwealth, Mr. Tomb practiced law with Sherman & Howard L.L.C. in Denver, Colorado.


21

Table of Contents

PART II

ITEM 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
First Commonwealth is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “FCF.” As of December 31, 2018, there were approximately 6,014 holders of record of First Commonwealth’s common stock. The table below sets forth the high and low sales prices per share and cash dividends declared per share for common stock of First Commonwealth for each quarter during the last two fiscal years.
Period
High Sale
 
Low Sale
 
Cash Dividends
Per Share
2018
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
15.14

 
$
13.59

 
$
0.08

Second Quarter
16.30

 
13.88

 
0.09

Third Quarter
17.72

 
15.66

 
0.09

Fourth Quarter
16.21

 
11.43

 
0.09

 
Period
High Sale
 
Low Sale
 
Cash Dividends
Per Share
2017
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
14.59

 
$
12.81

 
$
0.08

Second Quarter
13.46

 
12.28

 
0.08

Third Quarter
14.13

 
12.14

 
0.08

Fourth Quarter
15.32

 
13.78

 
0.08

Federal and state regulations contain restrictions on the ability of First Commonwealth to pay dividends. For information regarding restrictions on dividends, see Part I, Item 1 “Business—Supervision and Regulation—Restrictions on Dividends” and Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 26, Regulatory Restrictions and Capital Adequacy.” In addition, under the terms of the capital securities issued by First Commonwealth Capital Trust II and III, First Commonwealth could not pay dividends on its common stock if First Commonwealth deferred payments on the junior subordinated debt securities that provide the cash flow for the payments on the capital securities.

22

Table of Contents

The following five-year performance graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on First Commonwealth’s common stock to the SNL U.S. Bank Index and the Russell 2000 Index. The stock performance graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2013, and the cumulative return is measured as of each subsequent fiscal year end.
totalreturngraph.jpg
 
Period Ending
Index
12/31/2013
 
12/31/2014
 
12/31/2015
 
12/31/2016
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2018
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
100.00

 
107.99

 
109.53

 
176.54

 
182.55

 
157.66

Russell 2000
100.00

 
104.89

 
100.26

 
121.63

 
139.44

 
124.09

SNL U.S. Bank Index
100.00

 
111.79

 
113.69

 
143.65

 
169.64

 
140.98

 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table details the amount of shares repurchased during the fourth quarter of 2018.

Month Ending:
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid per  Share
(or Unit)
 
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
(1)
October 31, 2018
574,500

 
$
13.37

 
574,500

 
1,282,859

November 30, 2018
1,268,873

 
13.68

 
1,268,873

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Total
1,843,373

 
$
13.58

 
1,843,373

 
 
(1) Remaining number of shares approved under the Plan is based on the market value of the Company's commons stock of $13.50 as of October 31, 2018.

For additional information, please see Part III, Item 12, "Security ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners." Information called for by this item concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and security ownership of management will be included in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Securities Owned by Directors and Management,” and is incorporated herein by reference.


23

Table of Contents

ITEM 6.    Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data is not covered by the auditor’s report and should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which follows, and with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes. 
 
Periods Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Interest income
$
292,257

 
$
250,550

 
$
217,614

 
$
204,071

 
$
202,181

Interest expense
40,035

 
21,770

 
18,579

 
15,595

 
18,501

Net interest income
252,222

 
228,780

 
199,035

 
188,476

 
183,680

Provision for credit losses
12,531

 
5,087

 
18,480

 
14,948

 
11,196

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
239,691

 
223,693

 
180,555

 
173,528

 
172,484

Net securities gains (losses)
8,102

 
5,040

 
617

 
(153
)
 
550

Other income
80,535

 
75,291

 
63,982

 
61,478

 
60,309

Other expenses
195,556

 
200,298

 
159,925

 
163,874

 
171,210

Income before income taxes
132,772

 
103,726

 
85,229

 
70,979

 
62,133

Income tax provision
25,274

 
48,561

 
25,639

 
20,836

 
17,680

Net Income
$
107,498

 
$
55,165

 
$
59,590

 
$
50,143

 
$
44,453

Per Share Data—Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
1.09

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.67

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.48

Dividends declared
$
0.35

 
$
0.32

 
$
0.28

 
$
0.28

 
$
0.28

Average shares outstanding
99,036,163

 
95,220,056

 
88,851,573

 
89,356,767

 
93,114,654

Per Share Data—Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
1.08

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.67

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.48

Average shares outstanding
99,223,513

 
95,331,037

 
88,851,573

 
89,356,767

 
93,114,654

At End of Period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
7,828,255

 
$
7,308,539

 
$
6,684,018

 
$
6,566,890

 
$
6,360,285

Investment securities
1,335,228

 
1,183,291

 
1,187,623

 
1,333,836

 
1,354,364

Loans and leases, net of unearned income
5,774,139

 
5,407,376

 
4,879,347

 
4,683,750

 
4,457,308

Allowance for credit losses
47,764

 
48,298

 
50,185

 
50,812

 
52,051

Deposits
5,897,992

 
5,580,705

 
4,947,408

 
4,195,894

 
4,315,511

Short-term borrowings
721,823

 
707,466

 
867,943

 
1,510,825

 
1,105,876

Subordinated debentures
170,288

 
72,167

 
72,167

 
72,167

 
72,167

Other long-term debt
7,551

 
8,161

 
8,749

 
9,314

 
89,459

Shareholders’ equity
975,389

 
888,127

 
749,929

 
719,546

 
716,145

Key Ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
1.42
%
 
0.77
%
 
0.89
%
 
0.78
%
 
0.71
%
Return on average equity
11.41

 
6.45

 
8.02

 
6.98

 
6.18

Net loans to deposits ratio
97.09

 
96.03

 
97.61

 
110.42

 
102.08

Dividends per share as a percent of net income per share
32.11

 
55.17

 
41.79

 
50.00

 
58.33

Average equity to average assets ratio
12.47

 
11.86

 
11.15

 
11.23

 
11.45


24

Table of Contents




ITEM 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis represents an overview of the financial condition and the results of operations of First Commonwealth and its subsidiaries, FCB, First Commonwealth Insurance Agency, Inc. (“FCIA”), FRAMAL and First Commonwealth Financial Advisors, Inc. (“FCFA”), as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The purpose of this discussion is to focus on information concerning our financial condition and results of operations that is not readily apparent from the Consolidated Financial Statements. In order to obtain a more thorough understanding of this discussion, you should refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the notes thereto and other financial information presented in this Annual Report.

Company Overview
First Commonwealth provides a diversified array of consumer and commercial banking services through our bank subsidiary, FCB. We also provide trust and wealth management services through FCB and insurance products through FCIA. At December 31, 2018, FCB operated 137 community banking offices throughout western Pennsylvania and northeastern, central and southwestern Ohio, as well as loan production offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Cleveland, Columbus, Dublin and Hudson, Ohio.
Our consumer services include Internet, mobile and telephone banking, an automated teller machine network, personal checking accounts, interest-earning checking accounts, savings accounts, health savings accounts, insured money market accounts, debit cards, investment certificates, fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, mortgage loans, secured and unsecured installment loans, construction and real estate loans, safe deposit facilities, credit cards, credit lines with overdraft checking protection and IRA accounts. Commercial banking services include commercial lending, small and high-volume business checking accounts, on-line account management services, ACH origination, payroll direct deposit, commercial cash management services and repurchase agreements. We also provide a variety of trust and asset management services and a full complement of auto, home and business insurance as well as term life insurance. We offer annuities, mutual funds and stock and bond brokerage services through an arrangement with a broker-dealer and insurance brokers. Most of our commercial customers are small and mid-sized businesses in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
As a financial institution with a focus on traditional banking activities, we earn the majority of our revenue through net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Growth in net interest income is dependent upon balance sheet growth and maintaining or increasing our net interest margin, which is net interest income (on a fully taxable-equivalent basis) as a percentage of our average interest-earning assets. We also generate revenue through fees earned on various services and products that we offer to our customers and, less frequently, through sales of assets, such as loans, investments or properties. These revenue sources are offset by provisions for credit losses on loans, operating expenses, income taxes and, less frequently, loss on sale or other-than-temporary impairments on investment securities.
General economic conditions also affect our business by impacting our customers’ need for financing, thus affecting loan growth, as well as impacting the credit strength of existing and potential borrowers.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Accounting Estimates
First Commonwealth’s accounting and reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and predominant practice in the banking industry. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Over time, these estimates, assumptions and judgments may prove to be inaccurate or vary from actual results and may significantly affect our reported results and financial position for the period presented or in future periods. We currently view the determination of the allowance for credit losses and income taxes to be critical because they are highly dependent on subjective or complex judgments, assumptions and estimates made by management.
Allowance for Credit Losses
We account for the credit risk associated with our lending activities through the allowance and provision for credit losses. The allowance represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred in our existing loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The provision is a periodic charge to earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. Management determines and reviews

25

Table of Contents

with the Board of Directors the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis in accordance with the methodology described below.
Individual loans are selected for review in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 310, “Receivables.” These are generally large balance commercial loans and commercial mortgages that are rated less than “satisfactory” based on our internal credit-rating process.
We assess whether the loans identified for review in step one are “impaired,” which means that it is probable that all amounts will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, which generally represents loans that management has placed on nonaccrual status.
For impaired loans we calculate the estimated fair value of the loans that are selected for review based on observable market prices, discounted cash flows or the value of the underlying collateral and record an allowance if needed.
We then select pools of homogeneous smaller balance loans, having similar risk characteristics, as well as unimpaired larger commercial loans, that have similar risk characteristics, for evaluation collectively under the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies.” These smaller balance loans generally include residential mortgages, consumer loans, installment loans and some commercial loans.
FASB ASC Topic 450 loans are segmented into groups with similar characteristics and an allowance for credit losses is allocated to each segment based on recent loss history and other relevant information.
We then review the results to determine the appropriate balance of the allowance for credit losses. This review includes consideration of additional factors, such as the mix of loans in the portfolio, the balance of the allowance relative to total loans and nonperforming assets, trends in the overall risk profile in the portfolio, trends in delinquencies and nonaccrual loans, and local and national economic information and industry data, including trends in the industries we believe are higher risk.
There are many factors affecting the allowance for credit losses; some are quantitative, while others require qualitative judgment. These factors require the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, appraised values on impaired loans, estimated losses for each loan category based on historical loss experience by category, loss emergence periods for each loan category and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant judgment and change. To the extent that actual outcomes differ from estimates, additional provisions for credit losses could be required that could adversely affect our earnings or financial position in future periods. The loan portfolio represents the largest asset category on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Income Taxes
We estimate income tax expense based on amounts expected to be owed to the tax jurisdictions where we conduct business. On a quarterly basis, management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate based upon its current estimate of the amount and components of net income, tax credits and the applicable statutory tax rates expected for the full year.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability method and are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. If current available information raises doubt as to the realization of the deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance is established. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Management assesses all available positive and negative evidence on a quarterly basis to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. The amount of future taxable income used in management’s valuation is based upon management approved forecasts, evaluation of historical earnings levels, proven ability to raise capital to support growth or during times of economic stress and consideration of prudent and feasible potential tax strategies. If future events differ from our current forecasts, a valuation allowance may be required, which could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due to taxing jurisdictions and are reported in other liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Management evaluates and assesses the relative risks and appropriate tax treatment of transactions and filing positions after considering statutes, regulations, judicial precedent and other information and maintains tax accruals consistent with its evaluation of these relative risks and merits. Changes to the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by taxing authorities and changes to statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance. These changes, when they occur, can affect deferred taxes and accrued taxes, as well as the current period’s income tax expense and can be significant to our operating results.


26

Table of Contents



Results of Operations—2018 Compared to 2017
Net Income
Net income for 2018 was $107.5 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $55.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in 2017. Impacting net income in 2018 was an increase in net interest income of $23.4 million, growth in noninterest income of $8.3 million and a decline in noninterest expense of $4.7 million primarily due to a decrease in merger related expenses.
Also contributing to the increase in 2018 net income was a decline in the statutory Federal tax rate from 35% to 21%. Results in 2017 were negatively impacted by a $16.7 million non-cash charge related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets recorded in connection with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Our return on average equity was 11.4% and our return on average assets was 1.42% for 2018, compared to 6.5% and 0.77%, respectively, for 2017. The previously mentioned charge related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets negatively impacted 2017 return on average equity and return on average assets by 195 and 23 basis points, respectively.
Average diluted shares for the year 2018 were 4% more than the comparable period in 2017 primarily due to the issuance of 2.7 million shares of common stock as a result of the acquisition of Garfield Acquisition Corporation.
 
Net Interest Income
Net interest income, which is our primary source of revenue, is the difference between interest income from earning assets (loans and securities) and interest expense paid on liabilities (deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term debt). The amount of net interest income is affected by both changes in the level of interest rates and the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin is expressed as the percentage of net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, to average interest-earning assets. To compare the tax exempt asset yields to taxable yields, amounts are adjusted to the pretax equivalent amounts based on the marginal corporate federal income tax rate of 21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017. The taxable equivalent adjustment to net interest income for 2018 was $2.0 million compared to $4.2 million in 2017. Net interest income comprises a majority of our operating revenue (net interest income before provision expense plus noninterest income) at 74% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, was $254.2 million for the year-ended December 31, 2018, a $21.2 million, or 9%, increase compared to $233.0 million for the same period in 2017. The net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, increased 14 basis points to 3.71% in 2018 from 3.57% in 2017. The net interest margin is affected by both changes in the level of interest rates and the amount and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as two basis points attributable to the recognition of previously unrecognized interest income on assets that had previously been impaired.
Growth in both the level of interest-earning assets and the rates earned on those assets contributed to the increase in the net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2018. Average earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $318.9 million, or 5%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. Interest-sensitive assets totaling $3.6 billion will either reprice or mature over the next twelve months.
The taxable equivalent yield on interest-earning assets was 4.30% for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 40 basis points from the 3.90% yield for the same period in 2017. This increase is largely due to the loan portfolio yield, which improved by 44 basis points when compared to the prior year. Contributing to this increase was the yield on our adjustable and variable rate commercial loan portfolios, which increased 74 basis points largely due to the Federal Reserve increasing short term interest rates 100 basis points in 2018. In addition, the yield on the investment portfolio increased 15 basis points in comparison to the prior year. This increase can be attributed to the runoff of lower yielding securities being replaced with higher yielding investment securities. Additionally, two basis points of the increase in the yield on interest-earning assets can be attributed to the recognition of $1.5 million in previously unrecognized interest due to the sale of one previously impaired commercial loan and our pooled trust preferred security portfolio. Investment portfolio purchases during the year ended December 31, 2018 have been primarily in mortgage-related assets with approximate durations of 30-64 months and corporate securities with durations of approximately five years. The mortgage-related investments have monthly principal payments that will provide for reinvestment opportunities at higher rates if interest rates rise.
Increases in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities partially offset the positive impact of higher yields on interest-earning assets. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.78% for the year-ended December 31, 2018, compared to 0.44% for the same period in 2017. This increase is primarily due to a 25 basis point increase in the cost of interest-bearing demand deposits, a 73

27

Table of Contents

basis point increase in the cost of short-term borrowings and a 101 basis point increase in the cost of long-term debt. Contributing to the increase in long term debt was the issuance of $100 million of subordinated debt in the second quarter of 2018. Deposits acquired in our recent acquisitions, along with approximately $50 million of the subordinated debt proceeds and organic growth in consumer checking and savings deposits, contributed to a decline in average short-term borrowings of $248.4 million for the year-ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Higher market interest rates resulted in the cost of interest-bearing deposits increasing 26 basis points and short-term borrowings increasing 73 basis points in comparison to the same period in the prior year. The impact of the subordinated debt on the cost of interest bearing liabilities was three basis points for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Comparing the year ended December 31, 2018 with the same period in 2017, changes in rates positively impacted net interest income by $9.4 million. The higher yield on interest-earning assets favorably impacted net interest income by $26.2 million, while the increase in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities negatively impacted net interest income by $16.8 million.
Changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities positively increased net interest income by $11.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Higher levels of interest-earning assets resulted in an increase of $13.3 million in interest income, and changes in the volume of interest-bearing liabilities increased interest expense by $1.4 million, primarily due to an increase in long term borrowings and time deposits. Average earning assets for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $318.9 million, or 4.9%, compared to the same period in 2017. Average loans for the comparable period increased $304.1 million, or 5.8%.
Positively affecting net interest income was a $143.2 million increase in average net free funds at December 31, 2018 as compared to December 31, 2017. Average net free funds are the excess of noninterest-bearing demand deposits, other noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity over noninterest-earning assets. The largest component of the increase in net free funds was a $78.1 million increase in average noninterest-bearing demand deposits. Average time deposits for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $171.3 million, or 30%, compared to the comparable period in 2017, while the average rate paid on time deposits increased 48 basis points. Over the next twelve months $509.2 million in certificates of deposits either mature or reprice.
The following table reconciles interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income to net interest income adjusted to a fully taxable equivalent basis for the periods presented:
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest income per Consolidated Statements of Income
$
292,257

 
$
250,550

 
$
217,614

Adjustment to fully taxable equivalent basis
1,974

 
4,225

 
3,846

Interest income adjusted to fully taxable equivalent basis (non-GAAP)
294,231

 
254,775

 
221,460

Interest expense
40,035

 
21,770

 
18,579

Net interest income adjusted to fully taxable equivalent basis (non-GAAP)
$
254,196

 
$
233,005

 
$
202,881

 

28

Table of Contents

The following table provides information regarding the average balances and yields or rates on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods ended December 31:
 
 
Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Average
Balance
 
Income /
Expense (a)
 
Yield or
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Income /
Expense (a)
 
Yield or
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Income /
Expense (a)
 
Yield or
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
$
5,594

 
$
172

 
3.07
%
 
$
11,621

 
$
121

 
1.04
%
 
$
5,799

 
$
27

 
0.46
%
Tax-free investment securities
67,746

 
2,084

 
3.08

 
67,407

 
2,495

 
3.70

 
62,632

 
2,305

 
3.68

Taxable investment securities
1,194,131

 
33,123

 
2.77

 
1,173,711

 
30,277

 
2.58

 
1,221,961

 
30,745

 
2.52

Loans, net of unearned
income (b)(c)(e)
5,582,651

 
258,852

 
4.64

 
5,278,511

 
221,882

 
4.20

 
4,818,759

 
188,383

 
3.91

Total interest-earning assets
6,850,122

 
294,231

 
4.30

 
6,531,250

 
254,775

 
3.90

 
6,109,151

 
221,460

 
3.63

Noninterest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
92,729

 
 
 
 
 
90,614

 
 
 
 
 
70,408

 
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses
(52,609
)
 
 
 
 
 
(51,187
)
 
 
 
 
 
(57,253
)
 
 
 
 
Other assets
665,114

 
 
 
 
 
639,785

 
 
 
 
 
538,310

 
 
 
 
Total noninterest-earning assets
705,234

 
 
 
 
 
679,212

 
 
 
 
 
551,465

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
7,555,356

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,210,462

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,660,616

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing demand
deposits (d)
$
1,179,439

 
$
4,615

 
0.39
%
 
$
1,059,840

 
$
1,466

 
0.14
%
 
$
748,869

 
$
480

 
0.06
%
Savings deposits (d)
2,441,327

 
8,624

 
0.35

 
2,369,605

 
4,207

 
0.18

 
1,910,333

 
3,370

 
0.18

Time deposits
749,408

 
8,474

 
1.13

 
578,158

 
3,742

 
0.65

 
584,429

 
3,673

 
0.63

Short-term borrowings
618,957

 
10,741

 
1.74

 
867,391

 
8,799

 
1.01

 
1,387,737

 
8,076

 
0.58

Long-term debt
147,915

 
7,581

 
5.13

 
86,391

 
3,556

 
4.12

 
81,197

 
2,980

 
3.67

Total interest-bearing liabilities
5,137,046

 
40,035

 
0.78

 
4,961,385

 
21,770

 
0.44

 
4,712,565

 
18,579

 
0.39

Noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing demand
deposits (d)
1,434,233

 
 
 
 
 
1,356,125

 
 
 
 
 
1,146,189

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
41,740

 
 
 
 
 
37,818

 
 
 
 
 
58,918

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity
942,337

 
 
 
 
 
855,134

 
 
 
 
 
742,944

 
 
 
 
Total noninterest-bearing funding sources
2,418,310

 
 
 
 
 
2,249,077

 
 
 
 
 
1,948,051

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
7,555,356

 
 
 
 
 
$
7,210,462

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,660,616

 
 
 
 
Net Interest Income and Net Yield on Interest-Earning Assets
 
 
$
254,196

 
3.71
%
 
 
 
$
233,005

 
3.57
%
 
 
 
$
202,881

 
3.32
%
 
(a)
Income on interest-earning assets has been computed on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the federal income tax statutory rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016.
(b)
Income on nonaccrual loans is accounted for on the cash basis, and the loan balances are included in interest-earning assets.
(c)
Loan income includes loan fees.
(d)
Average balances do not include reallocations from noninterest-bearing demand deposits and interest-bearing demand deposits into savings deposits which were made for regulatory purposes.
(e)
Includes held for sale loans.


29

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth certain information regarding changes in net interest income attributable to changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and changes in the rates for the periods indicated:
 
 
Analysis of Year-to-Year Changes in Net Interest Income
 
2018 Change from 2017
 
2017 Change from 2016
 
Total
Change
 
Change Due
To Volume
 
Change Due
To Rate (a)
 
Total
Change
 
Change Due
To Volume
 
Change Due
To Rate (a)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
$
51

 
$
(63
)
 
$
114

 
$
94

 
$
27

 
$
67

Tax-free investment securities
(411
)
 
13

 
(424
)
 
190

 
176

 
14

Taxable investment securities
2,846

 
527

 
2,319

 
(468
)
 
(1,216
)
 
748

Loans
36,970

 
12,774

 
24,196

 
33,499

 
17,976

 
15,523

Total interest income (b)
39,456

 
13,251

 
26,205

 
33,315

 
16,963

 
16,352

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-bearing demand deposits
3,149

 
167

 
2,982

 
986

 
187

 
799

Savings deposits
4,417

 
129

 
4,288

 
837

 
827

 
10

Time deposits
4,732

 
1,113

 
3,619

 
69

 
(40
)
 
109

Short-term borrowings
1,942

 
(2,509
)
 
4,451

 
723

 
(3,018
)
 
3,741

Long-term debt
4,025

 
2,535

 
1,490

 
576

 
191

 
385

Total interest expense
18,265

 
1,435

 
16,830

 
3,191

 
(1,853
)
 
5,044

Net interest income
$
21,191

 
$
11,816

 
$
9,375

 
$
30,124

 
$
18,816

 
$
11,308

 
(a)
Changes in interest income or expense not arising solely as a result of volume or rate variances are allocated to rate variances.
(b)
Changes in interest income have been computed on a fully taxable equivalent basis using the 21% federal income tax statutory rate for 2018, 35% federal income tax statutory rate for prior years.

Provision for Credit Losses
The provision for credit losses is determined based on management’s estimates of the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses needed to absorb probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio, after giving consideration to charge-offs and recoveries for the period. The provision for credit losses is an amount added to the allowance against which credit losses are charged.

The table below provides a breakout of the provision for credit losses by loan category for the years ended December 31: 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Dollars
 
Percentage
 
Dollars
 
Percentage
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
451

 
4
%
 
$
(9,812
)
 
(193
)%
Real estate construction
512

 
4

 
302

 
6

Residential real estate
2,162

 
17

 
1,164

 
23

Commercial real estate
4,806

 
38

 
10,800

 
212

Loans to individuals
4,600

 
37

 
2,633

 
52

Total
$
12,531

 
100
%
 
$
5,087

 
100
 %
The provision for credit losses for the year 2018 totaled $12.5 million, an increase of $7.4 million, or 146.3%, compared to the year 2017. The level of provision expense for the year-ended December 31, 2018 is primarily a result of net charge-offs taken to resolve certain nonperforming loans. Provision expense for the commercial, financial, agricultural and other category was impacted by net charge-offs of $4.5 million, of which $3.3 million related to two commercial borrowers whose loans were sold or paid off during 2018. Also impacting provision expense for the commercial, financial, agricultural and other category is an increase in factors related to the migration analysis, a decrease in the historical loss factor and a decline in factors related to the loss emergence period. The provision expense for the residential real estate category can be attributed to $107.5 million of growth in the portfolio compared to December 31, 2017 and $1.0 million in net charge-offs. The provision expense for the commercial real estate category is primarily due to $3.4 million in charge-offs recorded on three commercial loans which were

30

Table of Contents

part of the same relationship and were sold or paid off during 2018. Net charge-offs related to loans to individuals were $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, including $2.2 million related to indirect auto loans and $1.1 million related to personal lines of credit.
The level of provision expense for the year-ended December 31, 2017 is primarily a result of net charge-offs in loans to individuals and commercial, financial, agricultural and other loans, as well as an increase in specific reserves related to nonperforming loans of $0.6 million. Net charge-offs related to loans to individuals were $3.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, including $2.4 million related to indirect auto loans and $0.8 million related to personal lines of credit. Net charge-offs on commercial, financial, agricultural and other loans were $2.7 million for the same period. The level of provision expense in the commercial, financial, agricultural and other category, as well as in the commercial real estate category, was also impacted by the Company's periodic assessment of the allowance for loan methodology, the current lending environment, and associated risks for each portfolio, which resulted in changes to certain qualitative factors, such as collateral recovery rates and vacancy rates.
The allowance for credit losses was $47.8 million, or 0.83%, of total loans outstanding and 0.91% of total originated loans at December 31, 2018, compared to $48.3 million, or 0.89%, and 0.96%, respectively, at December 31, 2017. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 0.55% at December 31, 2018 from 0.78% at December 31, 2017. The allowance to nonperforming loan ratio was 149.1% as of December 31, 2018 and 114.3% at December 31, 2017. Net charge-offs were $13.1 million for the year-ended December 31, 2018 compared to $7.0 million for the same period in 2017.
The provision is a result of management’s assessment of credit quality statistics and other factors that would have an impact on probable losses in the loan portfolio and the methodology used for determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. The change in the allowance for credit losses is impacted by the estimated losses within the loan portfolio determined by factors including certain loss events, portfolio migration analysis, loss emergence periods, historical loss experience, delinquency trends, deterioration in collateral values and volatility in economic indicators such as growth in GDP, consumer price index, vacancy rates and unemployment levels. Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2018.
 

31

Table of Contents

A detailed analysis of our credit loss experience for the previous five years is shown below:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans outstanding at end of year
$
5,774,139

 
$
5,407,376

 
$
4,879,347

 
$
4,683,750

 
$
4,457,308

Average loans outstanding
$
5,582,651

 
$
5,278,511

 
$
4,818,759

 
$
4,553,634

 
$
4,356,566

Balance, beginning of year
$
48,298

 
$
50,185

 
$
50,812

 
$
52,051

 
$
54,225

Loans charged off:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
5,294

 
6,634

 
19,603

 
11,429

 
8,911

Real estate construction

 

 

 
8

 
296

Residential real estate
1,313

 
1,287

 
1,189

 
1,539

 
3,153

Commercial real estate
3,930

 
340

 
570

 
1,538

 
1,148

Loans to individuals
4,576

 
4,248

 
4,943

 
4,354

 
3,964

Total loans charged off
15,113

 
12,509

 
26,305

 
18,868

 
17,472

Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
788

 
3,901

 
4,164

 
1,097

 
734

Real estate construction
141

 
470

 
562

 
84

 
1,340

Residential real estate
361

 
371

 
481

 
587

 
650

Commercial real estate
153

 
278

 
1,522

 
229

 
612

Loans to individuals
605

 
515

 
469

 
684

 
766

Total recoveries
2,048

 
5,535

 
7,198

 
2,681

 
4,102

Net charge-offs
13,065

 
6,974

 
19,107

 
16,187

 
13,370

Provision charged to expense
12,531

 
5,087

 
18,480

 
14,948

 
11,196

Balance, end of year
$
47,764

 
$
48,298

 
$
50,185

 
$
50,812

 
$
52,051

Ratios:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding
0.23
%
 
0.13
%
 
0.40
%
 
0.36
%
 
0.31
%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding
0.83
%
 
0.89
%
 
1.03
%
 
1.08
%
 
1.17
%
 


32

Table of Contents

Noninterest Income
The components of noninterest income for each year in the three-year period ended December 31 are as follows: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 compared to 2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in thousands)
Noninterest Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trust income
$
7,901

 
$
7,098

 
$
5,366

 
$
803

 
11
 %
Service charges on deposit accounts
18,175

 
18,579

 
15,869

 
(404
)
 
(2
)
Insurance and retail brokerage commissions
7,426

 
8,807

 
7,964

 
(1,381
)
 
(16
)
Income from bank owned life insurance
6,686

 
5,699

 
5,381

 
987

 
17

Card related interchange income
20,187

 
18,780

 
14,955

 
1,407

 
7

Swap fee income
1,874

 
2,005

 
2,359

 
(131
)
 
(7
)
Other income
6,790

 
7,677

 
6,372

 
(887
)
 
(12
)
Subtotal
69,039

 
68,645

 
58,266

 
394

 
1

Net securities gains
8,102

 
5,040

 
617

 
3,062

 
61

Gain on sale of mortgage loans
5,436

 
5,366

 
4,086

 
70

 
1

Gain on sale of loans and other assets
5,273

 
1,753

 
1,411

 
3,520

 
201

Derivative mark to market
787

 
(473
)
 
219

 
1,260

 
(266
)
Total noninterest income
$
88,637

 
$
80,331

 
$
64,599

 
$
8,306

 
10
 %
Noninterest income, excluding net securities gains, gain on sale of loans and other assets and the derivatives mark to market, increased $0.4 million, or 1%, in 2018. Card-related interchange income increased $1.4 million, due to growth in customer accounts and transactions, including $0.5 million which is attributable to the Garfield and DCB acquisitions. Income from bank owned life insurance increased $1.0 million, primarily due to $0.9 million death claim benefits recognized in the year ended December 31, 2018. Trust income increased $0.8 million, of which $0.2 million can be attributed to accounts obtained in the DCB acquisition. Insurance and retail brokerage commissions decreased $1.4 million as a result of $2.5 million in producer commission expense that is netted against revenue in 2018 but was included as salary expense in 2017. This change is a result of Topic 606, the new revenue recognition standard that was adopted January 1, 2018. Additionally, other income decreased $0.9 million, all of which is due to certain revenues being netted against expenses as a result of adoption of Topic 606.
Total noninterest income increased $8.3 million, or 10%, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2017. The most significant change, other than the changes noted above, includes a $3.1 million increase in net securities gains resulting from the redemption of two of our pooled trust preferred securities and the sale of the remaining pooled trust preferred portfolio, a $3.5 million increase in the gain on sale of loans and other assets primarily due to a $1.2 million gain recognized on the sale of a restructured commercial loan, and a $1.3 million increase in the mark to market adjustment on interest rate swaps entered into for our commercial loan customers. This adjustment does not reflect a realized gain on the swaps, but rather relates to a change in fair value due to movements in corporate bond spreads and swap rates.
If the Company's total assets would equal or exceed $10 billion we would no longer qualify for exemption from the interchange fee cap included in the Dodd-Frank Act. The estimated impact of this change would decrease interchange income by $8.4 million.
 

33

Table of Contents

Noninterest Expense
The components of noninterest expense for each year in the three-year period ended December 31 are as follows: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 Compared to 2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
(dollars in thousands)
Noninterest Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
$
105,115

 
$
103,714

 
$
87,125

 
$
1,401

 
1
 %
Net occupancy
17,219

 
15,648

 
13,150

 
1,571

 
10

Furniture and equipment
14,247

 
13,508

 
11,624

 
739

 
5

Data processing
10,470

 
9,090

 
7,429

 
1,380

 
15

Advertising and promotion
3,956

 
3,786

 
2,601

 
170

 
4

Pennsylvania shares tax
4,875

 
4,209

 
3,825

 
666

 
16

Intangible amortization
3,217

 
3,081

 
547

 
136

 
4

Collection and repossession
2,762

 
1,905

 
2,250

 
857

 
45

Other professional fees and services
4,473

 
4,761

 
3,915

 
(288
)
 
(6
)
FDIC insurance
2,007

 
3,210

 
3,903

 
(1,203
)
 
(37
)
Other operating expenses
23,336

 
23,289

 
17,808

 
47

 

Subtotal
191,677

 
186,201

 
154,177

 
5,476

 
3

Loss on sale or write-down of assets
1,080

 
1,834

 
1,155

 
(754
)
 
(41
)
Litigation and operational losses
1,162

 
2,050

 
1,420

 
(888
)
 
(43
)
Merger and acquisition related
1,637

 
10,213

 
3,173

 
(8,576
)
 
(84
)
Total noninterest expense
$
195,556

 
$
200,298

 
$
159,925

 
$
(4,742
)
 
(2
)%
Noninterest expense, excluding the loss on sale or write-down of assets, litigation and operational losses, and merger and acquisition related expense, increased $5.5 million, or 3%, for the year ended 2018 compared to 2017. Contributing to the 2018 increase is a $1.4 million increase in salaries and employee benefits resulting from a higher number of full-time equivalent employees due to the Garfield acquisition and continued expansion of our mortgage and commercial banking businesses. The change in salaries and employee benefits was also impacted by $2.5 million of expense recognized in 2017 for a one-time bonus of $1,500 paid to all full and part-time employees (other than the top five named executive officers) following the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Garfield and DCB acquisitions accounted for $0.4 million of the $1.6 million increase in net occupancy expense, $0.1 million of the increase in furniture and equipment expense and all of the $0.1 million increase in intangible amortization.
Data processing expense increased $1.4 million due to additional volume associated with increased debit cards and card usage, as well as an increase in usage of digital channels. The $1.2 million decrease in FDIC insurance expense was primarily related to a decrease in our base assessment rate.
Merger related expenses totaled $1.6 million and $10.2 million for the years 2018 and 2017, respectively. Expenses in 2018 reflect expenses related to the acquisition of Garfield while expenses in 2017 and 2016 reflect expenses related to the acquisition of DCB and 13 FirstMerit branches, respectively.

Income Tax
The provision for income taxes of $25.3 million in 2018 reflects a decrease of $23.3 million compared to the provision for income taxes in 2017, despite a $29.0 million increase in the level of income before taxes. The lower provision for income taxes can be attributed to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act passed in December 2017, which decreased the statutory Federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, and a $16.7 million non-cash charge recorded in 2017 for the revaluation of deferred tax assets in connection with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The effective tax rate was 19% and 47% for tax expense in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Excluding the $16.7 million charge related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets, the effective tax rate for 2017 would have been 31%. We ordinarily generate an annual effective tax rate that is less than the statutory rate due to benefits resulting from tax-exempt interest and income from bank owned life insurance, which are relatively consistent regardless of the level of pretax income. Additionally, the year ended December 31, 2018 included a $0.6 million further adjustment to the deferred tax asset adjustment recorded in 2017.


34

Table of Contents



Financial Condition
First Commonwealth’s total assets increased $519.7 million in 2018. Loans, including loans held for sale, increased $363.8 million, or 7%, while investments increased $149.6 million, or 13.1%.
Loan growth in 2018 was impacted by $184.5 million of loans acquired as part of the Garfield acquisition, including $5.2 million in commercial, financial, agricultural and other, $6.7 million in real estate construction, $65.6 million in residential real estate, $101.0 million in commercial real estate and $2.9 million in loans to individuals.
During 2018, approximately $204.3 million in investment securities were sold, called or matured. Some of these securities were lower yielding securities in comparison to the total portfolio yield and, as such, their replacement contributed to the increase in the yield earned on the portfolio. In total, $338.2 million in mortgage-backed securities, $5.0 million in corporate securities and $2.5 million in municipal securities were purchased in 2018 to help replace runoff from the portfolio while maintaining a reduced risk profile.
First Commonwealth’s total liabilities increased $432.5 million, or 7%, in 2018. Deposits increased $317.3 million, or 6%, including $141.3 million in deposits obtained as part of the Garfield acquisition. Short-term debt increased $14.4 million or 2%, based on liquidity needs, and long-term debt increased $97.1 million, or 110%, primarily due to the issuance of $100 million in subordinated debt in the second quarter of 2018.
Total shareholders' equity increased $87.3 million in 2018. Growth in shareholders' equity was a result of net income of $107.5 million and $41.6 million in common stock issued in relation to the Garfield acquisition and, partially offset by $34.8 million in dividends declared, a $5.2 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income and $26.2 million in stock repurchases.

Loan Portfolio
Following is a summary of our loan portfolio as of December 31:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial,
agricultural and other
$
1,138,473

 
20
%
 
$
1,163,383

 
22
%
 
$
1,139,547

 
23
%
 
$
1,150,906

 
25
%
 
$
1,052,109

 
24
%
Real estate construction
358,978

 
6

 
248,868

 
5

 
219,621

 
5

 
220,736

 
5

 
120,785

 
3

Residential real estate
1,562,405

 
27

 
1,426,370

 
26

 
1,229,192

 
25

 
1,224,465

 
26

 
1,226,344

 
27

Commercial real estate
2,123,544

 
37

 
2,019,096

 
37

 
1,742,210

 
36

 
1,479,000

 
31

 
1,405,256

 
31

Loans to individuals
590,739

 
10

 
549,659

 
10

 
548,777

 
11

 
608,643

 
13

 
652,814

 
15

Total loans and leases net of unearned income
$
5,774,139

 
100
%
 
$
5,407,376

 
100
%
 
$
4,879,347

 
100
%
 
$
4,683,750

 
100
%
 
$
4,457,308

 
100
%
The loan portfolio totaled $5.8 billion as of December 31, 2018, reflecting growth of $366.8 million, or 7%, compared to December 31, 2017. Loan growth was experienced in all categories, except for commercial, financial, agricultural and other loans, with real estate construction and residential real estate categories providing the majority of the growth. Real estate construction loans increased $110.1 million, or 44.2%, with $94.5 million resulting from growth in commercial construction projects primarily in Pennsylvania and Ohio and $15.6 million due to growth in consumer construction. Commercial real estate loans increased $104.4 million, or 5.2%, of which $101.0 million was acquired as part of the Garfield acquisition. Residential real estate loans increased $136.0 million, or 9.5%, due to growth in our mortgage banking area as well as $65.6 million in mortgage loans acquired from Garfield. Growth in the loans to individuals category was largely due to growth in indirect auto loans. Commercial, financial, agricultural and other loans decreased $24.9 million, or 2.1%, as a result of growth in this category being offset by runoff and prepayments.
The majority of our loan portfolio is with borrowers located in Pennsylvania. The Company expanded into the Ohio market area with the opening of a loan production office in Cleveland, Ohio in 2013, the acquisition of First Community Bank of Columbus, Ohio in the fourth quarter of 2015, the purchase of 13 FirstMerit Bank, NA branches in northern Ohio in December 2016, the acquisition of DCB Financial of Columbus, Ohio in May 2017 and the acquisition of Garfield in Cincinnati, Ohio in May 2018. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no concentrations of loans relating to any industry in excess of 10% of total loans.

35

Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2018, criticized loans (i.e., loans designated OAEM, substandard, impaired or doubtful) decreased $2.8 million, or 2%, from December 31, 2017. Criticized loans totaled $127.2 million at December 31, 2018 and represented 2% of the total loan portfolio. Additionally, delinquencies on accruing loans decreased $2.9 million, or 22%, at December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2018, nonaccrual loans decreased $7.4 million, or 24%, compared to December 31, 2017. However, nonaccrual loan balances as of December 31, 2018 include $6.0 million related to a commercial credit that was paid in full in January 2019.
 
Final loan maturities and rate sensitivities of the loan portfolio excluding consumer installment and mortgage loans at December 31, 2018 were as follows:
 
 
Within
One Year
 
One to
5 Years
 
After
5 Years
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
180,467

 
$
587,766

 
$
369,426

 
$
1,137,659

Real estate construction (a)
45,215

 
187,982

 
71,402

 
304,599

Commercial real estate
239,459

 
789,654

 
1,094,253

 
2,123,366

Other
7,409

 
26,617

 
111,789

 
145,815

Totals
$
472,550

 
$
1,592,019

 
$
1,646,870

 
$
3,711,439

Loans at fixed interest rates
 
 
544,795

 
390,055

 
 
Loans at variable interest rates
 
 
1,047,224

 
1,256,815

 
 
Totals
 
 
$
1,592,019

 
$
1,646,870

 
 
 
(a)
The maturity of real estate construction loans include term commitments that follow the construction period. Loans with these term commitments will be moved to the commercial real estate category when the construction phase of the project is completed.
First Commonwealth has a legal lending limit of $118.1 million to any one borrower or closely related group of borrowers, but has established lower thresholds for credit risk management.

Nonperforming Loans
Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and restructured loans. Nonaccrual loans represent loans on which interest accruals have been discontinued. Restructured loans are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower under terms not available in the market.
We discontinue interest accruals on a loan when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to fully collect principal or interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Consumer loans are placed in nonaccrual status at 150 days past due.  Other types of loans are typically placed in nonaccrual status when there is evidence of a significantly weakened financial condition or principal and interest is 90 days or more delinquent. Interest received on a nonaccrual loan is normally applied as a reduction to loan principal rather than interest income utilizing the cost recovery methodology of revenue recognition.
Nonperforming loans are closely monitored on an ongoing basis as part of our loan review and work-out process. The probable risk of loss on these loans is evaluated by comparing the loan balance to the fair value of any underlying collateral and the present value of projected future cash flows. Losses are recognized when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable.
 

36

Table of Contents

The following is a comparison of nonperforming and impaired assets and the effects on interest due to nonaccrual loans for the period ended December 31:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming Loans:
 
Loans on nonaccrual basis
$
11,509

 
$
19,455

 
$
16,454

 
$
24,345

 
$
25,715

Troubled debt restructured loans on nonaccrual basis
11,761

 
11,222

 
11,569

 
12,360

 
16,952

Troubled debt restructured loans on accrual basis
8,757

 
11,563

 
13,790

 
14,139

 
12,584

Total nonperforming loans
$
32,027

 
$
42,240

 
$
41,813

 
$
50,844

 
$
55,251

Loans past due in excess of 90 days and still accruing
$
1,582

 
$
1,854

 
$
2,131

 
$
2,455

 
$
2,619

Other real estate owned
$
3,935

 
$
2,765

 
$
6,805

 
$
9,398

 
$
7,197

Loans outstanding at end of period
$
5,774,139

 
$
5,407,376

 
$
4,879,347

 
$
4,683,750

 
$
4,457,308

Average loans outstanding
$
5,582,651

 
$
5,278,511

 
$
4,818,759

 
$
4,553,634

 
$
4,356,566

Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans
0.55
%
 
0.78
%
 
0.86
%
 
1.09
%
 
1.24
%
Provision for credit losses
$
12,531

 
$
5,087

 
$
18,480

 
$
14,948

 
$
11,196

Allowance for credit losses
$
47,764

 
$
48,298

 
$
50,185

 
$
50,812

 
$
52,051

Net charge-offs
$
13,065

 
$
6,974

 
$
19,107

 
$
16,187

 
$
13,370

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding
0.23
%
 
0.13
%
 
0.40
%
 
0.36
%
 
0.31
%
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of net charge-offs
95.91
%
 
72.94
%
 
96.72
%
 
92.35
%
 
83.74
%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding (a)
0.83
%
 
0.89
%
 
1.03
%
 
1.08
%
 
1.17
%
Allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans (a)
149.14
%
 
114.34
%
 
120.02
%
 
99.94
%
 
94.21
%
Gross income that would have been recorded at original rates
$
1,428

 
$
2,079

 
$
1,296

 
$
572

 
$
784

Interest that was reflected in income
256

 
783

 
533

 

 

Net reduction to interest income due to nonaccrual
$
1,172

 
$
1,296

 
$
763

 
$
572

 
$
784

 
(a)
End of period loans and nonperforming loans exclude loans held for sale.
Nonperforming loans decreased $10.2 million to $32.0 million at December 31, 2018, compared to $42.2 million at December 31, 2017. Nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans decreased to 0.6% from 0.8% at December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017. Included in nonperforming loans at December 31, 2018, was a $6.0 million loan to a commercial borrower that paid off in full subsequent to December 31, 2018.
Also included in nonperforming loans are troubled debt restructured loans (“TDRs”). TDRs are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower under terms not available in the market. TDRs decreased $2.3 million during 2018. For additional information on TDRs please refer to Note 11 “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses.”
Net charge-offs were $13.1 million in 2018 compared to $7.0 million for the year 2017. The most significant credit losses recognized during the year include $3.4 million in charge-offs recognized on one commercial real estate relationship and $3.2 million for a commercial loan that was transferred to held for sale and subsequently sold. Net charge-offs in the loans to individual category totaled $4.0 million for 2018, primarily due to charge-offs of indirect auto loans. Additional detail on credit risk is included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under “Provision for Credit Losses,” “Allowance for Credit Losses" and "Credit Risk.”
Provision for credit losses as a percentage of net charge-offs increased to 95.9% for the year ended December 31, 2018 from 72.9% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

37

Table of Contents


Allowance for Credit Losses
Following is a summary of the allocation of the allowance for credit losses at December 31:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
Allowance
Amount
 
%
(a)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
19,374

 
20
%
 
$
23,429

 
22
%
 
$
35,974

 
23
%
 
$
31,035

 
25
%
 
$
29,627

 
24
%
Real estate construction
2,002

 
6

 
1,349

 
5

 
577

 
5

 
887

 
5

 
2,063

 
3

Residential real estate
3,969

 
27

 
2,759

 
26

 
2,511

 
25

 
2,606

 
26

 
3,664

 
27

Commercial real estate
18,386

 
37

 
17,357

 
37

 
6,619

 
36

 
11,924

 
31

 
11,881

 
31

Loans to individuals
4,033

 
10

 
3,404

 
10

 
4,504

 
11

 
4,360

 
13

 
4,816

 
15

Total
$
47,764

 
 
 
$
48,298

 
 
 
$
50,185

 
 
 
$
50,812

 
 
 
$
52,051

 
 
Allowance for credit losses as percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding
0.83
%
 
 
 
0.89
%
 
 
 
1.03
%
 
 
 
1.08
%
 
 
 
1.17
%
 
 
 
(a)
Represents the ratio of loans in each category to total loans.
The allowance for credit losses decreased $0.5 million from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of end-of-period loans outstanding was 0.8% at December 31, 2018 compared to 0.9% at December 31, 2017. The allowance for credit losses includes both a general reserve for performing loans and specific reserves for impaired loans. Comparing December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2017, the general reserve for performing loans decreased from 0.83% to 0.80% of total performing loans. General reserves as a percentage of non-impaired originated loans were 0.88% at December 31, 2018 compared to 0.90% at December 31, 2017. Specific reserves decreased from 8.9% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2017 to 5.1% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2018. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 149.1% and 114.3% at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The allowance for credit losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses incurred in the loan portfolio at a specific point in time. This estimate includes losses associated with specifically identified loans, as well as estimated probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio. Additions are made to the allowance through both periodic provisions charged to income and recoveries of losses previously incurred. Reductions to the allowance occur as loans are charged off. Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance at least quarterly, and in doing so relies on various factors including, but not limited to, assessment of historical loss experience, delinquency and nonaccrual trends, portfolio growth, net realizable value of collateral and current economic conditions. This evaluation is subjective and requires material estimates that may change over time. For a description of the methodology used to calculate the allowance for credit losses, please refer to “Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Accounting Estimates—Allowance for Credit Losses.”
Management reviews local and national economic information and industry data, including trends in the industries we believe are indicative of higher risk to our portfolio. Factors reviewed by management include employment trends, macroeconomic trends, commercial real estate trends and the overall lending environment.
Investment Portfolio
Marketable securities that we hold in our investment portfolio, which are classified as “securities available for sale,” may be a source of liquidity; however, we do not anticipate liquidating the investments prior to maturity.

38

Table of Contents

Following is a detail schedule of the amortized cost of securities available for sale as of December 31: 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
$
9,011

 
$
10,556

 
$
15,143

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial
169,633

 
24,611

 

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
686,906

 
632,422

 
683,601

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial

 

 
1

Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises
10,000

 
1,098

 
16,700

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
27,592

 
27,083

 
27,075

Corporate Securities
20,912

 
15,907

 
5,903

Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations

 
27,499

 
39,989

Total Debt Securities
924,054

 
739,176

 
788,412

Equities

 
1,670

 
1,670

Total Securities Available for Sale
$
924,054

 
$
740,846

 
$
790,082

As of December 31, 2018, securities available for sale had a fair value of $909.2 million. Gross unrealized gains were $3.0 million and gross unrealized losses were $17.8 million.
The following is a schedule of the contractual maturity distribution of securities available for sale at December 31, 2018.
 
 
U.S.
Government
Agencies and
Corporations
 
States and
Political
Subdivisions
 
Other
Securities
 
Total
Amortized
Cost (a)
 
Weighted
Average
Yield (b)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Within 1 year
$
118

 
$

 
$
4,000

 
$
4,118

 
2.06
%
After 1 but within 5 years
4,111

 
2,273

 
14,983

 
21,367

 
3.25

After 5 but within 10 years
255,938

 
25,319

 

 
281,257

 
2.19

After 10 years
615,383

 

 
1,929

 
617,312

 
2.99

Total
$
875,550

 
$
27,592

 
$
20,912

 
$
924,054

 
2.75
%
 
(a)
Equities are excluded from this schedule because they have an indefinite maturity.
(b)
Yields are calculated on a taxable equivalent basis.
 
Mortgage-backed securities, which include mortgage-backed obligations of U.S. Government agencies and obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, have contractual maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately 30 years and have anticipated average lives to maturity ranging from less than one year to approximately eight years.
The available for sale investment portfolio increased $183.2 million, or 25%, at December 31, 2018 compared to 2017. Available for sale investment purchases of $332.0 million were partially offset by the sale, call or maturity of $156.6 million in investments. Liquidity provided from sales, calls and maturities was utilized to fund growth in the loan portfolio.

39

Table of Contents

Following is a detail schedule of the amortized cost of securities held to maturity as of December 31: 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
$
3,635

 
$
3,925

 
$
4,297

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial
55,221

 
58,249

 
34,444

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
279,109

 
305,126

 
280,430

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial
13,159

 
14,056

 
14,675

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
42,331

 
40,540

 
38,667

Debt Securities Issued by Foreign Governments
400

 
200

 

Total Securities Held to Maturity
$
393,855

 
$
422,096

 
$
372,513

The following is a schedule of the contractual maturity distribution of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2018.
 
U.S.
Government
Agencies and
Corporations
 
States and
Political
Subdivisions
 
Other
Securities
 
Total
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
(dollars in thousands)
Within 1 year
$

 
$
521

 
$
0

 
$
521

 
1.87
%
After 1 but within 5 years

 
6,818

 
400

 
7,218

 
2.37

After 5 but within 10 years
13,159

 
34,992

 
0

 
48,151

 
2.87

After 10 years
337,965

 
0

 

 
337,965

 
2.50

Total
$
351,124

 
$
42,331

 
$
400

 
$
393,855

 
2.54
%
The held to maturity investment portfolio decreased $28.2 million, or 7%, at December 31, 2018 compared to 2017. Held to maturity investment purchases of $20.7 million were offset by the sale, call or maturity of $47.6 million in investments.
See Note 9 “Investment Securities,” Note 10 “Impairment of Investment Securities” and Note 19 “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities” for additional information related to the investment portfolio.
Deposits
Total deposits increased $317.3 million, or 6%, in 2018, with $141.3 million of the growth resulting from the Garfield acquisition. Growth was experienced in all deposit categories.
Time deposits of $100 thousand or more had remaining maturities as follows as of the end of each year in the three-year period ended December 31:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars in thousands)
3 months or less
$
51,619

 
13
%
 
$
47,964

 
23
%
 
$
38,366

 
26
%
Over 3 months through 6 months
59,201

 
15

 
22,101

 
11

 
27,371

 
19

Over 6 months through 12 months
133,285

 
35

 
68,174

 
32

 
29,013

 
20

Over 12 months
140,429

 
37

 
72,142

 
34

 
50,621

 
35

Total
$
384,534

 
100
%
 
$
210,381

 
100
%
 
$
145,371

 
100
%


40

Table of Contents

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
Short-term borrowings increased $14.4 million, or 2%, from $707.5 million as of December 31, 2017 to $721.8 million at December 31, 2018. Long-term debt increased $97.1 million, or 110%, from $87.9 million at December 31, 2017 to $185.1 million at December 31, 2018 as a result of the issuance of $100 million of subordinated debt in the second quarter of 2018. For additional information concerning our short-term borrowings, subordinated debentures and other long-term debt, please refer to Note 16 “Short-term Borrowings,” Note 17 “Subordinated Debentures” and Note 18 “Other Long-term Debt” of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The table below sets forth our contractual obligations to make future payments as of December 31, 2018. For a more detailed description of each category of obligation, refer to the note in our Consolidated Financial Statements indicated in the table below.
 
 
Footnote
Number
Reference
 
1 Year
or Less
 
After 1
But Within
3 Years
 
After 3
But Within
5 Years
 
After 5
Years
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
FHLB advances
18

 
$
631

 
$
1,336

 
$
1,443

 
$
4,141

 
$
7,551

Subordinated debentures
17

 

 

 

 
170,288

 
170,288

Operating leases
13

 
4,945

 
9,971

 
9,832

 
44,777

 
69,525

Total contractual obligations
 
 
$
5,576

 
$
11,307

 
$
11,275

 
$
219,206

 
$
247,364

The table above excludes our cash obligations upon maturity of certificates of deposit, which is set forth in Note 15 “Interest-Bearing Deposits” of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In addition, see Note 12 “Commitments and Letters of Credit” for detail related to our off-balance sheet commitments to extend credit, financial standby letters of credit, performance standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit as of December 31, 2018. Commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit do not necessarily represent future cash requirements since it is unknown if the borrower will draw upon these commitments and often these commitments expire without being drawn upon. As of December 31, 2018, a reserve for probable losses of $5.0 million was recorded for unused commitments and letters of credit.

Liquidity
Liquidity refers to our ability to meet the cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers as well as our operating cash needs with cost-effective funding. Liquidity risk arises from the possibility that we may not be able to meet our financial obligations and operating cash needs or may become overly reliant upon external funding sources. In order to manage this risk, our Board of Directors has established a Liquidity Policy that identifies primary sources of liquidity, establishes procedures for monitoring and measuring liquidity and quantifies minimum liquidity requirements based on limits approved by our Board of Directors. This policy designates our Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) as the body responsible for meeting these objectives. The ALCO, which includes members of executive management, reviews liquidity on a periodic basis and approves significant changes in strategies that affect balance sheet or cash flow positions. Liquidity is centrally managed on a daily basis by our Treasury Department, which monitors it by using such measures as a 30 day liquidity stress analysis, liquidity gap ratios and noncore funding ratios.
We generate funds to meet our cash flow needs primarily through the core deposit base of FCB and the maturity or repayment of loans and other interest-earning assets, including investments. Core deposits are the most stable source of liquidity a bank can have due to the long-term relationship with a deposit customer. The level of deposits during any period is sometimes influenced by factors outside of management’s control, such as the level of short-term and long-term market interest rates and yields offered on competing investments, such as money market mutual funds. Deposits increased $317.3 million, or 6%, during 2018, and comprised 86% of total liabilities at December 31, 2018, as compared to 87% at December 31, 2017. Proceeds from the sale, maturity and redemption of investment securities totaled $204.3 million during 2018 and provided liquidity to fund loans as well as the purchase of additional investment securities.
We also have available unused wholesale sources of liquidity, including overnight federal funds and repurchase agreements, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, borrowings through the discount window at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and access to certificates of deposit through brokers. We have increased our borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve by establishing a Borrower-in-Custody of Collateral arrangement that enables us to pledge certain loans, not being used as collateral at the Federal Home Loan Bank, as collateral for borrowings at the Federal Reserve. At December 31,

41

Table of Contents

2018 our borrowing capacity at the Federal Reserve related to this program was $768.7 million and there were no amounts outstanding. Additionally, as of December 31, 2018, our maximum borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh was $1.6 billion and as of that date amounts used against this capacity included $0.6 billion in outstanding borrowings.
We participate in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Services (“CDARS”) program as part of an ALCO strategy to increase and diversify funding sources. As of December 31, 2018, our maximum borrowing capacity under this program was $1.2 billion and as of that date there was $6.7 million outstanding. We also participate in a reciprocal program which allows our depositors to receive expanded FDIC coverage by placing multiple certificates of deposit at other CDARS member banks. As of December 31, 2018, our outstanding certificates of deposits from this program have an average weighted rate of 1.26% and an average original term of 336 days.
We also have available unused federal funds lines with four correspondent banks. These lines have an aggregate commitment of $205.0 million with $11.0 million outstanding as of December 31, 2018.
The liquidity needs of First Commonwealth on an unconsolidated basis (the "Parent Company") consist primarily of operating expenses, debt service payments and dividend payments to our stockholders, which totaled $42.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as well as any cash necessary to repurchase our shares, which totaled $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The primary source of liquidity for the Parent Company is dividends from subsidiaries. The Parent Company had $72.2 million in junior subordinated debentures and cash and interest-bearing deposits of $21.5 million at December 31, 2018. At the end of 2018, the Parent Company had a $15.0 million short-term, unsecured revolving line of credit with another financial institution. As of December 31, 2018, there were no amounts outstanding under this line. The Parent Company has the ability to enhance its liquidity position by raising capital or incurring debt.
Refer to “Financial Condition” above for additional information concerning our deposits, loan portfolio, investment securities and borrowings.

Market Risk
Market risk refers to potential losses arising from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices and commodity prices. Our market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is comprised of repricing risk, basis risk, yield curve risk and options risk. Repricing risk arises from differences in the cash flow or repricing between asset and liability portfolios. Basis risk arises when asset and liability portfolios are related to different market rate indices, which do not always change by the same amount. Yield curve risk arises when asset and liability portfolios are related to different maturities on a given yield curve; when the yield curve changes shape, the risk position is altered. Options risk arises from “embedded options” within asset and liability products as certain borrowers have the option to prepay their loans when rates fall, while certain depositors can redeem or withdraw their deposits early when rates rise.
The process by which we manage our interest rate risk is called asset/liability management. The goals of our asset/liability management are increasing net interest income without taking undue interest rate risk or material loss of net market value of our equity, while maintaining adequate liquidity. Net interest income is increased by growing earning assets and increasing the difference between the rate earned on earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Liquidity is measured by the ability to meet both depositors’ and credit customers’ requirements.
 
We use an asset/liability model to measure our interest rate risk. Interest rate risk measures include earnings simulation and gap analysis. Gap analysis is a static measure that does not incorporate assumptions regarding future events. Gap analysis, while a helpful diagnostic tool, displays cash flows for only a single rate environment. Net interest income simulations explicitly measure the exposure to earnings from changes in market rates of interest. Under simulation analysis, our current financial position is combined with assumptions regarding future business to calculate net interest income under various hypothetical rate scenarios. Our net interest income simulations assume a level balance sheet whereby new volume equals run-off. The ALCO reviews earnings simulations over multiple years under various interest rate scenarios. Reviewing these various measures provides us with a reasonably comprehensive view of our interest rate profile.
The following gap analysis compares the difference between the amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities subject to repricing over a period of time. The ratio of rate sensitive assets to rate sensitive liabilities repricing within a one year period was 0.74 and 0.73 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. A ratio of less than one indicates a higher level of repricing liabilities over repricing assets over the next twelve months. The level of First Commonwealth's ratio is largely driven by the modeling of interest-bearing non-maturity deposits, which are included in the analysis as repricing within one year.

42

Table of Contents

Following is the gap analysis as of December 31:
 
 
2018
 
0-90 Days
 
91-180
Days
 
181-365
Days
 
Cumulative
0-365 Days
 
Over 1 Year
Through 5
Years
 
Over 5
Years
 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans
$
2,659,890

 
$
291,134

 
$
439,098

 
$
3,390,122

 
$
1,802,605

 
$
569,659

Investments
81,971

 
60,654

 
99,288

 
241,913

 
612,407

 
468,916

Other interest-earning assets
3,013

 

 

 
3,013

 

 

Total interest-sensitive assets (ISA)
2,744,874

 
351,788

 
538,386

 
3,635,048

 
2,415,012

 
1,038,575

Certificates of deposit
116,469

 
116,664

 
276,101

 
509,234

 
338,148

 
2,834

Other deposits
3,581,563

 

 

 
3,581,563

 

 

Borrowings
794,206

 
218

 
443

 
794,867

 
54,080

 
57,932

Total interest-sensitive liabilities (ISL)
4,492,238

 
116,882

 
276,544

 
4,885,664

 
392,228

 
60,766

Gap
$
(1,747,364
)
 
$
234,906

 
$
261,842

 
$
(1,250,616
)
 
$
2,022,784

 
$
977,809

ISA/ISL
0.61

 
3.01

 
1.95

 
0.74

 
6.16

 
17.09

Gap/Total assets
22.32
%
 
3.00
%
 
3.34
%
 
15.98
%
 
25.84
%
 
12.49
%
 
 
2017
 
0-90 Days
 
91-180
Days
 
181-365
Days
 
Cumulative
0-365 Days
 
Over 1 Year
Through 5
Years
 
Over 5
Years
 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans
$
2,662,906

 
$
214,139

 
$
359,790

 
$
3,236,835

 
$
1,633,236

 
$
521,478

Investments
79,484

 
45,983

 
84,001

 
209,468

 
525,391

 
434,919

Other interest-earning assets
8,668

 

 

 
8,668

 

 

Total interest-sensitive assets (ISA)
2,751,058

 
260,122

 
443,791

 
3,454,971

 
2,158,627

 
956,397

Certificates of deposit
139,920

 
71,178

 
165,083

 
376,181

 
235,037

 
3,595

Other deposits
3,549,121

 

 

 
3,549,121

 

 

Borrowings
779,875

 
244

 
495

 
780,614

 
4,468

 
10,302

Total interest-sensitive liabilities (ISL)
4,468,916

 
71,422

 
165,578

 
4,705,916

 
239,505

 
13,897

Gap
$
(1,717,858
)
 
$
188,700

 
$
278,213

 
$
(1,250,945
)
 
$
1,919,122

 
$
942,500

ISA/ISL
0.62

 
3.64

 
2.68

 
0.73

 
9.01

 
68.82

Gap/Total assets
23.50
%
 
2.58
%
 
3.81
%
 
17.12
%
 
26.26
%
 
12.90
%
Gap analysis has limitations due to the static nature of the model that holds volumes and consumer behaviors constant in all economic and interest rate scenarios. A lower level of rate sensitive assets to rate sensitive liabilities repricing in one year could indicate reduced net interest income in a rising interest rate scenario, and conversely, increased net interest income in a declining interest rate scenario. However, the gap analysis incorporates only the level of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and not the sensitivity each has to changes in interest rates. The impact of the sensitivity to changes in interest rates is provided in the table below the gap analysis.

43

Table of Contents

The following table presents an analysis of the potential sensitivity of our annual net interest income to gradual changes in interest rates over a 12 month time frame as compared with net interest income if rates remained unchanged and there are no changes in balance sheet categories.
 
 
Net interest income change (12 months)
 
-200
 
-100
 
+100
 
+200
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2018 ($)
$
(16,914
)
 
$
(6,442
)
 
$
1,368

 
$
2,587

December 31, 2018 (%)
(6.32
)%
 
(2.41
)%
 
0.51
%
 
0.97
%
December 31, 2017 ($)
$
(15,810
)
 
$
(6,181
)
 
$
5,856

 
$
11,315

December 31, 2017 (%)
(6.51
)%
 
(2.55
)%
 
2.41
%
 
4.66
%
The following table represents the potential sensitivity of our annual net interest income to immediate changes in interest rates versus if rates remained unchanged and there are no changes in balance sheet categories.
 
Net interest income change (12 months)
 
-200
 
-100
 
+100
 
+200
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2018 ($)
$
(37,239
)
 
$
(14,277
)
 
$
10,674

 
$
20,597

December 31, 2018 (%)
(13.90
)%
 
(5.33
)%
 
3.99
%
 
7.69
%
December 31, 2017 ($)
$
(33,734
)
 
$
(16,356
)
 
$
14,427

 
$
27,815

December 31, 2017 (%)
(13.90
)%
 
(6.74
)%
 
5.94
%
 
11.46
%
The analysis and model used to quantify the sensitivity of our net interest income becomes less meaningful in a decreasing 200 basis point scenario given the current interest rate environment. Results of the 100 and 200 basis point interest rate decline scenario are affected by the fact that many of our interest-bearing liabilities are at rates below 1%, with an assumed floor of zero in the model. For the years 2018 and 2017, the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities averaged 0.78% and 0.44%, respectively, and the yield on our average interest-earning assets, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, averaged 4.30% and 3.90%, respectively.
The ALCO is responsible for the identification and management of interest rate risk exposure. As such, the ALCO continuously evaluates strategies to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations.
In 2015, the Company entered into a cash flow interest rate swap in which we extended the duration of $65.0 million of the $1.3 billion LIBOR based loans in our loan portfolio at that time into fixed interest rates for a period four years. Please refer to Note 8, "Derivatives," for additional information on interest rate swaps.
Asset/liability models require that certain assumptions be made, such as prepayment rates on earning assets and the impact of pricing on non-maturity deposits, which may differ from actual experience. These business assumptions are based upon our experience, business plans and published industry experience. While management believes such assumptions to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that modeled results will approximate actual results.
 
Credit Risk
First Commonwealth maintains an allowance for credit losses at a level deemed sufficient for losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the date of each statement of financial condition. Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for credit losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses.
First Commonwealth’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses consists of several key elements. These elements include an assessment of individual impaired loans with a balance greater than $0.1 million, loss experience trends and other relevant factors.
First Commonwealth also maintains a reserve for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit based upon credit risk and probability of funding. The reserve totaled $5.0 million at December 31, 2018 and is classified in “Other liabilities” on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

44

Table of Contents

Nonperforming loans include nonaccrual loans and loans classified as troubled debt restructurings. Nonaccrual loans represent loans on which interest accruals have been discontinued. Troubled debt restructured loans are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the deteriorating financial position of the borrower, who could not obtain comparable terms from alternate financing sources. In 2018, 58 loans totaling $11.3 million were identified as troubled debt restructurings, requiring no additional specific reserves.
We discontinue interest accruals on a loan when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to fully collect principal or interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan. A loan is also placed in nonaccrual status when, based on regulatory definitions, the loan is maintained on a “cash basis” due to the weakened financial condition of the borrower. Generally, loans 90 days or more past due are placed on nonaccrual status, except for consumer loans which are placed on nonaccrual status at 150 days past due.
Nonperforming loans are closely monitored on an ongoing basis as part of our loan review and work-out process. The probable risk of loss on these loans is evaluated by comparing the loan balance to the estimated fair value of any underlying collateral or the present value of projected future cash flows. Losses or specifically assigned allowance for credit losses are recognized where appropriate.
The allowance for credit losses was $47.8 million at December 31, 2018 or 0.83% of loans outstanding, compared to $48.3 million or 0.89% of loans outstanding at December 31, 2017. Credit measures as of December 31, 2018 compared to December 31, 2017 reflect an increase in the level of criticized loans of $2.8 million from $124.4 million at December 31, 2017 to $127.2 million at December 31, 2018. Classified assets decreased $32.8 million from $73.0 million at December 31, 2017 to $40.2 million at December 31, 2018. Delinquency on accruing loans decreased $2.9 million, or 22%, while the level of nonperforming loans decreased $10.2 million for the same period.
The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 149.1% at December 31, 2018 and 114.3% as of December 31, 2017. The allowance for credit losses includes specific allocations of $1.6 million related to nonperforming loans covering 5% of the total nonperforming balance at December 31, 2018 and specific allocations of $3.7 million covering 9% of the total nonperforming balance at December 31, 2017. The amount of allowance related to nonperforming loans was determined by using estimated fair values obtained from current appraisals and updated discounted cash flow analyses.
 
Management believes that the allowance for credit losses is at a level that is sufficient to absorb losses incurred in the loan portfolio at December 31, 2018.
The following table provides information on net charge-offs and nonperforming loans by loan category: 
 
For the Period Ended December 31, 2018
 
As of December 31, 2018
 
Net
Charge-offs
 
% of
Total Net
Charge-
offs
 
Net
Charge-offs
as a %
of Average
Loans
 
Nonperforming
Loans
 
% of Total
Nonperforming
Loans
 
Nonperforming
Loans as a % of
Total Loans
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
4,506

 
34.49
 %
 
0.08
%
 
$
11,981

 
37.41
%
 
0.21
%
Real estate construction
(141
)
 
(1.08
)
 

 

 

 

Residential real estate
952

 
7.29

 
0.02

 
13,243

 
41.35

 
0.23

Commercial real estate
3,777

 
28.91

 
0.07

 
6,507

 
20.32

 
0.11

Loans to individuals
3,971

 
30.39

 
0.07

 
296

 
0.92

 
0.01

Total loans, net of unearned income
$
13,065

 
100.00
 %
 
0.24
%
 
$
32,027

 
100.00
%
 
0.56
%
As the above table illustrates, commercial, financial, agricultural loans and residential real estate loans were the most significant portions of the nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2018. See discussions related to the provision for credit losses and loans for more information.


45

Table of Contents

Results of Operations—2017 Compared to 2016
Summary of 2017 Results
Net income for 2017 was $55.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, as compared to a net income of $59.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, in 2016. Net income in 2017 was positively impacted by an increase in net interest income of $29.7 million and noninterest income of $15.7 million, offset by an increase in noninterest expense of $40.4 million and a $16.7 million noncash charge for the revaluation of deferred tax assets recorded in connection with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Our return on average equity was 6.45% and our return on average assets was 0.77% for 2017, compared to 8.02% and 0.89%, respectively, for 2016.
Average diluted shares for the year 2017 were 7% less than the comparable period in 2016 primarily due to the issuance of 8.4 million shares of common stock as a result of the acquisition of DCB Financial.
Net interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, for 2017 was $30.1 million, or 15%, higher than 2016, primarily due to growth in interest earning assets as well as growth in rates on interest earning assets. Positively affecting net interest income in 2017 was a $173.3 million increase in average net free funds. Average net free funds are the excess of demand deposits, other noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity over nonearning assets. The net interest margin, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, was 3.57% in 2017 compared to 3.32% in 2016.
During the year-ended December 31, 2017, growth in both the level of interest-earning assets and the rates on those assets positively impacted the net interest margin. Yields and spreads on new loan volumes in 2017 exceeded runoff levels, specifically for variable and adjustable rate commercial loans, home equity loans and indirect auto loans. Average earning assets increased $422.1 million, or 7%, compared to the comparable period in 2016.
The taxable equivalent yield on interest-earning assets was 3.90% for the year-ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 27 basis points from the 3.63% yield for the same period in 2016. This increase can be attributed to higher replacement yields on loan portfolio runoff and maturities as a result of improvements in pricing spreads. Additionally, the investment portfolio yield increased by 7 basis points. This increase can be attributed to the runoff or sale of lower yielding U.S. Agency securities which were replaced with higher yielding investment securities. Reductions in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities partially offset the impact of higher yields on interest-earning assets. The cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 0.44% for the year-ended December 31, 2017, compared to 0.39% for the same period in 2016.
Comparing the year-ended December 31, 2017 with the same period in 2016, changes in interest rates positively impacted net interest income by $11.3 million. The higher yield on interest-earning assets favorably impacted net interest income by $16.4 million, while a change in the mix of interest-bearing liabilities and an increase in short-term borrowing rates had a negative impact of $5.0 million on net interest income. The growth in net interest income for the year-ended December 31, 2017, can be primarily attributed to growth in the loan portfolio and changes in the mix of our investment portfolio.
While changes in rates had a positive impact on the net interest margin, increases in average interest-earning assets had an even larger the effect on net interest income. Changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities positively impacted net interest income by $18.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Higher levels of interest-earning assets resulted in an increase of $17.0 million in interest income, while reductions in time deposits and long-term borrowings, partially offset by increased short-term borrowings, decreased interest expense by $1.9 million.
Noninterest income, excluding net securities gains (losses), gains on sale of assets and derivative mark to market, increased $10.4 million, or 18%, in 2017, largely due to increases in interchange income, service charges on deposits and trust income.
Total noninterest income increased $15.7 million, or 24%, in 2017 in comparison to the year ended 2016. The most notable change includes a $1.3 million increase in gain on the sale of mortgage loans due to continued growth in mortgage loan originations since the Company reentered the secondary mortgage market in 2014. Net securities gains (losses) increased $4.4 million, primarily due to the early redemption of two of our pooled trust preferred securities.
Total noninterest expense for the year 2017 increased $40.4 million in comparison to the year 2016. Contributing to the 2017 increase is a $16.6 million increase in salaries and employee benefits, primarily due to the increase of 98 full-time equivalent employees at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016.
Other operating expense increased $5.5 million for the year 2017 compared to 2016, primarily due to a $1.4 million increase in expense related to the reserve for unfunded loan commitments and $1.7 million increase in data processing expenses primarily related to additional volume associated with increased debit cards and card usage as well as an increase in usage by digital channels.

46

Table of Contents

Merger related expenses totaled $10.2 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Expenses in 2017 reflect expenses related to the acquisition of DCB Financial while expenses in 2016 reflect expenses related to the acquisition of 13 FirstMerit branches.

ITEM 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Information appearing in Item 7 of this report under the caption “Market Risk” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

47

Table of Contents

ITEM 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands, except
share data)
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
95,934

 
$
98,624

Interest-bearing bank deposits
3,013

 
8,668

Securities available for sale, at fair value
909,247

 
731,358

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost, (Fair value $383,993 at December 31, 2018 and $418,249 at December 31, 2017)
393,855

 
422,096

Other investments
32,126

 
29,837

Loans held for sale
11,881

 
14,850

Loans:
 
 
 
Portfolio loans
5,774,139

 
5,407,376

Allowance for credit losses
(47,764
)
 
(48,298
)
Net loans
5,726,375

 
5,359,078

Premises and equipment, net
80,474

 
81,339

Other real estate owned
3,935

 
2,765

Goodwill
274,202

 
255,353

Amortizing intangibles, net
13,038

 
15,007

Bank owned life insurance
215,766

 
212,099

Other assets
68,409

 
77,465

Total assets
$
7,828,255

 
$
7,308,539

Liabilities
 
 
 
Deposits (all domestic):
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing
$
1,466,213

 
$
1,416,771

Interest-bearing
4,431,779

 
4,163,934

Total deposits
5,897,992

 
5,580,705

Short-term borrowings
721,823

 
707,466

Subordinated debentures
170,288

 
72,167

Other long-term debt
7,551

 
8,161

Capital lease obligation
7,217

 
7,590

Total long-term debt
185,056

 
87,918

Other liabilities
47,995

 
44,323

Total liabilities
6,852,866

 
6,420,412

Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $1 par value per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

 

Common stock, $1 par value per share, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 113,914,902 shares issued as of December 31, 2018 and 2017; and 98,518,668 and 97,456,478 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
113,915

 
113,915

Additional paid-in capital
492,273

 
470,123

Retained earnings
511,409

 
437,416

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net
(11,341
)
 
(6,173
)
Treasury stock (15,396,234 and 16,458,424 shares at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively)
(130,867
)
 
(127,154
)
Total shareholders’ equity
975,389

 
888,127

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
7,828,255

 
$
7,308,539

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

48

Table of Contents

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
Interest Income
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
257,316

 
$
218,530

 
$
185,344

Interest and dividends on investments:
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable interest
31,264

 
28,608

 
27,919

Interest exempt from federal income taxes
1,646

 
1,622

 
1,498

Dividends
1,859

 
1,669

 
2,826

Interest on bank deposits
172

 
121

 
27

Total interest income
292,257

 
250,550

 
217,614

Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
21,713

 
9,415

 
7,523

Interest on short-term borrowings
10,741

 
8,799

 
8,076

Interest on subordinated debentures
6,987

 
3,000

 
2,635

Interest on other long-term debt
300

 
323

 
345

Interest on capital lease obligation
294

 
233

 

Total interest expense
40,035

 
21,770

 
18,579

Net Interest Income
252,222

 
228,780

 
199,035

Provision for credit losses
12,531

 
5,087

 
18,480

Net Interest Income after Provision for Credit Losses
239,691

 
223,693

 
180,555

Noninterest Income
 
 
 
 
 
Net securities gains
8,102

 
5,040

 
617

Trust income
7,901

 
7,098

 
5,366

Service charges on deposit accounts
18,175

 
18,579

 
15,869

Insurance and retail brokerage commissions
7,426

 
8,807

 
7,964

Income from bank owned life insurance
6,686

 
5,699

 
5,381

Gain on sale of mortgage loans
5,436

 
5,366

 
4,086

Gain on sale of other loans and assets
5,273

 
1,753

 
1,411

Card related interchange income
20,187

 
18,780

 
14,955

Derivative mark to market
787

 
(473
)
 
219

Swap fee income
1,874

 
2,005

 
2,359

Other income
6,790

 
7,677

 
6,372

Total noninterest income
88,637

 
80,331

 
64,599

Noninterest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
105,115

 
103,714

 
87,125

Net occupancy
17,219

 
15,648

 
13,150

Furniture and equipment
14,247

 
13,508

 
11,624

Data processing
10,470

 
9,090

 
7,429

Advertising and promotion
3,956

 
3,786

 
2,601

Pennsylvania shares tax
4,875

 
4,209

 
3,825

Intangible amortization
3,217

 
3,081

 
547

Collection and repossession
2,762

 
1,905

 
2,250

Other professional fees and services
4,473

 
4,761

 
3,915

FDIC insurance
2,007

 
3,210

 
3,903

Loss on sale or write-down of assets
1,080

 
1,834

 
1,155

Litigation and operational losses
1,162

 
2,050

 
1,420

Merger and acquisition related
1,637

 
10,213

 
3,173

Other operating expenses
23,336

 
23,289

 
17,808

Total noninterest expense
195,556

 
200,298

 
159,925

Income before income taxes
132,772

 
103,726

 
85,229

Income tax provision
25,274

 
48,561

 
25,639

Net Income
$
107,498

 
$
55,165

 
$
59,590

Average Shares Outstanding
99,036,163

 
95,220,056

 
88,851,573

Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution
99,223,513

 
95,331,037

 
88,851,573

Per Share Data:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
$
1.09

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.67

Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
1.08

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.67

Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share
$
0.35

 
$
0.32

 
$
0.28

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

49

Table of Contents

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net Income
$
107,498

 
$
55,165

 
$
59,590

Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax (benefit) expense:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period
2,783

 
7,023

 
(6,304
)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains on securities included in net income
(8,102
)
 
(5,040
)
 
(617
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on derivatives arising during the period
326

 
(901
)
 
(479
)
Reclassification adjustment for losses on derivatives included in net income
10

 
119

 
(70
)
Unrealized gains for postretirement obligation:
 
 
 
 
 
Net gain
144

 
94

 
331

Total other comprehensive (loss) income, before income tax (benefit) expense
(4,839
)
 
1,295

 
(7,139
)
Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive (loss) income
(1,015
)
 
441

 
(2,498
)
Comprehensive Income
$
103,674

 
$
56,019

 
$
54,949

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


50

Table of Contents

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
net
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balance at December 31, 2017
97,456,478

 
$
113,915

 
$
470,123

 
$
437,416

 
$
(6,173
)
 
$
(127,154
)
 
$
888,127

Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,344

 
(1,344
)
 
 
 

January 1, 2018
97,456,478

 
$
113,915

 
$
470,123

 
$
438,760

 
$
(7,517
)
 
$
(127,154
)
 
$
888,127

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
107,498

 
 
 
 
 
107,498

Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3,824
)
 
 
 
(3,824
)
Cash dividends declared ($0.35 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(34,849
)
 
 
 
 
 
(34,849
)
Treasury stock acquired
(1,920,544
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(26,189
)
 
(26,189
)
Treasury stock reissued
2,908,234

 
 
 
21,579

 

 
 
 
22,447

 
44,026

Restricted stock
74,500

 

 
571

 

 
 
 
29

 
600

Balance at December 31, 2018
98,518,668

 
$
113,915

 
$
492,273

 
$
511,409

 
$
(11,341
)
 
$
(130,867
)
 
$
975,389

 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
net
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balance at December 31, 2016
89,007,077

 
$
105,563

 
$
366,426

 
$
412,764

 
$
(7,027
)
 
$
(127,797
)
 
$
749,929

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
55,165

 
 
 
 
 
55,165

Total other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
854

 
 
 
854

Cash dividends declared ($0.32 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(30,513
)
 
 
 
 
 
(30,513
)
Treasury stock acquired
(104,257
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,458
)
 
(1,458
)
Treasury stock reissued
181,211

 
 
 
1,170

 

 
 
 
1,387

 
2,557

Restricted stock
21,000

 

 
138

 

 
 
 
714

 
852

Common stock issued
8,351,447

 
8,352

 
102,389

 


 
 
 
 
 
110,741

Balance at December 31, 2017
97,456,478

 
$
113,915

 
$
470,123

 
$
437,416

 
$
(6,173
)
 
$
(127,154
)
 
$
888,127

 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in-
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
net
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balance at December 31, 2015
88,961,268

 
$
105,563

 
$
365,981

 
$
378,081

 
$
(2,386
)
 
$
(127,693
)
 
$
719,546

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
59,590

 
 
 
 
 
59,590

Total other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4,641
)
 
 
 
(4,641
)
Cash dividends declared ($0.28 per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(24,907
)
 
 
 
 
 
(24,907
)
Treasury stock acquired
(98,687
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(864
)
 
(864
)
Treasury stock reissued
23,148

 
 
 
39

 

 
 
 
177

 
216

Restricted stock
121,348

 

 
406

 

 
 
 
583

 
989

Balance at December 31, 2016
89,007,077

 
$
105,563

 
$
366,426

 
$
412,764

 
$
(7,027
)
 
$
(127,797
)
 
$
749,929

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

51

Table of Contents

FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
107,498

 
$
55,165

 
$
59,590

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for credit losses
12,531

 
5,087

 
18,480

Deferred tax expense
3,473

 
20,825

 
5,713

Depreciation and amortization
8,046

 
8,997

 
7,116

Net gains on securities and other assets
(21,540
)
 
(9,942
)
 
(5,257
)
Net amortization of premiums and discounts on securities
3,083

 
3,532

 
4,524

Income from increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance
(5,808
)
 
(5,699
)
 
(5,325
)
Mortgage loans originated for sale
(165,898
)
 
(164,212
)
 
(133,278
)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans
177,287

 
163,125

 
136,037

Increase in interest receivable
(2,561
)
 
(1,314
)
 
(577
)
Increase (decrease) in interest payable
383

 
426

 
(272
)
(Increase) decrease in income taxes payable
(1,926
)
 
1,318

 
(589
)
Distribution from unconsolidated subsidiary
9,000

 

 

Other—net
11,695

 
10,997

 
3,111

Net cash provided by operating activities
135,263

 
88,305

 
89,273

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Transactions with securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions
47,614

 
51,239

 
54,057

Purchases
(20,650
)
 
(102,420
)
 
(45,188
)
Transactions with securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales
15,939

 
143,660

 
55,744

Proceeds from maturities and redemptions
140,707

 
148,561

 
168,237

Purchases
(331,969
)
 
(150,892
)
 
(128,916
)
Purchases of FHLB stock
(52,107
)
 
(45,301
)
 
(37,326
)
Proceeds from the redemption of FHLB stock
51,488

 
55,212

 
63,780

Proceeds from bank owned life insurance
2,140

 
898

 
467

Proceeds from the sale of loans
40,783

 
14,807

 
18,612

Proceeds from sales of other assets
4,477

 
5,568

 
7,765

Acquisition, net of cash acquired
705

 
3,188

 
479,469

Net increase in loans
(237,276
)
 
(165,726
)
 
(135,436
)
Purchases of premises and equipment
(9,599
)
 
(11,591
)
 
(7,491
)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
(347,748
)
 
(52,797
)
 
493,774

Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased
11,000

 

 
(4,000
)
Net increase (decrease) in other short-term borrowings
3,357

 
(160,477
)
 
(638,882
)
Net increase in deposits
176,558

 
149,175

 
132,180

Repayments of other long-term debt
(23,598
)
 
(588
)
 
(565
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
98,026

 

 

Repayments of capital lease obligations
(373
)
 
(260
)
 

Dividends paid
(34,849
)
 
(30,513
)
 
(24,907
)
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock
208

 
228

 
216

Purchase of treasury stock
(26,189
)
 
(1,458
)
 
(864
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
204,140

 
(43,893
)
 
(536,822
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(8,345
)
 
(8,385
)
 
46,225

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
107,292

 
115,677

 
69,452

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31
$
98,947

 
$
107,292

 
$
115,677

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

52

Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Statement of Accounting Policies
General
The following summary of accounting and reporting policies is presented to aid the reader in obtaining a better understanding of the consolidated financial statements of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries (“First Commonwealth”) contained in this report.
The financial information is presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and general practice for financial institutions in the United States of America. In preparing financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, these estimates and assumptions affect revenues and expenses in the financial statements and as such, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Through its subsidiaries, which include a commercial bank and an insurance agency, First Commonwealth provides a full range of loan, deposit, trust, insurance and personal financial planning services primarily to individuals and small to middle market businesses in fifteen counties in central and western Pennsylvania as well as in central and northern Ohio. First Commonwealth has determined that it has one business segment.
First Commonwealth is subject to regulations of certain state and federal agencies. These regulatory agencies periodically examine First Commonwealth for adherence to laws and regulations.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of First Commonwealth previously defined above. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Equity investments of less than a majority but at least 20% ownership are accounted for by the equity method and classified as “Other assets.” Earnings on these investments are reflected in “Other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income, as appropriate, in the period earned.
Securities
Debt securities that First Commonwealth has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities held to maturity and are reported at amortized cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount on a level yield basis. Debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are to be classified as trading securities and reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Debt securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities are classified as securities available for sale and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses that are not related to impairment excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive income, which is included in shareholders’ equity, net of deferred taxes.
First Commonwealth has securities classified as held to maturity and available for sale and does not engage in trading activities. First Commonwealth utilizes the specific identification method to determine the net gain or loss on debt securities and the average cost method to determine the net gain or loss on the equity securities.
First Commonwealth conducts a comprehensive review of the investment portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. Issuer-specific securities whose market values have fallen below their book values are initially selected for more in-depth analysis based on the percentage decline in value and duration of the decline. Issuer-specific securities include obligations of U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises, single issue trust preferred securities, corporate debentures and obligations of states and political subdivisions. Further analysis of these securities includes a review of research reports, analysts’ recommendations, credit rating changes, news stories, annual reports, impact of interest rate changes and any other relevant information pertaining to the affected security. Declines in the fair value of individual securities below their cost that are not expected to be recovered will result in write-downs of the individual securities to their fair value. The related write-downs are included in earnings as impairment losses.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale
Certain residential mortgage loans are originated for sale in the secondary mortgage loan market with the majority sold with servicing rights released. These loans are classified as loans held for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or estimated market value on an aggregate basis. Market value is determined on the basis of rates obtained in the respective secondary market for the type of loan held for sale. Loans are generally sold at a premium or discount from the carrying amount of the

53

Table of Contents

loan. Such premium or discount is recognized at the date of sale. Gain or loss on the sale of loans is recorded in non-interest income at the time consideration is received and all other criteria for sales treatment have been met.
Loans
Loans are carried at the principal amount outstanding. Interest is accrued as earned. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value determined on an individual basis.
First Commonwealth considers a loan to be past due and still accruing interest when payment of interest or principal is contractually past due but the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. For installment, mortgage, term and other loans with amortizing payments that are scheduled monthly, 90 days past due is reached when four monthly payments are due and unpaid. For demand, time and other multi-payment obligations with payments scheduled other than monthly, delinquency status is calculated using number of days instead of number of payments. Revolving credit loans, including personal credit lines and home equity lines, are considered to be 90 days past due when the borrower has not made the minimum payment for four monthly cycles.
A loan is placed in nonaccrual status when, based on current information and events, it is probable that First Commonwealth will be unable to fully collect principal or interest due according to the contractual terms of the loan. A loan is also placed in nonaccrual status when, based on regulatory definitions, the loan is maintained on a “cash basis” due to the weakened financial condition of the borrower. When a determination is made to place a loan in nonaccrual status, all accrued and unpaid interest is reversed. Nonaccrual loans are restored to accrual status when, based on a sustained period of repayment by the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan, First Commonwealth expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest or when the loan otherwise becomes well-secured and in the process of collection.
First Commonwealth considers a loan to be a troubled debt restructured loan when the loan terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the financial difficulties experienced by the borrower, who could not obtain comparable terms from alternate financing sources.
A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that First Commonwealth will be unable to collect principal or interest that is due in accordance with contractual terms of the loan. Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans and troubled debt restructured loans. Loan impairment is measured based on the present value of expected 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 if the loan is collateral dependent.
For loans other than those that First Commonwealth expects repayment through liquidation of the collateral, when the remaining recorded investment in the impaired loan is less than or equal to the present value of the expected cash flows, income is applied as a reduction to loan principal rather than interest income.
Loans deemed uncollectible are charged off through the allowance for credit losses. Factors considered in assessing ultimate collectability include past due status, financial condition of the borrower, collateral values and debt covenants including secondary sources of repayment by guarantors. Payments received on previously charged off loans are recorded as recoveries in the allowance for credit losses.
Acquired loans are recorded at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. The fair value of acquired loans is determined by estimating the principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at a market rate of interest. The estimated fair value considers factors such as loan term, internal risk rating, delinquency status, prepayment rates, estimated value of the underlying collateral and the current interest rate environment.
Loan Fees
Loan origination and commitment fees, net of associated direct costs, are deferred and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment to the related loan yield on the interest method, generally over the contractual life of the related loans or commitments.
Other Real Estate Owned
Real estate, other than bank premises, is recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at the time of acquisition.   After that time, other real estate is carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is determined based on an independent appraisal. Expenses related to holding the property and rental income earned on the property are generally reflected in earnings in the current period. Depreciation is not recorded on the other real estate owned properties.

54

Table of Contents

Allowance for Credit Losses
First Commonwealth maintains an allowance for credit losses at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses that are inherent in the loan portfolio. First Commonwealth’s management determines and reviews with the Board of Directors the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis to ensure that the provision for credit losses has been charged against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. First Commonwealth’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses consists of several key elements. These elements include an assessment of individual problem loans, delinquency and loss experience trends and other relevant factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant changes.
The major loan classifications used in the allowance for credit losses calculation include pass, other assets especially mentioned (“OAEM”), substandard and doubtful. Additional information related to these credit quality categories is provided in Note 11, "Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses."
First Commonwealth consistently applies the following comprehensive methodology and procedure for determining the allowance for credit losses.
All impaired credits in excess of $100 thousand are individually reviewed quarterly. A specific reserve is established for impaired loans in an amount equal to the total amount of probable unconfirmed losses for the impaired loans that are reviewed. Based on this reserve as a percentage of reviewed loan balances, a reserve is also established for the impaired loan balances that are not individually reviewed.

The allowance calculation uses net historical charge-off trends to estimate probable unconfirmed losses for each loan category. A multiplier known as the emergence factor is applied to the historical loss rates for non-criticized loans. The emergence factor is calculated by loan category and represents the average time period from when a loss is incurred until the bank experiences a charge-off against the loan. Before applying the adjusted historical loss experience percentages, loan balances are reduced by the portion of the loan balances which are subject to guarantee by a government agency.
An additional component of the allowance is determined by management based on a qualitative analysis of certain factors related to portfolio risks and economic conditions. Factors considered by management include employment trends, macroeconomic trends, commercial real estate trends, lending practices, ability and experience of the credit staff, the overall lending environment and external factors such as the regulatory environment and competition. Portfolio risks include unusual changes or recent trends in specific portfolios such as unexpected changes in the trends or levels of delinquency. No matter how detailed an analysis of potential credit losses is performed, these estimates are inherently imprecise. Management must make estimates using assumptions and information that is often subjective and changes rapidly.

Loans acquired with evidence of credit deterioration were evaluated and not considered to be significant. The premium or discount estimated through the loan fair value calculation is recognized in interest income on a level yield or straight-line basis over the remaining contractual life of the loans. Additional credit deterioration on acquired loans, in excess of the original credit discount embedded in the fair value determination on the date of acquisition, will be recognized in the allowance for credit losses through the provision for loan losses.
Allowance for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures
First Commonwealth maintains an allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposure at a level deemed sufficient to absorb losses that are inherent to off-balance sheet credit risk. Off-balance sheet credit exposure includes commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance on a quarterly basis, charging the provision against earnings in an amount necessary to maintain the allowance at a level that is appropriate based on management’s assessment of probable estimated losses. The Company’s methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance for off-balance sheet credit exposure consists of analysis of historical usage trends as well as loss history and probability of default rates related to the off-balance sheet category. The calculation begins with historical usage trends related to lines of credit as well as letters of credit and then utilizes those figures to determine the probable usage of available lines. These values are then adjusted by a determined probability of default as well as a loss given default. This amount is adjusted quarterly and reported as part of other operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

55

Table of Contents

Bank Owned Life Insurance
First Commonwealth and the banks that First Commonwealth has acquired have purchased insurance on the lives of certain groups of employees. The policies accumulate asset values to meet future liabilities, including the payment of employee benefits such as health care. Increases in the cash surrender value are recorded as non-interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Under some of these policies, the beneficiaries receive a portion of the death benefit. The net present value of the future death benefits scheduled to be paid to the beneficiaries was $3.8 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is reflected in "Other Liabilities" on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation on First Commonwealth’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful life of the asset. A straight-line depreciation method was used for substantially all furniture and equipment. The straight-line depreciation method was used for buildings and improvements. Charges for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Leasehold improvements are expensed over the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.
Software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period not to exceed seven years.
Business Combinations
Business combinations are accounted for by using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date are measured at their fair values as of that date, and are recognized separately from goodwill. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Results of operations of the acquired entities are included in the consolidated statement of income from the date of acquisition. Acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.
Goodwill
Intangible assets resulting from acquisitions under the purchase method of accounting consist of goodwill and other intangible assets (see “Other Intangible Assets” section below). Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to at least annual assessments for impairment by applying a fair value based test. First Commonwealth reviews goodwill annually and again at any quarter-end if a material event occurs during the quarter that may affect goodwill. If goodwill testing is required, an assessment of qualitative factors can be completed before performing the two step goodwill impairment test. If an assessment of qualitative factors determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then the two step goodwill impairment test is not required. Goodwill is evaluated for potential impairment by determining if our fair value has fallen below carrying value.
Other Intangible Assets
Other intangible assets consist of core deposits and customer lists obtained through acquisitions. Core deposit intangibles are amortized over their estimated lives using the present value of the benefit of the core deposits and straight-line methods of amortization. Customer list intangibles are amortized over the expected lives using expected cash flows based on retention of the customer base. These intangibles are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis and when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
First Commonwealth reviews long-lived assets, such as premises and equipment and intangibles, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. These changes in circumstances may include a significant decrease in the market value of an asset or the extent or manner in which an asset is used. If there is an indication that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset are estimated. If the sum of the expected cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Depreciation or amortization is discontinued on long-lived assets classified as held for sale.

56

Table of Contents

Income Taxes
First Commonwealth records taxes in accordance with the asset and liability method of FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases given the provisions of the enacted tax laws. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by the amount of such benefits that are more likely than not expected to be realized based upon available evidence. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, interest or penalties incurred for taxes will be recorded as a component of noninterest expense.
Comprehensive Income Disclosures
“Other Comprehensive Income” (comprehensive income, excluding net income) includes the after-tax effect of changes in unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, changes in the funded status of defined benefit postretirement plans and changes in the fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Comprehensive income is reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, net of tax.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing bank deposits. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
First Commonwealth accounts for derivative instruments and hedging activities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” All derivatives are evaluated at inception as to whether or not they are hedging or non-hedging activities, and appropriate documentation is maintained to support the final determination. First Commonwealth recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and measures those instruments at fair value. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged item related to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness would be recognized in the income statement line item pertaining to the hedged item. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value of the effective portion of the cash flow hedges are reported in OCI. When the cash flows associated with the hedged item are realized, the gain or loss included in OCI is recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
When First Commonwealth purchases a portion of a commercial loan that has an existing interest rate swap, it enters a Risk Participation Agreement with the counterparty and assumes the credit risk of the loan customer related to the swap. Any fee paid to First Commonwealth as a result of the risk participation agreement is offset by credit risk of the counterparties and is recognized in the income statement. Credit risk on the risk participation agreements is determined after considering the risk rating, probability of default and loss given default of the counterparties.
Management periodically reviews contracts from various functional areas of First Commonwealth to identify potential derivatives embedded within selected contracts. As of December 31, 2018, First Commonwealth has interest rate derivative positions that are designated as hedging instruments and others that are not designated as hedging instruments. See Note 8, “Derivatives,” for a description of these instruments.
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. For all periods presented, the dilutive effect on average shares outstanding is the result of unvested restricted stock grants.
Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” First Commonwealth groups financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value into three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
Level 1—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

57

Table of Contents

Level 2—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained for identical or comparable assets or liabilities from alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Level 2 securities include U.S. Government securities issued by Agencies and Sponsored Enterprises, Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions, certain corporate securities, FHLB stock, loans held for sale, interest rate derivatives that include interest rate swaps, risk participation agreements and foreign currency contracts, certain other real estate owned and certain impaired loans.
Level 3—Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer or broker traded transactions. If the inputs used to provide the evaluation are unobservable and/or there is very little, if any, market activity for the security or similar securities, the securities would be considered Level 3 securities. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities. The assets included in Level 3 are pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations, nonmarketable equity investments, certain other real estate owned and certain impaired loans.
In general, fair values of financial instruments are based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon pricing models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and our creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. See Note 19 “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities” for additional information.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
First Commonwealth records revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”). Under Topic 606, the Company must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
A significant component of the Company's revenue, net interest earned on financial assets and liabilities, is excluded from the scope of Topic 606. First Commonwealth generally fully satisfies its performance obligations on its contracts with customers as services are rendered and the transaction prices are typically fixed; charged either on a periodic basis or based on activity. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, the Company has made no significant judgments in applying the revenue guidance prescribed in ASC 606 that affect the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.

Note 2—New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Additionally, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-01, "Leases (Topic 842)" in January 2018, ASU No. 2018-11, "Leases - Targeted Improvements" in July 2018 and ASU 2018-20, "Leases - Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors" in December 2018. These ASU's provide certain improvements and optional practical expedients to Topic 842. Under this new guidance, all entities will classify leases to determine how to recognize lease-related revenue and expense. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures will be required by lessees and lessors to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The intention is to require enough information to supplement the amounts recorded in the financial statements so that users can understand more about the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. First Commonwealth has elected the transition option provided in ASU No. 2018-11, which provides for the modified retrospective approach to be applied on January 1, 2019. Upon adoption of this standard on January 1, 2019, we expect to recognize right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities totaling $38.8 million and $42.1 million, respectively. Additionally, during the first quarter of 2019, we expect to recognize an additional right-of-use asset and related lease liability totaling approximately $10.0 million in connection with the relocation of leased space that includes a corporate loan production office and some administrative offices. We have elected to apply certain practical expedients provided under the standard including (i) to not apply the requirements in the new standard to short-term leases (ii) to not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing lease (iii) to account for lease and non-lease components separately (iv) to not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. On the date of adoption, this ASU will result in an 8 basis point decrease in the Company's tier 1 capital to risk weighted asset ratio. The initial impact of this standard primarily relates to operating leases of certain real estate properties. First Commonwealth has no material leasing arrangements for which it is the lessor of property or equipment.

58

Table of Contents

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which amends the guidance for recognizing credit losses from an “incurred loss” methodology that delays recognition of credit losses until it is probable a loss has been incurred to an expected credit loss methodology. The Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") methodology requires the use of the modified retrospective transition method by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is adopted. The standard is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020. We have established a CECL implementation team, which includes members from the finance and credit areas, with oversight by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Credit Officer. During the third quarter of 2018, Management completed the implementation of a third party software to assist with this ASU. During the fourth quarter of 2018, Management engaged a third party to assist with evaluation of data and methodologies related to this standard. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the amended guidance on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. Impairment should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill should be taken into consideration of the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring for goodwill impairment, if applicable. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for the reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. This standard is effective for interim and annual periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" with the objective of improving the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of risk management activities in its financial statements. The main provisions of this ASU update the hedge accounting model to expand the ability to hedge risk, reduce complexity, and ease certain documentation and assessment requirements. It also eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness, and generally requires the change in fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on First Commonwealth’s financial condition or results of operations.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 22)" allowing a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This amendment also requires certain disclosures about the stranded tax effects, including disclosure of the policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income and the impact if the entity elected to reclassify the income tax effects or, if the entity did not elect to reclassify, a statement that the entity did not elect to reclassify. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this ASU as of January 1, 2018, electing to reclass the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cut and Jobs Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on First Commonwealth's financial condition or results of operations.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement." This ASU updates disclosure requirements for fair value measurements, including elimination of the disclosure related to the amount and reason for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. ASU No. 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on First Commonwealth's financial condition or results of operations, as it relates only to disclosure requirements.

Note 3—Acquisition

Garfield Acquisition Corporation
On May 1, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Garfield Acquisition Corporation ("Garfield") and its banking subsidiary, Foundation Bank, for consideration of $17.4 million in cash and 2.7 million shares of the Company's common stock. Through the acquisition, the Company obtained five full-service banking offices which are operating under the First Commonwealth name. This acquisition expands the Company's presence into the Cincinnati, Ohio market and added $184.5 million in loans and $141.3 million in deposits to the Company's balance sheet.

59

Table of Contents

The table below summarizes the net assets acquired (at fair value) and consideration transferred in connection with the Garfield acquisition (dollars in thousands):
Consideration Paid
 
 
 
   Cash paid to shareholders
$
17,400

 
 
   Shares issued to shareholders (2,745,098 shares)
41,561

 
 
Total consideration paid
 
 
$
58,961

 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets Acquired
 
 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents
18,105

 
 
   FHLB Stock
3,261

 
 
   Loans
184,506

 
 
   Premises and other equipment
409

 
 
   Core deposit intangible
1,248

 
 
   Other assets
1,747

 
 
     Total assets acquired
209,276

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Liabilities Assumed
 
 
 
   Deposits
141,281

 
 
   Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings
22,988

 
 
   Other liabilities
5,068

 
 
      Total liabilities assumed
169,337

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Fair Value of Identifiable Net Assets
 
 
39,939

 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
$
19,022

The goodwill of $19.0 million arising from the acquisition represents the value of synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Company with Garfield Acquisition Corporation.
The Company determined that this acquisition constitutes a business combination as defined in FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” Accordingly, as of the date of the acquisition, the Company recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The Company determined fair values in accordance with the guidance provided in FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Acquired loans were recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. Fair value is established by discounting the expected future cash flows with a market discount rate for like maturities and risk instruments. At the date of acquisition, none of the loans were accounted for under the guidance of ASC Topic 310-30, “Receivables-Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.” The $184.5 million fair value of acquired loans is the result of $183.7 million in net loans acquired from Garfield, the recognition of a net combined yield and credit mark adjustment of $4.3 million and the $5.1 million reversal of Garfield's allowance as well as prior fair value marks recorded by Garfield.
The fair value of the 2,745,098 common shares issued was determined based on the market price of the Company's common shares on the acquisition date.
Costs related to the acquisition totaled $1.6 million. These amounts were expensed as incurred and are recorded as a merger and acquisition related expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
As a result of the full integration of the operations of Garfield, it is not practicable to determine revenue or net income included in the Company's operating results relating to Garfield since the date of acquisition as Garfield’s results cannot be separately identified.
DCB Financial Corporation
On April 3, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of DCB Financial Corporation ("DCB") and its banking subsidiary, The Delaware County Bank and Trust Company, for consideration of $21.2 million in cash and 8.4 million shares of the Company's common stock. Through the acquisition, the Company obtained nine full-service banking offices and four limited

60

Table of Contents

service locations which are operating under the First Commonwealth name. This acquisition expands the Company's presence in the central Ohio market and added $383.1 million in loans and $484.4 million in deposits to the Company's balance sheet.
The table below summarizes the net assets acquired (at fair value) and consideration transferred in connection with the DCB Financial acquisition (dollars in thousands):

Consideration Received
 
 
 
   Cash paid to shareholders
$
21,232

 
 
   Shares issued to shareholders (8,356,882 shares)
110,812

 
 
Total consideration paid
 
 
$
132,044

 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Assets Acquired
 
 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents
24,420

 
 
   Investment Securities
88,986

 
 
   FHLB Stock
3,250

 
 
   Loans
383,083

 
 
   Premises and other equipment
12,113

 
 
   Core deposit intangible
5,998

 
 
   Other real estate
68

 
 
   Bank owned life insurance
20,522

 
 
   Other assets
16,450

 
 
     Total assets acquired
554,890

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Liabilities Assumed
 
 
 
   Deposits
484,366

 
 
   Capital lease obligation
7,851

 
 
   Other liabilities
1,182

 
 
      Total liabilities assumed
493,399

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Fair Value of Identifiable Net Assets
 
 
61,491

 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
 
$
70,553

The goodwill of $70.6 million arising from the acquisition represents the value of synergies and economies of scale expected from combining the operations of the Company with DCB Financial Corporation.
The Company determined that this acquisition constitutes a business combination as defined in FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.” Accordingly, as of the date of the acquisition, the Company recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The Company determined fair values in accordance with the guidance provided in FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Acquired loans were recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. Fair value is established by discounting the expected future cash flows with a market discount rate for like maturities and risk instruments. At the date of acquisition, none of the loans were accounted for under the guidance of ASC Topic 310-30, “Receivables-Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.” We acquired $390.8 million in total loans and recognized a net combined yield and credit market adjustment of $7.7 million.
The fair value of the 8,356,882 common shares issued was determined based on the market price of the Company's common shares on the acquisition date.
Costs related to the acquisition totaled $10.2 million. These amounts were expensed as incurred and are recorded as a merger and acquisition related expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
As a result of the full integration of the operations of DCB, it is not practicable to determine revenue or net income included in the Company's operating results relating to DCB since the date of acquisition as DCB’s results cannot be separately identified.


61

Table of Contents

Note 4—Supplemental Comprehensive Income Disclosures
The following table identifies the related tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as of December 31. Reclassification adjustments related to securities available for sale are included in the Net securities gains line in the Consolidated Statements of Income and reclassification adjustments related to losses on derivatives are included in the "Other operating expenses" line in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Pretax Amount
 
Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
Net of Tax Amount
 
Pretax Amount
 
Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
Net of Tax Amount
 
Pretax Amount
 
Tax (Expense) Benefit
 
Net of Tax Amount
 
(dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period
$
2,783

 
$
(585
)
 
$
2,198

 
$
7,023

 
$
(2,458
)
 
$
4,565

 
$
(6,304
)
 
$
2,206

 
$
(4,098
)
Reclassification adjustment for gains on securities included in net income
(8,102
)
 
1,701

 
(6,401
)
 
(5,040
)
 
1,764

 
(3,276
)
 
(617
)
 
216

 
(401
)
Total unrealized (losses) gains on securities
(5,319
)
 
1,116

 
(4,203
)
 
1,983

 
(694
)
 
1,289

 
(6,921
)
 
2,422

 
(4,499
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on derivatives arising during the period
326

 
(68
)
 
258

 
(901
)
 
315

 
(586
)
 
(479
)
 
168

 
(311
)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) on derivatives included in net income
10

 
(3
)
 
7

 
119

 
(42
)
 
77

 
(70
)
 
24

 
(46
)
Total unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
336

 
(71
)
 
265

 
(782
)
 
273

 
(509
)
 
(549
)
 
192

 
(357
)
Unrealized gains for postretirement obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gain
144

 
(30
)
 
114

 
94

 
(20
)
 
74

 
331

 
(116
)
 
215

Total unrealized gains for postretirement obligations
144

 
(30
)
 
114

 
94

 
(20
)
 
74

 
331

 
(116
)
 
215

Total other comprehensive (loss) income
$
(4,839
)
 
$
1,015

 
$
(3,824
)
 
$
1,295

 
$
(441
)
 
$
854

 
$
(7,139
)
 
$
2,498

 
$
(4,641
)


62

Table of Contents

The following table details the change in components of OCI for the year-ended December 31:

 
2018
 
Securities Available for Sale
 
Derivatives
 
Post-Retirement Obligation
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31
$
(6,166
)
 
$
(306
)
 
$
299

 
$
(6,173
)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASU 2018-02
(1,328
)
 
(64
)
 
48

 
(1,344
)
Balance at January 1
(7,494
)
 
(370
)
 
347

 
(7,517
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustment
2,198

 
258

 
 
 
2,456

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(6,401
)
 
7

 
 
 
(6,394
)
Net gain
 
 
 
 
114

 
114

Net other comprehensive loss during the period
(4,203
)
 
265

 
114

 
(3,824
)
Balance at December 31
$
(11,697
)
 
$
(105
)
 
$
461

 
$
(11,341
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
Securities Available for Sale
 
Derivatives
 
Post-Retirement Obligation
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1
$
(7,455
)
 
$
203

 
$
225

 
$
(7,027
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustment
4,565

 
(586
)
 
 
 
3,979

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(3,276
)
 
77

 
 
 
(3,199
)
Net gain
 
 
 
 
74

 
74

Net other comprehensive income during the period
1,289

 
(509
)
 
74

 
854

Balance at December 31
$
(6,166
)
 
$
(306
)
 
$
299

 
$
(6,173
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
Securities Available for Sale
 
Derivatives
 
Post-Retirement Obligation
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1
$
(2,956
)
 
$
560

 
$
10

 
$
(2,386
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification adjustment
(4,098
)
 
(311
)
 
 
 
(4,409
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(401
)
 
(46
)
 
 
 
(447
)
Net gain
 
 
 
 
215

 
215

Net other comprehensive income during the period
(4,499
)
 
(357
)
 
215

 
(4,641
)
Balance at December 31
$
(7,455
)
 
$
203

 
$
225

 
$
(7,027
)


63

Table of Contents

Note 5—Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
The following table presents information related to cash paid during the year for interest and income taxes as well as detail on non-cash investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest
$
40,071

 
$
21,552

 
$
19,208

Income taxes
23,826

 
27,902

 
19,950

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Loans transferred to other real estate owned and repossessed assets
4,334

 
3,067

 
4,824

Other real estate sales transferred to loans

 
1,891

 

Fair value of loans transferred from held to maturity to available for sale
37,367

 
15,102

 
18,758

Gross (decrease) increase in market value adjustment to securities available for sale
(5,319
)
 
1,983

 
(6,919
)
Gross increase (decrease) in market value adjustment to derivatives
336

 
(783
)
 
(549
)
Investments redeemed, not settled

 

 
3,769

Net assets (liabilities) acquired through acquisition
21,834

 
37,070

 
(501,516
)
Proceeds from death benefit on bank-owned life insurance not received

 
245

 
437

Treasury shares issued
2,257

 
2,258

 


Note 6—Earnings per Share
The following table summarizes the composition of the weighted-average common shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the years ending December 31:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted average common shares issued
113,914,902

 
111,809,880

 
105,563,455

Average treasury shares
(14,747,687
)
 
(16,463,079
)
 
(16,605,461
)
Average deferred compensation shares
(37,411
)
 
(37,411
)
 

Average unearned nonvested shares
(93,641
)
 
(89,334
)
 
(106,421
)
Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate basic earnings per share
99,036,163

 
95,220,056

 
88,851,573

Additional common stock equivalents (nonvested stock) used to calculate diluted earnings per share
149,939

 
73,570

 

Additional common stock equivalents (deferred compensation) used to calculated diluted earnings per share
37,411

 
37,411

 

Weighted average common shares and common stock equivalents used to calculate diluted earnings per share
99,223,513

 
95,331,037

 
88,851,573

The following table shows the number of shares and the price per share related to common stock equivalents that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, because to do so would have been anti-dilutive.
 
12/31/2018
 
12/31/2017
 
12/31/2016
 
 
 
Price Range
 
 
 
Price Range
 
 
 
Price Range
 
Shares
 
From
 
To
 
Shares
 
From
 
To
 
Shares
 
From
 
To
Restricted Stock
71,560

 
$
8.84

 
$
14.49

 
18,173

 
$
8.55

 
$
13.96

 
67,920

 
$
8.38

 
$
13.96



64

Table of Contents

Note 7—Cash and Due from Banks
Regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System impose uniform reserve requirements on all depository institutions with transaction accounts, such as checking accounts and NOW accounts. Reserves are maintained in the form of vault cash or balances held with the local Federal Reserve Bank. First Commonwealth Bank maintained average balances of $4.9 million during 2018 and $10.3 million during 2017 with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

Note 8—Derivatives
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
First Commonwealth is a party to interest rate derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments. These derivatives relate to interest rate swaps that First Commonwealth enters into with customers to allow customers to convert variable rate loans to a fixed rate. First Commonwealth pays interest to the customer at a floating rate on the notional amount and receives interest from the customer at a fixed rate for the same notional amount. At the same time the interest rate swap is entered into with the customer, an offsetting interest rate swap is entered into with another financial institution. First Commonwealth pays the other financial institution interest at the same fixed rate on the same notional amount as the swap entered into with the customer, and receives interest from the financial institution for the same floating rate on the same notional amount.
The changes in the fair value of the swaps offset each other, except for the credit risk of the counterparties, which is determined by taking into consideration the risk rating, probability of default and loss given default for all counterparties.
We have 31 risk participation agreements with financial institution counterparties for interest rate swaps related to loans in which we are a participant. The risk participation agreements provide credit protection to the financial institution should the borrower fail to perform on its interest rate derivative contract with the financial institution. We have ten risk participation agreements with financial institution counterparties for interest rate swaps related to loans in which we are the lead bank. The risk participation agreement provides credit protection to us should the borrower fail to perform on its interest rate derivative contract with us.
First Commonwealth is also party to interest rate caps that are not designated as hedging instruments. These derivatives relate to contracts that First Commonwealth enters into with loan customers providing a maximum interest rate on their variable rate loan. At the same time the interest rate cap is entered into with the customer, First Commonwealth enters into an offsetting interest rate cap with another financial institution. The notional amount and maximum interest rate on both interest cap contracts are identical.
The fee received, less the estimate of the loss for the credit exposure, was recognized in earnings at the time of the transaction.
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
The Company has entered into an interest rate swap contract, which was designated as a cash flow hedge. The interest rate swap has a total notional amount of $65.0 million with an original maturity of four years. The maturity date for this contract is March 4, 2019. The Company's risk management objective for this hedge is to reduce its exposure to variability in expected future cash flows related to interest payments on commercial loans benchmarked to the 1-month LIBOR rate. Therefore, the interest rate swap convert the interest payments on the first $65.0 million of 1-month LIBOR-based commercial loans into fixed rate payments.
The periodic net settlement of interest rate swaps is recorded as an adjustment to "Interest and fees on loans" in the Consolidated Statement of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2018, interest income was decreased by $0.6 million and, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, interest income was increased by $0.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, as a result of this and other interest rate swaps entered into during the period. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of cash flow hedges are reported in OCI. When the cash flows associated with the hedged item are realized, the gain or loss included in OCI is recognized in "Interest and fees on loans," the same line item in the Consolidated Statement of Income as the income on the hedged items. The cash flow hedges were highly effective at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and changes in the fair value attributed to hedge ineffectiveness were not material.
The Company also enters into interest rate lock commitments in conjunction with its mortgage origination business. These are commitments to originate loans whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding and the customers have locked into that interest rate. The Company locks in the rate with an investor and commits to deliver the loan if settlement occurs (“best efforts”) or commits to deliver the locked loan in a binding (“mandatory”) delivery program with an investor. Loans under mandatory rate lock commitments are covered under forward sales contracts of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”). Forward sales contracts of MBS are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in "Other operating expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The impact to noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018

65

Table of Contents

and 2017 was a decrease of $189 thousand and $19 thousand, respectively. There were no interest rate lock commitments in 2016.
Interest rate lock commitments and commitments to deliver loans to investors are considered derivatives. The market value of interest rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts are not readily ascertainable with precision because they are not actively traded in stand-alone markets. We determine the fair value of rate lock commitments and delivery contracts by measuring the fair value of the underlying asset, which is impacted by current interest rates and taking into consideration the probability that the rate lock commitments will close or will be funded. At December 31, 2018, the underlying funded mortgage loan commitments had a carrying value of $6.9 million and a fair value of $7.6 million, while the underlying unfunded mortgage loan commitments had a notional amount of $9.9 million. At December 31, 2017, the underlying funded mortgage loan commitments had a carrying value of $14.3 million and a fair value of $14.7 million, while the underlying unfunded mortgage loan commitments had a notional amount of $13.8 million.
In addition, a small amount of interest income on loans is exposed to changes in foreign exchange rates. Several commercial borrowers have a portion of their operations outside of the United States and borrow funds on a short-term basis to fund those operations. In order to reduce the risk related to the translation of foreign denominated transactions into U.S. dollars, the Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts. These contracts relate principally to the Euro and the Canadian dollar. The contracts are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in "Other operating expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The impact on other noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 totaled $15 thousand. At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the underlying loans had a carrying value of $1.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively, and a fair value of $1.9 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
The following table depicts the credit value adjustment recorded related to the notional amount of derivatives outstanding as well as the notional amount of risk participation agreements participated to other banks at December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands)
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
Credit value adjustment
$
(3
)
 
$
(791
)
Notional Amount:
 
 
 
Interest rate derivatives
411,645

 
401,304

Interest rate caps
36,111

 
46,444

Risk participation agreements
162,139

 
197,660

Sold credit protection on risk participation agreements
(59,315
)
 
(46,170
)
Interest rate options
9,900

 

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
Fair value adjustment
(133
)
 
459

Notional Amount
65,000

 
150,000

Interest rate forwards:
 
 
 
Fair value adjustment
(170
)
 
19

Notional Amount
15,000

 
17,000

Foreign exchange forwards:
 
 
 
Fair value adjustment
(6
)
 
(70
)
Notional Amount
1,927

 
10,077


66

Table of Contents

The table below presents the amount representing the change in the fair value of derivative assets and derivative liabilities attributable to credit risk included in “Other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Non-hedging interest rate derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in other income
$
787

 
$
(473
)
 
$
219

Decrease in other expense
(332
)
 

 

Hedging interest rate derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) increase in interest income
(590
)
 
452

 
1,627

Increase in other income
10

 
119

 
70

Hedging interest rate forwards:
 
 
 
 
 
Decrease in other expense
(189
)
 
(19
)
 

Hedging interest rate derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in other expense
15

 
4

 
(5
)
The fair value of our derivatives is included in a table in Note 19, “Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities,” in the line items “Other assets” and “Other liabilities.”


67

Table of Contents

Note 9—Investment Securities

Securities Available for Sale
Below is an analysis of the amortized cost and fair values of securities available for sale at December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
$
9,011

 
$
479

 
$
(84
)
 
$
9,406

 
$
10,556

 
$
789

 
$
(7
)
 
$
11,338

Mortgage-Backed Securities – Commercial
169,633

 
214

 
(2,103
)
 
167,744

 
24,611

 

 
(462
)
 
24,149

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
686,906

 
1,846

 
(15,391
)
 
673,361

 
632,422

 
2,622

 
(9,489
)
 
625,555

Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises
10,000

 
12

 

 
10,012

 
1,098

 

 
(1
)
 
1,097

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
27,592

 
126

 
(6
)
 
27,712

 
27,083

 
327

 

 
27,410

Corporate Securities
20,912

 
321

 
(221
)
 
21,012

 
15,907

 
590

 
(4
)
 
16,493

Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations

 

 

 

 
27,499

 
526

 
(4,379
)
 
23,646

Total Debt Securities
924,054

 
2,998

 
(17,805
)
 
909,247

 
739,176

 
4,854

 
(14,342
)
 
729,688

Equities

 

 

 

 
1,670

 

 

 
1,670

Total Securities Available for Sale
$
924,054

 
$
2,998

 
$
(17,805
)
 
$
909,247

 
$
740,846

 
$
4,854

 
$
(14,342
)
 
$
731,358


Mortgage backed securities include mortgage backed obligations of U.S. Government agencies and obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises. These obligations have contractual maturities ranging from less than one year to approximately 30 years with lower anticipated lives to maturity due to prepayments. All mortgage backed securities contain a certain amount of risk related to the uncertainty of prepayments of the underlying mortgages. Interest rate changes have a direct impact upon prepayment speeds; therefore, First Commonwealth uses computer simulation models to test the average life and yield volatility of all mortgage backed securities under various interest rate scenarios to monitor the potential impact on earnings and interest rate risk positions.
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Other fixed income securities within the portfolio also contain prepayment risk.


68

Table of Contents

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities available for sale at December 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below:
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(dollars in thousands)
Due within 1 year
$
4,000

 
$
3,993

Due after 1 but within 5 years
17,256

 
17,045

Due after 5 but within 10 years
35,319

 
35,448

Due after 10 years
1,929

 
2,250

 
58,504

 
58,736

Mortgage-Backed Securities (a)
865,550

 
850,511

Total Debt Securities
$
924,054

 
$
909,247

 
(a)
Mortgage Backed Securities include an amortized cost of $178.6 million and a fair value of $177.2 million for Obligations of U.S. Government agencies issued by Ginnie Mae and an amortized cost of $686.9 million and a fair value of $673.4 million for Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Proceeds from sales, gross gains (losses) realized on sales, maturities and other-than-temporary impairment charges related to securities available for sale were as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Proceeds from sales
$
15,939

 
$
143,660

 
$
55,744

Gross (losses) gains realized:
 
 
 
 
 
Sales Transactions:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
$
4,719

 
$
359

 
$
305

Gross losses

 
(316
)
 
(277
)
 
4,719

 
43

 
28

Maturities and impairment
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gains
3,383

 
5,057

 
589

Gross losses

 
(60
)
 

Other-than-temporary impairment

 

 

 
3,383

 
4,997

 
589

Net gains and impairment
$
8,102

 
$
5,040

 
$
617

Gross gains from sales transactions of $4.7 million were recognized in 2018 as a result of the sale of the remaining pooled trust preferred security portfolio. Gross gains from maturities and impairment of $3.4 million were recognized in 2018 as a result of successful auction calls on PreSTL XIV and PreSTL IX, two of our pooled trust preferred securities.
During 2017, proceeds from sales of investments include the liquidation of the DCB investment portfolio as well as the sale of small positions in CMO and MBS investments. Gross gains from maturities and impairments resulted from the early redemption of two pooled trust preferred securities. The successful auction call of PreSTL XIII provided a gain of $4.3 million and the liquidation of PreSTL VII by senior note holders resulted in a gain of $0.7 million.
Proceeds from the sales of investments in 2016 were related to sales of small positions in CMO's and MBS's. During 2016, a gain of $0.6 million was recognized as a result of the early redemption of a pooled trust preferred security. This security was redeemed due to an election by the senior note holders to liquidate the trust.
Securities available for sale with an approximate fair value of $636.3 million and $569.0 million were pledged as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, to secure public deposits and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

69

Table of Contents

Securities Held to Maturity
Below is an analysis of the amortized cost and fair values of debt securities held to maturity at December 31:.
 
2018
 
2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
$
3,635

 
$

 
$
(97
)
 
$
3,538

 
$
3,925

 
$

 
$
(14
)
 
$
3,911

Mortgage-Backed Securities – Commercial
55,221

 

 
(2,327
)
 
52,894

 
58,249

 

 
(1,394
)
 
56,855

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
279,109

 
212

 
(7,254
)
 
272,067

 
305,126

 
10

 
(2,552
)
 
302,584

Mortgage-Backed Securities – Commercial
13,159

 

 
(258
)
 
12,901

 
14,056

 

 
(71
)
 
13,985

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
42,331

 
175

 
(313
)
 
42,193

 
40,540

 
335

 
(161
)
 
40,714

Debt Securities Issued by Foreign Governments
400

 

 

 
400

 
200

 

 

 
200

Total Securities Held to Maturity
$
393,855

 
$
387

 
$
(10,249
)
 
$
383,993

 
$
422,096

 
$
345

 
$
(4,192
)
 
$
418,249

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities held to maturity at December 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
(dollars in thousands)
Due within 1 year
$
520

 
$
519

Due after 1 but within 5 years
7,218

 
7,210

Due after 5 but within 10 years
34,993

 
34,864

Due after 10 years

 

 
42,731

 
42,593

Mortgage-Backed Securities (a)
351,124

 
341,400

Total Debt Securities
$
393,855

 
$
383,993

(a)
Mortgage Backed Securities include an amortized cost of $58.9 million and a fair value of $56.4 million for Obligations of U.S. Government agencies issued by Ginnie Mae and an amortized cost of $292.3 million and a fair value of $285.0 million for Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Securities held to maturity with an amortized cost of $250.3 million and $338.3 million were pledged as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, to secure public deposits for other purposes required or permitted by law.


70

Table of Contents

Note 10—Impairment of Investment Securities
Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity
As required by FASB ASC Topic 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities,” credit related other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities is recognized in earnings while non-credit related other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities not expected to be sold is recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, no other-than-temporary impairment charges were recognized.
First Commonwealth utilizes the specific identification method to determine the net gain or loss on debt securities and the average cost method to determine the net gain or loss on equity securities.
We review our investment portfolio on a quarterly basis for indications of impairment. This review includes analyzing the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been lower than the cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer and whether we are more likely than not to sell the security. We evaluate whether we are more likely than not to sell debt securities based upon our investment strategy for the particular type of security and our cash flow needs, liquidity position, capital adequacy, tax position and interest rate risk position. In addition, the risk of future other-than-temporary impairment may be influenced by weakness in the U.S. economy or changes in real estate values.
The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values at December 31, 2018 for both available for sale and held to maturity securities by investment category and time frame for which the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
$
2,289

 
$
(41
)
 
$
5,028

 
$
(140
)
 
$
7,317

 
$
(181
)
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Commercial
95,826

 
(925
)
 
75,959

 
(3,505
)
 
171,785

 
(4,430
)
Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
156,732

 
(1,856
)
 
626,003

 
(20,789
)
 
782,735

 
(22,645
)
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Commercial

 

 
12,901

 
(258
)
 
12,901

 
(258
)
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
8,591

 
(85
)
 
9,338

 
(234
)
 
17,929

 
(319
)
Corporate Securities
14,769

 
(214
)
 
3,993

 
(7
)
 
18,762

 
(221
)
Total Securities
$
278,207

 
$
(3,121
)
 
$
733,222

 
$
(24,933
)
 
$
1,011,429

 
$
(28,054
)
 
At December 31, 2018, fixed income securities issued by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises comprised 82% of total unrealized losses due to changes in market interest rates. Government agencies account for 16% of total unrealized losses as a result of changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2018, there were 132 debt securities in an unrealized loss position, 59 of which related to residential mortgage-backed securities with an unrealized loss of 12 months or more. There were no equity securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2018.


71

Table of Contents

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value at December 31, 2017 for both available for sale and held to maturity securities by investment category and time frame for which the securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position: 
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
$
5,584

 
$
(21
)
 
$

 
$


$
5,584

 
$
(21
)
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Commercial
48,322

 
(962
)
 
32,683

 
(894
)
 
81,005

 
(1,856
)
Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Residential
351,222

 
(2,295
)
 
400,984

 
(9,746
)

752,206

 
(12,041
)
Mortgage-Backed Securities – Commercial
13,985

 
(71
)
 

 

  
13,985

 
(71
)
Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises
997

 
(1
)
 
99

 

  
1,096

 
(1
)
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions
7,144

 
(32
)
 
3,653

 
(129
)
 
10,797

 
(161
)
Corporate Securities
3,993

 
(4
)
 

 

  
3,993

 
(4
)
Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations

 

 
19,120

 
(4,379
)
 
19,120

 
(4,379
)
Total Securities
$
431,247

 
$
(3,386
)
 
$
456,539

 
$
(15,148
)
 
$
887,786

 
$
(18,534
)
As of December 31, 2018, our corporate securities had an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $20.9 million and $21.0 million, respectively, and were comprised of debt for large regional banks. At December 31, 2017, these securities had an amortized cost of $15.9 million and estimated fair value of $16.5 million. There were four corporate securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018 and one corporate securities in a loss position as of December 31, 2017. When unrealized losses exist, management reviews each of the issuer’s asset quality, earnings trend and capital position, to determine whether issues in an unrealized loss position were other-than-temporarily impaired. All interest payments on the corporate securities are being made as contractually required.

During 2018, all of our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations were liquidated either through a successful auction call or sale. At December 31, 2017, the pooled trust preferred securities had an amortized cost and estimated fair value of $27.5 million and $23.6 million, respectively. Other-than-temporary impairment charges were recognized on the pooled trust preferred securities in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The following table provides a cumulative roll forward of credit losses recognized in earnings for the trust preferred securities for the years ended December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning (a)
$
12,208

 
$
17,056

 
$
24,851

Credit losses on debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized

 

 

Additional credit losses on debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized

 

 

Increases in cash flows expected to be collected, recognized over the remaining life of the securities (b)
(223
)
 
(890
)
 
(1,124
)
Reduction for debt securities sold during the period
(9,164
)
 

 

Reduction for debt securities called during the period
(2,821
)
 
(3,958
)
 
(6,671
)
Balance, ending
$

 
$
12,208

 
$
17,056

(a)
The beginning balance represents credit related losses included in other-than-temporary impairment charges recognized on debt securities in prior periods.
(b)
Represents the increase in cash flows recognized either as principal payments or interest income during the period.
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, no other-than-temporary impairment charges were recorded on equity securities. There were no equity securities in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2017.

72

Table of Contents

 
Other Investments
As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB"), First Commonwealth is required to purchase and hold stock in the FHLB to satisfy membership and borrowing requirements. The level of stock required to be held is dependent on the amount of First Commonwealth's mortgage related assets and outstanding borrowings with the FHLB. This stock is restricted in that it can only be sold to the FHLB or to another member institution, and all sales of FHLB stock must be at par. As a result of these restrictions, FHLB stock is unlike other investment securities insofar as there is no trading market for FHLB stock and the transfer price is determined by FHLB membership rules and not by market participants. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, our FHLB stock totaled $30.5 million and $29.8 million, respectively and is included in “Other investments” on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
FHLB stock is held as a long-term investment and its value is determined based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. First Commonwealth evaluates impairment quarterly and has concluded that the par value of its investment in FHLB stock will be recovered. Accordingly, no impairment charge was recorded on these securities for the year ended December 31, 2018.
At December 31, 2018, Other Investments also includes $1.7 million in equity securities. These securities do not have a readily determinable fair value and are carried at cost. For the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no gains or losses recognized through earnings on equity securities. On a quarterly basis, management evaluates equity securities by reviewing the severity and duration of decline in estimated fair value, research reports, analysts’ recommendations, credit rating changes, news stories, annual reports, regulatory filings, impact of interest rate changes and other relevant information.

Note 11—Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses
The following table provides outstanding balances related to each of our loan types as of December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
Originated Loans
 
Acquired Loans
 
Total Loans
 
Originated Loans
 
Acquired Loans
 
Total Loans
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
1,100,947

 
$
37,526

 
$
1,138,473

 
$
1,122,741

 
$
40,642

 
$
1,163,383

Real estate construction
353,008

 
5,970

 
358,978

 
242,905

 
5,963

 
248,868

Residential real estate
1,313,645

 
248,760

 
1,562,405

 
1,206,119

 
220,251

 
1,426,370

Commercial real estate
1,922,349

 
201,195

 
2,123,544

 
1,892,185

 
126,911

 
2,019,096

Loans to individuals
585,347

 
5,392

 
590,739

 
543,411

 
6,248

 
549,659

Total loans
$
5,275,296

 
$
498,843

 
$
5,774,139

 
$
5,007,361

 
$
400,015

 
$
5,407,376


73

Table of Contents

Credit Quality Information
As part of the on-going monitoring of credit quality within the loan portfolio, the following credit worthiness categories are used in grading our loans:
Pass
 
Acceptable levels of risk exist in the relationship. Includes all loans not classified as OAEM, substandard or doubtful.
 
 
 
Other Assets Especially Mentioned (OAEM)

 
Potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. The potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects or weaken the Bank’s credit position at some future date. The credit risk may be relatively minor, yet constitute an undesirable risk in light of the circumstances surrounding the specific credit. No loss of principal or interest is expected.
 
 
 
Substandard
 
Well-defined weakness or a weakness that jeopardizes the repayment of the debt. A loan may be classified as substandard as a result of deterioration of the borrower’s financial condition and repayment capacity. Loans for which repayment plans have not been met or collateral equity margins do not protect the Company may also be classified as substandard.
 
 
 
Doubtful
 
Loans with the characteristics of substandard loans with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of presently existing facts and conditions, is highly improbable.
The use of creditworthiness categories to grade loans permits management’s use of migration analysis to estimate a portion of credit risk. The Company’s internal creditworthiness grading system provides a measurement of credit risk based primarily on an evaluation of the borrower’s cash flow and collateral. Movements between these rating categories provide a predictive measure of credit losses and therefore assists in determining the appropriate level for the loan loss reserves. Category ratings are reviewed each quarter, at which time management analyzes the results, as well as other external statistics and factors related to loan performance. Loans that migrate towards higher risk rating levels generally have an increased risk of default, whereas loans that migrate toward lower risk ratings generally will result in a lower risk factor being applied to those related loan balances.
The following tables represent our credit risk profile by creditworthiness category for the years ended December 31:
 
2018
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
 
Real estate construction
 
Residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Loans to individuals
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Originated Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
1,055,394

 
$
337,367

 
$
1,302,912

 
$
1,880,139

 
$
585,141

 
$
5,160,953

Non-Pass
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OAEM
33,723

 
15,641

 
1,026

 
28,904

 

 
79,294

Substandard
11,830

 

 
9,707

 
13,306

 
206

 
35,049

Doubtful

 

 

 

 

 

Total Non-Pass
45,553

 
15,641

 
10,733

 
42,210

 
206

 
114,343

Total
$
1,100,947

 
$
353,008

 
$
1,313,645

 
$
1,922,349

 
$
585,347

 
$
5,275,296

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
31,399

 
$
5,337

 
$
245,637

 
$
198,201

 
$
5,377

 
$
485,951

Non-Pass
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OAEM
5,890

 
633

 
736

 
441

 

 
7,700

Substandard
237

 

 
2,387

 
2,553

 
15

 
5,192

Doubtful

 

 

 

 

 

Total Non-Pass
6,127

 
633

 
3,123

 
2,994

 
15

 
12,892

Total
$
37,526

 
$
5,970

 
$
248,760

 
$
201,195

 
$
5,392

 
$
498,843


74

Table of Contents

 
2017
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
 
Real estate construction
 
Residential real estate
 
Commercial real estate
 
Loans to individuals
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Originated Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
1,061,147

 
$
242,905

 
$
1,194,352

 
$
1,855,253

 
$
543,175

 
$
4,896,832

Non-Pass
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OAEM
26,757

 

 
1,435

 
13,326

 

 
41,518

Substandard
30,431

 

 
10,332

 
23,606

 
236

 
64,605

Doubtful
4,406

 

 

 

 

 
4,406

Total Non-Pass
61,594

 

 
11,767

 
36,932

 
236

 
110,529

Total
$
1,122,741

 
$
242,905

 
$
1,206,119

 
$
1,892,185

 
$
543,411

 
$
5,007,361

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pass
$
34,573

 
$
5,963

 
$
217,824

 
$
121,536

 
$
6,231

 
$
386,127

Non-Pass
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OAEM
5,567

 

 
798

 
3,517

 

 
9,882

Substandard
502

 

 
1,629

 
1,858

 
17

 
4,006

Doubtful

 

 

 

 

 

Total Non-Pass
6,069

 

 
2,427

 
5,375

 
17

 
13,888

Total
$
40,642

 
$
5,963

 
$
220,251

 
$
126,911

 
$
6,248

 
$
400,015

Portfolio Risks
The credit quality of our loan portfolio can potentially represent significant risk to our earnings, capital and liquidity. First Commonwealth devotes a substantial amount of resources managing this risk primarily through our credit administration department that develops and administers policies and procedures for underwriting, maintaining, monitoring and collecting loans. Credit administration is independent of lending departments and oversight is provided by the credit committee of the First Commonwealth Board of Directors.
Total gross charge-offs for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $15.1 million and $12.5 million, respectively.
Criticized loans have been evaluated when determining the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses, which we believe is adequate to absorb losses inherent to the portfolio as of December 31, 2018. However, changes in economic conditions, interest rates, borrower financial condition, delinquency trends or previously established fair values of collateral factors could significantly change those judgmental estimates.
Age Analysis of Past Due Loans by Segment
The following tables delineate the aging analysis of the recorded investments in past due loans as of December 31. Also included in these tables are loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing because they are well-secured and in the process of collection.

75

Table of Contents

 
2018
 
30 - 59
days
past due
 
60 - 89
days
past
due
 
90 days
and
greater
and still
accruing
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total past
due and
nonaccrual
 
Current
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Originated Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
130

 
$
247

 
$
92

 
$
10,223

 
$
10,692

 
$
1,090,255

 
$
1,100,947

Real estate construction
212

 

 

 

 
212

 
352,796

 
353,008

Residential real estate
3,697

 
710

 
790

 
6,238

 
11,435

 
1,302,210

 
1,313,645

Commercial real estate
492

 
69

 

 
3,437

 
3,998

 
1,918,351

 
1,922,349

Loans to individuals
2,362

 
532

 
662

 
207

 
3,763

 
581,584

 
585,347

Total
$
6,893

 
$
1,558

 
$
1,544

 
$
20,105

 
$
30,100

 
$
5,245,196

 
$
5,275,296

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$
204

 
$
205

 
$
37,321

 
$
37,526

Real estate construction

 

 

 

 

 
5,970

 
5,970

Residential real estate
226

 
24

 
27

 
1,904

 
2,181

 
246,579

 
248,760

Commercial real estate

 

 

 
1,042

 
1,042

 
200,153

 
201,195

Loans to individuals
46

 
12

 
11

 
15

 
84

 
5,308

 
5,392

Total
$
273

 
$
36

 
$
38

 
$
3,165

 
$
3,512

 
$
495,331

 
$
498,843

 
2017
 
30 - 59
days
past due
 
60 - 89
days
past
due
 
90 days
and
greater
and still
accruing
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total past
due and
nonaccrual
 
Current
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Originated Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
378

 
$
61

 
$
40

 
$
18,741

 
$
19,220

 
$
1,103,521

 
$
1,122,741

Real estate construction
199

 

 

 

 
199

 
242,706

 
242,905

Residential real estate
4,618

 
1,025

 
1,076

 
6,225

 
12,944

 
1,193,175

 
1,206,119

Commercial real estate
2,198

 
28

 
6

 
3,240

 
5,472

 
1,886,713

 
1,892,185

Loans to individuals
1,899

 
769

 
623

 
236

 
3,527

 
539,884

 
543,411

Total
$
9,292

 
$
1,883

 
$
1,745

 
$
28,442

 
$
41,362

 
$
4,965,999

 
$
5,007,361

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
6

 
$
7

 
$

 
$
436

 
$
449

 
$
40,193

 
$
40,642

Real estate construction

 

 

 

 

 
5,963

 
5,963

Residential real estate
148

 
9

 
83

 
705

 
945

 
219,306

 
220,251

Commercial real estate

 

 

 
1,077

 
1,077

 
125,834

 
126,911

Loans to individuals
36

 
20

 
26

 
17

 
99

 
6,149

 
6,248

Total
$
190

 
$
36

 
$
109

 
$
2,235

 
$
2,570

 
$
397,445

 
$
400,015

Nonaccrual Loans
The previous tables summarize nonaccrual loans by loan segment. The Company generally places loans on nonaccrual status when the full and timely collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain, when part of the principal balance has been charged off and no restructuring has occurred, or the loans reach a certain number of days past due. Generally, loans 90 days or

76

Table of Contents

more past due are placed on nonaccrual status, except for consumer loans which are placed in nonaccrual status at 150 days past due.
When a loan is placed on nonaccrual, the accrued unpaid interest receivable is reversed against interest income and all future payments received are applied as a reduction to the loan principal. Generally, the loan is returned to accrual status when (a) all delinquent interest and principal become current under the terms of the loan agreement or (b) the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection and collectability is no longer in doubt.
Impaired Loans
Management considers loans to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is determined that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. Determination of impairment is treated the same across all loan categories. When management identifies a loan as impaired, the impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, except when the sole source or repayment for the loan is the operation or liquidation of collateral. When the loan is collateral dependent, the appraised value less estimated cost to sell is utilized. If management determines the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, impairment is recognized through an allowance estimate or a charge-off to the allowance. Troubled debt restructured loans on accrual status are considered to be impaired loans.
When the ultimate collectability of the total principal of an impaired loan is in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, all payments are applied to principal, under the cost recovery method. When the ultimate collectability of the total principal of an impaired loan is not in doubt and the loan is on nonaccrual status, contractual interest is credited to interest income when received under the cash basis method.
There were no impaired loans held for sale at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Total gains of $1.8 million and $21 thousand were recognized on sales of impaired loans during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively.


77

Table of Contents

The following tables include the recorded investment and unpaid principal balance for impaired loans with the associated allowance amount, if applicable, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Also presented are the average recorded investment in impaired loans and the related amount of interest recognized while the loan was considered impaired for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. Average balances are calculated based on month-end balances of the loans for the period reported and are included in the table below based on its period end allowance position.
 
2018
 
Recorded
investment
 
Unpaid
principal
balance
 
Related
allowance
 
Average
recorded
investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(dollars in thousands)
Originated Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
8,735

 
$
16,442

 
 
 
$
18,480

 
$
602

Real estate construction

 

 
 
 

 

Residential real estate
10,726

 
12,571

 
 
 
10,651

 
271

Commercial real estate
3,599

 
3,812

 
 
 
7,919

 
177

Loans to individuals
281

 
408

 
 
 
310

 
11

Subtotal
23,341

 
33,233

 
 
 
37,360

 
1,061

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
3,042

 
3,181

 
$
797

 
2,531

 
20

Real estate construction

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate
486

 
495

 
107

 
504

 
13

Commercial real estate
1,866

 
1,878

 
596

 
991

 
4

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

Subtotal
5,394

 
5,554

 
1,500

 
4,026

 
37

Total
$
28,735

 
$
38,787

 
$
1,500

 
$
41,386

 
$
1,098

Acquired Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
73

 
$
73

 
 
 
$
214

 
$
10

Real estate construction

 

 
 
 

 

Residential real estate
2,031

 
2,604

 
 
 
1,906

 
5

Commercial real estate
1,042

 
2,052

 
 
 
1,565

 

Loans to individuals
15

 
17

 
 
 
16

 

Subtotal
3,161

 
4,746

 
 
 
3,701

 
15

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
131

 
131

 
$
131

 
11

 

Real estate construction

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate

 

 

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

Subtotal
131

 
131

 
131

 
11

 

Total
$
3,292

 
$
4,877

 
$
131

 
$
3,712

 
$
15


78

Table of Contents

 
2017
 
Recorded
investment
 
Unpaid
principal
balance
 
Related
allowance
 
Average
recorded
investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(dollars in thousands)
Originated Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
5,548

 
$
12,153

 
 
 
$
10,282

 
$
394

Real estate construction

 

 
 
 

 

Residential real estate
10,625

 
12,470

 
 
 
11,366

 
355

Commercial real estate
5,155

 
5,489

 
 
 
6,469

 
583

Loans to individuals
347

 
383

 
 
 
353

 
19

Subtotal
21,675

 
30,495

 
 
 
28,470

 
1,351

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
16,866

 
21,094

 
$
3,478

 
9,391

 
96

Real estate construction

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate
456

 
478

 
107

 
167

 

Commercial real estate
954

 
954

 
128

 
143

 
4

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

Subtotal
18,276

 
22,526

 
3,713

 
9,701

 
100

Total
$
39,951

 
$
53,021

 
$
3,713

 
$
38,171

 
$
1,451

Acquired Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
436

 
$
449

 
 
 
$
476

 
$

Real estate construction

 

 
 
 
25

 

Residential real estate
666

 
965

 
 
 
535

 

Commercial real estate
940

 
1,842

 
 
 
2,135

 

Loans to individuals
17

 
17

 
 
 
6

 

Subtotal
2,059

 
3,273

 
 
 
3,177

 

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other

 

 
$

 

 

Real estate construction

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate
93

 
122

 
4

 
74

 

Commercial real estate
137

 
150

 
29

 
155

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

 

Subtotal
230

 
272

 
33

 
229

 

Total
$
2,289

 
$
3,545

 
$
33

 
$
3,406

 
$


79

Table of Contents

 
2016
 
Originated
 
Acquired
 
Average
recorded
investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Average
recorded
investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
(dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
$
23,146

 
$
576

 
$

 
$

Real estate construction
4

 
44

 

 

Residential real estate
10,957

 
312

 
406

 

Commercial real estate
6,718

 
170

 
162

 

Loans to individuals
409

 
15

 
3

 

Subtotal
41,234

 
1,117

 
571

 

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
13,885

 
99

 

 

Real estate construction

 

 

 

Residential real estate
241

 
4

 
16

 

Commercial real estate
555

 
25

 

 

Loans to individuals

 

 

 

Subtotal
14,681

 
128

 
16

 

Total
$
55,915

 
$
1,245

 
$
587

 
$

Unfunded commitments related to nonperforming loans were $1.6 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. After considering the collateral related to these commitments, a reserve of $12 thousand and $178 thousand was established for these off balance sheet exposures at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Troubled debt restructured loans are those loans whose terms have been renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of principal or interest as a result of the financial difficulties experienced by the borrower, who could not obtain comparable terms from alternate financing sources.
The following table provides detail as to the total troubled debt restructured loans and total commitments outstanding on troubled debt restructured loans as of December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Troubled debt restructured loans
 
 
 
 
 
Accrual status
$
8,757

 
$
11,563

 
$
13,790

Nonaccrual status
11,761

 
11,222

 
11,569

Total
$
20,518

 
$
22,785

 
$
25,359

Commitments
 
 
 
 
 
Letters of credit
$
60

 
$
60

 
$

Unused lines of credit
1,027

 
54

 
358

Total
$
1,087

 
$
114

 
$
358



80

Table of Contents

The following tables provide detail, including specific reserve and reasons for modification, related to loans identified as troubled debt restructurings during the years ending December 31:
 
2018
 
 
 
Type of Modification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of
Contracts
 
Extend
Maturity
 
Modify
Rate
 
Modify
Payments
 
Total
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Specific
Reserve
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
3

 
$
74

 
$

 
$
8,250

 
$
8,324

 
$
6,104

 
$

Residential real estate
37

 
242

 
241

 
1,316

 
1,799

 
1,638

 

Commercial real estate
3

 

 

 
1,016

 
1,016

 
975

 

Loans to individuals
15

 

 
89

 
53

 
142

 
112

 

Total
58

 
$
316

 
$
330

 
$
10,635

 
$
11,281

 
$
8,829

 
$

 
 
2017
 
 
 
Type of Modification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of
Contracts
 
Extend
Maturity
 
Modify
Rate
 
Modify
Payments
 
Total
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Specific
Reserve
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
6

 
$
6,768

 
$
1,806

 
$
987

 
$
9,561

 
$
6,946

 
$
566

Residential real estate
20

 
134

 
261

 
573

 
968

 
851

 
1

Commercial real estate
5

 
179

 

 
269

 
448

 
412

 
29

Loans to individuals
10

 

 
28

 
49

 
77

 
65

 

Total
41

 
$
7,081

 
$
2,095

 
$
1,878

 
$
11,054

 
$
8,274

 
$
596

 
2016
 
 
 
Type of Modification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number
of
Contracts
 
Extend
Maturity
 
Modify
Rate
 
Modify
Payments
 
Total
Pre-Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Specific
Reserve
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial, financial, agricultural and other
5

 
$
23

 
$
6,318

 
$
3,854

 
$
10,195

 
$
6,210

 
$
317

Residential real estate
39

 
107

 
214

 
2,619

 
2,940

 
2,698

 
124

Commercial real estate
8

 
1,368

 

 
25

 
1,393

 
1,271

 
59

Loans to individuals
13

 
23

 
82

 
25

 
130

 
96

 

Total
65

 
$
1,521

 
$
6,614

 
$
6,523

 
$
14,658

 
$
10,275

 
$
500

The troubled debt restructurings included in the above tables are also included in the impaired loan tables provided earlier in this footnote. Loans defined as modified due to a change in rate include loans that were modified for a change in rate as well as a reamortization of the principal and an extension of the maturity. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of total rate modifications represent loans with modifications to the rate as well as payment due to reamortization.

81

Table of Contents

A troubled debt restructuring is considered to be in default when a restructured loan is 90 days or more past due. The following table provides information related to loans that were restructured within the past twelve months and that were considered to be in default during the year ending December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of
Contracts
 
Recorded
Investment
 
(dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
1

 
$
49

 

 
$

 
4

 
$
313

Loans to individuals

 

 
1

 
2

 

 

Total
1

 
$
49

 
1

 
$
2

 
4

 
$
313

The following tables provide detail related to the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31.
 
2018
 
Commercial,
financial,
agricultural
and other
 
Real estate
construction
 
Residential
real estate
 
Commercial
real estate
 
Loans to
individuals
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Originated Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
23,418

 
$
1,349

 
$
2,753

 
$
17,328

 
$
3,404

 
$
48,252

Charge-offs
(5,201
)
 

 
(1,217
)
 
(3,930
)
 
(4,554
)
 
(14,902
)
Recoveries
746

 
135

 
233

 
153

 
579

 
1,846

Provision (credit)
272

 
518

 
2,165

 
4,831

 
4,604

 
12,390

Ending balance
19,235

 
2,002

 
3,934

 
18,382

 
4,033

 
47,586

Acquired Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
11

 
$

 
$
6

 
$
29

 
$

 
$
46

Charge-offs
(93
)
 

 
(96
)
 

 
(22
)
 
(211
)
Recoveries
42

 
6

 
128

 

 
26

 
202

Provision (credit)
179

 
(6
)
 
(3
)
 
(25
)
 
(4
)
 
141

Ending balance
139

 

 
35

 
4

 

 
178

Total ending balance
$
19,374

 
$
2,002

 
$
3,969

 
$
18,386

 
$
4,033

 
$
47,764

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
928

 
$

 
$
107

 
$
596

 
$

 
$
1,631

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
18,446

 
2,002

 
3,862

 
17,790

 
4,033

 
46,133

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
1,138,473

 
358,978

 
1,562,405

 
2,123,544

 
590,739

 
5,774,139

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
11,631

 

 
3,747

 
5,710

 

 
21,088

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
1,126,842

 
358,978

 
1,558,658

 
2,117,834

 
590,739

 
5,753,051



82

Table of Contents

 
2017
 
Commercial,
financial,
agricultural
and other
 
Real estate
construction
 
Residential
real estate
 
Commercial
real estate
 
Loans to
individuals
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Originated Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
35,974

 
$
577

 
$
2,492

 
$
6,619

 
$
4,504

 
$
50,166

Charge-offs
(6,176
)
 

 
(1,261
)
 
(340
)
 
(4,220
)
 
(11,997
)
Recoveries
3,900

 
465

 
304

 
274

 
460

 
5,403

Provision (credit)
(10,280
)
 
307

 
1,218

 
10,775

 
2,660

 
4,680

Ending balance
23,418

 
1,349

 
2,753

 
17,328

 
3,404

 
48,252

Acquired Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$

 
$

 
$
19

 
$

 
$

 
$
19

Charge-offs
(458
)
 

 
(26
)
 

 
(28
)
 
(512
)
Recoveries
1

 
5

 
67

 
4

 
55

 
132

Provision (credit)
468

 
(5
)
 
(54
)
 
25

 
(27
)
 
407

Ending balance
11

 

 
6

 
29

 

 
46

Total ending balance
$
23,429

 
$
1,349

 
$
2,759

 
$
17,357

 
$
3,404

 
$
48,298

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
3,478

 
$

 
$
111

 
$
157

 
$

 
$
3,746

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
19,951

 
1,349

 
2,648

 
17,200

 
3,404

 
44,552

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
1,163,383

 
248,868

 
1,426,370

 
2,019,096

 
549,659

 
5,407,376

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
22,450

 

 
6,698

 
6,003

 

 
35,151

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
1,140,933

 
248,868

 
1,419,672

 
2,013,093

 
549,659

 
5,372,225

 
2016
 
Commercial,
financial,
agricultural
and other
 
Real estate
construction
 
Residential
real estate
 
Commercial
real estate
 
Loans to
individuals
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
31,035

 
$
887

 
$
2,606

 
$
11,924

 
$
4,360

 
$
50,812

Charge-offs
(19,603
)
 

 
(1,189
)
 
(570
)
 
(4,943
)
 
(26,305
)
Recoveries
4,164

 
562

 
481

 
1,522

 
469

 
7,198

Provision (credit)
20,378

 
(872
)
 
594

 
(6,257
)
 
4,618

 
18,461

Ending balance on originated loans
35,974

 
577

 
2,492

 
6,619

 
4,504

 
50,166

Ending balance on acquired loans (1)

 

 
19

 

 

 
19

Ending balance
$
35,974

 
$
577

 
$
2,511

 
$
6,619

 
$
4,504

 
$
50,185

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
$
2,530

 
$

 
$
180

 
$
434

 
$

 
$
3,144

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
33,444

 
577

 
2,331

 
6,185

 
4,504

 
47,041

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
1,139,547

 
219,621

 
1,229,192

 
1,742,210

 
548,777

 
4,879,347

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
22,325

 

 
5,875

 
5,468

 

 
33,668

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
1,117,222

 
219,621

 
1,223,317

 
1,736,742

 
548,777

 
4,845,679

(1) Amount reflects provision expense and ending allowance balance for loans acquired in 2016 as part of the purchase of FirstMerit branches.


83

Table of Contents

Note 12—Commitments and Letters of Credit
First Commonwealth is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. First Commonwealth’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party of the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit is represented by the contract or notional amount of those instruments. First Commonwealth uses the same credit policies for underwriting all loans, including these commitments and conditional obligations.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, First Commonwealth did not own or trade other financial instruments with significant off-balance sheet risk including derivatives such as futures, forwards, option contracts and the like, although such instruments may be appropriate to use in the future to manage interest rate risk. See Note 8, “Derivatives,” for a description of interest rate derivatives entered into by First Commonwealth.
Standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Commonwealth to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The contract or notional amount of these instruments reflects the maximum amount of future payments that First Commonwealth could be required to pay under the guarantees if there were a total default by the guaranteed parties, without consideration for possible recoveries under recourse provisions or from collateral held or pledged. In addition, many of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The following table identifies the notional amount of those instruments at December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands)
Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:
 
 
 
Commitments to extend credit
$
1,883,914

 
$
1,840,180

Financial standby letters of credit
18,298

 
17,946

Performance standby letters of credit
22,027

 
20,472

Commercial letters of credit
887

 
1,149

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. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. First Commonwealth evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Commonwealth upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral that is held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and residential and income-producing commercial properties.
The notional amounts outstanding at December 31, 2018 include amounts issued in 2018 of $1.8 million in financial standby letters of credit and $3.2 million in performance standby letters of credit. There were no commercial letters of credit issued during 2018. A liability of $0.2 million has been recorded as of both December 31, 2018 and 2017, which represents the estimated fair value of letters of credit issued. The fair value of letters of credit is estimated based on the unrecognized portion of fees received at the time the commitment was issued.
Unused commitments and letters of credit provide exposure to future credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the borrower or guaranteed parties. Management’s evaluation of the credit risk in these commitments resulted in the recording of a liability of $5.0 million and $5.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. This liability is reflected in Other liabilitiesin the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The credit risk evaluation incorporated probability of default, loss given default and estimated utilization for the next twelve months for each loan category and the letters of credit.


84

Table of Contents

Note 13—Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are described as follows:
 
Estimated Useful Life
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands)
Land
Indefinite
 
$
15,359

 
$
15,389

Buildings and improvements
10-50 years
 
78,643

 
88,386

Leasehold improvements
5-40 years
 
27,573

 
17,812

Furniture and equipment
3-7 years
 
67,735

 
64,609

Software
3-7 years
 
38,800

 
37,434

Subtotal
 
 
228,110

 
223,630

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
 
147,636

 
142,291

Total premises and equipment
 
 
$
80,474

 
$
81,339

Depreciation related to premises and equipment included in noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 amounted to $9.5 million, $9.0 million and $7.5 million, respectively.
First Commonwealth leases various premises and assorted equipment under non-cancellable agreements. Total future minimal rental commitments at December 31, 2018, were as follows:
 
Premises
 
Equipment
 
(dollars in thousands)
2019
$
4,871

 
$
74

2020
4,965

 
28

2021
4,965

 
13

2022
4,899

 
5

2023
4,928

 

Thereafter
44,777

 

Total
$
69,405

 
$
120

Included in the lease commitments above is $141 thousand in lease payments to be paid under a sale-leaseback arrangement. The sale-leaseback transaction occurred in 2005 and resulted in a gain of $297 thousand on the sale of a branch that is being recognized over the 15 year lease term through 2020.
Increases in utilities and taxes that may be passed on to the lessee under the terms of various lease agreements are not reflected in the above table. However, certain lease agreements provide for increases in rental payments based upon historical increases in the consumer price index or the lessor’s cost of operating the facility, and are included in the minimum lease commitments. Additionally, the table above includes rent expense that is recognized for rent holidays and during construction periods. Total lease expense amounted to $4.1 million, $2.7 million and $3.7 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Note 14—Goodwill and Other Amortizing Intangible Assets
FASB ASC Topic 350-20, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other,” requires an annual valuation of the fair value of a reporting unit that has goodwill and a comparison of the fair value to the book value of equity to determine whether the goodwill has been impaired. Goodwill is also required to be tested on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred. When triggering events or circumstances indicate goodwill testing is required, an assessment of qualitative factors can be completed before performing the two step goodwill impairment test. ASU 2011-8 provides that if an assessment of qualitative factors determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then the two step goodwill impairment test is not required.
We consider First Commonwealth to be one reporting unit. The carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $274.2 million and $255.4 million, respectively. The $18.8 million increase in goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2018 is primarily a result of the Garfield acquisition. No impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets were incurred in 2018, 2017 or 2016.

85

Table of Contents

We test goodwill for impairment as of November 30th each year and again at any quarter-end if any material events occur during a quarter that may affect goodwill.
An assessment of qualitative factors was completed as of November 30, 2018 and December 31, 2018 and indicated that it is more likely than not that the fair value of First Commonwealth's goodwill exceeds its carrying amount; therefore, the two step goodwill impairment test was not considered necessary. The assessment of qualitative factors considered historical and projected financial performance, macroeconomic factors such as the Company's access to capital, the general business climate and changes in the banking industry as well as market considerations such as geographic expansion, new product offerings and the regulatory environment.
As of December 31, 2018, goodwill was not considered impaired; however, changing economic conditions that may adversely affect our performance, the fair value of our assets and liabilities, or our stock price could result in impairment, which could adversely affect earnings in future periods. Management will continue to monitor events that could impact this conclusion in the future.
FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Other,” also requires that an acquired intangible asset be separately recognized if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other legal rights, or if the asset can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer’s intent to do so.
The following table summarizes other intangible assets:
 
Gross
Intangible
Assets
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Intangible
Assets
 
(dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Customer deposit intangibles
$
20,228

 
$
(8,877
)
 
$
11,351

Customer list intangible
2,283

 
(1,069
)
 
1,214

Total other intangible assets
$
22,511

 
$
(9,946
)
 
$
12,565

 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
Customer deposit intangibles
$
19,471

 
$
(6,071
)
 
$
13,400

Customer list intangible
2,283

 
(751
)
 
1,532

Total other intangible assets
$
21,754

 
$
(6,822
)
 
$
14,932

Core deposits are amortized over their expected lives using the present value of the benefit of the core deposits and straight-line methods of amortization. The core deposits have a remaining amortization period of 9.3 years and a weighted average amortization period of approximately 8.0 years. The customer list intangible represents the estimated value of the customer base for an insurance agency acquired in 2014 and the wealth management business acquired as part of the DCB acquisition in 2017. These amounts are amortized over their expected lives using expected cash flows based on retention of the customer base. The customer list intangible has a remaining amortization period of 10.7 years and a weighted average amortization period of 8.9 years. In the table above, the change in the gross customer deposit intangible and customer list intangibles from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018 is due to the Garfield acquisition resulting in $1.2 million of core deposit intangibles. In addition to customer deposit intangibles and customer list intangibles, First Commonwealth has mortgage servicing rights of $0.5 million and $0.1 million as December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the sale of 1-4 family residential mortgages for which we retain servicing. First Commonwealth recognized amortization expense on other intangible assets of $3.1 million, $3.1 million, and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


86

Table of Contents

The following presents the estimated amortization expense of core deposit and customer list intangibles:
 
Core Deposit Intangibles
Customer List Intangible
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
2019
$
2,542

$
271

$
2,813

2020
2,177

230

2,407

2021
1,869

193

2,062

2022
1,560

159

1,719

2023
1,252

127

1,379

Thereafter
1,951

234

2,185

Total
$
11,351

$
1,214

$
12,565


Note 15—Interest-Bearing Deposits
Components of interest-bearing deposits at December 31 were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest-bearing demand deposits
$
180,209

 
$
187,281

Savings deposits
3,401,354

 
3,361,840

Time deposits
850,216

 
614,813

Total interest-bearing deposits
$
4,431,779

 
$
4,163,934

Interest-bearing deposits at December 31, 2018 and 2017, include allocations from interest-bearing demand deposit accounts of $952.1 million and $919.1 million, respectively, into savings, which includes money market accounts. These reallocations are based on a formula and have been made to reduce First Commonwealth’s reserve requirement in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Included in time deposits at December 31, 2018 and 2017, were certificates of deposit in denominations of $250 thousand or more of $140.2 million and $61.5 million, respectively.
Interest expense related to certificates of deposit in denominations of $250 thousand or greater amounted to $1.6 million in 2018, $0.5 million in 2017 and $0.5 million in 2016.
Included in time deposits at December 31, 2018, were certificates of deposit with the following scheduled maturities (dollars in thousands):
2019
$
509,206

2020
198,525

2021
111,012

2022
20,135

2023 and thereafter
11,338

Total
$
850,216



87

Table of Contents

Note 16—Short-term Borrowings
Short-term borrowings at December 31 were as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Ending
Balance
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Rate
 
Ending
Balance
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Rate
 
Ending
Balance
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
Federal funds purchased
$
11,000

 
$
8,801

 
2.05
%
 
$

 
$
6,225

 
1.24
%
 
$

 
$
6,887

 
0.60
%
Borrowings from FHLB
565,000

 
467,594

 
2.12

 
567,500

 
710,932

 
1.18

 
748,000

 
1,265,932

 
0.61

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
145,823

 
142,562

 
0.44

 
139,966

 
150,234

 
0.24

 
119,943

 
114,918

 
0.23

Total
$
721,823

 
$
618,957

 
1.74

 
$
707,466

 
$
867,391

 
1.01

 
$
867,943

 
$
1,387,737

 
0.58

Maximum total at any month-end
$
811,026

 
 
 
 
 
$
967,259

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,530,678

 
 
 
 
Weighted average rate at year-end
 
 
 
 
2.17
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.27
%
 
 
 
 
 
0.63
%
Interest expense on short-term borrowings for the years ended December 31 is detailed below:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Federal funds purchased
$
180

 
$
77

 
$
41

Borrowings from FHLB
9,929

 
8,360

 
7,765

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
632

 
362

 
270

Total interest on short-term borrowings
$
10,741

 
$
8,799

 
$
8,076


Note 17—Subordinated Debentures
Subordinated debentures outstanding at December 31 are as follows:
 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Due
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
Amount
 
Rate
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Owed to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Bank
2028
 
$
49,131

 
4.875% until June 1, 2023, then LIBOR + 1.845%
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Bank
2033
 
$
48,990

 
5.50% until June 1, 2028,
then LIBOR + 2.37%
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Capital Trust II
2034
 
$
30,929

 
LIBOR + 2.85
 
$
30,929

 
LIBOR + 2.85
First Commonwealth Capital Trust III
2034
 
41,238

 
LIBOR + 2.85
 
41,238

 
LIBOR + 2.85
Total
 
 
$
170,288

 
 
 
$
72,167

 
 

On May 21, 2018, First Commonwealth Bank issued ten-year subordinated notes with an aggregate principal amount of $50.0 million and a fixed-to-floating rate of 4.875%. The rate remains fixed until June 1, 2023, then adjusts on a quarterly basis to LIBOR + 1.845%. The Bank may redeem the notes, beginning with the interest payment due on June 1, 2023, in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the subordinated notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. Deferred issuance costs of $0.9 million are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the notes.

On May 21, 2018, First Commonwealth Bank also issued fifteen-year subordinated notes with an aggregate principal amount of $50.0 million and a fixed-to-floating rate of 5.50%. The rate remains fixed until June 1, 2028, then adjusts on a quarterly basis to LIBOR + 2.37%. The Bank may redeem the notes, beginning with the interest payment due on June 1, 2028, in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the subordinated notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. Deferred issuance costs of $1.1 million are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the notes.

88

Table of Contents

First Commonwealth currently has two trusts, First Commonwealth Capital Trust II and First Commonwealth Capital Trust III, of which 100% of the common equity is owned by First Commonwealth. The trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing company obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities to third-party investors and investing the proceeds from the sale of the capital securities solely in junior subordinated debt securities (“subordinated debentures”) of First Commonwealth. The subordinated debentures held by each trust are the sole assets of the trust.
Interest on the debentures issued to First Commonwealth Capital Trust III is paid quarterly at a floating rate of LIBOR + 2.85% which is reset quarterly. Subject to regulatory approval, First Commonwealth may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, at its option on any interest payment date at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption. Deferred issuance costs of $630 thousand are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the securities.
Interest on the debentures issued to First Commonwealth Capital Trust II is paid quarterly at a floating rate of LIBOR + 2.85%, which is reset quarterly. Subject to regulatory approval, First Commonwealth may redeem the debentures, in whole or in part, at its option at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption. Deferred issuance costs of $471 thousand are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the securities.

Note 18—Other Long-term Debt
Other long-term debt at December 31 follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Rate
 
Amount
 
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Rate
 
(dollars in thousands)
Borrowings from FHLB due:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
$
607

 
3.83
%
2019
$
631

 
3.83
%
 
631

 
3.83

2020
655

 
3.84

 
656

 
3.84

2021
681

 
3.84

 
681

 
3.84

2022
708

 
3.85

 
708

 
3.85

2023
735

 
3.85

 
 
 
 
Thereafter
4,141

 
3.79

 
4,878

 
3.80

Total
$
7,551

 
 
 
$
8,161

 
 
The weighted average contractual rate reflects the rate due to creditors. There are no purchase accounting adjustments related to long-term debt in 2018 or 2017. Therefore, the weighted average effective rate of long-term debt is equal to the weighted average contractual rate of long-term debt.
All of First Commonwealth’s Federal Home Loan Bank stock, along with an interest in mortgage loans and residential mortgage backed securities, has been pledged as collateral with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh.
Capital securities included in total long-term debt on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition are excluded from the above, but are described in Note 17, “Subordinated Debentures.”

Note 19—Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities
FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosures for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). All non-financial assets are included either as a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition or in the “Other assets” category of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Currently, First Commonwealth does not have any non-financial liabilities to disclose.
FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” permits entities to irrevocably elect to measure select financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses are required to be included in earnings each reporting period

89

Table of Contents

for the items that fair value measurement is elected. First Commonwealth has elected not to measure any existing financial instruments at fair value under FASB ASC Topic 825; however, in the future we may elect to adopt this guidance for select financial instruments.
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, First Commonwealth groups financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the principal markets in which the assets and liabilities are transacted and the observability of the data points used to determine fair value. These levels are:
Level 1—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained for identical or comparable assets or liabilities from alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Level 2 includes Obligations of U.S. Government securities issued by Agencies and Sponsored Enterprises, Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions, certain corporate securities, FHLB stock, loans held for sale, interest rate derivatives (including interest rate swaps, interest rate caps and risk participation agreements), certain other real estate owned and certain impaired loans.
Level 2 investment securities are valued by a recognized third party pricing service using observable inputs. The model used by the pricing service varies by asset class and incorporates available market, trade and bid information as well as cash flow information when applicable. Because many fixed-income investment securities do not trade on a daily basis, the model uses available information such as benchmark yield curves, benchmarking of like investment securities, sector groupings and matrix pricing. The model will also use processes such as an option-adjusted spread to assess the impact of interest rates and to develop prepayment estimates. Market inputs normally used in the pricing model include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including market research publications.
Management validates the market values provided by the third party service by having another recognized pricing service price 100% of the securities on an annual basis and a random sample of securities each quarter, monthly monitoring of variances from prior period pricing and, on a monthly basis, evaluating pricing changes compared to expectations based on changes in the financial markets.
Other Investments include FHLB stock whose estimated fair value is based on its par value. Additional information on FHLB stock is provided in Note 10, “Impairment of Investment Securities.”
Loans held for sale include residential mortgage loans originated for sale in the secondary mortgage market. The estimated fair value for these loans was determined on the basis of rates obtained in the respective secondary market. This category also includes the Small Business Administration guaranteed portion of small business loans. The estimated fair value of these loans is based on the contract with the third party investor.
Interest rate derivatives are reported at estimated fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs and are included in "Other assets" and "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. These consist of interest rate swaps where there is no significant deterioration in the counterparties' (loan customers') credit risk since origination of the interest rate swap as well as interest rate caps and risk participation agreements. First Commonwealth values its interest rate swap and cap positions using a yield curve by taking market prices/rates for an appropriate set of instruments. The set of instruments currently used to determine the U.S. Dollar yield curve includes cash LIBOR rates from overnight to one year, Eurodollar futures contracts and swap rates from one year to thirty years. These yield curves determine the valuations of interest rate swaps. Interest rate derivatives are further described in Note 8, “Derivatives.”
For purposes of potential valuation adjustments to our derivative positions, First Commonwealth evaluates the credit risk of its counterparties as well as our own credit risk. Accordingly, we have considered factors such as the likelihood of default, expected loss given default, net exposures and remaining contractual life, among other things, in determining if any estimated fair value adjustments related to credit risk are required. We review our counterparty exposure quarterly, and when necessary, appropriate adjustments are made to reflect the exposure.
We also utilize this approach to estimate our own credit risk on derivative liability positions. In 2018 and 2017, we have not realized any losses due to a counterparty's inability to pay any net uncollateralized position.
Interest rate derivatives also include interest rate forwards entered into to hedge residential mortgage loans held for sale and the related interest-rate lock commitments. This includes forward commitments to sell mortgage loans. The fair value of these derivative financial instruments are based on derivative market data inputs as of the valuation date and the underlying value of mortgage loans for rate lock commitments.

90

Table of Contents

In addition, the Company hedges foreign currency risk through the use of foreign exchange forward contracts. The fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts is based on the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate.
The estimated fair value for other real estate owned included in Level 2 is determined by either an independent market based appraisal less estimated costs to sell or an executed sales agreement.
Level 3—Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer or broker traded transactions. If the inputs used to provide the valuation are unobservable and/or there is very little, if any, market activity for the security or similar securities, the securities would be considered Level 3 securities. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities. The assets included in Level 3 are pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations, non-marketable equity investments, certain interest rate derivatives, certain impaired loans and certain other real estate.
Level 3 assets at December 31, 2017 included pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations with an estimated fair value of $23.6 million. During the first six-months of 2018, the entire portfolio of trust preferred securities were liquidated either by a successful auction call or by sale. These securities were considered level 3 because there was little or no active trading since 2009; therefore, it is more appropriate to determine estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis. When determining the fair value of these securities, the discount rate applied to the cash flows was determined by evaluating the current market yields for comparable corporate and structured credit products along with an evaluation of the risks associated with the cash flows of the comparable security.
The estimated fair value of the other investments included in Level 3 is based on carrying value.
The estimated fair value of limited partnership investments included in Level 3 is based on par value.
In accordance with ASU 2011-4, the following table provides information related to quantitative inputs and assumptions used in Level 3 fair value measurements.
 
Fair Value
(dollars in
thousands)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range /  (weighted
average)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Investments
1,670

 
Carrying Value
 
N/A
 
N/A
Impaired Loans
1,104

(a)
Gas Reserve study
 
Discount rate
 
10.00%
 
 
 
 
 
Gas per MMBTU
 
$2.81 - $3.35 (b)
 
 
 
 
 
Oil per BBL/d
 
$51.59 - $59.55 (b)
 
3,249

(a)
Discounted Cash Flow
 
Discount Rate
 
1.9% - 9.5%
Limited Partnership Investments
2,696

 
Par Value
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
(a)
the remainder of impaired loans valued using Level 3 inputs are not included in this disclosure as the values of those loans are based on bankruptcy agreement documentation.
(b)
unobservable inputs are defined as follows: MMBTU—one million British thermal units; BBL/d—barrels per day.
The discount rate is the significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of impaired loans. Significant increases in this rate would result in a decrease in the estimated fair value of the loans, while a decrease in this rate would result in a higher fair value measurement. Other unobservable inputs in the fair value measurement of impaired loans relate to gas, oil and natural gas prices. Increases in these prices would result in an increase in the estimated fair value of the loans, while a decrease in these prices would result in a lower fair value measurement.

91

Table of Contents

The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31:
 
2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
$

 
$
9,406

 
$

 
$
9,406

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial

 
167,744

 

 
167,744

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential

 
673,361

 

 
673,361

Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises

 
10,012

 

 
10,012

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions

 
27,712

 

 
27,712

Corporate Securities

 
21,012

 

 
21,012

Total Securities Available for Sale

 
909,247

 

 
909,247

Other Investments

 
30,456

 
1,670

 
32,126

Loans Held for Sale

 
11,881

 

 
11,881

Other Assets (a)

 
1,769

 
2,696

 
4,465

Total Assets
$

 
$
953,353

 
$
4,366

 
$
957,719

Other Liabilities (a)
$

 
$
2,081

 
$

 
$
2,081

Total Liabilities
$

 
$
2,081

 
$

 
$
2,081

 
(a)
Hedging and non-hedging interest rate derivatives and limited partnership investments
 
2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential
$

 
$
11,338

 
$

 
$
11,338

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Commercial

 
24,149

 

 
24,149

Obligations of U.S. Government-Sponsored Enterprises:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities—Residential

 
625,555

 

 
625,555

Other Government-Sponsored Enterprises

 
1,097

 

 
1,097

Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions

 
27,410

 

 
27,410

Corporate Securities

 
16,493

 

 
16,493

Pooled Trust Preferred Collateralized Debt Obligations

 

 
23,646

 
23,646

Total Debt Securities

 
706,042

 
23,646

 
729,688

Equities

 

 
1,670

 
1,670

Total Securities Available for Sale

 
706,042

 
25,316

 
731,358

Other Investments

 
29,837

 

 
29,837

Loans Held for Sale

 
14,850

 

 
14,850

Other Assets (a)

 
1,778

 
2,143

 
3,921

Total Assets
$

 
$
752,507

 
$
27,459

 
$
779,966

Other Liabilities (a)
$

 
$
3,079

 
$

 
$
3,079

Total Liabilities
$

 
$
3,079

 
$

 
$
3,079

 
(a)
Hedging and non-hedging interest rate derivatives and limited partnership investments

92

Table of Contents

The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows for the year ended December 31, 2018:
 
 
Pooled Trust
Preferred
Collateralized
Debt
Obligations
 
Other Investments
 
Other
Assets
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
$
23,646

 
$
1,670

 
$
2,143

 
$
27,459

Total gains or losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
8,102

 

 

 
8,102

Included in other comprehensive income
(118
)
 

 

 
(118
)
Purchases, issuances, sales, and settlements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases

 

 
601

 
601

Issuances

 

 

 

Sales
(12,289
)
 

 

 
(12,289
)
Settlements
(19,341
)
 

 
(48
)
 
(19,389
)
Transfers from Level 3

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

Balance, end of year
$

 
$
1,670

 
$
2,696

 
$
4,366

There are no gains or losses included in earnings for the period that are attributable to the change in realized gains (losses) relating to assets held at December 31, 2018.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers between fair value Levels 1, 2 or 3.
The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows for the year ended December 31, 2017:
 
 
Pooled Trust
Preferred
Collateralized
Debt
Obligations
 
Equities
 
Other
Assets
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year
 
$
33,292

 
$
1,670

 
$
930

 
$
35,892

Total gains or losses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings
 
4,329

 

 

 
4,329

Included in other comprehensive income
 
3,725

 

 

 
3,725

Purchases, issuances, sales, and settlements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchases
 

 

 
1,213

 
1,213

Issuances
 

 

 

 

Sales
 

 

 

 

Settlements
 
(17,700
)
 

 

 
(17,700
)
Transfers from Level 3
 

 

 

 

Transfers into Level 3
 

 

 

 

Balance, end of year
 
$
23,646

 
$
1,670

 
$
2,143

 
$
27,459

There are no gains or losses included in earnings for the period that are attributable to the change in realized gains (losses) relating to assets held at December 31, 2017.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, there were no transfers between fair value Levels 1, 2 or 3.

93

Table of Contents

The tables below present the balances of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31 and total gains and losses realized on these assets during the year ended December 31:
 
2018
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Total
Gains
(Losses)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans
$

 
$
15,076

 
$
15,320

 
$
30,396

 
$
(1,778
)
Other real estate owned

 
4,035

 

 
4,035

 
(593
)
Total Assets
$

 
$
19,111

 
$
15,320

 
$
34,431

 
$
(2,371
)
 
2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Total
Gains
(Losses)
 
(dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans
$

 
$
23,249

 
$
15,245

 
$
38,494

 
$
(1,548
)
Other real estate owned

 
3,264

 

 
3,264

 
(1,099
)
Total Assets
$

 
$
26,513

 
$
15,245

 
$
41,758

 
$
(2,647
)
Impaired loans over $100 thousand are individually reviewed to determine the amount of each loan considered to be at risk of noncollection. The fair value for impaired loans that are collateral based is determined by reviewing real property appraisals, equipment valuations, accounts receivable listings and other financial information. A discounted cash flow analysis is performed to determine fair value for impaired loans when an observable market price or a current appraisal is not available. For real estate secured loans, First Commonwealth’s loan policy requires updated appraisals be obtained at least every twelve months on all impaired loans with balances of $250 thousand and over. For real estate secured loans with balances under $250 thousand, we rely on broker price opinions. For non-real estate secured assets, the Company normally relies on third party valuations specific to the collateral type.
The fair value for other real estate owned, determined by either an independent market based appraisal less estimated costs to sell or an executed sales agreement, is classified as Level 2. The fair value for other real estate owned determined using an internal valuation is classified as Level 3. Other real estate owned has a current carrying value of $3.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and consisted primarily of commercial real estate properties in Pennsylvania. We review whether events and circumstances subsequent to a transfer to other real estate owned have occurred that indicate the balance of those assets may not be recoverable. If events and circumstances indicate further impairment, we will record a charge to the extent that the carrying value of the assets exceed their fair values, less estimated costs to sell, as determined by valuation techniques appropriate in the circumstances.
Certain other assets and liabilities, including goodwill, core deposit intangibles and customer list intangibles are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances. Additional information related to this measurement is provided in Note 14 “Goodwill and Other Amortizing Intangible Assets.” There were no other assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during 2018.
FASB ASC Topic 825-10, “Transition Related to FSP FAS 107-1” and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are as discussed above. The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below.
Cash and due from banks and interest bearing bank deposits: The carrying amounts for cash and due from banks and interest-bearing bank deposits approximate the estimated fair values of such assets.
Securities: Fair values for available for sale and held to maturity securities are based on quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments. Pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligation values are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and are not based on market exchange, dealer or broker traded transactions. These valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to each

94

Table of Contents

instrument. The carrying value of other investments, which includes FHLB stock, is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Loans held for sale: The estimated fair value of loans held for sale is based on market bids obtained from potential buyers.
Loans: The fair values of all loans are estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using interest rates currently offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality adjusted for past due and nonperforming loans.
Off-balance sheet instruments: Many of First Commonwealth’s off-balance sheet instruments, primarily loan commitments and standby letters of credit, are expected to expire without being drawn upon; therefore, the commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. FASB ASC Topic 460, “Guarantees,” clarified that a guarantor is required to recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The carrying amount and estimated fair value for standby letters of credit was $0.2 million at both December 31, 2018 and 2017, See Note 12, “Commitments and Letters of Credit,” for additional information.
Deposit liabilities: The estimated fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date because of the customers' ability to withdraw funds immediately. The carrying value of variable rate time deposit accounts and certificates of deposit approximate the fair value at the report date. Also, fair values of fixed rate time deposits for both periods are estimated by discounting the future cash flows using interest rates currently being offered and a schedule of aggregated expected maturities.
Short-term borrowings: The fair values of borrowings from the FHLB were estimated based on the estimated incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowings. The carrying amounts of other short-term borrowings, such as federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase, were used to approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of the borrowings.
Subordinated debt, long-term debt and capital lease obligation: The fair value of long-term debt and subordinated debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using First Commonwealth’s estimate of the current market rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

95

Table of Contents

The following table presents carrying amounts and estimated fair values of First Commonwealth’s financial instruments at December 31:
 
2018
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using:
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
95,934

 
$
95,934

 
$
95,934

 
$

 
$

Interest-bearing deposits
3,013

 
3,013

 
3,013

 

 

Securities available for sale
909,247

 
909,247

 

 
909,247

 

Securities held to maturity
393,855

 
383,993

 

 
383,993

 

Other investments
32,126

 
32,126

 

 
30,456

 
1,670

Loans held for sale
11,881

 
11,881

 

 
11,881

 

Loans
5,774,139

 
5,821,791

 

 
15,076

 
5,806,715

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
5,897,992

 
5,904,147

 

 
5,904,147

 

Short-term borrowings
721,823

 
721,532

 

 
721,532

 

Long-term debt
7,551

 
7,720

 

 
7,720

 

Subordinated debt
170,288

 
168,067

 

 

 
168,067

Capital lease obligation
7,217

 
7,217

 

 
7,217

 

 
2017
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using:
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
98,624

 
$
98,624

 
$
98,624

 
$

 
$

Interest-bearing deposits
8,668

 
8,668

 
8,668

 

 

Securities available for sale
731,358

 
731,358

 

 
706,042

 
25,316

Securities held to maturity
422,096

 
418,249

 

 
418,249

 

Other investments
29,837

 
29,837

 

 
29,837

 

Loans held for sale
14,850

 
14,850

 

 
14,850

 

Loans
5,407,376

 
5,443,434

 

 
23,249

 
5,420,185

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
5,580,705

 
5,580,812

 

 
5,580,812

 

Short-term borrowings
707,466

 
707,263

 

 
707,263

 

Long-term debt
8,161

 
8,548

 

 
8,548

 

Subordinated debt
72,167

 
65,785

 

 

 
65,785

Capital Lease Obligation
7,590

 
7,590

 

 
7,590

 



96

Table of Contents

Note 20—Income Taxes
The income tax provision for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
21,330

 
$
29,071

 
$
19,879

State
298

 
274

 
154

Total current tax provision
21,628

 
29,345

 
20,033

Deferred tax provision (benefit):
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
3,666

 
19,237

 
5,846

State
(20
)
 
(21
)
 
(240
)
Total deferred tax provision
3,646

 
19,216

 
5,606

Total tax provision
$
25,274

 
$
48,561

 
$
25,639

The statutory to effective tax rate reconciliation for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Amount
 
% of
Pretax
Income
 
Amount
 
% of
Pretax
Income
 
Amount
 
% of
Pretax
Income
 
(dollars in thousands)
Tax at statutory rate
$
27,882

 
21
 %
 
$
36,304

 
35
 %
 
$
29,830

 
35
 %
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State income tax, net of federal benefit
220

 

 
164

 

 
(56
)
 

Income from bank owned life insurance
(1,404
)
 
(1
)
 
(1,995
)
 
(2
)
 
(1,883
)
 
(2
)
Tax-exempt interest income, net
(1,473
)
 
(1
)
 
(2,709
)
 
(3
)
 
(2,434
)
 
(3
)
Tax credits
(5
)
 

 
(11
)
 

 

 

Enactment of federal tax reform
(346
)
 

 
16,709

 
17

 

 

Other
400

 

 
99

 

 
182

 

Total tax provision
$
25,274

 
19
 %
 
$
48,561

 
47
 %
 
$
25,639

 
30
 %

The total tax provision for financial reporting differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before taxes. First Commonwealth ordinarily generates an annual effective tax rate that is less than the statutory rate of 21% for the year ending December 31, 2018 and 35% for the years ending December 31, 2017 and 2016 due to benefits resulting from tax-exempt interest, income from bank owned life insurance, and tax benefits associated with low-income housing tax credits. The consistent level of tax benefits that reduce First Commonwealth’s tax rate below the statutory rate produced an annual effective tax rate of 19%, 47% and 30% for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The annual effective tax rate of 47% for the year ended December 31, 2017, is greater than the 35% statutory rate due to the enactment of federal tax reform.
On December 22, 2017, H.R.1, commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act reduces the corporate federal tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. As a result we are required to re-measure, through income tax expense, our deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted rate at which we expect them to be recovered or settled. The re-measurement of our net deferred tax asset resulted in additional income tax expense of $16.7 million in 2017.
Also on December 22, 2017, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address any uncertainty or diversity of views in practice in accounting for the income tax effects of the Act in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete this accounting in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. SAB 118 allows for a measurement period not to extend beyond one year from the Act’s enactment date to complete the necessary accounting.

97

Table of Contents

We recorded provisional amounts of deferred income taxes using reasonable estimates in three areas where information necessary to complete the accounting was not available, prepared, or analyzed: 1) our deferred tax liability for temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of fixed assets principally due to the accelerated depreciation under the Act which allows for full expensing of qualified property purchased and placed in service after September 27, 2017; 2) our deferred tax asset for temporary differences associated with accrued compensation will be finalized with payments made on or before March 15, 2018 and deducted on the 2017 income tax returns; and 3) our deferred tax assets and liabilities acquired from DCB Financial are awaiting completion of the final short period tax return from outside preparers, which is necessary to confirm the final acquired temporary differences.
In a fourth area, we made no adjustments to deferred tax assets representing future deductions for accrued compensation that may be subject to new limitations under Internal Revenue Code 162(m) which, generally, limits the annual deduction for certain compensation paid to employees to $1 million. There was uncertainty in applying the newly-enacted rules to existing contracts, and we are seeking further clarifications before completing our analysis.

In accordance with SAB 118, the accounting for income tax effects of the Act has been completed in the year ended December 31, 2018. The completion of the accounting resulted in an immaterial change to the previously recorded re-measurement.
The tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities that represent significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are presented below:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses
$
10,116

 
$
10,223

Postretirement benefits other than pensions
311

 
345

Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward
216

 
201

Unrealized loss on securities available for sale
3,137

 
2,091

Net operating loss carryforward
3,636

 
6,145

Writedown of other real estate owned
711

 
878

Deferred compensation
1,426

 
1,514

Accrued interest on nonaccrual loans
629

 
1,017

Accrued incentives
2,477

 
1,277

Unfunded loan commitments & other reserves
1,064

 
1,098

Deferred rent
799

 
801

Other
1,486

 
1,224

Total deferred tax assets
26,008

 
26,814

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Income from unconsolidated subsidiary
(11
)
 
(380
)
Depreciation of assets
(1,378
)
 
(587
)
Other
(1,053
)
 
(338
)
Total deferred tax liabilities
(2,442
)
 
(1,305
)
Net deferred tax asset
$
23,566

 
$
25,509


The Company has approximately $17.0 million of federal net operating losses and $0.2 million of AMT carryforwards which are subject to an annual limitation under IRC Section 382. The net operating losses expire in 2030 and the Company expects to utilize the losses prior to expiration.
Management assesses all available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets. Based on our evaluation, as of December 31, 2018, management has determined that no valuation allowance is necessary for the deferred tax assets because it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized through future reversals of existing temporary differences and future taxable income.
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, the Company has no material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest and penalties as of December 31, 2018. We do not expect the total amount of

98

Table of Contents

unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase in the next twelve months. The Company records interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of noninterest expense.
First Commonwealth is subject to routine audits of our tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as well as all states in which we conduct business. Generally, tax years prior to the year ended December 31, 2015 are no longer open to examination by federal and state taxing authorities.

Note 21—Retirement Plans
First Commonwealth has a savings plan pursuant to the provisions of section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue code. Effective January 1, 2013, a participating employee can receive a maximum matching contribution of 6% of their compensation. In addition, each participating employee may contribute up to 80% of their eligible compensation to the plan. The 401(k) plan expense was $3.2 million in 2018, $2.8 million in 2017, and $2.5 million in 2016.
First Commonwealth maintains a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (NQDC Plan) to provide deferred compensation for those employees who are in the top 7% of full-time employees, as determined on the basis of base compensation. The NQDC Plan provides participants whose maximum retirement contribution is limited by IRS rules to defer additional compensation.
Participants in the NQDC Plan are eligible to defer (on a pre-tax basis) from 1% to 25% of their eligible Plan compensation. Participants are also eligible to defer all or a portion of the Annual Incentive Plan (on a pre-tax basis) from 10% to 100% of their annual cash incentive earned. There was no NQDC Plan expense in 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Select employees from former acquisitions were covered by postretirement benefit plans which provide medical and life insurance coverage. The measurement date for these plans was December 31.
Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions from Prior Acquisitions
Net periodic benefit cost of these plans for the years ended December 31, was as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Service cost
$

 
$

 
$

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
38

 
49

 
67

Amortization of transition obligation

 

 

Gain amortization
(35
)
 
(21
)
 
(7
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
3

 
$
28

 
$
60


99

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the change in the benefit obligation and plan assets as of December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
1,188

 
$
1,394

Service cost

 

Interest cost
38

 
49

Amendments

 

Actuarial gain
(174
)
 
(116
)
Net benefits paid
(169
)
 
(133
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
883

 
1,194

Change in Plan Assets
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

Employer contributions
169

 
133

Net benefits paid
(169
)
 
(133
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

Funded Status at End of Year
883

 
1,194

Unrecognized transition obligation

 

Unrecognized net gain
584

 
440

Amounts recognized in retained earnings
$
1,467

 
$
1,634

As of December 31, the funded status of the plan is:
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands)
Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Condition as Other liabilities
$
883

 
$
1,194

The following table sets forth the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income that have not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs as of December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
Net (gain) loss
$
(461
)
 
$
(347
)
 
$
(225
)
Transition obligation

 

 

Total
$
(461
)
 
$
(347
)
 
$
(225
)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation as of December 31 are as follows:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted-Average Assumptions
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
4.11
%
 
3.37
%
 
3.74
%
Health care cost trend: Initial
6.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
6.00
%
Health care cost trend: Ultimate
4.75
%
 
4.75
%
 
4.75
%
Year ultimate reached
2024

 
2023

 
2022


100

Table of Contents

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the net benefit costs as of December 31 are as follows: 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted-Average Assumptions for Net Periodic Cost
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
3.37
%
 
3.74
%
 
3.88
%
Health care cost trend: Initial
6.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
6.25
%
Health care cost trend: Ultimate
4.75
%
 
4.75
%
 
4.75
%
Year ultimate reached
2023

 
2022

 
2022

Corridor
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
 
10.00
%
Recognition period for gains and losses
12.1

 
11.0

 
11.0

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare Part D and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans that provide a prescription drug benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. The postretirement plans of First Commonwealth are provided through insurance coverage; therefore, First Commonwealth will not receive a direct federal subsidy. The preceding measures of the accumulated postretirement benefit cost assume that First Commonwealth will not receive the subsidy due to the relatively small number of retirees.
The health care cost trend rate assumption can have a significant impact on the amounts reported for this plan. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
 
One-Percentage-
Point Increase
 
One-Percentage-
Point Decrease
 
(dollars in thousands)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
$
17

 
$
(15
)
Effect on total of service and interest cost components
1

 
(1
)
As of December 31, 2018, the projected benefit payments for the next ten years are as follows:
 
Projected Benefit
        Payments         
 
(dollars in thousands)
2019
$
109

2020
102

2021
97

2022
90

2023
84

2024 - 2028
328

The projected payments were calculated using the same assumptions as those used to calculate the benefit obligations included in this note.
The estimated costs that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic cost for 2019 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Postretirement
Benefits
 
(dollars in thousands)
Net gain
$

Transition obligation
(60
)
Total
$
(60
)

Note 22—Incentive Compensation Plan
On January 20, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted, with shareholder approval, the First Commonwealth Financial Corporation Incentive Compensation Plan. This plan allows for shares of common stock to be issued to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries as an incentive to aid in the financial success of the Company.

101

Table of Contents

The shares can be issued as options, stock appreciation rights, performance share or unit awards, dividend or dividend equivalent rights, stock awards, restricted stock awards, or other annual incentive awards. Up to 5,000,000 shares of stock can be awarded under this plan, of which 3,156,378 shares were still eligible for awards as of December 31, 2018.
Restricted Stock
The following provides detail on the restricted stock awards which were issued and outstanding in 2018, 2017 and 2016 in order to retain and attract key employees. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock awards is equal to the price of First Commonwealth’s common stock on grant date.
Grant Date
Shares issued
Grant Price
Vesting Date
Number of Equal Vesting Periods
 
 
 
 
 
November 26, 2018
2,000

$
13.82

November 26, 2021
1
May 29, 2018
3,000

15.44

May 29, 2021
1
March 26, 2018
2,000

14.08

March 26, 2021
1
February 26, 2018
77,500

14.49

February 26, 2021
1
March 24, 2017
5,000

12.99

March 24, 2020
1
March 24, 2017
7,000

12.99

August 31, 2017
1
March 24, 2017
7,000

12.99

March 24, 2020
1
March 24, 2017
7,000

12.99

August 31, 2017
1
December 19, 2016
15,000

13.96

December 19, 2019
3
September 30, 2016
10,000

10.09

September 30, 2019
1
September 19, 2016
33,000

10.02

September 19, 2019
3
June 7, 2016
10,000

9.34

June 7, 2019
1
March 1, 2016
10,000

8.84

March 1, 2019
1
March 1, 2016
5,000

8.84

March 1, 2019
1
March 1, 2016
20,000

8.84

August 31, 2017
1
February 18, 2016
18,348

8.43

December 31, 2016
1
June 26, 2015
1,000

9.84

June 26, 2018
1
February 20, 2015
10,000

8.45

August 31, 2017
1
February 5, 2015
50,000

8.55

February 5, 2018
1
January 15, 2015
20,000

8.38

January 15, 2017
1
November 17, 2014
3,500

9.26

November 17, 2017
1
April 8, 2014
27,500

8.89

April 8, 2017
3
March 24, 2014
46,000

9.18

March 24, 2017
1
March 4, 2014
5,000

8.75

March 4, 2017
1
August 16, 2013
3,000

7.57

August 16, 2016
1
May 31, 2013
45,000

7.21

May 31, 2016
3
March 1, 2013
10,000

7.35

March 1, 2016
1
January 1, 2012
100,000

5.26

January 1, 2016
4
April 1, 2011
25,000

6.82

April 1, 2016
1
Compensation expense related to restricted stock was $2.6 million, $3.8 million and $3.2 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, there was $2.9 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards granted.

102

Table of Contents

A summary of the status of First Commonwealth’s unvested service-based restricted stock awards as of December 31 and changes for the years ended on those dates is presented below:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding, beginning of the year
117,000

 
$
9.99

 
247,668

 
$
9.34

 
231,834

 
$
8.01

Granted
84,500

 
14.50

 
26,000

 
12.99

 
121,348

 
9.88

Vested
(54,000
)
 
9.37

 
(151,668
)
 
9.49

 
(105,514
)
 
7.04

Forfeited
(10,000
)
 
9.34

 
(5,000
)
 
8.55

 

 

Outstanding, end of the year
137,500

 
13.05

 
117,000

 
9.99

 
247,668

 
9.34

The following provides detail on restricted stock awards estimated to be granted on a performance award basis during 2018, 2017 and 2016. These plans were previously approved by the Board of Directors.
Grant Date
Target Share Award
Performance Period (years)
Award if threshold met
Award if targets are met
Award if superior met
Award if threshold not achieved
Vesting After Performance Period (years)
Final vesting
January 28, 2013
128,611

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
1
December 31, 2016
January 27, 2014
125,000

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
0
December 31, 2016
January 26, 2015
125,000

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
0
December 31, 2017
December 30, 2015
60,000

5
 
 
 
 
0
December 31, 2020
February 18, 2016
160,650

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
0
December 31, 2018
February 23, 2017
93,500

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
0
December 31, 2019
February 22, 2018
102,000

3
40
%
100
%
200
%
%
0
December 31, 2020
The following table summarizes the estimated unvested target share awards for the Plans as of December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Outstanding, beginning of the year
525,045

 
426,596

 
320,705

Granted
130,995

 
276,442

 
176,936

Issued
(149,480
)
 
(171,637
)
 
(18,348
)
Forfeited
(9,957
)
 
(6,356
)
 
(52,697
)
Outstanding, end of the year
496,603

 
525,045

 
426,596

The unvested target awards for the Plans have an estimated fair value of $12.08 per share for the February 18, 2016 grant based on the closing price of Company stock as of December 31, 2018. The December 30, 2015 grant has a fair value of $9.18 based the closing stock price when the shares were granted. Based on a Monte Carlo simulation, the February 23, 2017 grant has a fair value of $13.29 per share for 75% of the grant and $15.09 per share for 25% of the grant and the February 28, 2018 grant has a fair value of $14.17 for 50% of the grant, $13.25 for 25% of the grant and $15.83 for the remaining 25% of the grant.


103

Table of Contents

Note 23—Contingent Liabilities
Legal proceedings
First Commonwealth and its subsidiaries are subject in the normal course of business to various pending and threatened legal proceedings in which claims for monetary damages are asserted. As of December 31, 2018, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not anticipate that the aggregate ultimate liability arising out of litigation pending or threatened against First Commonwealth or its subsidiaries will be material to First Commonwealth’s consolidated financial position. On at least a quarterly basis, First Commonwealth assesses its liabilities and contingencies in connection with such legal proceedings. For those matters where it is probable that First Commonwealth will incur losses and the amounts of the losses can be reasonably estimated, First Commonwealth records an expense and corresponding liability in its consolidated financial statements. To the extent the pending or threatened litigation could result in exposure in excess of that liability, the amount of such excess is not currently estimable. Although not considered probable, the range of reasonably possible losses for such matters in the aggregate, beyond the existing recorded liability (if any), is between $0 and $1 million. Although First Commonwealth does not believe that the outcome of pending litigation will be material to First Commonwealth’s consolidated financial position, it cannot rule out the possibility that such outcomes will be material to the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for a particular reporting period in the future.


Note 24—Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 606. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, First Commonwealth will generally be required to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation.

The Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to all contracts not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under Topic 605. The implementation of the new standard did not have a material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue, therefore a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not necessary.

In connection with the adoption of Topic 606, First Commonwealth is required to capitalize, and subsequently amortize into expense, certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if these costs are expected to be recovered. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained, for example, sales commission. The Company utilizes the practical expedient which allows entities to immediately expense contract acquisition costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less. Upon adoption of Topic 606, the Company did not capitalize any contract acquisition cost.

The Company also evaluated whether it has any significant contract balances. A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration resulting in a contract receivable or before payment is due resulting in a contract asset. A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the Company has already received payment from the customer. First Commonwealth’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals such as trust income which is based on month-end market values. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any significant contract balances.

Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. In addition, certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with derivatives are not in scope of the new guidance. Topic 606 is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as trust income, service charges on deposits, insurance and retail brokerage commissions, card related interchange income and gain (loss) on sale of OREO. The recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of Topic 606. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is generated from contracts with customers.

Noninterest revenue streams in-scope of Topic 606 are discussed below:

104

Table of Contents


Trust Income

Trust income is primarily comprised of fees earned from the management and administration of trusts and other customer assets. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon a tiered scale of market value of the assets under management at month-end. Payment is generally received a few days after month end through a direct charge to customers’ accounts. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives. Optional services such as financial planning or tax return preparation services are also available to trust customers. The Company’s performance obligation for these transactional-based services is generally satisfied and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment is received shortly after services are rendered.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of fees earned from its deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance, overdraft services and account analysis fees. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM use fees, stop payment fees, statement rendering and ACH fees are recognized at the time the transaction is executed which is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request. Monthly account maintenance fees are earned over the course of the month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. The Company’s performance obligation for account analysis fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, during the month the service is provided. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

Insurance and Retail Brokerage Commissions

Insurance income primarily consists of commissions received from execution of personal, business and health insurance policies when acting as an agent on behalf of insurance carriers. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied upon the issuance of the insurance policy. Because the Company’s contracts with the insurance carriers are generally cancellable by either party, with minimal notice, insurance commissions are recognized during the policy period as received. Also, the majority of insurance commissions are received on a monthly basis during the policy period, however some carriers pay the full annual commission to First Commonwealth at the time of policy issuance or renewal. In these cases, First Commonwealth would be required to refund any commissions it would not be entitled to as a result of cancelled or terminated policies. The Company has established a refund liability for the remaining term of the policies expected to be cancelled. The Company also receives incentive-based contingency fees from the insurance carriers. Contingency fee revenue, which totals approximately $0.5 million per year, is recognized as received due to the immaterial amount.
 
Retail brokerage income primarily consists of commissions received on annuity and investment product sales through a third-party service provider. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied upon the issuance of the annuity policy or the execution of an investment transaction. The Company does not earn a significant amount of trailer fees on annuity sales. However, after considering the factors impacting these trailer fees, such as the uncertainty of investor behavior and changes in the market value of assets, First Commonwealth determined that it would recognize trailing fees as received because it could not reasonably estimate an amount of future trailing commissions for which collection is probable. Commissions from the third-party service provider are received on a monthly basis based upon customer activity for the month. The fees are recognized monthly with a receivable until commissions are received from the third-party service provider the following month. Because the Company acts as an agent in arranging the relationship between the customer and the third-party service provider and does not control the services rendered to the customers, retail brokerage fees are presented net of related costs, including $2.5 million in commission expense.

Card Related Interchange Income

Card related interchange income is primarily comprised of debit and credit card income, ATM fees and merchant services income. Debit and credit card income is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Mastercard. ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a Company ATM. Merchant services income mainly represents fees charged to merchants to process their debit and credit card transactions, in addition to account management fees. Card related interchange income is recognized at the point in time as the customer transactions are settled.

105

Table of Contents


Other Income

Other income includes service revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks, and other services. The Company’s performance obligation for these services are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month.

Gains(losses) on sales of OREO

First Commonwealth records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. When First Commonwealth finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, an assessment of whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract is completed along with an evaluation of whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon transfer of control of the property to the buyer. In determining the gain or loss on the sale, First Commonwealth adjusts the transaction price and related gain(loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present.


106

Table of Contents

The impact on the condensed consolidated statements of income of adopting ASC 606 as of December 31 is outlined below:

 
2018
 
As Reported
 
Under Legacy GAAP
 
Impact of ASC 606
 
(dollars in thousands)
Noninterest Income
 
 
 
 
 
Net securities gains
$
8,102

 
$
8,102

 
$

Trust income
7,901

 
7,901

 

Service charges on deposit accounts
18,175

 
18,175

 

Insurance and retail brokerage commissions
7,426

 
9,893

 
(2,467
)
Income from bank owned life insurance
6,686

 
6,686

 

Gain on sale of mortgage loans
5,436

 
5,436

 

Gain on sale of other loans and assets
5,273

 
5,273

 

Card-related interchange income
20,187

 
20,187

 

Derivatives mark to market
787

 
787

 

Swap fee income
1,874

 
1,874

 

Other income
6,790

 
7,693

 
(903
)
Total noninterest income
88,637

 
92,007

 
(3,370
)
Noninterest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
105,115

 
107,582

 
(2,467
)
Net occupancy expense
17,219

 
17,219

 

Furniture and equipment expense
14,247

 
14,247

 

Data processing expense
10,470

 
10,849

 
(379
)
Advertising and promotion expense
3,956

 
3,956

 

Pennsylvania shares tax expense
4,875

 
4,875

 

Intangible amortization
3,217

 
3,217

 

Collection and repossession expense
2,762

 
2,762

 

Other professional fees and services
4,473

 
4,473

 

FDIC insurance
2,007

 
2,007

 

Loss on sale or write-down of assets
1,080

 
1,080

 

Litigation and operational losses
1,162

 
1,162

 

Merger and acquisition related
1,637

 
1,637

 

Other operating expenses
23,336

 
23,860

 
(524
)
Total noninterest expense
$
195,556

 
$
198,926

 
(3,370
)
Net Impact
 
 
 
 
$





107

Table of Contents

The following presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606 for the year ended December 31:
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Noninterest Income
 
 
 
 
 
In-scope of Topic 606:
 
 
 
 
 
Trust income
$
7,901

 
$
7,098

 
$
5,366

Service charges on deposit accounts
18,175

 
18,579

 
15,869

Insurance and retail brokerage commissions
7,426

 
8,807

 
7,964

Card-related interchange income
20,187

 
18,780

 
14,955

Gain on sale of other loans and assets
982

 
1,005

 
1,389

Other income
3,708

 
4,328

 
3,638

Noninterest Income (in-scope of Topic 606)
58,379

 
58,597

 
49,181

Noninterest Income (out-of-scope of Topic 606)
30,258

 
21,734

 
15,418

Total Noninterest Income
$
88,637

 
$
80,331

 
$
64,599



Note 25—Related Party Transactions
Some of First Commonwealth’s directors, executive officers, principal shareholders and their related interests had transactions with the subsidiary bank in the ordinary course of business. All deposit and loan transactions were made on substantially the same terms, such as collateral and interest rates, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions. In the opinion of management, these transactions do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability nor do they present other unfavorable features. It is anticipated that similar transactions will be entered into in the future.
The following is an analysis of loans to related parties (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2017
$
5,648

Advances
14,035

Repayments
(4,478
)
Other
433

December 31, 2018
$
15,638


Note 26—Regulatory Restrictions and Capital Adequacy
The amount of funds available to the parent from its subsidiary bank is limited by restrictions imposed on all depository institutions by banking regulation that restricts and limits the payment of dividends and the ability of depository institutions to engage in transactions, including lending transactions and asset purchases, with affiliates.
First Commonwealth and First Commonwealth Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators which, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on First Commonwealth’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, First Commonwealth and First Commonwealth Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of First Commonwealth’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. First Commonwealth’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weighting and other factors.
Effective January 1, 2015, the Company became subject to new regulatory risk-based capital rules adopted by the federal banking agencies implementing Basel III. The most significant changes include higher minimum capital requirements, as the minimum Tier I capital ratio increased from 4.0% to 6.0%, and a new common equity Tier I capital ratio was established with a minimum level of 4.5%. Additionally, the new rules improve the quality of capital by providing stricter eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments and provide for a phase-in, beginning January 1, 2016, of a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. This buffer provides a requirement to hold common equity Tier 1 capital above the minimum risk-based

108

Table of Contents

capital requirements, resulting in an effective common equity Tier I risk-weighted asset minimum ratio of 7% on a fully phased-in basis.
The Basel III Rules also permit banking organizations with less than $15.0 billion in assets to retain, through a one-time election, the exclusion of accumulated other comprehensive income from regulatory capital. The Company elected to retain this treatment, which reduces the volatility of regulatory capital levels.
During the second quarter of 2018, First Commonwealth Bank, the Company's banking subsidiary, issued $100 million in subordinated debt, which under regulatory rules qualifies as Tier II capital. This subordinated debt issuance increased the total risk-based capital ratio by 160 basis points.

109

Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, First Commonwealth and First Commonwealth Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject and was considered well-capitalized under the regulatory rules, all on a fully phased-in basis. To be considered well-capitalized, the Company must maintain minimum Total risk-based capital, Tier I risk-based capital, Tier I leverage ratio and Common equity tier I risk-based capital as set forth in the table below:
 
Actual
 
Minimum Capital Required - Basel III Phase-In Schedule
 
Minimum Capital Required - Basel III Fully Phased-In
 
Required to be Considered Well
Capitalized
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
(dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
918,786

 
14.65
%
 
$
619,173

 
9.88
%
 
$
658,361

 
10.50
%
 
$
627,011

 
10.00
%
First Commonwealth Bank
885,151

 
14.14

 
618,213

 
9.88

 
657,341

 
10.50

 
626,039

 
10.00

Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
767,881

 
12.25
%
 
$
493,771

 
7.88
%
 
$
532,959

 
8.50
%
 
$
501,608

 
8.00
%
First Commonwealth Bank
734,246

 
11.73

 
493,005

 
7.88

 
532,133

 
8.50

 
500,831

 
8.00

Tier I Capital to Average Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
767,881

 
10.28
%
 
$
298,856

 
4.00
%
 
$
298,856

 
4.00
%
 
$
373,570

 
5.00
%
First Commonwealth Bank
734,246

 
9.84

 
298,340

 
4.00

 
298,340

 
4.00

 
372,926

 
5.00

Common Equity Tier I to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
697,881

 
11.13
%
 
$
399,719

 
6.38
%
 
$
438,907

 
7.00
%
 
$
407,557

 
6.50
%
First Commonwealth Bank
734,246

 
11.73

 
399,100

 
6.38

 
438,227

 
7.00

 
406,925

 
6.50


110

Table of Contents

 
Actual
 
Minimum Capital Required - Basel III Phase-In Schedule
 
Minimum Capital Required - Basel III Fully Phased-In
 
Required to be Considered Well
Capitalized
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Ratio
 
(dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
745,473

 
12.34
%
 
$
558,728

 
9.25
%
 
$
634,232

 
10.50
%
 
$
604,030

 
10.00
%
First Commonwealth Bank
712,341

 
11.83

 
556,872

 
9.25

 
632,124

 
10.50

 
602,023

 
10.00

Tier I Capital to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
691,993

 
11.46
%
 
$
437,922

 
7.25
%
 
$
513,426

 
8.50
%
 
$
483,224

 
8.00
%
First Commonwealth Bank
658,861

 
10.94

 
436,467

 
7.25

 
511,720

 
8.50

 
481,619

 
8.00

Tier I Capital to Average Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
691,993

 
9.74
%
 
$
284,100

 
4.00
%
 
$
284,100

 
4.00
%
 
$
355,125

 
5.00
%
First Commonwealth Bank
658,861

 
9.30

 
283,344

 
4.00

 
283,344

 
4.00

 
354,180

 
5.00

Common Equity Tier I to Risk Weighted Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
$
623,252

 
10.32
%
 
$
347,317

 
5.75
%
 
$
422,821

 
7.00
%
 
$
392,620

 
6.50
%
First Commonwealth Bank
658,861

 
10.94

 
346,163

 
5.75

 
421,416

 
7.00

 
391,315

 
6.50


Note 27—Capital
In 2012, First Commonwealth announced a $50.0 million common stock repurchase program. Additional share repurchase programs were authorized for up to $25.0 million in shares of the Company’s common stock for each year from 2013 to 2016. The repurchase program was suspended in July 2016 as a result of the acquisition of five branches in northern Ohio which management believes represents a better use of capital for shareholder. Repurchases under all programs resulted in a total of 16,665,735 shares repurchased at an average price of $7.55 per share. In 2018, First Commonwealth announced a $25.0 million common stock repurchase program. This program was completed prior to the end of 2018 and resulted in a total of 1,843,373 shares repurchased at an average price of $13.58.


111

Table of Contents

Note 28—Condensed Financial Information of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (parent company only)
Statements of Financial Condition
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
(dollars in thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
Cash
$
21,466

 
$
16,432

Loans
14

 
17

Investment in subsidiaries
1,014,685

 
927,765

Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
2,192

 
2,186

Investment in jointly-owned company
280

 
9,191

Premises and equipment, net
3,519

 
3,715

Dividends receivable from subsidiaries
5,444

 

Other assets
5,402

 
4,996

Total assets
$
1,053,002

 
$
964,302

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
$
5,446

 
$
4,008

Subordinated debentures payable
72,167

 
72,167

Shareholders’ equity
975,389

 
888,127

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
1,053,002

 
$
964,302

Statements of Income
For the years ended December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Interest and dividends
$
1

 
$
1

 
$
1

Dividends from subsidiaries
81,851

 
52,586

 
55,510

Interest expense
(3,722
)
 
(3,000
)
 
(2,635
)
Other income
14

 
17

 
83

Operating expense
(4,047
)
 
(4,767
)
 
(4,700
)
Income before taxes and equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
74,097

 
44,837

 
48,259

Applicable income tax benefits
1,324

 
2,557

 
2,515

Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
75,421

 
47,394

 
50,774

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
32,077

 
7,771

 
8,816

Net income
$
107,498

 
$
55,165

 
$
59,590


112

Table of Contents

 
For the years ended December 31,
Statements of Cash Flow
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
107,498

 
$
55,165

 
$
59,590

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
320

 
322

 
355

Net gains on sales of assets
(7
)
 
(3
)
 

Decrease (increase) in prepaid income taxes
37

 
(550
)
 
7,380

Undistributed equity in subsidiaries
(32,077
)
 
(7,771
)
 
(8,816
)
Distribution from unconsolidated subsidiary
9,000

 

 

Other net
(1,628
)
 
8,767

 
7,759

Net cash provided by operating activities
83,143

 
55,930

 
66,268

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in loans
3

 
2

 
3

Purchases of premises and equipment
(87
)
 
(207
)
 

Proceeds from sale of other assets
7

 
3

 
(332
)
Proceeds from dissolution of subsidiary
0

 

 
27,017

Acquisition of affiliate, net of cash received
0

 
(250
)
 

Investment in subsidiaries
(17,202
)
 
(37,690
)
 
(47,017
)
Net cash used in by investing activities
(17,279
)
 
(38,142
)
 
(20,329
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends paid
(34,849
)
 
(30,513
)
 
(24,907
)
Proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock
208

 
228

 
216

Purchase of treasury stock
(26,189
)
 
(1,458
)
 
(864
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(60,830
)
 
(31,743
)
 
(25,555
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
5,034

 
(13,955
)
 
20,384

Cash at beginning of year
16,432

 
30,387

 
10,003

Cash at end of year
$
21,466

 
$
16,432

 
$
30,387

Cash dividends declared per common share were $0.35 for 2018, $0.32 in 2017 and $0.28 in 2016.
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation has an unsecured $15.0 million line of credit with another financial institution. As of December 31, 2018, there are no amounts outstanding on this line and we are in compliance with all debt covenants related
to the line of credit.


113

Table of Contents

Quarterly Summary of Financial Data—Unaudited
The unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
 
2018
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
First
Quarter
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income
$
77,945

 
$
74,873

 
$
72,940

 
$
66,499

Interest expense
12,896

 
11,060

 
9,265

 
6,814

Net interest income
65,049

 
63,813

 
63,675

 
59,685

Provision for credit losses
1,499

 
2,961

 
1,168

 
6,903

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
63,550

 
60,852

 
62,507

 
52,782

Net securities gains

 

 
5,262

 
2,840

Other noninterest income
20,529

 
19,757

 
21,046

 
19,203

Other expenses
50,024

 
49,530

 
49,129

 
46,873

Income before income taxes
34,055

 
31,079

 
39,686

 
27,952

Income tax provision
7,057

 
5,930

 
7,605

 
4,682

Net Income
$
26,998

 
$
25,149

 
$
32,081

 
$
23,270

Basic Earnings Per Share
$
0.27

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.32

 
$
0.24

Diluted Earnings Per Share
0.27

 
0.25

 
0.32

 
0.24

Average shares outstanding
99,147,933

 
100,226,647

 
95,305,009

 
97,433,137

Average shares outstanding assuming dilution
99,358,759

 
100,490,812

 
99,504,409

 
97,601,162

 
2017
 
Fourth
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
First
Quarter
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest income
$
65,840

 
$
65,411

 
$
63,120

 
$
56,179

Interest expense
6,270

 
5,848

 
5,303

 
4,349

Net interest income
59,570

 
59,563

 
57,817

 
51,830

Provision for credit losses
2,253


1,214

 
(1,609
)
 
3,229

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
57,317

 
58,349

 
59,426

 
48,601

Net securities gains (losses)
4,345

 
92

 
(49
)
 
652

Other noninterest income
20,360

 
19,698

 
18,953

 
16,280

Other expenses
51,909

 
47,361

 
58,263

 
42,765

Income before income taxes
30,113

 
30,778

 
20,067

 
22,768

Income tax provision
26,132

 
9,495

 
6,054

 
6,880

Net Income
$
3,981

 
$
21,283

 
$
14,013

 
$
15,888

Basic Earnings Per Share
$
0.04

 
$
0.22

 
$
0.14

 
$
0.18

Diluted Earnings Per Share
0.04

 
0.22

 
0.14

 
0.18

Average shares outstanding
97,363,471

 
97,402,816

 
97,183,599

 
88,929,892

Average shares outstanding assuming dilution
97,507,465

 
97,457,470

 
97,232,288

 
88,987,671

 


114

Table of Contents

ITEM 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
 
ITEM 9A.    Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Notwithstanding the material weakness described under Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have concluded that the control deficiency did not result in any material misstatement or omission in our consolidated financial statements, and that the Company’s financial statements included in this Form 10-K and as reported for interim periods in 2018 on Forms 10-Q present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the fourth quarter of 2018, we identified process level control deficiencies related to changes made to policies and procedures during the third quarter of 2018 related to the determination of the qualitative component of the allowance for credit losses. This was caused by the Company not sufficiently identifying and assessing the implications of the change in methodology and the impact on the allowance for credit losses and related internal controls. Although we identified no misstatement in our third quarter interim financial statements as of and for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018, these control deficiencies represented a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2018 because a reasonable possibility existed that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements would not have been prevented or detected on a timely basis.
We took immediate actions to remediate this material weakness during the fourth quarter of 2018. Specifically, we formalized the documentation required to support a change in the allowance for credit losses methodology, we approved changes to the policies and procedures that establish and monitor the determination of the qualitative component of the allowance for credit losses, and these newly approved policies and procedures were applied in the performance of the process level controls that determine the qualitative component of the allowance for credit losses. Based on these actions, we have concluded that this material weakness was remediated in the fourth quarter of 2018 and does not impact Management’s Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting described below. We identified and reported this weakness to both our audit committee and KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm.
Except as described above, there has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.


115

Table of Contents

MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
First Commonwealth is responsible for the preparation, the integrity, and the fair presentation of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report. The Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to the financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and include some amounts based upon management’s best estimates and judgments.
First Commonwealth’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), that is designed to produce reliable financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including First Commonwealth’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, First Commonwealth conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented and that misstatements due to error or fraud may occur without detection. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Based on First Commonwealth’s evaluation based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018. The effectiveness of First Commonwealth’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which is included herein.

First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
Indiana, Pennsylvania
March 1, 2019
 
/S/    T. Michael Price        
 
/S/    James R. Reske       
T. Michael Price
 
James R. Reske
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


116

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated statements of financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated March 1, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ KPMG LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 1, 2019
 

117

Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 1, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that responds to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2006.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 1, 2019

 

118

Table of Contents

ITEM 9B.    Other Information
None.

119

Table of Contents

PART III

ITEM 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information called for by this item concerning the identification, business experience and qualifications of First Commonwealth’s directors will be included in First Commonwealth’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the annual meeting of shareholders to be held April 23, 2019 (the “Proxy Statement”), under the heading “Proposal 1—Election of Directors,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information called for by this item concerning First Commonwealth’s compliance with section 16(a) of the Exchange Act will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
First Commonwealth has adopted a code of conduct and ethics that applies to all employees of the Company, including executive officers. In addition, First Commonwealth has adopted a code of ethics for the Chief Executive Officer and all senior financial officers of the Company. Both of these codes are filed as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are posted on First Commonwealth’s website at http://www.fcbanking.com. Refer to Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a list of exhibits.
Information called for by this item concerning First Commonwealth’s Audit Committee and the identification of “Audit Committee financial experts” will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Certain information regarding executive officers is included under the caption “Executive Officers of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation” after Part I, Item 4, of this Report.
 
ITEM 11.    Executive Compensation
Information called for by this item concerning compensation of First Commonwealth’s executive officers and the report of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Executive Compensation,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information called for by this item concerning compensation of First Commonwealth’s directors will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Compensation of Directors,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information called for by this item concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and security ownership of management will be included in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Securities Owned by Directors and Management,” and is incorporated herein by reference. 
The following table provides information related to our existing equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018:
Plan Category
Number of
securities to  be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
496,603

 
N/A
 
3,156,378

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
N/A

 
N/A
 
N/A

Total
496,603

 
N/A
 
3,156,378

The number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding option, warrants and rights represent the maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to outstanding performance units.

120

Table of Contents


ITEM 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information called for by this item concerning transactions with related persons and review, approval or ratification of transactions with related persons will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Related Party Transactions,” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information called for by this item concerning director independence will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate Governance,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information called for by this item concerning fees paid to First Commonwealth’s principal accountant and First Commonwealth’s pre-approval policies and procedures will be included in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Annual Audit Information,” and is incorporated herein by reference.


121

Table of Contents

PART IV
ITEM 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statements and Schedules

(A)Documents Filed as Part of this Report
(1)Financial Statements
All financial statements of the registrant as set forth under Item 8 of the Report on Form 10-K.
(2)    Financial Statement Schedules
Schedule
Number
  
Description
Page
I
  
Indebtedness to Related Parties
N/A
II
  
Guarantees of Securities of Other Issuers
N/A
(3)Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
  
Incorporated by Reference to
3.1
  
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
  
Exhibit 3.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
3.2
  
Amended and Restated By-Laws of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
  
Exhibit 3.1 to the current report as Form 8-K filed February 1, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
  
Amended and Restated Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (formerly known as the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan)
  
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed December 21, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
  
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2012 entered into among First Commonwealth Financial Corporation, First Commonwealth Bank and T. Michael Price
  
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.3
  
Change of Control Agreement dated December 30, 2011 entered into between FCFC and T. Michael Price
  
Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.4
  
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation Incentive Compensation Plan
  
Annex I to Proxy Statement filed March 19, 2015 relating to the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
10.5
  
2018 Annual Incentive Plan
  
Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
10.6
 
2016-2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
10.7
 
2017-2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
10.8
 
2018-2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
10.9
  
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for service-based restricted stock
  
Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.10
 
Change of Control Agreement dated December 30, 2011 entered into between FCFC and Leonard V. Lombardi
 
Exhibit 10.13 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed March 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.11
 
Change of Control Agreement dated December 30, 2011 entered into between FCFC and Matthew C. Tomb
 
Exhibit 10.14 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed March 5, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
10.12
 
Performance Unit Agreement dated December 30, 2015 between First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and T. Michael Price
 
Exhibit 10.13 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed February 29, 2016
 
 
 
 
 

122

Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number
  
Description
  
Incorporated by Reference to
10.13
 
Employment Agreement dated April 10, 2014 between First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and James R. Reske
 
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form
8-K filed April 10, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
10.14
 
Change of Control Agreement dated April 10, 2014 between First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and James R. Reske
 
Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form
8-K filed April 10, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
10.15
 
Restricted Stock Agreement dated April 10, 2014 between First Commonwealth Financial Corporation and James R. Reske
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form
8-K filed April 10, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
10.16
 
Change of Control Agreement dated March 1, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Norman J. Montgomery
 
Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.17
 
Change of Control Agreement dated March 1, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Carrie L. Riggle
 
Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed May 8, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.18
 
Change of Control Agreement dated May 31, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Jane Grebenc
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.19
 
Employment Agreement dated May 31, 2013 entered into between FCFC and Jane Grebenc
 
Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed August 7, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
10.20
 
Employment Agreement dated September 19, 2016 entered into between FCFC and Brian Karrip
 
Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
10.21
 
Change of Control Agreement dated September 19, 2016 entered into between FCFC and Brian Karrip
 
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
10.22
 
Restricted Stock Agreement dated September 19, 2016 entered into between FCFC and Brian Karrip
 
Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
101.00
 
The following materials from First Commonwealth Financial Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Filed herewith

123

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
FIRST COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Registrant)
 
 
By:
 
/S/    T. Michael Price        
 
 
T. Michael Price
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
Dated: March 1, 2019
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been executed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
  
Capacity
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/S/    Julie A. Caponi       
 
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Julie A. Caponi
 
 
 
 
/S/    Ray T. Charley        
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Ray T. Charley
 
 
 
 
/S/    Gary R. Claus        
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Gary R. Claus
 
 
 
 
/S/    David S. Dahlmann   
  
Director, Chairman
 
March 1, 2019
David S. Dahlmann
 
 
 
 
/S/    Johnston A. Glass        
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Johnston A. Glass
 
 
 
 

  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Jon L. Gorney
 
 
 
 
/S/    David W. Greenfield
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
David W. Greenfield
 
 
 
 
/S/ Bart E. Johnson
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Bart E. Johnson
 
 
 
 
/S/    Luke A. Latimer  
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Luke A. Latimer
 
 
 
 
/S/    T. Michael Price        
  
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
 
March 1, 2019
T. Michael Price
 
 
 
 
/S/    James R. Reske       
  
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
 
March 1, 2019
James R. Reske
 
 
 
 
/S/    Laurie S. Singer
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Laurie S. Singer
 
 
 
 
/S/    Robert J. Ventura
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Robert J. Ventura
 
 
 
 
/S/ Stephen A. Wolfe
  
Director
 
March 1, 2019
Stephen A. Wolfe
 
 
 
 

124