ISBC 2017 Form 10-K & 2018 Proxy Statement

FORM 10-K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The following significant accounting and reporting policies of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary (collectively, the Company) conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and are used in preparing and presenting these consolidated financial statements. (a) Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements are comprised of the accounts of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Investors Bank (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements to conform with current year classifications. In the opinion of management, all the adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial condition and the consolidated results of operations for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations and other data presented for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for subsequent years. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The estimate of our allowance for loan losses, the valuation of deferred tax assets, impairment judgments and fair value regarding securities, stock based compensation and derivative instruments are particularly critical because they involve a higher degree of complexity and subjectivity and require estimates and assumptions about highly uncertain matters. Actual results may differ from our estimates and assumptions. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these material estimates. Business Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s primary business is holding the common stock of the Bank and a loan to the Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Bank provides banking services to customers primarily through branch offices in New Jersey and New York. The Bank’s competition for loans and deposits comes principally from commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms, credit unions and insurance companies. The Company faces additional competition for deposits from short-term money market funds, brokerage firms and mutual funds and is subject to the regulations of certain federal and state regulatory authorities and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities. (b) Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, amounts due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions. The Company is required by the Federal Reserve System to maintain cash reserves equal to a percentage of certain deposits. The reserve requirement totaled $68.3 million at December 31, 2017 and $62.8 million at December 31, 2016. (c) Securities Securities include securities held-to-maturity and securities available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. If management has the positive intent not to sell and the Company would not be required to sell prior to maturity, they are classified as held-to-maturity 83